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

The goal of this podcast is to interview business owners and/or C-level executives to get an understanding of how they built their culture, what worked, what failed, and what tips can they give new and upcoming business owners. Our goal over the next ten years is to help as many small to medium-sized businesses get to the next level by growing their people, which will grow their company. Through coaching and transformational leadership, Pull the Chute can guide company leaders to invest time to get to know their people and understand their roles, goals, and challenges to provide learning & growth opportunities - ultimately helping their people be the best they can be.

Pull the Chute - Grow your People, Grow your Company Podcast is a business podcast hosted by Jeff Sesol and Janna Landry, with 340 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Jeff Sesol and Janna Landry hosts Pull the Chute - Grow your People, Grow your Company Podcast, a business show with 340 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #106

  Stop Selling. Start Helping People Buy. Featuring Simon Severino

  Sep 9, 202628 minS5

  Send us Fan Mail 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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  Episode #105

  Your People Don’t Just Want a Paycheck. They Want to Feel VALUED Featuring Alex Grande

  Sep 7, 202626 minS5

  Send us Fan Mail 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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  Episode #104

  CEOs Aren't Supposed To Have All The Answers Featuring Mark McFatridge

  Sep 4, 202628 minS5

  Send us Fan Mail 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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  Episode #101

  Inclusion Isn't About Special Treatment Featuring Celeste Warren

  Aug 31, 202632 minS5

  Send us Fan Mail 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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  Episode #100

  Change Your Life by Just 1% Featuring Mikael Avatar

  Aug 28, 202629 minS5

  Send us Fan Mail 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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