Culture Uncovered

Recruit the Employer

Ever wonder what it's like to work for the best companies in the world? Maybe you’re actively looking for a new job. Or maybe you’re thinking about your next strategic career move. Well, you've come to the right place.Each week we meet with talent leaders at companies you’ve heard of - and many organizations you haven’t. Giving you a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to work there…before you even apply. 

  1. Cricut

    FEB 11

    Cricut

    Cut, stick, and create your way!  Everyone’s a crafter at heart! In this episode of Culture Uncovered, Jena Dunay sits down with Miranda Oliver, VP of People and Culture at Cricut, to go behind the scenes of a company that’s turning DIY dreams into reality. They discuss how Cricut combines creativity, purpose, and people-first culture to build a workplace where employees can act like owners, speak up, and leave their mark. Miranda shares how Cricut evolved from a small craft supply company in the 1960s to a global leader in electronic cutting machines, software, and materials. She opens up about quirky cultural mantras like putting the “stinky fish on the table,” the emphasis on collaboration across teams, and how the company fosters growth through internal mobility, mentorship, and unique employee perks. What you’ll learn: How Cricut became a platform for DIY, home decor, personalized gifts, and small business empowermentWhy hiring for curiosity, humility, and cultural fit is at the heart of their people strategyHow ownership, candor, and creativity show up in day-to-day workUnique perks and benefits that make employees love working at CricutOpportunities for professional growth, mentorship, and internal mobilityCricut highlights: Founded: 1960s (as Provo Craft and Novelty); modern Cricut established in early 2010sTeam Size: ~700 employeesHeadquarters: South Jordan, UtahWork Model: Global, collaborative, and creativeCulture: Creative, candid, people-first, ownership-drivenUnique Perks: 401(k) match up to 6%Competitive medical, dental, and visionFertility & family-building support (via Wyn)Mentorship program with senior leadersInternal mobility across functionsHeavily discounted employee product salesPet insuranceHalloween as the company’s biggest annual celebrationTo learn more about Cricut: Careers Page (They’re hiring!)LinkedIn PageMiranda's LinkedIn Profile

    36 min
  2. SwagUp

    FEB 4

    SwagUp

    Swag, swag, and more swag! Everyone loves swag! In this episode of Culture Uncovered, Jena Dunay sits down with Michael Martocci, Founder and CEO of SwagUp, to talk about building a people-first company from the ground up and protecting that culture as the business scales, goes remote, and navigates acquisition. Michael shares the lessons he learned starting SwagUp at 21, how the company grew largely through word of mouth into a global swag and logistics platform, and why he prioritizes autonomy, trust, and responsibility over hierarchy, titles, or rigid processes. They dive into what culture looks like in practice at SwagUp, from hiring for curiosity and deep accomplishment to giving people real ownership early in their careers. Michael also opens up about navigating growth and change while staying true to the company’s core belief that great people, when supported properly, do their best work. What you’ll learn: What SwagUp does and how it simplifies global swag creation and distributionHow the company grew through referrals and organic demandWhy SwagUp hires for character, curiosity, and problem-solving over resumesHow autonomy and trust show up in day-to-day workWhat it takes to maintain culture through rapid growth and acquisitionSwagUp highlights: Founded: 2017Team Size: 100–125 employeesHeadquarters: Piscataway, NJWork Model: Distributed across the US and globallyCulture: High trust, people-first, curious, fast-moving, ownership-drivenTo learn more about SwagUp: Careers Page (They're hiring!) LinkedIn Page Michael's LinkedIn Profile

    35 min
  3. Stack Overflow

    JAN 28

    Stack Overflow

    If “no surprise medical bills, ever” sounds like a dream perk, Stack Overflow might be your next favorite place to work. In this episode, Jena chats with Stack Overflow’s Chief People & Culture Officer, Debbie Shotwell, about building an inclusive, mission-driven, fully remote culture where experimentation is encouraged and growth is real. They dig into how a beloved public Q&A platform for developers evolved into a global business with enterprise products, ads, and AI partnerships, plus how Stack Overflow navigates change with radical transparency. What you’ll learn: Stack Overflow’s public Q&A platform for developers, Stack Exchange network, enterprise tools, ads, and AI data deals with Microsoft, Google, AWS.From 2008 garage startup to $200M business serving devs in 118 countries.Fully remote for 320 Stackers across engineering, product, sales, marketing, and people teams.Welcoming culture with buddies, ERGs, flexibility, and safe experimentation (no one’s an expert in AI).Internal mobility via marketplace, Stack Overflow Academy, and 12-18% promotion rates.Transparent leadership post-restructuring, with growth and selective hiring ahead.Stack Overflow highlights: Founded: 2008 Team size: 320 employees worldwide Ownership: Acquired by Prosus in 2021; operates independently Work model: Fully remote, global team Culture: Mission-driven, welcoming, flexible, inclusive, experimental, transparent Unique Perks & programs: 100% company-paid health benefits (medical, dental, vision) + HRA covering all deductibles16 weeks paid parental leave for all; 4-week sabbaticals after 5/9 yearsMonthly Learn, Share, Grow Days + $2,500 annual development budgetNine ERGs, monthly AMAs, inclusion/engagement surveys with actionInternal “marketplace” for cross-team projects and boomerang opportunitiesTo learn more about The Stack Overflow: Careers Page (They're hiring!)Linkedin PageDebbie's Profile

    35 min
  4. Globe Life

    JAN 14

    Globe Life

    Yes, pensions still exist. And yes, you need to check out this company that still offers them! In this episode, Jena chats with Globe Life's Chief Talent Officer, Rebecca Zorn, about living the company’s mission to Make Tomorrow Better, empowering tenacious team players, and strategic hiring. What you'll learn: How Globe Life operates and evolves as a 125-year old companyThe service-oriented, collaborative, empowerment-driven culture that rewards tenacity and continuous improvementWhy internal mobility thrives - with Rebecca's sharing her own unconventional pathDetails on the pension (vests after 5 years for lifetime income at 65), plus 401(k) match and moreLeadership programs like Accelerate, Activate, Ignite (with SMU) and mentoringAll of the upcoming hiring initiatives!Globe Life highlights: Founded: 1900 HQ: McKinney, TX Team Size: ~4,000 employees + 16,500 independent agents Work Model: Employees in 43 states; remote, hybrid, or on-site by role Culture Values: Service-oriented, collaborative, empowerment-driven, accountable, integrity-focused, tenacious Unique Perks & programs: Active pension plan 401(k) Employee life insuranceTraditional health benefitsSubsidized fitness memberships via WellHubLeadership development: Accelerate (new leaders), Activate (high-potentials), Ignite (senior leaders with Southern Methodist University courses)Skills-based internal mobility and emerging leader pipeline in developmentTo learn more about Globe Life: Careers Page (They're hiring!) LinkedIn Page Rebecca's LinkedIn Profile

    31 min
  5. The Millennium Alliance

    12/17/2025

    The Millennium Alliance

    If your idea of a great job includes loud sales pods, laughter, C-suite connections, and a built-in winter break, you’ll want to hear this one. The Millennium Alliance designs intimate, five-star events where buyers and sellers actually sit down together behind closed doors. Jena chats with VP of HR, Victoria Albuquerque, about the company’s 12-year journey from three events to dozens each year, the “team sport” mindset that drives performance, and why they’re gearing up to double in size. What you’ll learn: What The Millennium Alliance actually does for buyers and sellers at their eventsHow the company grew from three events to 40–50 in the US and 10–12 in EuropeWhat it’s like to work on a loud, open sales floor with leaders “in the trenches”How early-career salespeople build real relationships with Fortune 500 executivesWhy internal mobility, hands-on coaching, and recognition are core to the cultureHow the team is preparing to double headcount in the next 12–18 monthsThe Millennium Alliance highlights: Founded: 2014  Team Size: 200 employees globally HQ: New York City Work Model: Primarily in-office with employees across the US and Europe Culture: Supportive, fun, high-performing, “team sport environment,” ambitious and human Unique Perks & programs: Heavy focus on sales and leadership training and developmentReal internal mobility: entry-level sales to running departments over timeDaily access to senior executives and decision makers as core to the roleCo-founders on the sales floor and leaders “in the work” with real-time coachingWeekly shoutouts, employee-of-the-month and year-end awardsTeam events, offsites, company outings, volunteer daysDedicated employee for culture and engagementWellness initiative: extra 20 minutes at lunch for the gym or personal timeCompany-wide shutdown over end-of-year holidays without using PTOTo learn more about The Millennium Alliance: Careers Page (They're hiring!)Linkedin PageVictoria's Profile

    32 min
4.9
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Ever wonder what it's like to work for the best companies in the world? Maybe you’re actively looking for a new job. Or maybe you’re thinking about your next strategic career move. Well, you've come to the right place.Each week we meet with talent leaders at companies you’ve heard of - and many organizations you haven’t. Giving you a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to work there…before you even apply.