humanscape

What if we treated mental health like a broken arm—something real, urgent, and worth taking care of? 🧠✨

In this episode, Shawn chats with Julie Preder from Mental Health America Lakeshore about why mental health is health. They dive into why real conversations matter more than surveys, how workplaces can be way better at supporting people (spoiler: it starts with listening👂), and why connection is the real secret sauce for thriving teams.

Tune in for a fresh take on culture, compassion, and creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued.

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• Mental health is ongoing and must be treated as essential health.
• Psychological safety is a prerequisite for honest conversations and sustainable cultural change.
• Employee voices are more valuable than surveys—listen actively and take action.
• Grief and caregiving are often hidden, but critical to support in the workplace.
• Small seeds of trust, dialogue, and values alignment are what grow lasting culture.

Tap shoes, chocolate, and servant leadership? Yes, please! 💃🍫

In this episode, Lynell Meeth from Bank Five Nine joins Shawn and AJ for a vibrant convo about how real culture is built—in the little moments, the shared values, and yes, even in joyful things like tap dancing.

Lynell shares how her team brings values like passion and humility to life, creates flexible learning paths that actually stick, and keeps connection strong across branches.

It's a refreshingly human take on leadership, learning, and belonging you won't want to miss 💡💬

For leaders focused on culture and people: Take the time to reflect on how you enhance your company culture. Get out of your office and interact with employees to see how they are doing. Don't have an agenda, just listen. SMILE! And find something to laugh about.

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• Joy Drives Energy: Rediscovering personal passions like tap dancing can fuel workplace energy and engagement.
• Values in Action: Passion, integrity, respect, and humility are lived daily, not just listed on a wall.
• Tailored Learning: Leadership development isn't one-size-fits-all—custom paths and microlearning win.
• Servant Leadership: Culture is shaped by leaders who prioritize support and service.
• Wellbeing with Choice: A flexible, "choose your own path" approach makes wellness meaningful for all.

How do you build an organization where values aren't just words on a wall but a lived experience? ✨

Shawn and Sarah are joined by Tiffany Tardy, President and CEO of PEARLS for Teen Girls, as she shares how PEARLS' values create a culture of empowerment and impact.

Tiffany reflects on the power of personal responsibility, how grace fuels empathy, and why redefining professionalism is crucial for today's workforce. She also dives into the intergenerational leadership model at PEARLS, the importance of collaboration, and how organizations can create spaces where people show up as their authentic selves.💕

Plus, hear about her journey as a first-time pet parent and her passion for travel that fuels her leadership perspective.🌎

Additional Resources:

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• Personal Responsibility starts with self-awareness. Leaders must first focus on their inner growth before expecting change in others.
• Empathy requires grace. Leaders must extend the same understanding and flexibility they expect from others.
• Redefining professionalism is necessary. Younger professionals are challenging outdated norms, and organizations need to listen and evolve.
• Values must be actionable. At PEARLS, values are embedded in meetings, performance reviews, and daily operations—not just on a poster.
• Culture thrives on consistency. Building a strong team means reinforcing values in every people touchpoint—onboarding, recognition, and leadership development.

💭 Engaged and energized? Or engaged and exhausted?

Too often, work feels like a never-ending sprint—but what if you could sustain your energy and success?

Today, Shawn and Sarah are joined by Jenny Shufelt — Director of Well-Being Programming at Hoffmaster— as she shares how tiny but mighty shifts (like resilience calls and intentional breaks) can transform workplace culture.

Tune in for fresh insights on:

• The secret to staying engaged without burnout
• Why psychological safety starts with role clarity
• How to reclaim work as a source of purpose and fulfillment

🎧 Listen now + grab Jenny's workbook, Reclaim Your Radiance—your guide to staying productive, motivated, and fulfilled! Link below! 🚀

Additional Resources:

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Get the "Reclaim Your Radiance" workbook!

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• Engagement isn't a steady state; it ebbs and flows. Leaders should focus on sustaining energy, not just pushing for engagement.
• Tiny but mighty changes—like resilience calls, intentional breaks, and rethinking customer service training—can have a huge impact on workplace culture.
• Psychological safety is foundational. Employees need role clarity, autonomy, and trust to thrive.
• Work should be reclaimed. When done right, it's a source of purpose, connection, and fulfillment—not just a to-do list.

In this episode, Shawn is joined by his teammate AJ Kruse, and they chat with Tom Parks — Director of Retirement Plan Services at Annex Wealth Management — to talk about scaling a people-first culture, leading with courage, and why care is never corny. With laughs, insights, and a focus on real leadership, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating growth or looking to inspire their team! 🚀

PLUS, Annex offers a diverse selection of educational resources, both in terms of topics as well as the manner of delivery (radio, YouTube, webinar, in-person, etc.) to empower workers of all socioeconomic levels. Here are some samples.

Additional Resources:

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• People First: Growth is about relationships, not just revenue. Annex's success lies in its focus on individuals—both employees and clients.
• Core Values: Courage and integrity are foundational, guiding decisions and maintaining authenticity in leadership.
• Balancing Broad and Narrow Focus: Leadership requires expanding vision while also bringing focus to priorities.
• Open Communication: Radical candor is crucial, but it must rest on a foundation of mutual respect and care.

Welcome back to the humanscape podcast! 🎙

Shawn is joined by not one, but two Sarahs—Sarah Marshall from humanworks8 and guest Sarah Troup from Motion Connected!

Dive into a conversation that blends wellness and technology, revealing how innovative tech can supercharge employee engagement and well-being. Sarah Troup shares inspiring stories and practical tips for creating healthier, more empowered workplaces.

Tune in for laughs, leadership insights, and actionable takeaways!

Additional Resources:

Connect with Sarah Troup on LinkedIn

Follow Motion Connected on LinkedIn

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Connect with Sarah Marshall on LinkedIn

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Key Takeaways:

• Leadership Engagement Matters: Success in wellness programs hinges on active leader participation and recognition of employees' efforts.
• Collaborative ROI Approach: Achieving a meaningful return on investment in wellness requires a partnership between tech providers and employers, focused on integrated metrics.
• Simplicity in Action: Proven, straightforward strategies like encouraging physical activity (e.g., achieving 6,000 steps a day) can decrease healthcare costs and improve well-being.
• Fun and Culture: Integrating creative, fun activities (e.g., workplace 'Amazing Race' challenges) can enhance team culture and morale.

From administrative services to driving cultural change, Caitlin Stene has crafted a career dedicated to the advancement of local governments. As the director of administrative services for the city of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, Caitlin oversees human resources, finance, and assessing departments.

In this episode, hosted by Shawn Gulyas and Jason Cochran, Caitlin explains why Sun Prairie is a progressive and economically diverse community where risk-taking and growth are encouraged.

She unpacks the city's transition from traditional management styles to a dynamic coaching culture tied to core values, such as "Show up and Step up" and "Collaborative Heart."

Caitlin also shares insights on the innovative "shine" employee development program that embraces creativity and fun at work.

Tune in to learn how Sun Prairie is setting the standard for local government leadership through a values-driven approach, balancing analytical duties with personal passions, and fostering a community where every individual can thrive.

Additional Resources: Connect with Shawn Gulyas on LinkedIn Connect with Jason Cochran on LinkedIn

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Guest Polina Makievsky, President and CEO of Penfield Children's Center, actively operationalized and created a nurturing environment for employees to thrive.

Join Humanscape, hosts Shawn Gulyas and Jason Cochran for a deep dive into transformative leadership and organizational culture. Polina shares insightful perspectives on balancing motherhood with a demanding career, the significance of leading with love, and the power of re-teaching organizational values.

Listen in as the conversation explores the critical role of change readiness, the unique core values driving Penfield's mission, and the importance of focusing on both traditional metrics and employee engagement. Polina stresses how cultivating genuine relationships and fostering a culture of psychological safety can enrich team dynamics and drive success.

Key themes include the necessity of diverse talents, the use of the Colby assessment for understanding individual strengths, and a fresh outlook on leadership that emphasizes quality over quantity. Polina's emphasis on growth, impact, and operationalizing core values provides a blueprint for creating a thriving workplace.

Join the discussion for actionable insights on change management, implementing core values, and the future strategic focus of Penfield's culture.

Additional Resources: Connect with Shawn on LinkedIn Connect with Jason Cochran

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From origami to ballroom dance, Jen Bauer and Dave Walsh from Miron Construction highlight the significance of caring for people, building a resilient workplace culture, and using AI and new technologies to drive growth. In this episode, hosts Shawn Gulyas and Jason Cochran delve into how Miron Construction's dynamic duo shapes the company's culture and fosters employee well-being. Jen, an origami-loving introvert, and Dave, a ballroom-dancing former police officer, reveal the importance of integrating core values, promoting diversity, and embracing new technologies. They also touch on recognizing employee contributions, mentoring young project managers, and introducing diversity initiatives such as the allyship program "Build Like a Girl."

Additional Resources: Connect with Shawn on LinkedIn Connect with Jason Cochran Learn more about humanworks8 Connect with Jen on LinkedIn Connect with Dave on LinkedIn Learn more about Miron Construction Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Steve Sorenson has carved a niche in cultivating a high-performance culture within Johnsonville, guiding over 3500 global team members. As the Senior Director of Learning and Culture, Steve shares his profound insights on integrating coaching culture, the influence of technology on communication, and the core strategies for team member autonomy and innovation. In this enlightening episode, Steve delves into the "Johnsonville way" of consistency, candid communication, and nurturing talent, alongside host Jason Cochran. Their discussion not only unpacks the challenges of remote work and the importance of an inclusive culture but also highlights Johnsonville's approach to leadership and continuous member engagement.

Additional Resources: Connect with Jason Cochran Learn more about humanworks8 Connect with Steve Sorenson Learn more about Johnsonville Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network