Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast

What if the most powerful leadership skill isn’t speaking but listening?

In this episode of Build a Vibrant Culture, Nicole Greer sits down with listening expert and author Oscar Trimboli to unpack how deep listening can transform workplace culture, improve communication, and even save organizations time and money.

Drawing from research with over 36,000 workplace listeners, Oscar reveals why most leaders aren’t actually listening and how that creates systemic cultural challenges across teams.

You’ll discover:

What if “soft skills” are actually the most powerful leadership skills you can have?

In this episode, Nicole Greer sits down with leadership expert Nanci Appleman-Vassil to break down the 8 power skills every leader must have to build strong teams, improve communication, and create a thriving work culture.

From reading the energy in a room to giving feedback that actually drives change, these leadership skills are not optional—they’re essential for leaders who want to show up with clarity, confidence, and real impact.

If you’re a leader, manager, or business owner looking to...

Disruption isn't something to survive—it's something to leverage.

In this episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast, Nicole Greer sits down with leadership expert and co-author of Disrupt Everything and Win, Patrick Leddin, to unpack how leaders can stop reacting to change and start using it as fuel for growth.

At the center of the conversation is a powerful idea: Great leaders don’t just respond to disruption—they choose the role the moment requires.

You’ll be introduced to the 5 roles every le...

What does it really mean to live a meaningful life?

In this episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast, Nicole Greer sits down with keynote speaker, executive coach, and author Ruth Pearce to explore the powerful mindset shifts that help people get out of their own way and start living with purpose.

Drawing from her book, Be Hopeful, Be Strong, Be Brave, Be Curious, Ruth shares the four essential qualities that help individuals move from feeling stuck and uncertain to becoming confident, motivated, and future-focused.

Together...

Training alone won’t transform an organization—but the right 7 shifts in L&D just might.

In this episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast, Nicole Greer sits down with learning and talent development strategist Jess Almlie, founder of Almlie Consulting and author of L&D Order Taker No More! Become a Strategic Business Partner.

Jess shares insights from her decades of experience helping organizations transform their learning and development functions from transactional training providers into strategic business partners. She explains why many L&D teams get stuck as “...

Delegation is broken — and it’s costing you growth, engagement, and retention.

On this week’s episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast, Nicole sits down with Brad Federman, author of Never Delegate Again, and together they  dismantle outdated leadership thinking that no longer works in today’s world.

Brad explains why company life cycles have shrunk, why skills now expire in just a few years, and why leaders must shift from “managing performance” to coaching development. He shares his Growth Matrix, his Five Stages of Change model, and a powerfu...

What does a missing jar of marmalade in India reveal about global leadership?

You might be surprised.

In this episode of Build a Vibrant Culture, Nicole Greer sits down with cross-cultural business expert Dean Foster, author of Business Beyond Borders, to explore what he’s learned from working in more than 100 countries. From communication styles and time management to risk tolerance, information sharing, and workplace formality, Dean shares powerful stories that reveal how culture quietly shapes everything we do at work.

If you lead a global team, wo...

What happens when an engineer, executive leader, and yoga instructor come together in one person?

Transformation.

In this powerful episode, Nicole Greer sits down with seasoned operations leader and business coach Luca Romano to explore what it truly means to build a vibrant culture — especially in high-pressure manufacturing environments. After experiencing burnout and a life-changing spinal cord injury, Luca redefined leadership for himself. Blending his engineering mindset with mindfulness and emotional intelligence, he now leads with clarity, courage, and purpose.

Vibrant Highlights:

00:02:33 — Vibr...

What does it really take to scale a business without sacrificing culture?

In this episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast, Nicole Greer sits down with Dr. AJ Tremont and Taylor Plyler of Mint Hill Dentistry to unpack how intentional leadership, servant mindset, and people-first systems have helped them grow four thriving dental practices—while maintaining a five-star experience for patients and employees.

From shutting down operations for culture days (yes, really!) to using EOS, core values, and powerful storytelling exercises to build trust and connection, this conversation is...

What happens when great people bring their old culture into your organization—and no one talks about it? In this episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast, Nicole Greer is joined by Lisa Hazen, co-author of Culture Shock and founder of StoriTel, for a deep dive into the hidden force shaping organizations from the inside out: microcultures.

Lisa draws on 25+ years in the biopharma industry to explain how microcultures form, why they’re not inherently bad, and how—when left unmanaged—they can quietly erode collaboration, innovation, and trust. Together, Nicole and Lisa explore...

When was the last time you rested on purpose—and not just because your body forced you to stop?  If exhaustion were no longer a badge of honor, would you lead differently?

In this vibrant and energizing conversation, Nicole Greer sits down with Dr. Erin Wilson, CEO of Design Ideal Consulting and co-author of Strategic Rest in Leadership: The NAP Framework. Together, they challenge hustle culture and unpack how intentional, strategic rest fuels clarity, creativity, decision-making, and healthier workplace cultures.

Dr. Erin shares her personal wake-up call that led her...

The world of work has changed forever—and it’s still changing. COVID 19 didn’t just disrupt where we work—it transformed how we think about careers, leadership, learning, and culture. In this powerful conversation, Nicole Greer and Steve Cadigan unpack the aftershocks of the “workquake” and what they mean for both employees and employers.

Steve shares insights from scaling LinkedIn from 400 to 4,000 employees, explains why learning velocity matters more than tenure, and challenges traditional ideas about loyalty, retention, and talent strategy. From embracing ambiguity and building entrepreneurial teams to rethinking training, alumni networks, and career o...

What happens when a leader’s greatest lesson comes from surviving a broken heart—literally? In this episode of the Build A Vibrant Culture Podcast, Nicole Greer sits down with Hanna Bauer, founder and CEO of Heartnomics, to explore a powerful, human-centered approach to leadership rooted in hope, empowerment, accountability, results, and trust.

Hanna shares her extraordinary personal story—surviving childhood heart disease and undergoing a pioneering heart ablation procedure that changed the course of her life. That experience became the blueprint for her leadership philosophy: restore rhythm, reclaim human potential, and lead with both h...

What if humor wasn’t a distraction at work—but one of your most powerful leadership tools?  In this week's episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast, Nicole Greer sits down with Hall of Fame speaker, author, and neurohumorist Karyn Buxman to explore how humor can be used intentionally—not for entertainment, but as a strategic leadership tool.

Karyn shares the science behind humor and the brain, why levity improves engagement and resilience, and how leaders can use applied humor to build trust, reduce stress, improve creativity, and retain great people. From psychological safety...

Is your company attracting the right people—or just filling seats and hoping for the best? In this episode of the Build A Vibrant Culture Podcast, Nicole Greer is joined by Dr. Myra Corrello, small business growth strategist and brand clarity expert, for a powerful conversation about the connection between marketing, leadership, and culture. Together, they explore how clarity attracts the right customers and the right employees, why storytelling is the currency of connection, and how leaders can align vision, hiring, engagement, and change management around a clear value promise.

This episode is packed wi...

What if almost everything we’ve been taught about motivating people at work is… wrong? In this eye-opening episode, Nicole Greer sits down with David Allison, the world’s leading expert on human values, to challenge outdated thinking around demographics, generations, and stereotypes. Drawing from research with over one million people worldwide, David introduces a radically more accurate way to understand, engage, and inspire humans at work: Valuegraphics.

If you work in HR, L&D, OD, leadership, talent, or culture, this episode will change how you think about people forever.

Vibr...

In this inspiring episode of the Build A Vibrant Culture Podcast, host Nicole Greer sits down with Martha Lawrence, veteran editor, author, and long-time collaborator of leadership icon Ken Blanchard.

Martha shares behind-the-scenes stories from more than two decades working alongside Blanchard, revealing how The One Minute Manager and the philosophy of “catching people doing things right” transformed leadership from command-and-control to connection, trust, and service.

This episode is a masterclass in leadership with heart—perfect for executives, managers, HR professionals, and anyone passionate about building a culture where people thrive.

...

What if prosperity has nothing to do with how much money you have—and everything to do with how you think? Join Nicole and guest Kim Butler as they dismantle scarcity thinking and teach you how to build a life—and culture—of abundance.

In this powerful conversation, Nicole interviews financial strategist and 11-time author Kim Butler, whose newest book Busting the Scarcity Mindset reframes how we think about money, value creation, and prosperity. Kim shares seven core prosperity principles—including proactive gratitude, intentional income design, and matching your money to your values—and offers practical, mindset-shifting strategies...

In this powerful episode, Nicole sits down with Dr. Katie Best, leadership consultant, professor at the London School of Economics, and author of The 10 Toughest Leadership Problems. Together they walk through Katie’s practical S.O.L.V.E. framework—five simple steps leaders can use to untangle problems, gain clarity, and take meaningful action.

Nicole and Katie explore today’s most common leadership challenges: decision fatigue, weak influence, disengaged teams, unclear strategy, performance issues, hybrid work confusion, and culture breakdowns. Through real examples and lively stories, they show leaders how to diagnose root causes...

What if the secret to building a vibrant culture isn’t a big initiative—but one meaningful human connection at a time? In this episode, Nicole welcomes leadership speaker, author, and inclusion strategist Justin Jones-Fosu for a rich conversation on The Inclusive Mindset and the everyday practices that make diversity and belonging come alive in our organizations.

Together, Nicole and Justin explore the difference between inclusive and exclusion mindsets, why embracing difference creates stronger cultures, and how curiosity, humility, and intentional connection can reshape how we lead.

Justin shares powerful stories—from huggin...

What if the stories you tell yourself are the very thing shaping — or sabotaging — your leadership?

In this powerful episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast, Nicole sits down with Dr. Jaime Goff, psychologist, executive coach, and author of The Secure Leader. Together, they unpack the hidden forces that shape how leaders think, feel, and behave — stories formed early in life that quietly influence everything from delegation to decision-making.

Dr. Goff explains why humans rely so heavily on story to make sense of the world, how neural pathways become entrenched through repetition, and why the go...

Do your words build up or tear down?
In this heartfelt episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast, Nicole Greer, CSP — “The Vibrant Coach” — sits down with Genice DeCorte, CEO of HealthShare Credit Union, to talk about the real power of words in leadership.

Genice shares her inspiring journey from a 16-year-old credit union co-op student to becoming a seasoned leader and mentor to other small credit unions. She reminds us that communication isn’t just about information — it’s about impact. Every word a leader speaks can inspire, comfort, or empower others.

Toge...

Have you ever felt like you didn’t deserve your seat at the table — even after earning it? Then it’s time to meet the “Imposter Monsters” and learn how to slay the beasts within! 

From teller to trailblazer, Nanci Wilson’s journey proves that unexpected turns lead to extraordinary destinations. In this vibrant and hilarious conversation, Nicole and Nanci unpack the five “Imposter Monsters” that sabotage confidence and success — and teach you how to quiet them once and for all.

Nanci’s infectious humor and heartfelt honesty will inspire you to rewrite your story, own your worth, and r...

What if the biggest threat to your company culture isn’t strategy — it’s the jerks at work?  In this lively and insightful episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast, Nicole welcomes back Rich Salon, affectionately known as "Rich the HR Guy." Together, they explore the hilarious yet hard-hitting truths in his new book, The One Minute Jerk at Work.

Rich breaks down the damage caused by “jerk-like behavior” — from absenteeism and turnover to eroded trust and toxic workplaces — and offers practical strategies for turning things around. With humor and humanity, Rich introduces memorable perso...

What does it take to lead with heart, humor, and hope? In this joyful and deeply meaningful episode, Nicole Greer, the Vibrant Coach, sits down with Rabbi Mike Moskowitz of Temple Shir Shalom in Detroit—her former coaching client and longtime friend—to explore how spiritual leadership, organizational systems, and a values-driven vision can create thriving, connected communities.

From Traction and 10-year plans to bar mitzvahs, Portugal pilgrimages, and “dancing in the aisles,” Rabbi Mike shows that leadership is about service, joy, and showing up for others. Together, he and Nicole unpack what every leader—w...

What if your team’s potential was greater than you ever imagined—and all it took to unlock it was clarity, candor, and courage? In this episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast, Nicole Greer sits down with George Pesansky, operational-excellence leader, performance coach, and author of Superperformance. Together they dive deep into the systems and mindsets that turn average teams into superperformers.

From the Dunning-Kruger Effect to the Golden Hour, George offers a roadmap for leaders who want to maximize results without micromanaging. You’ll learn how to build clarity, break free from t...

Are you capturing the real heart of your culture—or hiding behind polished posts? This week, Nicole Greer sits down with Corey Perlman, bestselling author of Authentically Social and founder of Impact Social Media. Together they explore how leaders, HR pros, and entrepreneurs can use social media to showcase the humans behind the brand, attract top talent, and authentically engage customers.

Corey shares his proven framework—five practical principles to help you stop chasing algorithms and start building community. From his “capture instead of create” mantra to his reminder that “the algorithms favor the bold,” you...

What if every single person in your organization—no matter their title—stepped into a starring leadership role? In this episode of Build a Vibrant Culture, Nicole Greer welcomes Lasada “LP” Pippen, a powerhouse keynote speaker and the author of It’s Just Not Common Sense. Once a computer engineer, LP now inspires audiences with The Climb, his signature keynote that equips leaders and teams with the mindset to rise higher, personally and professionally.

Nicole and LP unpack six powerful principles—Trust, Preference, Perspective, Problem, Moment, and Contentment—that transform the way we lead and the cultur...

What if laughter was the secret ingredient to stronger teams, safer workplaces, and unforgettable training? On this episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast, Nicole Greer welcomes Robb Patton—a professional pilot, stand-up comedian, and co-founder of Highbrow Safety Werks—who proves that humor isn’t just for fun, it’s for performance.

Robb reveals how playful parody videos, jokes in the cockpit, and even Lego mini-figures can transform “mandatory training” into memorable learning. From building psychological safety to breaking down barriers in serious industries, Robb shows leaders and HR pros how to use levity to lift cult...

What if the secret to a thriving culture wasn’t about playing it safe, but about helping people be brave? In this episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast, host Nicole Greer sits down with Marine Corps veteran, keynote speaker, and bravery scientist Jill Schulman to explore her new book, The Bravery Effect. Jill reveals how fear shows up at work — from staying silent in meetings to avoiding tough conversations — and how leaders can help their teams cross the bridge from where they are to where they want to be.

Together, Nicole and Jill break down the th...

Ready to unleash the hidden greatness in your leaders? In this electrifying episode of Build a Vibrant Culture, Nicole Greer sits down with Greg Smith, General Manager of Franklin Covey’s Executive Coaching Practice, whose coaching success rate blows past 97%! Greg brings over 25 years of experience guiding leaders at powerhouse companies like Walmart, Deloitte, and Disney. Together, Nicole and Greg crack open what really happens when coaching becomes the engine for building a culture where leaders thrive — and why coaching is THE secret weapon for preventing those painful leadership derailments.

Nicole and Greg dive deep...

Are you ready to bring energy, engagement, and excellence to your leadership? In this lively conversation, we unpack practical tools for coaching, mentoring, and managing that create a truly vibrant culture. You'll discover how to ignite your team's motivation, implement systems that actually work, and show up as the kind of leader others love to follow.

We’ll dive into real-world stories, share a few laughs, and explore the mindset shifts that turn ordinary workplaces into thriving communities. Expect actionable strategies you can put into practice the moment you finish listening—everything from improving comm...

What if the secret to better leadership wasn’t doing exactly what’s asked—but uncovering what’s really needed? In this episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture podcast, Nicole Greer welcomes Bill Shander, author of Stakeholder Whispering, educator, and data storytelling expert. Bill reveals how leaders can shift from reactive execution to strategic impact by slowing down, asking the right questions, and uncovering hidden needs. Together, Nicole and Bill dive into the power of fast vs. slow thinking, the Socratic method, and the role of empathy and curiosity in building trust. You’ll learn practical tools like the Five W...

Thanks for checking us out and we hope to see you right here each Wednesday for a new episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture podcast!

What if your company’s benefits package could do more than check a box—what if it could shape your culture, empower your people, and transform your bottom line?

In this energizing episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast, Nicole Greer is joined by Stacy Edgar, co-founder and CEO of Venteur, to explore the powerful connection between employee benefits and workplace culture. Together, they dive into how personalized, flexible healthcare options—like ICHRA—can signal core values, improve retention, boost morale, and even lower costs. With vivid stories from companies who are doing benefits...

In this high-energy conversation, Nicole Greer sits down with Karen Ball, Senior Fellow at ProSci and author of The ADKAR Advantage, to uncover the secret to making change stick — in individuals, teams, and entire organizations. With over 40 years in change leadership, Karen shares inspiring stories, practical tools, and a proven framework for moving people from “Why change?” to “We did it!” Whether you’re leading a massive transformation or coaching one person through a shift, this episode delivers the clarity, process, and mindset you need to make change make sense — and make it last.

Highlights from this episode:
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Welcome to "The Best of Build A Vibrant Culture!" While Nicole takes a short summer break to receive her Certified Speaking Professional (CSP®) designation, please enjoy this vintage episode from 2023. We'll see you next week!

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Ever been told you’re “too sensitive” to lead? Think again!

In this throwback episode, Heather Dominick shows how highly sensitive leaders are reshaping the future of work. If you’ve ever felt “different” as a leader, this episode proves it’s your greatest strength! Heather reveals the 12 powerful traits of highly sensitive leaders and how to harness them to lead with emp...

Welcome to "The Best of Build A Vibrant Culture!" While Nicole takes a short summer break to receive her Certified Speaking Professional (CSP®) designation, please enjoy this vintage episode from 2023. We'll see you next week!

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We’re throwing it back to November 2023 for an unforgettable conversation with Dr. Carrie Graham, Adult Learning Strategist, consultant, and champion for creating learning-driven workplace cultures.

In this lively episode, Nicole and Dr. Carrie dive deep into how organizations can transform their training from “check-the-box” sessions into engaging, retention-boosting, skill-applying learning experiences that stick. Whether you’re...

This episode is a celebration—literally! Joel Zeff brings his signature humor and insight to the mic, showing us why fun isn’t a frivolous extra—it’s a fundamental part of vibrant leadership and team success. Nicole and Joel dive into what it really means to lead with passion, how celebration fuels performance, and why your workplace desperately needs more "Ta-Da!" moments. From his unforgettable "magic harmonica" story to his formula for sparking creativity and connection, Joel shares why choosing fun might just be the smartest decision a leader can make.

Whether you’re managing a team or ma...

In this powerful episode of Build a Vibrant Culture, Nicole Greer welcomes Jim Collison—CliftonStrengths Community Manager at Gallup—for an energizing and practical conversation about building strengths-based cultures. Jim shares real-world insights from his journey, coaching advice, and why focusing on what’s right with people is a game-changer for engagement, wellbeing, and performance.

Together, Nicole and Jim unpack the philosophy behind CliftonStrengths, why it's more relevant than ever, and how leaders and individuals can name it, claim it, and aim it in life and work. They also discuss:

[00:01:07] The difference betwee...