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Cultures From Hell

Cultures From Hell

By: Paulina von Mirbach-Benz
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Cultures from Hell - a podcast that focuses on avoidable mistakes many companies make when it comes to culture. Hosts are Lars and Paulina, both survivors of hellish cultures and passionate about culture and leadership. It is an interactive format, where we discuss live cases anonymously and give tips and tricks both for companies and individuals experiencing these situations.© 2025 Economics Management Management & Leadership Social Sciences
Episodes
  • The Silent Quitter: When Motivation Dies Quietly
    Sep 9 2025

    In this episode, Lars and Paulina delve into the phenomenon of quiet quitting, exploring its implications in the workplace. They discuss the emotional triggers that lead to disengagement, the role of leadership in fostering a supportive environment, and practical steps for reigniting motivation among employees. The conversation emphasizes the importance of trust, psychological safety, and personal agency in creating a fulfilling work culture.

    Culture Code Foundation https://www.culturecodefoundation.com/

    Paulina on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ccf-paulina-von-mirbach-benz/

    Paulina on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sceptical_paulina/

    Lars on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/larsnielsenorg/

    Lars on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/larsnielsen_cph/

    Takeaways

    Quiet quitting is about doing the bare minimum at work.

    People often disconnect emotionally while still being physically present.

    Engagement is driven by trust, voice, and purpose.

    Betrayal and invisibility are key emotional triggers for disengagement.

    Leaders must listen to their teams to foster engagement.

    Psychological safety is crucial for open communication.

    Motivation is not about perks but about meaningful work.

    Employees need to feel their contributions matter.

    Quiet quitting can be a resilience strategy for employees.

    Reigniting passion requires self-reflection and small actions.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Quiet Quitting

    02:59 Understanding Quiet Quitting

    06:06 The Emotional Triggers of Disengagement

    11:59 The Role of Leadership in Engagement

    21:04 Identifying Signs of Disengagement

    27:02 Reigniting Passion and Motivation

    32:49 Practical Steps for Leaders

    39:56 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

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    44 mins
  • Diversity Burnout: When DEI Becomes Performative
    Sep 2 2025

    In this episode of Cultures from Hell, Lars Nielsen and Paulina discuss the hidden side of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work, focusing on the issue of burnout among employees, especially those from marginalized groups. They explore the gap between DEI slogans and the lived reality in organizations, sharing personal experiences and insights on how companies can genuinely improve their DEI efforts without exhausting their employees. The conversation highlights the importance of structural changes, the dangers of performative DEI initiatives, and the need for true inclusion and psychological safety in the workplace.

    Culture Code Foundation https://www.culturecodefoundation.com/

    Paulina on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ccf-paulina-von-mirbach-benz/

    Paulina on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sceptical_paulina/

    Lars on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/larsnielsenorg/

    Lars on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/larsnielsen_cph/

    Takeaways

    Diversity burnout occurs when marginalized groups bear the emotional weight of DEI initiatives without support.

    DEI should be integrated into the cultural DNA of a company, not treated as a separate project.

    Rainbow washing refers to companies that promote diversity superficially without real action.

    Inclusion requires uncomfortable power redistribution, which many leaders resist.

    High performers may disengage when they feel their feedback is ignored.

    Effective DEI initiatives require genuine involvement from diverse voices, not just optics.

    Companies often prioritize appearance over meaningful change in their DEI efforts.

    Burnout manifests as silence and disengagement in the workplace.

    Leaders must reflect on their biases and trust dynamics within their teams.

    Small, visible wins in DEI can build trust faster than lengthy strategies.

    Chapters

    00:00 The Hidden Side of Diversity Work

    08:08 Understanding Diversity Burnout

    14:51 The Disconnect Between DEI Words and Actions

    19:52 Recognizing Surface-Level DEI Efforts

    24:55 Effective Practices for Genuine Inclusion

    30:28 Common Misconceptions About DEI

    32:22 Hope for the Future of DEI

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    38 mins
  • Feedback Without Fear: How to Tell the Truth at Work
    Aug 26 2025

    In this episode of Cultures from Hell, Lars and Paulina explore the often daunting topic of honest feedback in the workplace. They discuss the seasonal changes affecting mood and productivity, the importance of candid communication, and how to overcome the fear associated with giving and receiving feedback. The conversation delves into the myths surrounding feedback, the role of radical candor, and practical frameworks for delivering constructive criticism. They emphasize the need for a safe environment to foster trust and growth, sharing personal anecdotes and insights on how to create a culture that values honest dialogue.

    Culture Code Foundation https://www.culturecodefoundation.com/

    Paulina on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ccf-paulina-von-mirbach-benz/

    Paulina on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sceptical_paulina/

    Lars on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/larsnielsenorg/

    Lars on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/larsnielsen_cph/

    Takeaways

    ✅Honest feedback is essential for growth and trust.

    ✅Vague feedback is a form of false kindness.

    ✅Creating a safe environment is crucial for effective feedback.

    ✅Radical candor can transform workplace communication.

    ✅Feedback should focus on behavior, not personality.

    ✅Curiosity enhances the feedback process.

    ✅Regular feedback prevents ingrained bad habits.

    ✅Feedback should be a part of daily interactions.

    ✅The intention behind feedback matters significantly.

    ✅Learning from feedback mistakes is vital for improvement.



    Chapters

    00:00 Embracing Seasonal Changes

    03:05 The Importance of Honest Feedback

    06:03 Overcoming the Fear of Feedback

    08:54 The Impact of Feedback on Trust

    11:51 Myths and Misconceptions about Feedback

    15:01 Creating a Safe Feedback Environment

    18:02 Practical Frameworks for Feedback Conversations

    21:12 Radical Candor in Practice

    24:13 Building a Culture of Trust

    26:54 Learning from Feedback Mistakes

    29:53 The Role of Vulnerability in Feedback

    32:59 Final Thoughts on Feedback and Growth

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    46 mins
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