The BetterCulture Podcast

According to bestselling author and leadership expert Mike Robbins, the thing that often separates high-performing teams from the rest often comes down to the "squishy stuff" most organizations overlook. In this episode of the BetterCulture Podcast, Brett Hoogeveen talks with Mike, who shares his journey from Stanford pitcher and Kansas City Royals prospect to one of the world's most sought-after...

In this episode of The BetterCulture Podcast,  Brett Hoogeveen focuses on the common business practice of promoting top individual performers into management roles, regardless of whether management actually suits their skills or desires. One concept discussed is the important distinction between "stars"—those who create value through their own performance—and "leaders," who generate value by helpi...

On this episode of the BetterCulture Podcast, we sit down with Miriam Blair, Director of Inclusive Engagement at Kutak Rock, to unpack how the firm tackled its most pressing challenge: reviving professionalism, communication, and collaboration across every layer of the workplace. Miriam candidly shares the struggles Kutak Rock faced with changing workplace norms post-pandemic, from the erosion of...

If you think employee recognition is just feel-good fluff, well, think again. In this fast-paced episode of the BetterCulture Podcast, discover why recognition isn’t just a nice-to-have—it's a powerful driver of behavior, team engagement, and business results. This episode focuses on the difference between recognition and appreciation, offering practical tips for turning cultural values into every...

In this episode of the BetterCulture Podcast, Brett and his brother, Blake Hoogeveen, have a conversation focused on the complexities of employee engagement surveys and the surprising ways organizations can either boost or damage their culture through the survey process. Their discussion explores why seemingly simple tools like engagement surveys often fail to produce actionable insights and how b...

In this episode of the BetterCulture Podcast, Brett Hoogeveen explores why kindness is among the most powerful forces for building healthy, resilient, and high-performing teams. The message focuses on breaking down common misconceptions, showing how kindness isn’t about being soft or lowering expectations—instead, it requires real strength and awareness. Through relatable scenarios and practical a...

Get an inside look at what it takes to build and scale a powerful workplace culture in today’s fast-moving business world. In this episode of the BetterCulture Podcast, Rick Knudtson, co-founder and CEO of Workshop (and previously Flywheel) joins Brett Hoogeveen to share hard-earned lessons from building high-performing teams—and the modern tools that make employee communication a true driver of e...

In this dynamic episode of the BetterCulture Podcast, Brett Hoogeveen welcomes back co-founder and leadership expert Dr. Kim Hogeveen to uncover the hidden potential of both formal and informal mentoring and how it's a powerful, yet often misunderstood, engine for growth in the workplace and beyond Discover why most mentoring programs fall flat—and how to avoid common pitfalls that can hinder the...

Are you unknowingly shutting down creativity in your organization? In this episode, we get straight to the heart of why innovation often stalls—not because of budgets, but because of subtle habits and mindsets that leaders tolerate every day. Discover the three invisible behaviors that are killing new ideas faster than you realize, and learn the practical, powerful shifts you can make to bring inn...

What if your company could support employees beyond the workplace—and see real results in engagement, retention, and well-being? In this episode of the BetterCulture Podcast, we dive into a revolutionary approach to workplace culture: investing in your people’s whole lives. Guest Chad Mares, Founder, President & CEO of The Work Lab, reveals how embedding work life coaches on-site is helping or...

In this BetterCulture Podcast episode, Brett explores the relationship superpower of "Assume Positive Intent"—Tenet Number Three from Better Culture's 20 Tenets of Culture. You'll learn why most conflict doesn't start with bad intent, but with bad assumptions. Listen and learn practical ways to improve your emotional intelligence, including: Slowing your reaction and not responding immediately Get...

In this episode of the BetterCulture Podcast, host Brett Hoogeveen and his colleague Kevin Hensel tackle one of the most transformative truths in personal and professional growth: nobody is coming to develop you. Together, they share real-world stories, practical steps, and motivating insights on what it takes to take full responsibility for your own leadership development. If you’ve been waiting...

Ever left a leadership workshop energized, only to find nothing really changed? In this episode, host Brett Hoogeveen together with Dr. Kim Hoogeveen, dissect the six common pitfalls that make leadership training ineffective in most organizations. Learn what separates memorable, impactful training from “book-of-the-month” fluff—and how to get better results for yourself or your team. You’ll learn:...

Discover how third-generation leader Jenn Barlund is infusing purpose, connection, and care into Falcon Plastics, transforming it from a traditional manufacturing business into a company where relationships, well-being, and fun drive performance. Brett Hoogeveen explores Jenn’s personal journey with imposter syndrome, her commitment to values-driven decision-making, and actionable strategies for b...

In this episode of the BetterCulture Podcast, Brett Hoogeveen and Dr. Kim Hogeveen dive into the challenge of keeping long-term employees energized and engaged. They discuss the critical role these employees play in organizational stability, why engagement can fade over time, and share practical, actionable strategies for leaders to ensure team members remain valued and motivated. You'll gain valu...

Ever walked into a meeting and instantly felt the mood tank—or soar—because of one person’s vibe? In this punchy episode we crack open the myth that your attitude is just “yours.” Turns out, your outlook leaks! Discover four killer moves to level up your energy (even on tough days), how to avoid the "emotional doom loop," and why being upbeat isn’t about fake smiles—it’s about leading with contagi...

In this episode of the BetterCulture Podcast, we welcome Annie Figenshu—content strategist, author, and former New York City improv performer. Drawing on 15 years of experience captivating audiences on stage, Annie reveals how lessons from improv and theater can transform the way leaders engage their teams and influence company culture. Annie discusses practical, improv-inspired strategies that le...

In this episode of the BetterCulture Podcast, Brett Hoogeveen and Kevin Hensel deliver rapid-fire insights on a question every workplace should ask: who truly shapes culture? They break it down into four critical roles—executives, HR leaders, frontline managers, and all employees—challenging popular assumptions along the way. Their punchy "one recommendation per role" game reveals that: 1. Executi...

In this FastBlast edition of the BetterCulture Podcast, Brett Hoogeveen dives into one of the simplest - yet most powerful - pieces of leadership advice you’ll ever receive: oral highlighting. Discover why attention spans keep shrinking (hint: tacos vs. salad debates happen in real meetings!), and how most people miss chances to truly connect with their audiences. Learn exactly how to signal your...

Heather Tussing, President of The Aspenwood Company, joins Brett Hoogeveen to reveal how a people-first approach turned Aspenwood into a top workplace in senior living. Discover Heather’s journey from community sales to the C-suite, her playbook for turning around struggling teams, and the real strategies behind industry-leading employee engagement. Filled with actionable leadership tips and cultu...

What’s the single, most impactful action your organization can take to build an amazing place to work? In this thought-provoking episode of the Better Culture podcast, Brett Hoogeveen and Kim Hoogeveen unpack the audacious goal that can revolutionize any workplace: ensuring every employee reports to an outstanding supervisor. Discover why this deceptively simple goal drives organizational engageme...

In this BetterCulture Podcast Fastblast, host Brett Hoogeveen flips the script on a common business myth: the belief that focusing on people and culture is just a cost. Brett makes a compelling case that culture isn’t just “nice to have”—it’s your most powerful growth engine. Through practical advice, candid examples, and simple steps you can take today, discover how great culture fuels retention,...

In this inspiring episode of the BetterCulture Podcast, host Brett Hoogeveen and guest Danielle Geiger dive deep into what it takes to build and sustain an award-winning workplace culture—especially in a high-impact industry like healthcare. Danielle Geiger, Practice Administrator at Nebraska Cancer Specialists, shares her journey from bedside nurse to leading a 380-person, multi-site operation re...

What separates an average manager from a transformational one? According to Brett Hoogeveen and Dr. Kim Hoogeveen, it might be the most overlooked—and misunderstood—decision in business: choosing the right people leaders. In this episode, the father–son founders of Better Culture unveil their brand-new—and completely free— People Leader Checklist , a practical, research-backed tool that helps orga...

Brett Hoogeveen shares how addressing the “unspeakable” tensions between two coworkers turned quiet conflict into connection — offering simple tools every leader can use to build trust and teamwork. In this Leadership FastBlast episode, BetterCulture co-founder and host Brett Hoogeveen tackles one of the stickiest kinds of workplace tension — the unspoken issues that feel too uncomfortable to addr...