Shows
The CultureCon® PodcastWhat Happens in Vegas Builds Culture | CultureCon® West 2025 RecapThe best moments at CultureCon® West 2025 didn't happen on stage. They happened in the spaces in between. This episode unpacks why that matters. Nick and Zach reflect on what made CultureCon West® 2025 truly stand out, and it wasn't just the speaker lineup. From an unforgettable dinner where no one talked about work to a surprise "Hamilton" performance that brought the room to its feet, they explore the human-centered experiences that made this year's conference feel different. They share behind-the-scenes wins in sustainability, unexpected on-stage moments, and why the real value came from the connections formed be...
2025-12-0237 min
The CultureCon® PodcastCulture Starts Here: Do Your Leaders Know What To Say and Do To Be Effective? with Todd WuestenbergYour leaders are your culture carriers. And if your organization wants to achieve and sustain cultural competitive advantage, your leaders must be crystal clear on a few critical behaviors. In this episode, CEO Heather Haas and leadership consultant BJ McKay of the consultancy ADVISA have a lively and insightful conversation with Todd Wuestenberg, Chief Culture Officer of Haverkamp Properties, about the importance of the third of five drivers of cultural competitive advantage: Leader Effectiveness. What does Leader Effectiveness look like, and how do you go about fostering it? Heather and BJ tee up what...
2025-11-2540 minThe CultureCon® PodcastLive from CultureCon® 2025: Hiring for Heart, Not Just Skill with Eliza JacksonWhat if your company values weren't just words on a wall, but a lived, breathing part of your culture that drives every hire, fire, and daily decision? Live from CultureCon® 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin, Nikki Lewallen Gregory sits down with Eliza Jackson of ButcherBox for a conversation that flips traditional HR playbooks on their head. With a colorful background that spans finance, kindergarten classrooms, and hypergrowth startups, Eliza brings a refreshingly real perspective on what it takes to build values-driven organizations that actually walk the talk. From rejecting high-performing candidates who don't align with c...
2025-11-1827 min
The CultureCon® PodcastWorkPossible: Building exceptional patient and employee experience with Sven GierlingerWhat if the best patient experience starts with taking care of your people first? In this episode of "WorkPossible," Elaine and Hattie get into conversation with Sven Gierlinger, Chief Experience Officer at Northwell Health, one of the largest and most progressive health systems in the United States. But Sven's impact goes far beyond patient experience. He's a powerful advocate for something many leaders talk about but rarely act on: the unbreakable connection between exceptional employee experience and exceptional customer, or in this case patient, experience. Drawing from three decades across hospitality, the Ritz-Carlton, and 17 years...
2025-11-1146 minThe CultureCon® PodcastFixing Broken Culture Signals with Pete Savage & Greg LivingsIf you're investing in culture but not seeing impact, the problem might not be the budget… it might be the signals you're sending. 🚨 Pete Savage and Greg Livings are back to decode one of the most overlooked drivers of company culture: culture signals. From a restaurant that turned things around by upgrading its patio decor to a company that fumbled a milestone moment for 7,000 employees, this episode is full of sharp insights and real-world lessons. They break down how to spot what's truly resonating, drop the weak stuff, and create moments that stick. With practical tips...
2025-11-0442 min
The CultureCon® PodcastCulture Starts Here: Do Mission, Vision, and Values Really Matter?ADVISA CEO Heather Haas and leadership consultant BJ McKay spill the T in ATLAS, delving into the second of five essential drivers for creating cultural competitive advantage: Trust and Shared Purpose. Heather and BJ define what this driver really means and provide practical tactics any organization can use to promote it. This episode decodes the importance of mission, vision, and values, and what makes the difference between wall art and valuable tools for alignment. Additional Resources: Get Your Culture Check! Connect with Heather on LinkedIn Con...
2025-10-2837 minThe CultureCon® PodcastLive from CultureCon® 2025: Who Are You? Not What You've Done with Natasha NuyttenWhy are we still using resumes like it's 1995?! 📄 Live from CultureCon® 2025, Nikki Lewallen Gregory is joined by Natasha Nuytten, CEO of CLARA, for a rapid-fire convo on shaking up everything we thought we knew about HR. From blowing up the resume to embracing AI in ethical and human-first ways, Natasha dishes on how leaders can stop playing it safe and start rethinking talent. They explore the magic of unlearning, why potential matters more than pedigree, and how to build hiring processes that actually reflect the world we live in today. If you're tired of r...
2025-10-2129 minThe CultureCon® PodcastLive from CultureCon® 2024: Building Brave Spaces with Faatima KhanWhat does it really mean to show up authentically at work? In this special live episode from CultureCon® 2024, Nikki Lewallen Gregory sits down with Faatima Khan, former Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at WPS Health Solutions, to unpack how leaders can create trust-filled, brave spaces where people feel safe enough to be real. 💬 From mood elevators to hilarious office pranks that turned into powerful moments of connection, Faatima reminds us that authenticity takes intention, grace, and vulnerability. This conversation is filled with stories and strategies that will challenge you to slow down, ask bette...
2025-10-1430 minThe CultureCon® PodcastWhy Culture Needs a Plan with Greg Livings and Pete SavageWhat if shaping culture felt less like guesswork and more like strategy? 🎯 Nick and Zach sit down with Greg and Pete from CultureShape to dive into the tools and insights that are helping leaders make culture intentional, measurable, and lasting. From the "Culture Wheel Playbook" to lessons learned from hundreds of conversations with leaders, this episode explores how to move culture from a buzzword to a business driver, and why intentional planning makes all the difference. Whether you're a culture team of one or twenty-one, you'll leave inspired to plan smarter, gain executive support, and tur...
2025-10-0743 min
The CultureCon® PodcastCulture Starts Here: One Thing Your C-Suite Absolutely Can't DelegateIn this episode, ADVISA CEO Heather Haas and leadership consultant BJ McKay discuss the concept of Cultural Competitive Advantage, focusing on the ATLAS framework – five drivers that organizations can leverage to align their culture with the goals of the business. Heather and BJ delve into the importance of the first driver, 'Activation from Above' – emphasizing the role of leadership in shaping and maintaining a healthy organizational culture. The conversation highlights the necessity of data in understanding cultural dynamics, the time it takes to effect meaningful change, and practical steps to jump-start cultural transformation.
2025-09-2332 minThe CultureCon® PodcastWhen Growth Breaks Culture with Dr. Julia WienerWhat does it really take to grow a business from your garage into an international company with 300+ employees… and then turn that experience into a career helping leaders build thriving cultures? 🚀 Dr. Julia Wiener takes Nick and Zach inside her journey from corporate life to co-founding one of Inc. Magazine's fastest-growing companies, and now leading JW Strategies. She shares how agility and quick pivots kept her business alive, why creating space to "fail fast" sparks innovation, and how subtle leadership behaviors can shape culture more than any words on a wall. From navigating messy team merge...
2025-09-1634 min
The CultureCon® PodcastWorkPossible: Authentic communication beats corporate spin with Martin FitzpatrickWhat if the way we've always done things at work is exactly what's holding us back? In this episode of "WorkPossible," Elaine and Hattie sit down with Martin Fitzpatrick, Global Employee Communications and Engagement Director at Ericsson, to challenge some of the most outdated practices in the workplace. From the uninspiring employee handbook that kills excitement on day one, to why we expect frontline managers to become brilliant communicators overnight without any support, to leaders hiding behind polished spin instead of saying, "I don't know," Martin pushes for a more human approach to communication and...
2025-09-0939 minThe CultureCon® PodcastThe Fun, the Fumbles, and the Future of CultureCon®What happens when two self-proclaimed non-event planners accidentally create one of the most meaningful culture conferences around? In this recap of CultureCon® 2025, Nick and Zach pull back the curtain on the behind-the-scenes chaos, lessons learned, and the magic that made this year's event unforgettable. From 3,200+ connections and Madison, WI's food trucks to silly puppet shows and the not-so-sexy "Boxed Lunch Experience," they share the highs, the hiccups, and the hilarity of building a community-driven conference. Stick around for a sneak peek at what's next 🎲 and their first-ever topic-specific conference on AI 🤖. Ad...
2025-09-0221 min
The CultureCon® PodcastIntroducing Culture Starts Here with Heather Haas and BJ McKayWelcome to the kickoff of "Culture Starts Here," a fresh new series from The CultureCon® Podcast in partnership with Advisa! 🎉 Meet Heather Haas, CEO of Advisa and former elementary school principal, and BJ McKay, a track coach-turned-leadership guru. Together, they break down how culture isn't just a feel-good HR project, it's a strategic lever for growth, alignment, and performance. Heather and BJ introduce ATLAS, a five-part framework designed to help leaders build cultures that actually work—where systems support people, data drives clarity, and leadership is intentional from the top down. With powerful client...
2025-08-2638 minThe CultureCon® PodcastDoing Good Is Good Business | B Corps 101 with Nathan StuckEver wondered if doing good can actually grow your business? Nathan Stuck proves it's not only possible—it's the future of work. In this kickoff to the CultureCon®️ Podcast, Nick and Zach welcome their first-ever guest: Nathan Stuck—purpose-driven leader, TEDx speaker, author, and founder of Profitable Purpose Consulting. He breaks down what B Corp certification really means (hint: it's more than a sticker on your packaging 🏷️), why employee volunteer hours matter, and how brands can walk the tightrope between impact and authenticity. Whether you're B-curious or already in the community, Nathan brings the insight, laughs, and...
2025-08-1941 min
The CultureCon® PodcastIntroducing WorkPossible with Hattie Roche and Elaine PageWhat would the employee experience be like if we binned the playbook? In a world where the workplace is being redefined daily, we're ditching the checklists and reimagining what leadership, culture, and employee experience. Welcome to WorkPossible. In this kick-off episode, hosts Hattie Roche, Co-Founder and Strategy Chief at Fauna, and seasoned Chief People Officer, Elaine Page team up with CultureCon® co-founders Nick Lombardino and Zach Blumenfeld to flip the traditional employee experience conversation on its head. They dive into how a casual chat turned into a bold research initiative, why we're long overdue for u...
2025-08-1241 minThe CultureCon® PodcastMaking Work Suck Less: The Birth of CultureCon®️Welcome to the very first episode of The CultureCon®️ Podcast 🎉 Nick and Zach kick things off with the wild and wonderful origin story of CultureCon®️: from blizzard-filled roundtables and zero event planning experience, to surprise Vegas marquees and full-on imposter syndrome. Along the way, they share the heart behind why CultureCon exists: to make work suck less and to build authentic connections that go far beyond job titles. You'll laugh, you'll learn, and you'll get a sneak peek at the incredible stories and topics coming your way — think AI, DEI, and social entrepreneurship. This is the...
2025-08-0426 minThe CultureCon® PodcastIntroducing The CultureCon® Podcast!Introducing the Official CultureCon® Podcast! 🎙️ Hosted by Nick Lombardino and Zach Blumenfeld, they're taking the CultureCon® experience beyond the conference. Launching this week, the Official CultureCon® Podcast brings you candid conversations with bold thinkers, everyday culture shapers, and unique voices pushing to make work better for everyone. Each episode offers fresh perspectives, real stories, and ideas you can carry into your work and life. ⏯️ Now streaming on all major platforms. Additional Resources: CultureCon 2025 Connect with Zach on LinkedIn Connect with Nick on LinkedIn
2025-07-1402 min
VibecastRevolutionizing Workplace Culture with Nick Lombardino and Zach Blumenfeld💭What's the vibe at your workplace? Is it energizing—or just… meh? 😬 In this episode, Kristi is joined by Zach Blumenfeld & Nick Lombardino, co-founders of CultureCon, to break down why workplace vibes matter and how they impact culture, leadership, and engagement. They talk about how to create a culture people actually love, the real reason return-to-office mandates feel so bad, and why workplace energy can make or break your day. Zach and Nick have built a community of culture champions, and their insights (plus some laughs) will have you rethinking how you show up at work...
2025-02-1951 min
Lead with CultureHow Leaders Create a Culture Where Employees Thrive featuring Zach Blumenfeld and Nick Lombardino“Giving employees autonomy to create their own decisions for what works best for them creates that trust, which creates connection, which is ultimately going to create that culture that people want and need to succeed.”In this episode of Lead with Culture, Zach Blumenfeld and Nick Lombardino, co-founders of CultureCon, explore how trust and connection form the foundation of a healthy workplace culture. They share stories and strategies from their work with leaders and organizations, offering insights into how workplaces can balance productivity and employee wellbeing. Zach and Nick also discuss how purpo...
2025-01-2147 min
Fringe by PeopleForward NetworkCultureCon Kickoff: Making Work MatterLive from CultureCon 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin, Nikki Lewallen Gregory, founder of PeopleForward Network, kicks off a new series that brings together the collective power of meaningful work and people-first leadership. This episode features the dynamic co-founders of CultureCon, Nick Lombardino and Zach Blumenfeld, as they share the origin story of CultureCon and their vision for expanding its impact beyond conferences. Joined by co-host Jasmine Bellamy, you'll hear how authentic connections and mentorship fuel the real magic at CultureCon.. This is the first of many episodes that will take you inside the CultureCon community – wh...
2024-10-0920 min
The Dr. Rod Berger Channel - Stories That Meet The MomentCultureCon 2024 Is Here! Co-Founders Zach Blumenfeld and Nick Lombardino On The Power of EngagementIn this episode, Dr. Rod Berger takes a deep dive into the world of work and engaged, culturally rich ecosystems with two esteemed guests, Zach Blumenfeld and Nick Lombardino, Co-founders of CultureCon. You'll hear how Zach and Nick met and turned small gatherings into an annual conference that empowers business leaders to share knowledge and foster meaningful workplace culture. Our conversation explores the balance between intrinsic and extrinsic motivators, the evolving dynamics of workplace culture, and how startups influence larger organizations. Zach and Nick share insights on accountability, truth-seeking, and the role of storytelling i...
2024-08-2543 min
Changing the Narrative of Employee Wellbeing with WCWIInspiring Positive Organizational Culture with CultureCon Co-founders Zach Blumenfeld and Nick LombardinoWCWI interviewed Zach Blumenfeld and Nick Lombardino, co-founders of CultureCon, a Madison-based organization on a mission to inspire positive change in organizational culture. This conversation with Zach and Nick embodies the spirit of one of WCWI’s guiding principles in action – bravely act together. WCWI and CultureCon align on our philosophies that if we can be conduits for people to share ideas, inspire one another, unite and support connections, and empower people to be culture change agents and wellbeing leaders within their organizations – we’ll continue to see a ripple of positive impact in our workplaces and our wider communit...
2023-02-2257 min