Culture Talks: How to Create a Happier Workplace (And Why You Should)
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.
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Culture Talks: Human-Centered Leadership: Empathy, Design, and Staying True to Purpose
In the latest episode of Culture Talks, hosts Lorne Rubis and Wayne Suiter Matamoros, Partner and Head of Empathy in NYC, dive into a thought-provoking conversation about human-centered design, empathetic leadership, and the role of purpose in solving complex challenges.Why Empathy Matters in Leadership & Innovation. Empathy isn’t just a soft skill—it’s a strategic advantage. Lorne and Wayne explore how putting people at the center of design and decision-making leads to more impactful solutions, whether in business, social impact ventures, or organizational culture. They discuss:How empathy transforms leadership – moving beyond traditional top-down approaches to foster trust and collaboration.The challenges impact-driven founders face – staying true to purpose while navigating business realities.Practical strategies for embedding purpose in teams and company culture.Human-centered design isn’t just for products—it’s essential for shaping workplaces and communities.Empathy drives innovation by uncovering real needs and creating meaningful solutions.Key Takeaways for Leaders & Changemakers Purpose must be actionable—how to move from intention to implementation.
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Culture Talks: Hiring A-Players: Driving Organizational Success With Followership (with Les Gombik)
In this insightful episode of Culture Talks, hosts Lorne Rubis and Les Gombik explore the shifting dynamics of executive recruitment, leadership effectiveness, and the growing influence of AI in the workplace. Their discussion sheds light on what makes a great leader, the importance of authenticity, and how organizations can build high-performing teams in an ever-changing business environment.Lorne and Les discuss the essential traits of successful leaders, emphasizing:Followership – True leadership isn’t just about authority; it’s about inspiring teams to willingly follow and contribute to a shared vision.Authenticity & Integrity – Leaders must be genuine and uphold strong ethical standards to earn trust.What Makes an Effective Leader?Decisiveness & Inclusivity – Striking the right balance between making bold decisions and fostering collaboration is crucial.
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Culture Talks: From Scientist to CEO - Revolutionizing Wastewater Treatment with Dr. Orianna Bretschger
In this eye-opening episode of Culture Cast, host Lorne Rubis sits down with Dr. Orianna Bretschger, the visionary co-founder and CEO of Aquacycl, to explore her incredible journey from academia to entrepreneurship—and how she’s transforming wastewater treatment with cutting-edge, sustainable technology.🔬 Why should you care about wastewater?Most people don’t think about what happens after water goes down the drain—but wastewater treatment is a $200+ billion industry critical to public health, environmental protection, and even climate change. Dr. Bretschger breaks down:✔ The hidden problems with traditional wastewater treatment✔ How Aquacycl’s bioelectrochemical tech makes it cleaner, cheaper, and more efficient✔ Why sustainability innovation is a huge business opportunity.💡 From Lab to Startup: The Entrepreneurial LeapGoing from scientist to CEO isn’t easy. Dr. Bretschger shares:🔥 Her biggest challenges in transitioning from academia to business🔥 How to build a mission-driven company without burning out🔥 Why character matters more than skills when hiring a startup team👩🔬 Women in STEM & Leadership🤝 Culture, Trust & Leadership LessonsWhat does it take to build a high-performing, values-driven team? She reveals:✅ The #1 trait she looks for in hires (hint: it’s not experience)✅ How to foster trust and accountability in a fast-growing startup✅ The hardest leadership lesson she’s learned (and how it shaped Aquacycl’s success)🌍 The Future of Water Innovation💬 What surprised you most about wastewater innovation? Let us know in the comments!👍 Enjoyed this episode? Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more deep dives on leadership, innovation, and culture!#Wastewater #Sustainability #WomenInSTEM #Entrepreneurship #CleanTech #Leadership #Aquacycl #CultureCast
Culture Talks, hosted by Lorne Rubis, dives into the world of emerging companies that are passionately dedicated not merely to chasing success, but to making a lasting impact.
Explore the innovative ways next-gen leaders connect people and transform their visions into reality through candid conversations with visionary CEOs, founders, mentors and more.
Each episode delves into the unique challenges faced by these trailblazers as they scale their businesses, focusing on the transformative cultures they are striving to cultivate.
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