Unboxing the Office

Bernard Youngblood

Corporate culture, health & wellness, they are ALL connected. Unboxing the Office is where bold conversations about corporate culture, health, and wellness come to life. Hosted in-person with business leaders, HR professionals, and change-makers, each episode explores the real forces shaping the modern workplace—from tech trends to cafeteria food. If you're building a healthier, smarter office—or just trying to survive one—this is your new go-to. Subscribe for monthly episodes that rethink how (and why) we work.

  1. Unboxing the Office at IFMA World Workplace 2025 | The Future of Facilities with ProKey

    FEB 23

    Unboxing the Office at IFMA World Workplace 2025 | The Future of Facilities with ProKey

    Recorded live from IFMA World Workplace 2025, this special "Tradshow," i.e. traditional tradeshow, edition of Unboxing the Office features an energetic, thought-provoking conversation with Ryan Connoy and Curtis Hagen of ProKey, an ArchKey Solutions company. This episode isn’t just about integrated facility services.  It’s about culture. Leadership. AI. Generational change. And the future of work.  Ryan shares how ProKey approaches integrated facility services — not just maintaining buildings, but collaborating with clients to create environments where safety, productivity, and performance thrive.  Then CJ — a 21-year-old Information Systems major — steps in and delivers one of the most compelling perspectives we’ve heard on this show: • Why facilities management is more engaging than people realize• Why trade shows sometimes feel like “LinkedIn parties”• How Gen Z views collaboration and leadership• Why culture matters more than job titles• How AI and small, agile teams are reshaping the business landscape The conversation dives deep into how organizations must adapt — not just to technology — but to mindset shifts led by younger professionals entering the workforce. ✅ Topics Covered in This Episode • What “Integrated Facility Services” actually means• How internship culture can shape long-term talent retention• Why facilities management offers real career growth for Gen Z• How AI is leveling the playing field between small teams and enterprise giants• Why intentional workplace environments drive productivity If you’re a facilities leader, executive, project manager, or emerging professional wondering where this industry is headed…this episode is for you. 👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations about collaboration, culture, and the next generation of facilities professionals. 🔗 Learn more about Ryan Connoy: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-connoy-209074135/] 🔗 Learn more about Curtis Hagen: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtishagen/] 🔗 Learn more about ProKey: [https://www.archkey.com/prokey/] 🔗 Learn more about HOTLOGIC®, the AI Oven: [https://hotlogicappliances.com/] #IFMA #HotLogic #ProKey #CorporateCulture #UnboxingtheOffice

    42 min
  2. Unboxing the Office | Episode 14: Mission-Driven Culture and Scaling a Nonprofit with Rikki Harris

    FEB 19

    Unboxing the Office | Episode 14: Mission-Driven Culture and Scaling a Nonprofit with Rikki Harris

    In this powerful episode of Unboxing the Office, Bernie Youngblood sits down with Rikki Harris, CEO of TN Voices, to explore what it really takes to scale a mission-driven organization without sacrificing culture, people, or purpose. Rikki shares the deeply personal journey that led to her mental health advocacy, the leadership lessons that transformed a small nonprofit into a statewide organization, and how focusing on people first can drive growth in ways dashboards never could.  From leadership sabbaticals and overcoming fear…to collaboration vs competition…to the future of workplace mental health and innovative treatment approaches, this conversation dives deep into the human side of leadership, and the future of the workplace. ✅ In this episode, they explore:—Scaling nonprofits through mission-driven growth—A leadership sabbatical that eliminated fear—Building a human-centered workplace culture—Growing through collaboration and partnerships—The workplace impact of the mental health crisis—Faith and purpose in executive leadership Whether you’re a CEO, manager, entrepreneur, or someone passionate about culture and purpose at work, this episode is packed with perspective-shifting insights. 📚 Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Unboxing the Office02:05 Rikki’s Origin Story & Path to Mental Health08:20 Scaling TN Voices from Startup Nonprofit to Statewide Organization13:30 The Leadership Sabbatical That Changed Everything18:25 Overcoming Fear as a Leader22:10 The Mental Health Crisis & Loss of Community28:05 How TN Voices Serves People Across the Lifespan33:40 Funding, Workforce Challenges & Partnerships with the State38:50 Aligning Board, Leadership & Mission42:10 Building Human-Centered Workplace Culture44:30 Collaboration vs Competition & Win-Win Leadership46:15 Faith, Purpose & Leadership Decision-Making48:10 The Power of Perspective — Rikki’s Upcoming Book51:00 Innovation in Mental Health & Advocacy for New Treatments53:30 Where to Learn More & Closing Thoughts 👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations about workplace culture, leadership, and the human side of business. 🔗 Learn more about Rikki Harris: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikki-harris-08a3963/] 🔗 Learn more about TN Voices: [https://tnvoices.org/] 🔗 Learn more about HOTLOGIC®, the AI Oven: [https://hotlogicappliances.com/] #TNVoices #UnboxingTheOffice #HotLogic  #WorkplaceCulture #NonprofitLeadership

    55 min
  3. Unboxing the Office at IFMA World Workplace 2025 | Trust & Workplace Well-Being with FloWater

    JAN 30

    Unboxing the Office at IFMA World Workplace 2025 | Trust & Workplace Well-Being with FloWater

    Recorded live from the show floor at IFMA World Workplace 2025, this special edition of the Unboxing the Office podcast features an engaging conversation with Mark Trudeau, VP of Sales at FloWater — a company redefining how workplaces think about drinking water. In this episode, we unpack why water quality is no longer a “nice to have” in modern facilities, but a critical component of employee health, trust, and productivity. Mark explains how FloWater’s seven-stage purification and remineralization process delivers cleaner, better-tasting water directly from the tap — without plastic bottles, five-gallon jugs, or guesswork. The conversation goes beyond hydration, touching on real-world challenges facilities managers face today, including aging infrastructure, water safety concerns, sustainability, and the education gap around what’s actually in municipal water systems. We also explore FloWater’s powerful work in communities like Flint, Michigan, where access to trusted water matters most. ✅ Topics Covered in This Episode • Why hydrated employees are happier — and more productive• The truth about reverse osmosis and remineralization• Water trust, aging pipes, and the hidden risks in municipal systems• Sustainability, microplastics, and reducing plastic bottle dependency• How better water improves coffee, tea, and the entire workplace experience• Why facilities managers play a bigger role in culture than they realize If you’re a facilities manager, workplace leader, HR professional, or anyone responsible for employee experience, this episode offers practical insight into how small infrastructure decisions can have an outsized impact on morale, wellness, and performance. 👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations on workplace culture, facilities, and the future of work. 🔗 Learn more about Mark Trudeau: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtrudeau14/] 🔗 Learn more about FloWater: [https://drinkflowater.com/] 🔗 Learn more about HOTLOGIC®, the AI Oven: [https://hotlogicappliances.com/] #IFMA #WorldWorkplace2025 #FacilitiesManagement #HotLogic #AIoven #SmartShelfOven #BreakroomInnovation #BreakroomUpgrade #WorkplaceInnovation #WorkplaceCulture #CorporateCulture #OrganizationalCulture #FutureofWork #BusinessLeadership #HRtrends #WorkplaceWellness #CorporateWellness #EmployeeWellness #HealthyWorkplace #EmployeeHealth #EmployeeEngagement #EmployeeExperience #Nutrition #Fitness #Sleep #Health #Wellness #ReturntoWork #BusinessPodcast #UnboxingtheOffice

    9 min
  4. Unboxing the Office | Episode 13: LouAnn Clark on Mental Wellness & Rebuilding Workplace Culture

    JAN 20

    Unboxing the Office | Episode 13: LouAnn Clark on Mental Wellness & Rebuilding Workplace Culture

    In this powerful and deeply human episode of Unboxing the Office, Bernie Youngblood sits down with motivational speaker, author, and podcast host LouAnn Clark for a wide-ranging conversation on mindset, mental wellness, and how the way we think shapes our lives, our leadership, and our workplaces. After battling depression for nearly two decades, LouAnn discovered that lasting change didn’t come from “positive thinking,” but from what she calls decided thinking — a practical, reasoned approach to reshaping our inner dialogue. Together, Bernie and LouAnn explore how inner critics sabotage performance, why toxic positivity fails people at work, and how healthier thinking patterns can transform corporate culture, creativity, and productivity. ✅ In this episode, they explore: —Why “decided thinking” creates more lasting change than positive thinking —How inner critics quietly undermine confidence, performance, and leadership —The hidden cost of toxic positivity in workplaces and relationships —Why mental wellness is foundational to healthy corporate culture —How psychological safety fuels creativity, innovation, and retention —Simple mindset shifts leaders can model to strengthen teams This episode goes deep — from personal struggle to professional application — and offers practical insight for leaders, teams, and individuals navigating stress, change, and uncertainty in today’s workplace. 📚 Chapters 00:00 – Welcome to Unboxing the Office 03:10 – LouAnn Clark’s Story: From Depression to Decided Thinking 10:45 – Why “Normal Reactions” Matter More Than Labels 17:30 – The Difference Between Positive Thinking and Decided Thinking 25:20 – Toxic Positivity Explained (The Airport Story) 32:40 – The Inner Critic at Work 41:15 – Thinking Is a Skill (And Skills Can Be Learned) 49:50 – Applying Mental Wellness Inside Organizations 58:10 – Failure, Feedback & Creating Psychological Safety 58:30 – Renovational vs. Motivational Thinking 👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge how we think, lead, and build workplace cultures where people—and performance—can thrive. 🔗 Learn more about LouAnn Clark’s work: [https://www.louannclark.com/] 🔗 Learn more about LouAnn Clark’s book: [https://a.co/d/bldxVf4] 🔗 Learn more about the “A Decided Difference” Podcast: [https://www.louannclark.com/podcast] 🔗 Learn more about HOTLOGIC®, the AI Oven: [https://hotlogicappliances.com/] #MentalWellness #LeadershipDevelopment #MindsetMatters #PsychologicalSafety #HealthyWorkplaces #HotLogic #SmartShelfOven #BreakroomInnovation #WorkplaceInnovation #WorkplaceCulture #CorporateCulture #OrganizationalCulture #FutureofWork #BusinessLeadership #HumanCapacity #WorkplaceWellness #CorporateWellness #EmployeeWellness #HealthyWorkplace #EmployeeHealth #EmployeeEngagement #EmployeeExperience #Nutrition #Fitness #Sleep #Health #Wellness #MentalHealth #BusinessPodcast #UnboxingtheOffice

    1h 7m
  5. Unboxing the Office | Episode 12: Dr. Nashay Lowe on Transforming Conflict and Culture

    12/06/2025

    Unboxing the Office | Episode 12: Dr. Nashay Lowe on Transforming Conflict and Culture

    In this deeply insightful episode, host Bernie Youngblood sits down with Dr. Nashay Lowe—conflict transformation strategist, global practitioner, scholar, and host of "The Resolution Room” Podcast—for a conversation that reframes how we think about conflict, communication, corporate culture, and the human experience at work. From her years with the Peace Corps, and global conflict research across more than 30 countries, to her groundbreaking Allyship Ecosystem Model, to her work rebuilding culture inside U.S. institutions, Dr. Lowe reveals the patterns, pressures, and human stories that shape how modern teams succeed—or break apart. Together, Bernie and Dr. Lowe unpack the realities of an overworked, under-connected workforce, and the practical tools leaders and teams can use to rebuild trust, clarity, and alignment in an age defined by speed, stress, and AI. ✅ In this episode, they explore:—Why communication failures are the hidden root of most workplace conflict—How identity, culture, and global experience shape how we work—Why role clarity and accountability are collapsing—and how to fix both—How AI will challenge leaders to be more human, not less—Why real transformation requires patience, practice, and emotional courage—The path to rebuilding corporate culture one conversation at a time Dr. Lowe brings a rare blend of global insight, academic rigor, and disarming honesty—breaking down how conflict, when handled well, becomes a catalyst for clarity, collaboration, and cultural strength. 📚 Chapters 00:00 – Welcome to Unboxing the Office00:44 – Introducing Dr. Nashay Lowe03:04 – From Peace Corps to PhD: A Global Path to Conflict Work08:26 – Why Americans Tie Identity to Work12:05 – Corporate Culture in Crisis: A Doctor’s Diagnosis17:40 – Communication: The Real Root of Most Workplace Problems22:55 – Social Media, Groupthink & Cognitive Overload29:18 – AI, Speed & Why Humans Weren’t Built for This Pace35:42 – Role Clarity, Accountability & Organizational Breakdown44:03 – Leadership vs. Management: Trust, Delegation & Empowerment51:20 – Rediscovering Shared Mission & Meaning at Work58:12 – Why Real Transformation Takes Time (More Than a Workshop)01:09:45 – Can Corporate Culture Be Saved? Dr. Lowe’s Final Answer 👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge how we lead, communicate, and build workplaces where people—and purpose—can thrive. 🔗 Learn more about Dr. Nashay Lowe: [https://linktr.ee/loweinsights] 🔗 Learn more about Dr. Lowe’s work: [https://www.loweinsights.com/] 🔗 Learn more about “The Resolution Room” Podcast: [https://shows.acast.com/the-resolutio...] 🔗 Learn more about HOTLOGIC®, the AI Oven: [https://hotlogicappliances.com/] ***Fact Check: Dr. Lowe’s dissertation model was referred to as the Allyship Economic Model. It’s actually called the Allyship Ecosystem Model. #ConflictTransformation #ConflictResolution #HotLogic #AIoven #SmartShelfOven #SmartOven #BreakroomInnovation #BreakroomUpgrade #WorkplaceInnovation #CorporateCulture #OrganizationalCulture #FutureofWork #BusinessLeadership #HumanCapacity #WorkplaceWellness #CorporateWellness #EmployeeWellness #HealthyWorkplace #EmployeeHealth #EmployeeEngagement #EmployeeExperience #Nutrition #Fitness #Sleep #Health #Wellness #MentalHealth #ReturntoWork #BusinessPodcast #UnboxingtheOffice

    1h 16m
  6. Unboxing the Office | Episode 11: Pedro LaTorre on Living Beyond the Prison of Self

    12/06/2025

    Unboxing the Office | Episode 11: Pedro LaTorre on Living Beyond the Prison of Self

    In this powerful episode, host Bernie Youngblood sits down with Pedro LaTorre—speaker, author, musician, and founder of Purpose Academy™—to explore what it truly means to live with courage, clarity, and purpose. From a life-altering baseball injury to touring the world as a Christian hip-hop drummer, to mentoring under world-renowned speakers, Pedro shares how his journey of pain, stillness, and healing reshaped his definition of success. ✅ Together, Bernie and Pedro unpack lessons on emotional health, authentic leadership, and what it takes to build culture that truly serves both people and purpose - —The difference between self-actualization and transcendence—Why “servant leadership” requires authenticity, not labels—How emotional health drives sustainable performance and ROI—The power of healing as the foundation of true purpose 📘 Pedro’s latest book, "The Purpose Mandate: Living Beyond the Prison of Self," challenges the self-centric mindset of modern culture—calling leaders and individuals alike to transcend ego, embrace healing, and rediscover meaning through service. 📚 Chapters 00:00 – Welcome to Unboxing the Office01:05 – Introducing Pedro LaTorre03:10 – From Baseball Dreams to Touring Musician08:45 – The Turning Point: Faith, Injury, and Reinvention14:25 – The Power of Stillness and Presence20:40 – Discovering Purpose Through Suffering27:10 – Marriage, Healing, and Redefining Success33:45 – Corporate Culture, Heart, and Emotional Health40:55 – Profit, Purpose, and Playing the Long Game47:10 – Leadership Lessons from Dave Ramsey & Charity:Water53:25 – The Purpose Mandate: Living Beyond the Prison of Self01:00:05 – The Truth About “Servant Leadership” 👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more stories that challenge how we lead, live, and love what we do. 🔗 Learn more about Pedro LaTorre: [https://www.pedrolatorre.com/] 🔗 Learn more about Pedro’s work: [https://www.bravewrk.com/] 🔗 Learn more about PURPOSE SKOOL: [https://www.skool.com/purposeskool/about] 🔗 Learn more about HOTLOGIC®, the AI Oven: [https://hotlogicappliances.com/] #FaithAndLeadership #HotLogic #AIoven #SmartShelfOven #SmartOven #BreakroomInnovation #BreakroomUpgrade #WorkplaceInnovation #CorporateCulture #OrganizationalCulture #FutureofWork #BusinessLeadership #HumanCapacity #HRtrends #WorkplaceWellness #CorporateWellness #EmployeeWellness #HealthyWorkplace #EmployeeHealth #ProductivityBoost #EmployeeEngagement #EmployeeExperience #Nutrition #Fitness #Sleep #Health #Wellness #MentalHealth #ReturntoWork #BusinessPodcast #UnboxingtheOffice

    1h 2m
  7. Unboxing the Office | Episode 10: Joy Hoffman on Flourishing, Resilience & the Future of Work

    10/29/2025

    Unboxing the Office | Episode 10: Joy Hoffman on Flourishing, Resilience & the Future of Work

    In this powerful episode, Bernie Youngblood sits down with Joy Hoffman — creative director, systems thinker, and founder of the One of One Collective — to explore what it truly means for individuals and organizations to flourish. From her life-changing experiences in the Amazon rainforest to her pioneering work in regenerative design and community building, Joy shares how creativity, compassion, and systems thinking can reshape corporate culture for a more human future. ✅ Together, Bernie and Joy unpack the following topics: —Why it's important to remember businesses are not machines, but living systems—How sociocracy and living systems design can inform healthier, more adaptive workplaces—Why feeling safe and loved is essential for fostering creativity and innovation—What leaders can learn from the regenerative movement about building cultures that give more than they consume—How AI and decentralized workforces are changing everything about how we build community at work 💡 Watch, reflect, and share, because the future of work isn’t just about productivity. It’s about purpose, connection, and creating systems that enable people to thrive. 📚 CHAPTERS 00:00 — Introduction & sponsor message02:00 — Joy’s unlikely journey: from Waffle House to the Amazon rainforest09:00 — Defining “flourishing” and why it matters for organizations14:30 — Connection, reciprocity, and the mutual nature of flourishing17:00 — The science of safety, love, and creativity in workplace culture20:00 — Breaking the adversarial model of business25:00 — Integral theory, human development, and transcending duality29:00 — The Regenerative Movement: beyond sustainability33:00 — AI’s impact on culture, creativity, and decentralization36:00 — Designing at human scale and the failure of fear-based decisions50:00 — Businesses are not machines: the living systems approach57:00 — Sociocracy, teal organizations, and rethinking decision-making1:03:00 — Safe, loved, and creative: supporting artists within enterprise 👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations about culture, leadership, and innovation. 🔗 Learn more about Joy Hoffman: [https://www.joy-hoffman.com/] 🔗 Learn more about the One of One Collective: [https://www.oneofonecollective.org/] 🔗 Learn more about HOTLOGIC®, the AI Oven: [https://hotlogicappliances.com/] #RegenerativeDesign #RegenerativeMovement #Sociocracy #LivingSystemsDesign #HumanCenteredLeadership #WorkplaceWellbeing #Flourishing #CorporateCulture #OrganizationalCulture #FutureofWork #BusinessLeadership #HumanCapacity #HRtrends #WorkplaceWellness #CorporateWellness #EmployeeWellness #HealthyWorkplace #EmployeeHealth #ProductivityBoost #EmployeeEngagement #EmployeeExperience #Nutrition #Fitness #Sleep #Health #Wellness #MentalHealth #ReturntoWork #BusinessPodcast #UnboxingtheOffice

    1h 9m
  8. Unboxing the Office | Episode 9: Connection Over Control — Ted Baker | Serial Entrepreneur

    10/29/2025

    Unboxing the Office | Episode 9: Connection Over Control — Ted Baker | Serial Entrepreneur

    In this thought-provoking episode of "Unboxing the Office," host Bernie Youngblood sits down with Ted Baker—a man who’s been everything from a restaurateur and actor to global entrepreneur and medical device innovator. From Venice Beach to the Vatican, Ted shares the unlikely story of how his daughter's safety inspired the creation of a new kind of tech—Drop Band—a screenless, Wi-Fi-free wearable that keeps kids connected to their parents without sacrificing childhood to screens. ✅ Together, Bernie and Ted peel back the layers of: —Parenting in a tech-obsessed culture—Why purpose—not perks—makes men and businesses thrive—The value of getting “punched in the face” as an entrepreneur—What real servant leadership looks like in the modern workplace—Why corporate culture is broken—and how breaking bread might help to fix it—Why connection—not control—is the future of leadership in the AI Era 🚸 From Montessori-style parenting to the downfall of disconnected organizations, this episode delivers a raw, honest look at what it takes to build companies—and families—that last. 📚 CHAPTERS 00:00 – Welcome + Who Is Ted Baker?03:30 – The Birth of Drop Band: A Tech-Free Way to Keep Kids Safe06:15 – “95% of You Shouldn’t Be Entrepreneurs”08:00 – Purpose Over Pleasure: How Marriage Changed My Career10:30 – A Second Chance at Parenting After Tech Mistakes13:00 – Why My 10-Year-Old Doesn’t Have a Phone16:30 – Time Is the Most Precious Asset18:30 – Reclaiming Our Attention: Landlines, Light Phones, and No Wi-Fi24:15 – In-Person Meetings are better than Zooms (and Always Will Be)28:00 – Culture Is Crumbling—And It Starts at the Top34:15 – Why Breaking Bread Might Save Your Company42:00 – Servant Leadership: What It Is and Why It’s Rare 👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes where we rethink modern leadership, protect what matters most, and explore how real connection—at home and at work—can reshape the future. 🔗 Learn more about Drop Band: [https://drop.band/] 🔗 Learn more about HOTLOGIC®, the AI Oven: [https://hotlogicappliances.com/] #HotLogic #AIoven #SmartShelfOven #SmartOven #BreakroomInnovation #BreakroomUpgrade #WorkplaceInnovation #CorporateCulture #OrganizationalCulture #FutureofWork #BusinessLeadership #HumanCapacity #HRtrends #WorkplaceWellness #CorporateWellness #EmployeeWellness #HealthyWorkplace #EmployeeHealth #ProductivityBoost #EmployeeEngagement #EmployeeExperience #Nutrition #Fitness #Sleep #Health #Wellness #MentalHealth #ReturntoWork #BusinessPodcast #UnboxingtheOffice

    58 min

About

Corporate culture, health & wellness, they are ALL connected. Unboxing the Office is where bold conversations about corporate culture, health, and wellness come to life. Hosted in-person with business leaders, HR professionals, and change-makers, each episode explores the real forces shaping the modern workplace—from tech trends to cafeteria food. If you're building a healthier, smarter office—or just trying to survive one—this is your new go-to. Subscribe for monthly episodes that rethink how (and why) we work.