At the start of August, some of the PFN team packed up microphones, headphones, and a lot of curiosity, and set up a pop-up podcast recording booth right in the heart of CultureCon 2025. Attendees dove into sessions on belonging, recognition, well-being, and more. Inside our booth, we were creating our own version of CultureCon: intimate, one-on-one conversations with leaders who live and breathe people-forward values.
Last year at CultureCon, we piloted something big…a fully produced onsite podcast studio. It was our playground for innovation: recording a large volume of episodes, experimenting with formats, and fueling a year-long stream of CultureCon content. Fast forward to this year, and that pilot has grown into the official CultureCon Podcast, which launched the very same week we returned to Madison.
With the launch came focus. Instead of capturing dozens of quick conversations, we recorded fewer—but deeper—interviews with leaders shaping the future of workplace culture. And on day two, we innovated again, transforming our studio into a space where leaders recorded short, powerful video messages sharing their most passionate leadership insights. These bite-sized declarations were authentic, energizing, and deeply human.
What We Heard And Why It Matters
Across interviews, panels, and video shorts, several themes came through loud and clear:
- Belonging as a Strategy, Not a Perk – Leaders like Heather Haas (ADVISA), Kayla Giordano (Augeo), Mihae Ahn (LineZero), and Dr. Julia Wiener (JW Strategies) reminded us that inclusion is foundational, especially in hybrid environments.
- Recognition That Fuels Performance – Andrew Bishop (RecogNation) reframed recognition as a strategic lever that drives motivation and results, not just a quick “thank you.”
- Well-Being at the Core, Not the Margin – The “Beyond Burnout” panel (Emma Leeds, Natasha Nikolaeva, Alan Huynh) reinforced that mental health must be embedded into everyday culture and not just treated as a side topic.
- Career Paths Aren’t Linear – When organizations match people with the right opportunities and invest in their development, incredible things happen—even entirely new roles emerge.
- Generations Have More in Common Than We Think – Whether they’re 22 or 62, people want to be seen for their contributions and experience meaningful work.
- The World of Work Is Evolving Fast – Listening, learning, and adapting have become the leadership skills of the moment.
- AI Is Everywhere – The fear is real, but so is the potential. Leaders must help teams try it, apply it, and make it work for them.
- Appreciation Is a Leadership Habit – People need to know they matter. Consistency is the secret to making recognition stick.
Keep the Momentum Going
Culture isn’t built by accident, and it won’t wait for a slower day on the calendar. The question isn’t if you shape it, but how. What choices will you make tomorrow, in meetings, in feedback, in the way we care for people, that can help turn these themes into reality?
The CultureCon Conference continues to be a pulse check on what’s shaping workplace culture right now. Whether it’s a 30-minute podcast conversation or a 30-second leadership message, the impact is in the clarity, courage, and connection we bring to the table.
Culture-building is an ongoing craft and something we must nurture through daily choices, empathy, and clarity. Let’s treat it like a garden: planting, watering, weeding, and trusting that vibrant growth follows.
Here’s to more deep conversations, more innovation, and more meaningful work for all.
