Is culture just a “vibe”? A breakroom ping pong table? A motivational poster with core values no one remembers? The short answer - No.

In this episode of Collaborative Culture, we go deeper.

Join hosts Dr. Kristine Gentry and Monica Smith as they unpack what culture really is — through the lens of anthropology, leadership, and lived experience. From failed meditation mandates to strategic missteps, they expose the most common culture myths and offer a clear, actionable definition that goes far beyond the surface.

You’ll learn:

• Why culture is a strategic skill, not a soft one
• The dangers of leaving culture to chance
• How to spot culture disconnects across locations and levels
• Real-world stories of culture fails — and successes
• How leaders can move from performative perks to intentional, values-aligned culture

Whether you're a CEO, people leader, or culture-curious listener, this episode will reshape how you think about the everyday actions (and inactions) that shape workplace culture.

Culture isn’t something you bolt on. It’s the way you build everything.

📅 New episodes drop every other Wednesday at 8 AM Central.

👉 If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, rate, and share it with your community.

🔗 Connect with your hosts:

Kristine Gentry

• Website: www.culturegrove.com
• LinkedIn: Kristine McKenzie Gentry
• Email: kristine@collaborative-culture.com

Monica Smith

• Website: www.tradewindscareerconsulting.com
• LinkedIn: Monica Mary Smith
• Email: monica@collaborative-culture.com

Thanks for Listening!

We’d love to hear from you.

Kristine Gentry, PhD

kristine@collaborative-culture.com

🌐 www.culturegrove.com

🔗 LinkedIn: Kristine McKenzie Gentry

Monica M. Smith

monica@collaborative-culture.com

🌐 www.tradewindscareerconsulting.com

🔗 LinkedIn: Monica Mary Smith

If you enjoyed the show, please: subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who cares about building better teams.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎙️ Episode 1: Meet Your Hosts — A New Conversation on Culture Begins

Welcome to the very first episode of Collaborative Culture! In this kickoff conversation, you'll meet your co-hosts:

• Dr. Kristine Gentry, a cultural anthropologist and founder of Culture Grove
• Monica Smith, a globally-minded leadership coach and founder of Tradewinds Career Consulting

Together, they’re on a mission to redefine how we talk about culture at work.

In this premiere episode, Kristine and Monica share their personal journeys into culture work, the pivotal moments that shaped their philosophies, and how their unique perspectives—grounded in both academic research and real-world leadership—inform their approach to collaboration, leadership, and building thriving teams.

🔍 What to Expect This Season

Get a preview of upcoming episodes exploring:

• Why “culture fit” is a myth
• Navigating cross-cultural challenges in the workplace
• The link between trust and collaboration
• How to build truly high-performing teams—and what gets in the way

Whether you're a business leader, HR professional, team manager, or culture enthusiast, Collaborative Culture will challenge you to see culture not as a vibe, but as the operating system of your team.

📅 New episodes drop every other Wednesday at 8 AM Central.

👉 If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, rate, and share it with your community.

🔗 Connect with your hosts:

• Kristine Gentry
• Website: www.culturegrove.com
• LinkedIn: Kristine McKenzie Gentry
• Email: kristine@collaborative-culture.com
• Monica Smith
• Website: www.tradewindscareerconsulting.com
• LinkedIn: Monica Mary Smith
• Email: monica@collaborative-culture.com

Thanks for Listening!

We’d love to hear from you.

Kristine Gentry, PhD

kristine@collaborative-culture.com

🌐 www.culturegrove.com

🔗 LinkedIn: Kristine McKenzie Gentry

Monica M. Smith

monica@collaborative-culture.com

🌐 www.tradewindscareerconsulting.com

🔗 LinkedIn: Monica Mary Smith

If you enjoyed the show, please: subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who cares about building better teams.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.