TOP5_DefinedTalent

On this week’s Top 5 Ways Belonging Transforms People Strategy, host Tara Thurber sits down with Marlee Whetten, founder of The Hack — a culture strategy firm dedicated to helping companies build workplaces where people actually want to work.

Marlee shares how understanding collaboration, connection, and communication styles can solve “people problems” and turn compatibility into a measurable advantage.

Tune in to discover how belonging isn’t just a buzzword — it’s the key to unlocking stronger teams, happier employees, and better business outcomes

Tara Thurber sat down with innovation leader and connector James Barrood to explore the Top5 Ways Innovators and Leaders Must Adapt to Thrive - from embracing generative AI to building empathetic, flexible teams that can weather disruption and drive change.

James Barrood is a nationally recognized leader in the NYC/NJ tech and innovation scene with 20+ years of advising startups and growth company leaders as well as developing university programs. He heads a 10,000+ global community of entrepreneurs, directs AI‑focused executive education, and previously spent five years as CEO of TechUnited and over a decade running Fairleigh Dickinson University’s top‑ranked entrepreneurship center. A two‑time TEDx speaker, author, and podcast host, James sits on multiple startup and nonprofit boards, including AI for Good Foundation, Future World Alliance, and Princeton’s McCarter Theatre.

Tara Thurber and Clark Lagemann of Avidon Health discuss balancing high performance, leadership, and personal life. Clark emphasizes dynamic balance, prioritization, and being present in each moment. He shares his journey from healthcare to founding Avid on Health, focusing on behavior change. Clark highlights strategies like ruthless prioritization, daily physical activity, clear communication, and embracing chaos. He stresses the importance of accountability, both personal and professional, and the need to define personal success. Clark also advises protecting one's calendar, being selective with commitments, and the concept of "pouring from your cup" to achieve long-term success.

Tara Thurber interviews Tom Sterner, founder of the Practicing Mind Institute, on mental performance. Sterner emphasizes mental sovereignty, the ability to control one's mind, and shares insights from his 45 years of research. He highlights the importance of thought awareness training, which involves focusing on the breath or a simple phrase to detach from thoughts. Sterner advises setting goals with accurate data, using premeditated procedures for high-pressure situations, and interpreting experiences positively. He stresses the need to balance learning with performance and to embrace challenging situations as opportunities for growth.

Tara Thurber and Mark Mears discuss the importance of humanizing HR and leading with love in the workplace. Mark shares his journey from law school to marketing communications, emphasizing the higher power of fours and the "love" model for leadership: Listen, Observe, Value, and Empower. He highlights the need for purposeful growth, engagement, and fostering a sense of belonging. Mark's book, "The Purposeful Growth Revolution," advocates for a transformational leadership style that prioritizes human connection and community. He also introduces the concept of curiosity as a fifth essential element for effective leadership.

In the Mushroom Coffee Talk podcast, hosts Tara Thurber and Eddie Jimenez discuss their words for the year. Eddie chooses "bold," emphasizing its importance in entrepreneurship and personal growth, countering the superficiality he sees on social media. Tara, who prefers monthly words, shares her journey of setting goals rather than resolutions, with January focused on self-care and February on strategy. Eddie elaborates on "bold" as an acronym for Breakthroughs, Opportunities, Leadership, Legacy, Discipline, and Drive, aligning with the "me versus me" philosophy. Both hosts look forward to a transformative 2025, aiming to make a bold impact.

Tara Thurber interviews Eddie Jimenez, CEO of Primal Trust Consulting, about his "I in Win" philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of self-care for team success. Eddie shares his unconventional career journey, highlighting his experiences in multifamily leasing, fitness, offshore banking and tech. He outlines five core principles: investing in oneself, owning one's role, setting non-negotiables, leading by example, and balancing self and team. Eddie stresses that personal well-being is crucial for high performance and team success, advocating for routines, meditation and time management to avoid burnout and enhance resilience.

Tara Thurber interviews Sam Caucci, CEO of 1Huddle, a technology company that uses gamification to enhance employee onboarding and continuous development. 

Caucci emphasizes that traditional LMS platforms are outdated and ineffective, leading to high forgetfulness rates. 1Huddle's games improve knowledge retention by 91% after 30 days, compared to 11% for traditional methods. 

A case study with Tao Hospitality showed a 45% faster onboarding process and $1.17 million in additional revenue from improved service. Caucci highlights the importance of lifelong learning, internal talent identification and empowering employees to own their skills, which can be leveraged for future job opportunities.

Top5 Biggest Impacts of 1Huddle

1. Faster Onboarding
2. Lifelong Learning
3. Upskilling & Cross-skilling
4. SkillScoring
5. Own Your Stuff

Tara Thurber, Founder of Defined Talent, hosts Kelly Outing and Angie Albizu from EqualSpace to discuss the company's mission and growth. EqualSpace, founded by Citi Medina and Ralphie Roman, has expanded from a 900 sq ft space to over 19,000 sq ft, including offices, creative spaces and a tech innovation campus. They emphasize fostering innovation through inclusive company culture and AI integration. EqualSpace also hosts Newark Tech Week, a free, five-day conference featuring panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities, aimed at educating and connecting the tech community.