Culture Talks

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

In this thought-provoking episode of Culture Talks, host Lorne Rubis sits down with Rafe Furst—entrepreneur, investor, and author of The Future of Venture Capital—to explore how authentic leadership and values-driven innovation are reshaping business and venture capital.

🔹 Key Takeaways You’ll Learn:

✅ How to lead with vulnerability & self-awareness in high-stakes environments.

✅ Why the VC industry needs a cultural shift toward purpose and impact.

✅ Strategies to thrive in economic uncertainty and build resilient teams.

✅ The link between authenticity and long-term success in leadership.

📖 About Rafe Furst:

Rafe is a serial entrepreneur, early-stage investor, and advocate for conscious capitalism. His book, The Future of Venture Capital, challenges traditional VC norms and champions a more inclusive, mission-driven approach.

Is your workplace culture silently crumbling under toxic leadership? In this eye-opening episode, Lorne Rubis sits down with Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett, a leading organizational psychologist, to dissect:

🔥 How toxic bosses destroy mental health—and why employees pay the price

🧠 The psychology behind workplace toxicity (it’s not just "bad personalities")

💡 Practical fixes—how to align personal & organizational values for real change

🏠 Parenting while stressed—raising kids in a burnout economy

🔄 Hybrid work’s dark side—when flexibility enables dysfunction

🔔 Subscribe for more raw conversations on work, culture, and leadership. 

Check out more of Laura here: https://drlaura.live/

In this week’s episode of Culture Talks, host Lorne Rubis sits down with Stacie Calder, EVP of Marketing and Distribution at Conquest Planning, to uncover the secrets of fostering a connected, high-performing culture in a remote world.

✔ Leadership with Purpose – How Stacie’s journey shaped her values-driven approach.

✔ Democratizing Financial Advice – Conquest Planning’s mission to make financial guidance accessible.

✔ Remote Work Done Right – Building trust, collaboration, and psychological safety from anywhere.

✔ The Power of Asking for Help – Why great leaders never stop learning.

🔍 What You’ll Learn:

💡 Perfect for: Leaders, HR professionals, remote teams, and anyone passionate about workplace culture!

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In this eye-opening episode of Culture Talks, host Lorne Rubis sits down with Kenny Lee, Co-Founder & CEO of Aigen, an AI-powered robotics company transforming agriculture. Discover how Kenny's personal health journey and family farming roots led him to develop cutting-edge robots that help farmers transition away from chemical dependency and toward regenerative practices.

 Key Topics Covered:

• The future of sustainable farming with robotics & AI

• How to build a mission-driven company culture

• Entrepreneurial resilience in agtech

• Why values alignment matters more than skills

Leadership lessons for scaling impactful startups

What happens when purpose meets innovation? In this episode of Culture Talks, I talk with Brian Hill, the visionary CEO and founder of Edovo—a groundbreaking learning platform transforming the lives of incarcerated individuals through education and vocational training.

Brian shares:

The inspiring purpose behind Edovo.

The challenges and triumphs of building a purpose-driven organization. 

Heartfelt stories of lives changed through education and opportunity.

The importance of listening, learning, and fostering a supportive workplace culture, plus much more! 

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about social impact, innovation, and the power of second chances. Tune in to hear how Edovo is breaking barriers and creating hope for a brighter future.

Stay tuned for more episodes, dropping every Wednesday, and let’s talk culture!

In this engaging Culture Talks episode, Lorne Rubis interviews Mia Maestro, a renowned actress and musician, about her journey, the importance of purpose, and her experiences mentoring entrepreneurs. They discuss the impact of community, the role of meditation and tea in finding purpose, and the need for systemic change in various sectors, including the prison system. Mia shares her insights on storytelling, leadership values, and the significance of creating meaningful connections in both personal and professional realms. The conversation culminates in Mia's upcoming projects and her commitment to making a positive impact in the world.

Takeaways

• Mia emphasizes the importance of community and connection in overcoming challenges.

• Purpose can often be discovered through meditation and personal reflection.

• Engaging in service work can provide perspective and gratitude.

• The tea ceremony serves as a powerful tool for mindfulness and connection.

• Mia believes in the necessity of systemic change in the prison system.

• Values such as authenticity and service are crucial for effective leadership.

• Storytelling is a vital skill for entrepreneurs to connect with their audience.

• Creating meaningful onboarding experiences can enhance employee engagement.

• Mia advocates for finding a practice that fosters flow and mindfulness.

• The more one meditates, the more time and clarity one gains.

See more of Mia on her website: http://www.miamaestro.comCheck out Mia on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/miamaestro/?hl=enYou can see Mia's imdb catalog here: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0535502/