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Hello culture fans!

In this week’s episode of The Culture Coach, I’m joined by Linda Carlisle—

Linda is a fractional corporate communications partner, helping business leaders, VCs, private equity firms, and their portfolio companies solve communication and culture challenges in the Moments that Matter™, including mergers, acquisitions, organizational restructuring, leadership changes, turnarounds, business process redesigns, technology implementations, and workforce reductions.

From employer branding and hiring practices to 30-day new hire interviews and intentional exit interviews, Linda shares how to create a culture where people feel seen, heard, and valued—right from the start.

If you're a CEO who’s tired of hiring for skills and firing for fit—or wondering why your team isn't quite clicking—this episode will give you the tactical strategies and deeper mindset shifts to help your internal culture reflect the brand promise you're making to the world.

If you want to connect or work with Linda, you can find her here:

Website: https://www.lcarlisle.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindakcarlisle/

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With 25+ years of leadership experience, spanning multiple roles across corporations and non-profits, I have gained a wealth of experience in understanding what makes organizations successful.

Culture Strategy Session Calls:
https://culturecoachwendy.com/strategysessions/

CONNECT WITH ME
Website: CultureCoachWendy.com
LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/wendybrand/
Instram: Instagram.com/culturecoachwendy
YouTube: YouTube.com/@CultureCoachWendy

The CultureCoach Podcast Page: CultureCoachWendy.com/podcasts/

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Tired of putting a Band-Aid on your people problems? 🩹

🎙️ On this week’s episode of The Culture Coach Podcast, I sat down with Ted Whetstone—executive coach, systems thinker, and former left-brainer turned whole-brainer.

Ted helps senior leaders stop reacting and start redesigning the way they think, lead, and collaborate.

Here’s a taste of what we covered:
🔁 Why systems thinking is a leadership superpower
⚡ The difference between incremental improvement and breakthrough change
🌱 How to unlock your team’s full potential—without micromanaging

If you’re a CEO or executive ready to move from control to clarity, this one’s for you.

Ted is an exceptional executive coach who helps senior leaders unlock greater influence, innovation, and impact by transforming how they think, lead, and collaborate.

Ted has coached clients across industries, from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies, working with leaders at every stage—from emerging executives to seasoned C-suite veterans.

Prior to founding his coaching practice, he ran companies and held broad operational roles both domestically and internationally, building a global perspective that fosters trust and results across diverse communities. Ted holds a B.S. from Cornell University and is an ICF-certified professional coach.

If you want to work with Ted you can find him here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tedwhetstone/

Website: https://www.tedwhetstone.com/

____________________________
With 25+ years of leadership experience, spanning multiple roles across corporations and non-profits, I have gained a wealth of experience in understanding what makes organizations successful.

Culture Strategy Session Calls:
https://culturecoachwendy.com/strategysessions/

CONNECT WITH ME
Website: CultureCoachWendy.com
LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/wendybrand/
Instram: Instagram.com/culturecoachwendy
YouTube: YouTube.com/@CultureCoachWendy

The CultureCoach Podcast Page: CultureCoachWendy.com/podcasts/

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This week, I'm diving deep into my signature CORE Culture™ Framework, a proven model for helping leaders stop culture from happening by accident and start building one that drives retention, productivity, and purpose.

After a busy season of speaking at SHRM conferences in New Mexico and Alabama, I reflect on why I built the CORE Culture™ model and how it’s helping CEOs and HR leaders operationalize their culture in practical ways.

Whether you're building from scratch or refining what’s already there, this episode gives you the tools to make culture work for your business—not against it.

____________________________
With 25+ years of leadership experience, spanning multiple roles across corporations and non-profits, I have gained a wealth of experience in understanding what makes organizations successful.

Culture Strategy Session Calls:
https://culturecoachwendy.com/strategysessions/

CONNECT WITH ME
Website: CultureCoachWendy.com
LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/wendybrand/
Instram: Instagram.com/culturecoachwendy
YouTube: YouTube.com/@CultureCoachWendy

The CultureCoach Podcast Page: CultureCoachWendy.com/podcasts/

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Adam built his first business as a kid, and today he helps leaders like you identify real strategies for exponential growth and sustainable success This week on The Culture Coach, I’m joined by Adam Strong—a former elite athlete turned successful business strategist who now works with founders and CEOs around the world to help them scale—and exit—on their terms.

In our conversation, Adam and I discussed the importance of purpose and clarity. He shares some of his experience working with leaders

If you're running a growing business and want to build something that thrives beyond you—this conversation will change how you think about strategy, legacy, and leadership.

If you're interested in working with Adam, you can find him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamistrong/

And, if you're interested, you can get onto the waitlist for his community HERE.

____________________________
With 25+ years of leadership experience, spanning multiple roles across corporations and non-profits, I have gained a wealth of experience in understanding what makes organizations successful.

Culture Strategy Session Calls:
https://culturecoachwendy.com/strategysessions/

CONNECT WITH ME
Website: CultureCoachWendy.com
LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/wendybrand/
Instram: Instagram.com/culturecoachwendy
YouTube: YouTube.com/@CultureCoachWendy

The CultureCoach Podcast Page: CultureCoachWendy.com/podcasts/

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Kym Insana is a multi-million dollar business owner, digital marketing expert, and founder of AlwaysOn Digital, a women-owned agency helping brands like the U.S. Air Force, Enfamil, and Johnston & Murphy scale through impactful campaigns.

With over 20 years of experience, Kym left her demanding NYC advertising career to build a company that offers flexibility and balance—values she champions as a wife and mother of four. AlwaysOn Digital thrives by empowering talented working parents to blend career success with family life.

A sought-after speaker, Kym has shared her journey and expertise on national stages, including The Big in San Francisco and iMedia Brand Summit.

When Kym Insana left the corporate world to start her own business, she didn’t just want flexibility for herself — she wanted to create it for others.

In this episode of The Culture Coach, we explore how Kym built a thriving 9-year-old advertising business rooted in flexibility, family-first values, and a people-centered culture.

If you’re a CEO or CHRO reimagining what the workplace can look like — especially for working parents and high-performing professionals who don’t want to choose between career and family — this conversation is for you.

🎧 Tune in to learn:
✔️ How flexibility became Kym’s business advantage
✔️ The culture she created to attract and retain talent
✔️ Why your next best hire might be someone looking for a different kind of workplace

Culture isn’t just what you say — it’s how you build.

____________________________
With 25+ years of leadership experience, spanning multiple roles across corporations and non-profits, I have gained a wealth of experience in understanding what makes organizations successful.

Culture Strategy Session Calls:
https://culturecoachwendy.com/strategysessions/

CONNECT WITH ME
Website: CultureCoachWendy.com
LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/wendybrand/
Instram: Instagram.com/culturecoachwendy
YouTube: YouTube.com/@CultureCoachWendy

The CultureCoach Podcast Page: CultureCoachWendy.com/podcasts/

Send us a text

You don’t “roll out” belonging. You build it—one intentional choice at a time.

In Part 2 of my conversation with Greg Morley, we move past DEI buzzwords and into the real work of creating connection and psychological safety at work.

Greg shares the lessons behind his new book Bond: Belonging and the Keys to Inclusion and Connection, and why true inclusion starts with how leaders show up.

👥 We cover:

• The connection between storytelling and trust
• How to create space where every voice matters
• What inclusive leadership actually looks like in practice

If you’re leading a team in 2025, this is not optional listening.

Greg Morley is most recently Global Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Moët Hennessy, a division of LVMH. Greg brings a personal and professional passion to the development of talent and to helping others achieve more than they believe they can. Greg led the HR function for the company’s operations across the Asia Pacific region. Prior to joining Moët Hennessy, he was Vice President, Human Resources Asia Pacific for Hasbro, Inc. and was Vice President, Human Resources for the Shanghai Disney Resort based in Shanghai. He has been based in Hong Kong, Paris, and the US for The Walt Disney Company, starting his career in General Electric.

Greg played a leading role in the team that brought the Gay Games, a global
participant sports, culture, and diversity event, to Asia for the first time in its 40 years history, specifically to Hong Kong.

Get his book, Bond: Belonging and The Keys to Inclusion and Connection: https://www.gregmorley.com/books

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregcmorley/

Check out his website: https://www.gregmorley.com/

____________________________
With 25+ years of leadership experience, spanning multiple roles across corporations and non-profits, I have gained a wealth of experience in understanding what makes organizations successful.

Culture Strategy Session Calls:
https://culturecoachwendy.com/strategysessions/

CONNECT WITH ME
Website: CultureCoachWendy.com
LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/wendybrand/
Instram: Instagram.com/culturecoachwendy
YouTube: YouTube.com/@CultureCoachWendy

The CultureCoach Podcast Page: CultureCoachWendy.com/podcasts/

Send us a text

My guest this week is Greg Morley. Greg was most recently Global Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Moët Hennessy, a division of LVMH. Greg brings a personal and professional passion to the development of talent and to helping others achieve more than they believe they can.

Greg led the HR function for the company’s operations across the Asia Pacific region. Prior to joining Moët Hennessy, he was Vice President, Human Resources Asia Pacific for Hasbro, Inc. and was Vice President, Human Resources for the Shanghai Disney Resort based in Shanghai. He has been based in Hong Kong, Paris, and the US for The Walt Disney Company, starting his career in General Electric.

Greg played a leading role in the team that brought the Gay Games, a global
participant sports, culture, and diversity event, to Asia for the first time in its 40 years history, specifically to Hong Kong.

Get his book, Bond: Belonging and The Keys to Inclusion and Connection: https://www.gregmorley.com/books

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregcmorley/

Check out his website: https://www.gregmorley.com/

____________________________
With 25+ years of leadership experience, spanning multiple roles across corporations and non-profits, I have gained a wealth of experience in understanding what makes organizations successful.

Culture Strategy Session Calls:
https://culturecoachwendy.com/strategysessions/

CONNECT WITH ME
Website: CultureCoachWendy.com
LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/wendybrand/
Instram: Instagram.com/culturecoachwendy
YouTube: YouTube.com/@CultureCoachWendy

The CultureCoach Podcast Page: CultureCoachWendy.com/podcasts/

Send us a text

This week on The Culture Coach, I’m joined by none other than Garry Ridge, Chairman Emeritus and former CEO of WD-40 Company. Over 25 years as CEO, Garry transformed a global household brand not just by growing the business—but by building a culture so strong, it became a competitive advantage.

Now, Garry shares the leadership lessons from what he calls his “CEO apprenticeship,” turning decades of real-world experience into wisdom for today’s business leaders.

In this episode, we go beyond the usual culture conversation. I mean, of course we talk about mission, vision, and values. But we also dive into:

• Why forgiveness and love are key to creating a sense of belonging in your organization
• How rituals like 'Learning Moments' and the Maniac Pledge created psychological safety and high performance
• What it really takes to develop a leadership culture that drives retention, engagement, and bottom-line results

Whether you’re a CEO trying to align your team or a leader driving culture transformation, this conversation will give you powerful insights you can use today.

Trust me—you don’t want to miss this one.

Connect with Garry on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garryridge/

Purchase his latest book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/2ePUrZb

Visit his website: https://thelearningmoment.net/

____________________________
With 25+ years of leadership experience, spanning multiple roles across corporations and non-profits, I have gained a wealth of experience in understanding what makes organizations successful.

Culture Strategy Session Calls:
https://culturecoachwendy.com/strategysessions/

CONNECT WITH ME
Website: CultureCoachWendy.com
LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/wendybrand/
Instram: Instagram.com/culturecoachwendy
YouTube: YouTube.com/@CultureCoachWendy

The CultureCoach Podcast Page: CultureCoachWendy.com/podcasts/