If we’re going to build healthier workplaces, we have to treat culture as more than just a buzzword.

In this episode of Heliona Insight, I sit down with Dr. Katie Gaebel, Vice President of People & Culture & Co-founder at Iconoclast Advisors, and a leadership strategist with deep roots in higher ed, executive development, and organizational transformation.

Katie brings clarity to what workplace culture really is: a human science. Not a program. Not a ping-pong table. But a system of behaviors, emotions, and choices that either support people or slowly wear them down.

We explore what culture feels like at its best, what leaders often get wrong about engagement, and why emotional awareness isn’t a “soft” skill, it’s a necessary one.

If you’re building teams, leading change, or simply trying to make work more human, this episode is your blueprint.

What does it take to lead with purpose after life throws its biggest curveballs?

In this episode of Heliona Insight, we sit down with James Estes, a military veteran and former corporate leader who once managed a team of 750 at Verizon. Now the owner of a successful franchise with The Brothers That Just Do Gutters, James opens up about his journey—from military service to surviving a heart attack and PTSD, and becoming a foster parent to over 25 kids.

We explore the lessons he's learned about leadership, resilience, and rebuilding your identity after life-altering experiences. If you’ve ever questioned whether it’s too late to start over or too hard to lead with empathy, this conversation will inspire you to keep going.

This is more than a story about business. It’s about heart, grit, and the power of reinvention.

What does it take to rise through the ranks and lead with purpose?

In this episode of Heliona Insight, host Ebrima "Abraham" Sisay sits down with Matt Linski, Kansas City Market President for Bank of America, to unpack his journey from intern to executive. With over 21 years at the company, Matt shares how internal growth, talent development, and authentic leadership have shaped not only his own trajectory but the culture of one of the most recognized institutions in the world.

We discuss how Bank of America identifies and nurtures talent, why promoting from within creates stronger teams, and how Matt’s leadership style continues to evolve in today’s ever-changing business landscape.

Whether you're a manager, executive, or someone looking to grow within your company, this conversation offers key insights into building a leadership legacy rooted in trust, consistency, and opportunity.