Culture Uncovered – Details, episodes & analysis

Want to work for a financial services firm with an entrepreneurial spirit? (It is RARE to find this, friends!)

We go behind-the-scenes with Rebecca Abraham - Global Head of Human Resources - to learn more about this California-based firm.

Some highlights:

• Well-established, 50-year old firm
• <300 employees globally
• Hybrid environment 
• Less hierarchy - great for proactive and agile professionals
• Mentorship program
• Mental Health benefits

To learn about Wilshire: 

• Careers Page
• Open Positions
• Rebecca's LinkedIn profile

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Need help in your job search? Check out Recruit the Employer for tools and resources.

Interested in having your company featured? Email us at hello@recruittheemployer.com

Follow the host, Jena Dunay, on LinkedIn.

This week's company is an org that has some big aspirations:

They're on a mission to save 10 million employees $10 Billion.

ZayZoon is a fintech company that helps HR teams provide financial wellness to their employees. In this episode you're going to experience a really candid conversation with Founder Tate Hackert as he shares what it's like to be a part of a company that's growing exponentially.

Some highlights:

• Series B Startup
• <250 employees globally
• HQ in Calgary, Canada
• Remote-first organization
• Core Values: Hustle, Trust, People Driven, Mastery
• High growth

To learn about ZayZoon: 

• Careers Page
• Open Positions
• ZayZoon's LinkedIn Page
• Tate's LinkedIn profile

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Need help in your job search? Check out Recruit the Employer for tools and resources.

Interested in having your company featured? Email us at hello@recruittheemployer.com

Follow the host, Jena Dunay, on LinkedIn.

Yes, you can buy life insurance without all the paperwork.

Meet PolicyMe, Canada’s leading digital insurance platform that’s simplifying life, health, and critical illness coverage for families nationwide. In this episode, Jena chats with Vanesa Cotlar, VP of People and Culture, about what it’s like to work for a company that’s modernizing an entire industry while keeping its people curious, humble, and connected (even remotely).

What you’ll learn:

• How PolicyMe is transforming insurance from paper-heavy to fully digital
• Why “humble high achievers” are the secret to their success
• How curiosity fuels growth through AI, leadership training, and learning budgets
• What flexible, remote-first work looks like when connection actually works
• How PolicyMe keeps culture strong while scaling fast
• What their REACH values mean in real life and how they shape hiring

PolicyMe Highlights:

Founded: 2018
Team Size: 100+ employees
HQ: Toronto, Ontario
Work Model: Remote-first with optional in-office Thursdays
Culture: Curious, humble, high-achieving

Unique Perks & Programs:

• Work-from-anywhere flexibility
• Twice-yearly company events : think Toronto Island trips and circus troupes!
• Local hub meetups with budgets for regional gatherings
• AI Guild for experimentation and cross-departmental learning
• Learning budgets for courses, books, and leadership training
• Popcorn tasting Fridays (yes, really!)

To learn more about PolicyMe:

• Careers Page (They're hiring!)
• Linkedin Page
• Vanesa's Profile

What do you get when smart AI-powered learning meets a remote-friendly, no-jerks work culture? 

Absorb Software: a rapidly growing team that’s all about learning, connecting, and keeping things real while scaling globally. 

In this episode, Jena catches up with Cheryl Yuran, Absorb’s CHRO, to chat about how they build connection across time zones, support career growth in a fast-paced environment, and why their AI-driven LMS makes life easier for both employees and HR pros. 

Whether you’re curious about remote culture or clever learning tech, this one’s worth a listen.

What you’ll learn:

• How AI-powered learning enhances individualized development and eases administrative burdens
• The role of a “no jerks” policy in fostering a respectful and productive workplace
• Strategies for building strong connections in a distributed workforce, including unique social initiatives
• Creative career growth pathways designed to match diverse employee ambitions
• Insider hiring tips, including Absorb’s candidate portal that helps job seekers stand out

Absorb LMS Highlights:

Founded: 2003
Team Size: Nearly 600 employees across six countries
Work Model: Remote-first, with optional office spaces
Culture: Fast-growing, adaptable, and value-driven with a strong commitment to learning
Initiatives: Active social groups, mentoring via an AI-backed platform, and personalized career ladders
Hiring Focus: Growth concentrated in customer-facing roles like sales and account management

To learn more about Absorb LMS:

• Careers Page (They're hiring!)
• LinkedIn Page
• Cheryl's Profile

Real life isn’t picture-perfect—but your career and company culture can be real, empowering, and connected.

In this episode of Culture Uncovered, we meet Madison Bohannon, VP of People at Chatbooks—a brand that turns your everyday photos into meaningful keepsakes. 

Madison shares how this family-centered company supports working parents, builds radical candor into its feedback culture, and why transparency (and therapy!) go a long way in employee well-being.

You’ll learn:
– Why Chatbooks encourages you to bring your whole self to work
– What “mandatory time off” looks like in a healthy workplace
– How internal growth can start from a support role
– The mindset they look for in every new hire

🌱 Some Chatbooks highlights:

📆 Founded: 2014 (11 years ago)
 👥 Team size: 150 employees
 📍 HQ: Utah, but team spans 20 U.S. states
 ✈️ Company offsites for connection
 🧠 Perks:

• Unlimited therapy for employees + dependents
• Mandatory time off each season (plus winter shutdown)
• Flexible, family-first culture
• Transparent compensation + biannual performance conversations
• Internal promotions and learning budgets

To learn more about Chatbooks:

• Download the Chatbooks App — use code PODCAST 15
• Chatbooks Careers Page
• Chatbooks on LinkedIn
• Madison Bohannon on LinkedIn 

Hiring doesn’t have to be broken—and Greenhouse is out to prove it.

On this episode of Culture Uncovered, Jena chats with Will Leahy, VP of People at Greenhouse, a tech company redefining how the world hires. From remote culture done right to thoughtful candidate experiences and career pivots that actually work, this episode is full of gold for job seekers and culture builders alike.

What you’ll learn:

• How Greenhouse is more than an applicant tracking system—it's a candidate experience platform
• Why clarity is kindness in the hiring process
• Remote culture tips: team offsites, ERGs (called Arbors), and tools like Donut & Bonusly
• How Will’s career pivoted from recruiter to VP (and the one time a plane ride got him a job)
• The perks of "pleasant persistence" and proximity when job searching
  
  

Some Greenhouse highlights:

 📍 Founded - 2012
 👥 750 employees
 🌎 Fully remote with hubs in NYC and Dublin
 ✈️ Global Passport Program: work from anywhere in the world for up to 60 days
 🌱 Company values: Belonging, Purpose, and Entrepreneurship
 🔥 Strong performance culture with equitable recognition
 🚀 Yes—they are hiring!

To learn more about Greenhouse:

🔗 Greenhouse Careers Page
🔗 Greenhouse on LinkedIn
🔗 Will Leahy on LinkedIn

What if your workplace felt more connected than ever—without a physical office?

That’s the magic behind Very, a fully distributed technology services company that’s rewriting what it means to build hardware, culture, and connection remotely. 

In this episode of Culture Uncovered, COO Jessica Begley shares how Very thrives without an office, fosters deep connection, and why being a Swiss Army knife in your career is the ultimate power move.

Whether you’re navigating a career pivot or exploring the remote work world, this episode is packed with gems.

What you’ll learn:

• Why embracing a career lattice (not just a ladder) can set you up for long-term success
• How a fully distributed tech company keeps people more connected than in-person offices
• Why recognition and learning are core to Very’s culture (and the tech they use to make it happen)
• The power of Slack channels, themed question threads, and remote bonding
• The value of becoming a Swiss Army knife in your career journey
  
  

Some Very highlights:

• Founded: ~2010
• Company size: 50 employees across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina
• Fully remote (no office!)
• Perks: Distributed work culture, Slack-based community building, Bonusly for peer recognition, and an emphasis on continuous learning
• Not hiring right now, but Q2 is peak season—check back soon!
  
  

To learn more about Very:

• Very's Careers Page
• Very on LinkedIn 
• Jessica Begley on LinkedIn

Passionate about solving today’s energy crisis?

Want to be surrounded by smart, hard-working and passionate people?

Meet Spearmint Energy - a company with values rooted in people, partnerships, and the planet. Spearmint is committed to improving grid stability, helping ensure reliable energy delivery, and promoting efficient and responsible energy use to lower costs and support energy independence.  

In today’s episode, we go behind-the-scenes with Spearmint’s Chief People Officer to talk about this growing company, the power of professional development, and ways to push yourself in your career.

What you'll learn:

• How to get comfortable with being uncomfortable
• Why curiosity and confidence are powerful assets in your career
• All about a new, exciting industry
• Outside-of-the-box way to stand out in the application process (it’s a brilliant idea!)

Some Spearmint highlights:

• Founded in 2022
• 70+ employees
• HQ: Miami, FL 
• Other Locations: Minneapolis, MN & Remote
• Words to Describe the Culture: Empowerment. Drive. Fun.
• Company-wide “Give Back” activities
• Encouraged PTO from the C-suite
• Reimbursement for cell phone and health & wellness
• Opportunity to grow from within
• Yes, they are hiring! Be a part of the revolution.

To learn about Spearmint:

• Spearmint’s Career Page
• Spearmint’s LinkedIn Page
• Loraine’s LinkedIn profile

You know those boring school fundraisers you had when you were a kid? 

Well this company turns it completely on its head. 

Meet Booster - a company that takes the stress out of school fundraising (ever heard of the Fun Run? Yeah, that's them!). Chris Carneal and I dive deep into Booster's origin story, his passion for the people in his organization, and the power of resilience during really hard seasons (ahem, 2020!). 

This episode had me on the verge of tears and inspired all at the same time.

What you'll learn:

• The difference between company values and company virtues
• Impact impacts everything and everyone
• How to run a business and career that celebrates success and family
• How to stay resilient when everything is falling a part at work
• How they handled a layoff and the power of building true leaders

Some Booster highlights:

• 16.5M students served
• $600M in profit for schools
• Founded in 2002
• Powerful leadership development
• Cultivates a culture of celebration
• Yes, they are hiring!

To learn about Booster:

• Booster's Career Page
• Booster's LinkedIn Page
• Chris's LinkedIn profile

It all starts with product. 

Growth? Ties back to product.

Profitability? It comes down to product.

And hiring the best team? So much easier to do when the product you're supporting is excellent.

Today's conversation with Saatva's Chief People Officer, Maureen Cawley is insightful, thought provoking and genuinely fun. You'll learn a lot from her personal career journey as well as a BTS look at the original DTC mattress brand.

What you'll learn:

• Take the call and be open to opportunities
• Large corporations provide you excellent professional development, but small organizations expose you to new challenges
• More is not more on a resume

Some highlights: 

• 350 employees - and growing!
• 21 viewing room locations (retail)
• HQ in Queens, NY
• Founded in 2010 by industry veterans
• Who you are as a person matters more than the skills you have
• Generous employee discounts (say no more!)

To learn about Saatva: 

• Careers Page
• LinkedIn Company Page
• Maureen Cawley's LinkedIn Page
• Check out their mattresses and other products!