Amazing Teams Podcast

Hosted by Doug Dosberg and Una Japundza

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Apr 2026

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About the show

We started this podcast because we love teams, especially amazing ones. Michael Jordan said it best, "Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships." This is what we're all about! Our mission is to help others build amazing teams by having authentic conversations with remarkable people who are building amazing teams. We will explore the tactics, strategies, and frameworks that have helped them succeed.

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49 recent

April 21, 2026Episode 318 min

From Taco Trophies to Culture Clubs: Building Teams That Thrive

Send us Fan MailWhat does it actually take to make people feel seen at work — and keep it going?In this episode, Una from HeyTaco sits down with Sheena, a longtime culture builder and HeyTaco admin, to share what actually moved the needle for her team. Not theory. Real tactics, real stories, real results.They walk through four pillars of building culture with peer recognition — Connection, Visibility, Engagement, and Culture — and for each one, they dig into the symptoms to watch for and the specific things you can do about them.You'll hear how Sheena used core value hashtags to make company values something people actually did (and how she discovered two of their five values were never showing up), why bringing Taco Shoutouts into all-company meetings changed the whole energy in the room, and how a rotating Culture Club helped her keep recognition fresh for years.If you've ever wondered how to get peer recognition off the ground — or how to make it feel meaningful again after the novelty wears off — this one's for you. 🌮

February 6, 2026Episode 220 min

Taco Bytes: 10 Lessons for 10 Years of Building HeyTaco

Send us Fan MailTo celebrate HeyTaco’s 10th birthday, Una sits down with HeyTaco founder Doug Dosberg for a heartfelt and hilarious trip down memory lane. In this special Taco Bytes episode, Doug shares 10 powerful lessons from a decade of building a gratitude-powered business—complete with taco costumes, customer stories, and Beyoncé GIFs.If you’re a startup founder, team builder, or taco enthusiast, this one’s for you.Highlights from the EpisodeThe Big 1-0: Doug reflects on what it feels like to hit the 10-year mark and why it doesn’t feel like it’s been that long.Behind the List: How he went from “I don’t have any lessons” to “I have too many lessons.”Lesson Threads: The top 10 takeaways cover everything from building a bootstrapped SaaS to designing human-centered recognition.Doug’s 10 Lessons for 10 YearsBuilding a business is hard — It takes time, patience, and the courage not to quit when things get tough.Don’t do it for the money — Solving a real problem beats chasing revenue any day.Work on a problem you actually feel — Doug built HeyTaco because he knew what it felt like to do meaningful work and feel invisible.Your customers are the best investors you’ll ever have — He bootstrapped HeyTaco from day one, and never took outside funding.Tools don’t create culture. People do. — A moving story about a team using tacos to lift up a teammate shows that culture lives in moments, not mechanics.Customer service is the product — Doug still checks the support inbox. Listening to users fuels innovation.Recognition works best when it’s imperfect — Typos, emojis, and awkward phrasing are features, not bugs.Recognition is a leading indicator — Tacos often spike before major milestones (like a little ChatGPT launch 👀).Recognition reveals what actually matters — Teams can reverse-engineer their real values by looking at what teammates thank each other for.HeyTaco is just a vehicle — The mission is bigger: help people treat each other better and feel appreciated at work.Also in This EpisodeDoug’s taco costume makes a triumphant returnUna compares the HeyTaco dashboard to a football stadium noise meter (she’s not wrong)A spicy debate about AI vs. human supportFavorite Quote“HeyTaco is just a vehicle. The real work is helping people treat each other better and feel appreciated.”

January 13, 2026Episode 110 min

TacoBytes: Inside the HeyTaco Hall of Fame

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Taco Bytes, Doug and Una dive into what truly makes workplace cultures thrive: givers.Together, they explore why the most impactful people on teams are often the quiet, consistent supporters—the ones who notice effort, celebrate progress, and lift others up without expecting anything in return.The conversation centers on the HeyTaco Hall of Fame, an annual recognition honoring individuals (not teams!) who embody the spirit of gratitude day in and day out. Doug and Una share what inspired the Hall of Fame, what makes someone worthy of induction, and stories from recent inductees who show that meaningful culture isn’t built by the loudest voices—but by those who show up with generosity, empathy, and consistency.Along the way, they touch on how recognition works best when it’s frequent and sincere, why small gestures matter more than we think, and how playful elements like TacoTars help gamify gratitude without losing its heart.Whether you’re a leader, a teammate, or just someone who wants to make work a little better for the people around you, this episode is a reminder that giving credit freely can change someone’s entire day—and sometimes, an entire team.🌮 Key TakeawaysGreat workplace cultures are built by givers, not takersRecognition is most powerful when it’s consistent and freely givenThe HeyTaco Hall of Fame celebrates individuals, not teamsInductees are honored for quality and consistency, not one-off momentsBeing a giver means noticing and celebrating even the small winsTacoTars add a fun, gamified layer to recognitionHall of Fame inductees get to design their own taco avatar 🌮Members earn serious bragging rights (the best kind)Finding positivity—even in tough moments—mattersSmall acts of recognition can have an outsized impact on someone’s day

August 12, 2025Episode 138 min

TacoBytes: Celebrating the Days That Matter – Introducing HeyTaco Milestones

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of TacoBytes, Una and Doug take you behind the scenes of HeyTaco’s newest feature: Milestones—a fun and effortless way to celebrate your team’s birthdays and work anniversaries, right in Slack.They explore why recognition on these personal milestones matters more than we often admit, how it used to be done (balloons, cakes, and jackets, anyone?), and how HeyTaco is making these celebrations feel authentic—even when they’re automated.You’ll hear how customer stories shaped the feature, why it’s more than just a calendar reminder, and how Milestones brings back the joy of being seen—without the spreadsheet chaos or 5:45 AM Slack messages.Whether you’re part of a remote team or managing culture at scale, this is a fun and thoughtful conversation about celebrating people, not just performance.👉 Learn more about Milestones and how you can use it to make your team feel valued on the days that matter most.Key TakeawaysWhy birthdays and work anniversaries matter: These “non-performance” moments are key to making people feel seen and valued.The problem with current solutions: Manual reminders and HR-managed celebrations don’t scale—and can feel impersonal.HeyTaco’s solution: Milestones lets teammates be recognized automatically, in public or private channels, while keeping the celebration personal.The real magic: It’s not just about the automation—it’s about creating a moment that invites everyone to join in with tacos, emojis, and appreciation.Recognition is about being seen: Just like a college athlete’s jacket or a 10-year trip to Jamaica, the memories stick when recognition feels earned and visible.Resources & LinksLearn more about HeyTaco MilestonesTry Milestones free in your Slack workspace via the Admin → Milestones tabExplore how HeyTaco can help build a culture of gratitude → heytaco.comQuotes to Remember“Recognition isn’t just about big wins. It’s about being seen—and being seen with that jacket on.” – Doug“We used to say: automated = bad. But Milestones changed our mind.” – Una

July 29, 2025Episode 1239 min

The ROI of Delight & the Power of a Well-Thought-Out Gift with Katy Carrigan

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Amazing Teams podcast, we sat down with Katy Carrigan, CEO of Goody, to explore how thoughtful gifting drives employee engagement and recognition. They discuss the power of personalization, celebrating milestones, and building a culture of appreciation. The conversation also delves into leadership transparency, empowering teams, and how Goody navigates growth while keeping the recipient experience at the heart of it all.We dive into:Why physical gifts often have more impact than monetary onesThe common oversight of missing work anniversariesHow remote work calls for more intentional recognitionWhy action and follow-through are key to building trustTune in for Katy’s insights on creating meaningful moments that make teams feel truly valued.Resources:Connect with Katy on LinkedInLearn more about GoodyHow Katy became the CEO of Goody

July 15, 2025Episode 1142 min

You Can’t Clap with One Hand: Lessons from 55 Startups with Sanket Merchant

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Amazing Teams podcast, we sat down with Sanket Merchant, a partner at PeakSpan Capital, who shares insights from his career journey in the software investment space. He discusses the importance of culture, clarity, and support in building high-performing teams and organizations. Sanket emphasizes the value of trust, agility, and gratitude in leadership and how these elements drive the success of entrepreneurial ventures. He also highlights the importance of evaluating entrepreneurial teams based on shared values and mutual respect, and the role gratitude plays in cultivating a positive work environment.We dive into:How high-performing teams demonstrate accountability, commitment, and coachabilityWhy trust is essential for building strong business partnershipsThe importance of agility and responsiveness in fast-paced environments Resources:Connect with Sanket on LinkedInLearn more about PeakSpan CapitalDon’t miss the Master Class featuring John Hamm of PeakSpan Capital

July 1, 2025Episode 1041 min

“Say the Thing”: Claire Lew on Leading with Clarity

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Amazing Teams podcast, we sat down with Claire Lew, CEO adn founder of Canopy (formerly Know Your Team), to explore the evolving role of managers and the growing need for leadership development. She discusses the challenges of navigating uncertainty, maintaining morale, and giving honest feedback, while emphasizing the need for clear communication and strong leadership in today’s complex, digital workplace.We dive into:How clear, timely feedback builds stronger teamsWhy manager engagement drives morale and cultureThe challenges of growing into leadershipWhat Canopy is doing differently.Tune in for Claire’s insights on building stronger teams through thoughtful leadership and clear communication.Resources:Connect with Claire on LinkedInLearn more about Canopy.isFollow Claire on Substack

June 17, 2025Episode 940 min

How to Really Move People - and Why Being Nice Ain’t It, with Stephen Lord

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Amazing Teams podcast, we sat down with Stephen Lord, discuss the unique role of a Scrum Master, emphasizing the importance of kindness, empathy, and building trust within teams. He shares insights on treating developers as creative artists, fostering a positive team culture, and implementing gratitude practices to enhance team dynamics. The conversation offers actionable steps to improve workplace culture, highlighting the value of listening, authenticity, and recognition. The episode concludes with a heartfelt reflection on the power of appreciation in the workplace.We dive into:A Scrum Master serves as a guide rather than a director.Developers should be viewed as artists, requiring a creative environment to thrive.Humor can lighten the atmosphere and improve team dynamics.Culture is shaped through everyday interactions — not just policies.Tune in for Stephen’s insights on leading with empathy, fostering creativity, and building truly amazing team. Resources:Connect with Stephen on LinkedInLearn more about Point74What is Scrum Master?Ted talk: How to start a movement

June 3, 2025Episode 828 min

Leading Through Ambiguity: What Startup Leaders Must Learn (Fast) with Hannah Munizza

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Amazing Teams podcast, we sat down with Hannah Manizza, VP of Marketing at Forge Biologics, to explore the concept of a “wrong rock boss” and the critical role of effective leadership in team dynamics. Hannah shares her personal journey from a structured corporate environment to the fast-paced world of startups at Forge Biologics, highlighting both her professional growth and the evolution of the company.We dive into:Why effective management starts with clear guidance and expectationsHow navigating ambiguity is a critical skill in startup environmentsThe power of understanding individual motivations within a teamWhat it takes to build a strong, high-performing team from the ground upTune in for Hannah’s practical insights on leadership, adaptability, and what it truly takes to build an amazing team.Resources:Connect with Hannah on LinkedInLearn more about Forge BiologicsLearn about Adam Grant

May 20, 2025Episode 737 min

The Wake You Leave Behind: Carl Smith on Team Culture, Trust, and Not Being a Control Freak

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Amazing Teams podcast, we sit down with Carl Smith, owner of the Bureau of Digital. Carl shares his journey from agency owner to community leader, reflecting on the role of people, motivation, and creativity in the workplace. He and his guests explore how to balance introversion and extroversion, lead with empathy, and create space for learning through failure. The conversation highlights the power of community, the emotional weight of leadership, and the lasting impact of our actions— “the wake” we leave behind.We dive into:Why ‘PEOPLE’ are the core of what makes work betterHow allowing failure supports team growthThe role of chaos in fostering creativityHow strong communities protect themselves from negativity