Pull the Chute - Grow your People, Grow your Company Podcast

Send us Fan Mail What if one of the biggest answers to today’s challenges is something we’ve forgotten… community? In this episode, we talked about how rural towns and local communities are facing real struggles: 📉 Families leaving 🏥 Healthcare access shrinking 📶 Poor connectivity 🏫 Schools closing But we also discussed the solution: People coming together with purpose. When generations connec...

Send us Fan Mail Most people think business is about building the perfect product… But after listening to this episode, one thing became clear: 👉 Building is the EASY part.  👉 Getting attention, leads, and trust? That’s the real game. From scaling a 1,350+ episode podcast to building multiple tech companies, Matt Watson broke it down simply: • Focus on leads, not just sales  • Be known, not just...

Send us Fan Mail Most entrepreneurs think they’re doing well…  until they realize they don’t actually understand their numbers. In this episode, Sam Miles shared how:  ✔️ He went from hating his career to running a CPA firm for 20 years  ✔️ Why most business owners are stuck (even at 6-figures)  ✔️ The biggest financial mistake entrepreneurs keep making  ✔️ And how to actually scale without burnin...

Send us Fan Mail Most businesses think they know why customers buy from them… But they’re wrong. And that’s exactly why their marketing doesn’t work. In this episode, we unpack:  The dangerous gap between perception vs reality   Why small brands fail when they try to compete BIG   And how trust—not hype—is what really drives growth  If your brand message isn’t aligned internally and externally,  y...

Send us Fan Mail What if the real reason you feel stuck… isn’t your situation—but the questions you keep asking yourself? Your brain is powerful. But it follows your lead. Ask: “Why is this happening to me?” → You stay stuck. Ask: “What am I going to do about it?” → You take control. That’s the shift. This episode breaks down how simple questions can completely change your mindset, your actions, a...

Send us Fan Mail Most leaders think the goal is to climb higher… But no one talks about what happens when you get there. You’re overwhelmed.  You’re stuck in every decision.  And the business starts to feel like a burden instead of a vision. In this episode, we talked about something powerful: 👉 The problem isn’t your team  👉 It’s the structure you’re running When everything depends on you, grow...

Send us Fan Mail Leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself—it’s about making sure everything gets done right. One of the biggest mindset shifts from contributor → leader?  Realizing that your skills alone are no longer enough. You need:  ✔ Clear communication  ✔ Strong delegation  ✔ Trust in your team Because when tasks are unclear, teams don’t fail from lack of effort—  they fail from lack...

Send us Fan Mail Most leaders say they’re self-aware…  But how often do you actually ask for feedback? That’s where real growth starts. In this episode, we talked about:  – Why emotional intelligence isn’t just “being nice”  – How feedback improves leadership  – Why micromanagement is killing teams  – And what modern leadership actually looks like The truth?  Leadership today isn’t about control....

Send us Fan Mail Here’s the truth most companies miss: No matter how advanced we get—AI, automation, remote work…  👉 Human needs stay the same. People don’t leave jobs just because of salary.  They leave because they don’t feel:  • Respected  • Valued  • Aligned And when that happens?  Engagement drops. Performance drops. Everything drops. The companies that win today are the ones that understand...

Send us Fan Mail Everyone talks about hiring globally because it’s “cheaper.” But that’s actually the least interesting reason. What’s really happening?  👉 Entire regions (like Latin America) are leveling up FAST  👉 Talent is becoming more innovative, not just supportive  👉 And companies that adapt early… win The biggest shift? It’s no longer about where talent is — it’s about who can solve pro...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Pull the Chute , Jeff and Jana are joined by Christopher Mcshanag , the founder of Virtual Teammate . Christopher discusses the evolving landscape of global talent and how businesses can scale effectively by integrating high-quality virtual professionals into their core teams. We explore the "new and exciting world" of remote work, bridging the gap bet...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Pull the Chute , Jeff and Jana are joined by James Warren , the founder of Share More Stories and the creator of the SEEQ  platform. James shares his fascinating journey of using the power of storytelling and human experience to drive deeper insights for brands and leaders. We discuss how "sharing more stories" can bridge the gap between data and empat...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Beyond the Title , Jeff Sesol and John Zettler sit down with Eric Hattey to explore the profound shift from managing tasks to leading people with heart. Eric shares his journey of discovering that true leadership isn't about the title you hold, but about the service you provide to those around you. We discuss the challenge of overcoming the "me-centric...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Pull the Chute , Jeff and Jana are joined by Adrian Kelly , an expert in high performance and the author of The Success Elements . Calling in from Ireland, Adrian shares his unique "story-based" approach to leadership, breaking down the science of success into accessible, manageable sections. We explore how to move from being a "technician" t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Pull the Chute , Jeff and Jana are joined by Peyton Fry , the mind behind Glass Raven and an expert in leveraging technology to solve complex business problems. Peyton dives into the world of healthcare operations, discussing how data and automation can eliminate the "bottlenecks" that keep organizations from scaling. We explore the philosophy of &quot...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Pull the Chute , Jeff and Jana welcome Nikki Barua , an entrepreneur, author, and thought leader focused on innovation and digital transformation. Nikki shares her insights on the "Reinvention Roadmap" and how leaders can navigate the rapidly shifting landscape of the AI age. We discuss the intersection of technology and humanity, the importance of &qu...

Send us Fan Mail In this premiere episode of Beyond the Title , we go deeper than job titles and org charts to uncover the real stories of the people leading today’s organizations. Our guest, Nick D'Ambrosio , founder of Nomadics , shares his journey from military intelligence and GIS mapping to building a business that balances high-level defense contracts with a deep passion for environment...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Beyond the Title , Jeff Sesol and John Zettler are joined by Shakir Husain , the founder and CEO of Creative Chaos . Shakir takes us through his fascinating career path, moving across continents and industries to master the art of digital transformation and creative scaling. We explore the human side of high-level leadership, the importance of continuous learnin...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Pull the Chute , Jana and guest host Rob Facker sit down with Chris Champion , a high-performance coach and entrepreneur who has worked with everyone from elite athletes to top-tier executives. Chris shares his powerful "I am" philosophy and discusses why success isn't just about strategy—it's about the internal narrative we carry. From his w...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Beyond the Title , Jeff Sesol and John Zettler sit down with Harry Rao , the founder and CEO of Testgrad . Harry shares the story of building a multimillion-dollar bootstrapped company and why his success has very little to do with his title. We explore the "nuggets" of career acceleration, the necessity of pivoting in an era of constant change, and ho...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Pull the Chute , Jeff and Jana sit down with Nolan Recker, the founder of HeyCoach . Nolan shares his journey from ministry to sports and explains how his new platform is bridging the "relational gap" between coaches, players, and parents. Discover how simple, automated text messaging can foster self-reflection in Gen Z athletes and create a safer, mor...

Send us Fan Mail She didn’t start her business because it was her passion. She started it because she needed income. At 50 years old. After being demoted. As a single mom. Seven years later? 15 employees. Inc. 5000 honoree. Explosive growth. In this episode, Natalia Zacharin shares: • Why bookkeeping is NOT “just data entry” • Why most businesses are flying blind financially • How to know if you c...

Send us Fan Mail Is SEO still real? Or has AI killed it? In this episode of Pull the Chute, Kevin Roy (18-year SEO veteran) breaks down: • Why most businesses fail at SEO • The power of stacked relevance • Why junk backlinks don’t work • How AI answer engines are reshaping search • And why credibility is now the #1 ranking factor One of the biggest takeaways: AI won’t replace you. But someone usin...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Tami Imlay shares: • Losing her husband in the line of duty • Losing her identity • Becoming a therapist to understand grief • Transitioning into executive coaching • Helping CEOs lead across generations One of the biggest takeaways: You are a whole human. There are no silos. Your personal patterns show up in your leadership. Your fears shape your decisions. Your...

Send us Fan Mail She didn’t plan to become an entrepreneur. She planned to pass her nurse practitioner boards. But during COVID, battling anxiety and panic attacks, she saw something missing in the market: No one was talking about mental health in test prep. So she did. Within 7 months, she built a 7-figure business. Within 2 years, she sold it. And then? She faced something no one warns founders...