When Unique Unites: Building Inclusive Teams with Peggy Williams-Smith & Christina Cooper
humanscape
Shawn and Sarah are talking all things culture, care, and community with Peggy Williams-Smith and Christina Cooper from Visit Milwaukee🧀 From handwritten birthday cards to breaking down silos, they’re leading a workplace where uniqueness isn’t just welcomed—it’s celebrated! Tune in for laughs, heart, and a behind-the-scenes look at how Milwaukee’s people-first pros do it all with purpose ✨ Additional Resources: Learn more about Learn more about Key Takeaways: A welcoming culture begins with intentional leadership and personal connection...
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Serving Culture by the Slice with Wendy Bushell
humanscape
Ever wonder how a company makes 3 million pizzas a week and stays a three-time Great Place to Work?🍕 In this episode, Shawn and Sarah chat with Wendy Bushell, Chief People Officer at Palermo’s, about the secret sauce behind their people-first culture. From visual training for a workforce speaking 8 languages to personalized learning paths and daily free pizza, Wendy shares how passion, innovation, and purpose fuel Palermo’s. Get ready for a flavorful convo on leadership, culture, and making work feel like family. 🎧✨ Additional Resources: Learn more about Learn...
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Making Mental Health Everyone’s Business with Julie Preder
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What if we treated mental health like a broken arm—something real, urgent, and worth taking care of? 🧠✨ In this episode, Shawn chats with Julie Preder from Mental Health America Lakeshore about why mental health is health. They dive into why real conversations matter more than surveys, how workplaces can be way better at supporting people (spoiler: it starts with listening👂), and why connection is the real secret sauce for thriving teams. Tune in for a fresh take on culture, compassion, and creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued. Additional Resources: ...
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Building Culture Through Connection with Lynell Meeth
humanscape
Tap shoes, chocolate, and servant leadership? Yes, please! 💃🍫 In this episode, Lynell Meeth from Bank Five Nine joins Shawn and AJ for a vibrant convo about how real culture is built—in the little moments, the shared values, and yes, even in joyful things like tap dancing. Lynell shares how her team brings values like passion and humility to life, creates flexible learning paths that actually stick, and keeps connection strong across branches. It’s a refreshingly human take on leadership, learning, and belonging you won’t want to miss 💡💬 For leaders focused on culture and...
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Living Your Values to Shape the Future with Tiffany Tardy
humanscape
How do you build an organization where values aren’t just words on a wall but a lived experience? ✨ Shawn and Sarah are joined by Tiffany Tardy, President and CEO of PEARLS for Teen Girls, as she shares how PEARLS’ values create a culture of empowerment and impact. Tiffany reflects on the power of personal responsibility, how grace fuels empathy, and why redefining professionalism is crucial for today’s workforce. She also dives into the intergenerational leadership model at PEARLS, the importance of collaboration, and how organizations can create spaces where people show up as their...
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Reclaiming Work, Energy, and Well-Being with Jenny Shufelt
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💭 Engaged and energized? Or engaged and exhausted? Too often, work feels like a never-ending sprint—but what if you could sustain your energy and success? Today, Shawn and Sarah are joined by Jenny Shufelt — Director of Well-Being Programming at Hoffmaster— as she shares how tiny but mighty shifts (like resilience calls and intentional breaks) can transform workplace culture. Tune in for fresh insights on: The secret to staying engaged without burnout Why psychological safety starts with role clarity How to reclaim work as a source of purpose and fulfillment 🎧 Listen now +...
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Navigating Growth and Staying Real with Tom Parks
humanscape
In this episode, Shawn is joined by his teammate AJ Kruse, and they chat with Tom Parks — Director of Retirement Plan Services at Annex Wealth Management — to talk about scaling a people-first culture, leading with courage, and why care is never corny. With laughs, insights, and a focus on real leadership, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating growth or looking to inspire their team! 🚀 PLUS, Annex offers a diverse selection of educational resources, both in terms of topics as well as the manner of delivery (radio, YouTube, webinar, in-person, etc.) to empower workers of...
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Wellness Meets Tech with Sarah Troup
humanscape
Welcome back to the humanscape podcast! 🎙 Shawn is joined by not one, but two Sarahs—Sarah Marshall from humanworks8 and guest Sarah Troup from Motion Connected! Dive into a conversation that blends wellness and technology, revealing how innovative tech can supercharge employee engagement and well-being. Sarah Troup shares inspiring stories and practical tips for creating healthier, more empowered workplaces. Tune in for laughs, leadership insights, and actionable takeaways! Additional Resources: Learn more about Key Takeaways: Leadership Engagement...
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Innovating Local Government with Caitlin Stene
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From administrative services to driving cultural change, Caitlin Stene has crafted a career dedicated to the advancement of local governments. As the director of administrative services for the city of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, Caitlin oversees human resources, finance, and assessing departments. In this episode, hosted by and , Caitlin explains why Sun Prairie is a progressive and economically diverse community where risk-taking and growth are encouraged. She unpacks the city's transition from traditional management styles to a dynamic coaching culture tied to core values, such as "Show up and...
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Change, Growth, and Love-Driven Leadership with Polina Makievsky
humanscape
Guest , President and CEO of Penfield Children’s Center, actively operationalized and created a nurturing environment for employees to thrive. Join Humanscape, hosts and for a deep dive into transformative leadership and organizational culture. Polina shares insightful perspectives on balancing motherhood with a demanding career, the significance of leading with love, and the power of re-teaching organizational values. Listen in as the conversation explores the critical role of change readiness, the unique core values driving Penfield's mission, and the importance of focusing on both...
info_outlineHow do you build an organization where values aren’t just words on a wall but a lived experience? ✨
Shawn and Sarah are joined by Tiffany Tardy, President and CEO of PEARLS for Teen Girls, as she shares how PEARLS’ values create a culture of empowerment and impact.
Tiffany reflects on the power of personal responsibility, how grace fuels empathy, and why redefining professionalism is crucial for today’s workforce. She also dives into the intergenerational leadership model at PEARLS, the importance of collaboration, and how organizations can create spaces where people show up as their authentic selves.💕
Plus, hear about her journey as a first-time pet parent and her passion for travel that fuels her leadership perspective.🌎
Additional Resources:
Connect with Tiffany on LinkedIn
Learn more about PEARLS
Learn more about the Inspired to Lead Gala 🦋
Connect with Shawn on LinkedIn
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn
Learn more about PeopleForward Network
Key Takeaways:
- Personal Responsibility starts with self-awareness. Leaders must first focus on their inner growth before expecting change in others.
- Empathy requires grace. Leaders must extend the same understanding and flexibility they expect from others.
- Redefining professionalism is necessary. Younger professionals are challenging outdated norms, and organizations need to listen and evolve.
- Values must be actionable. At PEARLS, values are embedded in meetings, performance reviews, and daily operations—not just on a poster.
- Culture thrives on consistency. Building a strong team means reinforcing values in every people touchpoint—onboarding, recognition, and leadership development.