What if the future of language learning isn’t an app—but a place?

In this episode, PJ Simmons sits down with Christian Rowe, Cofounder and Chief Growth Officer of Immerse, a bold edtech company using virtual reality to teach language through real human connection. What started in a Syrian refugee camp has grown into a global platform operating in 97 countries—with a mission rooted in social impact, advanced fluency, and equity of access.

But this isn’t just a story about innovation in tech. It’s about the tension between vision and execution, the discipline of building a venture-backed company without compromising your values, and what it means to scale with integrity.

Christian opens up about:

• The origin story of Immerse—from grassroots mission to global scale

• What “growth” really means inside a mission-led startup

• How his team uses OKRs, culture frameworks, and ruthless clarity to stay aligned

• Navigating the hype cycles of VR, the metaverse, and AI—without losing the plot

• Why purpose and profit don’t have to compete—and how to lead with both

If you’re building something meaningful—whether you’re a founder, operator, or creative—this conversation is a masterclass in how to hold the line between conviction and complexity, and dream big without drifting.