Culture Secrets

Chellie Phillips
  • 4.7 (3)
  • Management
  • Updated Semiweekly

Culture is more than a mission statement — it’s the everyday experience people have inside your organization. Join international best-selling author, speaker, and workplace culture expert Chellie Phillips on the Culture Secrets Podcast as she shares practical strategies, real-world stories, and honest conversations about building people-centered workplaces. Each episode is designed to help leaders improve communication, strengthen trust, increase engagement, and create cultures where both employees and organizations thrive. You’ll also find 5 for 55 mini-pods — quick, 5-minute episodes designed to give you practical leadership and culture takeaways in less time than it takes to finish your coffee. If you want to lead with more clarity, connection, and purpose, you’re in the right place.

  1. 2h ago

    5 for 55: The New Coke Lesson: 5 Leadership Lessons from a Famous Marketing Failure

    5 for 55 is the weekly micro-podcast where Chellie Phillips shares one story, one leadership lesson, and one small shift you can apply immediately—in five minutes or less.  What happens when one of the world's most recognizable brands gets it wrong? In 1985, Coca-Cola replaced its iconic formula with New Coke. Just 79 days later, it reversed course after overwhelming customer backlash. Most people remember New Coke as a marketing failure. I see it as one of the greatest leadership lessons ever. In this episode of 5 for 55, I share five practical leadership lessons inspired by the New Coke story, including why listening matters more than being right, how humility builds trust, and why change should always have a purpose. Plus, I'll leave you with one One Small Shift you can put into practice immediately. Because leadership isn't about having all the answers—it's about being willing to listen. What You'll Learn✔️ Why listening is more valuable than assumptions ✔️ The danger of changing something simply because it's "new" ✔️ How admitting mistakes can actually strengthen trust ✔️ Why customer and employee feedback matters ✔️ One simple leadership habit to practice this week One Small ShiftThis week's challenge: Instead of defending your next idea, ask: "Help me understand what I'm missing." You might be surprised by what you learn. If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another leader, communicator, or friend. You can also connect with me at chelliephillips.com and subscribe to my Culture, Coffee & Common Sense newsletter for more practical leadership and communication insights. Remember... Growth doesn't happen all at once. It happens one small shift at a time. And there's no speed limit on growth. Thanks for listening. Grab the book the original podcast is based on at https://mybook.to/culturesecrets . Want more quick leadership tips? Sign up for my FREE bi-weekly newsletter: Coffee, Culture and Common Sense.   Check out my website www.chelliephillips.com for more great content. Follow me on LinkedIn.

  2. 1d ago

    Your Leadership Brand Is a Culture Signal with Christine Blosdale

    Your leadership brand isn’t just what you say about yourself. It’s what people believe about you based on what they experience. In this episode of Culture Secrets, Chellie Phillips sits down with Christine Blosdale, The Expert Authority Coach, to explore how leadership brand, visibility, authenticity, and trust all shape the culture leaders create. Christine shares why becoming a “go-to authority” isn’t about ego or self-promotion — it’s about owning your expertise, communicating clearly, and showing up in a way that builds confidence and connection. Together, Chellie and Christine talk about the signals leaders send, how story builds trust, why imposter syndrome often appears when we’re asked to stretch, and how leaders can become more intentional about the way their teams experience them. You’ll hear Christine’s personal stories about learning the power of voice and feedback from her mother, stepping into unexpected leadership as a radio station general manager, and discovering how visibility can create deeper trust when it’s grounded in service instead of self-promotion. If you’ve ever wondered how your presence, communication, consistency, and visibility impact your team, this conversation will help you think differently about your leadership brand — and the culture it creates. Key Takeaways Your leadership brand is not what you claim — it’s what people experience.Visibility builds trust when it is grounded in service, not ego.Leaders send signals every day through tone, energy, consistency, and action.Imposter syndrome often shows up when we are being asked to grow.Story helps people understand your credibility, values, and leadership journey.Trust grows when leaders are approachable and willing to do the work alongside their teams.Clear communication is one of the strongest foundations of leadership authority.Listeners can connect with Christine through her main website: ExpertAuthorityCoach.com That’s where you can learn more about her books, coaching, resources, and her work as The Expert Authority Coach. She also mentioned her book, The Expert Authority Code, which is available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback formats. For anyone who wants to book a complimentary 30-minute chat with her, she shared this link: chatwithchristineb.com Thanks for listening. Grab the book the original podcast is based on at https://mybook.to/culturesecrets . Want more quick leadership tips? Sign up for my FREE bi-weekly newsletter: Coffee, Culture and Common Sense.   Check out my website www.chelliephillips.com for more great content. Follow me on LinkedIn.

    Your Leadership Brand Is a Culture Signal with Christine Blosdale

  3. Jul 7

    How You Show Up Matters: The Leadership Brand People Never Forget

    People won't remember every meeting you led. They won't remember every email you sent. But they'll remember how you made them feel. In this episode of 5 for 55, Chellie Phillips shares a simple leadership lesson inspired by a quote that stopped her scrolling—and a personal story about the first leader who showed her what trust, encouragement, and belief in others really looks like. You'll discover why your professional brand isn't defined by your title, résumé, or LinkedIn profile, but by the experience people have every time they interact with you. In just five minutes, you'll learn:  Why your presence speaks before you do  How trust creates lasting influence  Why people remember how you made them feel long after they forget what you said  One simple question to ask before every meeting or conversation Plus, Chellie shares this week's One Small Shift—a practical habit you can start using today to strengthen your leadership one interaction at a time. Because your leadership brand isn't built in one big moment. It's built every day... By how you show up. Enjoyed today's episode? Subscribe to Culture, Coffee & Common Sense, Chellie's free weekly newsletter filled with practical leadership ideas, communication tips, and one small action you can put into practice immediately. 👉 Sign up here: https://chelliephillips.com/culture-coffee-commonsense/ Thanks for listening. Grab the book the original podcast is based on at https://mybook.to/culturesecrets . Want more quick leadership tips? Sign up for my FREE bi-weekly newsletter: Coffee, Culture and Common Sense.   Check out my website www.chelliephillips.com for more great content. Follow me on LinkedIn.

    How You Show Up Matters: The Leadership Brand People Never Forget

  4. Jun 30

    From Chaos to Clarity: How Leaders Turn Culture Around

    What happens when a business, team, or leader reaches the point where things feel stuck, strained, or maybe even a little broken? In this episode of the Culture Secrets Podcast, Chellie Phillips talks with Josh Post, an operations executive, business owner, fractional COO, and business turnaround specialist who helps small to mid-sized companies stabilize, strengthen leadership, align teams, and create operational clarity. Josh shares why culture is often the “canary in the coal mine” before bigger business problems show up. He and Chellie discuss the warning signs leaders often miss, including unclear communication, inconsistent accountability, low trust, too many meetings with too few decisions, and the gap between what leaders know in the boardroom and what employees experience every day. The conversation also explores how personal loss can shape leadership, why self-awareness may be the most important trait a leader can develop, how leaders unintentionally self-sabotage, and why accountability only works when trust and clarity come first. You’ll also hear Josh’s practical advice for leaders who want to turn things around in the next 90 days, including how to define the leader your organization needs, build a clear business model, and invite your team into solving the problems that matter most. If you’ve ever wondered how to move a team from chaos to clarity, this episode will give you practical insight and a fresh perspective on what culture turnaround really requires. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why culture problems often show up before financial or operational problemsHow leaders can recognize early warning signs inside their teamsWhy clarity is essential for vision, values, and accountabilityHow to balance coaching and accountability as a leaderThe role self-awareness plays in leadership growthWhy trust is rebuilt by being honest and inviting the team into the solutionThree practical moves leaders can make in the next 90 daysGuest Contact Information: Connect with Josh Post on LinkedIn: Josh Post Visit his website: josh-post.com Special page for Culture Secrets listeners: josh-post.com/culturesecretspodcast Thanks for listening. Grab the book the original podcast is based on at https://mybook.to/culturesecrets . Want more quick leadership tips? Sign up for my FREE bi-weekly newsletter: Coffee, Culture and Common Sense.   Check out my website www.chelliephillips.com for more great content. Follow me on LinkedIn.

  5. Jun 21

    What AI Can’t Replace: Leadership Brand, Human Voice & Trust with Mike Kim

    What does your leadership brand say about you when you’re not in the room? In this episode of Culture Secrets, Chellie Phillips sits down with business strategist, speaker, author, and personal branding expert Mike Kim for a practical and deeply human conversation about reputation, trust, storytelling, reinvention, and the leadership signals we send every day. Chellie first met Mike through one of his workshops while she was trying to figure out how to turn her books, ideas, and experiences into a business. What stood out then still stands out now: Mike is real-world, genuine, honest, and practical. He’s worked with some of the biggest voices and thought leaders out there, but remains humble, approachable, and refreshingly human. Together, Chellie and Mike explore why personal brand is not about becoming an influencer or chasing attention. It’s about reputation. It’s about values. It’s about how people experience you, how you communicate, and whether your actions match what you say matters. They also dig into the role of AI in today’s workplace. Mike shares why he sees AI as “a calculator for words” — a powerful tool, but not a replacement for human voice, lived experience, taste, empathy, or discernment. In a world where technology can help us create faster, this conversation is a reminder that leaders still have to do the deeply human work of building trust. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why every leader has a brand, whether they intentionally shape it or notThe difference between recognition and attentionHow values shape influence more than information aloneWhy storytelling is one of the most powerful tools leaders can use to connectHow leaders can become more aware of the signals they sendWhat AI can help with — and what it can never replaceWhy reinvention often starts by recognizing the skills and experiences you already carryHow to think about your reputation, voice, and leadership presence with more intentionMike also shares practical questions leaders can use to get clearer about what they stand for, including: What bothers you? What breaks your heart? And what problem are you trying to solve? If you’re a leader, communicator, entrepreneur, author, or professional trying to show up with more clarity and authenticity, this episode will help you think differently about your voice, your values, and the reputation you’re building every day. Because culture is shaped by trust — and trust is shaped by how we show up. Connect with Mike Kim You can learn more about Mike Kim and follow his work through his newsletter and LinkedIn. Newsletter: Mike publishes his newsletter every Tuesday. Sign up at mikekim.com/letter. LinkedIn: Connect with Mike on LinkedIn. His handle/screen name is realmikekimtv. Website: Visit mikekim.com to learn more about his books, speaking, workshops, and resources. Thanks for listening. Grab the book the original podcast is based on at https://mybook.to/culturesecrets . Want more quick leadership tips? Sign up for my FREE bi-weekly newsletter: Coffee, Culture and Common Sense.   Check out my website www.chelliephillips.com for more great content. Follow me on LinkedIn.

  6. Jun 9

    5 Ways to Build Trust Before People Have to Ask: Why people don't expect perfection—but they do expect communication.

    A few months ago, I met a friend for dinner and experienced something surprisingly frustrating. We weren't upset because the food was slow. We were frustrated because no one seemed to know we were there. That experience sparked a bigger leadership lesson. Whether you're leading a team, serving customers, communicating during a crisis, or managing change, people don't expect you to have all the answers immediately. They do expect to know someone is paying attention. In this episode, I share a simple restaurant story and the five communication habits that help leaders build trust before people have to ask what's going on. Key Takeaways  Why acknowledgment matters more than immediate answers  How silence creates uncertainty and erodes trust  The importance of sharing what you know, even when you don't know everything  Why people need to understand next steps  How proactive communication strengthens relationships  The connection between feeling seen and feeling valuedThanks for listening. Grab the book the original podcast is based on at https://mybook.to/culturesecrets . Want more quick leadership tips? Sign up for my FREE bi-weekly newsletter: Coffee, Culture and Common Sense.   Check out my website www.chelliephillips.com for more great content. Follow me on LinkedIn.

    5 Ways to Build Trust Before People Have to Ask: Why people don't expect perfection—but they do expect communication.

  7. Jun 9

    5 Ways to Turn Ordinary Into Memorable - What a colorful alley in Chattanooga taught me about leadership, culture, and seeing possibilities.

    I wasn't looking for Umbrella Alley. In fact, I didn't even know it existed. While on a haunted history tour in Chattanooga, I stumbled across a vibrant alley filled with colorful umbrellas suspended overhead. What had once been an ordinary, overlooked space had been transformed into something people stopped to admire, photograph, and remember. It got me thinking. How often do we walk past opportunities because we've seen them so many times we stop noticing them? How many ideas, people, and possibilities are hiding in plain sight? In this episode, I share five ways leaders can turn ordinary into memorable by seeing potential where others see routine. Key Takeaways  Why great leaders notice what others overlook  How innovation often comes from rethinking what already exists  The importance of recognizing the unique gifts people bring  Why taking thoughtful risks creates memorable experiences  How culture is built through intentional moments, not grand gestures  The connection between creativity and engagementThanks for listening. Grab the book the original podcast is based on at https://mybook.to/culturesecrets . Want more quick leadership tips? Sign up for my FREE bi-weekly newsletter: Coffee, Culture and Common Sense.   Check out my website www.chelliephillips.com for more great content. Follow me on LinkedIn.

    5 Ways to Turn Ordinary Into Memorable - What a colorful alley in Chattanooga taught me about leadership, culture, and seeing possibilities.

  8. Jun 8

    Trust Isn't Given Anymore. It's Proven.

    This week on Culture Secrets, Chellie Phillips takes a step away from guest interviews for a personal reflection inspired by two very different experiences: a panel of journalists-turned-authors at LitFest and a headline-making news story that sparked a national conversation about trust. Drawing on her own background as a newspaper reporter, Chellie shares a memorable (and slightly humorous) story about covering a fast-food restaurant opening that taught her an important lesson about perception, competing interests, and how trust is built. In a world where social media, transparency, and constant visibility have changed the way we view leaders and institutions, one thing has become clear: Trust isn't automatically granted anymore. It's earned through consistency, accountability, and the signals we send every day. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why trust has changed over the past few decades • The difference between intent and perception • What journalism, leadership, and workplace culture have in common • How organizations build—or break—credibility • Why trust is less about titles and more about experiences Whether you're leading a team, building a culture, serving customers, or simply trying to strengthen relationships, this episode will challenge you to think differently about what it takes to earn trust today. Because trust isn't given anymore. It's proven. Connect with Chellie: Website: www.chelliephillips.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/chelliephillips Culture Secrets Podcast: Available wherever you listen to podcasts Thanks for listening. Grab the book the original podcast is based on at https://mybook.to/culturesecrets . Want more quick leadership tips? Sign up for my FREE bi-weekly newsletter: Coffee, Culture and Common Sense.   Check out my website www.chelliephillips.com for more great content. Follow me on LinkedIn.

    Trust Isn't Given Anymore. It's Proven.
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Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Culture is more than a mission statement — it’s the everyday experience people have inside your organization. Join international best-selling author, speaker, and workplace culture expert Chellie Phillips on the Culture Secrets Podcast as she shares practical strategies, real-world stories, and honest conversations about building people-centered workplaces. Each episode is designed to help leaders improve communication, strengthen trust, increase engagement, and create cultures where both employees and organizations thrive. You’ll also find 5 for 55 mini-pods — quick, 5-minute episodes designed to give you practical leadership and culture takeaways in less time than it takes to finish your coffee. If you want to lead with more clarity, connection, and purpose, you’re in the right place.

Information

  • Creator
    Chellie Phillips
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Culture Secrets
  • Show Website
    Culture Secrets