The Culture Works Podcast

Culture Works
  • 0.0 (0)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The Culture Works Podcast dives deep into the evolving dynamics of leadership and workplace culture. Hosted by bestselling authors and leadership experts Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton, this show brings real conversations with C-suite leaders, HR changemakers, and cultural innovators. From recognition and psychological safety to AI disruptions and hybrid work, every episode helps today’s leaders thrive—not just survive. Whether you’re leading a team of five or five thousand, discover practical insights to build cultures that connect, perform, and endure.

Episodes

  1. The Freedom of Constraints w. Darcy Verhun

    NOV 6

    The Freedom of Constraints w. Darcy Verhun

    Darcy Verhun, CEO of Canada Diagnostic Centers and co-author of "The Freedom of Constraints," joins Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton to discuss his leadership transformation playbook. From inheriting a company with 121 unfinished projects to implementing his focused "CDC" framework (Culture, Deliver Care, Cost Excellence), Darcy shares how he's revolutionizing healthcare leadership through coaching principles and strategic clarity. Key topics include: Why culture change begins immediately, not in years The power of the "65%" principle for laser focus How asking "How are you?" transformed his leadership approach Moving from boss to coach in command-and-control environments Creating remarkable patient care that spans multiple brands and locations The clinic excellence index: measuring what good looks like Why constraints actually create freedom in organizations Whether you're leading healthcare teams or any organization facing complexity, Darcy's insights on servant leadership, strategic focus, and human connection offer practical frameworks for building cultures where people want to stay. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Culture Change 00:41 Welcome to The Culture Works Podcast 00:58 Meet Darcy Verhun: Transformational Leader 01:54 Unpacking the Leadership Playbook 02:58 The Concept of Clinic Excellence Index 03:57 Balancing Quality and Access to Care 05:32 The Freedom of Constraints 08:02 The 65% Rule in Arts and Business 12:05 Focusing on Culture, Care, and Cost Excellence 15:20 The Power of a Smile in Healthcare 18:01 From Boss to Coach: Rewiring Team Leadership 18:31 From Boss to Coach: Key Lessons for Executives 20:25 Coaching Culture and Financial Excellence 21:36 The Importance of Follow-Up in Coaching 22:34 Maintaining a Coaching Mindset: Habits and Rituals 24:52 The Culture Challenge: Real-World Leadership Dilemmas 32:44 Lightning Round: Leadership Principles and Practices 34:22 Concluding Thoughts and Gratitude Follow Chester & Adrian and Darcy: Connect with Chester & Adrian:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecultureworksofficial/ Website: https://thecultureworks.com/ Connect with Darcy:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darcy-verhun/ Website: https://canadadiagnostics.ca/

    37 min
  2. Building a Global Brand on Kindness w. Brent Ridge

    OCT 9

    Building a Global Brand on Kindness w. Brent Ridge

    In this episode of Culture Works, hosts Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton sit down with Dr. Brent Ridge, co-founder of Beekman 1802, to explore how authentic leadership and purpose-driven culture can transform both business outcomes and human lives. From losing his job as a Manhattan physician during the 2008 recession to building a global beauty brand powered by goat milk and kindness, Brent's journey demonstrates that culture truly drives business success. Discover how he and his husband Josh turned a weekend farm purchase into a purpose-driven empire that puts kindness at the center of everything, literally listing it as an ingredient in every product. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to the Culture Work Podcast 01:00 Meet Brent Ridge: Physician Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Beekman 1802 02:29 The Origin Story of Beekman 1802 03:38 Building a Brand on Kindness 07:09 Lessons in Leadership and Resilience 13:05 Embedding Purpose in Company Culture 26:10 Maintaining Authenticity and Values 29:35 Staying Grounded and Humble 32:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Follow Chester & Adrian and Brent: Connect with Chester & Adrian:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecultureworksofficial/ Website: https://thecultureworks.com/ Connect with Brent:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-ridge-md-0641791/ Website: https://beekman1802.com/

    35 min
  3. The Secret To Courageous Leadership w. Molly Tschang

    OCT 2

    The Secret To Courageous Leadership w. Molly Tschang

    Most communication fails because people aren't communicating well with themselves first. Leadership expert Molly Tschang, co-author of "Say It Skillfully" with Marshall Goldsmith, joins Adrian and Chester to unpack why those post-meeting sidebar conversations are killing team alignment, and what leaders can do about it. In this conversation, you'll discover the difference between being direct and being destructive, why vulnerability makes senior executives uncomfortable (and why it's essential anyway), and how to create the kind of psychological safety that actually moves teams forward. If you've ever struggled with having difficult conversations or wondered why your team isn't as aligned as you thought, this episode cuts straight to the practical solutions that work. 00:00 Introduction to Effective Communication 00:30 Meet Molly Tschang: Transforming Team Communication 01:59 The Importance of Trust in Leadership 03:54 Addressing Sidebar Conversations 06:19 Say It Skillfully: Finding Your Authentic Voice 11:58 Real-Life Examples and Executive Presence 16:13 Handling Difficult Personalities at Work 19:05 Building Credibility and Offering Constructive Feedback 21:01 The Importance of Transparency in Leadership 22:01 Creating a Culture of Inclusion and Dissent 24:18 Aligning Leadership Actions with Cultural Values 28:47 Addressing Politeness and Realness in Organizational Culture 30:24 Rapid Fire Questions and Leadership Insights 35:03 Final Thoughts and Resources for Growth Follow Adrian, Chester and Molly: Connect with Adrian Gostick | Chester Elton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecultureworksofficial/ Website: https://thecultureworks.com/ Connect with Molly:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollytschang/ Website: https://www.sayitskillfully.com/

    40 min

  4. SEASON 1 TRAILER

    The Culture Works Podcast - Trailer

    The Culture Works Podcast dives deep into the evolving dynamics of leadership and workplace culture. Hosted by bestselling authors and leadership experts Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton, this show brings real conversations with C-suite leaders, HR changemakers, and cultural innovators. From recognition and psychological safety to AI disruptions and hybrid work, every episode helps today’s leaders thrive—not just survive. Whether you’re leading a team of five or five thousand, discover practical insights to build cultures that connect, perform, and endure.

    1 min

Trailer

About

The Culture Works Podcast dives deep into the evolving dynamics of leadership and workplace culture. Hosted by bestselling authors and leadership experts Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton, this show brings real conversations with C-suite leaders, HR changemakers, and cultural innovators. From recognition and psychological safety to AI disruptions and hybrid work, every episode helps today’s leaders thrive—not just survive. Whether you’re leading a team of five or five thousand, discover practical insights to build cultures that connect, perform, and endure.

Information

You Might Also Like