Unpacking Culture: A Chat with Dr. Kristine Gentry

OverviewIn this episode of Culturally Sound, Chandler Cutler sits down with Dr. Kristine Gentry, cultural anthropologist and CEO of Culture Grove, to unpack what truly drives a thriving workplace culture—and why most organizations get it wrong.With 25+ years of experience decoding human behavior, Kristine shares why real culture change doesn’t come from ping-pong tables or feel-good values—it comes from understanding the invisible systems that shape behavior, power, and trust inside organizations.From unifying fragmented institutions to guiding C-suite leaders through transformation, she reveals how to build cultures that don’t just engage employees—they ignite performance and create real results.Whether you lead a startup or a global team, this episode is a must-listen for anyone serious about turning culture into strategy.Guest BioDr. Kristine Gentry is a cultural anthropologist and the CEO of Culture Grove, a consultancy that helps organizations transform culture from the inside out. With a career spanning academia, executive leadership, and strategy development in complex systems, she brings a research-driven, people-first approach to sustainable organizational growth.🔗 Connect with Kristine: linkedin.com/in/kristine-mckenzie-gentryEpisode Breakdown– Anthropology Meets Leadership (00:00 – 10:00)• How Kristine transitioned from academia to boardrooms• Why anthropology is the missing lens in culture strategy– Culture Is Infrastructure (10:00 – 20:00)• How to move from perks to purpose• Why most culture programs fail—and how to build ones that last– Measuring What Matters (20:00 – 30:00)• What high turnover and disengagement are really telling you• Turning qualitative insight into strategic impact– Culture in Action (30:00 – 40:00)• Real-world case studies: from disengaged teams to award-winning cultures• How Culture Grove drives measurable results– The Future of Culture Work (40:00 – 50:00)• Why culture is every leader’s responsibility• How Kristine’s “Foundations” program creates meaningful, lasting changeSummaryDr. Kristine Gentry doesn’t just consult on culture—she transforms it. As CEO of Culture Grove, she helps leaders cut through surface-level solutions and architect cultures rooted in clarity, trust, and human insight. If you're ready to build a workplace where people and business thrive, this conversation is your roadmap.Relevant Links🔗 Learn more about Culture Grove: culturegrove.com🔗 Listen to more episodes of Culturally Sound: corethos.com/culturally-sound