What if the way we've always done things at work is exactly what's holding us back?

In this episode of "WorkPossible," Elaine and Hattie sit down with Martin Fitzpatrick, Global Employee Communications and Engagement Director at Ericsson, to challenge some of the most outdated practices in the workplace.

From the uninspiring employee handbook that kills excitement on day one, to why we expect frontline managers to become brilliant communicators overnight without any support, to leaders hiding behind polished spin instead of saying, "I don't know," Martin pushes for a more human approach to communication and leadership.

This is a conversation about ditching the rulebook, designing experiences that work for humans, and reimagining how leaders and employees engage with one another. Because work should feel possible, not prescribed.

Martin brings lived experience from the shop floor to the boardroom - from his days as a Vodafone retail advisor watching corporate decisions fail in real time, to creating award-winning campaigns that connect with people. Listen as he reveals why the best communicators listen first, why proximity matters more than seniority, and how small authentic moments can transform cultures.

No scripts. No safe answers. Just honest conversations about what's possible when we stop doing things by default and start doing them by design.

Tune in for fresh perspectives, future-focused thinking, and ideas bold enough to change things.

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• Onboarding should spark belonging, not bury new hires in rules.
• Trust grows when leaders admit, “I don’t know.”
• Communication works best as two-way listening, not one-way spin.
• Frontline leaders need support, not more tasks.
• Authentic moments drive engagement more than polished messaging.

What happens when two self-proclaimed non-event planners accidentally create one of the most meaningful culture conferences around?

In this recap of CultureCon® 2025, Nick and Zach pull back the curtain on the behind-the-scenes chaos, lessons learned, and the magic that made this year’s event unforgettable. From 3,200+ connections and Madison, WI’s food trucks to silly puppet shows and the not-so-sexy “Boxed Lunch Experience,” they share the highs, the hiccups, and the hilarity of building a community-driven conference.

Stick around for a sneak peek at what’s next 🎲 and their first-ever topic-specific conference on AI 🤖.

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CultureCon West 2025

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• Connections matter more than content.
• Smaller scale fosters deeper conversations.
• Built-in breaks boost authentic connection.
• Authenticity beats perfection on stage.

Welcome to the kickoff of “Culture Starts Here,” a fresh new series from The CultureCon® Podcast in partnership with Advisa! 🎉

Meet Heather Haas, CEO of Advisa and former elementary school principal, and BJ McKay, a track coach-turned-leadership guru. Together, they break down how culture isn’t just a feel-good HR project, it’s a strategic lever for growth, alignment, and performance.

Heather and BJ introduce ATLAS, a five-part framework designed to help leaders build cultures that actually work—where systems support people, data drives clarity, and leadership is intentional from the top down.

With powerful client stories and no-BS insights, this episode shows you how to move from culture confusion to culture advantage. 🎯

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• Culture can drive or derail business success… alignment matters.
• Leaders set the tone; they carry and shape culture daily.
• The ATLAS framework offers five clear culture drivers: Activation from Above, Trust and Shared Purpose, Leader Effectiveness, Actionable People Data, and Systems.
• Systems and processes must support the culture you want.
• Start with data and link culture directly to business outcomes.

Ever wondered if doing good can actually grow your business? Nathan Stuck proves it’s not only possible—it’s the future of work.

In this kickoff to the CultureCon®️ Podcast, Nick and Zach welcome their first-ever guest: Nathan Stuck—purpose-driven leader, TEDx speaker, author, and founder of Profitable Purpose Consulting. He breaks down what B Corp certification really means (hint: it’s more than a sticker on your packaging 🏷️), why employee volunteer hours matter, and how brands can walk the tightrope between impact and authenticity.

Whether you’re B-curious or already in the community, Nathan brings the insight, laughs, and straight-up strategy to help you rethink what success really looks like. 🎯

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• B Corp certification boosts brand, talent, and impact.
• Align purpose with business strengths for real change.
• True transformation takes long-term commitment.
• Impact storytelling should highlight others, not hype.

What would the employee experience be like if we binned the playbook? In a world where the workplace is being redefined daily, we’re ditching the checklists and reimagining what leadership, culture, and employee experience. Welcome to WorkPossible.

In this kick-off episode, hosts Hattie Roche, Co-Founder and Strategy Chief at Fauna, and seasoned Chief People Officer, Elaine Page team up with CultureCon® co-founders Nick Lombardino and Zach Blumenfeld to flip the traditional employee experience conversation on its head.

They dive into how a casual chat turned into a bold research initiative, why we’re long overdue for unlearning how we “do” work, and what happens when we let the people create the questions.

This episode sets us up for an exciting series of conversations with people who are thinking differently about the employee experience.

Tune in for fresh perspectives, future-focused thinking, and ideas bold enough to actually change things.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Hattie on LinkedIn

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• Start by asking what’s possible, not just what’s broken.
• Vulnerability in leadership builds stronger teams.
• Culture is everyone’s responsibility, not just HR’s.
• Co-creating with employees drives better outcomes.
• Mid-level leaders need more support and clarity.

Welcome to the very first episode of The CultureCon®️ Podcast 🎉

Nick and Zach kick things off with the wild and wonderful origin story of CultureCon®️: from blizzard-filled roundtables and zero event planning experience, to surprise Vegas marquees and full-on imposter syndrome.

Along the way, they share the heart behind why CultureCon exists: to make work suck less and to build authentic connections that go far beyond job titles. You’ll laugh, you’ll learn, and you’ll get a sneak peek at the incredible stories and topics coming your way — think AI, DEI, and social entrepreneurship.

This is the start of something big, and a whole lot of fun.

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CultureCon 2025

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• CultureCon®️ began with roundtable discussions focused on real workplace challenges.
• Intimate, cross-industry connections fueled the event’s success.
• Culture isn't just HR’s job—it’s everyone’s.
• The podcast extends CultureCon®️’s mission year-round.
• Upcoming topics include AI, DEI, employer brand, and social impact.

Introducing the Official CultureCon® Podcast! 🎙️

Hosted by Nick Lombardino and Zach Blumenfeld, they’re taking the CultureCon® experience beyond the conference. Launching this week, the Official CultureCon® Podcast brings you candid conversations with bold thinkers, everyday culture shapers, and unique voices pushing to make work better for everyone.

Each episode offers fresh perspectives, real stories, and ideas you can carry into your work and life.

⏯️ Now streaming on all major platforms.

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CultureCon 2025

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• The podcast brings CultureCon®'s impact to a year-round platform.
• Expect unfiltered, real talk about how work actually works.
• Guests will share stories, strategies, and lessons from workplace culture.
• It’s made for anyone passionate about creating meaningful work.
• Built on community support and shared curiosity.