Explore every episode of the podcast Culture Uncovered
Dive into the complete episode list for Culture Uncovered. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
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Title
Pub. Date
Duration
Wilshire
25 Nov 2024
00:34:13
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
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
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
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
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)
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!
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!
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
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
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
From how they onboard to how they create connectivity in a hybrid, global, growing company - Flywire is an organization that knows the power of developing a culture of community.
From calling their members "FlyMates" to celebrating "FlyMoments", the people that work at this organization don't just come to work to do a job - but rather to join a community.
I was incredibly impressed by the intentionality of the Flywire team - in particular - their Chief People Officer, Gary Cunningham. (and I think you will be too!)
Not only will you learn a ton about this publicly traded, growing fintech - you'll come away with a ton of career advice nuggets from someone who has pivoted, grown and excelled.
Enjoy my conversation with Flywire.
What you'll learn:
The power of the pivot
Build relationships early and often in a new job
Don't run away from something, go towards something
If you've ever had an aging family member, you know the real challenges that come with finding and sourcing quality care.
Village Caregiving recognized these challenges and set out to provide compassionate, in-home, non-medical healthcare services.
We really enjoyed learning more about this industry and the growth that Village Caregiving is experiencing through our conversation with their Director of Talent Acquisition, Austin Stevens.
Our biggest takeaway was that they hire folks with unconventional backgrounds. So, even if you've never been in the healthcare space, check out this company!
Some highlights:
Barboursville, WV
Founded in 2013
65 offices across the country
They hire people with unconventional backgrounds.
Culture: Extreme Ownership, Common Sense Approach, Flexible
Roles they are hiring for at an office level: Executive Director, Director of Ops, Clinicians (RNs, LPNs, etc.)
Not only does O.C. Tanner prioritize celebrating its employees - it's the basis of their entire business.
This private, family-owned company has been leading the employee recognition space for the past (almost!) 100 years. VP of People & Great Work, Dana Rogers, shares how O.C. Tanner celebrates their employees, the unique benefits, and why their retention is so high.
If you've ever felt UNDER appreciated by an employer, you may want to look at O.C. Tanner. They know how to recognize and appreciate hard work.
Some highlights:
Salt Lake City, UT
Global team of 1,600+ employees
Celebrating 100th anniversary in 2027!
36% employees have been there for 10+ years
Hybrid in corporate offices
Employees gifted shareholder bonus from the family owners
That’s the mission behind AlertMedia, a global organization helping companies protect their employees, whether they’re in the office, working remotely, or traveling around the world.
In this episode, Jena talks with Jenna Eichberg, Chief People Officer at AlertMedia, about scaling a mission-driven company, building culture across geographies, and why simplicity, humanity, and trust are at the core of everything they do.
What you’ll learn:
The origin story of AlertMedia, founded during the Texas fires
How their 24/7 global intelligence team monitors risks and protects employees worldwide
Why Tuesday lunches became a powerful cultural tradition
The challenges of scaling culture across Austin, Mexico City, Windsor, and Ireland
Why personal, thoughtful applications stand out when applying for jobs
AlertMedia highlights:
Founded: 2012 Team Size: 420 employees (and growing globally) HQ: Austin, Texas (with offices in Mexico City, Windsor UK, and Ireland) Work Model: Hybrid/remote global workforce Culture: Simplicity, collaboration, humanity, integrity, customer-first, hard work
Do you want to work in a mission-driven organization?
Strive Health is worth checking out.
This mid-size startup is not only growing, it is the nation's leader in value-based kidney care. Strive is changing the kidney care paradigm to identify patients earlier, prioritize the right care and drive better outcomes.
Shelby Isaac, Strive's Director of Talent Acquisition, walks us through what it's like to work at Strive, the amazing benefits they have, and why this work matters. She also gives great advice to job seekers on how to find and land your next opportunity.
Some highlights:
HQ in Denver, CO but Hybrid-Remote
600+ Strivers | 50% Clinicians
Founded in 2018
Series C
Physical, Career, Financial, Inner, Family Well-being benefits
"We're going to listen to our employees" "The executives are going to be accessible." "The culture is special."
These are the phrases Chief People Officer, Amy Mosher, used to describe the how her and the other executives intentionally built the culture of isolved.
If you're looking for a stable, growing organization that prioritizes and financially invests in its people - this is going to be a must-listen.
That's why I'm so excited to share with you today's guest - Jeff Williams, US CEO of Aptia. In this episode, he shares how this new (but not-so-new) organization is changing the benefits administration space.
Not only does Jeff share about Aptia - the benefits of working for this global firm - he also gives invaluable advice to job seekers. He shares how he has worked in multiple (often disparate) industries, the benefits of taking on challenging roles, and leveraging influencers to get ahead in your career.
Some highlights:
Launched in 2024 out of Mercer acquisition
US (Boston) & UK (London) offices
1k-5k employees
Every employee is a shareholder
Hybrid environment and Continued Professional Development
It's not the place for people who "deeply admire their problems"
Have you ever thought, "I'm an adult. Why doesn't my employer treat me as such?"
Well today's company, Schoox, gives other companies a vision of what it means to trust your employees, not micromanage, and provide benefits that go beyond the "garden variety" (401k, dental, medical).
Join our conversation with Serah Morrissey, Senior Director of People and Culture at Schoox as we uncover what it's like to work for the LMS provider.
Some highlights:
Founded in 2012
300 employees globally
Half in Greece, half in North America
Fascinatingly simple bereavement policy
Paid parental leave, flexibility, generous PTO
Culture: "We treat each other with empathy, integrity, respect, compassion."
Buy a hoodie, plant trees, build tech, restore ecosystems.
Sounds simple, right?
That’s the vision behind Tentree and Veritree, two sister companies co-founded by Derrick Emsley. Tentree is the lifestyle brand planting 10 trees for every item purchased, while Veritree is the tech platform that ensures every tree planted is real, verified, and impactful.
In this episode, Jena talks with Derrick Emsley, CEO and co-founder, about what it takes to scale a mission-driven company, the power of transparency, and why restoration is about more than the environment. It’s about people, too.
What you’ll learn:
How Tentree grew from an idea to a brand planting millions of trees
How Veritree uses technology to ensure transparency in reforestation projects
How culture shifts between a consumer lifestyle brand and a tech startup
Why employees are drawn to mission-driven work that creates real-world impact
Simple ways individuals and businesses can get involved in sustainability
Some Veritree & Tentree highlights:
Founded: Tentree in 2012; Veritree launched as a standalone company in 2021 Team Size: 100+ employees across both organizations (and growing) HQ: Vancouver, Canada (global impact projects in Africa, Asia, and beyond) Work Model: Hybrid/remote, mission-driven teams across geographies Culture: Purpose-led, innovative, sustainability-focused
Unique Perks & Impact:
Every Tentree purchase plants 10 trees
Veritree platform powers verified reforestation for global brands
Want to know what it's like to work for Her Campus Media?
Her Campus Media is where Gen Z meets mission—powering content, creator programs, and experiential events that connect top brands with young people across the U.S. In this episode, Jena chats with Brittany Ramsey, Head of People and Culture, about how the company’s remote culture thrives on adaptability, connection, and purpose. From building community to navigating career pivots, this one’s packed with practical advice and real talk.
What you’ll learn:
Why adaptability is a superpower in mission-driven startups
How to stand out in a sea of job applications (hint: just ask)
What a career pivot from beauty to media can look like
How Her Campus Media supports mental health and creative energy
Who thrives on this fast-paced, Gen Z-obsessed team
Some Her Campus Media highlights:
Founded: 2009 by Windsor Hanger Western, Stephanie Kaplan Lewis, and Annie Wang at Harvard Team Size: >100 full-time employees + large freelance/influencer network HQ: Boston, MA (across from Fenway Park) Work Model: Fully remote across the U.S. Culture: Fast-paced, entrepreneurial, collaborative, student-focused
Unique Perks & Programs:
“Moments that matter” internal culture events
Quarterly team meetings and no-work virtual coffee chats
Summer Fridays and two-week winter shutdown
Workshops on resilience, mental health, and burnout prevention
(A very fun perk at Nashville-based fintech company Alto.)
Alto is shaking up the investing world by making it easier for everyday people to use their IRAs to invest in private assets: think real estate, startups, even fractional art. In this episode, Jena chats with Sarah Light, Alto’s VP of People, about building a fun, ambitious, and evolving workplace culture in a hybrid world.
What you’ll learn:
What it's like to work at Alto
How Alto balances high performance with deep rest using “No Meeting Fridays” and Quarterly Quiet Weeks
Why Alto employees get a monthly 3-day weekend (even when there’s no national holiday)
How to grow your career at a small, mission-driven company
Why remote work at Alto is flexible, not forced
How Sarah got her role through a personal connection and what that says about the power of networking
Some Alto highlights:
Founded: 2015 Team size: 80 employees + tech contractors HQ: Nashville, TN — with remote team members across the U.S. Perks & Culture:
Quarterly $150 stipend for work-from-home support (use it on anything)
Quarterly Quiet Weeks + No Meeting Fridays for deep work
3-day weekend every month (even when there’s no holiday)
HSA contribution match: $75–$125/month
Culture described as ambitious, fun-loving and evolving.
Can you thrive in agency life without burning out?
At Walker Sands, the answer is yes. In this episode, Jena sits down with Allison Ward, Chief People Officer at Walker Sands, a fast-growing B2B marketing agency that’s rewriting the agency playbook with career reinvention, flexibility, and real culture and not just ping-pong tables. From hybrid structure to intentional coaching and longevity that defies industry norms, this episode is packed with advice for job seekers and career pivoters alike.
What you’ll learn:
Why longevity is rare in agencies and how Walker Sands beats the odds
How a Wienermobile job launched Allison’s career (and why PR pros need reinvention)
The difference between managers and coaches and how Walker Sands uses that intentionally
How to identify and grow transferable skills (even from parenting!)
Why feedback, flexibility, and “learning by doing” are central to thriving in this agency
Tips on getting your resume seen and what not to do with AI
Some Walker Sands highlights:
Founded: 2001 Team Size: ~170 employees Locations: HQ in Chicago + offices in Seattle and Boston, with hybrid/remote staff across the U.S. Perks & Culture:
Primarily hybrid, strong remote inclusion, collaborative and feedback-forward
Coaching over managing: every employee has a dedicated coach
Employee-led Find the Fun committee (trivia, scavenger hunts, social hours)
5 active ERGs + volunteer opportunities
Formal mentorship program
Learning and development budget + team-specific programming
If you're a creative and really into social marketing. Check this organization out.
Meet Movement Strategy, a social-first marketing agency behind some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Amazon, Hulu, and Bravo. In this episode, Culture Uncovered host Jena chats with Colette Gardner, Head of People and Culture, about how Movement builds a deeply people-centered, remote-first culture where authenticity and innovation thrive.
What you’ll learn:
How a $1,500 “Movement Journey” stipend helps employees grow personally (weaving classes and heritage trips included!)
What it’s like to grow from 40 to 150+ employees and acquire another agency
How Colette transitioned from opera singer to Head of People - and beat imposter syndrome
What it takes to build an inclusive, anti-ego creative team (plus their real “no assholes” policy)
Some Movement Strategy highlights:
Founded: 2008 by friends Eric Dieter and Jason Mitchell Size: ~150+ (following the acquisition of Newfangled Studios) HQ: Fully remote-first with hubs in NY, LA, Denver, Atlanta, and more Perks & Culture:
$1,500 Movement Journey personal growth stipend
DE&I woven into hiring, client work, and creative processes
Remote culture supported by quarterly meetups, Slack channels, WeWork days, and an annual retreat
Clear career pathways, “create your own lane” opportunities, and a pod/COE team model
That’s the vision behind Benevity - a software company that helps the world’s biggest brands lead with purpose, give back at scale, and build meaningful connection among employees.
In this episode, I talk with Janeen Speer, Chief People Officer at Benevity, about how they’re cultivating a mission-driven, high-performance culture without sacrificing flexibility or fun.
What you’ll learn:
How Benevity is disrupting corporate giving—and why it’s working
What “We Are We” means (and how it shows up in how they lead)
Why fun is a strategy - and how their employee-led rock concert proves it
How they’re building a gender-equal workplace with co-parenting bonuses
What kind of employee thrives in their fast-paced, growth-oriented environment
The one question that reveals if a company might not be the right fit for you
Some Benevity highlights:
📆 Founded: 2008 👥 Team size: 850+ globally 🌍 HQ in Calgary with hubs in Toronto, Spain, and British Columbia 🧠 Culture: Purpose-driven, collaborative, curious, and ever-evolving 🎉 Perks:
Donation matching
Co-parenting bonuses to encourage shared parental leave
Homecoming: annual employee event + charity rock concert
Manager Essentials: 5-month leadership development program
SurePeople is flipping the script on assessments by making psychometric insights accessible, ongoing, and practical—built for real work, in real time.
In this episode, I chat with Russ Mikowski, CEO of SurePeople, about how they’re democratizing self-awareness, infusing AI into career coaching, and building a small but mighty team that embraces transparency, flexibility, and fun.
💡 What you’ll learn:
How SurePeople's PRISM assessment is reshaping how companies understand (and apply) personality data
Why sales is the career skill everyone should master—even if you're not in sales
What startup leadership looks like in a remote-first, AI-fueled world
How SurePeople includes families in its culture-building strategy
The difference between “disagree and commit” and healthy dissent in decision-making
How to get free access to your own AI-powered work coach at SureCoach.ai
🌟 Some SurePeople highlights:
📆 Founded: 2015 👥 Team size: 15 full-time employees 🌍 Fully remote, globally distributed team (U.S., South America, Europe) ⚙️ Product: PRISM assessment + SureCoach.ai (free personalized AI work coach!) 🧠 Culture: Transparent, collaborative, async-flexible, and values self-awareness 🎉 Perks:
No office, no commute
Flexible hours focused on outcomes, not clock-in time