Is it possible to make work actually fun without losing sight of business goals? Steve Carse thinks so—and he has the story to prove it. In this energizing episode, Brandon Laws sits down with the CEO of King of Pops to talk about how one humble ice pop cart evolved into a culture-first brand and what fun truly means in the workplace. They discuss how storytelling, ownership, gamification, and pride all contribute to a work culture that people love being part of. Whether you're a leader looking to revitalize your team or an employee wondering if fun has a place at work, this episode will shift your perspective and spark ideas.

🕒 Episode Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro: The power of combining HR + payroll with Xenium HR
01:00 – Meet Steve Carse and the origin of King of Pops
03:00 – Getting laid off and finding a new career path
06:00 – Starting a business with $7,000 and a dream
08:00 – Why fun at work starts with storytelling and vision
11:00 – The value of writing a personal or business narrative
13:00 – How to find joy even in the difficult, early stages of a business
15:00 – On career FOMO and staying present in the “good old days”
17:00 – Work-life blend, parenting, and evolving productivity
20:00 – Fostering a culture of ownership and trust
23:00 – Why pride at work creates loyalty (even when it’s illogical)
25:00 – Making monotonous work fun: The Frosty Creek Olympics
28:00 – Using gamification and play to motivate teams
30:00 – Shared struggle vs. traditional team building
32:00 – Actionable tips for creating a joyful workplace culture
34:00 – Revisiting King of Pops’ 2030 Vision
36:00 – Where to find the book and connect with Steve

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST
🎙️ Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR
Host: Brandon Laws

“The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.” — Brandon Laws

About Xenium HR
Xenium HR transforms workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium empowers growth by simplifying HR and creating environments where employees thrive. Learn more →

Connect with Brandon Laws:

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• About Brandon

Connect with Xenium HR:

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Dr. Angela Jackson discusses her book "The Win-Win Workplace," advocating for moving beyond traditional zero-sum work environments to create workplaces where both employees and businesses thrive. She emphasizes listening to employee feedback, embracing whole-person identities, reimagining benefits, and fostering ownership mindsets to drive productivity, retention, and bottom-line success.

TAKEAWAYS

• Listen to employees regularly and act on their feedback to build trust and engagement
• Support the whole person by acknowledging employees' full identities and life circumstances
• Create personalized benefits that address real needs rather than generic one-size-fits-all packages

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️

Host: Brandon Laws 📋

his own words: “The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.

About Xenium HR

Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more

Connect with Brandon Laws:
LinkedIn
Instagram
About

Connect with Xenium HR:
Website
LinkedIn
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube

This podcast episode explores how "radical listening" transforms leadership by focusing on intentional connection rather than performative techniques. Dr. Christian van Nieuwerburgh and Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener explain that radical listening requires internal quieting, purposeful attention, and genuine curiosity to overcome modern workplace distractions.

TAKEAWAYS

• Radical listening is an intentional act of connection that goes beyond traditional "active listening" techniques to build trust and influence.
• The Radical Listening Framework centers on positive intention, combining internal skills (quieting, noticing) with external skills (inquiring, acknowledging).
• Creating a listening culture requires self-awareness about when you feel heard and practicing appreciation-based listening without the intent to fix or solve.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️

Host: Brandon Laws 📋

his own words: “The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.

About Xenium HR

Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more

Connect with Brandon Laws:
LinkedIn
Instagram
About

Connect with Xenium HR:
Website
LinkedIn
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube