Culture Secrets

 5 for 55 is the weekly micro-podcast where Chellie Phillips shares one story, one leadership lesson, and one small shift you can apply immediately—in five minutes or less. 

What happens when one of the world's most recognizable brands gets it wrong?

In 1985, Coca-Cola replaced its iconic formula with New Coke. Just 79 days later, it reversed course after overwhelming customer backlash.

Most people remember New Coke as...

Your leadership brand isn’t just what you say about yourself. It’s what people believe about you based on what they experience.

In this episode of Culture Secrets, Chellie Phillips sits down with Christine Blosdale, The Expert Authority Coach, to explore how leadership brand, visibility, authenticity, and trust all shape the culture leaders create.

Christine shares why becoming a “go-to authority” isn’t ...

People won't remember every meeting you led.

They won't remember every email you sent.

But they'll remember how you made them feel.

In this episode of 5 for 55, Chellie Phillips shares a simple leadership lesson inspired by a quote that stopped her scrolling—and a personal story about the first leader who showed her what trust, encouragement, and belief in others really looks like.

You'll discover why your professional brand isn'...

What happens when a business, team, or leader reaches the point where things feel stuck, strained, or maybe even a little broken?

In this episode of the Culture Secrets Podcast, Chellie Phillips talks with Josh Post, an operations executive, business owner, fractional COO, and business turnaround specialist who helps small to mid-sized companies stabilize, strengthen leadership, align teams, and create operational clarity.

Josh share...

What does your leadership brand say about you when you’re not in the room?

In this episode of Culture Secrets, Chellie Phillips sits down with business strategist, speaker, author, and personal branding expert Mike Kim for a practical and deeply human conversation about reputation, trust, storytelling, reinvention, and the leadership signals we send every day.

Chellie first met Mike through one of his workshops while she was tr...

I wasn't looking for Umbrella Alley.

In fact, I didn't even know it existed.

While on a haunted history tour in Chattanooga, I stumbled across a vibrant alley filled with colorful umbrellas suspended overhead. What had once been an ordinary, overlooked space had been transformed into something people stopped to admire, photograph, and remember.

It got me thinking.

How often do we walk past opportunities because we've seen them so many ...

A few months ago, I met a friend for dinner and experienced something surprisingly frustrating. We weren't upset because the food was slow. We were frustrated because no one seemed to know we were there.

That experience sparked a bigger leadership lesson.

Whether you're leading a team, serving customers, communicating during a crisis, or managing change, people don't expect you to have all the answers immediately. They do expect to k...

This week on Culture Secrets, Chellie Phillips takes a step away from guest interviews for a personal reflection inspired by two very different experiences: a panel of journalists-turned-authors at LitFest and a headline-making news story that sparked a national conversation about trust.

Drawing on her own background as a newspaper reporter, Chellie shares a memorable (and slightly humorous) story about covering a fast-food restaura...

Leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about habits.

In this episode of Five at 55, Chellie Phillips shares five leadership habits that consistently move teams forward: communicating clearly, practicing accountability, truly listening, trusting your people, and doing what you say you’ll do.

These habits aren’t flashy, complicated, or new—but they do require intention. And while most leaders would say t...

What does it really take to create a workplace where people feel energized, valued, and motivated to do their best work?

In this episode of The Culture Secrets Podcast, Chellie Phillips sits down with leadership coach and culture strategist Nicole Greer, founder of Vibrant Culture, to explore what leaders can do to build organizations where people thrive.

Nicole works with companies across the country to help leaders develop stronger...

One of the most common leadership mistakes starts with good intentions.

In this episode of Five at 55, Chellie Phillips reflects on a lesson she learned early in her leadership journey—trying to be friends with everyone on the team.

While caring about your people and building connection is essential, blurred boundaries can create confusion, erode trust, and make difficult leadership moments even harder to navigate. Through pers...

If you could sit down with your younger self, what would you say?

In this episode of Five at 55, Chellie Phillips reflects on the early years of her career—when she was working hard to prove she belonged but hadn’t yet learned to trust herself.

Through five honest lessons about self-worth, confidence, speaking up, recognizing unhealthy dynamics, and building the right network, Chellie shares the wisdom experience has brou...

A simple lunch order turned into an unforgettable leadership lesson.

In this episode of Five at 55, Chellie Phillips shares a surprising restaurant experience involving cinnamon… in the spaghetti. What started as an unexpected twist on a classic dish became a powerful reminder about communication, expectations, and trust.

When leaders fail to give people a heads-up about change, surprises can create confusion and frustration. ...

At 55, clarity hits differently.

In this episode of Five at 55, Chellie Phillips shares five truths she trusts—not because they sound inspiring, but because experience has proven them true.

From self-worth and courage to conversations and choosing how to spend your time, these reflections are grounded, honest, and earned the long way.

This isn’t theory. It’s leadership shaped by real life.

If you’re navigating g...

Sometimes confidence doesn’t arrive all at once—it sneaks in through small, hard decisions.

In this episode, Chellie shares how training for a half marathon became an unexpected turning point—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. It opened the door to trusting herself, sharing imperfectly, and stepping into new possibilities.

A reminder that confidence isn’t perfection—it’s willingness...

This week marks the anniversary of the premiere of The Breakfast Club — and it still holds one of the most powerful leadership lessons we often overlook.

In this episode of 5 for 55, Chellie explores what happens when leaders stop sharing only their wins and start sharing the full story — including the doubt, the mistakes, and the lessons learned the hard way.

Because people don’t connect to perfection.
 The...

Turning 55 isn’t a slowdown—it’s a launch point.

In this kickoff episode of Five at 55, Chellie Phillips introduces a year-long series of short, real-world reflections built around lessons learned through leadership, growth, missteps, and reinvention.

This isn’t polished theory or highlight-reel leadership. It’s honest insight, lived experience, and stories that make you think, laugh, and reflect. Some e...

What if you could intentionally design the culture you want—not just hope it takes shape on its own?

This week on The Culture Secrets Podcast, Chellie sits down with Adam Schwartz, founder of The Cooperative Way and one of the nation’s leading voices on cooperative leadership and workplace culture. Adam has spent decades helping electric co-ops, credit unions, ag co-ops, and other member-owned businesses strengthen their...

What does a strong workplace culture actually look like in action—not on paper, but in real life?

In this episode of Culture Secrets, Chellie Phillips sits down with Bob Brown of Yamaha Motor Manufacturing to explore how culture is built, sustained, and strengthened inside a large, growing organization. From leadership visibility and trust to employee engagement, community involvement, and continuous improvement, this conversa...