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Human Side Up episodes
- Who Really Owns Workplace Culture? | Zach Blumenfeld & Nick Lombardino
Culture Isn’t HR’s Job: Building Work That Feels Human with Nick Lombardino & Zach Blumenfeld
What if culture wasn’t something you rolled out—but something you practiced, person by person, day by day?In this episode of Human Side Up, host Natasha Nuytten sits down with Nick Lombardino and Zach Blumenfeld, co-founders of CultureCon (a certified B Corp), to unpack what actually makes workplace culture stick. From their origin story (Madison roots, high school connections, and an “accidental” community that turned into a movement) to the behind-the-scenes realities of building CultureCon, Nick and Zach share why the best cultures aren’t built by slogans—they’re built by trust, autonomy, and meaningful connection.They dig into the tension between flexibility and loneliness in remote work, why “culture fit” is often the wrong goal, and what it means to build “culture from the inside out”—starting with self-awareness, personal responsibility, and how you show up as an individual contributor. If you’re a leader trying to build culture without outsourcing it to HR—or an employee who wants to make work better from wherever you sit—this one is packed with practical insights and a whole lot of heart.Highlights & Takeaways💡 Culture is everyone’s job (and why HR can’t carry it alone)💡 Trust + autonomy = real connection (not just perks)💡 Flexibility vs. belonging: what remote work can’t replace💡 “Inside-out culture”: self-awareness as the foundation for meaning at workHuman Side UpHosted by Natasha Nuytten, CEO of CLARA, Human Side Up cuts through the noise to reveal how real leaders create workplaces—and lives—where people can thrive.Connect with Natasha:🔗 LinkedIn🎧 Spotify📺 YouTubeConnect with CLARA:🔗 LinkedIn🌐 Website📺 YouTube1 hr 3 min - Will AI Take Your Job? | Ajay Malik
Let AI Do the Work: Becoming “Manager of One” in the Age of AI with Ajay Malik
What if the future of work isn’t about replacing humans—but upgrading what we’re here to do?In this episode of Human Side Up, host Natasha Nuytten talks with Ajay Malik—CEO of StudioX-AI, former Head of Architecture & Engineering for Google’s worldwide corporate network, and holder of 100+ patents—about his mission to “let AI do the work so humans can do the thinking, feeling, and creating.” Ajay shares how his love for technology and his self-professed procrastination actually sharpen his ability to prioritize, focus, and build systems that quietly power billions of interactions behind the scenes.They dig into his core idea that every knowledge worker is now a “manager of one”—their own AI agent—and what that means for hiring, leadership, and personal responsibility. Ajay is refreshingly honest about the risks: AI will eliminate some jobs, especially for those who don’t learn it. But he also explains how the massive acceleration of innovation creates a new kind of demand for humans in the loop: orchestrators, conductors, project leaders, and ethical decision-makers who know how to direct AI, not just fear it. Along the way, he shares lessons from mentors, why doing one thing at 160% beats doing two things at 100%, and how AI is quietly teaching him to be more forgiving and more human.Highlights & Takeaways💡 “Manager of one”: why every person now leads their own AI agent💡 Human in the loop: 85% AI execution, 15% human oversight—and why that 15% is everything💡 Job loss vs. velocity: how AI will cut some roles but create massive demand for new kinds of work💡 Learning from AI: no grudges, no rumination, just next prompt—how that mindset can shape better leadership💡 Everyone must learn AI (unless your job is literally with your hands): practical urgency for careers and companiesHuman Side UpWhat happens when we stop following the playbook and start writing our own? Hosted by Natasha Nuytten, CEO of CLARA, Human Side Up cuts through the noise to reveal how real leaders create workplaces—and lives—where people can thrive.Connect with Natasha:🔗 LinkedIn🎧 Spotify📺 YouTubeConnect with CLARA:🔗 LinkedIn🌐 Website📺 YouTube1 min - How Leaders Fail Returning Moms | Alexa Starks
Reentry Isn’t a Moment—It’s a System: Designing Support That Works with Alexa Starks
What if “welcome back” wasn’t the plan—just the starting line?In this episode of Human Side Up, host Natasha Nuytten sits down with Alexa Starks—Founder & Chief Strategist of Executive Moms and host of The Reentry Room—to unpack how organizations can move beyond good intentions to build practical, repeatable frameworks that retain high-performing parents. Drawing from her own return-to-work experience and a decade in corporate ops, Alexa explains the “reentry gap,” why so many managers default to silence, and how leaders can co-create 30/60/90 re-onboarding plans that adjust goals, measure output (not hours), and make flexibility real.They get specific on scripts and shared language for managers and parents, weekly capacity check-ins, resetting OKRs, and the difference between policy and practice when it comes to boundaries. While the focus is parent reentry, the lessons apply across life events—because compassionate leadership and clear expectations improve outcomes for everyone.Highlights & Takeaways💡Reentry is a process, not a date: co-create 30/60/90 plans and reset OKRs💡Measure output, not “green dots”: flexibility that’s tied to clear goals💡Policy vs. practice: manager behavior is the culture💡Shared language: scripts for managers and parents to ask for—and offer—support💡Beyond parenthood: compassion + clarity build stronger teams in any life eventHuman Side UpWhat happens when we stop following the playbook and start writing our own? Hosted by Natasha Nuytten, CEO of CLARA, Human Side Up cuts through the noise to reveal how real leaders create workplaces—and lives—where people can thrive.Connect with Natasha:🔗 LinkedIn🎧 Spotify📺 YouTubeConnect with CLARA:🔗 LinkedIn🌐 Website📺 YouTube53 min - How to Lead Humans in the Age of AI | CEO, Kern & Partners Russell Kern
Humans, AI, and the “Magnificent Middle” with Russell Kern
What happens when you stop “managing” and start growing people—while inviting AI to help?In this episode of Human Side Up, host Natasha Nuytten sits down with Russell M. Kern—Founder & CEO of Kern & Partners—to explore how neuroscience, habit-formation, and AI can unlock what he calls the magnificent middle of managers. From selling jellybeans at 19 to scaling a 400-person creative agency and now advising global enterprises (SAP, AmEx, Caterpillar), Russell shares the K.E.R.N. method—Know, Empower, Reflect, Nurture—and why culture isn’t a slogan; it’s the behaviors we practice together.They dig into the cost of poor collaboration, why practice time isn’t just for sports teams, and how leaders become gardeners—creating the conditions for people to thrive while using AI as a thinking partner, not a crutch.Highlights & Takeaways💡 The K.E.R.N. method: Know, Empower, Reflect, Nurture💡 Why the “middle” makes or breaks culture and execution💡 Neuroscience of habits: make the right thing the easy thing💡 AI as a collaborator (not a replacement) for human judgment💡 Building culture by design: small behaviors, big compounding effectsLearn more about Russell & Kern and Partners:🌐 Kern & Partners🔗 Russell M. KernHuman Side UpWhat happens when we stop following the playbook and start writing our own? Hosted by Natasha Nuytten, CEO of CLARA, Human Side Up cuts through the noise to reveal how real leaders create workplaces—and lives—where people can thrive.Connect with Natasha:🔗 LinkedIn🎧 Spotify📺 YouTubeConnect with CLARA:🔗 LinkedIn🌐 Website📺 YouTube56 min - ADHD as a Superpower in Leadership | CEO, Full Scale Matt Watson
High Urgency, Hyperfocus, and Human Leadership with Matt Watson
What happens when ADHD isn’t a limitation—but a leadership engine?In this episode of Human Side Up, host Natasha Nuytten sits down with Matt Watson—serial entrepreneur and CEO of Full Scale—for a conversation about obsession, grit, and redefining how teams scale. From selling his first company, VinSolutions, for $150M at just 29, to growing Full Scale from 0 to 300+ developers in the Philippines (with plans for 500), Matt has built a career by leaning into his ADHD traits: relentless problem solving, hyperfocus, and a fearless tolerance for risk.But Matt’s story is about more than exits and headcount. He shares candidly about self-awareness—knowing what he won’t do (like checking kids’ backpacks) as much as what he will—and why “courage” is the cultural keystone at Full Scale. He unpacks the power of ownership, the danger of treating developers like cogs, and why thoughtful offshoring isn’t cost-cutting—it’s opportunity creation across borders.Together, Natasha and Matt dig into what it means to lead without being the hero, to build psychological safety across cultures, and to turn grit into something bigger than success: purpose.Highlights & Takeaways💡 Why ADHD can be a CEO’s superpower (and weakness)💡 How hyperfocus fuels problem-solving and persistence💡 The transition from CTO → CEO—and what changes (and doesn’t)💡 Building ownership and “courage” into engineering culture💡 Why thoughtful offshoring creates thriving teams and economiesLearn more about Matt Watson & Full Scale:🌐 Full Scale🔗 LinkedInHuman Side UpWhat happens when we stop following the playbook and start writing our own? Hosted by Natasha Nuytten, CEO of CLARA, Human Side Up cuts through the noise to reveal how real leaders create workplaces—and lives—where people can thrive.Connect with Natasha:🔗 LinkedIn🎧 Spotify📺 YouTubeConnect with CLARA:🔗 LinkedIn🌐 Website📺 YouTube58 min - Dyslexia Made Me a Better Investor | David Hornik
Seeing Differently, Leading Generously: Dyslexia, Venture, and Human Connection with David Hornik
What happens when a venture capitalist builds a career not on transactions, but on relationships—and embraces dyslexia as a lifelong advantage?In this episode of Human Side Up, host Natasha Nuytten sits down with David Hornik—Founding Partner of Lobby Capital—for a conversation that blends venture capital, art, and humanity. David shares openly about growing up dyslexic, the resourcefulness it forced him to develop, and why he now sees it as a superpower for entrepreneurship and investing. From his eclectic path (computer music at Stanford, criminology at Cambridge, law at Harvard) to two decades backing companies like Splunk, GitLab, and Fastly, David frames venture not as flashy deal-making but as community-building.Together, Natasha and David explore what it means to “think differently,” why arts and education foster empathy in leadership, and how inclusive founders—and inclusive investors—create more than wealth: they create possibility. It’s part story, part philosophy, and all heart.Highlights & Takeaways💡 Dyslexia as a leadership advantage—and why resourcefulness matters💡 From law to VC: how David found the right “superpower job”💡 Why he believes generosity beats transactionalism in venture💡 The role of art, improv, and empathy in building better leaders💡 How underrepresented founders can frame problems big enough to be seen—and fundedLearn more about David Hornik & Lobby Capital:🌐 Lobby Capital🔗 LinkedInHuman Side UpWhat happens when we stop following the playbook and start writing our own? Hosted by Natasha Nuytten, CEO of CLARA, Human Side Up cuts through the noise to reveal how real leaders create workplaces—and lives—where people can thrive.Connect with Natasha:🔗 LinkedIn🎧 Spotify📺 YouTubeConnect with CLARA:🔗 LinkedIn🌐 Website📺 YouTube48 min - A Female CEO’s Playbook | Beth Houck
Listening First, Leading Better: Authentic Leadership & Upstream Care with Beth Houck
What happens when a CEO leads with listening—and builds a company that catches crises before they happen?In this episode of Human Side Up, host Natasha Nuytten sits down with Beth Houck—CEO of SonarMD—for a candid conversation about authenticity, context, and the kind of leadership that actually changes outcomes. Beth shares the moment she realized she could bring her whole self (humor included) to high-stakes rooms, the mindset shift from COO to CEO, and why “context” is the multiplier that empowers remote teams to move fast without losing the plot.On the care side, she explains how SonarMD supports people living with IBD (Crohn’s, UC) between visits—tracking symptoms longitudinally to spot deterioration early, and pairing that with wraparound supports like nutrition, sleep, and GI-trained mental health. It’s upstream, value-based care that aligns payers, providers, and—most importantly—patients.This episode is for leaders who want to be human and high-performing—and for builders in healthcare who believe prevention should finally pay.Highlights & Takeaways💡 Why active listening (and repeating context) aligns remote teams faster💡 The COO → CEO shift—and how to navigate founder/CEO dynamics💡 How SonarMD achieved ~80% digital engagement for IBD patients💡 Upstream care that works: nutrition, sleep, and mental health inside digital pathways💡 Making prevention pay: aligning with payers for shared savings and better outcomesLearn more about Beth Houck & SonarMD:🌐 SonarMD🔗 LinkedInHuman Side UpWhat happens when we stop following the playbook and start writing our own? Hosted by Natasha Nuytten, CEO of CLARA, Human Side Up cuts through the noise to reveal how real leaders create workplaces—and lives—where people can thrive.Connect with Natasha:🔗 LinkedIn🎧 Spotify📺 YouTubeConnect with CLARA:🔗 LinkedIn🌐 Website📺 YouTube52 min - How I Became Athlete at 40 | Michelle Boyd
From ICU to Finish Lines: Redefining Strength with Michelle Boyd
What happens when life forces you to stop—and you choose to come back stronger?In this powerful episode of Human Side Up, host Natasha Nuytten sits down with Michelle Boyd—Director of Health Careers & Workforce Development at Atrium Health and National Board President of Tri It For Life—for a conversation that’s as real as it is inspiring. Michelle shares her journey from a corporate mom pushing through pregnancy in high heels to landing in the ICU with a life-threatening heart scare. That moment became her wake-up call: to prioritize health, embrace resilience, and redefine what it means to be strong.From there, Michelle not only claimed the title of Fit Mom and Athlete—despite laughter and doubt—but also became a triathlete, mentor, and leader helping women cross finish lines both on and off the race course. Her work at Atrium Health focuses on building a diverse healthcare workforce that reflects the communities it serves, while her leadership at Tri It For Life empowers women to try, to fail, to cry, and to succeed in spaces they never imagined themselves in.Together, Natasha and Michelle dig into what real integration (not “balance”) looks like, the power of releasing perfection, and why mentorship and representation matter so deeply in both work and life.This is an episode for anyone who’s ever pushed too hard, been told they don’t belong, or wondered what might be possible if they simply gave themselves permission to try.Highlights & Takeaways💡 How a health scare transformed Michelle’s priorities and identity💡 Why she proudly calls herself Fit Mom and Athlete after years of resistance💡 The unique challenges women face in triathlon—and how Tri It For Life changes the story💡 Why harmony, not “balance,” is the healthier way to lead life and work💡 The role of mentorship in shaping inclusive, resilient leadersLearn more about Michelle Boyd:🔗 LinkedInHuman Side UpWhat happens when we stop following the playbook and start writing our own? Hosted by Natasha Nuytten, CEO of CLARA, Human Side Up cuts through the noise to reveal how real leaders create workplaces—and lives—where people can thrive.Connect with Natasha:🔗 LinkedIn🎧 Listen on Spotify📺 YouTubeConnect with CLARA:🔗 LinkedIn🌐 Website📺 YouTube51 min - The Human Side of Leadership | Dennis RichterReflective, Intentional, and Human-First: Redefining Leadership with Dennis RichterWhat if leadership wasn’t about following a prescribed path, but about weaving together lived experiences, values, and the courage to do it differently?In this insightful episode of Human Side Up, Natasha Nuytten sits down with Dennis Richter—Chief of People at Fullscript—for a conversation that is as candid as it is deeply human. From growing up in one of the poorest zip codes in the U.S. to serving in the military after 9/11, Dennis has built his leadership philosophy on reflection, intentionality, and an unwavering respect for the people around him.His journey zigzags across industries and roles—from technical work to people leadership and back again—offering him a perspective that’s both expansive and grounded. For Dennis, leadership isn’t about titles or linear career ladders; it’s about building trust, honoring integrity, and creating environments where people can thrive as whole humans.Together, Natasha and Dennis explore what it means to reject the playbook, embrace failure as a teacher, and design organizations where every individual—whether a manager or a “builder”—is valued for their contribution.This episode is for anyone who’s ever wondered what it truly looks like to lead with heart, humility, and intention in a world being reshaped by technology and change.Highlights & Takeaways💡 Why reflection and intentionality are Dennis’s guiding principles💡 How lived experience—from the military to tech—shapes leadership more than any resume💡 The danger of forcing people into management roles they don’t want (and what to do instead)💡 Why respect, integrity, and human connection remain non-negotiables in the age of AI💡 How to build organizations where people are thriving—not just survivingLearn more about Dennis Richter:🔗 LinkedIn
Human Side Up
What happens when we stop following the playbook and start writing our own? Hosted by Natasha Nuytten, CEO of CLARA, Human Side Up cuts through the noise to reveal how real leaders create workplaces where people can thrive.This isn’t about theory or trends—it’s about the practical strategies, hard-won lessons, and breakthrough moments that move the needle for the teams, cultures, and communities they serve.Connect with Natasha:🔗 LinkedIn🎧 Listen on Spotify📺 YouTubeConnect with CLARA:
🔗 LinkedIn🌐 Website📺 YouTube54 min - How Loss Turned Me Into a Leader | Yamani Yansa Hernandez
Rooted, Radical, and Real: Leading Movements for Justice with Yamani Yansa
What if the call to lead wasn’t a choice, but a responsibility you couldn’t turn away from?In this powerful episode of Human Side Up, Natasha Nuytten sits down with Yamani Yansa—activist, strategist, and Executive Director of Groundswell Fund—for an unfiltered conversation about movement leadership, collective care, and creating lasting change in the face of systemic inequities.From grassroots organizing to shaping national philanthropic priorities, Yamani’s work is anchored in a deep commitment to reproductive justice, racial equity, and building power for communities too often left out of decision-making. Their leadership journey has been one of standing firm in values, navigating resistance, and holding space for both grief and joy in the work of liberation.Together, Natasha and Yamani explore what it means to center the most impacted voices, why leadership rooted in community is essential for real transformation, and how sustaining movements requires as much focus on care as it does on strategy.This episode is for anyone ready to reimagine leadership as a shared, justice-driven practice.Highlights & Takeaways💡 Why grassroots movements are the heartbeat of social change💡 How to lead without centering ego or personal power💡 The role of philanthropy in fueling—not steering—movements💡 What it means to practice collective care in high-stakes work💡 How to navigate the tension between urgency and sustainabilityLearn more about Yamani Yansa:🔗 Groundswell Fund🔗 LinkedInHuman Side UpWhat happens when we stop ticking boxes and start driving real change? Hosted by Natasha Nuytten, CEO of CLARA, Human Side Up flips the script on diversity, equity, and inclusion by uncovering the real, raw stories behind the headlines.This podcast isn’t about corporate checklists—it’s about the leaders, changemakers, and innovators rethinking workplace culture and championing transformation. From breakthrough strategies to bold decisions, we explore what it truly takes to build workplaces and communities where everyone belongs.Connect with Natasha:🔗 LinkedIn🎧 Listen on Spotify📺 YouTubeConnect with CLARA:🔗 LinkedIn🌐 Website📺 YouTube51 min
About Human Side Up
From the publisher's feed
What happens when we stop ticking boxes and start building real change? Hosted by Natasha Nuytten, CEO of CLARA, Human Side Up flips the script on diversity, equity, and inclusion by diving into the raw, authentic stories behind the headlines.
This isn’t about policies or platitudes—it’s about the leaders, changemakers, and innovators rewriting the rules. From CEOs rethinking workplace culture to advocates championing worthy causes, we uncover the strategies and human moments driving true transformation.
With every episode, we go deeper—exploring the processes, breakthroughs, and bold decisions shaping workplaces and communities where everyone belongs. If you’re ready to challenge norms, rethink leadership, and reimagine what’s possible, this is the podcast for you.