Trust Stories by Relate

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Trust Stories is a podcast about how trust is built, tested, and sometimes broken in the conversations that matter most at work. Hosted by Tom Keenan of Relate, each episode features real stories from leaders, operators, and builders navigating high-stakes meetings, decisions, and relationships. We unpack what actually creates credibility, reliability, and connection, not in theory but in practice, and what small shifts can change the outcome of a conversation. Because trust isn’t a soft skill. It’s a measurable one.

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    The Very Good Trap: Why High Performers Stop Feeling Seen with Gretchen Grottenthaler

    For years, we've been told that if we work hard enough, recognition will come. But what happens when it doesn't? In this episode of Trust Stories, Tom Keenan sits down with Gretchen Grottenthaler—executive coach, speaker, and founder of Energy Inspire—to explore why so many talented people, especially women, find themselves stuck in what she calls "the very good trap." Together, they unpack how burnout often begins with feeling unseen, why trust erodes long before someone resigns, and what leaders can do to build workplaces where people genuinely thrive. The conversation also explores authenticity at work, return-to-office mandates, the changing expectations employees have of leaders, and why AI may ultimately make human skills more valuable, not less.

  2. Jul 14

    The Five Types of Organizational Debt Every Leader Should Know with Suzan Bond

    Every organization carries some debt. The question is whether you know where it's building. In this episode of Trust Stories, Tom Keenan sits down with Suzan Bond to explore the five types of organizational debt that quietly slow teams down, weaken trust, and make change harder than it needs to be. They discuss why running lean isn't always the answer, how AI can amplify existing organizational challenges, and what leaders can do to build stronger, more resilient teams. Whether you're leading through rapid growth, AI adoption, or organizational change, this conversation offers a practical framework for recognizing and reducing the hidden debt holding your business back.

  3. Jul 7

    Great Onboarding Earns Trust. Ignoring Feedback Quietly Spends It with Liana Steir

    Most companies think onboarding starts on day one. Liana Steir argues it starts much earlier, with every interaction a candidate has before they even apply. In this episode, Tom and Liana explore why onboarding is really about creating belonging, not completing paperwork. They discuss building trust before a new hire arrives, creating feedback loops that actually lead to change, and where AI can streamline the onboarding process without replacing the human connection that makes it meaningful.

  4. Jun 26

    The Skills Gap Universities Can No Longer Ignore with Regina Johnson

    Universities have always prepared students for careers. The challenge today is that many of tomorrow's careers don't exist yet. In this episode of Trust Stories, Tom Keenan sits down with HR executive and higher education advisor Regina Johnson to explore how universities can better prepare students for an AI-driven workforce. They discuss why technical skills alone aren't enough, how leadership, communication, and critical thinking are becoming even more valuable, and why stronger partnerships between education and business are essential for closing the growing skills gap. From AI literacy to trust, collaboration, and the "power skills" employers increasingly demand, Regina shares how forward-thinking institutions are redesigning learning for a future that's changing faster than ever. If you're a leader, educator, employer, or student wondering what career readiness looks like in the age of AI, this conversation is for you.

  5. Jun 16

    What If It's Great? Lessons in Trust, Growth, and Leadership with Richard Hinton

    What happens when the biggest barrier to effective leadership isn't your team, your strategy, or your organization—but your own self-doubt? In this episode of Trust Stories by Relate, Tom Keenan sits down with people and culture leader, executive coach, and founder Richard Hinton to explore one of the most overlooked leadership skills: self-trust. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience building teams, coaching leaders, and navigating major career transitions, Richard shares why trust starts from within. Together, they unpack how self-doubt shows up in leadership, the ripple effects it creates across teams and culture, and why vulnerability, psychological safety, and honest decision-making matter more than ever.

  6. Jun 11

    How AI Is Transforming the Way HR Connects With People with Kristina Karcic

    In this episode of Trust Stories, Tom Keenan sits down with Kristina Karcic (Founder Karcic Partners) to explore how AI is reshaping the future of HR. For years, HR teams have known that people learn, communicate, and engage differently, but limited time and resources often forced organizations into one-size-fits-all approaches. Kristina shares why AI is changing that equation, giving HR leaders the ability to personalize communication, tailor programs to different employee personas, and create more meaningful workplace experiences at scale.

  7. Jun 2

    The Unwritten Rules Are Costing You with Laura Hammond

    In this episode of Trust Stories, Tom Keenan sits down with Laura Hammond, Founder of The People People, to discuss why today's workforce is struggling with communication, workplace confidence, and other critical soft skills. They explore the impact of remote work, the loss of informal mentorship, and what leaders can do to help employees build trust, credibility, and stronger workplace relationships.

  8. May 25

    Building Trust at Work Starts with Better Communication with Pamela Kaye

    Why do so many leaders think they're communicating clearly while employees walk away feeling unheard? In this episode of Trust Stories, Tom Keenan sits down with internal communications consultant Pamela Kaye to unpack one of the biggest challenges facing workplaces today: the gap between what leaders say and what people actually hear. They explore how trust breaks down, why authenticity matters more than ever, the communication mistakes leaders continue to make, and what organizations can do to create stronger, more connected teams in an era shaped by AI, remote work, and changing employee expectations.

  9. Apr 21

    Navigating the Intersection of AI and Human Values: Insights from Tey Bannerman

    In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, understanding how to effectively integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into businesses is crucial. In this episode of Trust Stories, host Tom Keenan welcomes Tey Bennerman, a former McKinsey partner turned entrepreneur, who shares his insights on harnessing AI for good while emphasizing the importance of personal branding and vulnerability in today’s corporate environment.

  10. Mar 16

    Employee Engagement Is Broken. Here’s What Comes Next.

    In this episode of Trust Stories, Tom Keenan sits down with Kristy McCann, former HR executive, founder of GoCoach and SkillCycle, and one of the most candid voices in modern HR tech.   Together, they unpack why traditional employee engagement approaches are no longer working, from annual surveys and performance reviews to bloated systems that create more admin than action. Kristy shares what HR leaders actually need instead: real-time insight, better feedback loops, and tools that help people grow in the flow of work.   It’s a thoughtful conversation about employee engagement, trust, and what the next generation of HR technology should really look like.

  11. Mar 9

    Rebuilding Trust in a Low-Trust World

    In this episode, Tom Keenan speaks with Charles H. Green, founder of Trusted Advisor Associates and co-author of The Trusted Advisor, about why trust feels harder to build today and what individuals can do about it. They explore the difference between trust and trustworthiness, why trust requires risk, and why listening is the most underrated skill in modern leadership. A practical conversation about rebuilding trust in a digital world.

  12. Feb 8

    How Trust Actually Works: The Trust Equation with Noelle Mykolenko

    In the first episode of Trust Stories, Relate co-founder Tom Keenan sits down with Noelle Mykolenko, CEO of Trusted Advisor Associates, to unpack how trust actually works in professional relationships. Drawing from decades of experience and the foundational Trust Equation, Noel breaks down the four components of trustworthiness: credibility, reliability, intimacy, and self-orientation. Together, they explore why trust is often misunderstood, why it does not actually take years to build, and why being competent and dependable is rarely enough on its own. This conversation sets the foundation for the series and challenges common assumptions about trust in modern, virtual-first work. If you want to understand how trust is formed, measured, and strengthened in the conversations that matter most, this episode is the place to start.

  • 12 Episodes

About

Trust Stories is a podcast about how trust is built, tested, and sometimes broken in the conversations that matter most at work. Hosted by Tom Keenan of Relate, each episode features real stories from leaders, operators, and builders navigating high-stakes meetings, decisions, and relationships. We unpack what actually creates credibility, reliability, and connection, not in theory but in practice, and what small shifts can change the outcome of a conversation. Because trust isn’t a soft skill. It’s a measurable one.

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