Alignment Podcast

What happens when a serial entrepreneur leaves the financial world to build a company in mental health care? Tom Telford, CEO of LÉVO, shares his journey from 20+ years in financial services to co-founding a mental health organization built on a radically simple idea: slow down. In this episode, Tom and Jacob discuss: * The lessons Tom carried from building and selling companies in finance into he...

What happens when a company in the construction trades puts people before pools ? In this episode, Jacob Crockett sits down with Hannah Bologna, MAIOP, SHRM-CP , Director of Human Resources at Molinari Pools, to talk about building culture, creating meaningful work, and scaling a fast-growing team in a blue-collar industry. They cover: * Why construction work felt like “home” to Hannah after stint...

What does it take to not just lead—but to create leaders? In this episode, Jacob Crockett sits down with Otis McGregor, CEO and founder of Tribe and Purpose , veteran, TEDx speaker, and self-described “retention expert.” Otis shares his journey from the military to building a business dedicated to creating a legacy of great leaders. They dive into: * Why “growth requires pain” and what separates t...

What if business existed for more than just profit? Andy Galpin, redemptive acquisition entrepreneur and leader at Tree and Leaf Partners, joins Jacob Crockett to explore how companies can scale with purpose while honoring people, culture, and community. Andy shares his journey from IBM consultant to acquisition entrepreneur, why he focuses on scaling existing businesses rather than starting from...

In this episode of the Alignment Podcast , Jacob sits down with Eric Harrison, co-founder and CEO of Thrive , a peer group–driven community for founders. Eric shares how his early experiences in Boy Scouts and his first venture in change management shaped his approach to leadership, culture, and company building. You’ll hear: * Why so many companies wait too long to think about culture—and how to...

What does economics have to do with leadership? A lot more than supply and demand curves. In this episode, Jacob sits down with Seung Paik , retired Air Force comptroller, teacher, and soon-to-be author of Leadernomics . Seung spent 25 years in the military managing millions of dollars, teaching economics, and discovering how economic principles—like incentives, value, and interdependence—directly...

In this episode of the Alignment Podcast , Jacob Crockett sits down with Walter, better known as The Dutch Mentor . From his early career as a paramedic and flight medic to executive leadership across healthcare systems, Walter has seen firsthand how technical excellence doesn’t always translate into effective leadership. He shares powerful insights on: * Why so many frontline performers struggle...

In this episode, I sit down with Cynthia Black, an HR leader and community builder, who has a gift for helping people discover what they’re truly capable of. Cynthia shares her journey from growing up as a military brat in San Diego to finding deep roots in Mississippi, where she now develops leaders at Peoples Bank, serves on her local school board, and mentors others through SHRM. We talk about:...

Overview How should people think about purpose and passion when they are trying to find the right career? In this conversation, Justin Pohlmann shares his path from full-time musician to talent acquisition at the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency, where he now helps connect people to life-saving work. Along the way, he reflects on identity, calling, mission, and why starting a job search with “wh...

In this episode, Jacob talks with Misty McCraw, owner of PeoplePro HR Solutions, about the changing landscape of work and what separates thriving companies from those just scraping by. They dig into: How COVID shifted the hiring dynamic and gave employees more power to choose where they work Why “culture” and “leadership” can’t just be buzzwords—and what they look like when done right Signs your o...

In this episode, Ed Boudrot, founder of Human Ignition , invites us into a deeper exploration of modern leadership—where innovation meets humanity. Drawing from his experiences leading elite teams at startups and Fortune 500s, Ed shares insights on the internal “operating systems” that govern leaders, teams, and entire organizations. You’ll learn: How Ed’s approach to team culture is grounded in r...

In this episode, Nathan Deily shares his journey from Fortune 500 HR executive to startup builder and executive recruiter. But more than a resume walk-through, this is a masterclass in decoding what really matters when building high-performing teams. Nathan reveals: Why the most successful teams aren’t just talented—but aligned The overlooked magic of listening as a hiring skill How to surface tru...

summary In this inaugural episode of the Alignment Podcast, Jacob Crockett and Matt discuss the significance of alignment within teams and the impact of an abundance mindset on leadership and team dynamics. They explore how scarcity thinking can limit business owners and managers, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the potential in people and fostering a culture of growth and fulfillment. T...