The Culture Coach

Hosted by Wendy Brand

Business Careers Entrepreneurship Health FitnessInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

141

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

I’m Wendy Brand, Your Culture Coach, dedicated to supporting people-first leaders. Each week we dive into strategies and insights to help you build a workplace where employees feel valued, motivated, and inspired. From fostering tribal values and improving core processes to developing inclusive communities and responsive listening strategies, we cover it all. Join me weekly for practical tips, expert interviews, and real-world examples to help you boost productivity, extinguish burnout and cultivate a vibrant organizational culture that reflects your mission, vision and values.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 22, 202618 min

#141 The Culture Maturity Model, Part 2: How to Level Up Your Culture

Send us Fan Mail Last week, Wendy walked through the four levels of the Culture Maturity Model: Reactive, Emerging, Intentional, and Thriving. This week she covers what to do about where you landed. For each level, she describes what a 30–90 day shift looks like and lays out a practical action plan built on her CORE framework: Clarify, Operationalize, Reinforce, Evaluate . She also makes the case that building an intentional culture doesn’t take a six-figure consultant. It takes time, focus, and the right tools. Key takeaway Wherever you are, there’s a next step. Pick at least one action in each part of CORE, stay consistent, and show your people you’re listening by acting on what they tell you. Resources mentioned: 📝 Take the Culture Maturity Quiz: culturecoachwendy.com/quiz 📖 C.O.R.E. Culture by Wendy McCauley Brand, available on Amazon. It includes an action plan template, a core values starter list, and sample tools you can put to use right away. 🎧 Last week’s episode: The Culture Maturity Model, Part 1 🎤 Book Wendy to speak to your organization: wendy@culturecoachwendy.com | culturecoachwendy.com ____________________________ With 25+ years of leadership experience, spanning multiple roles across corporations and non-profits, I have gained a wealth of experience in understanding what makes organizations successful. Get the new book, C.O.R.E. Culture by Wendy McCauley Brand, available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/07T2s89k CONNECT WITH ME Website: CultureCoachWendy.com LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/wendybrand/ Instram: Instagram.com/culturecoachwendy YouTube: YouTube.com/@CultureCoachWendy The CultureCoach Podcast Page: CultureCoachWendy.com/podcasts /

October 14, 2026Episode 14019 min

#140: The Culture Maturity Model: Where does your organization really stand?

Send us Fan Mail Every organization has a culture. The question is whether it’s happening to you or because of you. In this episode, Wendy revisits the Culture Maturity Model (first covered back in Episode 82) and walks through its four levels: Reactive, Emerging, Intentional, and Thriving . For each one, she describes the kinds of organizations that tend to land there, what it feels like to work inside them, and the red flags that tell you you’re there. If you’ve ever wondered whether your culture matches what you think it is, this one’s for you. Key takeaway Reaching a thriving culture isn’t a finish line. Staying there takes the same intentionality that got you there in the first place. Coming up next week: Part two covers how to move your culture up a level, whether you’re going from reactive to emerging or from intentional to thriving. Resources mentioned: 📝 Take the Culture Maturity Quiz: culturecoachwendy.com/quiz 📖 C.O.R.E. Culture by Wendy McCauley Brand, your how-to guide for building an intentional culture, available on Amazon 🎧 Episode 82: the original Culture Maturity Model episode ____________________________ With 25+ years of leadership experience, spanning multiple roles across corporations and non-profits, I have gained a wealth of experience in understanding what makes organizations successful. Get the new book, C.O.R.E. Culture by Wendy McCauley Brand, available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/07T2s89k CONNECT WITH ME Website: CultureCoachWendy.com LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/wendybrand/ Instram: Instagram.com/culturecoachwendy YouTube: YouTube.com/@CultureCoachWendy The CultureCoach Podcast Page: CultureCoachWendy.com/podcasts /

July 1, 2026Episode 13931 min

#139 Lori Castillo: Why the Strongest Brands Are Built from the Inside Out

Send us Fan Mail What if your employees are your most important audience? In this episode of The Culture Coach Podcast , Wendy Brand sits down with marketing and culture strategist Lori Castillo to explore the powerful connection between internal culture and external brand. Drawing from her leadership experience at organizations including Procter & Gamble, CoverGirl, and NatureSweet, Lori shares why the world's strongest brands don't start with advertising—they start with the employee experience. Together, Wendy and Lori discuss how culture influences customer trust, employee engagement, innovation, retention, and ultimately, business performance. They also unpack why culture isn't a "soft" initiative but a business strategy that leaders must intentionally design and reinforce every day. Whether you're a CEO, business owner, HR leader, or people manager, this episode will challenge the way you think about culture—and leave you with practical ideas for building an organization where both people and business thrive. Learn more about Lori's work at Venntion and connect with her on LinkedIn. Website: https://venntion.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loricastillo/ ____________________________ With 25+ years of leadership experience, spanning multiple roles across corporations and non-profits, I have gained a wealth of experience in understanding what makes organizations successful. Get the new book, C.O.R.E. Culture by Wendy McCauley Brand, available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/07T2s89k CONNECT WITH ME Website: CultureCoachWendy.com LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/wendybrand/ Instram: Instagram.com/culturecoachwendy YouTube: YouTube.com/@CultureCoachWendy The CultureCoach Podcast Page: CultureCoachWendy.com/podcasts /

April 29, 2026Episode 13831 min

#138 The Portfolio Career and Culture with Jennifer Doty

Send us Fan Mail What does it look like to build a career that's more than one thing, and do it out in the open? In this episode, Wendy sits down with Jennifer Doty, a former Fortune 100 vice president who spent nearly 20 years at MetLife before her role was eliminated and she was forced to reimagine everything. Today, Jennifer is thriving with a portfolio career that includes a leadership role at tech startup ThreeFlow, two published books, a speaking practice, and a growing business with LivePure. She shares what she learned about identity, reinvention, and what it really takes to lead with intention ...both for yourself and for your team. Jennifer's Books Just Lead: What Your Boss Will Never Teach You, But Experience Will — A practical, easy-to-read guide to the leadership lessons that only come from experience. Think coffee table book meets leadership manual. Find the Right Now Role — Written from the moment Jennifer received the call that her role at MetLife was eliminated, this book walks readers through the emotional and practical journey of job loss and what to do next — from taxes and benefits to building a network from scratch and making a job out of looking for a job. Connect with Jennifer Doty Website: https://threeflow.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-sierveld-doty/ Instagram/Other: https://www.instagram.com/jsierveld/ Resources Mentioned ThreeFlow — Technology platform helping group insurance carriers and brokers exchange data more efficiently: https://threeflow.com LivePure — Supplement and nutrition company Jennifer partners with: https://livepure.com/ Jennifer's Books — Available on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jennifer-Doty/author/B0BGJT4FCX?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=a69d4aec-f1ca-47e7-ab2c-53c141c729a2 Enjoying the Podcast? If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend, leave a review, and subscribe so you never miss an episode. We'd love to hear what's lighting you up — find Wendy on social and let her know! The Culture Coach Podcast is dedicated to helping leaders and organizations build intentional, people-first cultures. New episodes drop (insert schedule). ____________________________ With 25+ years of leadership experience, spanning multiple roles across corporations and non-profits, I have gained a wealth of experience in understanding what makes organizations successful. Get the new book, C.O.R.E. Culture by Wendy McCauley Brand, available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/07T2s89k CONNECT WITH ME Website: CultureCoachWendy.com LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/wendybrand/ Instram: Instagram.com/culturecoachwendy YouTube: YouTube.com/@CultureCoachWendy The CultureCoach Podcast Page: CultureCoachWendy.com/podcasts /

March 11, 2026Episode 13734 min

#137 Building a Values-Driven CPA Firm with Shannon Badger

Send us Fan Mail Building a successful business is one challenge. Building one that maintains strong values, accountability, and a healthy culture as it grows is another. In this episode of The Culture Coach Podcast , Wendy Brand sits down with Shannon Badger , co-founder of Badger CPA , to talk about what it really takes to grow a firm while staying true to the values that matter most. Shannon shares how what started as a small side hustle in 2009 evolved into a thriving accounting and advisory firm serving complex industries—including construction, engineering, nonprofits, and government contractors. Along the way, she and her team learned how intentional leadership, clear expectations, and strong systems play a critical role in shaping culture. Together, Wendy and Shannon explore the connection between core values, leadership standards, and operational systems , and why culture isn’t just about what organizations say—it’s about what they consistently reinforce. This conversation is full of practical insights for founders and leaders who want to build organizations where people feel valued, expectations are clear, and teams can truly thrive. About Shannon Badger Shannon Badger is the co-founder of Badger CPA , a San Antonio-based accounting and advisory firm specializing in outsourced accounting, fractional controller, and CFO services. The firm serves organizations in high-compliance and complex industries including construction, engineering, nonprofits, and government contractors. Shannon and her leadership team are passionate about building a firm that combines high accountability, excellent client service, and a strong commitment to people and family. Connect with Shannon Website https://badgercpa.com Email Shannon.badger@badgercpa.com Enjoying The Culture Coach Podcast? If you enjoyed this episode: • Follow the show so you never miss an episode • Share it with another leader or founder • Leave a review to help more leaders discover the podcast ____________________________ With 25+ years of leadership experience, spanning multiple roles across corporations and non-profits, I have gained a wealth of experience in understanding what makes organizations successful. Get the new book, C.O.R.E. Culture by Wendy McCauley Brand, available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/07T2s89k CONNECT WITH ME Website: CultureCoachWendy.com LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/wendybrand/ Instram: Instagram.com/culturecoachwendy YouTube: YouTube.com/@CultureCoachWendy The CultureCoach Podcast Page: CultureCoachWendy.com/podcasts /

February 25, 2026Episode 13640 min

#136 How Palo Alto Software CEO, Sabrina Parsons, Built a Mission-Aligned Culture

Send us Fan Mail What actually makes a culture real —not just aspirational? In this episode, Wendy Brand sits down with Sabrina Parsons , CEO of Palo Alto Software , to talk about what it takes to build an intentional culture that holds up through growth, change, and hiring challenges. Sabrina shares the turning point that led her team to articulate their culture (after several “perfect resume” hires didn’t work out), and how they operationalized six culture tenets—like relying on data, solving for the customer, and transparency—to create a workplace where people have the autonomy to be awesome and the accountability to deliver. If you’re a founder, CEO, or senior leader who wants culture to drive strategy (not sit beside it), this conversation will give you both clarity and practical takeaways. Sabrina Parsons is the CEO of Palo Alto Software, a SaaS company headquartered in Eugene, Oregon with a mission to help people succeed in business. She has led the company since 2007 and guided major transformations while building a culture rooted in transparency, autonomy, and mission-driven work. Connect + Links Connect with Wendy Brand / The Culture Coach Join the Culture Strategy Lab: https://culturecoachwendy.mykajabi.com/strategylab Explore the Aligned Leader Collective: https://culturecoachwendy.mykajabi.com/aligned Palo Alto Software Website: https://www.paloalto.com/about-us/culture ____________________________ With 25+ years of leadership experience, spanning multiple roles across corporations and non-profits, I have gained a wealth of experience in understanding what makes organizations successful. Get the new book, C.O.R.E. Culture by Wendy McCauley Brand, available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/07T2s89k CONNECT WITH ME Website: CultureCoachWendy.com LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/wendybrand/ Instram: Instagram.com/culturecoachwendy YouTube: YouTube.com/@CultureCoachWendy The CultureCoach Podcast Page: CultureCoachWendy.com/podcasts /

February 18, 2026Episode 13523 min

#135 Your Body Knows Before You Do: Julie Habelmann’s Story of Heart Health, Alignment, and Listening Within

Send us Fan Mail February is American Heart Month—a reminder of the importance of cardiovascular health and the signals our bodies send us every day. In this deeply personal conversation, Wendy sits down with her dear friend Julie Habelmann—founder of Noble Tones, integrative sound healing practitioner, and women’s heart health advocate—to explore how a heart attack became a catalyst for profound life and leadership transformation. After surviving a spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) in 2020, Julie was forced to slow down, listen to her body, and reevaluate everything. That experience ultimately led her to integrative sound healing and the creation of Noble Tones, a practice dedicated to helping others regulate their nervous system, restore balance, and reconnect with themselves. Julie focuses on helping individuals move out of chronic stress and back into balance—supporting sustainable overall wellbeing of mind, body, and spirit. Julie will also be facilitating mindset and nervous system sessions inside The Aligned Leader Collective. Learn More About Julie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nobletones/ Website: https://www.noble-tones.com/ Substack: https://substack.com/@juliehaberman Join The Aligned Leader Collective The Aligned Leader Collective is a 6-month leadership experience for high-achieving women who are ready to realign with themselves and their next chapter of leadership. This is not traditional leadership development. It’s a space to: Reconnect with your vision and direction Reset your energy and nervous system Gain clarity on what’s next Lead from alignment instead of obligation Julie will be facilitating three dedicated mindset and nervous system sessions as part of the program. The next cohort begins in March. Learn more and apply here: https://culturecoachwendy.com/aligned ____________________________ With 25+ years of leadership experience, spanning multiple roles across corporations and non-profits, I have gained a wealth of experience in understanding what makes organizations successful. Get the new book, C.O.R.E. Culture by Wendy McCauley Brand, available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/07T2s89k CONNECT WITH ME Website: CultureCoachWendy.com LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/wendybrand/ Instram: Instagram.com/culturecoachwendy YouTube: YouTube.com/@CultureCoachWendy The CultureCoach Podcast Page: CultureCoachWendy.com/podcasts /

February 11, 2026Episode 13414 min

#134 Leadership Alignment

Send us Fan Mail There’s a moment in leadership that's that in-between phase where, on the outside, everything looks fine… but internally, something feels off. In this solo episode, Wendy shares a personal story from her leadership journey—one where success, responsibility, and recognition continued to rise, while alignment quietly slipped away. She reflects on what happens when leaders sacrifice their own values, boundaries, and well-being in an effort to become what the organization needs—at the cost of who they are becoming. This episode is for high-capacity leaders who are: Succeeding, but not feeling grounded Carrying increasing responsibility while losing clarity Feeling pressure, disconnection, or internal friction they can’t quite name If you’ve ever felt successful but misaligned, this conversation will resonate—and may offer the permission you didn’t know you needed to pause, reflect, and realign. Check out The Aligned Leader Collective ____________________________ With 25+ years of leadership experience, spanning multiple roles across corporations and non-profits, I have gained a wealth of experience in understanding what makes organizations successful. Get the new book, C.O.R.E. Culture by Wendy McCauley Brand, available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/07T2s89k CONNECT WITH ME Website: CultureCoachWendy.com LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/wendybrand/ Instram: Instagram.com/culturecoachwendy YouTube: YouTube.com/@CultureCoachWendy The CultureCoach Podcast Page: CultureCoachWendy.com/podcasts /

February 4, 2026Episode 13340 min

#133 Collaboration and Community with Barry Moline

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Culture Coach Podcast , Wendy Brand sits down with former CEO Barry Moline to explore what truly drives high-performing teams — and why connection, trust, and community matter more than strategy alone. With nearly three decades of leadership experience, Barry shares real-world stories of early leadership mistakes, building intentional culture, strengthening collaboration, and guiding teams through crisis with clarity and trust. Together, Wendy and Barry unpack how relationships are the foundation of strong culture — and how the same principles that build thriving teams also support leadership growth and transformation. Here a link to Icebreakers for Team Building: https://barrymoline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Ideas-for-Icebreakers-Team-Building-1-25.pdf LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-moline/ Website: https://barrymoline.com/ ____________________________ With 25+ years of leadership experience, spanning multiple roles across corporations and non-profits, I have gained a wealth of experience in understanding what makes organizations successful. Get the new book, C.O.R.E. Culture by Wendy McCauley Brand, available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/07T2s89k CONNECT WITH ME Website: CultureCoachWendy.com LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/wendybrand/ Instram: Instagram.com/culturecoachwendy YouTube: YouTube.com/@CultureCoachWendy The CultureCoach Podcast Page: CultureCoachWendy.com/podcasts /

January 28, 2026Episode 13215 min

#132 Personal and Organizational Misalignment

Send us Fan Mail Leadership isn’t supposed to feel this heavy. Yet so many capable, driven leaders are exhausted. Carrying everything, fixing everything, and feeling constant pressure just to keep things moving. In this episode of The Culture Coach Podcast , Wendy Brand breaks down the real root cause behind burnout, team friction, and fragile workplace culture: misalignment . Drawing from her own leadership journey and years of consulting with organizations, Wendy explores how personal misalignment shows up in leadership behavior — and how it quietly shapes (and strains) organizational culture. You’ll learn: What leading without alignment actually looks like day to day How misalignment fuels micromanagement, disengagement, and burnout Why culture initiatives stall even when values are clearly defined The connection between personal alignment and sustainable organizational culture What begins to shift when leaders realign with clarity, values, and intention Wendy also shares what aligned leadership creates instead — clarity over control, ownership over dependence, and systems that reinforce culture instead of constantly fixing behavior. If leadership feels harder than it should… If culture feels fragile or exhausting to maintain… If you know you’re capable of more clarity, impact, and ease… This episode will help you understand why — and what to do about it. 🌿 Ready to go deeper? Wendy is hosting a live Information Session for women leaders on February 6th to share more about the Aligned Leader Collective , a six-month experience focused on personal and organizational alignment. 👉 Learn more at: https://go.culturecoachwendy.com/aligned The Culture Strategy Lab also opens the week of February 16th for leaders ready to begin operationalizing intentional culture. ⭐ Enjoyed the episode? If this conversation resonated, share it with a fellow leader who might need it — and don’t forget to rate, review, or follow The Culture Coach Podcast . Your support helps more leaders find clarity and build cultures where people truly thrive. ____________________________ With 25+ years of leadership experience, spanning multiple roles across corporations and non-profits, I have gained a wealth of experience in understanding what makes organizations successful. Get the new book, C.O.R.E. Culture by Wendy McCauley Brand, available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/07T2s89k CONNECT WITH ME Website: CultureCoachWendy.com LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/wendybrand/ Instram: Instagram.com/culturecoachwendy YouTube: YouTube.com/@CultureCoachWendy The CultureCoach Podcast Page: CultureCoachWendy.com/podcasts /