334: Lead Dads, Working Moms, and the Future of Family-Friendly Workplaces with Paul Sullivan

What if the most overlooked group in your workplace holds the key to retention, loyalty, and a truly people-first culture? Nikki is joined by Paul Sullivan, former New York Times columnist and founder of The Company of Dads. Paul shares the deeply personal story behind his mission to elevate and support "lead dads," the primary caregivers often overlooked in corporate benefit structures. From the eye-opening stats on caregiving to stories of companies getting it painfully wrong, Paul challenges leaders to rethink how they message and activate the benefits they already offer. This conversation is a wake-up call and a roadmap for anyone serious about creating workplaces that work for families. If your culture says "family first," does your messaging and manager training back it up?   Additional Resources: Connect with Paul on LinkedIn Learn more about The Company of Dads Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Nikki's Key Takeaways: Lead dads are often invisible but incredibly impactful. Messaging matters as much as your benefits package. Managers must walk the talk on flexibility. Small changes create big impacts for caregivers. Transparency attracts and retains the right people.  

What if the biggest barrier to the outcomes we crave... is us? Nikki and David Gregory pull no punches as they unpack how we often create the very problems we're frustrated by. From a disastrous family lunch to missed health goals and tense business meetings, they share vulnerable stories that hit close to home. This episode isn't about blame, but about the power to shift our mindset, manifest better outcomes, and pivot with purpose when things go sideways. With practical tools and honest reflection, this conversation challenges us all to stop playing checkers with our lives and start playing chess. Because betterment begins when we own our part and choose better, one move at a time.   Additional Resources: Follow Addicted to Betterment wherever you listen to podcasts! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Connect with David 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: Mindset shapes every outcome we experience We often manifest the problems we complain about Clear intention + action = new results Resilience matters when things derail Celebrate small wins to fuel momentum  

What if the real reason workplace engagement hasn't budged in 30 years is because we've made leadership too complicated? In this kickoff to a powerful new content partnership, Nikki introduces Dr. Ryan Darby, organizational psychologist, leadership simplifier, and founder of WorkStrong. Ryan's not here for hype. He's here for habits. Drawing from his deep experience with 34Strong and years of leading large-scale engagement work, Ryan shares why most leadership development fails, and how a simpler, more actionable approach can finally move the needle. You'll hear the backstory of Work Strong's creation, rooted in real gaps spotted inside thriving companies. You'll also get a sneak peek into the upcoming "Work Doesn't Work (Anymore)" series and why Ryan believes the future of leadership lies in emotional regulation, discipline, and better listening, not more content. This one's a rally cry for people-first leaders ready to stop admiring the problem and start doing what actually works.   Additional Resources: Connect with Dr. Ryan Darby on LinkedIn Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Nikki's Key Takeaways: Leadership is a skill, not a knowledge dump. Engagement won't shift without habit-driven systems. Listening is thinking. Learn how your brain hears. Simplify leadership: action over theory. Good leadership demands emotional regulation and resilience.  

What if your biggest redesign obstacle isn't strategy, but silence? Katherine sits down with Rebecca Ellis, Principal at AlignOrg Solutions, to explore why so many organizational changes fall flat, and what great leaders do differently. With decades of experience guiding Fortune 500s through complex transformations, Rebecca shares actionable insights on what makes change stick: clarity, communication, and courage. They dive deep into why 70% of redesigns fail, how to become a "clarity crusader," and why passive leadership erodes trust. From tackling AI's role in restructuring to the neuroscience behind timing your message, this episode is a masterclass in navigating organizational change while honoring people and culture. Whether you're leading a full-blown redesign or shifting your team's strategy, this conversation will help you move from resistance to results with empathy at the core.   Additional Resources: Connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn Connect with Katherine Coble on LinkedIn Learn more about Borshoff Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Clarity is kindness, especially during organizational change. Adoption matters more than just great solutions. Leaders must actively shape, not just approve, change. Communication must be consistent, intentional, and human. Celebrate progress to build momentum and trust.  

What if the key to transforming data into real change isn't more dashboards, but better storytelling? 📚 Nikki welcomes Kaitlin Henze, a passionate data storytelling strategist from storytelling with data. Kaitlin helps leaders simplify complexity, turning charts into conversations and numbers into narratives that inspire action. Together, they explore why traditional reports fall flat, how to visualize data so humans actually care, and how storytelling bridges the gap between information and impact. Kaitlin also shares her heart behind launching data literacy programs for kids and the mission of building the next generation of data-minded leaders through creativity and color. Whether you're overwhelmed by metrics or inspired to connect data with meaning, this episode will reframe the way you communicate your insights, and remind you that data done right moves people.   Additional Resources: Connect with Kaitlin on LinkedIn Learn more about storytelling with data Get the book "Storytelling with Data" Learn more about Daphne Draws Data Subscribe to storytelling with data on YouTube! Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Nikki's Key Takeaways: Data alone rarely drives action. Storytelling does. Simplicity and clarity are powerful visualization tools. Understand your audience before presenting any data. Storyboarding transforms how insights are structured. Kids need data literacy to thrive in a digital world.  

What if your company's values didn't just live in a handbook but showed up in your daily habits? Nikki sits down with creative strategist and purpose-driven leader Justin Ahrens to unpack how organizations can bring their vision, mission, and values to life beyond buzzwords and branding. With deep experience as a B Corp founder and now as the mind behind On Purpose, Justin offers tangible insight on transforming culture from the inside out. They dig into common missteps leaders make when vision is disconnected from action and explore what it truly looks like when culture is alive and thriving. From onboarding that inspires, to meetings that actually matter, this conversation is for every people-first leader ready to turn alignment into action.   Additional Resources: Connect with Justin on LinkedIn Get Justin's Book - "Being HumanKind" Learn more about ON Purpose Work Listen to The Design Of Podcast Listen to Running Ahrens! Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Nikki's Key Takeaways: Vision thrives when integrated into daily business rhythms. Leadership must model behaviors aligned with stated values. Systems are essential for values to stick. Culture isn't created in a vacuum, engage everyone. Clarity, consistency, and vulnerability build trust.  

Ever feel like life's flame is flickering out? Whether it's a bad day, a tough quarter, or a rocky relationship, what's your go-to lighter fluid to reignite your fire? 🔥 Nikki and David crack open the metaphorical bottle of lighter fluid and ask the real question: how do you keep your fire lit when everything around you says quit? From explosive fire pit confessions to real talk about parenting struggles, relationship lows, and business setbacks, this conversation pulls no punches. You'll hear how David resets after gut-punch days, why Nikki finds power in celebrating the small wins, and how anchoring to your "why" can turn a smolder into a roaring comeback. They share actionable ways to reset, refuel, and rise, because the fire always dims, but it doesn't have to go out.   Additional Resources: Follow Addicted to Betterment wherever you listen to podcasts! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Connect with David 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: Your fire will dim, expect it and prepare for it. Recenter on your "why" when motivation disappears. Intentional routines can shift your mindset quickly. Community is key, borrow belief from others. Celebrate progress, not just outcomes.  

What if the real key to connection in the digital workplace isn't more tools, but more trust? In a world obsessed with metrics, platforms, and productivity hacks, Andy Sitison flips the script. A strategist, designer, and people-first tech mind, Andy joins Nikki to explore how we move from clicks to true connection. 💡 Andy unveils his "Three Ps" framework, Population, Prompt, Product, and shows how empathy, when paired with intentional design and thoughtful data use, can create workplaces that actually feel human again. From overcoming the "digital veil" that clouds real connection to using AI to amplify rather than replace human insight, this episode challenges the way we approach employee experience, belonging, and meaningful work. 🧠💛 Whether you're rethinking hybrid culture, onboarding, or how to really listen to your people, this one will make you pause, reflect, and take action.   Additional Resources: Connect with Andy on LinkedIn Learn more about Elemental Advising Learn more about Share More Stories Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Nikki's Key Takeaways: Technology doesn't create connection, people do. Trust unlocks honest and useful feedback. Know your people to serve them better. Data without empathy risks missing the human story. Surveys ask, stories reveal the real truth.  

Episode Description: What if wellness wasn't just a perk, but a leadership necessity? In this Working Forward Conversations episode, Nikki Lewallen Gregory and Jason Cochran flip the script on workplace wellness, diving deep into why wellness is a non-negotiable requirement for modern leadership. From morning meditations and mid-day workouts to setting boundaries and asking for help, they share personal rituals and team-wide practices that fuel sustained capacity and impact. Get a behind-the-scenes of how People Forward Network lives out people-first values, with wellness baked into every level: micro (individual), mezzo (team), and macro (world-changing mission). Whether you're burned out or building a better culture, this convo offers a fresh, energizing perspective on leading well by living well.   Additional Resources: Join the PFN Community! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Connect with Jason on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Define wellness clearly for yourself and your organization. Micro habits shape sustained leadership and personal energy. Team rituals protect energy and promote shared accountability. Modeling self-care encourages psychological safety and trust. Wellness supports impact beyond profit.  

What if the most powerful leadership skill isn't what you say, but what you don't? Katherine shares a surprising truth: she struggles with listening, and she knows she's not alone. As leaders, we often think communication is about what we say, but the real power lies in what we hear. 👂💬 Katherine explores why listening is so hard (even for well-intentioned leaders), the hidden costs of distraction, and how our brains deceive us into thinking we're better at it than we are. Most importantly, she breaks down five practical shifts that will help you listen deeper, lead better, and connect more authentically. If you want to build credibility, foster trust, and truly hear your people, start here.   Additional Resources: Connect with Katherine Coble on LinkedIn Learn more about Borshoff Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Listening is a leadership skill, not just a courtesy. Distractions kill connection. Eliminate them intentionally. Interrupting signals your words matter more than theirs. Validation shows you hear both words and emotion. Empathy builds trust. Focus on others, not yourself.