Episodes

In this lively and deeply reflective episode of Uncover the Human , Cristina and Alex dive into the “respectrum” — the full range of how respect and disrespect show up in our lives, workplaces, and society. They explore how easily we justify our own lapses in respect while condemning others, and how that double standard quietly erodes the social ecosystem we all share. With humor, honesty, and a few delightfully unplanned metaphors, they unpack why respect often goes unnoticed until it’s missing...

In this episode of Uncover the Human , Cristina and Alex dive into the messy, often overwhelming experience of navigating change. From workplace restructuring to global uncertainty, and even the rise of AI, they explore what it means to not just “thrive” in change but simply survive it. Along the way, they challenge the overused and weaponized idea of resilience, reframing it as something more human and grounded: acknowledging your true capacity, accepting that it’s limited, and focusing on what...

In this episode, licensed therapist and organizational consultant Amanda Gilchrist joins us to explore what real support looks like in a hyper-stimulated world. Amanda flips the script on “helping” by reminding us that it’s not a leader’s—or a therapist’s—job to hand out answers. It’s to guide, facilitate, and create space so people can hear their own wisdom. We dig into self-investment, the difference between a state change and a trait change, and why trust in ourselves is the foundation for an...

In this episode of Uncover the Human , Alex and Cristina sit down with leadership coach Laura Shepherd for a rich conversation about following your internal compass. Laura shares her journey from corporate success to scuba instructor to coach, describing what it feels like when the compass spins, how she learned to recognize misalignment, and what it’s like to step into the “exciting discomfort” of growth. Together, they explore the power of weekly reflection, rewarding progress along the way, a...

In this conversation, author and acupuncturist Connie Warden joins Cristina and Alex to talk about her book Speeding to Compassion —a project born from her surprising realization that her mindfulness practice didn’t extend to the driver’s seat. Connie shares candid stories of road rage, self-reflection, and the universal struggle of anger, showing how the car became her training ground for compassion. What starts as a book about driving quickly unfolds into a much bigger exploration of authentic...

In this conversation with speech and communication coach Bailey Massey, Alex and Cristina explore why communication remains the universal solution—and universal problem—at work and at home. They dig into the often-ignored half of communication (listening), the outsized role of tone and body language, and how Zoom-era distractions make nonverbal signals even more critical to read—and manage. The trio shares practical, low-lift habits: breathe and pause to steady nerves, structure ideas into small...

In this episode of Uncover the Human , Cristina and Alex sit down with Kristin Malek, founder of the Behavior Change Design Institute, to explore how real change happens—whether in individuals, organizations, or society. Kristin draws from her diverse background in neuroscience, psychology, and event design to explain why simply declaring new values or pushing positive affirmations rarely works. Instead, she emphasizes the importance of believable steps, curiosity as a gateway to openness, and t...

In this episode of Uncover the Human , Cristina and Alex take a candid look at the challenges and misconceptions around employee engagement, especially the reliance on large-scale surveys. They question the accuracy and usefulness of engagement metrics when trust and psychological safety are low, noting that survey responses are shaped by fleeting emotions, personal context, and fear of speaking openly. Engagement, they argue, is an outcome—not a metric—and real insight comes from observing dail...

In this episode of Uncover the Human , Cristina Amigoni and Alex Cullimore are joined by Andy DeShong for a deep, philosophical conversation on the intersection of AI, leadership, and humanity. Together, they explore the profound shifts artificial intelligence is bringing to the workplace and education, from redefining job roles to reshaping how people relate to change and uncertainty. Andy, a seasoned technology leader, shares personal reflections on leading teams through disruption, emphasizin...

On today's episode of Uncover the Human we have Jude Schweppe joining us. Jude has an eye opening way of approaching her work life. Her background is in performing arts. Jude loves being creative, and transitioned into advertising. She finally blended coaching with a creative direction. Jude is a firm believer in having fun in the workplace, people learn better when they're having fun. They are able to engage and process things in a more profound way. Her goal as a coach is to la...

In this heartfelt and insightful episode of Uncover the Human , hosts Cristina Amigoni and Alex Cullimore welcome guest Tina Morris to explore the often-overlooked emotional and psychological layers of transitions. From corporate transformations to cross-country moves, Tina shares personal stories and leadership lessons that highlight the importance of empathy, trust, and the courage to sit with ambiguity. Using metaphors like a child’s dresser that won’t fit through the door, the conversation r...

Why do we ghost and get ghosted? From the corporate world to intimate relationships, Cristina and Alex discuss what it means to ghost someone from two perspectives: the person who doesn't like to respond and the person who feels disrespected without a response. Is there psychology around ghosting? Why do we take it so personally? We are all conscious that time is a precious resource and would like our time and effort to be acknowledged on both sides. This episode provides a discussion about why ...

In this repeat of the kickoff episode of Season Two of Uncover the Human , Cristina and Alex reflect on their podcasting journey—from humble closet recordings to a full-blown professional setup—and dive into one of their favorite topics: self-assessments. The episode explores the value of assessments in fostering personal insight, team effectiveness, and workplace well-being. They share laughs and lessons from their own experiences with tools like StandOut, Working Genius, and the Genesis Emotio...

In this powerful episode of Uncover the Human , hosts Cristina Amigoni and Alex Cullimore welcome Amanda Gulino, founder of A Better Monday, for an authentic conversation on burnout, values alignment, and what it means to build a career—and life—on purpose. Amanda shares her personal journey from recruiting to leadership and culture consulting, emphasizing how her business emerged from deep curiosity and a desire to do work that reflects her values. Together, they explore themes of identity, bur...

In this episode of Uncover the Human , hosts Cristina Amigoni and Alex Cullimore sit down with Meridith Grundei, a dynamic presentation coach and improv facilitator, to explore how authenticity, story, and vulnerability transform public speaking. Drawing from her background in acting and teaching improv, Meridith shares how she helps clients become more comfortable and impactful presenters—not by mastering rigid formulas, but by connecting with their humanity. Through humor, insight, and practic...

What does it mean to live a purposeful life? Life Purpose Coach Rick Harrigan knows firsthand the painful disconnect between external success and internal emptiness. After 20+ years in corporate entertainment with all the trappings of the American dream—good money, nice house, white picket fence—Rick found himself profoundly unfulfilled. "I was getting validation from everyone except myself," he shares in this soul-stirring conversation. Rick takes us on his journey from burnout to breakthrough,...

What happens when we place humans at the center of every workplace decision? Anne-Catherine Nielsen, founder of Equo Magna, brings her rich experience from the hospitality industry to tackle this question in a conversation that couldn't be more timely. In a post-pandemic world where employees are reevaluating their relationship with work, Nielsen offers invaluable insights into what truly matters. "There's been a search for meaning since the pandemic," she notes, highlighting how today's workfor...

In this episode of Uncover the Human , hosts Cristina Amigoni and Alex Cullimore welcome back returning guest Eimear Zone to explore one of the most universally challenging yet empowering topics in personal and professional life: setting boundaries. Building on her course The Elegant No , Eimear dives into how boundaries are not acts of rejection but reflections of values, connection, and self-respect. The conversation uncovers how resentment, conflict avoidance, and people-pleasing often stem f...

In this episode of Uncover the Human , hosts Cristina Amigoni and Alex Cullimore explore the intersection of authenticity, community, and well-being with guest Michael Niyompong, Chief Engagement Officer at the Mental Health Center of Denver. The conversation opens with reflections on what it means to live authentically, not as a curated version of oneself but as a full expression of who we are. Michael shares his personal journey of rediscovering well-being, rooted in relationships, mentorship,...

In this episode of Uncover the Human , Cristina and Alex welcome Mirko Maccarrone, founder of The Mastery Hub, for a deep conversation about conscious leadership and the concept of "coachsulting"—a powerful blend of coaching and consulting. Mirko shares his personal journey from a demanding corporate career to building a purpose-driven global platform focused on empowering individuals and organizations through values-based growth. Together, they explore the 4C Framework (Consultation, Conversati...

In this episode of Uncover the Human , Cristina and Alex chat with Matt Ley—consultant, former pastor, and author of Manager Gaps: Reclaiming the Awesomeness of Management . Matt shares lessons from his diverse career path and how it shaped his view on the critical, often overlooked role of middle management. Matt explains that great managers do more than delegate—they multiply value, build culture, and support people through clarity, communication, consistency, and care. He goes into the import...

In this episode, Cristina Amigoni and Alex Cullimore dive into the often overlooked art of facilitation and the real impact of effective training. Reflecting on their experiences creating and delivering leadership programs, they explore what makes training successful—and why it’s never just about memorizing content. We unpack why every change in an organization is, at its core, a behavioral change —and how facilitation helps people not only understand but internalize those changes. From navigati...

In this heartfelt episode of Uncover the Human , hosts Cristina Amigoni and Alex Cullimore explore the quiet power of individual impact—how one person’s presence, choices, and energy can meaningfully shape environments, relationships, and even entire systems. They reflect on professional and personal moments when someone’s arrival or departure deeply shifted dynamics, drawing from their experiences in coaching, leadership programs, and even fostering kittens to illustrate the emotional and energ...

How do we balance technological innovation with human authenticity? In this episode, we sit down with Chuck DeVries, a technologist with a deeply human-centered perspective, to explore the intersection of AI, leadership, and the future of work. Chuck shares his journey from growing up on a dairy farm to working at the forefront of AI, offering insights on how technology can enhance—not replace—our humanity. We discuss the evolving role of AI, the importance of maintaining curiosity, and how lead...