On this episode of Culture Crush, host Dan sits down with Ashley Faus, author of the just-launched “Human Centered Marketing”, to break down what truly makes communities tick in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Ashley, fresh off her book launch and gearing up to teach at Stanford, shares candid lessons from her own experiences, from resisting broadcast-style marketing to embracing vulnerability and real human connection (even in a post-Zoom-fatigue era).

Grab your copy of Ashley's book here.

Questions to reflect on while listening:

1️⃣ Think of a brand you love - what helps you feel a sense of deeper connection?

2️⃣ When have you felt truly seen by a group? What made the difference?

3️⃣ Are connections being damaged by tech and efficiency?

Episode Highlights:

Community isn’t about YOU! Move from broadcast to real conversation.

Ashley shared the “social spectrum” of community, showing how the most impactful brands go beyond ‘amplify our message’ and start creating spaces where others talk to each other, and not just about the brand.

Small, deep connections matter more than big numbers.

Forget the pressure to “go big or go home.” Meaningful progress often starts with 10 purposeful relationships, not 10,000 faceless likes. Focus on value exchanges and helping each other out, even if it’s behind the scenes.

Be honest about your intention: don’t fake community for sales.

People can spot a pitch from a mile away. Ashley’s advice: if you’re here to sell, be transparent. If you want to build trust, think about what you can genuinely offer, (connections, knowledge, referrals, etc) not just a sales transaction.

Wondering whether to build your own group or join existing ones? We unpacked that too, plus why investing in self-sustaining communities (where members talk more than you do!) is the new competitive advantage.

Join the Crush?

Every episode is co-created by our community at Culture Crush LIVE, a series of free online gatherings where we connect, reflect, and meet incredible speakers. Sadly, the Crush is coming to an end, but there are exciting evolutions to come. See you soon.

Loved the episode?

Please like, subscribe and leave a rating. We want to do good and need your help.

Ps.

Culture Crush is brought to you by ⁠Anthem⁠. Visit us if you’re looking to build a thriving business, team, or culture based on connection, not control.

Chapters

00:00 Failed Book Attempt Shared

05:30 Embracing Connection on Stage

09:19 Connecting Meaningfully Amidst Zoom Fatigue

12:49 Balancing AI, Video, and Human Connection

13:57 "Trust Famine and Authentic Community"

18:35 "Brands Stuck in Conversation Phase"

22:49 "Joining Conversations: Brands & Creators"

26:35 Mutually Beneficial Networking Connections

30:11 Value Deep, Not Wide, Connections

31:31 Build or Join a Community?

36:42 Event Planning Challenges at Atlassian

40:16 Creating Authentic Group Experiences

44:08 "The Art of Genuine Curiosity"

46:44 "Networking: It Depends on Goals"

Episode 66: Why Goal Setting Is Slowly Killing Your Confidence (and what you can do about it).

Ever feel like your to-do list is running your life but you're not actually getting anywhere meaningful? You're not alone. In this week's episode of Culture Crush, we sat down with leadership strategist and 'high-performance whisperer' Justin Hills to crack open a big question:

Is traditional goal setting slowly killing your confidence? And how can we finally break the cycle?

Questions to reflect on while listening:

1️⃣ Does the to-do list fill you with dread?

2️⃣ Do you have a clear 6-month vision?

3️⃣ Do you react & regret or reflect & respond?

Episode Highlights:

Why “Action = Progress” Is a Trap Are you stuck in motion, mistaking busyness for real progress? Justin reveals why we’re conditioned to jump to action (often busywork) instead of pausing to make the right moves, for the right reasons, at the right time. (Spoiler: Tackling just one high-impact action beats a dozen distractions every time.)

Introducing: The MAPS System Justin’s signature MAPS framework flips goal setting on its head:

➡️ Measure: Look back before you move forward. What are you proud of from the last 6 months?

➡️ Aspire: Define what success looks—and feels—like 6 months from now.

➡️ Prioritise: Get ruthless. What are the 1–3 focus areas that move the needle most?

➡️ Stack: Reverse engineer milestones all the way from your big vision down to today’s next step.

Fav Takeaways:

⭐️ “Right action, right time, right reason” over mindless task-ticking.

⭐️ We often procrastinate by “learning” instead of doing—sound familiar?

⭐️ Only 10% of people achieve their ambitious goals. Most simply shrink goals over time to avoid disappointment. Ouch.

⭐️ Reflecting on past wins radically boosts your self-confidence and motivation (try it!).

⭐️ Busy ≠ meaningful. Are your daily tasks actually tied to your dreams?

Join the Crush

Every episode is co-created by our community at Culture Crush LIVE, a series of free online gatherings where we connect, reflect, and meet incredible speakers. Join the next event: ⁠https://www.anthem.ooo/culturecrush⁠

Loved the episode?

Please like, subscribe and leave a rating. We want to do good and need your help.

Ps.

Culture Crush is brought to you by ⁠Anthem⁠. Visit us if you’re looking to build a thriving business, team, or culture based on connection, not control.

Chapters

00:00 "Reflective Mindset and Life Goals"

04:36 "Nonlinear Marketing Journey"

07:07 "Diverse Goals, Common Struggles"

13:12 Procrastination Through Endless Learning

14:23 "Risk Avoidance vs. Taking Action"

19:26 Burnout vs. Inspiration

21:20 MAPS Goal Setting Essentials

26:54 "Transformation Through Celebration"

28:15 "MAPS Goal Setting Insights"

34:22 Reflecting on Last Year's Vacation

35:57 Six-Month Reflection and Goal Assessment

41:27 "Embrace the Present Moment"

45:02 Defining Personal Satisfaction

48:28 Reverse Goal Stacking Strategy

49:34 "Steps to Long-Term Success"

55:19 "Simple Planning for Enjoyment"

57:54 Reflecting on Our Collaborative Journey

Are you feeling stuck in a rut?

This week on Culture Crush, we're going from beige to brilliant with three mindset shifting questions to unlock your awesome! These question are power: they can ignite personal and professional growth, dial up your self-awareness and help you hit new levels of confidence... so lean in as we welcome LinkedIn rabble-rouser and HR disruptor, Michelle Hartley, to the show!

Check out Michelle’s work

Questions to Reflect On While Listening

These questions are designed to help you step into a reflective mindset as you listen. Consider them as you follow along.

• Are you giving yourself enough credit? Who sets the crazy high standards you’re trying to reach? Who told you that you needed to hit certain goals and milestones or post consistently? And where does that pressure come from?
• Are you getting in your own way and making things too complicated? How do you keep things simple?
• Do you find your goals liberating or are they a constant guilt trip?

Episode Highlights

• The Power of “How Do We Get to Yes?”: This question helps shift perspectives from resistance to solutions. It encourages creative problem-solving and a more positive approach to challenges, especially within teams and organisations. [14:30] Michelle shares how this question transformed her previous corporate role, breaking down resistance and fostering a more collaborative environment.
• Simplicity and Experimentation: Overcomplicating things is a common hurdle. The episode emphasises the importance of simplifying processes and embracing experimentation, encouraging listeners to ask “What does easy look like?” and to adopt an experimental mindset to overcome obstacles. Michelle shares how this simple question helped her overcome self-doubt and perfectionism. [21:24]
• The 1% Better Mindset: Instead of aiming for dramatic overnight changes, focus on small, incremental improvements. Ask, “What does 1% better feel like?” and identify those tiny actions that can create a ripple effect. The episode emphasises the power of small daily actions and celebrates the benefits of micro-goals and micro-praise in team settings. [31:29] Michelle shares how this approach helped her manage depression and fatigue, advocating for gentle, achievable steps toward well-being.
• LinkedIn Controversy and Authentic Self-Expression: Michelle shares a humorous anecdote about getting a video banned from LinkedIn. This sparked a conversation about the importance of authenticity and the potential risks of expressing unconventional opinions, reminding listeners that sometimes, expressing one’s true voice can lead to opportunities and stronger connections. [09:44]

Join the Crush

Every episode is co-created by our community at Culture Crush LIVE, a series of free online gatherings where we connect, reflect, and meet incredible speakers.

Join the next event: https://www.anthem.ooo/culturecrush

Loved the episode?

Please like, subscribe and leave a rating. We want to do good and need your help.

Ps.

Culture Crush is brought to you by Anthem. Visit us if you’re looking to build a thriving business, team, or culture based on connection, not control.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Culture Crush

00:16 Introducing Michelle Hartley

03:14 Reflective Questions: Giving Yourself Credit, Over complication, Liberating Goals

08:06 Michelle’s Work: Transforming HR Teams

09:44 LinkedIn Ban and Authentic Self-Expression

13:36 Three Big Questions: How to Get to Yes, What Does Easy Look Like, What Does 1% Better Feel Like?

14:30 How Do We Get to Yes?

21:24 What Does Easy Look Like?

31:29 What Does 1% Better Feel Like?

42:58 Where to Start Your Experimentation Journey

45:19 Episode Wrap-Up