What if a puppet could say what your team is afraid to? 🎭

In this unexpected and wildly creative episode, Kristi sits down with David Mizne, creator of Culture Puppets, to explore how humor, vulnerability, and a little felt can transform workplace vibes.

From early days at a remote-first startup to launching a full-blown puppet-powered cultural movement, David reveals how bringing his full, quirky self to work didn't just entertain, it created space for honesty, trust, and human connection. He shares the story behind Little Ginger (the blue puppet with main-character energy), how 15Five made breathwork part of team meetings, and why creativity isn't a luxury, it's a culture-shaping necessity.

This episode is a masterclass in ditching the corporate mask and embracing the weird, the real, and the resonant. Whether you're leading a team or just trying to survive another Zoom meeting, you'll walk away inspired to rethink how culture really scales.

Additional Resources:

Connect with David on LinkedIn

Learn more about Culture Puppets

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Learn more about Skutvik Consulting

Learn more about workvibes

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• Vibes are energetic signals shaping workplace culture.
• Creativity at work reduces stress and boosts morale.
• Psychological safety enables authentic team connection.
• Shared experiences deepen trust and team engagement.
• Puppetry can surface unspoken truths safely and humorously.

What if the real reason your workplace is struggling isn't performance, but a lack of respect?

Kristi sits down with Gregg Ward, bestselling author of "The Respectful Leader" and founder of the Center for Respectful Leadership, for a conversation that starts with tragedy and ends with transformation.

From losing his high school sweetheart in a devastating accident to creating breakthrough leadership trainings using improv and storytelling, Gregg's path is anything but linear. He shares how understanding moral injury reshaped his mission, why Gen Z refuses to tolerate toxic leaders, and how a simple mindset shift can change your workplace vibe forever.

This isn't just another leadership chat. It's a masterclass in empathy, science, and the soul-deep need we all have to feel respected. If you're leading people and want to keep them, this episode is a must.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Gregg on LinkedIn

Learn more about The Center for Respectful Leadership

Get your copy of "The Respectful Leader"

Watch Gregg's TEDx Talk

Subscribe to Kristi's YouTube for more Vibecast content!

Learn more about Skutvik Consulting

Learn more about workvibes

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

• Respect is a feeling, not just a concept.
• Practice the "platinum rule," not the golden one.
• Moral injury impacts leadership behavior and empathy.
• Neuroscience proves respect influences brain chemistry.
• Listen first! Respect begins with understanding others' perspectives.

What if the secret to better teamwork wasn't another system or software, but simply keeping it super simple? 💡

Kristi vibes with Mark Cruth, Modern Work Coach at Atlassian, to uncover how simplicity and intentionality can completely reshape how teams work together. From his early days coding in cubicle farms to leading global transformation at one of the world's most collaborative companies, Mark shares how overcomplicating work kills momentum, and why the magic happens when teams align on just a few core habits.

They dive into how tools should support people, why one hour of intentional reflection can change everything, and how creating cadence and rituals keeps culture alive in both remote and in-person teams. 💬

Additional Resources:

Connect with Mark on LinkedIn

Learn more about Mark's work

Learn more about Atlassian's Team Playbook

Learn more about Skutvik Consulting

Learn more about workvibes

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

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• Start simple; over-engineering kills progress.
• Intentional communication drives true collaboration.
• Tools should serve people, not processes.
• Cadence and rituals sustain team alignment.
• Connection is the foundation of great teamwork.

What happens when a broken ankle, a breakup, and a business plan collide?

Kristi sits down with her longtime friend and stylist-turned-salon-owner Laura Foster to talk all things energy, leadership, and big leaps. From sitting in a recliner post-injury to building two booming Vici Salons in just seven months (yes, 39 chairs and 200+ daily clients), Laura shares how trusting her gut and leading with heart turned a vision into a reality.

They go deep into why your workplace vibe is everything, how to create a space people never want to leave, and what happens when you care more about people than profit. ✨

Whether you're leading a team or building something from scratch, this episode will light a fire in your soul. 💇‍♀️

Additional Resources:

Learn more about Vici Salon

Follow Vici Salon on Instagram @vicisalon

Learn more about Skutvik Consulting

Learn more about workvibes

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

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• People feel vibes instantly.
• Valued employees create strong culture.
• Low points can launch big transformations.
• Hire for fit, not just skill.
• Presence and intuition guide great leadership.

✨ What if the job you have right now is already the perfect job for you?

In this replay of a fan-favorite episode, Kristi is joined by leadership coach Sam Dailey to challenge us to rethink how we view work, leadership, and even ourselves. From real stories of burnout and missed opportunities to the surprising power of vulnerability, feedback, and genuine appreciation, Sam shows how a simple shift in mindset can change everything.

This episode is packed with insights on pausing before reacting, opening up instead of closing off, and leading with authenticity. Whether you're chasing growth or just craving better vibes at work, this one will leave you rethinking your everyday approach. 🌟

Additional Resources:

Connect with Sam on LinkedIn

Learn more about Skutvik Consulting

Learn more about workvibes

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

• Shifting from blame to ownership fosters growth.
• Honest, direct conversations build trust.
• Appreciation motivates more than money.
• Vulnerability strengthens respect and connection.
• Pausing before reacting improves leadership clarity.

What happens when you stop grinding through corporate life and finally build the work vibe you want? ✨ Kristi sits down with longtime friend and disruptor in the accounting and finance recruiting space, Jen McCasland, founder of DisruptiX Talent Solutions.

With 25+ years of experience and a CPA designation, Jen has worked with startups and Fortune 500s, but what sets her apart is her commitment to transparency, authenticity, and building real relationships.

Jen opens up about her journey from struggling through the traditional CPA path to finding her true calling in staffing and talent solutions, where she thrives on helping people and organizations align with their authentic vibe. She shares the challenges of corporate structures, the freedom of entrepreneurship, and how small mindset shifts can create big impact.

This conversation is a reminder that success isn't about titles or rigid career paths, it's about showing up as your true self, fostering trust, and cultivating relationships that last. 🌟

Additional Resources:

Connect with Jen on LinkedIn

Learn more about DisruptiX Talent Solutions

Learn more about Skutvik Consulting

Learn more about workvibes

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

• Your vibe is your authentic self; alignment builds trust.
• Transparency makes recruiting faster and stronger.
• Startups thrive by keeping things simple and flexible.
• Relationships are long-term assets worth cultivating.
• Small mindset shifts can transform your energy and impact.

What if the secret to better meetings, more creativity, and deeper team connection wasn't in your calendar or tech—but in your lighting, scent, and the posture of your chair? Get ready to rethink your workspace 🧠✨

Kristi sits down with Christian Markow, an advisor and experience designer who's transforming how we think about work. With a mix of neuroscience, brand strategy, and personal journey, Christian breaks down how the vibe of a space impacts everything from productivity to team trust. They dive into why a circle of couches beats a boardroom, how scent can spark new ideas, and why your office needs more plants (like, a lot more 🌿).

Whether you're leading a team or just trying to make your home office more brain-friendly, you'll walk away with practical tips and deep "aha" moments. This one's all about designing with intention—because when your space vibes right, your people thrive.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Christian on LinkedIn

Learn more about Lost Office

Learn more about Skutvik Consulting

Learn more about workvibes

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

• Your surroundings directly affect how you think, feel, and collaborate.
• Posture sends powerful cues that shape team dynamics.
• Scents like Hinoki Cypress can boost creativity and lower stress.
• Intentional design creates safer, more connected workspaces.
• Simple shifts—like adding plants—can unlock big results.

What if the secret to better leadership isn't in a strategy doc—but in your vibe? ⚡️

Kristi sits down with Zoe Walters—global HR exec, business psychologist, and transformation guru—to talk about the power of energy, intention, and being radically real in your leadership.

Zoe opens up about walking away from her "dream job," navigating burnout, and why knowing your vibe (and managing it) is everything. She shares what it means to take radical accountability, how to harmonize your full self, and why AI is only as soulful as the human using it 🤖💡

Packed with wisdom, heart, and real-world tools, this convo will leave you rethinking how you show up. Because leadership isn't just what you do, it's the energy you bring ❤️

Additional Resources:

Connect with Zoe on LinkedIn

Learn more about The Outplacers

Follow Empowrd AI on LinkedIn

Learn more about Skutvik Consulting

Learn more about workvibes

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

• Your vibe is your energy—manage it with intention.
• Own your growth through radical accountability.
• Balance all dimensions of self for lasting transformation.
• Use AI as a supportive tool, not a replacement.
• Daily breathwork and gratitude can shift your mindset fast.

What if the "vibe" at work wasn't just a feeling—but your biggest untapped business metric?📈 Kristi sits down with Eddie Geller—visionary CEO of SKOR and self-proclaimed culture nerd—to break down how "vibe" isn't just a feeling, it's a strategy.

From near-bankruptcy to scaling successful startups, Eddie shares how a single book reshaped his entire approach to leadership. Think karaoke confessions, sports metaphors, and surprising truths about what really drives CEO decision-making (spoiler: it's not always profit 💰).

If you've ever wondered how to turn team energy into measurable growth—or just want some seriously inspiring leadership wisdom—this convo is your jam.

Additional Resources:

Get your SKOR!

Connect with Eddie on LinkedIn

Get the book - "The Great Game of Business"

Learn more about Skutvik Consulting

Learn more about workvibes

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

• Workplace "vibe" is about how people feel, behave, and connect—Eddie calls it "cohesion."
• SKOR provides a universal metric (like NPS) to quantify team performance and its link to profitability.
• Effective culture work must focus on inputs (behaviors, clarity, team dynamics), not just outputs.
• Leaders should ask more questions, not give more answers—curiosity is the cornerstone of trust and growth.

What's the vibe at your workplace—an irresistible aroma or a stink you can't shake? 👃

Holly McIlwain, Chief Navigator at Narrow Spaces and Founder of The Brave Women Project, joins Kristi to unpack how presence, discipline, and values shape our work environments. From scrubbing toilets on service trips to coaching execs through tough truths, Holly drops wisdom on becoming a "vibe custodian" and leveling up to a "vibe architect."

Whether you're new to leadership or seasoned at the top, this episode will challenge you to ask: What kind of vibe are you leaving behind? 🌟

Additional Resources:

Connect with Holly on LinkedIn

Learn more about Narrow Spaces

Learn more about Skutvik Consulting

Learn more about workvibes

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

• Vibe = Culture: It's the "aroma" people take with them after leaving work.
• Discipline Builds Culture: Presence, punctuality, and consistency are non-negotiable for leaders.
• Custodian vs. Architect: Culture work starts with service and matures into intentional design.
• Harmony Over Balance: Integrated living beats the illusion of perfect balance.
• Early Lessons Matter: Life experiences in adolescence shape future leadership behaviors.