Gut + Science

Gut+Science provides leadership experiences from both an emotional and calculated lens. People-first-minded executives and thought leaders share on the topics they are most passionate about, serving as mentors for our ever-growing audience.

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    340: The Science of Swag: Creating Brand Experiences That Stick with Crissy Manwaring

    What makes a simple branded mug, sweatshirt, or handwritten note unforgettable? Nikki welcomes promotional strategy expert Crissy Manwaring for a fascinating conversation on the deeper psychology behind swag and why meaningful brand experiences matter more than ever. Together, Nikki and Crissy unpack the science of sensory triggers, emotional connection, and thoughtful gifting, revealing how leaders can turn everyday items into powerful cultural touchpoints. From onboarding moments to milestone celebrations, they explore how intentional brand artifacts can strengthen human connection, reinforce belonging, and elevate the employee and client journey. If you lead people, build culture, or care about making your brand truly felt not just seen, this conversation will shift how you think about impact. Get ready to rethink swag as a strategic tool for meaningful work and meaningful lives. 💡   Additional Resources: Learn how to build your strategy to swag! Connect with Crissy on LinkedIn Learn more about Robertson Marketing Listen to Crissy's series on Working Forward, wherever you get your podcasts! Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Nikki's Key Takeaways: Tangible brand experiences deepen emotional connection and memory. Thoughtful swag supports culture, belonging, and retention. Sensory triggers influence perception, loyalty, and brand recall. Personalization transforms gifts into meaningful relationship anchors. Strategic merchandise enhances every stage of employee journey.

    36 min
  2. 26 MAR

    339: Cultures of Caring: Turning Grief into a Leadership Growth Opportunity with Ashley Jones

    Grief doesn't clock out when we clock in. Nikki sits down with Ashley Jones, founder of Memento Foundation and grief and empathy consultant, to explore what happens when loss walks into the workplace. After navigating the unimaginable loss of her daughter, Ashley turned her pain into purpose, helping organizations lead through grief with courage, care, and emotional intelligence. Together, they unpack what most leaders get wrong about grief at work, why empathy is not optional in modern leadership, and how cultures of caring are built long before crisis hits. This conversation challenges outdated beliefs about productivity, exposes the real cost of emotional avoidance, and offers a new leadership standard rooted in love, trust, and psychological safety. 💛 If you want to retain top talent, strengthen trust, and lead whole humans instead of job titles, this episode will change the way you show up.   Additional Resources: Connect with Ashley on LinkedIn Get Ashley's book: "When You Can't See the Light" Learn more about Momento Foundation Learn more about Bereave Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Nikki's Key Takeaways: Grief has no timeline or linear stages. Empathy is leadership strength, not softness. Culture of caring must start before crisis. Unsupported grief drives turnover and disengagement. Love, not fear, builds workplace trust.

    41 min
  3. In the Loop: What Your Digital Body Language Communicates

    17 MAR

    In the Loop: What Your Digital Body Language Communicates

    Have you ever unraveled over a one word email? Or spiraled because someone "saw" your message but didn't respond? Katherine dives into the invisible signals shaping today's workplace: digital body language. Inspired by Erica Dhawan's work and Katherine's real world leadership experience, this conversation explores how response time, punctuation, brevity, silence, and even channel choice are constantly communicating on your behalf. In a world where 70% of communication is virtual, leaders are sending signals about trust, respect, urgency, and inclusion whether they mean to or not. If leadership is relational, then digital communication cannot be transactional. Katherine unpacks practical shifts people-first leaders can make immediately to reduce anxiety, build clarity, and strengthen connection. Because the impact you make through a screen is still very real and it is shaping your culture every single day.   Additional Resources: Read "Digital Body Language" by Erica Dhawan Connect with Katherine Coble on LinkedIn Learn more about Borshoff Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Response time communicates priority, trust, and respect. Brevity without warmth creates digital anxiety. Channel choice signals leadership intention. Clarity in writing is modern workplace empathy. Silence always sends a message.

    25 min
  4. Addicted to Betterment: Planting Onions Expecting Strawberries? Lessons from the Bamboo Tree.

    12 MAR

    Addicted to Betterment: Planting Onions Expecting Strawberries? Lessons from the Bamboo Tree.

    The results you're seeing today are a direct reflection of seeds you planted long ago, and if that hits a nerve, this episode is for you. Nikki and David are getting real about the wild truth that what you plant is what you get. From the legendary patience it takes to grow a Chinese bamboo tree to the behind-the-scenes grind of podcasting and showing up as your best self each day, this convo hits deep. They break down how to audit your daily "seeds," why choosing your crop before planting is the move, how AI is just like soil, and why protecting your energy is non-negotiable. Oh, and if you've ever doubted yourself during the slow seasons, this is your sign to keep going. The bamboo might just be about to shoot up. Betterment takes time, but with intention, patience, and a little self-awareness, your growth is coming 🎋   Additional Resources: Follow Addicted to Betterment wherever you listen to podcasts! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Connect with David on LinkedIn Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: You get what you plant. Your actions and habits shape your outcomes. Growth takes time. Like the bamboo tree, results often come after long unseen effort. Check your inputs. Audit your daily choices to align with your desired future. Protect your energy. Be mindful of who and what you let into your environment. Small wins matter. Acknowledge them to stay motivated.

    32 min

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Gut+Science provides leadership experiences from both an emotional and calculated lens. People-first-minded executives and thought leaders share on the topics they are most passionate about, serving as mentors for our ever-growing audience.

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