What does it truly take to change an organization for the better?

In the latest episode of Culture Talks, Lorne Rubis sits down with Craig Hampson, Chief Business Enablement Officer at BURNCO, for a no-holds-barred conversation about the realities of organizational change.

We dive deep into the critical role of leadership in this process and uncover why so many well-intentioned change efforts fail. 

In this episode, we explore:

• The high cost of incongruency: What happens when you declare a new vision but don't follow through.

• Why toxic leaders often persist and the damage they cause to culture and progress.

• The non-negotiable link between clarity of vision and genuine commitment from the top down.

• How to ensure your leadership declarations are backed by actionable steps and real cultural investment.

This is a must-listen for any executive, leader, or individual who is genuinely committed to their teams and the health of their organization.

Ready to commit to being better? Listen/watch the full conversation.

In this episode of the Culture Talks Podcast, Lorne Rubis sits down with Taarif (Tim) Jafferi, Chief Business Officer of Happily.ai, to uncover the direct link between employee happiness and your bottom line. Taarif, a former Google employee, shares his firsthand experience of the cultural shifts hurting modern workplaces and the simple, data-backed strategies that can fix them.

How do you MOVE AT THE SPEED OF A STARTUP? 🚀 In this episode of Culture Talks, Lorne Rubis sits down with Christie Lagally, the CEO and Founder of Rebellyous Foods, who made the leap from aerospace engineering to revolutionizing the plant-based meat industry.

We dive deep into:

✅ The real challenges of food production & manufacturing innovation.

✅ Why company culture and dignified work are key to disruption.

✅ How to find profound purpose and meaning in your work.

This isn't just a story for vegans—it's a masterclass for any entrepreneur, innovator, or leader looking to make a tangible impact.

In the latest episode of Culture Talks, hosts Lorne Rubis and Wayne Suiter Matamoros, Partner and Head of Empathy in NYC, dive into a thought-provoking conversation about human-centered design, empathetic leadership, and the role of purpose in solving complex challenges.

Why Empathy Matters in Leadership & Innovation. 

Empathy isn’t just a soft skill—it’s a strategic advantage. Lorne and Wayne explore how putting people at the center of design and decision-making leads to more impactful solutions, whether in business, social impact ventures, or organizational culture. They discuss:

• How empathy transforms leadership – moving beyond traditional top-down approaches to foster trust and collaboration.

• The challenges impact-driven founders face – staying true to purpose while navigating business realities.

• Practical strategies for embedding purpose in teams and company culture.

• Human-centered design isn’t just for products—it’s essential for shaping workplaces and communities.

• Empathy drives innovation by uncovering real needs and creating meaningful solutions.

Key Takeaways for Leaders & Changemakers

Purpose must be actionable—how to move from intention to implementation.

In this insightful episode of Culture Talks, hosts Lorne Rubis and Les Gombik explore the shifting dynamics of executive recruitment, leadership effectiveness, and the growing influence of AI in the workplace.

Their discussion sheds light on what makes a great leader, the importance of authenticity, and how organizations can build high-performing teams in an ever-changing business environment.

Lorne and Les discuss the essential traits of successful leaders, emphasizing:

• Followership – True leadership isn’t just about authority; it’s about inspiring teams to willingly follow and contribute to a shared vision.

• Authenticity & Integrity – Leaders must be genuine and uphold strong ethical standards to earn trust.

  
  

What Makes an Effective Leader?

Decisiveness & Inclusivity – Striking the right balance between making bold decisions and fostering collaboration is crucial.

In this eye-opening episode of Culture Cast, host Lorne Rubis sits down with Dr. Orianna Bretschger, the visionary co-founder and CEO of Aquacycl, to explore her incredible journey from academia to entrepreneurship—and how she’s transforming wastewater treatment with cutting-edge, sustainable technology.

🔬 Why should you care about wastewater?

Most people don’t think about what happens after water goes down the drain—but wastewater treatment is a $200+ billion industry critical to public health, environmental protection, and even climate change. Dr. Bretschger breaks down:

✔ The hidden problems with traditional wastewater treatment✔ How Aquacycl’s bioelectrochemical tech makes it cleaner, cheaper, and more efficient✔ Why sustainability innovation is a huge business opportunity.

💡 From Lab to Startup: The Entrepreneurial LeapGoing from scientist to CEO isn’t easy. Dr. Bretschger shares:

🔥 Her biggest challenges in transitioning from academia to business🔥 How to build a mission-driven company without burning out🔥 Why character matters more than skills when hiring a startup team

👩🔬 Women in STEM & Leadership

🤝 Culture, Trust & Leadership Lessons

What does it take to build a high-performing, values-driven team? She reveals:

✅ The #1 trait she looks for in hires (hint: it’s not experience)

✅ How to foster trust and accountability in a fast-growing startup

✅ The hardest leadership lesson she’s learned (and how it shaped Aquacycl’s success)

🌍 The Future of Water Innovation

💬 What surprised you most about wastewater innovation? Let us know in the comments!

👍 Enjoyed this episode? Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more deep dives on leadership, innovation, and culture!

#Wastewater #Sustainability #WomenInSTEM #Entrepreneurship #CleanTech #Leadership #Aquacycl #CultureCast

In this Culture Talks episode, Lorne Rubis and leadership expert Dave McCauley dive deep into what makes organizations succeed—from psychological safety and trust to AI’s impact on workplaces. Whether you're a leader, HR professional, or team member, this conversation offers actionable insights to create a positive, high-performing culture.

✅ Psychological Safety – Why employees need to feel safe to speak up

✅ AI & the Future of Work – Balancing tech with human-centric leadership

✅ Toxic Leadership – Warning signs and how to fix a broken culture

✅ Trust & Communication – The foundation of strong teams

✅ Growth Mindset – How leaders can foster continuous learning

💡 Who Should Listen?

• Leaders & Managers wanting to improve team dynamics

• HR Professionals shaping company culture

• Employees navigating workplace challenges

• Anyone interested in leadership, AI, and organizational success

  
  

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In the latest episode of Culture Talks, host Lorne Rubis sits down with Beverley Wright, CEO and founder of Wright Choice, to explore the essential qualities of impactful leadership, the power of community in business, and why investing in people is the ultimate competitive advantage.

Drawing from her entrepreneurial roots (as the daughter of beloved beauty shop owners) and years of experience coaching corporate leaders, Beverley shares actionable insights on:

✅ The role of authenticity and passion in leadership—why "being real" drives trust and performance.

✅ Building a culture of support and open communication, even in high-pressure environments.

✅ Balancing meritocracy with inclusion.

✅ Navigating difficult conversations to spark growth, not conflict.

✅ Why investing in people isn’t optional—lessons from Wright Choice’s community-driven approach.

Why Listen to This Episode?

Whether you’re a corporate leader, entrepreneur, or team member looking to elevate your influence, this conversation unpacks the human side of leadership that’s often overlooked. Beverley’s blend of personal stories and tactical advice makes this a must-listen for anyone passionate about workplace culture, inclusive leadership, and organizational growth.

Join the Conversation: What’s your biggest leadership challenge?

In this thought-provoking episode of Culture Talks, host Lorne Rubis sits down with Dr. Erik Selberg, co-founder of Wild Zebra, an innovative EdTech startup using AI to personalize education.

They dive deep into the future of learning, leadership, and what it takes to build a thriving workplace culture in the fast-evolving world of technology.

🔍 Key Takeaways You’ll Learn:✅ AI in Education – How Wild Zebra is using artificial intelligence to transform personalized learning.✅ Leadership & Values – Why kindness, transparency, and strong leadership are critical in business.✅ Startup Mindset – Erik’s journey from corporate to entrepreneurship and the risks worth taking.✅ Culture as a Competitive Advantage – How intentional workplace culture drives innovation and success.

In this compelling episode of Culture Talks, host Lorne Rubis sits down with Javier Cardona, founder and CEO of 1Doc3, a trailblazing healthcare app improving access to medical services in emerging markets. From discussing Mexico City’s vibrant culture to the future of AI in healthcare, this conversation is packed with insights for leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators.

✅ From Telecom to Healthcare – How Javier pivoted industries to solve critical healthcare challenges.

✅ Culture & Leadership – The role of transparency, delegation, and values in building strong teams.

✅ Mental Health at Work – Why mental well-being is a must-have in modern workplaces.

✅ AI & the Future of Healthcare – How technology is transforming access to medical services.

✅ The Power of Gratitude – Why appreciating customers and employees drives success.

💡 Who should watch?

🔍 Key Discussion Points:
✔ Entrepreneurs & startup founders

✔ Healthcare innovators & digital health enthusiasts

✔ Leaders focused on culture & employee well-being

✔ Anyone interested in AI, leadership, and global healthcare trends