Welcome to the latest episode of the TEN Podcast subseries Tech Culture, a collaboration with Better Culture. In this episode. you will hear from Kevin Hensel, Senior Consultant at Better Culture, about the importance of accountability in the workplace via Tenant 16 of BetterCulture's 20 tenets, "Own It and Fix It". The discussion about this tenet focuses on the importance of how acknowledging and addressing mistakes can enhance trust and leadership within teams. Tune in for this insightful conversation for practical advice on fostering a positive organizational culture.

In this episode of TEN, Shonna Dorsey and Sam Hohman, President & CEO of Credit Advisors Foundation and Aksarben Foundation Councillor, dive into the critical issue of financial health in the tech workforce. They discuss the surprising statistics about high earners living paycheck to paycheck and the importance of managing debt effectively.

Sam emphasizes the significance of living within one's means and tackling debt, particularly high-interest debt like credit card balances. She stresses the importance of financial literacy and offers strategies for recent graduates and career changers to start off on the right foot.

Moreover, they explore the "snowball effect" of debt repayment, tailoring strategies to individual personalities and situations. Sam shares heartwarming success stories from Credit Advisors Foundation, illustrating how financial stability positively impacts overall well-being and productivity in the workplace.

In this episode of Tech Culture, we dive into the importance of workplace friendships. Shonna Dorsey, Executive Director of the Nebraska Tech Collaborative, and Kevin Hensel, Senior Consultant with Better Culture, explore the 15th of the 20 tenets of Better Culture: Friends. Discover how having friends at work can enhance your enjoyment, provide psychological safety, and foster a supportive environment. Join us as we discuss the challenges and benefits of friendships in different reporting relationships, and how transparency and honesty can strengthen both personal and professional bonds. Tune in for an insightful conversation that blends personal experiences and expert advice on navigating friendships at work.

In this episode of TEN, you'll hear from Jack Keating, the CEO and founder of Corral Technologies. Jack shares the journey of Corral Technologies, which offers an innovative solution similar to an invisible fence but for cows, allowing for easy containment, movement tracking, and more. Jack discusses how the idea for Corral came from his experiences growing up on a ranch in Nebraska and his desire to find a better way to manage cattle. He explains the challenges and successes of building a startup, including accessing resources, building a remote team culture, and overcoming the hurdles of hardware and software development. Jack emphasizes the importance of passion and perseverance for anyone considering starting their own company, highlighting the ups and downs of the entrepreneurial journey.

In this episode of TEN, you'll hear from Bryan Seck, Executive Director of Lincoln Literacy, about the transformative power of literacy and workforce development in Nebraska. Bryan shares his journey from serving homeless students to leading initiatives at Kawasaki before joining Lincoln Literacy. Discover how Lincoln Literacy serves a diverse community of learners, offering classes from basic English to specialized job training, and hear inspiring stories of individuals who have overcome language barriers to achieve their career goals.

Learn about innovative partnerships and tools like the MyLink app, developed by Don't Panic Labs, that provide vital resources to families in need. Tune in to explore the collaborative efforts driving positive change in Nebraska's tech and entrepreneurial landscape.

In the latest episode of the TEN subseries "Tech Culture", a collaboration with BetterCulture, we learn about the 14th of BetterCulture's 20 tenets: "All Aboard." This episode explores how foundational attitudes and behaviors can enhance success in the workplace and in life. Learn about the importance of unity and support in decision-making processes and the impact of dissent within teams. Whether you're a leader seeking to foster a trusting environment or a team member looking to understand the dynamics of team alignment, this discussion provides valuable insights into making collaborative decisions work.

In this episode of TEN, you'll hear from Christie Stukenholtz, co-founder and CEO of Senior Care Finder, a Lincoln, Nebraska-based startup. Christie's journey began with a personal experience of navigating the complexities of finding adequate care for her grandmother. Frustrated by the lack of resources, she embarked on a mission to create a solution.

Senior Care Finder is a comprehensive database encompassing over 100,000 senior living care providers nationwide. Christie emphasizes the platform's commitment to transparency and unbiased information, crucial for users navigating the daunting process of selecting senior care.

Our conversation with Christie explores the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship, from building a skilled team to accessing founder-friendly resources including the Nebraska Prototype Grant, internNE, Powered by Aksarben and more. She shares invaluable insights for aspiring female entrepreneurs, stressing the importance of leveraging strengths and cultivating a supportive network.

In this episode of TEN, we sit down with Mike Lechtenberger, CIO at Mutual of Omaha and a key player in the Nebraska Tech Collaborative. As a founding member of the NTC in 2018 and executive committee chair since 2022, Mike shares his insights on the growth of Nebraska's tech ecosystem. He reflects on Mutual of Omaha's remarkable pivot to a fully remote workforce during the pandemic and the company's commitment to fostering a diverse tech talent pipeline. We discuss opportunities and challenges in the state's tech and startup ecosystems, and how initiatives like the NTC are driving inclusive tech growth. Join us as we celebrate Mike's longtime support and leadership in shaping Nebraska's tech landscape.

In this episode of TEN, you'll hear from Jessica Korinek, Co-founder and CEO of Nave Analytics. Jessica shares her journey into the agricultural tech space and discusses how Nave Analytics is revolutionizing irrigation practices through data-driven solutions. From her experiences in agricultural research to navigating the startup landscape, Jessica provides valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women in tech. Discover the thriving startup scene in Kearney and the importance of building supportive communities across Nebraska. Learn about Nave Analytics' recent grant award from the USDA and their innovative approach to data anonymization for the benefit of farmers and industry stakeholders. Don't miss this inspiring conversation at the intersection of technology and agriculture!

In this episode of the TEN subseries Tech Culture, a collaboration with BetterCulture, we explore Tenet 13: Restraint. Kim Hoogeveen, cofounder of BetterCulture, explains how restraint is crucial in today's workplace, where passionate discussions on sensitive topics can disrupt harmony. While not a call for silence, restraint encourages thoughtful consideration of how discussions impact the work environment.

Kim shares anecdotes illustrating the negative effects of unrestrained behavior on workplace culture and personal reputations. He emphasizes the importance of empathy, maturity, and professionalism in fostering a supportive work environment.