Growing with Purpose

Hosted by Jean Moncrieff

Business Entrepreneurship ManagementInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

100

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

About the show

Jean Moncrieff chats with business leaders about what shaped their business and life.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 5, 2026Episode 12049 min

Larry Levine: The Relationships You Build Drive the Business You Grow

Building Trust. Guarding Your Time. Getting Back to the Basics. In this episode of Growing with Purpose, Jean Moncrieff speaks with Larry Levine, Author, Podcast host, and Co-Founder of the agency Selling from the Heart, all of which speak to the issue of founder development, and how they can modernize their approach to sales without losing their authenticity and personal touch. Drawing on more than three decades in sales, Larry explains why nobody should be able to “out-care” you and why trust, empathy and genuine connection produce real business results. He shares how he built Selling from the Heart from scratch, the discipline of prospecting every day, and why founders should prioritize consistent communication with their ideal customers over chasing trends. Jean and Larry also explore how leaders can guard their time for revenue-generating work, uncover what truly motivates their salespeople, and use data to avoid costly hiring mistakes. At the heart of the conversation is a simple message: future-proofing sales does not require another shortcut or shiny object. It starts with doing the fundamentals exceptionally well and making business development non-negotiable. Key themes include: Building trust through empathy and genuine relationships Why nobody should be able to “out-care” you Cutting through noise and avoiding shiny objects Making prospecting a daily non-negotiable Guarding time for revenue-generating activities Helping salespeople strengthen their heartset and mindset Using data to make better sales hires Future-proofing sales by getting back to the basics

July 21, 2026Episode 11945 min

Sam Adiv: The Culture You Build Is the Company You Become

Building Community. Leading with Intention. Staying Human in the Age of AI. In this episode of Growing with Purpose, Jean Moncrieff speaks with Sam Adiv, Founder and CEO of OpenTent and the Community Builder Group, about creating a company rooted in relationships, meaningful rituals and genuine community. Sam shares how his original plan to become a rabbi unexpectedly led him into entrepreneurship. After teaching himself Salesforce to support a community-building nonprofit, he began helping other organizations improve their systems. What started as a side project grew into OpenTent, where Sam found a new way to combine technology, leadership and community building. He also shares the intentional rhythms that keep his remote team connected, why rest is built into the company calendar and how OpenTent turned a major client mistake into an opportunity to strengthen trust. Jean and Sam explore hiring for context rather than simply seeking “A players,” choosing the right company size and building a business that can operate without its founder. They also discuss navigating AI with creativity rather than fear and why relationships, trust, imagination and leadership will remain powerful differentiators as technology changes how we work. Key themes include: Building culture through rhythms and rituals Creating connection within remote teams Turning mistakes into stronger client relationships Hiring for organizational fit Choosing quality over growth for growth’s sake Building a company that can operate without its founder Staying human and creative in the age of AI

June 18, 2026Episode 11843 min

Nenuca Syquia: Better by Design, Building a Company People Would Pay to Work At

From Corporate to Founder. Navigating Growth. Building with Intention. In this episode of Growing With Purpose, Jean Moncrieff speaks with Nenuca Syquia, Founder and CEO of Better Organizations by Design (BOxD), about building a business that grows without losing sight of what matters most. Nenuca shares her journey from corporate leadership to launching BOxD just before the pandemic, stepping into entrepreneurship without a network and building a client base from scratch. What began as a desire to do more meaningful work quickly became a test of resilience, as she navigated uncertainty, rejection and the realities of scaling a business. This conversation explores what it takes to grow with intention, how to avoid “success disasters” where growth outpaces delivery, and why building systems and teams is more important than relying on the founder. Nenuca also reflects on the personal side of leadership, from pressure and fear to learning how to trust others and not carry everything alone. Key themes include: Intentional growth vs growth for its own sake Scaling without compromising delivery Reframing sales from selling to helping Building systems and reducing founder dependency Handling rejection and making tough people decisions Aligning business growth with personal purpose A grounded and honest conversation for leaders who want to build something meaningful and sustainable over the long term.

April 15, 2026Episode 11746 min

Adria Marshall: Scaling a Business While Staying True to Your Values

From Side Hustle to Purpose-Driven Growth. Staying True to What Matters. Building with Intention. In this episode of Growing With Purpose, Jean Moncrieff speaks with Adria Marshall, Founder of EcoSlay, about building a business rooted in values, sustainability, and community. Adria shares her journey from engineer to accidental entrepreneur, creating her own haircare products in her kitchen after struggling to find options that truly worked for her. What began as a personal experiment quickly turned into something much bigger, with orders flooding in almost overnight and forcing her to navigate rapid growth in real time. This conversation explores what it takes to scale a business without compromising your standards, how values can guide difficult decisions, and why success should be defined by more than just revenue. Adria also reflects on the importance of community, mentorship, and building a company that aligns with who you are at your core. Key themes include: Values-driven decision making Scaling without compromise Sustainability and ingredient integrity Defining success beyond revenue Community and mentorship Building a business with purpose A grounded and honest conversation for leaders who want to grow something meaningful without losing sight of what matters most.

February 25, 2026Episode 11657 min

Brandon Neely: Profit, Purpose, and the Discipline to Build What Lasts

Profit. Purpose. Financial Clarity. In this episode of Growing With Purpose, Jean Moncrieff sits down with Brandon Neely, real estate investor, entrepreneur, Co-Founder and CEO of Wealth Wisdom Financial and founder of Counterflow, for an honest conversation about money, systems, and what it really takes to build a business that lasts. Brandon shares the story of launching a purpose-driven coffee shop during the 2008 financial crisis, bootstrapping the business through community support, and navigating personal hardship, financial strain, and a flood that nearly wiped everything out. That season reshaped how he thinks about profit, stability, and leadership. Today, Brandon helps business owners create financial structures that support long-term resilience. As a Profit First Professional and Bank On Yourself Professional, he focuses on helping operators build strong cash flow systems that give them flexibility and peace of mind. This conversation explores: • Why entrepreneurship requires a true sense of calling • What most business owners misunderstand about profit • How financial chaos affects marriages, families, and leadership • The connection between personal wealth and business health • Why stillness and self-awareness matter in financial decision-making • Building systems that create stability, not stress At its core, this episode is a reminder that profit is not selfish. When approached intentionally, it becomes a tool for stewardship, resilience, and long-term impact. A thoughtful conversation for leaders who want their business and their life to work together, not compete with each other.

January 29, 2026Episode 11558 min

Ashish Kothari: Rethinking Success, Happiness, and Leadership

High Performance. High Well-Being. Redefining Success. In this episode of Growing With Purpose, Jean Moncrieff speaks with Ashish Kothari, Founder and CEO of Happiness Squad, about success, well-being, and what it truly means to live and lead a meaningful life. Ashish reflects on his journey from a high-pressure career at McKinsey to a deeper exploration of happiness, purpose, and human connection. He shares how anxiety and burnout became powerful catalysts for personal transformation, and why redefining success is essential for leaders who want to sustain both high performance and a fulfilling life. This conversation explores why high performance demands high well-being, the role of relationships and community in flourishing leadership, and how small, consistent micro-practices can create lasting change. Ashish also challenges common misconceptions about happiness, reminding us that it is not something to chase, but a byproduct of living with purpose, service, and care for others. Key themes include: High performance and high well-being Burnout and personal transformation Redefining success and significance Relationships and community Micro-practices for sustainable change Purpose-driven leadership A thoughtful and grounding conversation for leaders seeking to build lives and organizations that truly flourish.

January 14, 2026Episode 11454 min

John Costello: Letting Go to Build a Company That Lasts

Leading with Purpose. Building a Values-Driven Business. In this episode of Growing With Purpose, Jean Moncrieff speaks with John Costello, owner of Cherry’s Industrial Equipment Corp, about his leadership journey and the evolution of building a values-driven company. John reflects on aligning personal and company values, navigating the emotional challenges of ownership, and learning how to let go in order to empower others. He shares why transparency, gratitude, and employee well-being are foundational to strong business culture, and why running a purpose-driven company is harder, but ultimately more fulfilling. This conversation explores the balance between hard and soft skills, the realities of leadership growth, and the lasting impact businesses can have on their people and communities. Key themes include: Purpose-driven leadership Company values and culture Transparency and trust Employee engagement Community impact Personal growth as a leader A thoughtful and honest conversation for leaders who believe business can be a force for good.

December 4, 2025Episode 11354 min

Megan Gluth: The Truth About Leading Through Uncertainty

In this episode of the Growing with Purpose podcast, host Jean Moncrieff sits down with Megan Gluth, CEO of Catalynt, for an honest conversation about resilience, self-awareness and leading with steadiness in uncertain times. Megan shares her journey from an “accidental entrepreneur” to the leader of a merged, $100M business. She reflects on how growing up with limited resources shaped her resourcefulness and scrappiness, and how personal loss led her to a new beginning in the Pacific Northwest and eventually into the world of chemical distribution. Through acquisitions and a commitment to unity, she merged three companies into one culture-driven organization: Catalynt. Together, Jean and Megan explore what it means to build a supportive company culture rooted in honesty, trust and truth-telling. Megan describes her daily mindfulness practice, her approach to equanimity during crisis, and the importance of grounding leadership decisions in real data rather than noise. She also speaks candidly about the isolation leaders can face, the unique challenges women encounter in leadership roles, and the power of community and independent advisors. It’s a thoughtful and grounded conversation about resourcefulness, courage and the lifelong journey of cultivating self-worth as a leader. Timestamps 0:00 – Introduction and journey to leadership 2:43 – Merging businesses and creating Catalynt 5:39 – Navigating personal loss and career transition 8:29 – Self-discovery and leadership during crisis 11:09 – Consistency and equanimity in leadership 13:47 – Resourcefulness from adversity 16:52 – Building a supportive company culture 19:41 – Sensible leadership in uncertain times 22:44 – Maintaining balance and avoiding isolation 26:20 – The importance of independent advice 30:33 – Creating a culture of truth 34:09 – Women in leadership: breaking barriers 38:17 – The need for community support 43:12 – Cultivating self-worth as a leader

August 19, 2025Episode 11254 min

Paul Spiegelman: From Small Giants to Kintsugi Village

This is a very special episode of the Growing with Purpose podcast. For the first time, longtime host Paul Spiegelman takes the guest seat as he officially passes the torch to new host, Jean Moncrieff. Paul reflects on his transition from leading the Small Giants Community to launching Kintsugi Village, a nonprofit in Detroit dedicated to community, relationships, and innovative education. He and Jean discuss why relationships are everything in business and life, what it means to prepare the next generation of leaders, and how impact is best measured through stories, not just numbers. Together, Paul and Jean explore the themes of transition, purpose, and community — and Paul shares the personal lessons that shaped his leadership journey, from his family influences to the philosophy of “keeping it in the big ring.” It’s a thoughtful and inspiring conversation that celebrates Paul’s legacy with the Small Giants Community while looking ahead to what’s next. Timestamps: 0:00 – Introduction to Kintsugi Village 5:58 – The importance of community and relationships 11:50 – Navigating personal and professional transitions 18:05 – Preparing the next generation of leaders 28:30 – The circle of growth: culture and profitability 36:17 – Building community and trust 42:02 – Influences and inspirations for growth 47:49 – Personal stories and leadership lessons

July 22, 2025Episode 11131 min

Leslie DeMent & Rob Dube: Meet the 2025 Hall of Fame inductees

This is a very special episode of the Growing with Purpose podcast. Not only are there two beloved return guests, but it’s also Paul’s last episode as host. As he transitions away from his role as the owner of the Small Giants Community to pursue his newest endeavor, Kintsugi Village , Paul is switching off the microphone. Talk about bittersweet! But before he does that, he has one last meaningful conversation with Leslie DeMent and Rob Dube, this year’s recipients of the Small Giants Hall of Fame awards. Leslie DeMent is the winner of the Next Gen Hall of Fame award. She discusses with Paul the importance of building trust within a team, how she’s managed to instill Small Giants values in a company that’s not necessarily a Small Giant, and the impact that participating in the Leadership Academy has had on her journey. Rob Dube is the winner of the Founder/ CEO Hall of Fame award. He talks about how reading Bo Burlingham’s Small Giants book gave him permission to be himself at work, how he’s transitioned meaningfully into different leadership roles, and why he and the co-founder of imageOne decided to buy back the company when it was offered to them.Together, Leslie, Rob, and Paul discuss why being a purpose-driven leader is important to them. It’s an inspiring reminder of the power of community, and the ripple effects that one little book with a goldfish on the cover has had on us all. Timestamps: 2:28 - Meet Leslie 7:00 - Meet Rob 12:40 - Leslie’s experience with the Leadership Academy 16:30 - Rob and big transitions 25:15 - Advice from Leslie and Rob 29:27 - Thank you and an announcement from Paul