Alignment Podcast

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, and varied experiences do.

* Intentional discomfort: How seeking stretch roles and new industries accelerates growth.

* From founder-intuition to operating system: Turning mission, vision, values into OKRs, recognition, and performance—so it’s not just words on a wall.

* Alignment beats micromanagement: When purpose is clear, layers shrink and accountability rises.

* Career perspective: Rotating roles inside one company vs. building an external network (and why both matter).

* AI & alignment: How AI can improve clarity (“clarity is kindness”), reduce miscommunication, and potentially flatten orgs.

* Scale context: Nearmap’s ~700–800 global teammates—and how to enable leaders you’ll never meet personally.

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 dysfunctional — and how true trust shows up through respectful challenge.

* The role of resilience in helping teams withstand the ebbs and flows of business and society.

* Interview questions that reveal real character and why imperfection is actually a strength.

* How COVID and access to information have reshaped workplace expectations, making “who you work for” more important than ever.

* The danger of assuming managers are natural leaders, and how to build leadership capacity at every level.

Vanessa also shares insights from her work in hospitality and now in affordable housing, where transforming places into thriving communities drives her passion.

👉 Connect with Vanessa on LinkedIn to learn more about her work and vision.

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 why most franchise systems never scale, how to identify franchisees who will thrive, and why alignment between franchisor, franchisee, and team culture matters more than short-term wins.

Whether you’re thinking about franchising your business, buying into one, or simply want to sharpen your leadership lens, JD’s insights on team building, cultural alignment, and long-term growth will give you plenty to think about.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

* Why most franchises never get past 100 units

* How to approach franchisees like you would an executive hire

* The cultural traits that separate top franchisees from struggling ones

* How tools like Traction and personality profiling can help build strong teams

* Why developing leaders from within is key to sustainable growth

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 help

* The two most common gaps she sees inside growing companies

* How to have the tough conversations when friends or early employees no longer fit the business

* Why decision-making is the muscle every founder must strengthen

* The overlooked “trust-building reps” that make or break teams

* What she looks for in hiring beyond the résumé—and why overthinkers can be hidden superstars

Kelly brings a refreshing mix of candor, practicality, and empathy for founders who want to scale intentionally without losing themselves in the process.

👉 Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn to learn more about her fractional leadership work.

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 expectations and accelerated the need for meaningful work

* Why culture and values must move from “wall posters” to everyday decision-making

* The shift from career ladders to “career lily pads” and what it means for retention

* Practical ways small and large companies can define and reinforce their values

* How leaders can adapt to meet employees where they are—without losing sight of company goals

Whether you’re leading a startup team or managing at scale, this conversation will give you a new lens for thinking about alignment, values, and what it really means to build a thriving workplace today.

👉 Connect with Adam on LinkedIn or visit clearpath.group to learn more about his work.

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 health care.

* Why profit alone can’t be the driver if you want lasting impact.

* The three C’s of LÉVO: Connection, Communication, and Culture.

* How slowing down appointments and listening deeply leads to better outcomes than rushing patients through.

* Stories from the frontlines of mental health care that show why a new approach is needed.

* What it takes to hire for culture when most of the system is built on speed and volume.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a health care leader, or someone who cares about mental health, Tom’s story is a reminder that sometimes innovation means going back to basics—slowing down, listening, and caring.

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 stints in finance and hospitality

* How Molinari Pools is creating a workplace where people feel valued, aligned, and connected

* The surprising role of community partnerships—like teaching every child to swim—in attracting and retaining talent

* Why transparency during hiring matters more than ever

* How their core value of Win-Win-Win (team, client, company) fuels growth and profitability

* The shift Hannah sees in younger generations: prioritizing purpose and impact over just a paycheck

Hannah shows that when you build a culture where people matter, the business results take care of themselves.

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 those who keep going from those who quit

* The telltale signs of whether a leader has built a true team of leaders or just a group of followers

* Why no one is a “natural” leader—and how leadership is learned, practiced, and developed

* The role of vision, values, and purpose in creating alignment at work and in life

* How misalignment with values or purpose leads to burnout and disengagement

* The impact of Otis’ Steel Men Tribe, a brotherhood dedicated to helping men grow as leaders, husbands, fathers, and business owners

Otis leaves us with a powerful reminder: Live your life with intention in pursuit of your purpose.

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 scratch, and how he helps leaders transition from founder-led operations to lasting, purposeful organizations.

You’ll hear insights on:

* The difference between startups and acquisition entrepreneurship

* How “redemptive business” reframes success beyond financial return

* Practical ways leaders can align culture, values, and systems for growth

* Why investing in people creates ripple effects in families and communities

* Frameworks and movements (like Conscious Capitalism and Praxis) reshaping business today

Whether you’re a founder, leader, or curious about purposeful business models, this episode will challenge how you think about value, culture, and impact.

Connect with Andy:

* LinkedIn: Andy D. Galpin

* Website: treeleafpartners.com

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 fix it.

* What Eric learned starting a consultancy in college and why “mission-obsessed” teams matter.

* The role of peer groups as “half strategy, half therapy” for founders.

* How Thrive is creating intimate, life-changing spaces for entrepreneurs to learn, grow, and lead with intention.

* Why being humble, curious, and mission-driven is more important than revenue size when it comes to building community.

Whether you’re leading a small team or scaling fast, this conversation will challenge how you think about culture, alignment, and what it really means to enjoy the work you do every day.