Planting Seeds by Jeff Hilimire
by Jeff Hilimire
Refreshing conversations with inspiring people.Welcome to Planting Seeds. I'm Jeff Hilimire, a husband, father, entrepreneur, and author. I created this podcast to talk to people that inspire me, either because they've accomplished great things or done a lot of good in the world - or more likely, a combination of both. My goal is to learn people's origin stories, really dig into what makes them tick, and understand their secrets to success.
Episodes
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The AI-Driven Leader
In this episode of the Planting Seeds podcast, hosts Jeff Hilimire, Adam Walker (48in48 and Edgewise), and Mickey Mellen (GreenMellen) discuss the concept of AI-driven leadership, the 48in48 Good Host project (reach out to [email protected] to get involved) and their personal experiences with AI...
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"We are the ones we've been waiting for." - From Dropout to Doctorate (with Dr. Terence Lester)
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Terence Lester, author of From Dropout to Doctorate: Breaking the Chains of Educational Injustice. In this episode, Dr. Lester shares his powerful journey from high school dropout to earning a PhD, overcoming homelessness, trauma, and systemic...
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When weak is ok (with Joel Conwell)
Join me for an inspiring conversation with Joel Conwell, author of the powerful children's book "The Boy in the Tree: When Weak is Okay." In this episode, we dive deep into Joel's beautifully crafted story about a young boy who gets stuck in a tree and discovers that vulnerability isn't a...
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A Sense of Hope (with Kyle Pease)
Kyle Pease joins me to discuss anything and everything, including his foundation (The Kyle Pease Foundation), his personal Purpose, his life with cerebral palsy and spastic quadriplegia, and so much more.Learn more about The Kyle Pease Foundation at https://kylepeasefoundation.org/Follow along…
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Steve Carse (King of Pops) on his new book, Work is Fun
Steve joins me to discuss his new book, Work is Fun, which launched on April 1st, 2025. He's the founder and CEO of King of Pops, and in this interview, we talk about the lessons from the book (including the King of Pops story) that everyone can use to find more fun in their work. The subtitle…
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The future of leadership with Mohamed Massaquoi
Mo and I have had numerous conversations about leadership and its evolution in organizations and teams, and we've decided to bring those discussions to this podcast episode. You can find out more about Mohamed and the work he is doing at https://www.thevessol.com/Episode details:This video…
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Book review: The Pool is Closed (with author Hannah Palmer)
Hannah Palmer, author of The Pool is Closed, joins me to do a deep dive (pun intended) into the book. In this livestream, I’m joined by Hannah Palmer, urban naturalist, activist, and acclaimed author of The Pool Is Closed: Segregation, Summertime, and the Search for a Place to Swim. Together, we...
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Force of Nature: A Celebration of Girls and Women Raising Their Voices (with Kate T. Parker)
On this episode, I talk with Kate T. Parker, a mother, wife, entrepreneur, photographer, author, and turns out, a great podcast guest! We talk about her story and what led her to the incredible work she's doing today. Kate's books! -> https://amzn.to/3w9bYk3 Kate's website ->...
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How accurate is The Bear? (with Fred Castellucci)
I'm obsessed with the TV show The Bear. Like, obsessed. So, I decided to have Fred Castellucci (Atlanta restaurateur legend) on the podcast to help me understand just how accurate their depiction of running a restaurant is. (Spoiler: pretty darn accurate.) Don’t forget to subscribe 👍🏼 About me:...
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The Life Brief (the book!) with Bonnie Wan
On this episode, Bonnie Wan joins me for the second time, this time with her (hopefully, first of many) published book, The Life Brief! I devoured this book in a matter of days, complete with more highlights and notes than I knew what to do with. Please a) use the link below to buy your copy, b)...
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A conversation with Mita Mallick on her new book, Reimagine Inclusion
On this episode, Mita Mallick joins me for the second time, this time to talk about her new book, Reimagine Inclusion: Debunking 13 Myths to Transform Your Workplace. It's absolutely brilliant, and please use the link below to grab a copy for you (and your team)! Notes: - Buy Mita's book…
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Ricky Steele and The Heart of Networking
On this episode, I had a chance to speak with Atlanta legend, Ricky Steele, about his book, The Heart of Networking (which I LOVED). We talked about the power of networking (and how to do it right), Atlanta, doing good, and so much more. If you want to buy a copy of Ricky's book (please do!), you...
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I'm not yelling, but Black women want to be heard
On this episode, Ekaette Kern and I have a conversation centered around Elizabeth Leiba's book, "I’m Not Yelling: A Black Woman’s Guide to Navigating the Workplace". Connect with Ekaette: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekaette-kern Buy the book: https://amzn.to/3OU0DuG Don’t forget to subscribe 👍🏼...
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Talking Stoicism with Adam Walker
On this episode, Adam Walker and I talk about stoicism, mainly because I knew he had been reading and writing about it, and I wanted to know what all the fuss was about :) Find Adam at: https://adamjwalker.com + https://edgewise.media Don’t forget to subscribe 👍🏼 About me: Sign up for my…
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William Warren's new book, The Conquering Creative
On this episode, I have a chance to talk with William Warren, CEO of The Sketch Effect and author of the new book, The Conquering Creative (9 Shifts to Build an Unstoppable Creative Business). We talk about the process of writing the book, his motivation to put his story and ideas into print, and...
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Introducing my next venture: Purpose Group
Hi friends! On this episode, the amazing Kashi Sehgal interviews me about my journey to launching my latest venture, Purpose Group. Purpose Group is a purpose-driven holding company that buys, grows, and holds (forever) small businesses, with a goal of infusing purpose and a vibrant culture into...
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Chelsea Jenkins (Director, Cultural and Inclusive Marketing at Kellogg)
On this episode, I spend time chatting with Chelsea Jenkins, who’s the Director, Cultural and Inclusive Marketing at Kellogg. We have a great time talking about her personal Purpose and mantra, the importance of corporate DEI strategies, or as she calls it, EDI (you’ll learn why as you listen to...
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"Before the Book" - Discussing my latest book, The Culture Turnaround, with my co-author, Adam Albrecht
On this episode, I talk all things "company culture" with my good friend Adam Albrecht, who's also the co-author of my latest book, The Culture Turnaround. We talk about the cultures we build within our families, how we worked to build the culture at Engauge many years ago, tips on how to build…
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The unstoppable entrepreneur, Sanjay Parekh, on his latest venture: Occasional Wraps
On this episode, I had a chance to talk to one of my favorite people in the world, Sanjay Parekh. Sanjay and I have known each other for a long, long time, and I consider him both of the smartest and kindest (and I shouldn’t forget, one of the most successful) entrepreneurs I know. On this…
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Talking modern womanhood with It All Media
I had a great time on this episode talking with Katie Louise Mullins and Kacie Lett Gordon, the founders of It All Media. It All Media is a modern media empire inspired by and devoted to women (un)doing “IT ALL.” They exist to tell new stories, amplify real women’s voices, and facilitate a…
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An interview with Michael McCathren of Chick-fil-A on his new book: 6Ps of Essential Innovation
On this episode, I speak with Michael McCathren, Sr. Principal, Enterprise Innovation at Chick-fil-A, about his new (and first) book, 6Ps of Essential Innovation. I had an early look at the book as my publishing company, Ripples Media, partnered with Michael to bring it to life. And I have to…
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Barefoot Ted on running, health, and leading a purposeful life
On this episode, I get to talk to a legend in the running world: Barefoot Ted. I first learned about him through the book, Born to Run, by Chris McDougall, which fundamentally changed the way I run and, more importantly, completely removed the persistent knee pain that used to accompany my runs....
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Book review: The Secret Society of Success (with author, Tim Schurrer)
On this episode, I talk with Tim Schurrer, author of the fantastic book, The Secret Society of Success. I read this book in only a few days and the stories and lessons that Tim shares are just what people need in today's hectic, pressure-driven society. The subtitle says it all: Stop chasing the...
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Bonnie Wan and The Life Brief
On this episode, I’m joined by Bonnie Wan, an incredible leader who created a brilliant concept called, The Life Brief, which helps people live with greater clarity, creativity, and courage by teaching them how to write briefs for their lives. We dive deep into how she created The Life Brief and...
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Raj Choudhury announces his acquisition of ARPR
On this episode, Raj Choudhury (former guest of the podcast and serial entrepreneur) shares the news that he has acquired ARPR, an award-winning tech PR agency. He talks about the vision behind the acquisition, his partnership with Anna Ruth Williams (former CEO and founder of ARPR), and their...
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Living a healthier, more joyful life (with Hanni Berger of JOYVIAL)
On this episode, I had the chance to talk with my friend, Hanni Berger, CEO and founder of JOYVIAL. For anyone that knows Hanni, they know she’s a bright, bursting light of positivity, bringing joy to everyone she comes in contact with. I was really excited to hear more about her inspiring…
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The most powerful question in the world
This episode is a reading of one of my email newsletter posts, entitled, "The most powerful question in the world." You can check out my newsletter here: https://jeffhilimire.substack.com/ Don’t forget to subscribe! About me: Sign up for my weekly email newsletter! CEO: Dragon Army + Ripples…
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Interrupting mass incarceration with Jay Austin
On this episode, I talk with entrepreneur, artist, and advocate, Jay Austin. He’s working to interrupt mass incarceration. We talk about what led him to this important work, the current state of mass incarceration, and the nonprofit he started called RLENTLSS, a prison diversion and re-entry...
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YouTube thinks I'm a stoic...am I?
This is an audio recording from my email newsletter, where I wrestle with the idea of being a stoic. Don’t forget to subscribe! About me: Sign up for my weekly email newsletter! CEO: Dragon Army + Ripples Media My books: The Turnaround Leadership Series Nonprofits I've started: Ripples of Hope +...
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“White supremacy is not the shark, it’s the water” - a conversation on race and allyship with Terence Lester
On this episode, I have one of my favorite guests, Terence Lester, back on the show. Terence is a social justice leader, entrepreneur, author, dedicated father and husband, and so much more. I wanted Terence to join me again on the podcast to talk about what it means to be a true ally. We get…
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Careers, faith, and adoption (with Jay Jhun of Focus Brands)
On this episode, I talk with my good friend and former teammate at Spunlogic and Engauge, Jay Jhun. Currently the Director of Loyalty at Focus Brands, we talk about Jay’s career, in which he’s worked for agencies (like mine), technology companies like IBM, and now on the brand/client side at…
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How we kinda sorta created a cult at Dragon Army
This episode is a reading from my newsletter, which you can sign up for here. The episode dives into how I discovered a unique way of building trust and genuine relationships at my companies. Don’t forget to subscribe! About me: Sign up for my weekly email newsletter! CEO: Dragon Army + Ripples...
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Stephanie Stuckey, CEO of Stuckey's
On this episode, I had the chance to talk with Stephanie Stuckey, who I’ve admired for quite some time and was dying to get a chance to learn more about. We discuss the history of her company (Stuckey’s), of course, her entrepreneurial journey, her goal of ‘reviving the road trip’, advice for...
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The Best Books I Read in 2021
In this episode, I talk about my favorite books from 2021, in which I read 56 books (my personal record). I was surprised by how many books I had ranked 5-stars, but after looking through them, they were all superb. I also wrote about them on my blog. Don’t forget to subscribe! About me: Sign up...
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What Does Your Fortune Cookie Say? (a conversation with Adam Albrecht about his new book)
I’m so excited to share this podcast episode with you because I get a chance to talk to Adam Albrecht about his new book, What Does Your Fortune Cookie Say? Adam is the Founder and CEO of the ad agency, The Weaponry, and his book is seriously fantastic. It’s inspiring, insightful, motivating, and...
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Jeff Perkins, CEO of ParkMobile
On this episode, I had the chance to talk with Jeff Perkins about his promotion from CMO to CEO of ParkMobile (one of my favorite Atlanta tech companies) and about his new book, How Not to Suck at Marketing. We talk about what he was most nervous about when taking the role of CEO (and how it...
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Evana Oli, her daughter, and the amazing promise of their startup, Beautiful Curly Me
On this episode, I had a chance to catch up with my inspiring friend, Evana Oli, to hear more about her journey of starting a company with her 9-year old daughter, Zoe, called Beautiful Curly Me. Beautiful Curly Me is a brand that encourages young girls to love and be confident in who they are.…
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Paige Farrow of NAPA Auto Parts
On this episode, I speak with one of my favorite marketing leaders in Atlanta, Paige Farrow. Paige is currently the Director of Brand Strategy & Management at NAPA Auto Parts, and we talk about her career journey (which includes stops at Coca-Cola and Charbroil), her style of leadership, advice…
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Aflac’s CMO and “Chief Duck Handler”, Shannon Watkins, on her personal purpose, inspiring career, and The A Pledge
On this episode, I’m joined by my friend, Shannon Watkins, the CMO and “Chief Duck Handler” at Aflac. Shannon and I were first introduced when we were forming The A Pledge, a nonprofit we co-founded in 2020 to fight for racial equity in the advertising and marketing community. We talk about her...
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Kenji Kuramoto and his family's experience in the Japanese internment camps
This is a very special episode as I talk with my good friend and one of my favorite Atlanta business leaders, Kenji Kuramoto, about his family’s experience with the Japanese internment camps of the 1940s. His generosity and vulnerability in sharing this with me was so powerful, and I just know...
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The Diversity Gap book (with returning guest, Bethaney Wilkinson)
On this episode, I’m honored to have Bethaney Wilkinson back on the show, this time to talk about her new, incredible book, The Diversity Gap. I read this book in less than 3 days and absolutely loved it. We talk about many of the concepts in the book, including the importance of knowing, and...
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Kyle Porter on leadership, building trusting teams, and the incredible growth of Salesloft
On this episode, I talk with Kyle Porter, CEO and co-founder of Salesloft, one of Atlanta’s most recent unicorns (meaning they are valued at a billion dollars or more). This episode is full of incredible stories and advice from Kyle, including how he works to grow as a leader, some of the secrets...
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Quick Hit: Abled and Eyes Opened
This episode is the audio from one of my email newsletter posts, titled: Abled and Eyes Opened (Thanks to one leader, I now see my privilege in a new light). You can sign up for my newsletter at: https://jeffhilimire.com/newsletter Don’t forget to subscribe! About me: Sign up for my weekly email...
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“If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space!” (with Keith Millner)
Keith Millner, co-founder and managing partner of Coaching Catalyst, joins me on this episode. Keith is an entrepreneur, servant leader, and self-described, “hustler”, and you’ll get a sense of all of those designations from our conversation. We talk about his journey, what led him to be an...
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Creating a Village of Courageous People (with Nathaniel Smith)
On this episode, I talk with Nathaniel Smith, Founder and Chief Equity Officer/CEO Partnership for Southern Equity. We talk about his journey, the difference between actual social justice and what he calls, “fakequity”, the Values Revolution that we need to happen to create real change in our...
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The Ryan Gravel Episode
On this episode, I talk with Ryan Gravel, enterpreneur, author, urban designer, and most certainly, the person that came up with the once-in-a-generation idea of The Atlanta BeltLine. We talk about, of course, the story of the BeltLine, but we also get into some really great concepts, including...
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Allyship, purpose, entrepreneurship, and so much more, with Sequoyah "DataBae" Glenn
On this episode, I spend time talking with my new friend, and fellow supporter of The A Pledge, Sequoyah “DataBae” Glenn. She’s one of the most talented data and analytics experts I’ve ever met, and also has one of the biggest hearts. We talk about how she became a “media culture disruptor”, her...
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Talking B Corporations and Conscious Capitalism (with Nathan Stuck)
On this episode, I talk with Nathan Stuck, who some consider to be "Mr. B Corp Georgia". We talk about, what else, B corporations, and we also dig into conscious capitalism, how ROI fits into the decision, and what it takes for a company truly to be a force for good in this world. Keep up with...
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Pete Buttigieg, Stacey Abrams, Community Groundwork, and so much more (with Nina Smith)
On this episode, my guest is Nina Smith, a self proclaimed “communications mercenary”. She’s the former traveling press secretary and advisor to Pete Buttigieg, and she spends most of her time helping candidates, brands, and organizations tell their story in the media. We talk about her journey…
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What makes a great founder and leader? (with David Cummings)
On this episode, I brought David Cummings (Atlanta Tech Village, Pardot, Atlanta Ventures) back on to talk about the characteristics that the most successful entrepreneurs and leaders have. We’ve both built businesses and invested in others, and I thought it would be a fun conversation to discuss...
About this show
Refreshing conversations with inspiring people.Welcome to Planting Seeds. I'm Jeff Hilimire, a husband, father, entrepreneur, and author. I created this podcast to talk to people that inspire me, either because they've accomplished great things or done a lot of good in the world - or more likely, a combination of both. My goal is to learn people's origin stories, really dig into what makes them tick, and understand their secrets to success.
Hosted by
Jeff Hilimire
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