Send us a text

In this episode of Taco Bytes, Doug and Una dive into what truly makes workplace cultures thrive: givers.

Together, they explore why the most impactful people on teams are often the quiet, consistent supporters—the ones who notice effort, celebrate progress, and lift others up without expecting anything in return.

The conversation centers on the HeyTaco Hall of Fame, an annual recognition honoring individuals (not teams!) who embody the spirit of gratitude day in and day out. Doug and Una share what inspired the Hall of Fame, what makes someone worthy of induction, and stories from recent inductees who show that meaningful culture isn’t built by the loudest voices—but by those who show up with generosity, empathy, and consistency.

Along the way, they touch on how recognition works best when it’s frequent and sincere, why small gestures matter more than we think, and how playful elements like TacoTars help gamify gratitude without losing its heart.

Whether you’re a leader, a teammate, or just someone who wants to make work a little better for the people around you, this episode is a reminder that giving credit freely can change someone’s entire day—and sometimes, an entire team.

🌮 Key Takeaways

• Great workplace cultures are built by givers, not takers
• Recognition is most powerful when it’s consistent and freely given
• The HeyTaco Hall of Fame celebrates individuals, not teams
• Inductees are honored for quality and consistency, not one-off moments
• Being a giver means noticing and celebrating even the small wins
• TacoTars add a fun, gamified layer to recognition
• Hall of Fame inductees get to design their own taco avatar 🌮
• Members earn serious bragging rights (the best kind)
• Finding positivity—even in tough moments—matters
• Small acts of recognition can have an outsized impact on someone’s day

Send us a text

In this episode of TacoBytes, Una and Doug take you behind the scenes of HeyTaco’s newest feature: Milestones—a fun and effortless way to celebrate your team’s birthdays and work anniversaries, right in Slack.

They explore why recognition on these personal milestones matters more than we often admit, how it used to be done (balloons, cakes, and jackets, anyone?), and how HeyTaco is making these celebrations feel authentic—even when they’re automated.

You’ll hear how customer stories shaped the feature, why it’s more than just a calendar reminder, and how Milestones brings back the joy of being seen—without the spreadsheet chaos or 5:45 AM Slack messages.

Whether you’re part of a remote team or managing culture at scale, this is a fun and thoughtful conversation about celebrating people, not just performance.

👉 Learn more about Milestones and how you can use it to make your team feel valued on the days that matter most.

Key Takeaways

• Why birthdays and work anniversaries matter: These “non-performance” moments are key to making people feel seen and valued.
• The problem with current solutions: Manual reminders and HR-managed celebrations don’t scale—and can feel impersonal.
• HeyTaco’s solution: Milestones lets teammates be recognized automatically, in public or private channels, while keeping the celebration personal.
• The real magic: It’s not just about the automation—it’s about creating a moment that invites everyone to join in with tacos, emojis, and appreciation.
• Recognition is about being seen: Just like a college athlete’s jacket or a 10-year trip to Jamaica, the memories stick when recognition feels earned and visible.
  
  
  

Resources & Links

• Learn more about HeyTaco Milestones
• Try Milestones free in your Slack workspace via the Admin → Milestones tab
• Explore how HeyTaco can help build a culture of gratitude → heytaco.com
  
  
  

Quotes to Remember

• “Recognition isn’t just about big wins. It’s about being seen—and being seen with that jacket on.” – Doug
• “We used to say: automated = bad. But Milestones changed our mind.” – Una

Send us a text

In this episode of the Amazing Teams podcast, we sat down with Katy Carrigan, CEO of Goody, to explore how thoughtful gifting drives employee engagement and recognition. They discuss the power of personalization, celebrating milestones, and building a culture of appreciation. The conversation also delves into leadership transparency, empowering teams, and how Goody navigates growth while keeping the recipient experience at the heart of it all.

We dive into:

• Why physical gifts often have more impact than monetary ones
• The common oversight of missing work anniversaries
• How remote work calls for more intentional recognition
• Why action and follow-through are key to building trust

Tune in for Katy’s insights on creating meaningful moments that make teams feel truly valued.

Resources:

• Connect with Katy on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Goody
• How Katy became the CEO of Goody

Send us a text

In this episode of the Amazing Teams podcast, we sat down with Sanket Merchant, a partner at PeakSpan Capital, who shares insights from his career journey in the software investment space. He discusses the importance of culture, clarity, and support in building high-performing teams and organizations. Sanket emphasizes the value of trust, agility, and gratitude in leadership and how these elements drive the success of entrepreneurial ventures. He also highlights the importance of evaluating entrepreneurial teams based on shared values and mutual respect, and the role gratitude plays in cultivating a positive work environment.

We dive into:

• How high-performing teams demonstrate accountability, commitment, and coachability
• Why trust is essential for building strong business partnerships
• The importance of agility and responsiveness in fast-paced environments

 Resources:

• Connect with Sanket on LinkedIn
• Learn more about PeakSpan Capital
• Don’t miss the Master Class featuring John Hamm of PeakSpan Capital

Send us a text

In this episode of the Amazing Teams podcast, we sat down with Claire Lew, CEO adn founder of Canopy (formerly Know Your Team), to explore the evolving role of managers and the growing need for leadership development. She discusses the challenges of navigating uncertainty, maintaining morale, and giving honest feedback, while emphasizing the need for clear communication and strong leadership in today’s complex, digital workplace.

We dive into:

• How clear, timely feedback builds stronger teams
• Why manager engagement drives morale and culture
• The challenges of growing into leadership
• What Canopy is doing differently.

Tune in for Claire’s insights on building stronger teams through thoughtful leadership and clear communication.

Resources:

• Connect with Claire on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Canopy.is
• Follow Claire on Substack

Send us a text

In this episode of the Amazing Teams podcast, we sat down with Stephen Lord, discuss the unique role of a Scrum Master, emphasizing the importance of kindness, empathy, and building trust within teams. He shares insights on treating developers as creative artists, fostering a positive team culture, and implementing gratitude practices to enhance team dynamics. The conversation offers actionable steps to improve workplace culture, highlighting the value of listening, authenticity, and recognition. The episode concludes with a heartfelt reflection on the power of appreciation in the workplace.

We dive into:

• A Scrum Master serves as a guide rather than a director.
• Developers should be viewed as artists, requiring a creative environment to thrive.
• Humor can lighten the atmosphere and improve team dynamics.
• Culture is shaped through everyday interactions — not just policies.

Tune in for Stephen’s insights on leading with empathy, fostering creativity, and building truly amazing team.  

Resources:

• Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Point74
• What is Scrum Master?
• Ted talk: How to start a movement

Send us a text

In this episode of the Amazing Teams podcast, we sat down with Hannah Manizza, VP of Marketing at Forge Biologics, to explore the concept of a “wrong rock boss” and the critical role of effective leadership in team dynamics. Hannah shares her personal journey from a structured corporate environment to the fast-paced world of startups at Forge Biologics, highlighting both her professional growth and the evolution of the company.

We dive into:

• Why effective management starts with clear guidance and expectations
• How navigating ambiguity is a critical skill in startup environments
• The power of understanding individual motivations within a team
• What it takes to build a strong, high-performing team from the ground up

Tune in for Hannah’s practical insights on leadership, adaptability, and what it truly takes to build an amazing team.

Resources:

• Connect with Hannah on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Forge Biologics
• Learn about Adam Grant 

Send us a text

In this episode of the Amazing Teams podcast, we sit down with Carl Smith, owner of the Bureau of Digital. Carl shares his journey from agency owner to community leader, reflecting on the role of people, motivation, and creativity in the workplace. He and his guests explore how to balance introversion and extroversion, lead with empathy, and create space for learning through failure. The conversation highlights the power of community, the emotional weight of leadership, and the lasting impact of our actions— “the wake” we leave behind.

We dive into:

• Why ‘PEOPLE’ are the core of what makes work better
• How allowing failure supports team growth
• The role of chaos in fostering creativity
• How strong communities protect themselves from negativity

Send us a text

In this bite-sized episode of Amazing Teams, Una flips the mic and interviews HeyTaco founder Doug about the seven most common "why" questions people ask about the platform. From “Why tacos?” to “Why a daily limit?”, Doug dives into the design decisions that shaped HeyTaco into the gratitude-powered, culture-building tool teams love today.

Whether you're a longtime user or taco-curious newbie, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at what makes HeyTaco so unique—and effective.

🌮 What We Cover:

• Why tacos? (and why not beer?)
• Why a daily taco limit instead of weekly/monthly?
• Why only five tacos a day?
• Why the name HeyTaco instead of something more... corporate?
• Why start with custom and collaborative rewards?
• Why not recommend gift cards (even though you can use them)?
• Why the given leaderboard is more powerful than you think
• Plus: Should managers get more tacos? And do teams actually use HeyTaco long-term?
  
  

🔥 Favorite Quotes:

“Recognition at work is often boring and formal. Tacos are fun. They make people smile.” – Doug
 “The best rewards aren't one-size-fits-all. They're personal, meaningful, and sometimes shared.” – Doug
 “HeyTaco works because it’s fun, and it becomes a habit that actually sticks.” – Una

📌 Episode Takeaway:

HeyTaco isn’t just a tool—it’s a philosophy. Designed around fun, habit formation, and meaningful peer-to-peer recognition, it puts everyone on equal ground and keeps gratitude flowing in a lighthearted, lasting way.

Send us a text

In this episode of the Amazing Teams podcast, we sat down with Marc Cenedella, CEO of The Ladders,  to explore the evolving landscape of work culture. We discuss the shift to remote work, the key drivers of productivity, and the power of gratitude in the workplace. Marc shares insights on standing out in a competitive job market, the impact of AI on job applications, and the importance of crafting resumes that highlight measurable achievements. The conversation also touches on the role of meetings and how they can influence creativity and efficiency.

We dive into:

• How meetings can hinder productivity and creativity.
• 75% of job seekers prioritize intrinsic rewards over cash. 
• Gratitude fosters a positive work environment and strengthens team cohesion. 

Tune in to hear Marc’s advice on navigating today’s job market and building a thriving career. 

Resources:

• Paul Graham’s Maker’s schedule, manager’s schedule
• Learn more about Ladders
• Connect with Marc on LinkedIn
• The Ladders Career Cab from 2011