What if thriving at work wasn’t a nice-to-have, but a human right? 💡

Mauren “Mo” Berkner Boyt, founder of The Moxie Exchange, joins Matt Poepsel to unpack the power of inclusion—backed by neuroscience, real data, and lots of heart.

From “amygdala hijacks” to why your phone habits can actually help build belonging 📱, this episode is packed with insights for people-first leaders ready to make inclusion part of every day.

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Additional Resources:

Listen to the original episode on Lead the People

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Key Takeaways:

• Thriving is the true north—beyond engagement, it's about psychological safety and inclusion.
• Inclusion is not abstract; it's a set of small, consistent behaviors leaders can learn and apply.
• The business case for belonging is real—leaders should personalize ROI through tools and data.
• Microaggressions have neurological consequences; inclusion reduces amygdala hijack and increases innovation.
• Frontline leaders have the greatest influence on culture and need specific tools to succeed.

We’re introducing a NEW series here on Fringe: Leading for Wellness with Dr. Patricia Grabarek and Dr. Katina Sawyer! 🎙️

Patricia and Katina kick things off by digging into why workplace wellness really matters—and why most companies are doing it wrong. From “Generators” who light up teams to “Extinguishers” who drain the energy, they share research, real talk, and personal stories to show how true wellness goes way beyond yoga classes and step challenges.

If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at a “hope you’re well” email… this one's for you 😅

Additional Resources:

Grab your copy of "Leading for Wellness"

Listen to the original episode

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• True wellness goes beyond programs; it’s embedded in daily culture and leadership behaviors.
• Employees want to be treated as whole human beings, with individualized needs.
• Productivity and wellness are not opposing forces—they’re deeply interconnected.
• Leaders often unknowingly adopt “extinguisher” behaviors that hinder wellness.
• Organizations must act on burnout data, not just collect it.

Live from CultureCon 2024 🎙️ Nikki chats with Michelle Naples, Chief Integration Officer at Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. They dive into what servant leadership really looks like in practice—from trauma-informed care for everyone to creating cultures of co-creation and courageous conversations.

Michelle also challenges how we talk about “overhead” and why the words we choose matter more than we think. This one’s packed with fresh perspective, real-world wisdom, and plenty of heart ❤️

Additional Resources:

CultureCon 2025

CultureCon on LinkedIn

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• Titles and words matter—use language that reflects your culture and purpose.
• Servant leadership starts with internal service: supporting your colleagues first.
• Co-creation gives every employee a voice in strategy and innovation.
• Trauma-informed care isn't limited to client-facing roles—everyone benefits.
• Recognizing and revaluing internal support teams is essential for people-first leadership.