Why AI Is a Culture Conversation | The AI Summit 2026 Recap

Recognition That Actually Sticks with Nick Phillips

Sometimes the most meaningful recognition starts as a mug, a T-shirt, or a pin, then becomes a symbol of belonging over time. Nick and Zach sit down with Nick Phillips, Senior Director of Sales at Brilliant, to explore why appreciation only sticks when it is rooted in real care. Nick shares how leaders can move beyond transactional recognition and create moments that prove people are truly seen. From intentional gifting and ERG-aligned recognition to the rising value of human gestures in an AI-driven world, this conversation is a reminder that connection is not something you automate, it is something you earn. For people-first leaders, this episode offers a practical lens on building trust, loyalty, and culture through specificity, presence, and meaningful human effort. Additional Resources: Connect with Nick on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholaswphillips/] Learn more about Brilliant [https://www.brilliantmade.com/] Connect with Zach on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharyblumenfeld/] Connect with Nick on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nlombardino/] Learn more about CultureCon [https://www.cultureconusa.org/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ccpodcast] Subscribe to CultureCon's YouTube channel! [https://youtube.com/@cultureconusa?si=zqUNk5JF3XFzHJe9] Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all] Learn more about PeopleForward Network [https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/] Key Takeaways: * Recognition sticks when it proves people are truly seen. * Generic praise feels transactional, not meaningful. * Trust grows when leaders stay close to the work. * AI makes human connection even more valuable. * Thoughtful gifting can reinforce belonging and culture.

Culture Starts Here: Leaders Need To Be Led with John D'Addario III

The higher you go in leadership, the harder it can be to get honest perspective. And when you're leading through transition, growth, or culture change, going it alone can limit what you're able to see. In this episode, CEO Heather Haas and leadership consultant BJ McKay are joined by John D'Addario III, CEO of D'Addario, for a conversation about leadership transition, culture clarity, and the value of outside perspective. What does it take to honor a company's legacy while leading it into the future? Heather and BJ talk with John about stepping into the CEO role after a founder-led era, revisiting values, and partnering with ADVISA to build alignment across the organization. Additional Resources: Connect with John on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-d-addario-iii-192096b/] Learn more about D'Addario and their products at https://www.daddario.com/ [https://www.daddario.com/] Get Your Culture Check! [https://www.advisa.com/ceo-cultural-competitive-advantage-advisa-atlas/] Connect with Heather on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-haas/] Connect with BJ on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bjmckay/] Learn more about Advisa [https://www.advisa.com/] Subscribe to CultureCon's YouTube channel! [https://youtube.com/@cultureconusa?si=zqUNk5JF3XFzHJe9] Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all] Learn more about PeopleForward Network [https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/] Key Takeaways: * Leaders grow faster when they seek outside perspective. * Culture can become a lasting competitive advantage. * Succession requires preparation, responsibility, and earned trust. * Values matter most when reinforced through behavior. * Candid conversations protect families and businesses from conflict.

Live from CultureCon: Pausing for Empathy and Equity with Bryetta Calloway

Some workplace "rules" are written in handbooks. The most powerful ones often aren't written anywhere. Live from CultureCon, Jasmine Bellamy sits down with Bryetta Calloway for a powerful conversation about meritocracy, marginalization, and the invisible barriers that keep people on the fringes at work. Bryetta unpacks how leaders can confuse sameness with safety, why inclusion has to come before diversity and equity efforts can truly work, and how workplace harm does not stay neatly contained inside the office. This episode is a call for people-first leaders to pause, get curious, and stop asking marginalized employees to carry the emotional labor of fixing cultures they did not break. From mirror-tocracy to repair, allyship, trauma, and the real cost of bad managers, Bryetta offers language for what so many people have felt but could not name. Additional Resources: Connect with Bryetta on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryetta-calloway/] Connect with Jasmine on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasminebellamy/] Connect with Zach on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharyblumenfeld/] Connect with Nick on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nlombardino/] Learn more about CultureCon [https://www.cultureconusa.org/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ccpodcast] Subscribe to CultureCon's YouTube channel! [https://youtube.com/@cultureconusa?si=zqUNk5JF3XFzHJe9] Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all] Learn more about PeopleForward Network [https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/] Key Takeaways: * Unspoken rules often shape workplace advancement. * Inclusion must come before true equity. * Workplace trauma is still real trauma. * Allyship requires emotional investment and action. * People-first leaders pause before reacting.

Aligning Teams Through Clarity, Courage, and Commitment with Kate Zappitelli

Alignment sounds simple until Monday happens. Nick and Zach sit down with Kate Zappitelli, Principal Consultant at Karrikins Group and Chair of the Alignment Institute, to unpack why agreement is not enough for people-first leaders. Kate shares how real alignment requires clarity, connection, commitment, and courage, especially when teams are stuck in side conversations, unclear expectations, or old habits. From AI adoption to intentional optimism, she challenges leaders to model the behaviors they want to see, name what is getting in the way, and build the muscle of alignment every day. If you have ever left a strategy session energized only to watch the work fade by Monday, this conversation will help you turn good intentions into consistent leadership action. Additional Resources: Connect with Kate on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-zappitelli/] Get the book: "Make HOW Matter" [https://www.amazon.com/Make-HOW-Matter-Conversations-Accelerate/dp/1639081542] Learn more about Karrikins Group [https://karrikinsgroup.com/] Connect with Zach on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharyblumenfeld/] Connect with Nick on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nlombardino/] Learn more about CultureCon [https://www.cultureconusa.org/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ccpodcast] Subscribe to CultureCon's YouTube channel! [https://youtube.com/@cultureconusa?si=zqUNk5JF3XFzHJe9] Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all] Learn more about PeopleForward Network [https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/] Key Takeaways: * Agreement is not the same as alignment. * Side conversations weaken trust and team alignment. * Leadership requires consistent communication and intentional energy. * AI adoption starts with leaders experimenting personally. * Sustainable alignment depends on clear team commitments.

Live from CultureCon West 2025: Why Belonging Belongs in the Business Strategy with Latesha Byrd

Belonging isn't a soft skill, it's a performance strategy. 💡 Live from CultureCon West, Nikki sits down with Latesha Byrd to explore why people can't reach their highest potential when they're masking, code switching, or questioning whether they're truly valued at work. Latesha breaks down how belonging connects directly to innovation, engagement, wellbeing, and business results, especially in a world shaped by burnout, restructuring, AI, and constant change. Together, Nikki and Latesha challenge HR leaders to think beyond "human resources" and step into "human potential." From onboarding and ERGs to strengths-based leadership and C-suite alignment, this conversation is a powerful reminder that the future of performance starts with helping people feel safe, seen, and supported. Additional Resources: Connect with Latesha on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lateshabyrd/] Learn more about Perfeqta [https://www.goperfeqta.com/] Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkilewallen/] Connect with Zach on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharyblumenfeld/] Connect with Nick on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nlombardino/] Learn more about CultureCon [https://www.cultureconusa.org/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ccpodcast] Subscribe to CultureCon's YouTube channel! [https://youtube.com/@cultureconusa?si=zqUNk5JF3XFzHJe9] Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all] Learn more about PeopleForward Network [https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/] Key Takeaways: * Belonging fuels stronger team performance. * Inclusion creates the conditions for belonging. * HR must prioritize human potential. * AI can support more human leadership. * ERGs reveal real employee sentiment.