Unboxing the Office

Bernard Youngblood
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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. Oct 8

    Unboxing the Office | Episode 18: From Military Service to Better Leadership with Joe Bogdan

    What does it take to help people become the best version of themselves? In Episode 18 of Unboxing the Office, Bernie Youngblood sits down with Joe Bogdan, retired U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sergeant, corporate leader, author, adjunct professor, and host of the Waypoint Better podcast. Joe shares how a difficult upbringing in Tacoma, Washington, led him to a 24-year Air Force career and eventually to his calling: helping people grow into their potential. The conversation explores intentional leadership development, the gap between stated values and everyday behavior, the risk of promoting people based only on past performance, and the support people need when moving into bigger roles. Joe also reflects on integrity, accountability, faith, and the guardrails leaders need as their influence and autonomy grow. ✅ In this episode, they explore: — Joe’s journey from Tacoma to the U.S. Air Force— The stretch assignment that revealed his calling— Why kindness, generosity, and patience can be learned— What military leadership development gets right— Moving from the Air Force into corporate leadership— Why values become “words on the wall”— The Peter Principle and promoting for future potential— Building a scaffolding of support for people in new roles— Integrity, accountability, and leadership guardrails— How faith has shaped Joe’s decisions and leadership  📚 Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Joe Bogdan01:34 HOTLOGIC® sponsor message01:59 Joe’s early life and decision to join the Air Force03:41 Finding a calling through a stretch assignment08:30 The challenges of large organizations09:45 When organizational values become words on the wall12:05 Learning kindness, generosity, and resilience15:22 How the Air Force develops leaders intentionally18:17 From management to people-centered leadership19:44 Helping people reach their full potential20:35 Leaving the Air Force for corporate America22:20 Why leadership is needed in every environment23:23 Military readiness, business metrics, and learning a new language26:57 Adjusting to corporate culture after military service30:20 Finding the right organization after transition31:18 The Peter Principle explained35:19 Why new leaders need scaffolding and development support38:28 Do not build a leadership model around exceptions39:15 Values in the military and corporate America42:12 Making values deliberate throughout the employee lifecycle44:12 The consequences of not living organizational values46:52 The King David complex and leadership drift48:45 Accountability partners and personal guardrails50:45 Joe’s faith journey54:29 Faith, imperfection, and returning to belief57:21 Faith as a foundation for better decisions1:00:08 Does faith make you a better leader?1:00:16 Closing thoughts  👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations about workplace culture, leadership, and the human side of business. 🔗 Connect with Joe Bogdan and Waypoint Better:Website: https://www.waypointbetter.comInstagram: @waypointbetterFacebook: Waypoint Better  🔗 Connect with Bernie Youngblood:https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernieyoungblood/ 🔗 Learn more about HOTLOGIC®, the AI Oven:https://hotlogicappliances.com/ #UnboxingTheOffice #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #LeadershipDevelopment #PersonalGrowth #VeteranLeadership #HotLogic

    Unboxing the Office | Episode 18: From Military Service to Better Leadership with Joe Bogdan

  2. Sep 29

    Unboxing the Office | Episode 17: Leading Through AI Transformation with Harry Osle

    AI implementation is not just a technology decision. It is a leadership, culture, and people decision. In Episode 17 of Unboxing the Office, Bernie Youngblood sits down with Harry Osle, Principal and Chief Human Resources Officer at The Hackett Group, to unpack what it actually takes for organizations to succeed in the AI era. Harry shares why too many leaders invest in AI platforms without investing in the people expected to use them, how small wins create momentum for enterprise change, and why the most successful organizations will combine the will to transform with the skills to make it happen. From AI readiness and benchmarking to workforce capability, HR’s evolving role, and building a culture that can absorb change, this conversation is a practical look at how leaders can move beyond the AI hype and create real, lasting impact. ✅ In this episode, they explore: — Why leadership determines whether AI transformation succeeds— The mistake of investing in AI without reskilling people— How AI can increase capacity, efficiency, and engagement— Why organizations should start small and build momentum— Benchmarking as a roadmap for organizational change— How The Hackett Group uses AI to accelerate insight and execution— Culture as an outcome of leadership and daily operations— Why HR must shift from supporting HR to driving business impact— AI skills, storytelling, and the future workforce capability gap— The importance of “will and skill” in leading through change 📚 Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Harry Osle and the AI conversation01:50 Why AI is finally “game time”03:10 What separates organizations that adapt from those that struggle07:43 Where leaders get AI implementation wrong09:54 AI investment must include investment in people11:12 The Ferrari analogy: technology without the skills to use it13:57 Why great leaders do not start with a blank sheet of paper15:14 What The Hackett Group does and how benchmarking works18:20 Benchmarking as an organizational health check22:19 The potential of AI-powered benchmarking data24:24 How Hackett AI XPLR maps AI opportunities and ROI27:35 Why AI transformation should start with small wins29:05 How to bring employees along through AI change33:43 Culture is an outcome of leadership38:20 Strong cultures have more capacity for change41:38 Adaptability, disruption, and the next generation of workers43:35 AI as a platform for positive change45:06 The future of HR in the AI era47:39 Building organizational absorptive capacity49:23 The Workforce AI Capability Index52:27 The formula for success: will and skill 👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations about workplace culture, leadership, and the human side of business. 🔗 Connect with Harry Osle:Email: hosle@thehackettgroup.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-osle/ 🔗 Learn more about The Hackett Group:AI readiness with Hackett AI XPLR™: https://www.thehackettgroup.com/ai-xplr/Gen AI in HR: https://www.thehackettgroup.com/gen-ai-in-hr/The AI capability gap in HR: https://www.thehackettgroup.com/insights/ai-world-class-human-resources-2606/ 🔗 Connect with Bernie Youngblood:https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernieyoungblood/ 🔗 Learn more about HOTLOGIC®, the AI Oven:https://hotlogicappliances.com/ #UnboxingTheOffice #ArtificialIntelligence #AITransformation #Leadership #FutureOfWork #HumanResources #HotLogic

    Unboxing the Office | Episode 17: Leading Through AI Transformation with Harry Osle

  3. Sep 17

    Unboxing the Office | Episode 16: Building Products, Teams & Innovation with Grant Chapman

    What does it really take to turn a bold idea into a product people can use, love, and manufacture at scale? In Episode 16 of Unboxing the Office, Bernie Youngblood sits down with Grant Chapman, Co-Founder and CEO of Glassboard, a hardware product-development firm helping startups, small businesses, and enterprise teams take ideas from concept to commercialization. Grant shares how Glassboard grew from building electric go-karts in a basement into a nationally recognized product-development firm, why innovation is almost always a culture question, and how the company balances high standards with a healthy, sustainable workplace. They also get into AI, ego-free collaboration, company shutdowns, hiring for culture fit, and why leaders should stop treating symptoms when the real problem sits deeper in the organization. ✅ In this episode, they explore: — What it takes to bring a hardware product to market— Why big brands often outsource early-stage innovation— Glassboard’s journey from electric go-karts to product development— Building a high-performance culture without burnout— Why unlimited vacation did not work, and what did— AI as a tool for exploration, not replacement— How to create space for better ideas and healthier teams— Why leaders need to solve second-order problems, not just symptoms 📚 Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Grant Chapman and Glassboard03:35 What a hardware product-development firm actually does05:03 Why large companies struggle to innovate internally08:18 From white-label printer to wireless product10:20 From silk research to safer bike helmets11:08 Building Glassboard from electric go-karts13:55 Hiring friends and defining Glassboard’s culture14:26 High standards, ownership, and the “exclusive culture”18:35 How Glassboard hires for culture fit20:53 Checking ego at the door23:25 High performance without high stress24:01 Why unlimited vacation failed24:35 The value of company-wide shutdowns29:04 America’s hard-charging culture33:33 How AI is changing product development36:23 Using AI to expand the search space38:18 Why AI should make teams better, not replace them42:13 Creativity needs headspace42:58 Why the best idea matters more than ego47:41 Stop fixing first-order problems51:09 Innovation can be relearned 👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations about workplace culture, leadership, and the human side of business. 🔗 Connect with Grant Chapman:Website: https://www.glassboard.com/Email: grantchapman@glassboard.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gchapma/ 🔗 Connect with Glassboard:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@glassboardLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/glassboard/ 🔗 Connect with Bernie Youngblood:https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernieyoungblood/ 🔗 Learn more about HOTLOGIC®, the AI Oven:https://hotlogicappliances.com/ #Glassboard #HardTech #ProductDevelopment #UnboxingTheOffice #HotLogic #WorkplaceCulture

    Unboxing the Office | Episode 16: Building Products, Teams & Innovation with Grant Chapman

  4. Sep 8

    Unboxing the Office | Episode 15: Escaping Performance Mode & Leading Authentically with David Cooke

    In Episode 15 of Unboxing the Office, Bernie Youngblood sits down with David Cook, corporate transformation consultant and founder of Living Rogue Today, for an honest conversation about authenticity, fear, and the pressure to perform at work. After nearly 40 years in corporate leadership, David shares why success on paper can still leave people disconnected from themselves, and how “performance mode” creates low-energy, fear-driven workplaces. They unpack what it actually takes to repair culture: trust, honest feedback, individual accountability, and leaders willing to make decisions that pay off beyond the next quarter. From David’s personal journey from corporate achievement to Living Rogue Today, to a real six-month leadership transformation, this episode is for anyone who feels they are winning at work while losing themselves in the process. ✅ In this episode, they explore: — Why fear drives performance culture— The difference between performing and being authentic— How low-energy workplaces affect culture and results— Why culture change begins with trust, honesty, and accountability— Leadership vs. management in today’s corporate world— Why meaningful culture work takes longer than a workshop— Turning perceived flaws into strengths— Creating workplaces where people feel seen, heard, and safe 📚 Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Unboxing the Office01:28 David’s Bali retreat and stepping away from Western culture03:07 Fear, gratitude, and the freedom to be06:30 What “performance mode” looks like at work10:05 The stories high-performing professionals tell themselves11:18 Low-energy living and its impact on organizations13:04 What employees need from workplace culture14:25 Rebuilding a fractured leadership team18:35 Why trust comes before transformation20:26 Honest feedback without defensiveness25:03 The one-on-one conversations that changed the team27:39 Collaboration, empathy, and working through COVID31:16 Leadership vs. management34:24 Why organizations avoid big decisions39:05 Why culture change takes time and commitment42:28 The origin of Living Rogue Today44:15 “Wonderfully imperfectly made”49:05 Judgment, acceptance, and psychological safety53:25 Practical guidance for leaders56:12 Where to find David Cook 👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations about workplace culture, leadership, and the human side of business. 🔗 Connect with David Cook:Website: https://livingroguetoday.com/Email: david@livingroguetoday.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDavidCookeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedavidcookeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidcooke/ 🔗 Connect with Bernie Youngblood:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernieyoungblood/ 🔗 Learn more about HOTLOGIC®, the AI Oven:https://hotlogicappliances.com/ #UnboxingTheOffice #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #AuthenticLeadership #CorporateCulture #HotLogic #LivingRogueToday

    Unboxing the Office | Episode 15: Escaping Performance Mode & Leading Authentically with David Cooke

  5. 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

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

  6. 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

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

  7. 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

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

  8. 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

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

Information

  • Creator
    Bernard Youngblood
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Bernard Youngblood
  • Show Website
    Unboxing the Office