Human Side Up

Human Side Up

What happens when we stop following the playbook and start writing our own? Hosted by Natasha Nuytten, CEO of CLARA, Human Side Up cuts through the noise to reveal how real leaders create workplaces where people can thrive. This isn’t about theory or trends—it’s about the practical strategies, hard-won lessons, and breakthrough moments that move the needle for the teams, cultures, and communities they serve.

From team leads making their first big decisions to seasoned change-makers transforming entire industries, we dive into what works. Each episode unpacks the real processes behind impact: how leaders at every level think, adapt, and execute when it matters most—and how those choices shape the people they support and the inclusive environments they build.

If you’re ready to learn from people who are doing the work—not just talking about it—this is the podcast for you. Because the best insights come from anyone bold enough to create change that lifts people up.

Who Really Owns Workplace Culture? | Zach Blumenfeld & Nick Lombardino
Human Side Up
Who Really Owns Workplace Culture? | Zach Blumenfeld & Nick Lombardino

Recent Episodes

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Who Really Owns Workplace Culture? | Zach Blumenfeld & Nick Lombardino
Dec. 17, 2025

Who Really Owns Workplace Culture? | Zach Blumenfeld & Nick Lombardino

Culture Isn’t HR’s Job: Building Work That Feels Human with Nick Lombardino & Zach Blumenfeld What if culture wasn’t something you rolled out—but something you practiced, person by person, day by day? In this episode of Human Side Up, host Natasha Nuytten sits down with Nick Lombardino and Zach Blumenfeld, co-founders of CultureCon (a certified B Corp), to unpack what actually makes workplace culture stick. From their origin story (Madison roots, high school connections, and an “accidental” comm
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Will AI Take Your Job? | Ajay Malik
Dec. 2, 2025

Will AI Take Your Job? | Ajay Malik

Let AI Do the Work: Becoming “Manager of One” in the Age of AI with Ajay Malik What if the future of work isn’t about replacing humans—but upgrading what we’re here to do? In this episode of Human Side Up, host Natasha Nuytten talks with Ajay Malik—CEO of StudioX-AI, former Head of Architecture & Engineering for Google’s worldwide corporate network, and holder of 100+ patents—about his mission to “let AI do the work so humans can do the thinking, feeling, and creating.” Ajay shares how his love
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How Leaders Fail Returning Moms | Alexa Starks
Nov. 19, 2025

How Leaders Fail Returning Moms | Alexa Starks

Reentry Isn’t a Moment—It’s a System: Designing Support That Works with Alexa Starks What if “welcome back” wasn’t the plan—just the starting line? In this episode of Human Side Up, host Natasha Nuytten sits down with Alexa Starks—Founder & Chief Strategist of Executive Moms and host of The Reentry Room—to unpack how organizations can move beyond good intentions to build practical, repeatable frameworks that retain high-performing parents. Drawing from her own return-to-work experience and a
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How to Lead Humans in the Age of AI | CEO, Kern & Partners Russell Kern
Nov. 5, 2025

How to Lead Humans in the Age of AI | CEO, Kern & Partners Russell Kern

Humans, AI, and the “Magnificent Middle” with Russell Kern What happens when you stop “managing” and start growing people—while inviting AI to help? In this episode of Human Side Up, host Natasha Nuytten sits down with Russell M. Kern—Founder & CEO of Kern & Partners—to explore how neuroscience, habit-formation, and AI can unlock what he calls the magnificent middle of managers. From selling jellybeans at 19 to scaling a 400-person creative agency and now advising global enterprises (SAP, AmEx,
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ADHD as a Superpower in Leadership | CEO, Full Scale Matt Watson
Oct. 22, 2025

ADHD as a Superpower in Leadership | CEO, Full Scale Matt Watson

High Urgency, Hyperfocus, and Human Leadership with Matt Watson What happens when ADHD isn’t a limitation—but a leadership engine? In this episode of Human Side Up, host Natasha Nuytten sits down with Matt Watson—serial entrepreneur and CEO of Full Scale—for a conversation about obsession, grit, and redefining how teams scale. From selling his first company, VinSolutions, for $150M at just 29, to growing Full Scale from 0 to 300+ developers in the Philippines (with plans for 500), Matt has built
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Dyslexia Made Me a Better Investor | David Hornik
Oct. 8, 2025

Dyslexia Made Me a Better Investor | David Hornik

Seeing Differently, Leading Generously: Dyslexia, Venture, and Human Connection with David Hornik What happens when a venture capitalist builds a career not on transactions, but on relationships—and embraces dyslexia as a lifelong advantage? In this episode of Human Side Up, host Natasha Nuytten sits down with David Hornik—Founding Partner of Lobby Capital—for a conversation that blends venture capital, art, and humanity. David shares openly about growing up dyslexic, the resourcefulness it forc
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