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

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What happens when nonprofit leaders can spend less time worrying about the business—and more time advancing the mission?

On this episode of Pull the Chute, Jeff and Janna sit down with Ryan Dewey Smith, founder and CEO of Imperium, to unpack a different approach to nonprofit growth.

Ryan shares how organizations can use scale, shared services, strategic financing, and operational efficiencies to reduce the burden of back-office costs while staying focused on their mission.

One takeaway really stood out:

“Putting your hand up and asking for help isn't a negative. That's a positive and a strategy for success.”

For nonprofit leaders, growth isn't just about expanding programs. It's also about building an infrastructure that can support the mission for years to come.

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You don’t have to have all the answers to be a great leader.

But you do have to be willing to learn.

In this episode of Pull The Chute, Jeff and Janna sat down with Logan Yonavjak to explore the evolving challenges leaders face—from talent retention and AI-driven complexity to leadership development and execution risk.

One point stood out:

Coachability may be one of the most important qualities a leader can have.

Because leadership isn’t about proving you’re always right. It’s about being willing to see a different perspective, accept feedback, develop yourself, and help your team grow.

The question isn’t just “Do you want to be coached?”

It’s:

“Are you actually willing to change?”

That’s where real leadership development begins.

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What if the secret to better sales isn't selling harder?

According to Simon Severino, it's simple:

Stop selling—and start helping people buy.

The first step is knowing exactly who your ideal client is. Not just their job title or industry, but what makes them the right client for your business.

Then:

🎯 Identify your ideal client 6 levels deep
🚫 Define your anti-ideal client
🔎 Research what your prospects actually care about
💬 Start conversations instead of pitching
🤝 Focus on their reason for talking—not yours
📈 Measure your progress against your own last week

And one of the biggest takeaways?

Don't compare yourself to everyone else.

If you created 6 conversations last week, aim for 7 this week. If your close rate was 30%, aim for 31%.

Small improvements compound.

The goal isn't to be better than everyone else.

The goal is to be 1% better than you were last week.

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Great cultures aren’t built by compensation alone.

They’re built when people feel seen, heard, valued, and appreciated.

In this episode of Pull The Chute, Jeff and Janna sit down with Alex Grande, co-founder and CEO of Recognize, to talk about the power of employee recognition and how leaders can use it to strengthen culture, engagement, and retention.

One of the biggest takeaways?

👉 Recognition shouldn’t be something you do once a year. It should become part of how you lead.

Celebrate the wins.
Call out the effort.
Connect recognition to your values.
And most importantly—make people feel like they matter.

Because sometimes, a simple “I see what you’re doing, and I appreciate it” can have more impact than you realize.

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The CEO seat can be lonely.

You’re expected to have the answers, make the decisions, carry the vision, and keep everyone else moving forward.

But here’s the truth: CEOs aren’t supposed to have all the answers.

In this episode of Pull The Chute, Mark shares why having a trusted circle of peers can make such a powerful difference.

From getting out of the weeds to navigating people challenges, growth, AI, and the personal pressures that come with leadership, the right peer group gives CEOs something they often don’t have: a room where they can be completely honest.

Because sometimes, the greatest value isn’t someone telling you what to do.

It’s hearing, “I’ve been there too.”

You don’t have to lead alone.

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Growth without structure creates chaos.

One of the biggest challenges founders face is carrying too much of the business themselves—sales, finance, operations, quality, decisions, and everything in between.

In this episode of Pull the Chute, Eric Dodier explains how the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) helped his company create clarity, accountability, and traction.

The framework centers around six key components:

🔹 Vision
🔹 People
🔹 Data
🔹 Issues
🔹 Processes
🔹 Traction

And the goal isn't simply to grow a bigger company.

It's to build a healthier business—and ultimately, a better life.

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Leadership isn't measured by how many people follow you—it's measured by how many people feel they belong because of you.

In this episode of Pull the Chute Podcast, Celeste Warren shares why diversity, equity, and inclusion aren't just HR initiatives—they're leadership fundamentals.

One of the biggest takeaways:
 Inclusion isn't about giving some people more. It's about removing barriers so everyone has the opportunity to contribute.

When leaders intentionally create environments where every voice is heard, organizations become more innovative, collaborative, and resilient.

Ask yourself:
 Who on your team hasn't had the chance to be heard?

Sometimes, one invitation to speak can unlock your team's next great idea.

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Sometimes we think we need to make massive changes to transform our lives.

But what if all it takes is 1%?

In this inspiring episode of Pull the Chute Podcast, Paralympic World Record Holder and life coach Mikael Avatar shares how resilience isn't about ignoring obstacles—it's about choosing purpose every single day.

One message stood out:

"Most people aren't stuck because they can't change. They're stuck because they're living on autopilot."

Whether you're leading a business, raising a family, or navigating your own challenges, lasting transformation begins with one intentional step.

✨ Ask yourself today:
• What gives me energy?
• What brings me joy?
• What's the next 1% I can improve?

Because small daily actions create extraordinary results over time.

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Anyone can have a leadership title. Not everyone earns leadership influence.

In this episode of Beyond The Title, Sean Goodwin reminds us that leadership isn't about authority—it's about action.

Here are a few standout lessons:
💡 Great leaders adapt to different personalities.
💡 Delegate to develop others, not just to lighten your workload.
💡 Own the failures and celebrate your team's wins.
💡 Leadership is something you practice every day—not something a promotion gives you.

One quote that perfectly captures the episode:

"Don't seek the title. Go out and be a leader."

Leadership is built through consistency, humility, and helping others succeed.

What's one lesson that's shaped the way you lead?

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Your brand is more than your logo. It's every interaction people have with your business.

In this episode of Pull the Chute Podcast, Joshua Altman shares why communication isn't just about marketing—it's about building trust at every level of your organization.

One of the biggest takeaways:
People don't buy from companies they simply know—they buy from companies they trust.

Whether it's what customers read, see, hear, or experience, every touchpoint influences how your brand is perceived.

And perhaps the biggest lesson of all?

✨ Authenticity beats perfection.

You don't need the most polished content—you need consistent, honest communication that aligns your team and connects with your audience.