Alignment Podcast

Overview In this episode, Brandon Sommers shares the real story behind rebuilding a struggling family business during one of its hardest seasons. As market conditions tightened, he realized that the existing “family” culture wasn’t enough to survive—and made the difficult shift toward a high-performance, accountable team. This conversation explores what it actually takes to change culture, make to...

Overview What does it take to build a remote company that people genuinely enjoy being part of? In this conversation, Steve Carroll shares how Ruvixx has grown into a fully remote global organization by focusing on respect, kindness, and connection rather than perks or office culture theatrics. He explains how hiring, onboarding, and leadership behavior all shape whether people feel like they belo...

Overview As AI agents become part of everyday work, organizations face new questions about ownership, visibility, and how work actually gets done. In this episode, Jacob Crockett sits down with Matt Wyman, CEO and co-founder of Okareo, to explore the parallels between managing people and managing AI agents. Drawing on experience from developer tools, product leadership, and automotive systems, Mat...

Overview In this episode, Jacob sits down with Greg Montgomery to explore an often-overlooked leadership skill: love. Together, they unpack why genuine one-on-one connections matter more than scalable systems, how fulfillment differs from fleeting happiness, and what intentional leadership looks like in practice. Greg shares formative experiences—from influential ideas by Stephen R. Covey to lesso...

Overview Employee reviews used to feel like an HR afterthought. Today, they’re shaping how candidates, customers, and even AI systems perceive companies. In this episode, Jacob sits down with Matt Vance, Co-Founder & CEO of Mobrium, to explore how platforms like Glassdoor and Indeed influence culture, retention, and growth. They discuss why transparency is becoming unavoidable—and how leaders can...

Overview In this client testimonial episode, Jacob talks with Jessica Chase about her experience using HireAligned to manage one of her most demanding hiring cycles yet. Faced with more than 450 applicants for a single role, Jessica describes how HireAligned’s values-based scoring and AI-driven filtering shifted her from overwhelm to clarity. She explains what changed in her process, what surprise...

In this episode, Jacob talks with franchise coach Giuseppe “G” Grammatico about what draws people into franchising, what surprises new owners most, and how motivations around work have shifted since COVID. G shares his own story of leaving a grueling Wall Street career to build a business that gave him both time freedom and financial stability. Together, they unpack how to evaluate whether franchi...

In this episode, Jacob sits down with KapTek co-founder Andrew Lott to unpack how his team is rethinking offshore software development. Instead of competing on rock-bottom pricing, KapTek hires exclusively from Armenia and focuses on quality, culture fit, and long-term integration with client teams. Andrew explains why Armenia has become a quiet hub for world-class engineering talent, how they vet...

Today I’m joined by Travis Cariveau , Managing Partner at Careers Launch . He’s a small-town Minnesota dad of four with a big-picture take on where hiring is headed. We dig into how tech and AI have reshaped recruiting—and why the teams who win are doubling down on human moments, not mass automation. We cover: * Travis’s path: construction + manufacturing roots → global recruiting → founding a fir...

In this episode, Jacob sits down with Jeff Erickson , a familiar face in the Utah startup community and a veteran of companies like Carta and Forecastr . Jeff’s seen startups from every angle — as a founder, investor, and early team member — and he shares what he’s learned about the real drivers of growth: people, purpose, and alignment. They dive into: * Lessons from scaling Carta and now helping...

In this episode, Jacob sits down with Dan Zimbardi , Executive Pastor of Sandals Church and former corporate leader for brands like Google, Nike, and Facebook . With over 20 years of leadership experience, Dan brings a rare blend of business acumen and spiritual insight to the conversation on culture and leadership. Together, they explore: * The surprising similarities between ministry and marketp...

In this episode, Jacob sits down with Jimmy Lai , founder of Lai & Turner Law Firm, to explore what it means to do law differently . Jimmy shares how checking one box on a job application labeled him “unhireable” — and how that same experience inspired him to build a thriving, empathetic law practice helping others achieve their version of the American Dream. They discuss: * Jimmy’s path from inte...

In this episode, Jacob talks with Tara Egan , founder of Serve HR , about what it takes to create a culture where people feel safe sharing feedback—and leaders actually act on it. Tara shares her journey from 20+ years in corporate HR to launching her own fractional HR practice, and what she’s learned working with fast-moving entrepreneurial companies that often “figure out the people stuff later....

In this episode of The Alignment Podcast , Jacob sits down with Morgan Snyder — writer, strategist, and the mind behind some of LinkedIn’s funniest and most insightful posts. Once a Spanish teacher and door-to-door salesman, Morgan now helps CEOs and founders show up online as their authentic selves — sometimes serious, often hilarious, but always human. Together, they dive into: * 💬 Why your onl...

In this episode of The Alignment Podcast , Jacob sits down with Steven Puri , a former Hollywood executive turned tech founder whose journey spans blockbuster films, deep tech, and human performance. Steven has raised over $20M in venture funding, produced digital effects for Braveheart and Independence Day (earning an Academy Award), and served as VP at 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks. Now, he’s...

In this episode of The Alignment Podcast , Jacob Crockett chats with Donna Brown , founder of Cultivation HR . After decades leading HR and tech functions in Fortune 100 environments and the last five years embedded in high-velocity startups, Donna now partners with CEOs as a fractional HR advisor and operator—translating business plans into people strategies that actually ship results. Highlights...

In this episode of The Alignment Podcast , Jacob Crockett sits down with Scott Frazier —small-town kid turned serial entrepreneur who’s led a 150-person company, built global teams at Freed Up, and is now building a new venture in stealth. Scott’s winding path (family business → eight years as a pastor → real estate PE → multiple startups) sharpened a simple conviction: you can automate tasks, but...

In this episode of The Alignment Podcast , Jacob Crockett talks with AJ Brow , Chief Human Resources Officer at White Lodging (≈7,000 associates). After big-company stints at Target, Accenture, and an energy firm, AJ shares how operating in a private, family-owned environment unlocks speed to execution —and how White Lodging’s 40-year legacy translates into a modern, measurable culture. 🔍 Highlig...

In this episode of The Alignment Podcast , Jacob Crockett sits down with Ilona Jurkiewicz , a longtime HR leader who proudly claims the HR title—and calls for a more honest, strategic, human approach to work. Ilona explains why culture starts with a clear mutual psychological contract and why the “we’re a family” narrative can quietly harm trust. 🔍 Highlights * HR: what’s changed vs. what hasn’t...

In this episode of The Alignment Podcast , host Jacob Crockett sits down with Jared Hamilton — a fifth-generation entrepreneur, family man, and multi-business owner who somehow juggles a sod farm, egg farm, Christmas tree farm, property maintenance company, real estate holdings, coaching, church service, music, and raising five kids. Jared shares his powerful story of taking over his parents’ busi...

In this episode of The Alignment Podcast , Jacob Crockett talks with Linda Ho , Chief People Officer at Nearmap (aerial AI imaging). New to the role and industry (~3 months in), Linda brings a fresh lens from a career spanning recruiting, HRBP, comp, L&D, DEI, and executive leadership at Autodesk and Seismic. We dig into: * Skills > titles: Why grade levels don’t translate—but skills, networks, an...

In this episode of The Alignment Podcast , Jacob Crockett sits down with Dr. Vanessa Parker-Lewis , an industrial and organizational psychologist, SPHR and SHRM-SCP certified leader, and current Chief Human Resources Officer. Vanessa’s story is one of grit, self-advocacy, and the power of mentors who show up at the right time. Together, Jacob and Vanessa explore: * Why “polite” teams are often dys...

In this episode of The Alignment Podcast , Jacob sits down with JD Busch—franchise operator, consultant, and entrepreneur with over three decades of experience. JD has been through it all: starting young with KidFit, scaling multiple concepts, consulting with emerging brands, and making plenty of mistakes along the way. Together, they unpack what really makes franchises succeed—or fail. JD shares...

What happens when a founder’s vision collides with the messy reality of scaling a business? In this episode, Jacob sits down with Kelly Stacey—fractional CEO, COO, and self-described “founder whisperer”—to unpack what it really takes to grow beyond the early stage. Drawing on her experience working with over 300 brands, Kelly shares: * Why visionary founders often wait too long before asking for h...

What does it take to lead well when everything around you is shifting? In this episode, Jacob sits down with Adam Birnbaum—executive coach, former CEO, and Fortune 500 leader—to unpack how leadership and company culture have transformed over the past five years. Adam shares insights from his experience working with CEOs and executives across industries, exploring: * How COVID reshaped employee exp...