Serving Culture by the Slice with Wendy Bushell

What happens when you infuse nearly a century of retail tradition with bold, people-first decisions? Shawn and Sarah sit down with Randi Schachter, the dynamic fourth-generation family leader and Chief Marketing Officer of BILTRITE Furniture. Known as the vibrant face of the brand and a powerful presence in Wisconsin retail, Randi shares how tradition, adaptability, and values-driven leadership keep the 98-year-old business thriving. From bold scheduling changes that prioritize employee well-being to community partnerships that extend far beyond transactions, Randi brings the real talk on what it takes to lead with heart in a fast-paced world. She reflects on family dynamics, shares why the showroom experience still matters, and offers insights into raising the next generation of leaders with resilience and purpose. Whether you're in a family business or corporate structure, Randi's story challenges all of us to keep it human and lead like we mean it.   Additional Resources: Connect with Randi on LinkedIn Connect with Shawn on LinkedIn Learn more about humanworks8 Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Family values shape business decisions, not the other way. Leadership is built on flexibility, not perfection. Customer connection thrives through real, in-person experience. Giving back isn't strategy, it's culture in action. Rest fuels results: five-day retail week works.  

What does it take to truly "do life together" at work? Shawn and Sarah sit down with Amber Karabegovic, Manager of Evans Experience at Evans Transportation, to explore how intentionality, empathy, and structure drive people-first culture. Amber shares how her team turns core values into living language, empowers culture captains across office locations, and keeps remote employees engaged and connected. From walking pods to laminated vision statements, Amber brings both strategic and heartfelt ideas to the table. If you're ready to move beyond surface-level engagement and create culture with pulse, fuel, fire, and foundation, this conversation is your roadmap.   Additional Resources: Connect with Amber on LinkedIn Connect with Shawn on LinkedIn Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Learn more about humanworks8 Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Culture thrives through intentional actions, not passive traditions. Leadership presence is a core expectation at Evans. Culture captains amplify engagement and shared ownership. Core values become real through actionable language. Remote inclusion requires fresh, human-centered solutions.  

What if the key to leading across 850+ locations isn't control, but clarity? Shawn and AJ sit down with Kurt Gengenbacher of ATI Physical Therapy to unpack how values, leadership, and alignment come to life inside a sprawling, people-first organization. Kurt brings a unique blend of physical therapy roots and leadership development expertise, revealing how ATI empowers local autonomy while staying anchored in consistent values like trust, collaboration, and innovation. From rolling out new values across 900 leaders, to redefining strategic planning through the lens of polarity management, this episode is packed with practical wisdom for anyone looking to scale culture without losing soul. If you're wrestling with how to support leaders, create alignment, and drive development at scale, without burning people out, this conversation is for you.   Additional Resources: Connect with Kurt on LinkedIn Learn more about ATI Physical Therapy Connect with Shawn on LinkedIn Connect with AJ on LinkedIn Learn more about humanworks8 Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Autonomy thrives when paired with clear expectations Values need behavioral definitions to stick Polarities require managing, not solving Strategic goals must guide daily decisions Trust builds through consistent communication  

What if the key to a thriving workplace isn't another perk, but a person who meets you where you are? In this episode, Shawn and Sarah sit down with Amber Van Allen, Wellness Administrator at the City of Green Bay. With nearly two decades in health and wellness, Amber reveals how meaningful relationships, empathy, and a clear sense of purpose can transform employee wellbeing. From Green Bay's signature Health 1265 program to on-the-ground strategies for connection, resiliency, and burnout prevention, Amber shares how she's building trust across departments, one conversation at a time. Whether she's walking alongside the mayor or coaching a new hire through the city's wellness platform, Amber shows what it really means to bring work to life and life to work. If you care about culture, connection, or building a people-first workplace, this one's for you.   Additional Resources: Connect with Amber on LinkedIn Connect with Shawn on LinkedIn Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Learn more about humanworks8 Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Relationships are the foundation of workplace wellbeing Empathy fosters accountability and trust among employees Wellness needs to be visible, not just virtual Leadership participation drives culture change Small moments can lead to lasting wellbeing impact  

What if your company's core beliefs weren't just posters on the wall, but the pulse of every decision, meeting, and leadership moment? Shawn and AJ sit down with Dan Burnett, Director of Talent Development at QPS Employment Group, to explore how beliefs can transform a company from the inside out. From shifting leadership meetings into real-time development labs to building a culture where feedback and celebration are rooted in trust, Dan reveals how QPS "sets the bar" for people-first growth. As an employee-owned company, QPS puts transparency, family spirit, and high-touch communication at the heart of everything they do. If you're looking to infuse more intention into leadership development, communication, and team culture, this episode is your playbook. 💬   Additional Resources: Connect with Dan on LinkedIn Learn more about Dan's work Learn more about QPS Employment Group Connect with Shawn on LinkedIn Connect with AJ on LinkedIn Learn more about humanworks8 Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Relationships drive performance more than individual effort. Beliefs should shape feedback, not just celebrations. Culture must start during the interview process. Development happens daily, not in isolated events. Leaders should organize learning, not dominate it.  

How do you scale culture without losing what makes it special? As Chief People Officer at St. Augustine Preparatory Academy, Kelsey shares how she went from managing spreadsheets to shaping culture across a fast-growing, mission-driven school system. This episode dives into how Aug Prep builds leaders from within, prioritizes people-first strategy, and keeps values like courage and love at the center of everything. From hiring with intention to scaling across campuses, Kelsey offers real-world insight for anyone leading in a high-growth, purpose-filled environment. ❤️ And Aug Prep is hiring! The school is adding nearly 50 new roles, with hiring kicking off in late November. Go take a tour! Members of our team recently did a hard hat tour and loved the experience. Meet Kelsey and her team and see what it means to be part of something truly special. 🚧👋   Additional Resources: Connect with Kelsey on LinkedIn Connect with Shawn on LinkedIn Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Learn more about humanworks8 Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Strategy must be shared, visible, and revisited regularly. Hire for culture fit, coach for skill gaps. Internal pipelines build sustainable leadership. Communication drives culture and connection. Courageous decisions often lead to growth.  

What happens when "Enjoy Life" isn't just a tagline, but the heartbeat of an entire senior living culture? Shawn and Sarah sit down with Kristin Ferge and Gia Mattioli-Tolfa of Capri Communities to explore how compassion, culture, and creativity are transforming the senior living experience. 💡 From empathy-fueled hiring and thoughtful onboarding to surprise moments of gratitude, Kristin and Gia share how Capri puts people first, residents and staff alike. You'll hear about their "Four for Five" schedule that's rewriting the rules of retention, how a stack of CARES cards is powering culture from the ground up, and why a t-shirt at a symposium can symbolize something much bigger. ❤️ Whether you're leading people, navigating change, or just love stories that celebrate connection, this one's packed with meaningful moments, unexpected insights, and a whole lot of heart.   Additional Resources: Connect with Kristin on LinkedIn Connect with Gia on LinkedIn Follow Capri Communities on LinkedIn Learn more about Capri Communities Connect with Shawn on LinkedIn Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Learn more about humanworks8 Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Empathy and adaptability are essential traits in people-first roles. Strong onboarding ties company values to everyday actions. Consistent recognition, big and small, fuels engagement. Flexible scheduling and financial wellness tools boost retention. Small, intentional moments build lasting culture.

In this episode, Shawn and Sarah sit down with the dynamic duo Lori Richards and Cass Bergemann from Mueller Communications, where culture isn't just talked about, it's lived every day.   If Mueller had a theme song, Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now" accurately represents the organization's energy and momentum, and this humanscape conversation delves into how it all comes together. Lori and Cass share how their team brings humanity to the workplace through their Cultural Canvas, values like "clear is kind," and the powerful demonstration of celebrating parenthood. You'll hear how mentorship, feedback and fun come together to build a truly people-first culture.   This conversation is a masterclass in making work more human.   Additional Resources: Connect with Lori on LinkedIn Follow Mueller Communications on LinkedIn Connect with Shawn on LinkedIn Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Learn more about humanworks8 Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn  Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Lead by example—model work-life balance at all levels. Define and document your culture clearly. Give feedback that's honest and kind. Support new hires through mentorship and trust. Reinforce values through everyday practices.

Shawn and Sarah are talking all things culture, care, and community with Peggy Williams-Smith and Christina Cooper from Visit Milwaukee🧀 From handwritten birthday cards to breaking down silos, they're leading a workplace where uniqueness isn't just welcomed—it's celebrated! Tune in for laughs, heart, and a behind-the-scenes look at how Milwaukee's people-first pros do it all with purpose ✨   Additional Resources: Learn more about Visit Milwaukee! Connect with Shawn on LinkedIn Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn   Learn more about humanworks8 Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn  Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: A welcoming culture begins with intentional leadership and personal connection Peer-to-peer recognition and public celebration are central to employee engagement Ongoing feedback and employee surveys drive continuous cultural improvement Mental health, wellbeing, and even pet care are priorities for a holistic employee experience Leaders must create safe space for conversations around identity, politics, and personal beliefs

Ever wonder how a company makes 3 million pizzas a week and stays a three-time Great Place to Work?🍕 In this episode, Shawn and Sarah chat with Wendy Bushell, Chief People Officer at Palermo's, about the secret sauce behind their people-first culture. From visual training for a workforce speaking 8 languages to personalized learning paths and daily free pizza, Wendy shares how passion, innovation, and purpose fuel Palermo's. Get ready for a flavorful convo on leadership, culture, and making work feel like family. 🎧✨   Additional Resources: Connect with Wendy on LinkedIn Learn more about Palermo's Connect with Shawn on LinkedIn Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn  Learn more about humanworks8 Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn  Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Values like passion and opportunity are lived daily through recognition and coaching. Simple, low-tech tools make values and feedback accessible to everyone. Visual training bridges language barriers and enhances understanding. Personalized learning paths support career growth at every level. A holistic approach to culture includes meaningful benefits, development, and inclusion.