Uncover the Human

In this conversation, author and acupuncturist Connie Warden joins Cristina and Alex to talk about her book Speeding to Compassion—a project born from her surprising realization that her mindfulness practice didn’t extend to the driver’s seat. Connie shares candid stories of road rage, self-reflection, and the universal struggle of anger, showing how the car became her training ground for compassion. What starts as a book about driving quickly unfolds into a much bigger exploration of authenticity, inner critics, and how to process emotions without repressing them.

Together, they dive into the ways we invent stories about strangers on the road, the “fundamental attribution error” that makes us judge others more harshly than ourselves, and the small practices—like singing a song or reframing the moment—that can transform frustration into growth. This episode is equal parts humor and humanity, reminding us that compassion isn’t about being perfect. It’s about noticing our triggers, giving ourselves grace, and practicing empathy in everyday life—whether behind the wheel, with our kids, or in leadership.

In this conversation with speech and communication coach Bailey Massey, Alex and Cristina explore why communication remains the universal solution—and universal problem—at work and at home. They dig into the often-ignored half of communication (listening), the outsized role of tone and body language, and how Zoom-era distractions make nonverbal signals even more critical to read—and manage.

The trio shares practical, low-lift habits: breathe and pause to steady nerves, structure ideas into small chunks, prepare in ways that suit your style (including recording yourself), and validate before responding. They also connect confidence and communication in a reinforcing loop: skillful delivery sounds confident, which builds genuine confidence—and vice versa. The result is a humane, practical roadmap for anyone who wants to be heard, understood, and trusted.

In this episode of Uncover the Human, Cristina and Alex sit down with Kristin Malek, founder of the Behavior Change Design Institute, to explore how real change happens—whether in individuals, organizations, or society. Kristin draws from her diverse background in neuroscience, psychology, and event design to explain why simply declaring new values or pushing positive affirmations rarely works. Instead, she emphasizes the importance of believable steps, curiosity as a gateway to openness, and the need to address both the conscious and unconscious mind when designing for mindset and behavior change.

The conversation moves from the science of how our brains process negativity to the pitfalls of corporate messaging, the difference between change management and true behavior change, and the risks of toxic positivity. Kristin shares practical insights—like the power of neutral language, the importance of self-awareness, and why negative thoughts require multiple positive reinforcements to rebalance. Engaging, insightful, and often humorous, this episode highlights the intersection of authenticity, values, and transformation, leaving listeners with both inspiration and tangible strategies for personal growth and organizational leadership.

In this episode of Uncover the Human, Cristina and Alex take a candid look at the challenges and misconceptions around employee engagement, especially the reliance on large-scale surveys. They question the accuracy and usefulness of engagement metrics when trust and psychological safety are low, noting that survey responses are shaped by fleeting emotions, personal context, and fear of speaking openly. Engagement, they argue, is an outcome—not a metric—and real insight comes from observing daily interactions, noticing shifts in behavior, and understanding the “why” behind disengagement. They stress that numbers without follow-up action are meaningless, and that true engagement work happens in real time, not in quarterly reports.

Throughout the conversation, they emphasize that improving engagement requires curiosity, ongoing observation, and micro-level interventions rather than blanket initiatives. The hosts share examples of organizations missing the root cause of disengagement by jumping to surface-level fixes, and highlight the contagious nature of both engagement and disengagement. They encourage leaders to equip managers with the skills to recognize psychological safety, address underlying issues, and act with intention—always remembering that the goal is not a higher score, but a more connected, committed, and energized workplace.

In this episode of Uncover the Human, Cristina Amigoni and Alex Cullimore are joined by Andy DeShong for a deep, philosophical conversation on the intersection of AI, leadership, and humanity. Together, they explore the profound shifts artificial intelligence is bringing to the workplace and education, from redefining job roles to reshaping how people relate to change and uncertainty. Andy, a seasoned technology leader, shares personal reflections on leading teams through disruption, emphasizing the importance of trust, adaptability, and the human element in navigating a rapidly evolving landscape.

The conversation ranges from the mind-blowing pace of AI development to the necessity of building cultures rooted in psychological safety and mission alignment. With humor and candor, the group dives into how organizations can shift from rigid role definitions to connection-driven collaboration, why liberal arts and critical thinking are making a comeback, and how authenticity and empathy are vital leadership traits in uncertain times. The episode closes with the importance of figuring out the real measure of team trust in interpersonal relationships and leaderships. 

On today's episode of Uncover the Human we have Jude Schweppe joining us. Jude has an eye opening way of approaching her work life. Her background is in performing arts. Jude loves being creative, and transitioned into advertising.  She finally blended coaching with a creative direction.  

Jude is a firm believer in having fun in the workplace, people learn better when they're having fun. They are able to engage and process things in a more profound way. Her goal as a coach is to laugh a lot. She will suggest fun challenges because that keeps her clients engaged. Sure, the goals might be quite big and grand but taking fun little steps along the way just makes the process more fluid and fulfilling. 

In this heartfelt and insightful episode of Uncover the Human, hosts Cristina Amigoni and Alex Cullimore welcome guest Tina Morris to explore the often-overlooked emotional and psychological layers of transitions. From corporate transformations to cross-country moves, Tina shares personal stories and leadership lessons that highlight the importance of empathy, trust, and the courage to sit with ambiguity. Using metaphors like a child’s dresser that won’t fit through the door, the conversation reminds us that surface frustrations often mask deeper fears—and navigating transitions means pausing to understand what’s really going on underneath.

The episode also dives into the value of co-creating change with others, anchoring in intent over rigid plans, and building strong relationships long before a transition begins. Tina, a military veteran and seasoned financial services leader, weaves in lessons from the Army—like the concept of “commander’s intent”—to show how clarity of purpose empowers flexibility. Whether you're leading an organizational shift or navigating a personal pivot, this episode offers powerful takeaways on how courage and empathy make transitions not only survivable, but transformative.

Why do we ghost and get ghosted? From the corporate world to intimate relationships, Cristina and Alex discuss what it means to ghost someone from two perspectives: the person who doesn't like to respond and the person who feels disrespected without a response. Is there psychology around ghosting? Why do we take it so personally? We are all conscious that time is a precious resource and would like our time and effort to be acknowledged on both sides. This episode provides a discussion about why we do it and ways we can avoid ghosting. 

 In this repeat of the kickoff episode of Season Two of Uncover the Human, Cristina and Alex reflect on their podcasting journey—from humble closet recordings to a full-blown professional setup—and dive into one of their favorite topics: self-assessments. The episode explores the value of assessments in fostering personal insight, team effectiveness, and workplace well-being. They share laughs and lessons from their own experiences with tools like StandOut, Working Genius, and the Genesis Emotional Intelligence assessment, highlighting how understanding your strengths, frustrations, and energy zones can transform both individual growth and team dynamics.

The conversation also emphasizes the importance of human-centered work—moving beyond bandwidth and spreadsheets to staff teams based on how people actually thrive. By examining what energizes or drains us and how we each uniquely contribute to the process of work, Alex and Cristina show how assessments like Working Genius can unlock empathy, improve collaboration, and create more sustainable and fulfilling workplaces. It’s a fun, real, and insightful episode that invites listeners to learn more about themselves while rethinking how we work together.

In this powerful episode of Uncover the Human, hosts Cristina Amigoni and Alex Cullimore welcome Amanda Gulino, founder of A Better Monday, for an authentic conversation on burnout, values alignment, and what it means to build a career—and life—on purpose. Amanda shares her personal journey from recruiting to leadership and culture consulting, emphasizing how her business emerged from deep curiosity and a desire to do work that reflects her values. Together, they explore themes of identity, burnout recovery, and the freedom that comes with choosing a slower, more intentional path—one that prioritizes energy, joy, and human connection over unchecked growth.

Listeners will gain insight into how burnout often stems from internal misalignment and external pressure, and how presence, curiosity, and intentional boundaries can help reverse that cycle. Amanda, Cristina, and Alex also unpack the nuance behind the Great Resignation, challenging the simplistic narrative that people “don’t want to work.” Instead, they reveal a deeper story about people reclaiming agency and seeking meaningful contribution in environments that value them. The episode is a rich, reflective invitation to pause, examine our defaults, and courageously design a life and career that support who we truly are.