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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42:48
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
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Culture Talks: What Makes a Workplace Great? Trust & People (With Dave McCauley)
In this Culture Talks episode, Lorne Rubis and leadership expert Dave McCauley dive deep into what makes organizations succeed—from psychological safety and trust to AI’s impact on workplaces. Whether you're a leader, HR professional, or team member, this conversation offers actionable insights to create a positive, high-performing culture.✅ Psychological Safety – Why employees need to feel safe to speak up✅ AI & the Future of Work – Balancing tech with human-centric leadership✅ Toxic Leadership – Warning signs and how to fix a broken culture✅ Trust & Communication – The foundation of strong teams✅ Growth Mindset – How leaders can foster continuous learning💡 Who Should Listen?Leaders & Managers wanting to improve team dynamicsHR Professionals shaping company cultureEmployees navigating workplace challengesAnyone interested in leadership, AI, and organizational success🔔 Subscribe & Follow Culture Talks!
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42:24
Culture Talks: Authentic Leadership & Community in Business with Beverley Wright
In the latest episode of Culture Talks, host Lorne Rubis sits down with Beverley Wright, CEO and founder of Wright Choice, to explore the essential qualities of impactful leadership, the power of community in business, and why investing in people is the ultimate competitive advantage.Drawing from her entrepreneurial roots (as the daughter of beloved beauty shop owners) and years of experience coaching corporate leaders, Beverley shares actionable insights on:✅ The role of authenticity and passion in leadership—why "being real" drives trust and performance.✅ Building a culture of support and open communication, even in high-pressure environments.✅ Balancing meritocracy with inclusion.✅ Navigating difficult conversations to spark growth, not conflict.✅ Why investing in people isn’t optional—lessons from Wright Choice’s community-driven approach.Why Listen to This Episode?Whether you’re a corporate leader, entrepreneur, or team member looking to elevate your influence, this conversation unpacks the human side of leadership that’s often overlooked. Beverley’s blend of personal stories and tactical advice makes this a must-listen for anyone passionate about workplace culture, inclusive leadership, and organizational growth.Join the Conversation: What’s your biggest leadership challenge?
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Culture Talks: Lessons from a Startup Founder: Dr. Erik Selberg on AI, Education, and Bold Moves
In this thought-provoking episode of Culture Talks, host Lorne Rubis sits down with Dr. Erik Selberg, co-founder of Wild Zebra, an innovative EdTech startup using AI to personalize education. They dive deep into the future of learning, leadership, and what it takes to build a thriving workplace culture in the fast-evolving world of technology.🔍 Key Takeaways You’ll Learn:✅ AI in Education – How Wild Zebra is using artificial intelligence to transform personalized learning.✅ Leadership & Values – Why kindness, transparency, and strong leadership are critical in business.✅ Startup Mindset – Erik’s journey from corporate to entrepreneurship and the risks worth taking.✅ Culture as a Competitive Advantage – How intentional workplace culture drives innovation and success.
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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