Work in Progress | Leadership Development for Better Teams, Cultures & Workplaces

Hosted by Nikki Lewallen Gregory

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174

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Oct 2026

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About the show

As PeopleForward Network's home show, Work in Progress brings together conversations that challenge how we think about people, culture, and the future of work. From leadership development and employee engagement to wellbeing, talent, DEI, and the future of work, each episode brings forward fresh ideas and perspectives to help people lead with more intention and create workplaces where others can thrive. Because better teams, healthier cultures, and more meaningful work are always a work in progress.

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60 recent

October 21, 20263 min

The Question to Ask Before Recording

The best podcast episodes don't just end. They lead somewhere. Lucy challenges podcasters to think beyond the conversation and get intentional about what happens after someone listens. From recommending another episode to sharing a resource, inviting a comment, or bringing listeners into your newsletter, the right next step can turn passive consumption into real connection. Because your podcast isn't just content. It's the front door to your brand and community. When every episode creates momentum toward something meaningful, listeners don't just tune in. They become part of what you're building. 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: Great podcast episodes intentionally lead listeners somewhere. Define your listener's next step before recording. Weave calls to action naturally into conversations. Every content touchpoint can deepen audience connection. Podcasts build momentum when episodes connect strategically.

October 14, 20264 min

The Podcast Mistake That Kills Momentum

A great podcast episode can capture attention. But what happens after the listener hits stop? In this solo mini episode, Lucy explores one of the biggest missed opportunities in podcasting: creating great content without giving your audience somewhere to go next. She breaks down how intentional calls to action can turn individual episodes into a connected journey, whether the next step is another episode, a helpful resource, a newsletter, or a conversation with your community. Your podcast isn't just content. It's the front door to your brand, expertise, and community. The question is, where are you taking your audience once they walk through it? 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: Every podcast episode should intentionally lead somewhere. Choose your audience's next step before recording. Calls to action should feel natural, not forced. Each touchpoint can deepen your audience relationship. Great podcasts create momentum, trust, and community.

October 7, 202641 min

Spoken in Confidence: The Power of Showing Up with Kristina Broumand

Kristina Broumand is the former Chief Legal and People Officer of Zappos and currently a part-time faculty member in Legal Studies at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh. She earned her BSBA in Accounting and Computer & Information Systems from Robert Morris University, and her JD and MBA from Georgetown University. Since graduating Georgetown, she has grown her legal, commercial, and people expertise at organizations across several industries and sectors, including at Troutman Pepper Locke, the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission, and Caesars Entertainment. She is a dedicated volunteer for the Junior League and currently serves as the Secretary for the Junior League of Las Vegas Endowment Fund Board of Trustees. In addition to her career and volunteer accomplishments, she takes the greatest pride in her role as a caretaker for three generations of her family. Additional Resources: Connect with Kristina Broumand on LinkedIn Connect with Sana on LinkedIn Learn more about OmbudSana Subscribe to Spoken in Confidence on YouTube for more content! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Presence is the foundation of trust, whether that means walking the office floor, responding to emails promptly, or sending a simple message to check in. Employees will always be hesitant to bring concerns to someone who represents the company, which is why neutral, independent resources are so valuable. Empathy means putting yourself in the other person's shoes and taking time to understand what is really going on in their life before reacting. Leaders can only show up as their best selves when they are also taking care of themselves. The ripple effects of workplace conflict extend far beyond the people directly involved, and leaders need to consider the impact on everyone around them.

September 30, 20261 min

Welcome to Work in Progress | A New Era of People-First Work

Work is always evolving. So are the leaders, teams, and cultures shaping it. We're introducing Work in Progress, the newly refreshed evolution of Fringe from PeopleForward Network. The conversations you know and love are still here, now under a name that better reflects what people-first leadership is really about: learning, growing, experimenting, and continuously finding better ways to work. From leadership development and employee engagement to well-being, talent, culture, and the future of work, Work in Progress brings together big ideas and practical perspectives designed to help you build stronger teams and more meaningful workplaces. Because no leader, team, or culture is ever truly finished. We're all a work in progress. Additional Resources: Subscribe to the PFN YouTube Channel for daily leadership insights! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network

September 23, 20263 min

How Live Streaming Can Grow Your Podcast

Your podcast doesn't have to end when you hit record. Going live on YouTube can turn a one-way episode into a real-time experience where your audience can ask questions, react in the moment, and feel like they're part of the conversation. In this episode, Lucy breaks down why live streaming can be such a powerful addition to your podcast strategy. From building a more engaged community to creating ten or more pieces of content from a single stream, she shares how going live can extend the reach and impact of every conversation. You'll also hear why live chat, longer watch sessions, and immediate engagement can send stronger signals to YouTube, plus one simple way to give your live stream a better chance of success before it even begins. 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: Live streaming creates real-time audience engagement. Engaged viewers can become a loyal podcast community. One live stream can create multiple content assets. Live engagement can strengthen YouTube visibility over time. Schedule streams early to give promotion more runway.

September 16, 202634 min

In the Loop: Curiosity Before Judgment with Randy Brown

Randy Brown has spent over a decade as an executive career mentor at Butler University's Lacey School of Business, walking alongside students through the full arc from self-discovery to career launch. Before that, he spent 12 years in human resources at Anthem, navigating 10 acquisitions and learning firsthand what it takes to lead people through constant change. In this conversation with Katherine, Randy shares the leadership philosophy that has guided him through both worlds: get to know the whole person, lead with curiosity before judgment, and take the time to truly connect. He reflects on why today's generation of students is more resilient and capable than they often get credit for, how a CEO who recorded his messages nine times taught him the value of tone, and why communicating about how you're going to communicate is the most overlooked first step in any major change. Additional Resources: Connect with Randy Brown on LinkedIn Connect with Katherine Coble on LinkedIn Learn more about Borshoff Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: You can't help someone grow until you've earned their trust and taken the time to know them as a whole person. Curiosity before judgment helps leaders pause, reconsider assumptions, and reach better answers. The best communicators think not just about what they're saying but about how it will sound to the listener. In times of major change, the first thing people need to hear is how and when you'll answer their unanswered questions. Today's generation responds powerfully to caring, and leaders who show genuine interest get that care right back.

September 9, 20263 min

The YouTube Strategy Podcasters Are Missing

Your YouTube strategy starts before anyone ever clicks play. The moment you upload an episode, YouTube is already analyzing your title, description, tags, captions, and content to figure out who should see it. Lucy breaks down why scheduling your podcast in advance can give the algorithm a valuable head start, especially for newer channels, niche content, and interview-style shows. She also clears up a big monetization misconception: you do not have to wait for the YouTube Partner Program to start earning from your content. From sponsor reads and paid-content disclosures to smarter publishing habits, Lucy shares simple ways to use YouTube more intentionally. Because YouTube is not just where your podcast lives. It is a discovery engine that can help more of the right people find 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: Schedule YouTube uploads early to improve content discovery. YouTube analyzes content before your episode goes live. Monetization opportunities exist before joining the Partner Program. Sponsor reads can generate revenue directly from episodes. Treat YouTube as a discovery engine, not storage.

August 26, 20264 min

Four Simple Strategies for Smarter YouTube Growth

Your YouTube channel does not need more random uploads. It needs a smarter path that keeps people watching. The host shares four simple ways to turn YouTube into a stronger growth engine for your podcast or long-form content. From searchable titles and a well-organized homepage to connected videos and consistent Community posts, these small shifts can make your channel easier to discover and more valuable to explore. Growth is not about chasing one big breakthrough. It is about building a content ecosystem that guides viewers, deepens engagement, and creates momentum over time. 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: Clear titles and descriptions improve YouTube search visibility. Treat your channel homepage like a curated storefront. Use playlists to guide viewers toward relevant content. Connect videos to encourage continued audience exploration. Community posts maintain engagement between video uploads.

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.