Vantage Voices · Episode 02
Jesse Rhodes Jr.
The cultural architect on community, humanity, and taking the door off.
Hosted by Rachael Barclay · Poco Wine + Spirits
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Jesse Rhodes Jr. is the first member of Vantage, and in episode two Rachael finally turns the mic back on him.
Jesse describes himself in one word: humanity. He is a keynote speaker, a University of Washington professor of leadership and organizational behavior, and a self-described cultural architect whose purpose is to work with humans to create possibilities, not excuses. He talks about building community responsibly, the five-minute embrace with his friend Roger that fulfilled his whole day, and the 25 fellows from 20 African countries he made a promise to visit for a cup of tea.
The idea that stays with you is the door. Jesse can see the path forward for people before it exists, and the invisible barriers that stop them. His work is to take the door off and let you walk through. Nothing to fix, nothing to prove, nothing to change.
He also speaks, straight into the camera, to the Columbia Tower Club community he chaired when it closed. Forty years of legacy did not end with the walls, and the Unlocked series continues this fall.
What Jesse can give the room: he sees the path and the barriers, connects people intentionally across a wide network, and teaches human-centered leadership for a world racing toward AI. The introduction he is looking for: people at every level, from a first-year student to a CFO, who believe the human skills cannot be replaced and want to build that work together.
My purpose is to work with humans to create possibilities, not excuses.
I see the invisible barriers that stop you. I call it the door. Take that door off, get it out of the way, and go right through.
Nothing to fix, nothing to prove, nothing to change. What is already there just becomes accessible to yourself.
What Jesse can give the room
- Seeing the path forward for people, and the invisible barriers in the way, then helping you move through them
- Connecting people intentionally across a deep network (keynote stages, UW, Founders Live, 20+ countries)
- Human-centered leadership: clarity, communication, confidence, and leading through uncertainty
The introduction Jesse is looking for
To meet people at every level, from students to CFOs, who believe human skills cannot be replaced by AI and want to build that work together.
Find Jesse
Jesse Rhodes Jr.
Speaker, Author & Cultural Architect at Poco Wine + Spirits
Vantage profile →
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jesse Rhodes Jr.?
Jesse Rhodes Jr. is the founder of Poco Wine + Spirits. They help people and organizations navigating change, from a first-year student to a CFO.
What can Jesse offer other Vantage members?
Seeing the path forward for people, and the invisible barriers in the way, then helping you move through them; Connecting people intentionally across a deep network (keynote stages, UW, Founders Live, 20+ countries); Human-centered leadership: clarity, communication, confidence, and leading through uncertainty.
What is Jesse looking for?
To meet people at every level, from students to CFOs, who believe human skills cannot be replaced by AI and want to build that work together.
What is Vantage Voices?
Vantage Voices is the podcast of Vantage, a members-first network in Seattle. Each episode is a short conversation with one member so the room can get to know them before they meet.
Every member gets a seat in this chair.
Join Vantage