Elevator People

In this episode of Elevator People, PJ Simmons sits down with Kody Dahl, Creative Director at Whiteboard, for a conversation about the tension between creativity and the ever-present pressure of metrics. They explore how "measureship" — leading strictly by the numbers — can flatten creative work, why beauty and meaning still matter in a data-driven world, and how businesses can balance risk and differentiation without losing sight of the humans they serve. From the inspiration behind a stunning short film to the practical ways creative teams navigate client demands, this episode is a deep dive into the heart of modern creative work. Whether you're a designer, strategist, marketer, or entrepreneur, you'll find plenty of insight (and maybe a little encouragement) for working with purpose in a measured world.

Join Jason and PJ as they explore the four essential norms from Jason's book Culture Bending Narratives—desires, mindsets, behaviors, and language—all through the lens of building redemptive organizations. Together, they unpack how accountability fuels trust, how thoughtful compromise propels progress without sacrificing core values, and how beauty itself can become a strategic edge in business. This conversation equips leaders with practical habits to sustain a redemptive perspective daily and underscores the power of pursuing intentional growth within teams. 

In this episode of Elevator People, PJ Simmons sits down with Carl Smith, a seasoned marketing leader and advocate for values-driven business, to unpack the shifting dynamics of modern marketing. Their candid conversation explores how honesty, emotional intelligence, and deep alignment are replacing outdated, high-pressure marketing tactics. Carl shares pivotal stories from his entrepreneurial journey that illustrate the growing importance of relationship-building, community-first strategy, and authentic client engagement. He emphasizes the need to lead with purpose—not just profit—and urges marketers to measure success by meaningful impact rather than vanity metrics or rapid scaling. Listeners will gain insight into: The evolution of marketing from transactional to transformational. How to build brand trust through transparency and connection. Why sustainable growth depends on human-centric leadership. The role of empathy in navigating changing client expectations. Whether you're a marketer, entrepreneur, or leader seeking more purpose in your work, this episode offers a fresh and inspiring take on what it means to market—and lead—with heart.

In this episode of Elevator People, PJ sits down with Koula to explore the intersection of leadership development and the evolving world of marketing. Together, they unpack what it means to lead with both heart and strategy—balancing inspiration with real utility. Koula challenges us to think differently about how we earn attention: not by shouting louder, but by honoring the people we serve and speaking to their actual needs. They dive into the quiet ego that often hides in marketing, and how human-centered communication cuts through noise and builds trust. This conversation isn't just about tactics—it's a vision for marketing with soul. One where clarity, empathy, and creativity aren't just buzzwords, but the blueprint for what's next.

In this episode of Elevator People, PJ sits down with Teresa Graney - business strategist, focus fixer, and trusted advisor to organizational leaders to unpack the often elusive art of clarity and focus. Teresa shares powerful insights on why so many leaders get stuck in reactive mode, the hidden costs of unclear priorities, and how to realign teams around what truly matters. We explore practical frameworks for better decision making, navigating conflicting priorities, and reclaiming time for strategic thinking. Teresa also opens up about her own leadership journey, offering real world tools to help you shift from working in the business to working on it. Whether you're a founder, executive, or team lead feeling stretched thin, this episode delivers high impact takeaways to help you move with purpose and lead with intention.

In this conversation, PJ Simmons and Benj explore the dual concepts of 'Systems' and 'Soul' in organizational leadership. Benj emphasizes the importance of balancing effective systems with a strong focus on people, highlighting how leadership is not just about managing tasks but also about self-leadership and personal development. They discuss the significance of clarity, autonomy, and results in fostering a productive work environment, as well as the common pitfalls organizations face when they neglect either systems or soul. The dialogue also touches on the challenges of career growth, the necessity of candid conversations, and the impact of personal experiences on organizational dynamics.

In this episode, PJ sits down with Abby Murray, co-founder of Story Arb, for a conversation about the deeper purpose of storytelling in B2B marketing. They explore why so many companies struggle to clearly communicate their vision—and how grounded, empathetic storytelling can cut through the noise. Abby shares how her team draws out the voices of internal experts, centers the reader experience, and helps brands reconnect with the why behind their message. They also unpack the growing importance of executive personal brands and what it takes to create content that actually matters.

In this episode of Elevator People, PJ sits down with Chad Cannon, a transformational consultant who specializes in helping visionary founders and high-capacity leaders build businesses that scale with purpose and alignment. Chad has partnered with influential thought leaders like Michael Hyatt and Donald Miller, and his approach centers on empowering others to lead with clarity, intention, and integrity. In this episode, Chad introduces his signature Obsessed Framework, a step-by-step methodology that guides leaders through Observation, Benchmarking, Strategy, Execution, Scaling, and Sustaining—all in the pursuit of meaningful, lasting growth. We explore what it looks like to serve leaders who think big, move fast, and challenge norms—while staying grounded in values that elevate people first. If you're passionate about intentional leadership, advising with impact, or creating brands that align with who you are and what the world needs, take a listen.

What if the future of language learning isn't an app—but a place? In this episode, PJ Simmons sits down with Christian Rowe, Cofounder and Chief Growth Officer of Immerse, a bold edtech company using virtual reality to teach language through real human connection. What started in a Syrian refugee camp has grown into a global platform operating in 97 countries—with a mission rooted in social impact, advanced fluency, and equity of access. But this isn't just a story about innovation in tech. It's about the tension between vision and execution, the discipline of building a venture-backed company without compromising your values, and what it means to scale with integrity. Christian opens up about: The origin story of Immerse—from grassroots mission to global scale What "growth" really means inside a mission-led startup How his team uses OKRs, culture frameworks, and ruthless clarity to stay aligned Navigating the hype cycles of VR, the metaverse, and AI—without losing the plot Why purpose and profit don't have to compete—and how to lead with both If you're building something meaningful—whether you're a founder, operator, or creative—this conversation is a masterclass in how to hold the line between conviction and complexity, and dream big without drifting.  

What does it look like to build a marketing agency that bucks the norm—ditching fear-based tactics for hope-filled, redemptive strategies? In this episode of Elevator People, PJ sits down with Brandon Giella and Parker Smith, cofounders of Snapmarket, a digital marketing agency dedicated to organic-first marketing and redemptive entrepreneurship. We explore the philosophy behind redemptive marketing—how to lead with integrity, build thoughtful processes, and resist the pressure of growth-at-all-costs in today's fast-paced digital landscape. Brandon and Parker share how Snapmarket blends AI tools with human expertise to help businesses create meaningful, high-quality content that cuts through the noise. Whether you're a marketer, agency leader, faith-driven entrepreneur, or growth strategist, this conversation unpacks what it takes to steward your brand well, balance ambition with trust, and build sustainable growth through authentic marketing practices. Tune in for practical insights on agency operations, leveraging AI without losing your voice, and why organic marketing may be the secret weapon your business is missing.