Culture Talks

In this episode of Culture Talks, Lorne Rubis and Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett discuss the challenges of toxic leadership in the workplace and the insights from Laura's upcoming book, I Wish I'd Quit Sooner.
They explore the impact of toxic bosses on employee well-being, the importance of understanding different leadership traits, strategies, and the need for organizations to create a safe and supportive culture.
The discussion also touches on the balance between compassion and business decisions, and the future of workplace culture.

In this conversation, Kimberly Vaughn, VP of Claims at Amerisure Insurance,
discusses the evolving landscape of leadership, emphasizing the importance of employee
engagement, psychological safety, and the balance between caring for people and achieving
business results. She shares insights on how to address negative friction in the workplace, the
role of AI in enhancing workflows, and the significance of recognition in fostering a positive work
environment. Vaughn also highlights the qualities she looks for in emerging leaders and the
lessons learned from her experiences in swimming and leadership.

What does it truly take to change an organization for the better?
In the latest episode of Culture Talks, Lorne Rubis sits down with Craig Hampson, Chief Business Enablement Officer at BURNCO, for a no-holds-barred conversation about the realities of organizational change.
We dive deep into the critical role of leadership in this process and uncover why so many well-intentioned change efforts fail. 
In this episode, we explore:
The high cost of incongruency: What happens when you declare a new vision but don't follow through.

Why toxic leaders often persist and the damage they cause to culture and progress.

The non-negotiable link between clarity of vision and genuine commitment from the top down.

How to ensure your leadership declarations are backed by actionable steps and real cultural investment.

This is a must-listen for any executive, leader, or individual who is genuinely committed to their teams and the health of their organization.
Ready to commit to being better? Listen/watch the full conversation.

In this episode of the Culture Talks Podcast, Lorne Rubis sits down with Taarif (Tim) Jafferi, Chief Business Officer of Happily.ai, to uncover the direct link between employee happiness and your bottom line. Taarif, a former Google employee, shares his firsthand experience of the cultural shifts hurting modern workplaces and the simple, data-backed strategies that can fix them.

How do you MOVE AT THE SPEED OF A STARTUP? 🚀 In this episode of Culture Talks, Lorne Rubis sits down with Christie Lagally, the CEO and Founder of Rebellyous Foods, who made the leap from aerospace engineering to revolutionizing the plant-based meat industry.

We dive deep into:

✅ The real challenges of food production & manufacturing innovation.
✅ Why company culture and dignified work are key to disruption.
✅ How to find profound purpose and meaning in your work.

This isn't just a story for vegans—it's a masterclass for any entrepreneur, innovator, or leader looking to make a tangible impact.