“It’s really hard to run a good business consistently.”

Justin Ahrens drops a dose of truth in this Gut + Science short: It’s not about cutting corners. It's about discipline, alignment, and embedding values into your daily culture and habits.

Whether you’re scaling or just trying to survive the chaos, this reminder is for every leader who wants to build something real, and lasting.

🎧 Full episode with Nikki Lewallen Gregory now available.

#Leadership #BusinessCulture #PeopleFirst

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What if your company’s values didn’t just live in a handbook but showed up in your daily habits?

Nikki sits down with creative strategist and purpose-driven leader Justin Ahrens to unpack how organizations can bring their vision, mission, and values to life beyond buzzwords and branding. With deep experience as a B Corp founder and now as the mind behind On Purpose, Justin offers tangible insight on transforming culture from the inside out. They dig into common missteps leaders make when vision is disconnected from action and explore what it truly looks like when culture is alive and thriving.

From onboarding that inspires, to meetings that actually matter, this conversation is for every people-first leader ready to turn alignment into action.

Additional Resources:

🔗 Connect with Justin on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinahrens/)

🔗 Get Justin’s Book - “Being HumanKind" (https://behumankind.today/being-humankind-book/)”

🔗 Learn more about ON Purpose Work (https://www.onpurpose.work/why-on-purpose)

🔗 Listen to The Design Of Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/design-of-podcast/id1031393077)

🔗 Listen to Running Ahrens (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/running-ahrens/id1808363470)!

🔗 Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkilewallen/)

🔗 Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/?viewAsMember=true)

🔗 Learn more about PeopleForward Network (https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/)

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Do your people feel like they truly matter?

Justin Ahrens hits a powerful truth: Everyone wants to be seen, known by name, and feel a part of something bigger.

If you're leading a team and not answering the silent question of "Do I matter?" you're missing the heartbeat of culture.

🎧 Listen to the full episode for more on turning vision and values into living, breathing culture.

#PeopleFirst #Leadership #WorkCulture

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What if the key to transforming data into real change isn’t more dashboards, but better storytelling? 📚

Nikki welcomes Kaitlin Henze, a passionate data storytelling strategist from storytelling with data. Kaitlin helps leaders simplify complexity, turning charts into conversations and numbers into narratives that inspire action.

Together, they explore why traditional reports fall flat, how to visualize data so humans actually care, and how storytelling bridges the gap between information and impact. Kaitlin also shares her heart behind launching data literacy programs for kids and the mission of building the next generation of data-minded leaders through creativity and color.

Whether you're overwhelmed by metrics or inspired to connect data with meaning, this episode will reframe the way you communicate your insights, and remind you that data done right moves people.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Kaitlin on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitlin-henze/)

Learn more about storytelling with data (https://www.storytellingwithdata.com/)

Get the book “Storytelling with Data” (https://www.storytellingwithdata.com/swd10)

Learn more about Daphne Draws Data (https://www.daphnedrawsdata.com/datadetectives)

Subscribe to storytelling with data on YouTube! (https://www.youtube.com/c/storytellingwithdata)

Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkilewallen/)

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/?viewAsMember=true)

Learn more about PeopleForward Network (https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/)

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You are so much more than your performance. 🌟

Juliane Troicki shares her mission to help others see their value, not just when they hit goals, but for who they are.

The culture they bring.

The quirks that make them unique.

The talents that make them shine.

This is the kind of leadership that changes lives.

#Leadership #SelfWorth #Appreciation #WorkCulture

Additional Resources:

Connect with Juliane on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliane-troicki-ph-d-a52a75229/)

Learn more about Illuminating Project (https://www.illuminatingproject.com/)

Learn more about CultureCon® (https://www.cultureconusa.org/)

Learn more about PeopleForward Network (https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/)

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Feeling stuck, uninspired, or just flat-out drained? You're not alone.

Nikki dives into the importance of making conscious choices to fuel or refuel your fire, especially when life hits hard. 💥

Whether it's a tough day or a rough season, the key isn’t avoiding the darkness. It’s choosing what lights you up again. 🌟

Do you know what your “lighter fluid” is? This clip might be your reminder to tap into it.

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What if we built cultures that value more than just hard skills?

Natasha Nuytten explains why a skills-first approach means recognizing both technical expertise and future-ready traits like resilience, agility, and critical thinking.

It’s not just about what people know, it’s about how they grow.

#Leadership #FutureOfWork #CompanyCulture

Additional Resources:

Connect with Natasha on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-nuytten/)

Learn more about CLARA (https://getclara.io/)

Learn more about CultureCon® (https://www.cultureconusa.org/)

Learn more about PeopleForward Network (https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/)

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What if your next team meeting made everyone better, not just busier?

Nikki and Jason share a simple betterment prompt used to kick off team meetings: one new habit or technique you’re applying that’s helping you feel better, work more efficiently, or use your time with more intention.

What is something you are doing to prioritize your wellness?

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"Why would we limit ourselves when expansion is how we serve?" 🔥

Nikki drops a powerful truth bomb on why growing into your full potential isn't selfish, it's necessary.

When you rise, so does everyone around you.

Ready to expand?

Watch the full episode for more on reprogramming your financial mindset and unlocking true abundance.

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We often think leaders are too busy for connection. Heads down, focused on strategy, outcomes, and reports.

But the truth? They crave connection just like everyone else.

David Mizne reminds us that leadership isn’t just about driving results, it’s about building relationships across every level of the company.

A powerful reminder for anyone who wants to lead, and connect, better.

#Leadership #HumanConnection #WorkCulture

Additional Resources:

Connect with David on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmizne/)

Learn more about Culture Puppets (https://www.culturepuppets.com/)

Learn more about CultureCon® (https://www.cultureconusa.org/)

Learn more about PeopleForward Network (https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/)

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Feeling overwhelmed? Here's your reminder: your why is more powerful than your current frustration.

David shares how he anchors himself when life gets heavy: by reconnecting with the deeper purpose behind the pain. 💬

Whether it's parenting, relationships, or business, this mindset can help you shift from stuck to strong.

Sometimes all you need is a reminder of what you're fighting for. 💥

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Still running recruiting like it’s 2015? Matteo Dix says the edge now is unlearning: ditching manual, slow, status-quo steps and replacing them with tech-enabled, human-first systems.

Faster responses, clearer communication, better fit.

What’s one hiring habit you’d retire today?

#recruiting #talentacquisition #HR #hiring

Additional Resources:

Connect with Matteo on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matteodix/)

Learn more about Braintrust (https://www.usebraintrust.com/)

Learn more about CultureCon® (https://www.cultureconusa.org/)

Learn more about PeopleForward Network (https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/)

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