Gut + Science

Gut + Science

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.

Episodes

September 25, 2025 • 34 mins

Why is finding great talent harder than ever… even with AI at our fingertips?

Nikki sits down with Gerald Gordon, Co-Founder & CTO of Reference Me, to unpack how technology is reshaping hiring in ways that often make things messier, not easier.

From flawless AI-generated resumes to overwhelming applicant pools, Gerald reveals ...

Mark as Played

What if your AI tools were more like teammates than tech? AI isn’t coming for your job, it’s coming to take the busywork off your plate.

Jason and Nikki crack open how the PeopleForward Network team is weaving AI into their daily workflows without ditching what makes them... them. F

rom using ChatGPT for parenting convos to bu...

Mark as Played

What if more play is the key to better work? This episode flips the script on what it means to be "professional."

Nikki sits down with Mike Montague, author of Playful Humans, to explore why play isn’t just for kids or weekends. In fact, it might be your team's biggest untapped superpower.

From challenging hustle culture to re...

Mark as Played

Ever feel like no one’s really listening to you as a leader? Like your message isn’t landing, even though your intentions are solid?

That’s not just frustrating. It’s a credibility problem.

Katherine sits down with communications powerhouse Jenni Field, author of ā€œNobody Believes You: Become a Leader People Will Follow.ā€ Toget...

Mark as Played

What if HR stopped being the department of ā€œnoā€ and became the heartbeat of transformation in your business?

Nikki is joined by Raina Fryer of Titus Talent Strategies to flip the script on what HR should be. Broadcasting live from the PeopleForward Network studio at CultureCon® 2025, this episode dives into how people leaders can ditch outdated playbooks and embra...

Mark as Played

What happens when a former high school math teacher turned builder decides to stop flying by the seat of his pants, and actually runs his business on a real system?

Nikki chats with Loren Wood of Loren Wood Builders, who shares the raw, before-and-after story of implementing EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) šŸ› ļøšŸ“ŠĀ Picture this: no org chart, no KPIs, zero pre...

Mark as Played

What if boosting your team’s mental health and workplace happiness was as simple as adding a wagging tail to the mix? 🐾

Nikki is back with Michelle Yates from Pet Partners, this time joined by Steve Feldman, President of the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), to uncover how pets are transforming workplace culture and mental health.

Read more

Mark as Played

What if your team could get more done in less time? ā³Ā In this Community Conversation, Nikki and Jason flip the traditional ā€œhours workedā€ mindset on its head, championing the power of results over clock-watching.

They share why it’s time to ditch the outdated 9–5 mentality, how to unlearn habits that hold us back, and why role clarity + goals + KPIs are the secret...

Mark as Played

Ever felt like your culture change efforts are just… throwing spaghetti at the wall šŸ? In this episode, Nikki sits down with BJ McKay from Advisa to swap real, in-the-trenches stories of transformation.

Together they break down the ATLAS framework, reveal why discomfort is the secret ingredient to lasting change, and share how to keep leaders energized instead of...

Mark as Played

What happens when a hospital CEO still thinks like a nurse? You get leadership that listens, leads with empathy, and actually walks the talk.

Katherine sits down with Lori Price, President and CEO of Franciscan Health Central Indiana, whose journey from nurse to executive brings a rare blend of heart and strategy to the conversation. Lori unpacks how starting at t...

Mark as Played

What if your biggest leadership roadblock isn’t the problem… but how you see it? Nikki sits down with Chris Bassett—founder of Green Bean Consulting Group—to flip your problem-solving approach on its head.

What does abstract art have to do with business challenges? And how does soaking a walnut help teams break through stuck thinking?

Read more

Mark as Played

Ready to break free from program fatigue and culture initiatives that fizzle out fast?

Nikki sits down with Heather Haas, CEO of Advisa, as she shares why so many culture efforts flop and how HR professionals can finally make the shift from being stuck in a silo to leading true transformation.

They dive into the game-changing ...

Mark as Played

Is your HR strategy stuck in the past while AI races ahead? šŸ¤– It’s time to catch up and lead the charge. On this episode, Nikki is joined by the brilliant Cara Brennan Allamano—Chief People Officer, advisor, and founder of People Tech Partners—for a fast-paced, energizing convo about the future of HR leadership in an AI-first world.

Cara brings her front-line ins...

Mark as Played

What if the secret to staying focused, aligned, and genuinely excited about your goals wasn’t a 20-page annual plan, but a simple monthly sprint? Nikki and Jason pull back the curtain on how PeopleForward Network uses OKRs and monthly sprint goals to spark team momentum. šŸ“ˆ

They demystify what OKRs really are, how sprint goals drive alignment and energy, and why f...

Mark as Played

What if your wellness program is actually making burnout worse? 😮

In this episode, Nikki teams up with Dr. Patricia Grabarek and Dr. Katina Sawyer—organizational psychologists, authors of ā€œLeading for Wellness,ā€ and co-founders of Workr Beeing. They dive into what workplace wellness really means (hint: it’s way more than yoga and meditation apps) and how leaders ...

Mark as Played

Ready to supercharge your leadership communication with a little help from AI? šŸ¤– In this episode, Katherine gets real about how leaders can use AI tools to amplify their voice, not replace it.

Katherine breaks down a simple, human-centered framework based on clarity, consistency, and connection to help you integrate AI into your daily workflow. From drafting hear...

Mark as Played

Get ready for a fresh twist on Gut+Science! šŸŽ‰ Nikki teams up with internal comms expert Katherine Coble for a live episode all about using podcasting to transform how leaders connect with their teams. šŸ’¬

They explore why your culture is your brand, how to lead with authenticity, and why storytelling beats stale emails every time. Whether you're curious about inte...

Mark as Played

Get ready to have your mindset stretched and your leadership toolkit expanded! šŸ’”

Nikki sits down with Jon Mayo, culture transformer and founder of Waymaker. They dive deep into purpose-driven leadership, how culture starts with YOU, and why being a conduit (not a solutionist!) can transform your team from the inside out. 🌟

From the STRIVE methodology to real stories of team turnarounds, Jon b...

Mark as Played

Work’s changing fast—hybrid setups, flexible perks, and even pets making boardroom appearances šŸ¶šŸ’¼.

Michelle Yates from Pet Partners joins Nikki to dig into why intentional culture design (with a pet twist!) is the new frontier for engagement and retention. From pet insurance to office mascots, discover how the joy of animals is shaping the future of meaningful w...

Mark as Played

šŸŽ‰ We’re celebrating 7+ years of Gut+Science!

In this special anniversary episode, Nikki pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build a thriving podcast and people-first culture.

From trust and autonomy to finding your rhythm and aligning strengths, Nikki shares powerful insights and heartfelt shoutouts to the all-s...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

    On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

Ā© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.