Elevator People

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 b...

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 Their candid conversation explores how honesty, emotional intelligence, and deep alignment are replacing outdated, high-pressure marketing tactics.

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 b...

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 ...

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 environ...

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 <...

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 o...

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, advance...

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...

In this episode of Elevator People, host PJ Simmons interviews Collin Strachan, co-founder of Every Mile Creative—a storytelling-driven production company known for cinematic brand content set against the rugged beauty of Alaska.

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In this episode of Elevator People, PJ sits down with strategist and author Jason Locy (Culture Bending Narratives) to explore the future of redemptive branding and ethical marketing. Together, they unpack dominant cultural narratives that shape how we build brands, design marketing strategies, and chase growth—often at the expense of our mission.

Jason shares his "Four Norms" framework—Desires, Mindsets, ...

What does it look like to practice marketing with integrity, purpose, and imagination? In this episode of Elevator People, PJ sits down with Eric Brown—co-founder of Whiteboard, author of AGENCY, and marketing strategist—to explore how branding, creativity, and leadership intersect in the digital age.

They unpack the tension between mission and mastery, why marketing should be an act of service, and how va...