How I Turned The Corner

Hosted by Kendra Prospero

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Episodes

102

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Many founders and entrepreneurs start their business because they have an itch to solve a problem but they reach a point along the way where they realize they can’t do it on their own. They have to hire and now they’re a manager. Now they are truly leading and this is where most businesses fail unless they turn the corner. Every leader goes through a place where they hit this humbling moment. Join us on How I Turned The Corner and hear stories from seasoned founders who experience this. For over a decade, Kendra's career has been all about creating healthier and more rewarding work environments. She has served hundreds of clients in revamping their corporate cultures, revitalizing their recruiting and helping them retain their people. Kendra is your guide in disrupting the market and impacting the lives of many without jeopardizing the satisfaction of your employees. She brings to the podcast her most powerful frameworks for earning high profits and building a well-rounded team. If you feel out of touch with your people and fail to understand their challenges, Kendra is here to help change your perspective. Kendra leads with the most difficult conversation, the one business leaders often try to avoid: the right way to scale your workplace culture. She sits down with founders and owners who share how they grew their teams from a small group of talented individuals. They also open up about the obstacles they had to overcome as entrepreneurs. Listen as they discuss valuable lessons on how to avoid getting lost in the whirlwind of raising capital and launching top-notch products. Find out how to place more attention on recruiting employees, provide them with proper training, and make sure that they engage with their work. The future of your business depends on your employees. Now is the time to hear them out and give them that much-needed love. When they are happy, they can give their best every single day. Listen to Kendra's eye-opening episodes of How I Turned The Corner at https://turningthecornerHR.com/podcast .

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 5, 2026Episode 333 min

The Outfit Is Just the Beginning - Amara Martin of Dress for Success

What if the biggest barrier to landing a life-changing job was simply not having the right outfit?In this episode of How I Turned the Corner, host Tim Rhodes sits down with Amara Martin, CEO of Dress for Success Denver, to discuss how the organization is helping women build confidence, careers, and economic independence.While many people know Dress for Success for providing professional clothing, Amara explains how the organization has expanded far beyond the suit. Through career coaching, leadership development, networking opportunities, and community support, they help women navigate every stage of their professional journey.Amara also shares powerful lessons for leaders about empathy, flexibility, belonging, and the importance of seeing employees as whole people. Drawing from her own experiences as a nonprofit leader and cancer survivor, she offers practical insights on vulnerability, advocacy, and building workplaces where people can truly thrive.In this episode you'll learn: Why confidence often starts before the interview How belonging impacts workplace performance The hidden challenges many employees face Why rigid workplace policies often fail How leaders can use their influence to create positive change The role vulnerability plays in effective leadership Learn more about Dress for Success Denver: https://denver.dressforsuccess.org#Leadership #WomenInBusiness #WorkplaceCulture #CareerDevelopment #NonprofitLeadership #DressForSuccess

May 6, 2026Episode 228 min

How Snooze Mattress's Matt Smith Built a People-First Franchise

Sleep isn’t just wellness advice — it might be your greatest competitive advantage.In this conversation, entrepreneur Matt Smith shares how he built Snooze Mattress into a people first franchise empire, focusing relentlessly on people, culture, and servant leadership.From hiring philosophy to franchise scaling to the science of better sleep, this episode offers practical leadership lessons and a refreshing perspective on what sustainable success really looks like.Matt shares:His journey from mattress salesman to international franchise ownerThe leadership lessons behind scaling to 40+ locationsThe 3 traits he looks for in every franchiseeWhy communication drives business successHow sleep impacts performance, wellness, and longevityThis episode is packed with insights for entrepreneurs, leaders, franchise operators, and anyone interested in building businesses centered around people and purpose.

April 15, 2026Episode 139 min

100th Episode - Leadership at Its Most Human: Inside Craig Hospital with Dr. Jandel Allen-Davis

In this special 100th episode of How I Turned the Corner, we sit down with Dr. Jandel Allen-Davis, CEO of Craig Hospital, a nationally recognized leader in spinal cord and brain injury rehabilitation.From her early days as an OB-GYN to leading a world-class healthcare organization, Dr. Allen-Davis shares a powerful perspective on what leadership really looks like when people are at their most vulnerable.She discusses the importance of presence over position, why culture is something you protect—not just build—and how compassion fuels high performance. We also explore the evolving landscape of healthcare, the challenges of scaling without losing your organization’s soul, and her commitment to building more inclusive leadership pipelines.This is a conversation about purpose, people, and the kind of leadership that leaves a lasting impact.Key topics:Human-centered leadership in healthcareBuilding and protecting organizational cultureLeading through change and growthRepresentation and leadership pipelinesCreating commitment vs. complianceIf you're interested in leadership that actually connects—this episode is for you.

March 4, 2026Episode 1028 min

Scaling a Mission-Driven Startup Without Losing Culture - with Caleb Polley of Cubby Beds

Caleb Polley, founder of Cubby Beds, joins the show to share how he built a mission-driven medical technology company helping children with complex disabilities sleep safely.Starting with prototypes in a garage, Caleb scaled Cubby into a fast-growing company serving families across the country. In this episode, he explains why intentional hiring and structured onboarding became critical to building a strong culture and scaling the organization.We explore: Why hiring should be treated as a core business processHow mission-driven companies attract great talentDesigning roles and competencies before posting a jobThe power of structured interviews and scorecardsCreating 30-60-90 onboarding plans that set new hires up for successThe real cost of a bad hireIf you’re building a team, scaling a startup, or leading a mission-driven organization, this episode is packed with practical insights.

February 17, 2026Episode 938 min

Balancing Teams in Uncertain Times - with Theo Edmonds

In this live episode from the Rocky Mountain Total Rewards Conference, Kendra Prospero speaks with culture futurist Theo Edmonds about the future of innovation—and what’s really holding organizations back.Theo argues that creativity isn’t soft. It’s measurable. And it’s one of the most powerful performance drivers in today’s AI-driven economy.They discuss:How unprocessed grief reduces innovation capacityWhy AI may be creating a “race to the bottomThe shift from solutions to better questionMeasuring creative brain capital as a leading KPIBuilding balanced teams that thrive under uncertaintyIf you’re a CEO, HR leader, or innovation strategist, this conversation will change how you think about performance.

February 10, 2026Episode 820 min

The Real Cost of Disengagement at Work with Dr. Michelle Corman

In this episode of How I Turned the Corner, host Kendra Prospero sits down with Dr. Michelle Corman, employee research leader at Mercer, to explore the powerful connection between employee experience and business performance. Recorded live at the Rocky Mountain Total Rewards Conference, this conversation breaks down how data can be used to prove what many leaders intuitively know: when people feel valued, organizations perform better.Michelle shares how organizations can use workforce data to reduce turnover, increase productivity, strengthen leadership teams, and build cultures where employees become brand ambassadors. From the hidden cost of disengagement to why recognition is the most cost-effective retention strategy, this episode offers research-backed insights leaders can act on immediately—without breaking the budget.Listen for Key Takeaways: Employee Experience Is a Financial IssueTurnover Is One of the Most Expensive “Hidden Costs”Data Is the Bridge Between Culture and CredibilityRecognition Is the #1 Predictor of RetentionLeadership Teams Need Role BalanceHR Belongs at the Executive TableThe Employee Voice and Bottom Line Are Not Separate____________________________________________________________________________________WHEN YOU’RE READY, HERE’S HOW TURNING THE CORNER HR CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS:TAKE THE FREE 5-MINUTE EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT ASSESSMENThttps://turningthecornerHR.com/quizSCHEDULE A CALL WITH A HUMAN RESOURCES CONSULTANThttps://turningthecornerHR.comHIRE KENDRA AS A CONSULTANT OR KEYNOTE SPEAKERhttps://kendraprospero.com/____________________________________________________________________________________Stay in touch on social:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC18USlHyF1MEruK2tO3fdFQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TurningTheCornerHRInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/turning_the_corner/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/turning-the-corner/

January 28, 2026Episode 713 min

Freedom Currency & the Future of Compensation with Dr. Scott Cawood

In this episode of How I Turned the Corner, Kendra Prospero interviews Scott Cawood, CEO of WorldatWork, live from the Rocky Mountain Total Rewards Conference. They unpack why the old "butts in seats" model is dead, how flexibility and trust define modern productivity, and what organizations can do to create meaningful, outcome-based compensation. If you're ready to rethink work and total rewards, this episode is your roadmap. Listen for key takeaways and themes: Outdated Work Models: The industrial-era mindset that equates physical presence with productivity is obsolete.Freedom Currency: Employees now value autonomy over where, when, and how they work.Trust & Flexibility: Leaders must extend trust and focus on outcomes, not hours worked.Rethinking Compensation: Models like daily or weekly pay can better support employees’ real needs.Technology Gap: HR systems need a redesign to meet modern work expectations—intuitive, fast, and user-friendly.Reciprocity in Rewards: Aligning total rewards with employee needs and contributions is a major opportunity for organizational growth.WHEN YOU’RE READY, HERE’S HOW TURNING THE CORNER HR CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS:TAKE THE FREE 5-MINUTE EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT ASSESSMENThttps://turningthecornerHR.com/quizSCHEDULE A CALL WITH A HUMAN RESOURCES CONSULTANThttps://turningthecornerHR.comHIRE KENDRA AS A CONSULTANT OR KEYNOTE SPEAKERhttps://kendraprospero.com/____________________________________________________________________________________Stay in touch on social:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC18USlHyF1MEruK2tO3fdFQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TurningTheCornerHRInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/turning_the_corner/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/turning-the-corner/

January 7, 2026Episode 622 min

Housing Hope, Hearing People: Leading with Empathy at Habitat for Humanity with Dana Griffin

How did listening transform leadership at Habitat for Humanity Metro Denver?In this episode of How I Turned the Corner, Kendra Prospero sits down with Dana Griffin, Chief People and Culture Officer at Habitat for Humanity Metro Denver.Dana shares how she and CEO Jaime Gomez built a robust feedback infrastructure that transformed employee engagement, strengthened organizational culture, and even improved financial outcomes. From pulse surveys to anonymous idea boxes to division-level town halls — this is a masterclass in authentic, actionable leadership. Listen for Key TakeawaysTransforming Feedback into Action: Going beyond annual surveys to continuous, meaningful feedback loops.Building Transparency & Trust: How “clear windows” values shape open communication.Leadership Accountability: Modeling responsiveness and clear decision-making at the top.Driving Inclusion: Brave Space workshops and measurable improvements in belonging for LGBTQ+ employees.People-Driven Strategy: How culture became the foundation of a strategic plan — literally shaped like a house!Culture’s Bottom-Line Impact: Reduced turnover, stronger alignment, and better budget outcomes.WHEN YOU’RE READY, HERE’S HOW TURNING THE CORNER HR CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS:TAKE THE FREE 5-MINUTE EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT ASSESSMENThttps://turningthecornerHR.com/quizSCHEDULE A CALL WITH A HUMAN RESOURCES CONSULTANThttps://turningthecornerHR.comHIRE KENDRA AS A CONSULTANT OR KEYNOTE SPEAKERhttps://kendraprospero.com/____________________________________________________________________________________Stay in touch on social:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC18USlHyF1MEruK2tO3fdFQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TurningTheCornerHRInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/turning_the_corner/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/turning-the-corner/

December 17, 2025Episode 519 min

Leading at 35,000 Feet: Building Team Culture Mid-Flight with Steve Schuller of Frontier Airlines

How does Frontier Airlines build a strong team when crews change daily?In this episode, Frontier Airlines HR VP Steve Schuller joins host Kendra Prospoer to share how Frontier successfully builds a strong, self-managed team culture in a high-turnover, environment where flight crews often meet for the first time just moments before a flight.Listen for key takeaways: Self-Directed Teams Are Possible — With the Right PeopleDefine and Use a North StarHire for Service First, Train the RestFeedback Isn't Optional — It's OperationalSystematize Culture for ScaleBig Lessons for Small BusinessesAI Is a Tool — Not a ReplacementWHEN YOU’RE READY, HERE’S HOW TURNING THE CORNER HR CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS: TAKE THE FREE 5-MINUTE EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT ASSESSMENThttps://turningthecornerHR.com/quizSCHEDULE A CALL WITH A HUMAN RESOURCES CONSULTANThttps://turningthecornerHR.comHIRE KENDRA AS A CONSULTANT OR KEYNOTE SPEAKERhttps://kendraprospero.com/__________________________________________Stay in touch on social:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC18USlHyF1MEruK2tO3fdFQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TurningTheCornerHRInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/turning_the_corner/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/turning-the-corner/

November 12, 2025Episode 426 min

How Pvolve Is Turning Passion Into Purpose and Profit - With Julie Cartwright

Julie Cartwright, President of Pvolve joins How I Turned the Corner to share how her team built a mission-based, science-backed fitness brand that empowers women as entrepreneurs and community leaders. From Jennifer Aniston’s secret workouts to building culture across franchises, Julie shows what it really takes to lead with purpose. Key ThemesHire for belief and alignment, not just skills. Passion for the mission is contagious.Empower local leaders to express the brand authentically. Consistency doesn’t mean uniformity.Culture drives profitability. The right people and environment directly impact business success.Purpose is a powerful recruiting tool. When people believe in what you do, hiring becomes easier.Hospitality creates differentiation. Emotional connection is as vital as product quality.Science + Story = Trust. Credible results paired with authentic purpose build lasting loyalty.Let go when necessary. Keeping misaligned people undermines both mission and morale.__________________________________WHEN YOU’RE READY, HERE’S HOW WE CAN HELP YOUTAKE THE FREE 5-MINUTE EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT ASSESSMENThttps://turningthecornerHR.com/quizSCHEDULE A CALL WITH A HUMAN RESOURCES CONSULTANThttps://turningthecornerHR.comHIRE KENDRA AS A CONSULTANT OR KEYNOTE SPEAKERhttps://kendraprospero.com/__________________________________________Say hello on social:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC18USlHyF1MEruK2tO3fdFQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TurningTheCornerHRInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/turning_the_corner/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/turning-the-corner/