Culture Crush: Dropout

If you caught my first Culture Crush blog (if not, go ahead and treat yourself), you already know I have a soft spot for organizations that don’t just say the right things—they actually do them. Yes, the world is a hot mess most days, with enough corporate drama to fuel five seasons of prestige television. But I’m here to spotlight the rare gems—those magical companies that are doing good, doing well, and making work (and the world) better. And let’s be real: laughter? I need it now more than ever. Do you know what else keeps me going? Really. Good. Entertainment. Joyful, weird, feel-good content is sometimes the only thing getting me through the day.

You know that feeling when you find a show that’s so good you want to tell everyone about it… and then you find out the company behind it is also kind of dreamy? Like boldly bizarre, original, and a perfect kind of weird, but also beautifully humane and deeply caring. That’s how I feel about this month’s Culture Crush: Dropout.

If you’re not familiar, Dropout is an American comedy subscription streaming service that’s quietly doing something revolutionary in the world of digital entertainment. Dropout spun out (I honestly don't know if "spun out" is the right term...) from CollegeHumor in 2018 (dropout, college humor... get it? If not, it will hit you later). It’s the home of hilarious, genre-defying shows like Dimension 20, Gastronauts, Very Important People, Game Changer, and Dirty Laundry (and so many other incredible shows). But I’m not just here for the laughs (okay, I am 100% here for the laughs)—I’m also here because the way Sam Reich and the whole Dropout team runs the company is a masterclass in thoughtful, values-driven business.

Why Dropout Is My Current Culture Crush 💘

So, this week, episode 1 of season 7 of Game Changer dropped. So. Freaking. Exciting. It reminded me that I started this blog back in January, and it was half finished in my drafts folder, so here we are. I'm sorry it took four months, but that's sort of how things are going in 2025. Let’s break down what I love about Dropout as an organization:

🔍 Focused. They know their niche—and stick to it. Dropout doesn’t try to be the next Netflix or Hulu. They’re not doing what all the other big streaming services are doing. Instead, they’ve built a thriving community by doubling down on what they do best: unscripted, smart comedy. They’re not afraid to stay in their lane, and it’s working. Their success shows that there’s strength in knowing your skill set and serving your audience with intention and authenticity.

🌱 Pro-human. They do something so rare: they actually take care of their people. No restrictive contracts that stifle opportunities for their people (*cough cough anyone still making employees sign a noncompete*). They offer profit-sharing (Yes. Actual profit-sharing. In entertainment!). That kind of model builds a culture of respect, collaboration, and ownership. Dropout has a surprisingly lean full-time team for the amount of content they produce, and that’s by design. They’ve figured out how to run efficiently without burning people out—and without compromising creativity. They also strive to keep creative work in-house. Rather than outsourcing everything to independent contractors, they invest in their own team and trust their creators to lead the charge. It’s the opposite of extractive labor—and the result is a team that feels supported and empowered to do their best work.

📐Audacious cultural alignment. They make weird stuff… and they let their people be weird. There’s something so freeing about a workplace that sets the stage by getting folks excited about a shared vision, clearly states their values and goals, and then unapologetically lets their people play on that set (play, draw, smash...). That doesn’t just allow for individuality but celebrates it. Whether it’s Brennan Lee Mulligan giving the world’s most impassioned monologue about the ethics of pirates or Vic Michaelis trying (and failing) not to laugh as they interview mental health advocate Tommy Shriggly —you get the sense that Dropout is a safe space to experiment, explore, and let your full creative self come through. And that takes a whole lot of clarity and trust.

What I’m Taking Back to Work

Dropout reminds me that focused, people-centric, values-aligned teams can punch above their weight. That profit and people can coexist—in fact, that taking care of people creates better outcomes. That letting your team show up as their full selves isn’t just nice; it’s strategic.

It’s a company that says: We know what we do, we know who we are, and we want to do it imaginatively, with integrity, and in a way that makes sense. I mean… can you blame me for having a little heart-eyes emoji moment here? 😍

Spill the Tea 🍵

Okay, your turn: Who are your culture crushes? Who’s out there quietly (or loudly!) being excellent, making bold business choices, and actually treating people well? Drop a name in the comments or message me directly—I’m always building my list (and doodling hearts in the margins).

Whether it's a company you've worked for or one you've admired from afar, I want to hear your stories. Together, we can learn from each other and continue to champion the importance of open, trusting, and people-centered workplaces.