Gut + Science

Nikki Lewallen Gregory
  • 5.0 (103)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Gut + Science

Gut+Science is a fast-paced, storytelling-oriented podcast that 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. Host Nikki Lewallen Gregory loves to bring out the fire in people and highlight the newest needed tools and information that build more meaningful work experiences.

  1. 10H AGO

    305: Future-Proofing Leadership with Dr. Rosie Ward

    What’s really keeping leaders stuck? 🤔 Dr. Rosie Ward joins Nikki to reveal the 7 subconscious “faulty programs” sabotaging leadership success—from the Overachiever to the Counterfeit. Based on data from 250+ leaders, this convo is all about breaking free from burnout, embracing authenticity, and transforming the way we lead in today’s VUCA world 🌪️✨ Don’t miss this deep (and fun!) dive into the human side of leadership 💡   Additional Resources: Get the Future Proofing Leadership White Paper! Connect with Rosie on LinkedIn Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn  Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Most leaders are unknowingly stuck in subconscious patterns formed during childhood. There are 7 common “faulty programs” that keep leaders from reaching their potential. Leadership transformation starts with inner work—not another quick-fix training. Human-centered skills like vulnerability and real connection are the future of leadership.

    46 min

  2. APR 15

    Leading at the Speed of Life with Sue Ellspermann

    In this episode of “In the Loop,” Katherine is joined by Dr. Sue Ellspermann, President of Ivy Tech Community College! From engineer to Lt. Governor to higher ed powerhouse, Sue shares how she leads with passion, strategy, and radical transparency. They dive into how she unites thousands of employees across Indiana with a shared vision, why repetition is her secret weapon, and what it takes to keep communication clear in complex systems 💡💚   Additional Resources: Connect with Katherine Coble on LinkedIn Learn more about Borshoff Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Facilitative communication creates space for shared ownership and growth. Strategic planning isn't just a document—it's a movement that requires buy-in and clarity. “Go slow to go fast” is the key to sustainable organizational alignment. Leaders must repeat messages consistently—it’s not redundancy, it’s reinforcement. Community colleges are at the forefront of workforce evolution through stackable, skills-based credentials. The most effective leadership comes from having a soft heart, thick skin, and clear vision.

    34 min

  3. APR 10

    304: From Perk to Priority: Why Pet Benefits Are the Future of Workplace Culture with Michelle Yates

    Pets at work? 🐶 Yes, please! In this episode, Nikki teams up with Michelle Yates from Pet Partners to explore why pet perks are no longer just cute extras—they're culture-shaping power moves. From pet bereavement to paw-ternity leave and “pet working” events 🐾, they dish out creative, doable ways to bring more tail wags and team vibes into your workplace. Whether your team is remote or in-office, get ready for a dose of joy, strategy, and a whole lotta heart. ❤️   Additional Resources: Download the Insider's Guide to Getting the Most out of your Voluntary Benefits Learn how to create pet-friendly workspaces with the Dogs at Work Guide! Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn Learn more about PetPartners Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn  Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Pet benefits aren’t just perks—they’re engagement, recruitment, and retention tools. Customization is key: pet culture at work can range from simple Slack channels to pet stipends and mascots. Pet-related grief is real, and bereavement leave for pet loss matters deeply to employees. Bringing pets into culture discussions builds bonds and fosters community—virtually or in person.   Works Cited: KRC Research conducted an online survey on behalf of OnePack Plan by Pet Partners among n=1,000 employed US adults 18-65. The sample included n=750 pet owners and n=250 non-pet owners. The study was fielded between August 19 - August 22, 2024. Cohen Research Group in conjunction with OnePack Plan by PetPartners and the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) conducted an online survey over a two-week period from February 22 to March 7, 2024, with 1,021 HR professionals working for medium or large companies in the United States and Canada. By design, half of the respondents work at companies currently offering pet health insurance to their employees and half did not offer it to them. For terms and conditions visit: www.petpartners.com/sample-policies. Products are underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company, (NAIC #26581), and produced by PetPartners, Inc. (NPN #7612549; CA license #0F27261 PPI Pet Insurance Agency, Inc.).

    34 min

  4. APR 3

    303: Prioritize Autonomy & Create A Culture of Ownership with Tina Moe

    What happens when you ditch micromanagement and start leading with trust? Tina Moe, CPA and founder of ACT Services, shares how she turned workaholic tendencies into a thriving culture of autonomy. From dropping timesheets to rewarding longevity with unlimited PTO, she’s redefining leadership—one empowered team member at a time. If you’re tired of feeling like you have to do it all, this episode is your permission slip to let go, level up, and build a team that owns their work. 🔥   Additional Resources: Connect with Tina on LinkedIn Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn  Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Autonomy creates problem solvers, not just employees. Encourage team members to take ownership by bringing solutions alongside challenges. Control is an illusion. Leaders who struggle with autonomy often believe they must maintain control over outcomes—but true leadership is about trust and clarity. EOS provides a framework for autonomy with accountability. Defining clear roles and responsibilities gives team members confidence to own their work. Workaholic culture is not sustainable. Building a business shouldn’t come at the cost of health and relationships. Small shifts create big impact. Simple changes—like eliminating timesheets or offering flexible PTO—can reinforce a culture of trust.

    26 min

  5. MAR 27

    302: Advocating for the Employee with Jennifer Knotts

    What does it really mean to advocate for employees? In this episode, Nikki is joined by Jennifer Knotts, CFO of IDO Incorporated, who is proving that leadership isn’t about following a straight path—it’s about forging your own!💡 Jennifer’s journey is anything but traditional, and that’s exactly why she’s passionate about thinking outside the box. She shares how her company listens to employees, acts on their feedback, and creates an inclusive culture where people actually love coming to work. We’re diving into game-changing leadership practices—like the “Love Jar,” a heartwarming tradition that spreads gratitude, and a stress-level check-in that ensures no one feels overwhelmed. ❤️🔥 If you’re looking for fresh ways to boost engagement, empower your team, and build a workplace where people thrive, this episode is packed with golden nuggets.   Additional Resources: Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn Learn more about IDO Incorporated Take the SKOR Snapshot Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn  Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Thinking outside the box is a leadership muscle. Creativity isn’t just for designers—leaders must practice innovative thinking to solve problems and engage employees effectively. Employee feedback is only valuable if it leads to action. IDO Incorporated transformed survey responses into new policies, including floating holidays and technology upgrades. Work-life balance should be intentional. The team uses a unique stress check-in system where colleagues immediately offer support if someone’s workload is overwhelming. Gratitude fuels engagement. The Love Jar encourages employees to recognize and appreciate one another in a tangible, lasting way. Culture takes time, but the effort pays off. With a people-first approach, IDO has maintained zero turnover for over a year—a true testament to its leadership.

    31 min

  6. MAR 20

    301: Workplace Rituals with Una Japundza

    Company rituals aren’t just for fun—they’re the glue that holds teams together.🤝 In this episode, Una Japundza, CRO at HeyTaco, joins Nikki to unpack the magic of rituals in building connection, reinforcing values, and making work more meaningful. From sports teams to remote workplaces, Una shares why small, repeated actions create BIG impact. Expect real-world examples, creative ideas, and tips on making recognition a habit—not an afterthought. 🌮   Additional Resources: Connect with Una on LinkedIn Learn more about HeyTaco 🌮 Take the SKOR Snapshot Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn  Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Rituals are how societies (and organizations) come together. They create connection and reinforce company values through repeated, meaningful actions. The difference between rituals and traditions: Traditions are broad customs; rituals are the specific actions taken to reinforce them. Rituals help remote teams stay connected. In a virtual world, structured moments of engagement are key to fostering belonging. Recognition should spotlight both givers and receivers. Those who take the time to uplift others should be celebrated too. Leaders should involve their teams in creating rituals. When employees co-create rituals, they are more meaningful and sustainable.

    37 min

  7. MAR 18

    How to Give and Get the Best Feedback with Katherine Coble

    Employees crave feedback—96% say they want it! But let’s be honest… giving and receiving feedback can be awkward. 😬 In this episode of “In the Loop”, Katherine is tackling the art of feedback—how to do it well, when to give it, and why it matters. Inspired by "Radical Candor" by Kim Scott, Katherine explores how to balance caring personally while challenging directly (without being too harsh… or too nice). Plus, we’re sharing the "Four F’s of Feedback"—a simple formula to make your feedback clear, actionable, and actually helpful. 🎯   Additional Resources: Download this PDF to learn how to get + give great feedback! Learn more about Radical Candor Connect with Katherine Coble on LinkedIn Learn more about Borshoff Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Feedback drives engagement: Employees who receive the right amount of feedback are the most engaged. Feedback should be immediate: Giving feedback as close to the event as possible makes it more effective. Leaders must also ask for feedback: Creating a culture of feedback starts with leaders modeling openness to receiving it. Balance care with challenge: Inspired by Radical Candor, leaders must care personally while challenging directly. The "Four F’s of Feedback" framework: Frame the conversation, focus on the future, allow for feelings, and follow up.

    18 min

  8. MAR 14

    Meeting Modes with Steve Perkins

    🚀 Say goodbye to pointless meetings! Ever sat through a meeting and thought, Could this have been an email? 🤦‍♂️ In this final special episode from The Roots Up Approach, Steve and Nikki are here to fix that with a simple but powerful framework: Flare, Focus, and Share. Learn how to run meetings with purpose, keep engagement high, and actually get things done—no more time-wasting, just real impact. PS… look out for more of The Roots Up Approach on Addicted to Betterment starting next week!🤩   Additional Resources: Take the RootsUp Quiz! Connect with Steve on LinkedIn Listen to the RootsUp Podcast! Learn more about Greenhouse Coaching Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: The core issue with meetings is that most people were never taught how to run them effectively. Leaders must shift from doing the work to designing how work gets done. Meetings should follow one of three modes: Flare (brainstorming), Focus (decision-making), or Share (updates). Clearly defining the meeting mode upfront prevents misalignment and frustration. Meetings should always end with defined action steps, ownership, and deadlines.

    33 min
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5
out of 5
103 Ratings

About

Gut+Science is a fast-paced, storytelling-oriented podcast that 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. Host Nikki Lewallen Gregory loves to bring out the fire in people and highlight the newest needed tools and information that build more meaningful work experiences.

Information

  • Creator
    Nikki Lewallen Gregory
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2025
  • Episodes
    470
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2020 • Gut + Science
  • Show Website
    Gut + Science

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