Return to People

Kaleem Clarkson
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Great employee experiences don’t happen because of location - they're shaped by empathetic leaders. Join us to hear real-world stories from executives, founders, and people operations professionals who've successfully created thriving employee experiences within remote and hybrid teams. Each episode highlights real-world experiences, insights, and lessons learned from sustaining culture at scale to fostering meaningful social connections beyond the office, providing listeners with actionable insights for building better workplaces. Hosted by remote work expert and keynote speaker Kaleem Clarkson, whose passion for work-life integration and improving remote employee experiences has earned recognition as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Remote Work and featured in Harvard Business Review.

  1. 1D AGO

    The People-First Blueprint: Turning Human Connection into a Business Model - ep. #023

    Are we merely managing remote logistics, or are we intentionally designing a culture where trust is the standard? In this episode of the Return to People podcast, host Kaleem Clarkson sits down with Peter Georgariou, the Founder and CEO of Karmadharma, to answer that very question. Drawing from nearly three decades of experience leading major media rollouts and helping hundreds of mission-driven organizations scale, Peter shares how he turned purpose into a successful business model. The conversation dives into the real-world challenges of remote onboarding, specifically helping younger employees who entered the workforce during the pandemic adjust to professional norms and build confidence. Peter explains how Karmadharma combats this through structured, intentional engagement, such as weekly gratitude and reflection calls, that fosters deep trust and psychological safety. By avoiding micromanagement and treating employees like adults, the agency proves that when you trust your team and involve them in strategic planning, they naturally take ownership of their performance. “When you put people first, the results take care of themselves.” If you are building, leading, or scaling a team, this conversation offers an inspiring, practical blueprint for combining creative growth with a values-driven culture that truly prioritizes its people. Learn more about Peter: Peter´s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petergeorgariou/ Karmadharma´s web: https://karmadharma.ca/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    31 min

  2. MAY 6

    Building Resilient High-Growth Startups Through Intentional Hiring - ep. #022

    How can high-growth tech startups turn the challenge of remote work into a strategic advantage while maintaining a culture of joy? In this episode of the Return to People podcast, Kaleem Clarkson sits down with Kapil Pershad, the Co-Founder and Chief Product and Technology Officer (CPTO) of Payzli, to explore how intentional hiring and thoughtful communication can turn remote work into a scalable and effective model within the fintech space. With a career spanning over 25 years, Kapil shares his journey from engineering roles at major corporations like Bank of America to building a resilient, people-first company amidst the complexities of a global pandemic. The discussion dives into the evolution of the modern workplace and the specific strategies that Payzli leverages to grow and succeed. Kapil explains how structured onboarding and cultural alignment act as the pillars of a successful high-growth startup, allowing teams to tap into a global talent pool without losing their sense of connection. “…Joy in the workplace isn’t just possible, it’s foundational.” If you are building, leading, or scaling a team, this episode offers a practical and inspiring look at fostering a positive employee experience through "workations" and better internal systems. Tune in to discover how Kapil and the Payzli team are redefining the payment industry while creating a thriving culture that prioritizes well-being. Learn more about Kapil: Kapil´s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kapilpershad/ Payzli´s webpage: https://payzli.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    25 min

  3. APR 22

    The Data Science Edge Behind High-Performing Sales Teams - ep. #021

    Are you relying on gut feeling when your data is trying to tell you something smarter? In this episode of the Return to People podcast, Kaleem Clarkson sits down with Francis Brero, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer of MadKudu, to explore how data science is transforming the way modern B2B sales teams operate. From his journey as an immigrant in France to building a company in Silicon Valley, Francis shares how curiosity, resilience, and a passion for analytics shaped his path. The core takeaway? Companies don’t have a data problem; they have a translation problem. Francis explains how businesses can turn scattered buyer signals into clear, actionable insights without needing a full team of data scientists, unlocking more predictable and scalable sales pipelines. Along the way, he challenges the habit of relying on instinct alone and makes a strong case for democratizing data across teams, especially in remote and hybrid environments. “The companies that win aren’t the ones with the most data but the ones who actually use it to make decisions.” If you’re building, leading, or scaling a team, this episode offers a practical and inspiring look at how to combine data, creativity, and a people-first mindset to drive real results. Learn more about Francis: Francis´s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francisbrero/ MadKudu´s webpage: https://www.madkudu.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    31 min

  4. APR 8

    Leading with Purpose in Business and Beyond - ep. #020

    How do you build a company rooted in service, purpose, and impact? In this episode of the Return to People Podcast, host Kaleem Clarkson sits down with Michael V. Sanders, Founder and CEO of Interactive Government Holdings (IGH). From his beginnings as a U.S. Marine Rifleman to leading one of the fastest-growing veteran-owned businesses in the country, Michael shares a powerful journey shaped by faith, integrity, and a deep commitment to serving others. What started as a $2,500 contract has grown into a nationwide organization supporting federal agencies, veterans, and military families through staffing, training, and program management. Michael reflects on the pivotal moments that inspired him to build IGH, including the opportunity to expand support for service-disabled veterans, and how that mission continues to guide the company today. Throughout the conversation, Michael offers insights on purpose-driven leadership, building organizations that prioritize people, and creating lasting impact through service. His story is a compelling reminder that success is not just about growth, but about who you serve and how you lead. 🎧 Tune in to hear how values, vision, and service can shape both a business and a legacy. Learn more about Michael: Michael´s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelvaldezsanders/ Interactive Government Holdings: https://interactivegov.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    29 min

  5. MAR 25

    Building Culture and Connection in a Remote-First World - ep. #019

    In this episode of the Return to People Podcast, host Kaleem Clarkson sits down with Kristin Hull from Nia Impact Capital, an Oakland-based asset management firm focused on mission-driven investing. Kristin shares how her team navigated the shift from a collaborative office culture to a fully remote environment while staying true to their values and investment mission. This conversation explores the challenges of maintaining connection, mentorship, and knowledge sharing when spontaneous office interactions disappear, and how intentional communication and relationship-building became essential. Kristin also discusses how remote work unexpectedly opened new opportunities, allowing Nia Impact Capital to expand its talent pool beyond the Bay Area and build a more diverse, mission-aligned team. From managing collaboration across time zones to rethinking how culture is built in a distributed workplace, Kristin offers thoughtful insights for leaders balancing performance, purpose, and people in a remote-first world. 🎧 Tune in to hear how impact-driven organizations can thrive remotely while strengthening both culture and results. Learn more from Kristin: Kristin´s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinbhull/ Nia Impact Capital: https://www.niaimpactcapital.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    23 min

  6. MAR 24

    Rethinking Remote Teams with the Power of Global Talent - ep. #018

    How can logistics companies scale faster by tapping into global talent without losing accountability, culture, or performance? In this episode of the Return to People Podcast, host Kaleem Clarkson sits down with Nick Schrock, founder of Valoroo, to explore how remote and offshore teams are transforming the logistics industry. With a background in enterprise software sales and logistics startups, Nick has built a company dedicated to helping freight and supply chain businesses grow by connecting them with skilled global talent. Nick shares how his early experience building an offshore lead generation team inspired the launch of Valoroo in 2019. Today, the company operates across Belize, Mexico, and the Philippines, helping logistics companies scale efficiently while maintaining a strong people-first culture rooted in trust, accountability, and ownership. Throughout this chat, Nick breaks down the often-overlooked complexity of logistics operations and explains how remote talent can strengthen communication, coordination, and efficiency in an industry built on relationships and real-time problem solving. He also discusses the lessons learned while bootstrapping a startup, the role of flexibility in accessing global talent, and why creating clear career paths and expectations is critical for retention and engagement. Packed with practical insights for founders, operators, and people leaders, this episode highlights how global teams, thoughtful leadership, and a people-first mindset can unlock new growth opportunities in logistics and beyond. 🎧 Tune in to hear how remote talent is reshaping supply chains and what leaders can learn from it. Learn more from Nick: Nick Schrock’s LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-schrock Valoroo: https://valoroo.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    32 min

  7. FEB 11

    From Managing by Sight to Managing by Outcomes - ep. #016

    How do you transform a regional nonprofit into a fully remote, high-performing organization without losing the human connection that makes the work meaningful? In this episode of the Return to People Podcast, host Kaleem Clarkson talks with Tara Fitzpatrick-Navarro, CEO at USTA Mid-Atlantic, about how her team transitioned to fully remote work by prioritizing talent, trust, and community impact. One of the biggest shifts came in helping managers transition from “managing by sight” to leading through outcomes, a change that required intentional coaching, new systems, and a deeper understanding of accountability in a distributed environment. At the same time, supporting younger employees starting their careers remotely meant investing in onboarding, communication training, and development opportunities from day one. The results speak for themselves: a more engaged workforce, stronger retention, and a broader, more diverse talent pool. As Tara puts it, “We trust our team to work when, where, and how they work best.” That trust has created a culture where flexibility fuels commitment, and employees are empowered to excel, not because they have to, but because they want to. 🎧 Dive into the full episode to hear Tara’s practical insights on compassionate leadership, equitable workplace culture, and how to keep remote teams thriving for the long haul. Learn more about Tara: Tara´s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-fitzpatrick-navarro/ USTA Mid-Atlantic: https://www.linkedin.com/company/usta-mid-atlantic/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    28 min

  8. JAN 28

    Building High-Output Teams Without an Office - ep. #015

    What does it take to build a high-performing company when your team is fully remote? In this episode of the Return to People podcast, host Kaleem Clarkson sits down with Justin Ruoff, Senior Vice President of Operations at SoundStack, to explore what effective remote leadership really looks like. With over a decade of experience building distributed teams, Justin shares how SoundStack scaled as a remote-first company without sacrificing trust, performance, or culture. Justin explains why focusing on outcomes over hours challenges outdated assumptions about productivity and why intentional systems are essential for keeping remote teams connected. From async workflows to team rituals, he discusses how SoundStack balances flexibility with accountability while fostering collaboration and ownership. The conversation also highlights the importance of human connection in remote environments, including the challenge of recreating informal moments that build trust and empathy. Justin emphasizes continuous improvement over perfection, encouraging leaders to create systems that support learning, autonomy, and sustainable growth. This episode offers practical insights for founders, operators, and leaders navigating remote or hybrid teams, and proves that when flexibility and trust come first, remote work can truly thrive. 🎧 Tune in to learn how people-first systems drive performance in a remote-first world. Learn more from Justin and SounStack: Justin´s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinruoff/ SoundStack: https://soundstack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    38 min
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About

Great employee experiences don’t happen because of location - they're shaped by empathetic leaders. Join us to hear real-world stories from executives, founders, and people operations professionals who've successfully created thriving employee experiences within remote and hybrid teams. Each episode highlights real-world experiences, insights, and lessons learned from sustaining culture at scale to fostering meaningful social connections beyond the office, providing listeners with actionable insights for building better workplaces. Hosted by remote work expert and keynote speaker Kaleem Clarkson, whose passion for work-life integration and improving remote employee experiences has earned recognition as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Remote Work and featured in Harvard Business Review.

Information

  • Creator
    Kaleem Clarkson
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Kaleem Clarkson
  • Show Website
    Return to People