In this episode of "52 Humans," host Paul Wolf interviews Derek Luton, the president and Chief Culture Officer at Life Guides. Life Guides is a technology platform that connects people who have experienced specific life challenges with those currently going through similar situations, providing empathy, compassion, and resources. The mission of Life Guides is to reduce unnecessary human suffering and help people live with greater purpose, vitality, and joy. Paul and Derek discuss the concept of human-first and empathetic leadership, emphasizing the importance of connecting and supporting others based on shared lived experiences. Derek shares how Life Guides was founded and the transformative impact it has had on individuals and workplaces. The episode highlights the power of empathy, compassion, and building a community of support to foster well-being and personal growth. Paul encourages listeners to embrace empathy in their own workplaces, promoting a culture of kindness and understanding that can contribute to a better world.

Currently serving as the President and Chief Culture Officer at LifeGuides, Derek Lundsten leads a transformative platform for conscious leaders and values-driven cultures. He is also the Chairman Emeritus of Scrimmage, a modern mobile learning, development, and training technology firm with a global reach, which was successfully acquired by ACTO in August of 2020. Lundsten's leadership and support have been pivotal in driving the growth of numerous businesses, always with a focus on serving all stakeholders and using business as a force for good in the world.

In this episode of the "52 Humans" podcast hosted by Paul Wolfe, he interviews Sara Axelbaum, the Global Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at MIQ. They discuss the importance of human-first and empathetic leadership, with Sara sharing her personal experience of starting a women's employee resource group in her organization. Despite initial resistance and skepticism, Sara's vulnerability and the support of her boss led to the successful launch of the group, creating a sense of empowerment, networking, and opportunity for women in the company. The conversation highlights the significance of psychological safety and the transformative impact of embracing diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

In this episode of the "52 Humans" podcast hosted by Paul Wolfe, he interviews Jamie Pabst, the founder and CEO of Spirit Tune, a therapeutic music app. They discuss the concept of human-first and empathetic leadership, highlighting the practice of a gratitude circle within Jamie's team meetings and its positive impact on fostering mental health, bonding, and support among team members. The conversation emphasizes the importance of embracing vulnerability and creating a culture that values the shared experiences and emotions of individuals in the workplace.

In this episode of 52 Humans, host Paul Wolfe interviews Daisy Auger-Dominguez, Chief People Officer of Vice Media Group and author of "Inclusion Revolution." They discuss human-first and empathetic leadership, highlighting the importance of managers in creating inclusive workplaces. Daisy shares personal and professional experiences, emphasizing the need for leaders to lead with care, transparency, and open communication. She recounts a story of resolving tensions between teams by facilitating a frank conversation and establishing clear rules of engagement. The episode emphasizes the significance of creating environments where employees feel heard, respected, and supported.

About Daisy:

Daisy Auger-Domínguez is an accomplished executive and dynamic leader widely recognized for her ability to lead organizational transformations on the leading edge of culture. As Global Chief People Officer at Vice Media Group, Daisy oversees the end-to-end employee experience, DEI, ESG, and corporate facilities. 

Auger-Domínguez started her career at Moody's Investors Service and has since served on leadership teams at The Walt Disney Company, Google, and Viacom. She also founded Auger-Domínguez Ventures, a workplace culture consultancy. 

Daisy’s thought leadership extends beyond her professional achievements. She authored Inclusion Revolution, and has been published in outlets like Harvard Business Review and IDEAS.TED. Her contributions to the field have earned her prestigious honors, including Brooklyn Community Service's Social Impact award; Hispanic Executive's Top 10 Leaders; People en Español's 25 Most Powerful Women, ADCOLOR Legend award, Walter Kaitz Foundation Changemaker award, and the New York City Council Leadership in Community Service Award. 

Daisy serves on the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and St. Ann's Warehouse boards. Her bold voice in elevating the importance of inclusive, courageous, and competent management in the workplace positions her as a sought-after speaker and thought leader in management, leadership, workplace culture, and the future of work.

In this compelling episode of 52 Humans, Paul Wolf sits down with Kurt Landon, Founder & CEO at Enspira, to delve into the world of human-first and empathetic leadership. Kurt shares a personal story of navigating adversity and making difficult decisions while prioritizing the well-being of his team. The conversation highlights the importance of transparency, sacrifice, and resilience in leadership. Tune in for valuable insights and inspiring perspectives on leading with empathy.

Kurt is an accomplished executive and entrepreneur with nearly three decades of experience in senior business and HR leadership roles across diverse industries and global locations. As the CEO of Enspira, a renowned total solutions human capital consulting firm, Kurt brings a wealth of expertise to help organizations optimize their workforce strategies. He has an impressive track record, having worked with leading companies like Accenture, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Expedia, and Biogen. Kurt's extensive international background includes living and working in eight countries, spanning four regions, and fluently speaking five languages. He has successfully founded and operated three companies and is a sought-after guest lecturer at prestigious institutions such as Northeastern University, Université Catholique de Louvain, and Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. Kurt holds an undergraduate degree in Italian Language & International Economics from Washington University in St. Louis and an advanced degree in Global HR Leadership from Rutgers University. Under his leadership, Enspira has gained recognition, with features on NBC News, being named a "Top Ten Workforce Management" firm by HR Tech Outlook magazine, and one of the "Top 50 Companies to Watch" by Silicon Review magazine. In 2022, Inc. Magazine honored Enspira as one of the Top 100 Best Workplaces.

Join Paul Wolfe as he engages in a captivating conversation with Virginia Campoy, a Senior Client Success Specialist at Indeed. Discover the power of empathy-driven leadership and the profound impact it has on fostering authentic connections in the workplace. Virginia's journey exemplifies the essence of human-first leadership, as she shares insights on building trust, creating psychological safety, and the transformative role of genuine empathy. Gain valuable perspectives on how to cultivate a culture of kindness, understanding, and support, ultimately enhancing not only organizational success but also the well-being and fulfillment of individuals within the workforce. Tune in to unleash the potential of authentic human connections in the realm of leadership.

Virginia Campoy is a bilingual Spanish Human Resources professional dedicated to cultivating a thriving organizational culture and nurturing exceptional talent. With advanced expertise in recruiting and sourcing for roles of various complexities, Virginia goes above and beyond to exceed recruitment goals and minimize turnover by strategically matching the right candidates to the right positions. She possesses a knack for formulating effective recruitment sourcing plans and leveraging talent acquisition strategies. With strong organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to work well under pressure, Virginia maintains a calm and professional demeanor that inspires confidence. Her dynamic interpersonal, management, and networking skills have proven instrumental in successfully recruiting candidates at all levels, from entry to executive and professional positions. Virginia brings a wealth of experience in healthcare recruitment, including dental positions and medical professionals for hospitals, long-term care facilities, and assisted living. Prior to her HR career, she served as a Senior Social Worker and state-certified Mediator for the County of Orange, CA, and holds a Master's degree in Social Work from USC, which informs her unique insight into prescreening and interviewing methodologies.

In this episode of "52 Humans," host Paul Wolf interviews Laurie Ruderman, founder of Punk Rock HR, about human-first and empathetic leadership. Ruderman shares her experience in HR and how a conversation with a coworker about self-care led her to explore investing in herself as a whole human being in a psychologically safe way. She also expresses her concern about the sacrifice of individual well-being by HR professionals during the pandemic and the potential negative impact on organizations. The conversation touches on the need for national conversations about healthcare and paid leave, and the potential effectiveness of human resources professionals having a voice in creating effective legislation with teeth. The episode ends with Wolf encouraging listeners to bring greater empathy to their workplaces through small acts of kindness and humanity.

About Laurie:

Laurie Ruettimann is a well-known human resources and talent management consultant, speaker, and author. She is known for her workplace culture, employee engagement, and leadership development expertise. She is also known for her honest and direct approach to HR and commitment to promoting workplace fairness and equality.

Ruettimann has written several books on HR and workplace culture — including her best-selling book called, "Betting On You" — and her work has been featured in various publications, including Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and NPR. She is also one of the top LinkedIn Learning leadership instructors, and she is the host of the Punk Rock HR podcast.

In this episode of "52 Humans," host Paul Wolf interviews Laura Hammond, an HR executive and founder of The People People, an HR consultancy that focuses on heart-centered HR practices. Hammond discusses her experience with human-first and empathetic leadership, particularly during the pandemic when she was leading a large retail organization. She shares a personal story about struggling with her mental health and the decision she made to be honest and vulnerable with her team and the broader organization about her situation. Hammond talks about the importance of psychological safety and creating a work culture where leaders can show up as their authentic selves. The episode concludes with Wolf encouraging listeners to think about ways to bring greater empathy into their workplace.

Laura is an experienced global Human Resources Leader with over 20 years of experience across government, retail, and most recently, a hyper-growth health technology startup. In her personal life, she is passionate about raising funds for mental health research, a devoted Peloton enthusiast, a rescue dog mom, and a fan of all things Canadian arts and culture.

Laura's mission is to support organizations in fostering inclusive workplaces where employees can achieve their professional and personal goals. She has worked for two of North America's most innovative and exciting retail brands and recently led the building of people operations infrastructure for a women's health tech start-up called Tia. Throughout her career, she has built successful People teams to support organizational growth and development.

In this episode, host Paul Wolf talks to Lulu Seikaly, senior corporate employment counsel at PayScale, about human first and empathetic leadership. Lulu shares examples of the impact of empathetic leadership on employee loyalty and organizational success, drawing from her own experiences of working with good and bad bosses. She also emphasizes the importance of soft skills and transparency in promoting trust and appreciation among employees. Additionally, Lulu talks about her role at PayScale in ensuring compliance with pay equity and pay transparency laws and how organizations can benefit from such laws by promoting fair and inclusive compensation practices.

Lulu Seikaly is a seasoned employment attorney with extensive experience in advising employers on employment-related issues, developing policies and processes to support employees, and conducting workplace investigations into allegations of misconduct, discrimination, harassment, and workplace bullying.

Her experience in representing employers across the country in EEOC and state agency charges of discrimination and retaliation has given her a deep understanding of the legal landscape surrounding employment law. She has defended employers in mediations, arbitrations, and administrative hearings and has developed best employer practices to minimize legal risk.

In this inspiring episode of 52 Humans, Paul interviews Stephanie Battalingo, a trailblazing transgender leader and advocate for LGBTQ rights in the workplace. Stephanie shares a powerful story of vulnerability and human-first leadership from her own experience, discussing how embracing vulnerability can lead to growth, empathy, and understanding. She emphasizes the importance of education, understanding, and acceptance in supporting transgender coworkers and fostering inclusive work environments. Don't miss this insightful conversation that explores the value of curiosity, allyship, and the ongoing evolution of corporate culture.