Beneath the Transaction
Chris Pineda, Founder of Groundwork Leadership
Every organization has a system. But not every system transforms people.
This podcast uncovers what leaders are doing beneath the transaction—the daily decisions, intentional rhythms, and invisible structures that build cultures of depth, trust, and transformation. If you lead people, build culture, or develop leaders, this is where we ask the questions that matter.
Beneath the Transaction is a podcast for leaders who know that culture is more than pizza parties and birthday shoutouts. Hosted by Chris Pineda, PhD Organizational Psychologist and author of Beneath the Transaction, and Taylor Steele, a filmmaker and storytelling strategist, this show explores the deeper layers of leadership—where transformation really happens.
Each episode features conversations with leaders, founders, and culture-builders who are doing the hard work of leading with intention. We ask:
👉 What are you doing beneath the surface—beyond the performance metrics, perks, and programs—to truly shape your people and culture?
Rooted in indigenous wisdom and modern psychology, we introduce tools like The Culture of One™ and The 7 Conditions of Transformation™ to help reimagine how leadership development actually works. But this isn’t a one-way street—we don’t just teach, we learn. Every guest brings something powerful to the table, and we believe that when we listen deeply, we all walk away transformed.
This podcast is for people who believe that every organization has the potential to become a place where leaders grow, teams thrive, and people become more of who they’re meant to be—not just better producers, but better humans.
This podcast uncovers what leaders are doing beneath the transaction—the daily decisions, intentional rhythms, and invisible structures that build cultures of depth, trust, and transformation. If you lead people, build culture, or develop leaders, this is where we ask the questions that matter.
Beneath the Transaction is a podcast for leaders who know that culture is more than pizza parties and birthday shoutouts. Hosted by Chris Pineda, PhD Organizational Psychologist and author of Beneath the Transaction, and Taylor Steele, a filmmaker and storytelling strategist, this show explores the deeper layers of leadership—where transformation really happens.
Each episode features conversations with leaders, founders, and culture-builders who are doing the hard work of leading with intention. We ask:
👉 What are you doing beneath the surface—beyond the performance metrics, perks, and programs—to truly shape your people and culture?
Rooted in indigenous wisdom and modern psychology, we introduce tools like The Culture of One™ and The 7 Conditions of Transformation™ to help reimagine how leadership development actually works. But this isn’t a one-way street—we don’t just teach, we learn. Every guest brings something powerful to the table, and we believe that when we listen deeply, we all walk away transformed.
This podcast is for people who believe that every organization has the potential to become a place where leaders grow, teams thrive, and people become more of who they’re meant to be—not just better producers, but better humans.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 18, 2020 • 1h 4min
Inspired Leadership
Carlos Ruiz is one of the assistant principals at North Salem High School and one of the first graduates of the Groundwork Leadership Institute. In this episode, Carlos shares how a lot of his inspiration and motivation as a leader comes from his grandfather. He also discusses the role of a leader and how it can change over time.
Nov 12, 2020 • 1h 17min
Making Introspective Leadership a Habit
Chris Moore, a school district psychologist, joins the show and dives deep into the underpinnings of being human--in other words, our "humanness" and how we can be more intentional in creating environments where that is cultivated. Chris is an eloquent speaker and authentic in his delivery; he will have you on the edge of your seat.
Oct 27, 2020 • 1h 7min
What Is Your Leadership Brand?
Joining us this episode is Kay Hazen--owner of a strategic marketing and communications firm in Palm Springs and a recent presenter at our leadership institute. Kay has a breadth of experience in marketing and communications and provides a broad, rich perspective on leadership. In this episode, we discuss leadership brand, trust, telling the truth, listening, and more.
Oct 14, 2020 • 1h 4min
Seeing Potential in Others
Chad Ford, author of "Dangerous Love," shares deeply-seated components of leadership and what it means for leaders to see potential--even when all seems lost. Chad has traveled the world and been involved in dozens of high-stakes conflict where he has had to rely on the fact that there is always potential for transformation.
Oct 7, 2020 • 1h 22min
Focused Leadership
Local business leader and CEO of Neighborly Ventures Brian Moore visits the show. Together with Chris and Salam, he discusses implications of leadership in his organization, church, and family. Brian’s focus on authenticity is contagious and underlines his point that ordinary leaders and people can accomplish extraordinary things.
Oct 2, 2020 • 1h 15min
Mindful Leadership
In this episode, Chris and Salam welcome Christy Perry, Superintendent of Salem-Keizer Public Schools. The Salem-Keizer School District is the second-largest of its kind in Oregon. Christy was recently recognized as the Oregon Superintendent of the Year—and her thoughtful responses here demonstrate why. Christy and the team discuss several components of effective leading, including the importance of organization, while relating it back to our Rooted Leadership framework.
Sep 14, 2020 • 1h 5min
Have a "Shallow Rock Bottom"
Chris welcomes a dear friend and former teammate, Colby Bauer, to the show. Colby, CEO of Thread Wallets, propelled his company to the Inc. 5000 list within just a few short years. In this episode, Chris and Colby share personal and intimate stories that highlight aspects of humility, leadership, grit . . . and more humility.
Aug 29, 2020 • 1h 13min
Creating a Culture of Innovation
Special guest and well-known author Melissa Schilling joins Chris and Salam in this episode as they discuss Melissa's expertise on innovation. With intriguing examples of real-life leadership, Melissa makes innovation tangible. And a bonus? There’s plenty of overlap with the Rooted framework, too.
Aug 24, 2020 • 1h 8min
What is Leadership?
Chris and Salam take on the heavy question, "What is leadership?" From accountability, collaboration, authenticity, transparency, and more—they discuss what they believe to be among some of the most important aspects of leadership. If you are a leader of any kind, you will want to listen as the two of them think through this question.
Aug 18, 2020 • 1h 8min
Unpacking the Clinical Implications of our Leadership Framework with a Therapist
Guest Jason Davey, a clinical social worker, draws a powerful connection between our work within the Institute and his work as a daily practitioner. A rising awareness of mental health and social-emotional well-being makes this conversation particularly relevant.
