What actually happens to the brain when someone works in a toxic environment—and why is it so hard to recover? In this episode of Frog Talk, host Nader Safinya sits down with Ursula Pottinga, an internationally recognized leadership coach and neuroscience expert, to unpack how toxic workplace dynamics literally rewire cognition, behavior, and emotional regulation. Ursula explains why narcissistic behavior is often misunderstood, how psychological safety disappears long before people speak up, and why high-performing professionals slowly lose confidence, creativity, and focus under toxic leadership. Together, they explore relational trauma, people-pleasing versus fawning, and what leaders must understand if they want teams to thrive instead of silently checking out.

Guest Introduction:

Ursula Pottinga is a certified executive coach, neuroscience-based leadership expert, and co-founder of Be Above Leadership. With over 25 years of professional coaching experience and more than three decades leading workshops across Europe, North America, and Asia, Ursula specializes in relational trauma, toxic workplace dynamics, and embodied leadership change. She helps leaders understand the brain as a user’s manual for sustainable performance, safety, and growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Toxic environments don’t just feel bad—they reprogram the brain, reducing focus, confidence, and emotional regulation.
• Narcissistic behavior is widely misunderstood and often excused as “strong leadership,” masking real harm.
• Psychological safety is the foundation of creativity, engagement, and performance—and it disappears fast in toxic systems.
• People-pleasing and “fawning” are trauma responses, not personality flaws.
• Toxic behavior can come from any level of an organization, but leadership position amplifies its impact.
• Healing requires education, time, and often professional support—not just “moving on.”

Chapter Markers:

0:00 Frog Talk intro

0:22 Introducing Ursula Pottinga

1:17 Toxic workplaces and the neuroscience of behavior

1:39 What “toxic” really means

2:28 Narcissism and why it’s misunderstood

3:16 How toxic environments rewire the brain

4:18 Stress, instability, and loss of cognitive function

6:08 Narcissistic tendencies vs. narcissism

7:03 Behavior impact over diagnosis

8:01 Toxicity beyond leadership roles

9:21 The “rotten stew” metaphor

12:14 Loss of safety and credibility

12:55 Why people stop speaking up

13:33 “I don’t want to get in trouble” thinking

14:22 Authenticity and emotional suppression

18:03 “It’s not your fault” — reframing self-blame

19:00 Why toxic systems perpetuate themselves

20:11 Why HR often feels unsafe

22:53 Education as the first step

24:15 Can narcissistic leaders change?

26:55 Why some leaders cannot be coached

30:32 Neuroscience of embodied change

33:19 The body’s role in transformation

End: Closing reflections

Keywords:

Frog Talk podcast, Nader Safinya, Ursula Pottinga, toxic workplaces, leadership neuroscience, relational trauma, narcissistic leadership, psychological safety, workplace culture, embodied leadership, organizational health, emotional regulation, people-pleasing, fawning response

What if leadership wasn’t about mindset—but about brain health? In this episode of Frog Talk, we dive deep into how neuroscience is reshaping leadership, organizational culture, and decision-making at every level. I’m joined by internationally acclaimed brain coach and leadership neuroscience expert Dominika Staniewicz, who has advised presidents, negotiated national labor policies, and spent decades bridging science with real-world performance. We unpack why traditional leadership development falls short, how neuroplasticity really works, and why emotional regulation is the foundation of trust, influence, and resilience. From high-stakes government negotiations to boardrooms and teams, this conversation challenges how we think about growth, change, and human potential.

Guest Introduction:

Dominika Staniewicz is an internationally recognized elite brain coach, leadership neuroscience expert, TEDx speaker, and bestselling author. With nearly two decades of global experience, she has advised governments, consulted for the European Union, and served as a C-level HR executive. As the founder of Your Brain Coach D, Dominika designs neuroscience-based programs that transform leadership, emotional regulation, and performance across individuals and organizations worldwide.

Key Takeaways:

You can’t lead people effectively if you can’t regulate your own emotions first.

Brain health—not mindset—is the foundation of sustainable leadership and performance.

Neuroplasticity works both ways: what you consume and who you surround yourself with actively rewires your brain.

Real change happens through small, focused shifts—not constant, chaotic transformation.

Safety and stability are prerequisites for growth, creativity, and innovation.

Chapter Markers:

0:00 Intro & Welcome to Frog Talk

1:00 Guest Introduction: Dominika Staniewicz

2:30 From Government & HR to Brain-Based Coaching

5:00 Why Traditional Leadership Development Fails

8:00 Emotional Regulation, Energy, and Trust in Leadership

10:00 What Neuro-Encoding Is (and Why It Works)

14:00 Neuroplasticity, Environment, and Human Behavior

18:30 Growth vs. Safety: Why Too Much Change Backfires

23:30 Leadership Integrity Under Pressure

27:00 Brain Science, Policy, and Organizational Design

31:00 Final Thoughts & Closing

Keywords:

Frog Talk podcast, Nader Safinya, Dominika Staniewicz, leadership neuroscience, brain-based leadership, neuroplasticity, emotional regulation, executive coaching, organizational culture, leadership development, brain health, neuro-encoding, high-performance leadership

In a world where people switch jobs every two to three years, finding someone who has stayed nearly two decades at the same organization is rare — and deeply revealing. In this episode of Frog Talk, I sit down with Peter Müller-Wille, Senior Design Engineer at Santa Cruz Bicycles and a friend since we were 14, to explore what long-term commitment teaches us about culture, craft, loyalty, and design integrity.

Guest Introduction:

Peter Müller-Wille is a Senior Design Engineer at Santa Cruz Bicycles, where he has spent 19 years designing full-suspension mountain bikes from concept to production. With a geology degree from UC Santa Cruz, Peter blends scientific rigor with creative engineering, working closely with overseas manufacturing partners to ensure uncompromising quality. His nearly two decades at one company offer a rare lens into culture, craftsmanship, and long-term organizational evolution.

Key Takeaways:

Longevity sharpens clarity. Staying nearly two decades in one place transforms design work from personal expression into collective purpose.

Honesty is the cultural backbone. Santa Cruz Bikes operates with a level of transparency — across departments, leadership, and customers — that keeps loyalty strong and silos nonexistent.

Change is inevitable, growth is optional. M&A, globalization, and scaling forced the company to evolve — and those who embraced the tension grew with it.

Designers argue because they care. Micro-details matter; great design comes from passionate debates about things customers may never consciously notice.

Trust powers innovation. Long-term manufacturing partnerships opened the door to protected R&D, new materials, and unique competitive advantages.

Chapter Markers:

00:00 — Frog Talk Intro

00:20 — Guest introduction: 19 years at Santa Cruz Bikes

00:45 — Peter’s background and role as Senior Design Engineer

01:00 — Full disclosure: a friendship since age 14

01:13 — What nearly two decades at one company teaches you

01:40 — Why passion for bikes shaped Peter’s career path

02:11 — Wearing many hats: QC, test lab, design tech to senior engineer

03:03 — Stability, family, and the value of a company that grows with you

04:02 — Transitioning from geology to bike design

05:21 — Culture of passion at Santa Cruz Bikes

08:00 — M&A: Joining the Pon Holdings family

09:10 — Growth, corporatization, and the tension of change

10:27 — How culture was protected and preserved during expansion

13:33 — Why “honesty” defines the culture of Santa Cruz Bikes

14:37 — Bikes made by bikers: design integrity from lived experience

16:39 — Why customers notice bad design but rarely good design

17:35 — How long-term commitment changes a designer’s relationship to the work

18:40 — Putting ego aside: designing for the brand, not the individual

21:41 — Working with overseas manufacturers: trust and long-term partnership

25:03 — Balancing production schedules with R&D investment

Keywords:

Santa Cruz Bicycles, Peter Müller-Wille, Frog Talk podcast, Nader Safinya, workplace culture, long-term commitment, industrial design, mountain bike design, creative careers, manufacturing partnerships, M&A culture shifts, brand integrity, passion-driven careers, product design process, leadership and culture.

In this episode of Frog Talk, Nader sits down with Rachel Biggs, founder and CEO of Good Works Talent, to explore how recruitment—often dismissed as a transactional HR function—is actually one of the most powerful levers for shaping organizational culture. Through an honest and strategic conversation, Rachel reveals how AI is transforming talent acquisition without sacrificing the human connection that makes culture fit possible. From breaking the "hiring hamster wheel" to redefining what job descriptions should actually say, this episode challenges everything you thought you knew about finding and hiring great people.

Guest Introduction: Rachel Biggs is the founder and CEO of Good Works Talent, a pioneering agency specializing in AI-powered recruitment solutions, particularly for the accounting profession. With over 15 years of experience in executive search and talent strategy, Rachel has built her career helping companies escape the endless cycle of posting jobs, sifting through junk resumes, and conducting low-quality interviews. Most recently as Director of Talent Acquisition for a top 70 public accounting firm, she built thriving teams, established new processes, and invested in technology to transform recruitment from reactive to strategic. Today, through Good Works Talent, Rachel helps business leaders find talent that doesn't just check boxes—but actually aligns with company culture and drives performance.

Key Takeaways:

• The "hiring hamster wheel" is broken—hiring needs to shift from filling seats to hiring for the one-year anniversary date when managers are high-fiving over great hires.
• Outbound recruiting flips the script: instead of waiting for candidates to come to you, pursue passive talent with compelling stories about your culture and mission.
• Job descriptions should be performance profiles, not compliance documents—define what success looks like a year from now and reverse-engineer backwards.
• Employer branding misses the mark: it's focused on the employer, not the employee. The real question is "Why would anyone want to work for you?" not "Why should they?"
• AI should gather evidence, but humans must make hiring decisions. Automation increases efficiency; humans ensure culture fit.
• Candidates are scared too—automation, offshoring, and economic uncertainty make job seekers risk-averse. Authentic communication about culture and opportunity is more critical than ever.
• Don't let just anybody interview for your organization—train interviewers to hire for performance, not to describe a person they already have in mind.

• Hiring green talent and investing in their development creates loyalty and retention far beyond the typical 18-24 month churn cycle.

  
  

  Chapter Markers:

  2:13 Guest Introduction: Rachel Biggs

  2:36 The Hiring Hamster Wheel — What's Broken About Traditional Recruitment

  5:01 Capability vs. Capacity: Why Internal Teams Struggle

  5:28 Flipping the Script: Outbound Recruiting vs. Inbound "Post and Pray"

  6:40 The Miss in Employer Branding

  7:50 Rachel's Origin Story: From Nonprofit to Recruitment

  13:25 Why Would Anyone Want to Work for You? The EVP Question

  22:03 Job Descriptions vs. Performance Profiles

  31:23 Nader's Story: 460 Applications, 1 Interview, and the Broken Job Search Process

  40:02 What Makes Good Works Talent Different

  47:37 Are People Being Interviewed by AI? When and Where AI Works

  58:33 Final Takeaways: Embrace Change Wisely

  
  

  Keywords:

  Frog Talk podcast, Nader Safinya, Rachel Biggs, Good Works Talent, AI-powered recruitment, hiring hamster wheel, organizational culture, talent acquisition, outbound recruiting, employer branding, employee value proposition, culture fit, performance profiles, job descriptions, hiring strategy, AI in recruitment, passive talent, accounting recruitment, quality of hire

In this episode of Frog Talk, Nader sits down with Robin Ferguson, Master Certified Coach, former nurse and minister, organizational development expert, and author of The Phoenix Effect. Robin brings 2,500+ coaching hours and 15+ years of leadership transformation experience to a conversation about what it really takes to build authentic cultures inside modern organizations.

Guest Introduction:

Robin Ferguson is a Master Certified Coach, organizational development expert, and founder of RA Ferguson Coaching & Consulting. With a background spanning nursing, ministry, OD consulting, and executive leadership, she brings a rare combination of the practical and the spiritual to leadership development. She built the internal coaching program at Children’s Mercy Kansas City to 25+ coaches and authored The Phoenix Effect, helping leaders transcend limitations and ignite transformation.

Key Takeaways:

The messy middle is unavoidable—real growth happens in tension, not in idealized end states.

Authenticity is now a leadership requirement, especially with Gen Z, who expect transparency and realness from those they follow.

Leaders make their jobs harder by believing they must hold all the answers. Collaboration builds loyalty and shared ownership.

Generational friction softens when teams honor history and embrace fresh thinking simultaneously.

Reinvention requires shedding outdated stories—both personally and organizationally—to create new momentum.

Human-centered design and cross-functional collaboration unlock creativity and deeper organizational truth.

Chapter Markers:

0:00 Intro — Welcome to Frog Talk

1:01 Robin’s Journey: Nursing → Ministry → OD → Coaching

2:27 Finding Purpose in Helping & Uplifting Others

3:28 Why Organizations Fear Change

5:12 The “Messy Middle” as the Core of Real Transformation

8:10 Authenticity as the New Leadership Standard

10:46 The Generational Gap & Workplace Expectations

11:39 Honoring History + Embracing Innovation

12:39 Why Leaders Make Leadership Harder Than It Needs to Be

13:48 The Voice Gap: Employees Needing to Feel Heard

19:04 Change as Experimentation

20:11 Human-Centered Design & Cross-Functional Creativity

22:08 The “Get Real” Foundation for Organizational Truth

23:20 Authentic Culture Requires Hearing Every Voice

26:05 Growing Coaching from 3 to 25+ Coaches

27:40 Reinvention, The Phoenix Effect & Shedding Old Stories

30:00 Burnout, Retention & Coaching’s Impact

31:12 Letting Go of Old Narratives to Make Room for New Ones

33:00 Change as Creative Opportunity

End Closing Reflections

Keywords:

Frog Talk, Nader Safinya, Robin Ferguson, authentic leadership, inner work, organizational culture, coaching culture, Phoenix Effect, messy middle, human-centered design, generational differences, leadership development, collaboration, reinvention, OD consulting

In this episode of Frog Talk, Nader Safinya sits down with Miguel Caballero Pinto, Software Engineering Manager at Harmonic AI, to unpack what it takes to build resilient, high-performing teams in today’s AI-driven world. From his early days at Microsoft to leading startups and advising founders, Miguel shares how collaboration, culture, and extreme ownership shape great teams—especially in remote and hybrid environments.

If you’re a leader navigating growth, change, or distributed teams, this episode is packed with insights on fostering psychological safety, bias for action, and continuous learning. Tune in to learn how to create a culture that not only survives but thrives through transformation.

Guest Introduction:

Miguel Caballero Pinto is a Software Engineering Manager at Harmonic AI, where he leads the Flow Team transforming how venture capital firms operate through AI-driven tools. With over 15 years of experience, he’s shipped global products at Microsoft, co-founded multiple startups, and speaks internationally on leadership, resilience, and applying the startup mindset within large organizations. Miguel also advises early-stage founders across global startup ecosystems.

Key Takeaways:

Collaboration multiplies success. Teams thrive when open communication and shared goals drive every interaction.

Culture fit outweighs skill set. Hiring for alignment in values and attitude creates stronger, more cohesive teams.

Remote leadership requires intentionality. Fabricate connection through open channels and transparency—don’t let isolation win.

Bias for action beats bureaucracy. Test, iterate, and learn quickly to stay adaptable and innovative.

Extreme ownership fuels trust. Leaders who admit mistakes and model vulnerability inspire accountability across the team.

Continuous improvement is non-negotiable. Staying “above the line” means embracing learning and new technologies—especially AI.

Chapter Markers:

0:00 – Intro

0:05 – Guest Introduction: Miguel Caballero Pinto

1:00 – Miguel’s Early Tech Journey

3:00 – Lessons from Microsoft: Collaboration Across Teams

6:00 – Hiring for Culture, Not Just Skill

9:00 – Remote Work Realities and Leadership Challenges

12:30 – Building Momentum When Teams Feel Stuck

15:30 – Open Communication and “Ramble Channels” at Harmonic AI

19:30 – How AI Transforms Team Operations

23:00 – Applying the Startup Mindset in Large Organizations

27:00 – The Power of Extreme Ownership and Vulnerability

30:00 – Building Psychological Safety in Teams

33:00 – Cross-Cultural Lessons from Global Startup Ecosystems

36:00 – Closing Thoughts: Staying Above the Line

Keywords:

Frog Talk, Nader Safinya, Miguel Caballero Pinto, Harmonic AI, leadership, team culture, startup mindset, AI transformation, remote work, collaboration, resilience, extreme ownership, psychological safety, product leadership, continuous improvement

In this episode of Frog Talk, I sit down with Zachary Welborn, shareholder and senior vice president at Mansky Wealth Management, and a two-time Forbes Next Gen Wealth Advisor honoree. Zach shares his journey from unpaid intern to firm partner, opening up about how culture, communication, and mentorship define success in financial services. We dig into what “Every Client, Every Month” really means, how trust transforms client relationships, and why mentoring the next generation of advisors is just as rewarding as landing on a Forbes list. If you’ve ever wondered how wealth management leaders are balancing technology with humanity, this episode is for you.

Guest Introduction:

Welcome to Frog Talk! Today, we're exploring how the next generation of financial leaders is redefining client relationships and organizational culture in an industry facing significant transformation challenges.

I'm joined by Zachary Welborn, Shareholder and Senior Vice President at Manske Wealth Management, and a two-time Forbes Next-Gen Wealth Advisor honoree. Zach brings a unique perspective on building trust-based client relationships while also serving as a CFP Board Mentor, helping shape the future of financial planning professionals.

Zach, welcome! I'd love to start with your journey—how have you approached building both client relationships and team culture in an industry that's traditionally been more transactional?"

Key Takeaways:

• The philosophy behind “Every Client, Every Month” and why consistent communication is the foundation of trust.

• Why culture isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the lived belief system driving organizational success.

• How mentoring the next generation of advisors is as rewarding as personal accolades.

• Why robo-advisors may have their place, but human connection will always be irreplaceable in wealth management.

• The balance between adopting new technologies and maintaining humanity in client relationships.

Chapter Markers:

0:00 Intro

0:20 Guest Introduction: Zachary Welborn

1:00 Zach’s journey into finance and early internships

3:00 Taking a leap with Mansky Wealth Management

5:00 Culture, brand, and leadership lessons from Chris Mansky

9:00 Defining “Every Client, Every Month”

13:00 Communication as the keystone of success

18:00 Mentorship, leadership, and building future advisors

22:00 Being a CFP Board mentor

25:00 Robo-advisors vs. human trust in finance

29:00 Technology adoption and the human factor

34:00 Why work with Zach? Service, trust, and humanity

39:00 Closing thoughts and takeaways

Keywords:

Frog Talk podcast, Nader Safinya, Zachary Welborn, Mansky Wealth Management, Forbes Next Gen Wealth Advisor, financial planning, wealth management, mentorship in finance, CFP board mentor, financial advisor culture, client communication, robo-advisors vs human advisors, leadership in finance, organizational culture, next generation financial leaders

Hey, Frog Talk fans! In Episode 21, I’m diving deep with Rai Cornell, a marketing psychology genius who’s shaking up B2B strategies. With a wild background in corrections and 18 years of psychology-driven marketing, Rai shares how her ELITE method—rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy and positive psychology—gets prospects 80-90% pre-sold before they even talk to sales. We’re unpacking how these same principles transform organizational culture and keep employees engaged. From busting bad marketing habits to building trust, this episode is packed with insights. If you’re ready to rethink marketing and culture, hit play now and join the conversation on LinkedIn!

Guest Introduction:

I’m thrilled to have Rai Cornell on Frog Talk! She’s the CEO of Cornell Content Marketing and a master at blending psychology with business strategy. With eight years as a corrections counselor and 18 years in marketing, Rai’s created the ELITE method, using frameworks like CBT to pre-sell B2B prospects and build thriving company cultures. Her insights are game-changing—let’s dive in!

Key Takeaways:

• Rai's ELITE method flips the script on marketing, using psychology to pre-sell prospects so sales teams can close deals with ease.

• Cognitive behavioral therapy isn’t just for therapy—it’s a powerful tool to reshape customer thoughts and drive action.

• Marketing and culture are two sides of the same coin: both need empathy and understanding to connect with people.

• Stop chasing every trend—focus on your brand’s core values to attract the right customers and employees.

• Fulfillment, not just a paycheck, is what keeps today’s workforce loyal and engaged.

• Treat others how you’d want to be treated—it’s the golden rule for marketing that actually works.

Chapter Markers:

0:00 Intro

0:05 Guest Introduction

1:09 Rai’s Career Transition: From Corrections to Marketing

5:22 Building Relationships: Expanding the Sales Funnel

7:28 Psychology as Survival: Rai’s Upbringing

12:32 The ELITE Method: Pre-Selling Prospects

15:02 CBT in Marketing: Changing Thoughts to Drive Action

25:32 Applying Psychology to Organizational Culture

33:23 Why Employees Leave: The Fulfillment Gap

41:13 Closing Thoughts

Keywords:

Nader Safinya, Rai Cornell, Frog Talk, marketing psychology, ELITE method, cognitive behavioral therapy, B2B marketing, organizational culture, employee engagement, brand strategy, sales funnel, psychology in business, pre-selling prospects, positive psychology, trans theoretical model