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

Feeling stuck in a life that isn’t truly yours?

This week on Culture Crush, we explore three powerful strategies for designing a life filled with purpose, impact, and genuine fulfilment with Wilson Obeneme. Wilson is a coach who helps leaders unlock their potential and create a legacy that matters, and in this episode we focus on actionable steps you can take towards self-discovery, mindful living, and lasting personal growth.

Check out Wilson’s work

Questions to Reflect On While Listening

↳ Do you keep doubting yourself? And why do you think that might be? This links to Wilson’s discussion on identifying and leveraging your strengths to build confidence and overcome self-doubt (10:01).

↳ Do you find yourself chasing other people’s expectations of you? Reflect on this as Wilson explores the importance of aligning your actions with your core values and personal vision (17:07).

↳ Are you looking to other people for a sense of validation? Or are you able to find that from within? This ties back to the discussion on building a life based on intrinsic motivation and fulfilling your own definition of success (20:27).

Episode Highlights

↳ Living by Design, Not Default: Wilson introduces the concept of consciously designing your life rather than passively accepting societal expectations (06:33). He emphasises understanding your strengths and aligning them with what genuinely brings you fulfilment (9:35).

↳ Uncovering Your True Fulfilment: The episode explores the difference between happiness and fulfilment (8:51). Wilson encourages listeners to identify activities or states that naturally excite them and bring them into a “flow state” (9:56), where they feel truly engaged and fulfilled (10:01).

↳ How You Want to Be Remembered: Wilson emphasises the importance of identifying your core values and attributes (17:29). He suggests reflecting on what characteristics you want people to associate with you, even in your absence (18:58). The discussion includes considering the legacy you want to leave behind and the impact you want to have on others’ lives (22:26).

↳ Impact and Achievement Beyond Material Success: The conversation shifts towards defining achievement and impact not solely through monetary success, but also through the positive influence you have on others (29:31). Wilson underscores the significance of considering the ripple effect of your actions and striving to create positive change in the lives of others, even if on a smaller scale (31:03).

↳ The Importance of Authenticity: Both Dan and Wilson discuss the importance of being authentic in your pursuits. Authenticity helps you connect with the right people and build a business or career that truly aligns with your values and passions (36:49).

Join the CrushEvery 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

06:33 Living by Design, Not Default

08:51 Uncovering Your True Fulfilment

17:07 How You Want to Be Remembered

29:31 Impact and Achievement Beyond Material Success

36:49 The Importance of Authenticity

Feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges?

Emotional intelligence is key to navigating the complexities of work and personal life, but there’s a secret ingredient often overlooked: resilience. This week on Culture Crush, we delve into the power of resilience with returning guest Justin Bariso, an expert in emotional intelligence. Justin reveals a crucial element for high-achievers seeking to build stronger relationships, make better decisions, and achieve greater success. Discover Justin's work.

Questions to Reflect On While Listening

• What is the secret that you think makes people successful? Connect this to Justin’s discussion of resilience as a key trait amongst successful leaders, such as Barbara Corcoran (15:13).
• What are the character traits that you’re really investing in? Reflect on this as Justin explains the importance of building inner resources and the practice of cognitive reframing (29:28).
• Do you find yourself reacting and regretting or reflecting and responding? This ties back to Justin’s explanation of resilience as not just bouncing back from setbacks, but also making conscious choices about your response (22:14).

Episode Highlights

The Four Core Elements of Emotional Intelligence & The Secret Fifth: Justin outlines the four core components of emotional intelligence—self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management (08:53). He introduces resilience as the often-overlooked fifth element, crucial for navigating challenges and bouncing back from adversity (12:11).

Resilience: A Muscle to Be Built, Not Just a Trait: The conversation explores resilience not as an innate trait, but a skill that can be developed through targeted exercises (14:49). Justin shares Barbara Corcoran’s inspiring story of overcoming setbacks to illustrate this point (15:13).

Cultural Influences on Resilience: The discussion highlights the cultural differences in how resilience is perceived and cultivated, comparing the “tough and grit” approach of some Eastern European cultures with the more praise-focused approach prevalent in the United States (18:28).

Building Inner Resources and Cognitive Reframing: Justin introduces two key exercises for building resilience: “replay,” which involves reflecting on positive experiences, and the “milk carton rule,” which emphasises focusing on what you can control (30:40). The importance of journaling is highlighted as a way to reinforce these practices (32:37).

The Power of Cognitive Reframing: The episode explores using the question, “What advice would you give yourself?”, to gain a fresh perspective during difficult times. This exercise aids in detaching from immediate emotions, allowing for more logical decision-making (36:30).

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: https://www.anthem.ooo. 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 Crush08:53 The Four Core Elements of Emotional Intelligence12:11 Introducing Resilience: The Secret Fifth Element14:49 Resilience: A Skill to Be Developed15:13 Barbara Corcoran’s Story: Overcoming Setbacks18:28 Cultural Influences on Resilience22:14 Reacting vs. Responding: Conscious Choices29:28 Building Inner Resources and Cognitive Reframing30:40 Practical Exercises for Building Resilience: Replay and the Milk Carton Rule36:30 Cognitive Reframing: Seeking External Perspective39:37 Neuroplasticity and Building Resilience

Feeling icky about traditional marketing?

This week on Culture Crush, we challenge the status quo with Justin Foster, exploring how to create content that aligns with your values and resonates deeply with your audience, regardless of the algorithm. Learn to ditch the funnel mentality, connect authentically, and build a brand that’s not just profitable but purposeful.

Check out Justin Foster’s work: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fosterjustin/

Questions to Reflect On While Listening

• Do traditional marketing approaches make you feel icky? Justin’s unpacks the inherent ickiness of manipulative marketing techniques rooted in fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) at [27:21].
• Do you find yourself diluting your message in order to appease the algorithm? Reflect on this as Justin explains how focusing on authentic expression and brand poetry can attract the right audience organically, bypassing the need for constant algorithm manipulation at [38:05].
• If there were no rules, if there were no best practice guidelines, if you were to allow your inner activist to roar, what would you create? This ties back to Justin’s core message: creating impact through values alignment, elite skills, and a focus on spiritual ROI at [08:05].

Episode Highlights

• The Funnel Mentality is King? Justin challenges the pervasive funnel mentality in marketing, advocating for authentic conversations and invitations instead of manipulation at [13:54]. He argues that treating humans as mere leads to be funneled leads to poor results.
• Direct-to-Consumer Marketing is Always Effective? Justin explains how the high cost of customer acquisition in direct-to-consumer models often leads to compromises in quality and ultimately hurts the brand at [20:40].

• Fact: Marketing Copy is About Persuasion, Not Truth. Justin reveals the dark origins of marketing copy, tracing its roots back to propaganda techniques used by authoritarian regimes, and advocates for brand poetry as a way to express truth authentically at [38:05].
• Practical Techniques for Authentic Marketing. This episode provides practical advice on using brand poetry and simple language, understanding deeper motivators beyond FUD, and avoiding the automation of intimacy at [32:36] and [52:33]. Discover how to create an experience rather than a transaction.
• The Power of Love in Marketing. Justin emphasizes that love—for yourself, your team, and your customers—is the ultimate algorithm hack. Focusing on creating amazing experiences organically builds word-of-mouth marketing that transcends the need for algorithm game playing at [33:27].

Join the Crush

Every episode is co-curated 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

08:05 Values Alignment: The Core of Purposeful Business

13:54 Ditching the Funnel Mentality: Marketing as Conversation

20:40 The High Cost of Customer Acquisition: A Critical Look at Direct-to-Consumer

27:21 Understanding Deeper Motivators: Beyond FUD

33:27 The Ultimate Algorithm Hack: Love

38:05 Brand Poetry: Communicating Authentically

52:33 Don’t Automate Intimacy: Building Genuine Connections

Feeling overwhelmed by the demands of work and life?

Emotional intelligence isn’t about suppressing your feelings; it’s about mastering them to find your confidence and build resilience.

This week on Culture Crush, we debunk three common myths about emotional intelligence with Tahira Jamani, a Google certified expert in emotional intelligence and mindfulness. Tahira shares practical strategies and real-world examples to help you navigate your emotions with more confidence and resilience.

Check out Tahira’s work: https://www.chainreaction.life/

Questions to Reflect On While Listening

• Think about how emotions show up in your body. How does anger feel? How does fear feel? What’s your body telling you about this conversation? This connects to Tahira’s discussion of body mapping emotions and how physical sensations reflect inner emotional states. [10:35]

• Are there emotions that you fail to express sometimes? Do you think that’s a good or a bad thing? Reflect on this as Tahira discusses the importance of emotional expression and the societal conditioning that often leads to suppression. [03:40]

• Are there emotions that you were told to stop or mask when you were growing up? This ties back to Tahira’s discussion of how childhood experiences can impact adult emotional responses and the importance of re-evaluating those patterns. [02:17]

  
  

Episode Highlights

Myth #1: Ignoring your emotions is key to emotional intelligence. [08:08]

Emotional intelligence isn’t about ignoring feelings; it’s about understanding and managing them. Tahira uses the example of a client who suppressed her frustration at work, resulting in a negative outburst at home. This highlights the importance of self-awareness and emotional regulation.

Myth #2: Emotional intelligence makes you soft. [17:14]

The opposite is true! Embracing emotions builds courage and confidence. Tahira shares a client story of a first-time manager who initially felt anxious about difficult conversations. By learning to confront discomfort, he improved his leadership skills and relationships.

Myth #3: “I don’t need emotional intelligence; others do.” [39:37]

Emotional intelligence is about personal responsibility and control over your reactions. Tahira describes how a client’s focus on self-improvement, rather than blaming external factors, helped him gain confidence and control during a stressful job interview.

Practical Techniques and Takeaways:

Tahira introduces practical tools for emotional regulation including body mapping emotions [10:35], micro-practices such as grounding exercises [29:33], and the “name it to tame it” approach [30:29]. The episode also explores the power of positive self-affirmations such as “I am not afraid to fail” [37:17].

Downloads

• 3 Myths Presentation and Frameworks PDF

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

01:03 Reflective Questions on Emotional Responses

08:08 Myth #1: Ignoring Your Emotions

17:14 Myth #2: Emotional Intelligence Makes You Soft

39:37 Myth #3: “I Don’t Need It, But Others Do”

25:49 Practical Techniques for Emotional Regulation

53:53 Letting Go vs. Ignoring Emotions

In episode 60 of Culture Crush, host Dan Dowman sits down with emotional intelligence expert Justin Bariso to discuss leadership challenges and building effective cultures. Sponsored by Anthem, this milestone episode touches on overcoming personality differences in the workplace, leveraging emotional intelligence, and fostering meaningful conversations. Justin also shares insights from his work with EQ Applied and his experiences as a columnist for Inc. Magazine. Practical frameworks and tools, such as the ‘Three Question Rule’ and ‘Disagree and Commit,’ are highlighted to help listeners manage their emotions and improve team dynamics. Culture Crush: 🧡 Starbucks ➡️ For historically investing in the wholeness of your people through education and healthcare. Whilst things might have changed in the last few years, this employee focus remains a beautiful template for others to follow. We’ll be paying close attention to the next chapter… 🧡 (…and speaking of the next chapter) Brian Niccol ➡️ For your clear and actionable intentions about Starbucks’ future, and for actually spending one-on-one time with your baristas where they work in their home neighbourhoods. Key Takeaways: ✅ Emotional intelligence is a lifelong journey; it’s essential to keep practising and learning from experiences. ✅ Understanding personality differences can enhance collaboration and reduce friction within teams. ✅ Utilising frameworks like “disagree and commit” can help build trust and improve decision-making processes. ✅ Practising self-reflection after challenging interactions leads to personal growth and better emotional management. ✅ Small, intentional conversations can pave the way for improved workplace relationships. Sound Bites: 📢 “Good things come to those who ask.” 📢 “The key is learning from those mistakes and doing what I like to call an emotional post-mortem.” 📢 “Emotional intelligence is the ability to make emotions work for you instead of against you.” Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Culture Crush 00:25 Meet Justin Bariso 02:14 Emotional Intelligence Explained 05:25 The Model of Collective Fluency 11:52 Justin’s Career Journey 18:34 The Power of Showing Up 23:33 Culture Crush: Starbucks’ New Leadership 30:14 Leadership and Wholeness 38:02 Practical Tools for Emotional Intelligence 43:45 Final Thoughts and Takeaways