The ScienceForWork Podcast

Most organizations invest heavily in culture. Very few understand what their culture is.

Kyle Mack, PhD, is an industrial and organizational psychologist who spent years inside large-scale employee listening programs, reading what employees actually experience versus what their companies say is their culture. In this conversation, Kyle talks about how culture is not what you say. It's what your systems reward.

In this episode:

• Why...

In this episode of the Science for Work podcast, Matt Lampe is joined by Patricia Grabarek and Katina Sawyer to talk about the critical role of leadership in shaping workplace wellness. Patricia and Katina, co-founders of Workr Beeing and authors of Leading for Wellness, explore the journey of writing the book and their commitment to translating research into practical tools for leaders. The conversation covers authenticity and vul...

How do you lead well when the ground keeps moving?

In this episode of the ScienceForWork podcast, host Matt Lampe talks with leadership coach Joshua Steinfeldt about what it looks like to lead through uncertainty.

Drawing on positive psychology, contemplative science, and years of one-on-one work with leaders, Joshua brings together modern research and ancient wisdom in a way that's refreshingly practical for a moment that often feel...

Cole Napper returns to ScienceForWork as the newly appointed Chief People Intelligence Officer at HR Bench, and brings a provocative claim: people analytics is now a commodity, and what comes next is something he calls people intelligence.

In this conversation, Cole and Matt explore:

• Why the four branches of HR data — people analytics, talent intelligence, workforce planning, and behavioral science — are collapsing in...

What does it actually take to turn employee listening into meaningful organizational change?

In this episode of the ScienceForWork podcast, host Matt Lampe talks with Craig Starbuck, PhD — CEO and co-founder of OrgAcuity and President of the Society for People Analytics — about what it means to build listening programs that drive action.

Craig makes the case that people analytics is fundamentally a change management funct...

In this episode of the Science For Work podcast, Matt Lampe talks with Shonna Waters about the human experience of change in organizations. Shonna emphasizes the importance of addressing fundamental human needs—security, growth, and significance—during periods of change, and how psychological ergonomics can help align organizational goals with these needs. The conversation also explores the challenges of communication d...

In this episode of the Science for Work podcast, Matt Lampe and Todd Kashdan discuss the importance of wellbeing in the workplace, emphasizing that authenticity is often misunderstood. They explore how managers can create environments that foster curiosity and engagement while navigating conflicts. Kashdan also highlights the role of AI in enhancing meaning and purpose at work, and the significance of cognitive flexibility. The epi...

How does people analytics create real value in organizations?

In this episode of the ScienceForWork Podcast, host Matt Lampe is joined by Colby Kennedy-Nesbitt for a thoughtful conversation about how people analytics can move beyond reporting and measurement to support better decisions and action at work.

Drawing on evidence-based insights from I/O psychology and real-world practice, Colby shares a grounded perspective on how engagem...

What is the real purpose of people analytics, and how do we move from interesting insights to existential impact?

In this episode of the ScienceForWork podcast, host Matt Lampe talks with Cole Napper, a leader in people analytics, about what it takes to recenter analytics around value and relevance. They discuss how the field can reconnect to business impact, what it means to build existential value, and how data, AI, and labor-mark...

What if the biggest challenge with AI in the workplace isn’t the technology, but the uncertainty it creates about who we are and how we contribute?

In this episode of ScienceForWork, host Matt Lampe talks with organizational psychologists Josh Prasad and Neil Morelli about how AI is reshaping expectations across diverse organizations.

Beneath the pace of change, many are quietly wrestling with something deeper: the fear of fall...

What if the way we think about workplace change is missing something essential?

In this episode of the ScienceForWork podcast, Matt talks with Dr. Paul Mastrangelo, organizational consultant and founder of First Domino Consulting. Paul brings a behavioral science lens to the challenge of organizational change, and offers practical strategies to help leaders move beyond intention and actually shift behavior.

We explore why familiar fr...

What if we could predict turnover, long absences, or burnout before they happen?
In this episode, we explore work ability, a concept rooted in occupational health that is gaining traction in I/O psychology, workforce strategy, and leadership development.

Our guest is Dave Cadiz, PhD, a behavioral scientist and consultant, who unpacks the research behind work ability and its growing impact on how organizations think about workforc...

What if the reason people leave your organization has less to do with pay or benefits, and far more to do with how they’re treated?

In this episode of the ScienceForWork podcast, we're joined by Dr. Mark Nagy for a deep and wide-ranging conversation on the science and practice of civility in the workplace.

Backed by research and real stories, this conversation offers practical ways to rethink how we treat each other at work, an...

What actually makes leadership effective? In this episode, we explore why context, fit, and behavioral feedback matter more than checklists or credentials.

In this episode, we're joined by Kevin Impelman, Principal Consultant at Summit Leadership Partners, to unpack the practical side of leadership—how to select, support, and develop leaders in ways that actually align with what the organization needs. From private equity to e...

What does evidence-based look like, once you’re inside the organization?

In this episode of the ScienceForWork podcast, we're joined by Michael Vodianoi. Michael shares what he’s learned after transitioning from consulting and assessment development to an internal leadership role in a large organization.

We talk about how evidence-based practice shows up in real decisions—not just slide decks—and what it takes...

In this episode of the ScienceForWork Podcast, our host, Dr. Matt Lampe, is joined by Dr. Teira Wilson. Dr. T shares her journey into the field of digital accessibility, emphasizing its importance in creating inclusive environments. She discusses the difference between compliance and genuine inclusion, the need for a shift in mindset towards accessibility, and the various tools and resources available for organizations. Dr. T also ...

What if the key to stronger allyship is simply starting with partnership?

In this episode of the ScienceForWork Podcast, our host, Dr. Matt Lampe, is joined by organizational psychologist Dr. Victoria Mattingly, who shares why allyship isn’t a title—it’s a behavior. We explore how genuine inclusion occurs through partnership, not saviorism, and why allyship must be fluid, intentional, and collaborative.

You’ll...

What does “belonging” actually look like in a workplace, and why do so many DEI efforts miss the mark?

In this episode, our host, Dr. Matt Lampe, is joined by Jaclyn Durant, a psychology student and ScienceForWork intern, to unpack the research behind diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. They explore the difference between meaningful and performative DEI, the science behind tokenism, and why a lack of follow-thro...

What are the hidden rules shaping your workplace?

In this episode, our host, Dr. Matt Lampe, is joined by Dr. Anna Kallschmidt. They unpack the unwritten rules of work — the cultural, class-based, and neurodivergence-informed dynamics that quietly shape expectations, performance, and inclusion. They explore how these invisible norms show up, why they matter, and what organizations can do to design clarity and fairness into the...