In today’s workplace, courage isn’t a personality trait — it’s a performance requirement.

In this episode, Anthony “AJ” Vaughan sits down with Donna Hundley, the powerhouse behind People Pulse Ventures, to unpack the truth about building organizations that don’t just attract top talent — they deserve them. Because recruitment, alignment, and retention collapse the moment leaders avoid the hard decisions that culture demands.

Donna has spent her career transforming workplaces into high-trust environments where expectations are clear, leaders are accountable, and people feel safe enough to give their best. Together, we dig into:

• The recruiting promises that come back to bite

• How courage protects culture when power causes harm

• What alignment really looks like in the messy middle

• Why empathy is a retention strategy, not a perk

• Leadership behaviors that turn “employer brand” into lived experience

This is a bold conversation for leaders tired of optics and ready for outcomes. If you influence hiring, culture, or performance — you’ll leave challenged, validated, and more equipped to lead with a backbone and a heart.

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnahundley

• Website: https://donnahundley.com