Culture Architects™
David J. Friedman
Most leaders know that a strong culture is a foundation for building a great organization, but great cultures don't just happen on their own. Rather, they're designed and built systematically, brick by brick. Each week, join David J. Friedman, the best-selling author of Culture by Design, as he speaks with extraordinary leaders, from all walks of life, and they share their biggest successes, failures, and lessons learned on their culture journeys. If you're searching for the best insights on building a high-performing culture, then Culture Architects, a production of CultureWise, is for you.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 31, 2025 • 25min
35. Authentic Leadership & the Art of Human Connection w/ Geneviève Retzlaff (Part 1)
In this first of a two-part conversation, transformational career coach Geneviève Retzlaff talks about getting her start in human resources with Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group. After a decade in HR and over 40 countries later, at her own company Grow Better Together, Geneviève helps organizations create cultures that encourage authentic leaders and human connections.
Mar 17, 2025 • 29min
34. Leading with Purpose: Lessons from Healthcare Culture w/ Dr. Roger Gerard (Part 2)
David and Dr. Roger Gerard build on the question, “What do employees really need from their leaders?” Roger shares the 5 golden promises leaders need to make and keep as if their life depended on it, and the advice he would give his younger self. Roger’s website: https://www.rogergerard.com/
Mar 10, 2025 • 29min
34. Leading with Purpose: Lessons from Healthcare Culture w/ Dr. Roger Gerard (Part 1)
Dr. Roger Gerard brings to the show 5 decades of experience as a leadership consultant and a healthcare executive for ThedaCare and Northern Michigan Hospitals. In this first of a two-part conversation, he and David discuss the profound difference that leadership makes upon various working environments. Roger also shares insights from his latest book, Lead with Purpose: Reignite Passion and Engagement for Professionals in Crisis.
Feb 24, 2025 • 31min
33. Sustainable Success in Soccer: Rituals & Culture w/ Yael Averbuch (Part 2)
David and Yael Averbuch discuss her evolving perspectives on team dynamics and culture-building, as she moves up from player to team captain to general manager. Yael reflects on the challenges of setting up a young team to be ‘sustainably successful,’ and the two things she wished she had known as a younger athlete.
Feb 17, 2025 • 27min
33. Sustainable Success in Soccer: Rituals & Culture w/ Yael Averbuch (Part 1)
Yael Averbuch, former professional soccer player and founder of the Techne Futbol app, shares her journey from the competitive fields of the US Women’s National Team to managing NJ/NY Gotham FC. She discusses the profound impact of team culture, reflecting on both positive and negative experiences. Yael emphasizes the importance of rituals in sports for fostering connection and performance. She also highlights the necessity of authenticity in corporate culture, setting the stage for deeper insights into team dynamics.
Feb 3, 2025 • 23min
32. The Aprio Way: Leading with Kindness Through Growth w/ Richard Kopelman (Part 2)
In this second part of their conversation, David and Richard Kopelman discuss the value of the Aprio Way during recent mergers, acquisitions, and overseas expansion. Richard reflects on how having a structured company culture has helped to overcome mistakes made along the way.
Jan 27, 2025 • 21min
32. The Aprio Way: Leading with Kindness Through Growth w/ Richard Kopelman (Part 1)
David chats with Richard Kopelman, CEO and managing partner of Aprio, known for his commitment to nurturing a positive company culture. Richard reflects on his journey from staff accountant to leader, revealing key moments that shaped his growth. He shares insights on the Aprio Way and the 31 fundamentals that drive success. The conversation dives into the importance of kindness in the workplace and how positive relationships enhance team dynamics and business outcomes. Richard also emphasizes the link between culture and sustainable growth in CPA firms.
Jan 13, 2025 • 28min
31. The Boomerang Basics: Festival Foods’ Culture Playbook w/ Mark Skogen (Part 2)
With Festival Foods coming up on its first decade of practicing the Boomerang Basics, David and Mark Skogen talk about the role that culture has played in the company’s recent history. Mark shares the advice he would give to his 25-year-old self.
Jan 6, 2025 • 25min
31. The Boomerang Basics: Festival Foods’ Culture Playbook w/ Mark Skogen (Part 1)
In this episode, David sits down with Mark Skogen — CEO and president of the Festival Foods supermarket chain in Wisconsin. Mark is a third-generation grocer, his family having been in the grocery business since 1946. With him at the reins and their Boomerang Basics as their guide, the company has come to be recognized as a leader in innovation, growth, ethics, and of course, culture.
Dec 16, 2024 • 30min
30. Brave Together: Co-Creating Culture That Lasts w/ Chris Deaver (Part 2)
David and Chris Deaver discuss how bravery ties into the co-creative approach. Chris weighs in on the idea that, amidst generational differences and constant disruptions around the world, culture may be a company’s best and most enduring product.
