Fringe by PeopleForward Network

Hosted by PeopleForward Network

Business Management EducationInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

165

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

About the show

Fringe is a collection of content to educate and inspire you on your leadership journey. Whether it's talent acquisition, well-being, or the future of work- Fringe by PFN has content to support you on your development journey.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 19, 202612 min

Leading for Wellness: Inside a New Season of Generator Leadership

The best leaders don't have to tell you they're great. Their people already know. 🌱 Dr. Patricia Grabarek and Dr. Katina Sawyer are back for a new season of "Leading for Wellness", and this time, they're handing the mic to leaders who were nominated by the people they've impacted. These "generator leaders" stand out not only for driving results, but for creating workplaces where people can genuinely thrive. Throughout the season, Patricia and Katina uncover the leadership journeys, stories, and practical behaviors behind their lasting impact. Whether you have a formal title or simply influence the people around you, these conversations will give you fresh inspiration to lead with greater intention, connection, and care. 💡 Additional Resources: Grab your copy of "Leading for Wellness" Listen to the original episode Listen to the Leading for Wellness Podcast Connect with Patricia on LinkedIn Connect with Katina on LinkedIn Subscribe to the PFN YouTube Channel for daily leadership insights! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network

August 12, 20263 min

Why Watch Time Matters More Than Video Length

The perfect YouTube video length is not a number. It's the amount of time you can keep someone watching. Lucy breaks down why retention, watch time, and engagement matter far more than whether your video is 12 minutes or 62. She shares a simple three-part strategy using full episodes, focused clips, and Shorts to help podcasters reach loyal listeners, attract new viewers, and make every recording work harder. One episode can become an entire content ecosystem. Instead of creating more from scratch, learn how to package your best ideas in multiple ways so more people can discover your show. Additional Resources: Connect with Lucy on LinkedIn Subscribe to the PFN YouTube Channel for daily leadership insights! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Viewer retention matters more than total video length. Full episodes serve your most loyal audience. Focused clips make your podcast easier to sample. YouTube Shorts can become your discovery engine. One recording can fuel an entire content ecosystem.

July 22, 20263 min

Stop Overthinking Your Podcast Clips

Shorts aren't one-size-fits-all, and Lucy is here to help you stop guessing and start editing with intention. She breaks down when your short-form clips should spotlight the guest, show both host and guest, or zoom in for a more emotional moment. From powerful insights to funny reactions and personal storytelling, Lucy reminds creators that the best Shorts strategy is rooted in the moment itself. The real formula? There isn't one. Test, experiment, and let your audience show you what works. 🎥 Additional Resources: Connect with Lucy on LinkedIn Subscribe to the PFN YouTube Channel for daily leadership insights! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Match your edit to the moment. Guest insights deserve guest-focused clips. Funny moments work better with reactions. Emotional stories benefit from close-up framing. Experimentation is the real Shorts strategy.

July 8, 20263 min

How to Grow Your Podcast on YouTube with Shorts and Full Episodes

YouTube isn't just another place to park your podcast. It's where your next audience may be searching for you right now. 🎧 Lucy breaks down why PeopleForward Network has been leaning into YouTube as a powerful discovery engine for podcasts. From the difference between distribution and discovery to the role of Shorts, reels, and full-length episodes, Lucy shares a simple but strategic way to think about turning one episode into multiple audience-building moments. If you're wondering whether to post full episodes, short clips, or both, this quick episode will help you rethink your YouTube strategy and start using your podcast content long after launch day. Additional Resources: Connect with Lucy on LinkedIn Subscribe to the PFN YouTube Channel for daily leadership insights! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: YouTube helps new audiences discover your podcast. Spotify and Apple serve loyal existing listeners. Shorts act as your top-of-funnel discovery engine. Long-form episodes build deeper trust and connection. One episode can create multiple discovery moments.

June 30, 202611 min

Celebrating Five Years of Meaningful Work with Nikki Lewallen Gregory

Five years in, PeopleForward Network is celebrating the wins, the partners, the mission, and the hard lessons that come with building something meaningful. Nikki reflects on PFN's fifth birthday with the honesty only a founder can bring: the joy of creating a people-first culture, the emotion of serving partners deeply, and the sting of losing a major client right before a milestone moment. Nikki shares how PFN lives its mission from the inside out, from rituals of celebration and strengths-based leadership to work-life integration that protects real life moments. She opens up about entrepreneurship as a rollercoaster, reminding leaders that setbacks are not the end of the story. They are part of learning how to ride better. This episode is a heartfelt invitation for founders, executives, and team leaders to celebrate loudly, lead with purpose, and keep the gas pedal down on meaningful work. Additional Resources: Subscribe to the PFN YouTube Channel for daily leadership insights! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Celebrate wins before setbacks demand resilience. Partnership is a mindset, not a transaction. Meaningful work must be lived internally first. Work-life integration protects what matters most. Setbacks teach leaders to ride better.

June 29, 202622 min

The Best Days are Ahead with Dr. Ena Shelley

We're celebrating PFN's birthday by shining a light on the partners who have been part of our journey toward people-first leadership, meaningful work, and purpose-driven impact. This special feature from Survive and Advance with Paul Estridge captures the heart of their work and the shared mission that brings us together. Enjoy! — One ordinary workday became the moment Dr. Ena Shelley had to choose between pushing through and asking for help. That choice saved her life. Paul sits down with Dr. Ena Shelley to unpack the brain bleed that nearly ended her life, the three surgeries that followed, and the surrender it took to trust others in her most vulnerable moments. Ena shares how faith, family, determination, and love gave her the will to keep going when the road back felt uncertain. This conversation is a reminder for every people-first leader: survival begins with recognizing the truth of your circumstances, asking for help, and choosing to advance with gratitude, purpose, and hope. Additional Resources: Listen to Survive and Advance wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the PFN YouTube Channel for daily leadership insights! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Asking for help can save your life. Surrender is strength, not giving up. Purpose fuels resilience through life's hardest seasons. Gratitude brings clarity after crisis. Love can become a powerful survival force.

June 25, 202619 min

Building Community, One Project at a Time with Jay Newcomb of Talbert Building Supply

We're celebrating PFN's birthday by shining a light on the partners who have been part of our journey toward people-first leadership, meaningful work, and purpose-driven impact. This special feature from Hello Hello with Alyssa Rogers captures the heart of their work and the shared mission that brings us together. Enjoy! — Some leaders don't need the spotlight to make a big impact. They show up through steady service, strong relationships, and a genuine commitment to helping others succeed. Alyssa sits down with Jay Newcomb, General Manager of Talbert Building Supply in Clarksville, Virginia, for a warm conversation about community, customer care, family, and what it means to lead from behind the scenes. Jay shares how he unexpectedly found his way into the lumber industry, what sets Talbert apart, and why service starts with truly knowing your customers. From building supplies and home trends to supply chain challenges and family life, Jay brings humility, humor, and heart to every part of the conversation. This episode is a reminder that great leadership is often simple, personal, and consistent: do the right thing, give it 100%, and help the people around you succeed. Additional Resources: Connect with Alyssa on LinkedIn Listen to Hello Hello wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the PFN YouTube Channel for daily leadership insights! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Service begins with knowing your customers personally. Community involvement builds stronger business relationships. Trying something new can change everything. Great leadership often happens behind the scenes. Family and humility keep success grounded.

June 24, 202622 min

How To Sell Through Nurturing Relationships With Tonille Miller

We're celebrating PFN's birthday by shining a light on the partners who have been part of our journey toward people-first leadership, meaningful work, and purpose-driven impact. This special feature from How'd They Do That? with Skot Waldron captures the heart of their work and the shared mission that brings us together. Enjoy! — Selling does not have to feel like selling. Sometimes, the most powerful business development strategy is simply becoming someone people trust, remember, and want to work with. Skot sits down with Tonille Miller, organizational psychologist, management consultant, executive coach, and author, to unpack how she built a thriving consulting and coaching business through authentic relationship-building instead of traditional sales tactics. Tonille shares how curiosity, generosity, and a "co-elevative" mindset helped her grow a powerful network, attract clients organically, and create work that feels aligned rather than forced. For coaches, consultants, and people-first leaders who want to grow their business without feeling sleazy, this conversation is a reminder that value comes first, trust compounds, and the best opportunities often come from the relationships you nurture long before you need them. Additional Resources: Connect with Skot on LinkedIn Listen to How'd They Do That? wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the PFN YouTube Channel for daily leadership insights! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Build relationships before you need opportunities. Lead with value, not a sales pitch. Authentic connection can outperform traditional selling. Daily networking habits create long-term momentum. Alignment attracts the right clients.

June 23, 202640 min

Unlocking The Humanity of Work With Mindy Honcoop

We're celebrating PFN's birthday by shining a light on the partners who have been part of our journey toward people-first leadership, meaningful work, and purpose-driven impact. This special feature from Unlocked with Skot Waldron captures the heart of their work and the shared mission that brings us together. Enjoy! — Work can either drain people or deepen their sense of purpose. It's time to design workplaces that do the latter. Skot sits down with Mindy Honcoop, founder of Agile in HR and longtime people leader, to explore what it really means to put humans at the center of business strategy. With over 20 years in HR leadership, Mindy shares why organizations must move from reactive problem-solving to proactive, people-first design, especially when it comes to role clarity, onboarding, culture, employee experience, and organizational alignment. Together, Skot and Mindy unpack how leaders can listen better, ask better questions, and connect the employee story to the customer story. From reducing workplace churn to creating emotional loyalty, this conversation is a powerful reminder that when people feel seen, supported, and connected to purpose, organizations thrive. Additional Resources: Connect with Skot on LinkedIn Listen to Unlocked wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the PFN YouTube Channel for daily leadership insights! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Put people at the center of strategy. Proactive leadership creates healthier workplace cultures. Employee stories reveal the real problems. Loyalty grows when people feel deeply cared for. Small, curious questions can spark meaningful change.

June 22, 202656 min

AltHR Shift | A Real Talk on Managers in Change with Ali Merchant

We're celebrating PFN's birthday by shining a light on the partners who have been part of our journey toward people-first leadership, meaningful work, and purpose-driven impact. This special feature from The Shift with Mindy Honcoop and Marnie Robbins captures the heart of their work and the shared mission that brings us together. Enjoy! — Change is coming fast, and managers are feeling every ounce of it. Marnie and Mindy sit down with Ali Merchant, founder of All-In Manager and author of "The All-In Manager", to unpack what leaders are missing in the rush toward AI transformation. Ali brings a grounded, people-first perspective on why managers cannot keep being treated as the catch-all solution for engagement, transformation, culture, and performance without meaningful support. Together, they explore why AI adoption is not just a tech rollout, but a change management and culture challenge. From "modeling over mandates" to psychological safety, shadow AI, blameless retrospectives, and the power of discernment, this conversation is a practical reminder that the future of work still depends on deeply human leadership. Additional Resources: Connect with Mindy on LinkedIn Connect with Marnie on LinkedIn Learn more about AltHR Listen to The Shift wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the PFN YouTube Channel for daily leadership insights! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Managers need support, not more pressure. AI transformation requires trust and dialogue. Model AI adoption before mandating it. Psychological safety fuels experimentation and learning. Discernment is the new leadership superpower.