Work Made Human

On this episode of Work Made Human, Nichole Mendez and Jill Veglahn sit down with Sofia Noori, co-founder and CEO of Nema Health, to explore how trauma care is evolving and where traditional models fall short. Sofia shares why therapy should be treated like medicine, how "dose" impacts outcomes, and why more intensive care can lead to faster, more effective recovery. This conversation touches on trust, human connection, and what it really takes to support people through healing.

On this episode of Work Made Human, Nichole Mendez and Jill Veglahn sit down with Kwesi Che, co-founder and president of Handspring, a company rethinking how we approach pediatric mental health. What started as a realization, and a massive issue hiding in plain sight, became the foundation for a company focused on supporting children and families at a critical stage of life. But this isn't just a healthcare story. It's a conversation about what it means to build at the intersection of mission and business. What founders have to navigate when impact and profitability collide. And why the mental health of today's youth is directly tied to the future of our workforce.

On this episode of Work Made Human, Nichole Mendez and Jill Veglahn unpack what actually changed when BAM went fully remote. From expanding access to talent to building more intentional connection, they break down what got better, what got harder, and what most companies still get wrong about culture. This isn't about remote vs. in-office. It's about trust, accountability, and what it really takes to build a team that works. If you're building with intention, this one's worth your time.

On this episode of Work Made Human, Nichole Mendez sits down with Chitra Kanagaraj, CEO and co-founder of PikMyKid, a startup transforming school safety through technology. What started as a chaotic school pickup moment — where the wrong child was placed in a car — became the spark for a company now helping schools safely reunite thousands of students with their families every day. But this isn't just a startup origin story. It's a conversation about what happens when frustration turns into action. What founders have to unlearn to build something that actually works. And why empathy, trust, and real relationships aren't soft skills; they're the foundation of how better companies get built. If you're building with intention, leading like a human, and focused on solving problems that matter, this one's worth your time.

On this episode of Work Made Human, hosts Nichole and Jill sit down with Scott Zimmer, co-founder and CEO of Answers from Me. Together they unpack a critical distinction — AI doing the work for us versus AI helping us make better decisions — and why trust, discernment, and real human insight remain skills leaders simply can't outsource. From lessons learned at IKEA to unexpected inspiration from Bobby Flay's grilling philosophy, this episode is packed with stories that remind us how learning actually happens: through people.

On this episode of Work Made Human, Nichole and Jill sit down with Katherine Barrios, Fractional CMO and CRO of Autility and co-founder of a stealth startup, for a conversation about leadership, storytelling, and what it really takes to build companies that grow without losing their humanity. Scaling a company isn't just about strategy or metrics. It's about people: how they show up, how they grow, and the cultures leaders choose to create along the way. Katherine reflects on her journey to carving out a unique path in the tech startup and marketing space. Along the way, she's learned that the strongest teams aren't built through pressure, but through trust, authenticity, and a willingness to embrace discomfort as part of progress. Together, they explore how storytelling shapes company growth, why mentorship and advocacy matter more than ever, and how today's workplaces are evolving beyond hustle culture toward something more sustainable and human.

On this episode of Work Made Human, Nichole and Jill sit down with Abadesi Osunsade, Founder and CEO of Hustle Crew and co-host of the Techish podcast, for a conversation that cuts through the noise and gets to what really matters at work. Because here's the truth: workplaces don't become more human by accident. They become more human when leaders choose to tell better stories, redistribute power, and build cultures where belonging isn't a buzzword—it's a standard. Together, they unpack how storytelling shapes culture, where organizations get inclusion right (and where they miss the mark), and why healthy boundaries aren't a leadership weakness—they're a strength. The conversation digs into Gen Z's "conscious unbossing," the evolution of hustle culture, and the very real shift in power dynamics between employees and the organizations they power. Ready to build workplaces where people actually belong and thrive? Press play.

On this episode of Work Made Human, hosts Nichole and Jill sit down with Radhika Duggal, Chief Marketing Officer of Major League Soccer, for a candid conversation about what it means to build joyful, people-centered culture inside one of the fastest-moving sports leagues in the world. Together, they unpack how storytelling, gratitude and trust fuel marketing in an industry powered by fans and unforgettable player narratives. Radhika shares what she's learned since stepping into MLS, why autonomy is non-negotiable for high-performing teams and how marketing joy and escapism starts with something simple — putting people first.

In this episode of Work Made Human, co- host Nichole sits down with Nikhil Sethi, co-founder and CEO of Workgrounds, for a candid conversation about the evolving meaning of gathering at work. What once felt like routine—offsites, retreats, and hallway hellos—now needs a fresh playbook. Together, they explore how intentional design, empathy, and storytelling can turn overwhelming team travel into culture-building moments that actually stick. The conversation goes beyond logistics and into leadership: how to manage change, improve communication, and rethink the role of space—physical and digital—as work keeps evolving. If you're leading people in this new world of work, Nikhil's insights will help you make every gathering, feel more human, and more worth it.

On this episode of Work Made Human, hosts Nichole and Jill talk with Kate Dilligan, founder and CEO of Cooler Heads, for a conversation that's as honest as it is inspiring. From San Diego, Kate shares her personal journey as a breast cancer survivor and how that experience led her to launch Cooler Heads, a company bringing scalp cooling therapy within reach for chemotherapy patients. She opens up about the deeply human impact of hair loss during cancer treatment—how it shapes privacy, identity, and agency at work and in everyday life.

On this episode of Work Made Human, hosts Nichole and Jill talk with Sarah Reynolds, CMO of Benifex, about what it truly means to be human at work. Sarah introduces the idea of bringing your "chosen self" rather than your "authentic self," recognizing that safety—not pressure—is what allows people to show up fully over time. They discuss how leaders must model vulnerability first, advocate for what's right even when it's uncomfortable, and stop masking their own identities if they want others to feel safe doing the same. Sarah also calls out the gap between inclusive marketing and the real internal work companies must do to support people.

On this episode of Work Made Human, hosts Nichole and Jill sit down with Michelle Duval, founder and CEO of the AI coaching platform Marlee. Michelle shares how her near-fatal autoimmune brain disease became the catalyst for her life's mission: to democratize human potential and make deep self-understanding accessible to everyone. Michelle breaks down the core idea behind Marley—that AI, when built with intention, can act as a mirror that helps people understand themselves more deeply, not replace them. She explains why coaching should be the "operating system" of the modern workplace, unlocking the ideas, meaning, and creativity already inside every individual.

Work Made Human explores the people, purpose, and culture behind today's most innovative startups. Hosts Nichole Mendez, BAM's Director of Talent Acquisition, and Jill Veglahn, BAM's Head of People, chat with startup founders about building teams, shaping culture, and leading with humanity. Each episode highlights the creativity, challenges, and lessons that truly make work human.