This is a curiosity podcast. For those who find themselves asking: “There has to be a better way, right? There just has to be.” Join Hui Chen and Zach Coseglia as they explore the worlds of organizational culture, data, and ethics—and search for new ways to tackle long-standing challenges.
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At the halfway point of the year, Zach and Hui pause to reflect on the ideas that have defined recent conversations in compliance, ethics, and culture. From the role of curiosity as a professional superpower to the growing push toward outcome-based reporting, they unpack why critical thinking—and better questions—remain at the heart of effective programs. Along the way, they highlight the persistent gap between activity and impact, and why simply doing more isn’t the same as doing better. They also dig into today’s productivity obsession and what it’s getting wrong, including the unintended co
What really drives corporate scandals? In this episode, Zach and Hui sit down with Professor Guido Palazzo, co-author of The Dark Pattern, to explore how organizational environments shape behavior in ways that go far beyond individual intent or values. Drawing on cases like Wells Fargo, Theranos, and Boeing, Guido explains why misconduct is rarely about intent alone—and instead emerges from a powerful mix of pressure, incentives, culture, and context that can override judgment and values. They walk through the nine elements of the “dark pattern,” a set of recurring conditions that show up acro
We all complain about meetings—in fact, they just might be one of the biggest unmanaged investments in your organization. Is there a better way? In this episode, Zach and Hui sit down with Dr. Steven Rogelberg, one of the world’s leading experts on the science of meetings, to unpack why meetings so often fail—and what leaders get wrong about fixing them. From the surprising truth about agendas to the staggering scale and cost of meetings, this conversation reframes meetings as a critical (and under-managed) business investment. Dr. Rogelberg shares practical, research-backed tools you can star
In this episode of The Better Way, Zach shares reflections from an unusual professional crossover: serving on a criminal jury in a high‑stakes, multi‑week trial. What he experienced in the courtroom and the jury room—confusion caused by complexity, the absence of a coherent story, opaque instructions written in legalese, and the emotional weight of being questioned—sparked a series of insights that directly mirror some of compliance’s biggest challenges. From training that ignores people’s time, to investigations that underestimate the stress of being interviewed, the jury experience became a
When the DOJ sneezes, the compliance community has a habit of mad dashing to the emergency room. And that’s pretty much what happened when the Department of Justice rolled out its “new” Corporate Enforcement Policy last month. And so, in this episode of The Better Way?, Zach and Hui—somewhat reluctantly—provide a high-level overview of the policy itself, before digging into a recent Law360 article Hui wrote in response. Together, they separate what’s truly new from what’s largely recycled and explain why the policy’s promises of clarity and certainty are far more complicated than the headlines
In this episode, Zach and Hui trace how corporate compliance evolved from early antitrust enforcement to today’s legal‑dominated structures, showing how scandals, regulation, and enforcement—not a desire to “do the right thing”—shaped the function’s modern form. They also unpack why compliance so often reports into legal and why reporting lines rarely reflect the true power dynamics inside companies. The conversation then explores what compliance should be when it’s not treated as an extension of legal: a proactive, behavior‑focused, data‑driven discipline centered on culture, risk, and preven
In this episode of The Better Way?, Zach and Hui shine a light on some of the compliance metrics that rarely get used but matter most—from behavioral signals and free‑text insights to knowledge acquisition and retention and early risk indicators buried inside culture surveys and HR systems. They argue that traditional outputs like training completions and policy attestations tell us almost nothing about trust, behavior, or risk. They walk through high‑value but overlooked metrics that reveal whether a program actually works—how long misconduct went undetected, which managers drive repeated iss
In this episode of The Better Way?, Zach and Hui sit down with Emily May, President and Co‑Founder of Right To Be, whose work has transformed global understanding of harassment and bystander intervention. Emily shares the origins of her movement; breaks down the powerful 5Ds framework to bystander intervention; and explains how these simple, accessible tools help everyday people safely intervene in moments of harm and reduce trauma for those targeted (in life and at work!). But the conversation goes even deeper. Emily offers grounded optimism for a fractured world, arguing that stories shape e
In this reflective episode, Zach and Hui open up about pivotal moments that shaped how they think about ethics, culture, and compliance—from unexpected lessons in empathy and communication to the realities of navigating risk, culture, and power inside global organizations. Their stories reveal how the work of compliance is far more human, nuanced, and emotionally complex than policy manuals ever acknowledge. They also explore how data, design thinking, and personal courage can transform the way organizations (and individuals) approach integrity and decision‑making. Ultimately, the conversation
In this episode of The Better Way?, Zach and Hui sit down with Dr. Leann Pereira to explore the psychology behind compliance training—why meaningful learning isn’t about entertainment, quizzes, or catchy trends, but about context, behavior, and relevance. Leann breaks down how bias shows up in everyday managerial decisions, why learning transfer requires realism over edutainment, and how organizations often underestimate the complexity of human behavior at work. They also dive into the power of data to reveal cultural blind spots, challenge leaders’ assumptions, and surface the micro‑cultures
Investigations can be rigid, legalistic exercises—but as Zach and Hui remind us, they’re fundamentally human. In this episode, they unpack the viral “Coldplay Kiss Cam” incident as a case study in why rushing to judgment is so dangerous, especially in ethics and compliance. From the purpose of investigations to the importance of withholding conclusions until the facts are in, they explore how curiosity, open‑mindedness, and fairness shape better outcomes for people and organizations alike. They also break down the practical craft of investigations: who should conduct them, how to triage and sc
Critical thinking sounds simple—but in practice, it’s one of the most overlooked skills in compliance and culture work. In this episode of The Better Way?, Zach and Hui dive deep into what critical thinking really means: objective analysis, bias awareness, and evidence-based decision-making. They explore why curiosity is the foundation of critical thinking and why assumptions, incomplete information, and invalid metrics often lead organizations astray. Through real-world examples—from FOFO (fear of finding out) to confirmation bias and groupthink—they reveal how these traps show up in complian
It’s the last episode of the year, and Zach Coseglia and Hui Chen are taking a step back to reflect on what made 2025 so memorable. From a new presidential administration and major regulatory and enforcement changes to questions about the rule of law and the future of DEI— they talk through what these shifts mean for businesses and compliance professionals trying to stay grounded in an increasingly unpredictable world. They also dive into the year’s other big headline: artificial intelligence. How much are people really using it at work? Do they trust it? And what does “AI-powered” actually me
In this episode of The Better Way?, Zach and Hui unpack the complexities of corruption with Professors Oguzhan Dincer and Michael Johnston, authors of Corruption in America: A Fifty-Ring Circus. They explore why corruption is not a simple crime—but instead, a deeply entrenched phenomenon with long-term consequences for democracy, development, and institutional trust. You’ll hear why defining corruption is harder than you think, how campaign finance and lobbying create a race to the bottom, and what our guests' five-year survey of political reporters uncovered about corruption right here at hom
Root cause analysis isn’t just a box to check—it’s the difference between fixing symptoms and solving real problems. In this episode, Zach and Hui unpack why so many organizations stop short of the true root causes, settling for easy answers like “more training” or “rogue employee.” They explore how curiosity, context, and critical thinking can transform investigations from blame games into learning opportunities. From the five whys to fishbone diagrams, they share practical methods for digging deeper and highlight why cultural and systemic factors often lurk beneath the surface of compliance
What do Icelandic elves, Chilean political ads, and Uruguayan tea rituals have to do with ethics and compliance? More than you’d think. In this episode of The Better Way?, Zach and Hui take you on a global journey—literally—sharing travel stories that spark fresh insights into culture, data, and the human side of corporate integrity. From folklore that reveals workplace truths to a cruise ship complaint that becomes a case study in speaking up, this episode is packed with unexpected connections, sharp observations, and a whole lot of curiosity. Whether you're a compliance pro or just love a go
It’s human nature to be curious about what other people are doing. But is it helpful? And is benchmarking just a modern day, corporate version of our naturally human instinct to "keep up with the Joneses?” In this episode of The Better Way?, Zach and Hui dive deep into the widely used, yet often over-valued, practice of culture and compliance benchmarking. They define it, explore why organizations do it, and acknowledge its potential to inspire (and maybe even help you find “better ways”). But they also caution against over-reliance, arguing that benchmarking-based comparisons usually lack the
In this episode of The Better Way?, Zach and Hui welcome investigative journalist Anna (A) Bianca Roach for a conversation about the intersection of corporate strategy, ethics, and global risk—and the evolving priorities for today’s corporate boards. Drawing from experience reporting for Agenda, a Financial Times publication, A shares insights into what keeps boards up at night: from tariffs and supply chain complexity to the murky waters of AI oversight and education. A, Hui, and Zach explore the nuanced reality behind corporate DEI and climate commitments, where public silence doesn’t always
It’s easy to measure output. How many trainings. How many policies. How many messages. All "the things" we did to protect the company and shape a culture of ethics and integrity. But did any of those things work? And what does it even mean for something to “work"? In this episode of The Better Way?, Zach and Hui focus on the distinction between output and outcome—and advocate for a mindset of experimentation and verification. Drawing parallels to healthcare and public safety, they emphasize that true effectiveness involves behavioral change, risk reduction, and cultural alignment. But they als
In this episode of The Better Way?, Zach and Hui welcome back Alison Taylor (NYU professor, ethics expert, and celebrated author of Higher Ground) for a candid conversation about LinkedIn. Yes, you read that right! We're dedicating an episode to LinkedIn. What starts as a lighthearted look at LinkedIn etiquette (Alison’s pet peeve posts inspired the episode) evolves into a deeper exploration of how professionals use the platform to build voice, share ideas, and navigate the tension between authenticity and self-promotion. Together, the trio unpacks the paradoxes of “influence,” the frustration
There’s a difference between doing “what’s required” and doing “what’s right.” And if you’ve been paying attention, you know that we’ve also done whole episodes on the shortcomings of “do the right thing” language. So, in this episode of The Better Way?, Hui and Zach thought it was time to give ethics the explicit spotlight it deserves. It is, after all, our “E.” They start by unpacking the differences between compliance (think: rules, regulations, and external demands) and ethics (think: values and the messy beauty of human judgment). Then, through a combination of historical lessons and real
We often hear people in our world say that they’ve spent their day “putting out fires.” Yeah? Well, we thought, why not talk to someone who has spent his career putting out actual fires—and who leads one of the most dynamic fire departments in the United States? In this episode of The Better Way?, Zach and Hui sit down with Sheldon Hao, Chief of the Honolulu Fire Department, for a conversation about leadership and decision-making on the front lines of emergency response. Drawing from decades of service, Chief Hao offers a behind-the-scenes look at how firefighters make split-second decisions;
Shaping culture can be a daunting task. Because change doesn’t happen overnight. But our world is filled with examples of shifting norms in both the social and organizational contexts. Just think about how much has changed in the last fifty years—or even, the last five! In this episode of The Better Way?, Hui and Zach, as they often do, find inspiration in unexpected places; with examples from politics, pop culture, business, and education, they remind each other that big change is possible, and can happen swiftly. From representations of sex and gender norms on television; to the cultural tra
Leadership is a recurring theme on the pod. So, as they’re wont to do, Hui and Zach sought out an important voice to dive deep into leadership and leadership development: Dr. Tom Kolditz, a retired Brigadier General (U.S. Army), psychologist, author, educator, and leadership coach. In this episode of The Better Way?, General Kolditz shares insights on trust and leadership in times of crisis—from combat zones to corporate boardrooms. He also challenges us to rethink traditional assumptions about authority and leadership, and makes a compelling case for follower-focused, adaptable leadership. Fr
This series is all about curiosity in the search for “better ways.” And that search has taken us to some unexpected places: we’ve talked to an award winning actress; data scientists; AI ethicists; behavioral scientists; psychologists; lawyers; an auditor; and many others. We’ve also drawn inspiration from congress, religion, academia, the military, sports—and of course, from the world of business. In this episode, Zach and Hui talk about the importance of getting out of the traditional culture, compliance, and ethics “echo chamber”; why many of the most prominent conferences on these topics (a
