Join host Steve Perkins and Greenhouse Team members Sundie Marquardt and Gabe Smith for a raw, relatable dive into active listening on the Roots Up Podcast. With humor, heart, and practical wisdom, this episode explores how to listen without pushing your own agenda. This applies to parenting adult kids, interacting with colleagues, our relationships, and so much more. Expect actionable takeaways to grow as a leader and human, rooted in Greenhouse’s mission to help you grow the life you want.

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Episode Quotes:

“Listening actively with no intent—letting go of your agenda—is hard but changes everything.” – Sundie

“People aren’t problems to be solved; they’re humans to be seen.” – Gabe

“Sometimes behavior shifts before beliefs, and that’s okay—it’s how growth happens.” – Sundie

Timestamps:

(0:00) Intro

Connect with Greenhouse:

Take Sundie’s challenge: In your next conversation, pause and ask, “How can I help?” instead of advising. Try mirroring with, “What I’m hearing is…” to make someone feel seen.

Join host Steve Perkins and Greenhouse Team members Gabe Smith and Chris Payne for a transformative dive into mindset on the Roots Up Podcast. Cutting through the buzzword noise, this episode explores how thoughts, emotions, and awareness shape leadership and personal growth. With humorous hiking anecdotes and raw insights, the trio unpacks the brain’s role in processing emotions, the shift from victimhood to agency, and practical tools to foster mindfulness. Steve challenges shallow positivity, Gabe advocates slowing down, and Chris offers strategies for navigating workplace challenges, empowering listeners to take control of their mindset and growth journey.

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Quotes:

“Mindset is about reality—naming what’s true in the moment, not just seeing the positive.” 

“Adults make agreements. If the agreement isn’t working, renegotiate it.” 

Timestamps:

(00:00:00) Intro

Take Steve’s challenge: Pause during a daily transition to audit your mindset—how are you feeling, and what’s driving your thoughts? Use the Feelings Wheel to name emotions, and try a team check-in to spark connection. Share your experience with us!

Join Steve, Gabe, and Greenhouse Coach Erik Borggren, for a dynamic discussion on leadership postures in this episode. This fresh perspective goes beyond traditional leadership styles, focusing on how you show up—your presence, energy, and influence in any environment. From a spirited ode to Chicago’s vibrant culture to a deep dive into intentional leadership, the trio explores how postures like curiosity, generosity, and vulnerability shape team dynamics and workplace culture. Erik shares insights on embodying values authentically, while Steve wrestles with the concept of influence, and Gabe ties it to the holistic nature of leadership. Listeners are invited to reflect on their own postures and try a team exercise to boost trust and collaboration.

Key Discussion Points

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Episode Highlights

Timestamps

(0:00) Intro

Connect with Greenhouse

Take Steve’s challenge: Gather your team to discuss default and desired leadership postures. See how it transforms your collaboration and share your experience at with us!

In this episode, Steve, Sundie, and Gabe dive into the topic of organizational clarity—something that every leader struggles with at some point. Whether it’s defining goals, aligning teams, or just knowing where to focus, the lack of clarity can cause major problems like dysfunction, disengagement, and a sense of being stuck.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by a lack of clarity at work, you’re not alone. It may seem daunting, but the first step is simple—ask for help and name your reality. Join the Greenhouse team as they break down practical ways to find clarity, get unstuck, and move toward a more focused and intentional path forward.

(0:00) Intro
(4:18) Why Clarity Is Hard to Achieve
(8:48) The Problem with Distraction
(10:45) How Personality Affects Clarity
(13:29) How Lack of Clarity Affects Teams
(17:42) How to Maintain Clarity Over Time
(20:50) How to Get Unstuck as a Leader
(24:21) How to Find Clarity in Crisis
(28:46) Key Takeaways on Clarity

We're Back! In this fun and laid-back episode, Steve, Sundie, Chris, and Joe come together to kick off a new chapter for the Roots Up podcast. They share stories about finding your voice in podcasting, public speaking, and even everyday interactions. From casual coffee shop conversations to navigating professional growth, the team reflects on why discovering your authentic voice can take time and why it’s worth the effort.

The Greenhouse team also gives a behind-the-scenes look at their evolving brand, how they’re refining their message, and what it takes to stay true to yourself while pursuing growth. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, creative, or leader, this episode offers relatable stories and practical insights on embracing authenticity and finding your voice.

(0:00) Intro and Team Banter
(4:18) Why Finding Your Voice Takes Time
(8:48) How Letting Go of the Outcome Leads to Authenticity
(10:45) Why Being Real Connects with People
(13:29) Balancing Structure and Flexibility in Creative Work
(17:42) The Challenge of Being Intentional
(20:50) Why Growing as a Leader Feels Hard
(24:21) Finding Balance Between Work and Personal Life
(28:46) Key Takeaways on Authenticity and Growth

Ever feel like you’re showing up strong at work… but missing the mark at home? You’re a thoughtful leader, a high performer, a clear communicator...until it comes to your closest relationships.

You might need a Relationship Meetup.

In this episode, I sat down with David from Addicted to Betterment to talk about what it looks like to lead well at home - and why that’s often harder than anything at work.

We walk through:

This one’s for anyone who’s tired of giving their best everywhere but home, and is ready to change that.

More resources to help you connect with the people who matter most:

Ever feel like you’re good at a lot of things... but still not sure where you fit?

You’re capable, versatile (even a top performer)...but something’s missing.

You might be a generalist.

I sat down with David on Addicted to Betterment to talk about why generalists often feel overlooked, and how to get clear on:

It's time to finally feel seen for the skills you actually bring.

More resources to help you own your generalist strengths:

Ever get that nagging feeling that your work isn’t really lighting you up?

You’re busy, productive—even successful—but something still feels off.

It might be time to find your Career Sweetspot.

I sat down with David on Addicted to Betterment to share how to get clear on your:

We talk about simple ways to notice what lights you up...and how those clues can lead you to more fulfilling work.

More resources to help you get clear and confident about what’s next:

For years, I thought networking meant awkward small talk and business cards that get tossed.

But the truth?

You’re already networking. Every time you share a tv show or restaurant recommendation?

Networking.

The problem isn’t networking—it’s how weird we make it when it feels “professional.”

I talked with David on Addicted to Betterment about how to rework networking so it feels natural, not salesy. We cover how to:

More ways to rethink your next career move:

Does your calendar feel like a never-ending to-do list that other people control?

Meetings pile up, work keeps spilling into nights and weekends, and your actual priorities get squeezed out.

It’s time to flip the script.

What if you designed your schedule around what really matters?

I sat down with David on Addicted to Betterment to share my best tips for how to stop letting your calendar run you—and start running it like the CEO of your own time.

More resources to help you grow: