312: Really Understanding Workplace Wellness: How to Lead for Impact with Patricia Grabarek & Katina Sawyer

What if your wellness program is actually making burnout worse? 😮 In this episode, Nikki teams up with Dr. Patricia Grabarek and Dr. Katina Sawyer—organizational psychologists, authors of “Leading for Wellness,” and co-founders of Workr Beeing. They dive into what workplace wellness really means (hint: it’s way more than yoga and meditation apps) and how leaders play a critical role in making it stick. With research-backed insights and real-world stories, they challenge us to ditch the quick fixes and build people-first cultures that fuel performance and well-being 🌿📈.   Additional Resources: Get their book - “Leading for Wellness” Connect with Katina on LinkedIn Connect with Patricia on LinkedIn Learn more about Workr Beeing Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn  Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Wellness is holistic – It’s emotional, mental, physical, and life-balance—not just perks. Leaders matter most – Leadership drives day-to-day wellness impact. Tailor to individuals – One-size-fits-all doesn't work; personalization is key. Wellness = ROI – Healthy teams perform better and stay longer. Leaders need care too – Burned-out leaders can’t build healthy cultures.

Ready to supercharge your leadership communication with a little help from AI? 🤖 In this episode, Katherine gets real about how leaders can use AI tools to amplify their voice, not replace it. Katherine breaks down a simple, human-centered framework based on clarity, consistency, and connection to help you integrate AI into your daily workflow. From drafting heartfelt thank-you notes to simplifying board reports or even brainstorming creative staff recognition ideas, this episode is packed with smart, real-life examples that make AI feel approachable. 💬 So if you’ve been curious about AI but a little overwhelmed, this episode is your nudge to start small, stay intentional, and let tech support your leadership superpowers.💡💻   Additional Resources: Download this PDF for Sample Prompts to help you with leadership communication! Connect with Katherine Coble on LinkedIn Learn more about Borshoff Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Simplify complex messages with AI for better clarity. Use AI to stay consistent in team communication. Personalize messages efficiently with AI support. Always edit AI drafts to reflect your authentic voice. Balance AI use with empathy and context awareness.

Get ready for a fresh twist on Gut+Science! 🎉 Nikki teams up with internal comms expert Katherine Coble for a live episode all about using podcasting to transform how leaders connect with their teams. 💬 They explore why your culture is your brand, how to lead with authenticity, and why storytelling beats stale emails every time. Whether you're curious about internal podcasts or ready to launch, this episode is packed with real talk, strategy, and inspiration to make your message matter. Let’s go behind the mic and into the heart of your culture 💥   Additional Resources: Connect with Katherine on LinkedIn Listen to In the Loop with Katherine Coble Learn more about Borshoff Join the PFN Community! Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn  Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Lead with Human Connection: Authentic storytelling fosters trust and alignment in internal communication. Culture Shapes Brand: Internal culture directly influences external brand perception. Podcasting Scales Voices: Podcasts amplify leadership and peer insights organization-wide. Leverage Evergreen Content: Use recorded stories for onboarding and consistent alignment. Start with Strategy: Define goals and audience before choosing tools like podcasting.

Get ready to have your mindset stretched and your leadership toolkit expanded! 💡 Nikki sits down with Jon Mayo, culture transformer and founder of Waymaker. They dive deep into purpose-driven leadership, how culture starts with YOU, and why being a conduit (not a solutionist!) can transform your team from the inside out. 🌟 From the STRIVE methodology to real stories of team turnarounds, Jon brings passion, practicality, and a refreshing take on what it means to lead with intention. Whether you're scaling a business, building a culture from scratch, or just trying to keep your team aligned, this convo is your next spark. 🔥 Don’t miss it!   Additional Resources: Connect with Jon on LinkedIn Become a WayMaker! Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn  Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Culture is always present, and it’s your responsibility to shape it. Leaders are conduits: they guide and amplify, not dictate. Shared language is critical for sustaining culture. Feedback should be consistent and constructive, not reactionary. Excellence must be a non-negotiable value in people-first leadership.

Work’s changing fast—hybrid setups, flexible perks, and even pets making boardroom appearances 🐶💼. Michelle Yates from Pet Partners joins Nikki to dig into why intentional culture design (with a pet twist!) is the new frontier for engagement and retention. From pet insurance to office mascots, discover how the joy of animals is shaping the future of meaningful work 🐾✨.   Additional Resources: The Power of Pet Perks - Research with HABRI (Human Animal Bond Research Institute) Learn how to create pet-friendly workspaces with the Dogs at Work Guide! Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn Learn more about OnePack Plan by PetPartners Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Pets at work boost morale and mental health. Culture design must be intentional and people-first. Personalized benefits like pet insurance drive retention. Even non-pet owners value pet-inclusive workplaces.   Works Cited: KRC Research conducted an online survey on behalf of OnePack Plan by Pet Partners among n=1,000 employed US adults 18-65. The sample included n=750 pet owners and n=250 non-pet owners. The study was fielded between August 19 - August 22, 2024. Cohen Research Group in conjunction with OnePack Plan by PetPartners and the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) conducted an online survey over a two-week period from February 22 to March 7, 2024, with 1,021 HR professionals working for medium or large companies in the United States and Canada. By design, half of the respondents work at companies currently offering pet health insurance to their employees and half did not offer it to them. For terms and conditions visit: www.petpartners.com/sample-policies. Products are underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company, (NAIC #26581), and produced by PetPartners, Inc. (NPN #7612549; CA license #0F27261 PPI Pet Insurance Agency, Inc.).

🎉 We’re celebrating 7+ years of Gut+Science! In this special anniversary episode, Nikki pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build a thriving podcast and people-first culture. From trust and autonomy to finding your rhythm and aligning strengths, Nikki shares powerful insights and heartfelt shoutouts to the all-star team behind the scenes. 💪🎙️ It’s real talk about leadership, meaningful work, and the magic of doing life with people who just get it. Ready to be inspired? Hit play and celebrate with us! 🚀✨   Additional Resources: Join the PFN Community! Meet the team at PeopleForward Network! Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn  Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: People-first is a mindset; People-forward is action. Longevity is fueled by trust, autonomy, and values alignment. Remote work thrives when leadership trusts team members and empowers them through asynchronous, flexible processes. Leaders should spend time in deep, open-ended conversations and prioritize relationship advancement.  

In this episode of “In the Loop,” Katherine sits down with Dr. Michael Kirchhoff from Cooper University Healthcare. 🎙️ With over 25 years of experience—and two powerhouse roles as Patient Safety Officer and Chief Innovation Officer—he dives into why most leaders are getting communication all wrong. From decoding complexity to mastering the art of iteration and storytelling, Dr. Kirchhoff shares real talk on what it takes to truly connect with your people in any organization. 💡 Whether you're leading in healthcare or beyond, this convo is packed with wisdom, humor, and a few truth bombs. 💥 Ready to level up your leadership communication? Tune in!   Additional Resources: Connect with Dr. Kirchhoff on LinkedIn Connect with Katherine Coble on LinkedIn Learn more about Borshoff Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Effective communication in complex organizations requires understanding the audience and tailoring delivery methods accordingly. Over-communicating means using multiple channels repeatedly, not just repeating the same message via email. Communication is a team effort—leaders must leverage their teams to refine and adapt messaging. Storytelling in leadership is not just about structure but about iteration, relevance, and encoding intent.

We’re back with another special feature with Jason and Nikki, as they take you behind the curtain at People Forward Network to show how they’re shaking up team meetings 🎯 No more Zoom fatigue, awkward silences, or missed voices—just real collaboration, flexibility, and fun 🧠💬 They break down their async meeting framework, the tools they swear by, and why giving everyone space to contribute is the future of work. Ready to try meetings that actually work for people? Let’s go! 🚀   Additional Resources: Connect with Jason on LinkedIn Listen to the Working Forward Podcast Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Watch the Working Forward Podcast on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn  Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Asynchronous meetings empower all voices by removing the pressure of live participation. Clear structure and consistent tools (like Slack or Google Docs) are essential for async success. Expectation-setting—especially around deadlines and participation—is non-negotiable. Async meetings reduce meeting fatigue and improve focus. This model aligns with the evolving flexibility needs of distributed teams.

Remote work is here to stay—but how do we actually thrive in it? 💻✨ In this episode, creative powerhouse and Suka founder Steven Puri joins Nikki to share how leaders can ditch distractions and help remote teams find their focus. From Hollywood to high-growth startups, Steven's journey is full of bold moves and big lessons. Get ready for practical tips, mindset shifts, and a few laughs along the way as we explore how to turn chaos into clarity and embrace outcome-driven work 🚀   Additional Resources: Get your free trial of Sukha (no credit card required!) Connect with Steven on LinkedIn Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn  Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Focus on 3 priorities a day to reduce overwhelm. Remote work isn't new—just renamed. Trust beats surveillance in remote leadership. Flow states boost productivity—set the stage. Reflect during failure to grow faster.

This one’s different 🎙️ Nikki joins Dr. Rosie Ward for their quarterly “Courageous Leadership Series,” and this is a jam-packed convo on why leaders feel stuck and why change is so dang hard 😤 They break down the “stuckness zone,” faulty inner programming, and how to actually transform (not just learn). Real stories. Deep insights. Tune in, take notes, and get ready to upgrade your leadership! 💡🔥   Additional Resources: Get the Future Proofing Leadership White Paper! Listen to the original episode Check out Show Up As a Leader with Dr. Rosie Ward Connect with Rosie on LinkedIn Learn more about Salveo Partners Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn  Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Leaders often remain stuck due to faulty internal programming, not lack of skill. Impression management—over-focusing on how we’re perceived—drains energy and blocks authenticity. Most change leaders face is adaptive, not technical; transformation (not just information) is key. Tools like “cancel cancel” help rewire unhelpful perfectionist tendencies. Modeling upgraded leadership behaviors influences broader team and culture transformation.