In this dynamic episode of the BetterCulture Podcast, Brett Hoogeveen welcomes back co-founder and leadership expert Dr. Kim Hogeveen to uncover the hidden potential of both formal and informal mentoring and how it's a powerful, yet often misunderstood, engine for growth in the workplace and beyond

Discover why most mentoring programs fall flat—and how to avoid common pitfalls that can hinder the success of your people and your organization. From strategic frameworks for effective mentor-mentee pairings to the game-changing concept of "micro mentoring," you'll learn actionable tactics to supercharge professional development without heavy investment or complex processes.

Whether you're an executive shaping culture or an individual eager to accelerate your own growth, this episode will equip you with practical insights to harness the power of mentoring at every level.

Are you unknowingly shutting down creativity in your organization? In this episode, we get straight to the heart of why innovation often stalls—not because of budgets, but because of subtle habits and mindsets that leaders tolerate every day. Discover the three invisible behaviors that are killing new ideas faster than you realize, and learn the practical, powerful shifts you can make to bring innovation back to life. It’s a high-impact dose of insight designed to spark change—all in 10 minutes or less. Tune in to find out if you’re fueling progress or quietly putting out the spark.

What if your company could support employees beyond the workplace—and see real results in engagement, retention, and well-being? In this episode of the BetterCulture Podcast, we dive into a revolutionary approach to workplace culture: investing in your people’s whole lives. Guest Chad Mares, Founder, President & CEO of The Work Lab, reveals how embedding work life coaches on-site is helping organizations address the personal challenges that affect performance and motivation. Explore practical ideas, surprising stories, and a new model that’s reshaping what it means to care for employees. Discover why helping your team thrive outside of work is the culture advantage you can’t afford to miss.

In this BetterCulture Podcast episode, Brett explores the relationship superpower of "Assume Positive Intent"—Tenet Number Three from Better Culture's 20 Tenets of Culture. You'll learn why most conflict doesn't start with bad intent, but with bad assumptions. Listen and learn practical ways to improve your emotional intelligence, including:

• Slowing your reaction and not responding immediately
• Getting curious before becoming critical
• Separating impact from intent

Discover how simply pausing and asking, "What if there's more to the story?" can protect relationships, lower stress, and help you show up with greater maturity, both at work and in life.

In this episode of the BetterCulture Podcast, host Brett Hoogeveen and his colleague Kevin Hensel tackle one of the most transformative truths in personal and professional growth: nobody is coming to develop you. Together, they share real-world stories, practical steps, and motivating insights on what it takes to take full responsibility for your own leadership development. If you’ve been waiting for a promotion, a class, or someone else to tell you it’s time to grow, this conversation is your wake-up call to stop waiting and start moving forward—one intentional action at a time.

Special Offer: Ready to accelerate your development and join a community of growth-minded leaders? As a listener of this episode, you get 50% off the brand new Better Culture Virtual Leadership Academy launching July 2026! Use coupon code POD50 at checkout to lock in your exclusive rate. Don’t miss your chance to invest in yourself, connect with peers, and access a year-long, interactive leadership journey—this offer is only available until the end of June 2026! Virtual Leadership Academy - BetterCulture

Ever left a leadership workshop energized, only to find nothing really changed? In this episode, host Brett Hoogeveen together with Dr. Kim Hoogeveen, dissect the six common pitfalls that make leadership training ineffective in most organizations. Learn what separates memorable, impactful training from “book-of-the-month” fluff—and how to get better results for yourself or your team.

You’ll learn:

• The danger of the "Book of the Month Club" approach
• How misalignment with company systems kills progress
• Why applied, functional content beats TED Talk inspiration
• The power of team-based leadership growth
• How repetition cements real-world leadership skills

Discover how third-generation leader Jenn Barlund is infusing purpose, connection, and care into Falcon Plastics, transforming it from a traditional manufacturing business into a company where relationships, well-being, and fun drive performance. Brett Hoogeveen explores Jenn’s personal journey with imposter syndrome, her commitment to values-driven decision-making, and actionable strategies for building a workplace where people love to show up. Tune in for stories of empowerment, learning from failure, and what it really means to make culture a strategic priority.

In this episode of the BetterCulture Podcast, Brett Hoogeveen and Dr. Kim Hogeveen dive into the challenge of keeping long-term employees energized and engaged. They discuss the critical role these employees play in organizational stability, why engagement can fade over time, and share practical, actionable strategies for leaders to ensure team members remain valued and motivated. You'll gain valuable insights into:

• The “honeymoon dip”: Why employee engagement often drops after the initial months or years, and what organizations can do to intentionally address this decline.
• Innovative recognition: Ways to personalize appreciation, including creative real-life examples, and why regular, varied recognition is essential for long-term contributors.
• Career ladders and involvement: How programs like internal career advancement, mentoring, and involving employees (and their families) in company events can boost satisfaction, commitment, and organizational pride.

Whether you’re an executive, manager, or just want to make your workplace better, this episode is packed with practical tips—and plenty of good-humored insights—for investing in the people who make your organization great.

Ever walked into a meeting and instantly felt the mood tank—or soar—because of one person’s vibe? In this punchy episode we crack open the myth that your attitude is just “yours.” Turns out, your outlook leaks! Discover four killer moves to level up your energy (even on tough days), how to avoid the "emotional doom loop," and why being upbeat isn’t about fake smiles—it’s about leading with contagious optimism. If you want happier teams, bolder ideas, and better results (with zero fluffy BS), this one’s for you.

In this episode of the BetterCulture Podcast, we welcome Annie Figenshu—content strategist, author, and former New York City improv performer. Drawing on 15 years of experience captivating audiences on stage, Annie reveals how lessons from improv and theater can transform the way leaders engage their teams and influence company culture.

Annie discusses practical, improv-inspired strategies that leaders can apply immediately to make their messages “stick.” Learn how to bring clarity and energy to your internal communications, avoid common messaging pitfalls, and craft messages that truly resonate—whether you’re addressing your entire organization or just your team. Annie shares memorable stories, including how she helped a Shark Tank contestant land funding by making their pitch both clear and impactful.

Discover actionable tips to increase buy-in, foster pride within teams, and use storytelling and vision to inspire those you lead. Annie also explains the power of repetition, theatricality, and audience-focused messaging in building a culture where everyone is aligned and invested.
If you’re a leader, manager, or anyone responsible for culture and engagement, this episode is filled with insights you can use to create lasting impact in your organization.