Gut + Science

Hosted by Nikki Lewallen Gregory

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Episodes

544

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Gut+Science provides leadership experiences from both an emotional and calculated lens. People-first-minded executives and thought leaders share on the topics they are most passionate about, serving as mentors for our ever-growing audience.

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60 recent

June 16, 202636 min

In the Loop: Leading with Transparency and Trust with Angela White

The best donor stories are not always wrapped in sunshine, rainbows, and unicorns. Sometimes, the real power comes from telling the truth about what worked, what didn't, and what still needs to change. Katherine sits down with Angela White, President and CEO of Eskenazi Health Foundation, to explore how transparent communication, whole-person care, and authentic leadership can move people from awareness to action. Angela shares how Eskenazi is addressing social drivers of health through programs like Food is Medicine, community-based care, mental health support, and data-informed philanthropy. From donor storytelling to self-awareness as a leader, Angela reminds us that people-first communication starts with listening, honesty, and the courage to be yourself. This conversation is a powerful reminder that when leaders communicate with both heart and clarity, they build trust that lasts. Additional Resources: Connect with Angela on LinkedIn Connect with Katherine Coble on LinkedIn Learn more about Borshoff Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Listen first, then lead with clarity. Donors give from head and heart. Transparency builds deeper trust with stakeholders. Self-care creates sustainable leadership stamina. Authentic leaders cannot fake connection.

June 11, 202637 min

346: From a Dream to a Movement: How AltHR Is Redefining HR Community with Mindy Moncoop & Marnie Robbins

The old HR playbook is cracking, and Mindy Honcoop and Marnie Robbins are here to build something more human in its place. Nikki sits down with Mindy and Marnie to explore the origin of altHR, a people-first community and movement designed for HR leaders who are tired of doing the work alone. Together, they unpack what it means to evolve the future of HR through mindset shifts, friendship, co-creation, and the courage to ask for help. From launching The Hive to building the SIGNAL framework, Mindy and Marnie share how human-centered design can help people leaders move from isolation and overwhelm into possibility, experimentation, and meaningful connection. This conversation is a reminder that HR professionals were never meant to carry culture, change, and people strategy alone. The future of work will not be built by perfect playbooks, but by curious leaders willing to rethink, collaborate, and evolve together. Additional Resources: Connect with Mindy on LinkedIn Connect with Marnie on LinkedIn Join the AltHR Hive Hub! Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Nikki's Key Takeaways: HR leaders need community, not more isolation. Mindset shifts create new possibilities for HR. Friendship can be a powerful business foundation. Human-centered design helps solve real business problems. The future of HR requires co-creation and curiosity.

June 4, 202622 min

345: The Science of Self-Talk and Its Impact on Leadership with Dr. Suzy Burke

The voice in your head may be leading your team more than you realize. Nikki sits down with Dr. Suzy Burke, leadership expert, speaker, author, and psychologist, to unpack the science of self-talk and how our internal dialogue shapes the way we lead. From overthinking and self-doubt to the "monster" that shows up when we step outside our comfort zones, Dr. Suzy explains why leaders must learn to catch, confront, and change the stories they tell themselves. 🧠 Together, Nikki and Dr. Suzy explore the real cost of negative self-talk, the neuroscience behind fight, flight, and freeze, and practical tools like the DIG folder and the three Cs to help leaders shift from fear to grounded confidence. This conversation is a powerful reminder that when we learn to lead ourselves better, we create healthier teams, stronger cultures, and better outcomes for everyone. Additional Resources: Connect with Suzy on LinkedIn Get the book "Headamentals" now! Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Nikki's Key Takeaways: Self-talk quietly shapes leadership effectiveness. Overthinking delays action and erodes confidence. Leaders' emotions spread through their teams. Catch, confront, and change negative narratives. Confident self-leadership creates healthier team culture.

May 28, 202648 min

Addicted to Betterment: What Would Love Do: Building Conscious Habits

Ever found yourself mid-argument thinking, "Why am I so worked up right now?" What if the real culprit… is your ego? David is joined by Amy Woodall for a conversation that feels more like a mirror than a mic. Together, they pull back the curtain on ego, and how it sneaks into your relationships, hijacks your reactions, and disguises itself as righteousness. Amy shows us where ego lurks and how asking one simple question, "What would love do?", can change the tone, the outcome, and maybe even the world. Expect to feel called out, cracked open, and challenged to stop forwarding that podcast to "someone who really needs to hear it"… and instead, take it personally. This is your invitation to check your ego, rewire your reactions, and step into leadership with radical love, not loud opinions. ❤️ Additional Resources: Subscribe to Conscious Habit on YouTube! Join the "Conscious Conversations" Community! Sign Up for the Conscious Habit Newsletter Connect with Amy on LinkedIn Learn more about Conscious Habit Follow Addicted to Betterment wherever you listen to podcasts! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Connect with David on LinkedIn Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Ego reacts; love responds with curiosity and grace. Judging others mirrors unhealed parts of ourselves. Agreement isn't required for acceptance and compassion. Triggered? That's your ego, not your highest self. Love is not weak. It's the ultimate active force.

May 21, 202629 min

Replay: Prioritize and Level Up Emotional Fitness with Dr. Paul Zak

Emotional fitness is not a soft skill. It is the leadership muscle your people feel every day. Nikki sits down with neuroscientist, author, and speaker Dr. Paul Zak to unpack how leaders can build emotional fitness, create psychologically safe workplaces, and design environments people actually want to be part of. 🧠 Paul shares why being present, connected, and socially energized matters more than ever, especially in a world where talent is scarce and workplace relationships directly impact life beyond the office. From "no yelling at work" to building spaces that feel meaningful, satisfying, and human, this conversation will challenge you to rethink how you show up, how your team connects, and what it really means to lead people well. Additional Resources: Connect with Paul on LinkedIn Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Nikki's Key Takeaways: Emotional fitness builds resilience, presence, and better leadership. Psychological safety starts with how leaders show up. Quality relationships extend value, fulfillment, and wellbeing. Work energy follows people home every day. Great workplaces make connection easy and intentional.

May 19, 202631 min

In the Loop: Why Great Leaders Start by Listening with Greg Ballard

Leadership is not loudest when it gives orders. Sometimes, it sounds like a mayor sitting in a neighborhood meeting, listening long enough to hear what the city actually needs. Katherine sits down with Greg Ballard, author, businessman, former Marine, and the 48th mayor of Indianapolis, to explore the leadership habits that shaped his journey from the Marine Corps to city hall. Greg shares why clarity, collaboration, sincerity, and listening are not just communication skills, they are the foundation of trust. From grassroots campaigning to leading a major metropolitan city, Greg offers a grounded reminder for every people-first leader: you do not need to have every answer, but you do need the humility to listen, the courage to decide, and the consistency to do the right thing for the right reasons. Additional Resources: Connect with Katherine Coble on LinkedIn Learn more about Borshoff Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Leadership is influence, not authority. Listening builds credibility before words do. Strong teams challenge your thinking. Start with yes, then solve. Trust grows through consistency and sincerity.

May 14, 202629 min

344: How to Build a Growth Function That Lasts with Breanne Byrne

What happens when marketing stops chasing tactics and starts building systems that actually scale? Nikki sits down with CMO and growth leader Breanne Byrne to unpack what it really takes to build a marketing and growth function that evolves with your business and your people. Breanne shares her five-phase department maturity model, from reactive to intelligent, and explains why sustainable growth is never just about channels, campaigns, or tech stacks. It is about clarity, customer experience, role alignment, and servant leadership that helps people do their best work. Along the way, Nikki and Breanne explore AI, change management, team strengths, and why growth that lasts always starts with humans. Whether you are leading a scrappy team, scaling a department, or trying to make change feel more meaningful for your people, this episode will challenge you to think bigger, lead better, and grow with intention. Additional Resources: Connect with Breanne on LinkedIn Learn more about Syntari® AI Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Nikki's Key Takeaways: Scalable growth starts with strong foundations, not random tactics. Clear goals create alignment across teams and departments. AI works best as a human amplifier, not replacement. Servant leadership unlocks stronger teams and better performance. Sustainable marketing requires constant iteration, learning, and adaptation.

May 7, 202628 min

343: Connection First, Culture Follows with Dr. Iain Smith

What happens when workplace culture stops being a program and starts becoming a pattern of connection? Nikki sits down with Dr. Iain Smith, Head of Behavioral Science at Sunny, to unpack why connection is not just a nice-to-have at work, but the foundation for meaningful, sustainable performance. Together, they explore why culture is better understood through behavior, rhythms, and relationships than through buzzwords alone. Dr. Smith shares fresh insights on digital overload, team vibrancy, Gen Z loneliness at work, and why leaders need to stop relying on more tools and start designing better ways for people to connect, contribute, and thrive. From rituals and team energy to the realities of hybrid work, this conversation is a powerful reminder that when connection comes first, culture follows. If you care about people-first leadership and building workplaces that actually work for humans, this one will stay with you. Additional Resources: Connect with Iain on LinkedIn Learn more about Sunny Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Nikki's Key Takeaways: Culture reflects behaviors, not abstract values. Connection is designed through rhythms and rituals. Digital overload weakens depth, not communication frequency. Team energy is everyone's shared responsibility. Young leaders need support, practice, and real connection.

April 23, 202627 min

Addicted to Betterment: Protect Your Time with Nikki and David Gregory

Ever felt like your calendar is running your life instead of the other way around? Nikki and David tackle the ultimate challenge: protecting your time before it slips away. They get real about the pain of saying "yes" when you should've said "hell no," the stress of back-to-back meetings that could've been emails, and the guilt of letting your true priorities, family, health, and dreams, slip through the cracks. But it's not all pain stories. They share how to get back in the driver's seat of your days, from using the Life Wheel to create clarity, to building systems that actually support you, to confidently saying "no" without apology. If you're ready to stop coasting through your schedule and start thriving in it, this conversation is your reminder that time is your most precious commodity… make it count. ⏳ Additional Resources: Follow Addicted to Betterment wherever you listen to podcasts! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Connect with David on LinkedIn Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Time is our most valuable resource. Clear priorities come from regular reflection. Strong systems protect energy and focus. Saying "no" keeps you in control. Auditing your calendar shows real priorities.

April 21, 202630 min

In the Loop: Building a Culture that Connects and Inspires with Courtney Roberts

What does it really mean to lead with purpose when lives, communities, and futures are on the line? Katherine sits down with Courtney Roberts, President and CEO of the Riley Children's Foundation, to explore how storytelling, empathy, and bold vision can transform leadership into a force for lasting impact. Courtney shares her journey from small town curiosity and global health equity work to leading one of Indiana's most beloved philanthropic organizations. Together, she and Katherine unpack the powerful role leaders play as chief storytellers, bridging mission and meaning while building cultures rooted in trust, innovation, and inclusivity. From engaging the next generation of donors to navigating hard conversations with authenticity and clarity, this episode is a masterclass in people first leadership. If you are striving to connect purpose with performance and lead with both heart and strategy, this conversation will leave you energized and ready to act. Additional Resources: Connect with Courtney on LinkedIn Learn more about Riley Children's Foundation Connect with Katherine Coble on LinkedIn Learn more about Borshoff Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Purpose driven leadership fuels meaningful community impact Storytelling connects mission, donors, and organizational culture Values alignment strengthens internal and external communication Flex communication styles to meet audience needs Access and equity can guide lifelong leadership decisions