How do you lead teams in a way that puts people first—not just as a slogan, but as an everyday practice? In this episode, Angie Callen welcomes Earl Hoeg, founder of PeopleFirst and a leader with over 30 years of experience driving results through genuine human connection.

Earl's journey started in the Canadian federal government, where he learned a powerful lesson early on: people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. This episode dives deep into what it really means to put people first, why many workplace cultures miss the mark, and how leaders can build trust and connection in ways that fuel both well-being and performance.

In this episode, we explore:
- The impact of managers on workplace culture and employee turnover
- The challenge of transitioning from individual contributor to effective leader
- The role of self-awareness and individualized consideration in transformational leadership
- Practical ways to build connection and trust at work
- Why investing in human skills remains a competitive advantage in an AI-driven world
- Living the philosophy that "humans still matter" in leadership

Earl's insights offer a grounded and hopeful perspective on leadership and the future of work. For leaders navigating change and aiming to design careers and workplaces where people truly thrive, this episode is a reminder: putting people first is not just a strategy, it's the heart of successful leadership.

Guest Bio:
Earl Hoeg has spent over three decades in leadership roles within the Canadian federal government and now leads People First, a company dedicated to helping leaders build workplaces where humans thrive. A founding member of the Future of Work Alliance, Earl brings a practical, human-first approach to leadership that centers relationships and connection.

Find Earl on LinkedIn and at peoplefirst.ca to learn more about his work and how to bring a people-first mindset to yours.

Closing Thought:
In a world of constant change, remember that leadership is about more than just results—it's about the humans who make those results possible. When you put people first, you set the stage for sustainable success. Because at the end of the day, humans still matter.

Connect with Angie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angiecallen/

Connect with Earl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/earl-hoeg/

Authenticity doesn't mean oversharing — it means connection. In this week's Double Shot, Mike Kim explains how to build a "campfire brand": warm, inclusive, and human.

Learn how to share your message in a way that people actually want to gather around — and remember.

#MidweekMomentum #NoMoreMondaysPodcast #AuthenticBranding

What if fun wasn't something you earned after the work was done — but something that actually made the work better?

In this episode of No More Mondays, Angie Callen sits down with Mike Brennan, creative consultant, professional artist, and author of Make Fun a Habit: The Creative Playbook for Making Life and Work Fun Again, to explore why so many of us have lost touch with play — and what happens when we intentionally bring it back.

In a world that rewards busyness, seriousness, and constant productivity, Mike challenges the idea that fun is frivolous or optional. Instead, he makes a compelling case that creativity, curiosity, and joy are not luxuries — they're necessities for sustainable work, innovation, and well-being.

This conversation is thoughtful, practical, and surprisingly grounding — especially for leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals who don't consider themselves "creative," but feel something missing in how they work and live.

• Why modern work culture has trained us to equate seriousness with success

• How "being busy" has become a badge of honor — and what it's costing us

• The difference between being artistic and being creative (and why everyone is creative)

• How creativity shows up in unexpected ways: systems, strategy, organization, and problem-solving

• Why fun works best when it's part of the process — not a reward at the end

• How curiosity opens the door to new ideas, energy, and possibility

• The power of small creative habits (10–15 minutes a day) and their cumulative effect

• Why perfectionism and efficiency can actually block innovation

• How play and rest help us solve problems more effectively than pushing harder

• Mike's personal journey through burnout, depression, and rediscovering creativity

• What it looks like to integrate creativity into real life — even during "sucky" tasks

• Why ambition and joy don't have to compete with each other

Fun doesn't mean pizza parties or forced cheerfulness.
Creativity doesn't mean painting or performing.

It means allowing space for curiosity, play, and enjoyment — so you can bring your best thinking, energy, and humanity into the work you're already doing.

If you've been feeling burned out, stuck, or disconnected from your work — or if your inner voice has been nudging you that something needs to change — this episode will meet you right where you are.

Mike Brennan is a creative consultant, professional artist, live sketcher, and host of the Creative Chats podcast. He helps individuals and organizations reconnect with creativity as a practical, everyday tool for better work and a more joyful life. His work blends art, storytelling, and mindset to help people rediscover curiosity, purpose, and play.

• Mike Brennan's website: https://mikebrennan.me

• Book: Make Fun a Habit: The Creative Playbook for Making Life and Work Fun Again

• Newsletter: Daily Creative Habit (weekly creative prompts delivered every Monday)

• Podcast: Creative Chats

You don't need more time, permission, or talent to bring creativity into your life.

You just need curiosity — and the willingness to try something small.

Because ambition doesn't have to come at the expense of joy.