What happens when clarity, belief, and intention collide? You get a leadership framework so simple it's unforgettable, literally, it's the ABCs.

Nikki is joined by JM Ryerson, coach, speaker, and founder of Let's Go Win, to unpack the "ABCs" of transformational leadership: Align, Believe, and Choose. Together, they explore how alignment creates a cultural backbone, belief fuels personal and professional breakthroughs, and conscious choices keep teams moving forward, even in tough times.

From the power of simplicity and the danger of misaligned values to 4-day work weeks, this episode is full of actionable insights and real-life stories. Whether you're reworking your company values or reigniting your own leadership flame, this one will challenge you to upgrade, not change.

Additional Resources:

Connect with JM on LinkedIn

Watch Let's Go Win on YouTube

Listen to Let's Go Win wherever you get your podcasts!

Learn more about Let's Go Win

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:

• Alignment begins with clarity around core values and behavior.
• Belief shapes outcomes more than strategy ever could.
• Simplicity drives consistency, especially during change.
• Leaders must choose how they show up daily.
• Upgrade mindsets before expecting performance transformation.

What if HR's true power isn't just policies and programs, but its position as a strategic driver of culture and communication?

Katherine sits down with Ashima Kapur, Chief People Officer at Allied Solutions, to explore the leadership mindsets and behaviors that drive sustainable growth. From growing Allied from 500 to nearly 2,000 employees to building an HR function that earns a seat at the table, Ashima shares a people-first blueprint for organizational success.

She reveals how HR and communication go hand-in-hand to shape culture, why transparency and authenticity aren't optional anymore, and how leaders can empower teams by being real, clear, and consistent.

Ashima's leadership philosophy is direct, human-centered, and refreshingly honest, exactly what's needed in today's evolving workplaces. Whether you're building a talent strategy or redefining your leadership style, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom for leaders who care about their people and want to lead with intention.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Ashima 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:

• HR must earn its seat through business understanding
• Culture is defined by consistent leadership behavior
• Communication must be authentic, transparent, and repeated
• Right person, right seat, right support equals success
• Growth demands people strategy aligned with business goals

What if the real secret to building leaders, not followers, was simply honesty paired with care?

Nikki sits down with Steve Sorenson, Senior Director Learning and Culture at Johnsonville, to explore a leadership model rooted in humble candor, empowerment, and intentional coaching. Known for replacing "managers" with "coaches" and fostering autonomy through frameworks like the ABC Decision Method and the Simon Principle, Steve walks the talk when it comes to building trust, elevating teams, and modeling people-first leadership.

This conversation is packed with tangible tools, soul-shifting moments, and the kind of clarity that challenges old norms and makes culture come alive. Whether you're trying to turn the ship or sharpen your edge, this one will shift how you lead.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Steve on LinkedIn

Learn more about Johnsonville

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:

• Empowerment grows when autonomy and clarity align.
• Humble candor blends honesty with deep care.
• Coaches build leaders, not followers.
• Shared language strengthens trust and culture.
• Model the behavior you want repeated.

What if the secret to better leadership isn't about doing more, but being more human?

In this episode of Work Doesn't Work (Anymore), Dr. Ryan Darby sits down with leadership expert and founder of Brain Squared Leadership Solutions, Laurie Cozart. With over 10,000 individuals and 500 teams coached, Laurie brings deep insights on how leaders can thrive in today's complex and rapidly changing workplace.

Together, they unpack why hero leadership is outdated, why clarity is the most underrated leadership skill, and how vulnerability and relationship-building are actually strategic advantages. Laurie shares stories from her own journey and introduces practical, neuroscience-backed tools for fostering resilient leadership, trust-filled teams, and simplified work cultures that don't burn people out.

If you're tired of the noise and looking to build magic teams that feel good and perform better, this conversation is your playbook.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Laurie on LinkedIn

Followed Brain Squared Leadership Solutions on LinkedIn

Learn more about Brain Squared Leadership Solutions

Connect with Dr. Ryan Darby for continued leadership insights

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Key Takeaways:

• Hero leadership quietly exhausts everyone
• Clarity is kindness and performance fuel
• Relationships make hard tasks feel easy
• Vulnerability builds trust, not weakness
• Emotional safety drives resilience and engagement

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.