Vibecast

Hosted by Kristi Skutvik

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Jun 2026

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About the show

The vibe we feel at work has a significant impact on culture. Vibecast shares real stories from exceptional leaders and host Kristi Skutvik, offering key takeaways to improve engagement and elevate the vibe at work.

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60 recent

June 3, 202632 min

Replay: Bringing Humanity Back to Work with Megan Galloway

Three words on a sticky note might be the simplest leadership tool you try all week. Kristi sits down with Megan Galloway, founder of Everleader, to explore what it really means to bring humanity back to work. Megan shares how one leader's belief in her changed the trajectory of her career, and how another leader's fear-based approach left her questioning her confidence, her work, and even her path. Together, Kristi and Megan unpack the power of authentic leadership, intentional culture, and the small moments that shape whether people feel empowered or diminished. From Megan's hot pink power suit to her "three words" practice before every meeting, this conversation is a reminder that better workplace vibes start with how we choose to show up. 💛 Additional Resources: Connect with Megan on LinkedIn Learn more about Everleader Consulting Subscribe to Kristi's YouTube for more Vibecast content! Learn more about Skutvik Consulting Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Intentional leaders shape stronger workplace vibes. Belief can change someone's entire career trajectory. Fear-based leadership quietly erodes confidence. Authenticity and professionalism can absolutely coexist. Three words can reset how you lead.

May 20, 20261 hr 3 min

What It Really Takes to Build a Multi-Generational Family Business | Shane Foye

What does it take to grow a family business from a bootstrapped startup into a multi-generational operation, and how do you protect the family along the way? ✨ In this episode, Kristi Skutvik sits down with Shane Foye, President of DW-1, to explore his journey growing up inside his family's waste management business and the pivotal moments that shaped his leadership. Shane shares how his father started the company after losing his job, the experience of having employees working out of their family home as a kid, and how he went from peeling potatoes and running summer shifts to building an ERP software and eventually stepping into the role of leading the core business. They discuss the challenges of navigating the G1-to-G2 succession, why Shane spent time learning from hundreds of family offices, and how developing a shared mission, vision, and values brought his family through some of their hardest seasons. Shane also opens up about the role art collecting has played in shaping the company's culture and identity, and why intentionality and a willingness to learn are the keys to building something that lasts. Additional Resources: Follow Shane on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-foye-663464bb/ Visit DW-1's website: https://dw1.com/ Subscribe to Kristi's YouTube for more Vibecast content: https://youtube.com/@kristiskutvik?si=ZzyIX7yyCRukXgNy Learn more about Skutvik Consulting: https://www.skutvikconsulting.com/ Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network Learn more about PeopleForward Network: https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/ Key Takeaways: Workplace vibe is an energy you can feel, and losing it means losing everything Building a family business requires balancing the needs of the family with the needs of the company The G1-to-G2 transition demands intentional governance, shared values, and multiple anchor points of trust Spending time learning from other family offices and going in without an agenda can reshape how you lead Intentionality and a willingness to learn are the foundation for building something that lasts beyond one generation

May 6, 202654 min

From Roadside Bomb to Mindset Coach | Andy Robinson

In this episode, Andy Robinson, owner and lead consultant at LFG Mindset Consulting, joins Kristi Skutvik to share the story behind his mindset coaching practice. Andy grew up in a military town in New Jersey and knew from the age of 15 that he wanted to be a Marine. After joining the Marine Corps and deploying twice to Iraq, his second deployment in 2006 ended when his truck was hit by a roadside bomb. Three Marines in the vehicle died that day. Andy survived but broke his neck, ribs, and legs and spent seven months in the hospital. At 23, everything he associated with his identity was gone. Rather than building his future around his limitations, Andy chose to focus on what he wanted his life to look like. He surrounded himself with other veterans who had chosen differently, learned to drive, went to college, started a family, and eventually landed a job in capital markets with no finance background, cold calling Fortune 500 CFOs and treasurers at companies like Amazon, Ford, and Coca-Cola. When he realized his fulfillment was no longer in finance, he discovered mindset coaching and recognized he had been living its principles for years without knowing the language. Now he helps people step into the next version of themselves by reprogramming their self-image, rewriting the stories they tell themselves, and building a vision for the life they actually want. Additional Resources: Connect with Andy Robinson on LinkedIn Follow LFG Mindset Consulting on LinkedIn Subscribe to Kristi's YouTube for more Vibecast content! Learn more about Skutvik Consulting Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Everything in your life is a reflection of the self-image you once held, change the image and the results follow Your subconscious only operates in the present tense, so the language you use about your goals and circumstances directly shapes what you experience The people you surround yourself with influence the choices you make, seek out those who are living the kind of life you want Start reprogramming your mindset with a blank notebook: write about the life you want as if it is already happening, based purely on desire rather than current circumstances Busy is a choice, not a badge of honor, there are people just as successful who are not busy, because they have trained themselves to think differently about time and priorities

April 15, 202652 min

Replay: Sitting in the 'Ick': Creating Workplaces that Thrive with Sam Julka and Meghan Tooman

What really brings people back to work? It is not just better furniture, trendy perks, or a polished office. It is trust, energy, and the human experience behind the data. ✨ In this replay episode, Kristi sits down with Sam Julka and Meghan Tooman, the founder and co-owner duo behind Doris Research, to unpack how workplace "vibes" are actually built. With Sam's qualitative lens and Meghan's quantitative expertise, they explore why leaders miss the mark when they focus only on numbers, why culture cannot be created without people, and how curiosity can reveal the real barriers holding teams back. From return-to-office tension to the power of "sitting in the ick," this conversation is a fresh reminder that people-first leadership starts with listening. If you want to create a workplace where people thrive, this one will challenge how you think about data, design, trust, and connection. Additional Resources: Connect with Sam on LinkedIn Connect with Meghan on LinkedIn Learn more about Doris Research Subscribe to Kristi's YouTube for more Vibecast content! Learn more about Skutvik Consulting Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Vibes come from values, behaviors, beliefs, and human energy. Data without insight leaves leaders asking why. Trust issues often get mislabeled as space problems. Curiosity unlocks barriers leaders cannot see themselves. Simple changes can create meaningful workplace transformation.

April 1, 20261 hr 1 min

From Litigator to Chief Vibe Officer | Sana Manjeshwar

What if the most honest signal about your organization's vibe wasn't in any survey, HR report, or AI dashboard, but in the private conversations people were too afraid to have anywhere else? 🎙️ In this episode, Kristi Skutvik sits down with Sana Manjeshwar, founder of OmbudSana and a 15-year organizational ombudsman veteran, to explore one of the most powerful yet underutilized roles in business. Sana shares her unlikely journey from employment litigator to ombuds, what the role actually does (and how it differs from HR, EAP, and therapy), and why she believes every organization needs this kind of confidential, off-the-record safety valve. They dig into how ombuds serve as the ultimate "canary in the coal mine," surfacing real-time cultural trends that no survey or technology can capture, why leaders themselves are among the most frequent visitors to ombuds offices, and how tools like conflict style awareness can transform the way teams navigate hard conversations. Sana's closing advice is simple and urgent: in an increasingly polarized world, leading with intentionality and kindness isn't soft, it's the highest-leverage investment you can make in your people. Additional Resources: Connect with Sana on LinkedIn Visit OmbudSana's website Learn more about the International Ombudsman Association Subscribe to Kristi's YouTube for more Vibecast content! Learn more about Skutvik Consulting Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: An organizational ombudsman is a confidential, off-the-record, impartial resource that gives employees a safe space to surface concerns before they become systemic problems. Ombuds surface real-time cultural intelligence that surveys, HR data, and AI simply cannot capture, making them the ultimate "canary in the coal mine" for organizational health. Leaders are often the top visitors to an ombuds office because navigating unprecedented pressure requires a safe space to think out loud, too. AI cannot replace the ombuds role; the soul of this work lies in human presence, empathy, and the ability to read what someone isn't saying. Understanding your conflict style and those of your team members is one of the most practical tools for leading with intentionality and reducing unnecessary friction. Grounding yourself before walking into work, and choosing to respond rather than react, is a daily practice that shapes the entire vibe of your organization.

March 18, 202654 min

Leadership, Power, and the Signals That Shape Workplace Culture | Kit Krugman

What truly defines the vibe of a workplace, and how do leaders intentionally shape the emotional tone of an organization? ✨ In this episode, Kristi Skutvik sits down with Kit Krugman to explore how leadership, self-awareness, and intentional design influence the culture and energy within teams. Kit shares how her career journey, early exposure to leadership, and experiences working alongside executive teams shaped her perspective on power, responsibility, and the signals leaders send through everyday actions. They discuss why leaders must be deeply aware of the tone they set, how hiring complementary strengths creates stronger teams, and how thoughtful design of hybrid work and collaboration can transform the way organizations function. This conversation offers practical insight into how leaders can build cultures rooted in clarity, trust, and intentional growth while creating environments where people feel empowered to contribute and thrive. Additional Resources: Follow Kit on LinkedIn Visit Foursquare's website Check out Kit's book Subscribe to Kristi's YouTube for more Vibecast content! Learn more about Skutvik Consulting Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Defining workplace vibe and emotional tone The role of signaling and body language in leadership Self-awareness and emotional intelligence in leadership Strategies for building trust and diversity in teams Designing organizational culture through behaviors and communication

March 4, 20261 hr 2 min

From Lifeguard to Business Leader | Katherine von Jan

What truly shapes the vibe of a workplace, and how do personal experiences influence the way we lead, connect, and grow? ✨ In this episode, Kristi Skutvik sits down with Katherine von Jan to explore how workplace vibes are formed through leadership, energy, and everyday interactions. Katherine reflects on her unexpected path from lifeguarding to leading in the tech world, sharing how purpose, curiosity, and supportive environments shaped her confidence and career. They discuss how small gestures from leaders can have a lasting impact, why emotional intelligence plays a critical role in modern management, and how AI is beginning to influence workplace dynamics. This conversation offers a thoughtful look at how leaders can intentionally create environments where people feel valued, motivated, and inspired to thrive. Additional Resources: Follow Katherine von Jan on LinkedIn Visit Tough Day's website Subscribe to Kristi's YouTube for more Vibecast content! Learn more about Skutvik Consulting Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Vibes in the workplace are a shared experience of connection and energy. Not every vibe is for everyone; it's okay to seek a better fit. Katherine's journey illustrates the importance of resilience and proving oneself. Cultural experiences can significantly shape career paths and values. Purpose-driven work leads to greater fulfillment and impact.

February 18, 202654 min

The Art of Storytelling in Leadership | Danielle Krischik

What if the most powerful leadership tool isn't strategy or skill, but a story that connects hearts before it drives results? 🔥 In this episode, Kristi sits down with Danielle Krischik to unpack how storytelling shapes leadership, culture, and connection. They explore what it really means to define a "vibe" inside an organization and how internal storytelling can bridge gaps between teams, vision, and values. Danielle shares how personal stories, especially the vulnerable ones, builds trust and allows leaders to show up authentically. The conversation also touches on the evolving role of AI in the workplace and how it can actually enhance human relationships when used with intention. From team alignment to emotional resonance, this episode gives leaders a roadmap for cultivating a culture of connection through story. Additional Resources: Follow Danielle on LinkedIn Visit The Story Effect Website Visit the Knight Agency Listen to The Story Effect Podcast Subscribe to Kristi's YouTube for more Vibecast content! Learn more about Skutvik Consulting Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: A vibe is the emotional truth of a story. Storytelling can change perceptions and drive action. Connection is essential for employee engagement. Leaders must share personal stories to build trust. Storytelling is an ecosystem involving multiple narratives.

February 4, 202632 min

Replay: Fostering a Lifelong Learning Culture with Karen Alter

What happens when vulnerability becomes your leadership superpower? Kristi sits down with Karen Alter to unpack what it means to lead from the heart in an industry often driven by metrics and deadlines. From stepping into leadership in a post-founder era to fostering a culture where creativity and connection thrive, Karen shares how relational leadership has shaped every corner of her organization. She opens up about her journey, from receiving the vibe to becoming the one who creates it, including the powerful personal story of how a colleague became a surrogate and lifelong friend. Karen gets real about hiring for culture fit, designing intentional hybrid spaces, having hard conversations with clients, and why she'll never lead with fear. This episode is a masterclass in showing up as your full self, and how that choice impacts everything from morale to results. If you're ready to build a culture where trust, transparency, and real human connection fuel your team, this one's for you. Additional Resources: Connect with Karen on LinkedIn Learn more about Borshoff Subscribe to Kristi's YouTube for more Vibecast content! Learn more about Skutvik Consulting Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Vulnerability builds trust and deepens team connection Culture thrives on intentional relationships and shared values Physical space impacts creative energy and collaboration Hire for diversity, align on core values Great leadership starts with listening, not talking

January 21, 20261 hr 11 min

The Energy Behind Culture and Hiring Right | Tony Ferraro

What if the "vibe" of your workplace isn't created by perks or policies, but by the people you allow into the room and the energy they bring with them? ⚡️ In this episode, Kristi sits down with executive coach Tony Ferraro to unpack what vibe really means inside an organization and why culture is something you protect, not manufacture. Tony draws a powerful connection between vibe and culture, explaining how great teams feel different because they are free from "energy drains" like misalignment, drama, and unclear purpose. Tony shares his winding journey from teaching physics to leading a growing school, and eventually into executive coaching, revealing how moments of failure, tension, and unexpected endings shaped his philosophy on leadership. Through personal stories, he shows how even one misaligned hire can quietly crack an otherwise healthy culture. Additional Resources: Tony Ferraro, Senior Executive Coach/Director of Training Services at Floyd Consulting: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyferraro-floyd/ Floyd Consulting - https://www.floydconsulting.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/floyd-consulting/ Subscribe to Kristi's YouTube for more Vibecast content! Learn more about Skutvik Consulting Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: A strong vibe is closely tied to having A players who energize the people around them. Culture weakens when energy is spent on drama instead of the mission. There are no neutral hires. Every person either adds to or detracts from the culture. Great hiring starts with clarity around role, outcomes, and core values. Leaders often sabotage interviews by falling in love too early.