Boiling Point Podcast

Tap into your Passion

Introducing Craig Pinhey, The Beer and Wine Guy 

 

The best type of hobby is one you can turn into a job. That is exactly what Craig Pinhey did with his love of beer, wine, and spirits.

Craig is a trained engineer but his passion was wine and spirits. When he and his wife moved for her to take a new job, Craig saw it as the perfect time to take the plunge into writing on beer and wine. At the time, New Brunswick didn’t have any columnists of this type. Decades later, Craig continues to write for three provincial papers and gets to live his passion.

Learn how you can turn your hobby into your pay cheque in this episode of the Boiling Point.

 

In this episode

• Craig comes prepared with beers from some of New Brunswick’s best microbrewers.
• We learn how Craig got involved as a beer, wine and spirits writer.
• Craig also tells us about the explosive growth in micro brewing throughout the Atlantic Provinces.
• He tells us how the market potential is still “untapped”.
• We learn why brewpubs in smaller towns are so successful.
• Craig tells us about some of his adventures in writing on wine.
• He also tells us about a beer opener he got from what he thought was a pub in Germany.

 

Links

- Craig on Twitter

- Craig on Facebook

- Craig's Website

- Craig on Linked In

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Follow Your Values

Introducing Caroline Duell and All Good Products

There is often reluctance to jump into business if you are passionate about the environment and social issues. Capitalism has been a tool for the greedy over the last few hundred years and at the expense of people and the planet. However, just because others have abused capitalism doesn’t mean that is the only way business gets done.

Caroline Duell is the entrepreneur behind All Good Products. Like many who are passionate about social issues and the environment, Caroline was also reluctant to jump into the business world. In the late 90’s, Caroline was living with her future husband on an organic farm in Northern California. As a massage therapist and a rock-climbing instructor, Caroline needed a product to her hands between jobs. She ended up developing a balm from some of the herbs on her farm. She gave away her balm to friends and her massage and rock-climbing customers. After moving to another part of California, Caroline had planned to move on to other things but the calls kept coming in and she reluctantly started All Good Products in 2006. Her reluctance was due to the idea that she might have to compromise her values, which is something she has never had to do (especially after becoming a B Corp in 2009).

Check out this episode of the Boiling Point to see how you can be both a capitalist and also be socially and environmentally minded without having to compromise.

 

In this episode

• We hear how Caroline went from being a rock-climbing instructor and massage therapist to a balm entrepreneur.
• Caroline tells us where the name for All Good Products came from.
• She tells us about her reluctance about entering the business world.
• We learn about the importance for Caroline to stay authentic to her environmentalism and spreading goodness.
• Caroline tells us how becoming a B Corp has helped to communicate her authenticity to her customers.
• We also hear how she has been an evangelist of the B Corp movement.
• Greg and Caroline continue to try and convert Dave’s Vision Coaching to a B Corp.
• Dave sees Caroline as an amazing ambassador for the movement and wonders how many people are reluctant to enter the business world due to their values and a perceived conflict of interest.
• Greg sees reluctance as normal because of the way capitalism has been abused in the past. He also sees B Corps as a great middle ground and a way to encourage businesses to do better and for environmentalists and social movement makers to get into business.

 

Links

- All Good Products Website

- All Good Products on Facebook

- All Good Products on Twitter

- All Good Products on Instagram

- Caroline on Linked In

- B Corporation Website

 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Future is Coming

Introducing Paul French and Innovation & Technology Today 

Thomas Fuller once said, “He that fears not the future may enjoy the present.” Though we may be uneasy about where the advances of technology will take us, the future is coming and it is best to understand where we might be going.

This week, the Boiling Point welcomes Paul French. Paul is the Managing Editor of Innovation and Tech Today, a national quarterly magazine that features columns, essays, and interviews with scientists, celebrities, and business leaders. The latest fall issue includes Michael Fassbender, Michio Kaku, Mark Hamill, and more. We brought Paul in to speak about all things futuristic.

For all those thinking about technology and the future, this is your episode.

 

In this episode

• Dave tells us about how Greg is now Saint John Famous.
• Greg tells us how he met up with Paul at Sustainable Brands.
• Paul tells us how he is constantly surprised by present technology.
• Paul tells us how the technology he covers both excites him and can make him feel a sense of dread.
• We learn about what current futurist are predicting for our near future.
• Paul discusses how we are naturally hard wired to be fearful of the future but we eventually adapt to it.
• We learn about reticular neural networks and how it could change the journalism of our future.
• Paul tells us how virtual reality will become as everyday as our home computer.
• We also discuss how technology will change how we learn leading to more critical analysis and less rote learning.

 

Links

- Innovation and Tech Today Website

- Innovation and Tech Today Twitter

- Innovation and Tech Today Facebook

- Innovation and Tech Today Linked In

- Innovation and Tech Today Instagram

 

 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Solution for Every Challenge

Introducing Steve Goddard and Resilia Medical Solutions

Everyone remembers having an unfortunate urinary accident when they were young. Not only is it uncomfortable, but also embarrassing. Most of us grow past these challenges as we learn to better control our bladders. However, some women can be reacquainted to this problem many years down the line and through no fault of their own. One in five women experience urinary incontinence stemming from motherhood, age, etc. Currently, the only solutions are surgical in extreme circumstances, or some sort of pad or diaper. However, today’s Boiling Point guest, Steve Goddard, is the CEO of a company with another discrete solution.

Steve is the CEO of Resilia Medical Solutions and his company’s product Uresta is a small item made of medical grade plastic, which is inserted into the vagina and applies pressure to a woman’s urethra and blocks the passage of unwanted urine. The product was developed by Dr. Scott Farrell, an Urogynaecologist from Dalhousie University when he noticed that most of his patients who suffered from FUI were not in need of a surgical solution, but didn’t have a good solution to their problem.

This problem is not just a stigma or quality of life issue; its health effects can be spiraling. Check out this episode to see how there is a solution for every problem if you take the time to fix it.

 

In this episode

• We hear about Steve’s past life in banking and with JDI.
• Steve tells us why he took the leap into entrepreneurship after leaving JDI and about the companies he helped to start.
• Greg and Dave are made to guess what Resilia’s product is.
• Steve explains how this product is an evolution of a device that has been used for hundreds of years.
• We also hear how venture capitalists reacted to the product versus individual investors.
• We learn that it can take up to seven years for a woman to speak to a doctor about their FUI.
• Steve tells us why the problem of FUI is not just a quality of life issue or a stigma and how it can seriously affect a woman’s mental and physical health.
• Greg is impressed by the fact that when people come across challenges there is always someone out looking for the solution
• Dave notes that every business has that “big domino” that when it drops great things follow.

 

Links

- Resilia Medical Solutions Website

- Uresta Website

- Steve on Twitter

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Best FOR the World

Introducing Bryan Welch and B The Change Media

 Those of you who are repeat listeners of the Boiling Point know about the swelling B Corp movement and how it uses business as a catalyst for doing good in the world. This week’s guest, Bryan Welch, has a plan to spread the word of this movement even further with his new company B The Change Media. 

Bryan has made a career in magazine publishing since the mid-70s. During his career he transformed a declining publisher of two rural-lifestyle magazines to a dynamic, growing multi-media company with 9 magazine titles and numerous websites and ancillary products with millions of readers. Bryan first got the idea for telling stories about businesses doing good in the world about ten years ago, but at the time it was hard to distinguish companies with genuine commitments versus those making marketing plays. However, the introduction of the B Lab assessment tool gave him objective evidence in order to proceed with his plan.

While other magazines on business assess companies on their ability to rapidly acquire wealth through lists like the “Fortune 500”, Bryan is currently working on his own designation, “Best for the World”.

Learn all about B The Change Media and Best for the World in this week’s edition of the Boiling Point.

 

In this episode

 

• We learn about Bryan’s motivation for starting a media company focusing on businesses doing good in the world.
• Bryan discusses the size of his audience and how the B Corp movement is growing.
• We hear how the Best of the World designation will be a collection of the top 10% of B Corp companies.
• Greg and Bryan speak to their excitement for the celebration that will take place at the University of California – Berkley.
• Bryan lets us in on a few contenders for the Best in the World designation.
• There is a discussion on where B Corps go from here.
• Bryan tells us that while currently there are around 2000 B Corps in the world, over 40000 businesses have taken the B Corp assessment and the growth of the movement is up 30% from last year.
• Bryan likens how businesses and products are becoming a part of our identity to the music of the 60s.
• Greg sees Bryan as a super dynamic human being and thinks it is a luxury to have him as a part of the B Corp movement.
• Dave appreciates Bryan’s ability to use his intuition.

 

Links

- B The Change Media Website

- Best For The World Website

- B Corporation Website

- B The Change on Twitter

- B The Change on Facebook

- B The Change on Linked In

- B The Change on Instagram

- Bryan on Linked In

- Bryan on Twitter

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the Region

Introducing Aaron Emery and For the Region

This week, Aaron Emery is back and he is looking to change the course of the Atlantic Canadian region. Expounding on what he has learned with his experience in the B Corp movement, Aaron is championing a new project titled, For the Region. 

For the Region, is a citizen led movement to rapidly rethink economic development in Atlantic Canada.   For too long, the overwhelming narrative of the Atlantic region has been one of decline. Our young people leave for greener pastures out west or down south, meanwhile those who remain tend to be older individuals who strain things like our healthcare system draining our tax dollars. Aaron believes it doesn’t have to be this way. He sees the Atlantic region as a place of great promise for work/life balance entrepreneurs.

Learn about Aaron’s plans to redefine the Atlantic region in this episode of the Boiling Point.

 

In this episode

• Aaron discusses his brand new initiative, For the Region.
• He asks us, what would it take for Atlantic Canada to be the most inviting place for new ideas and people to put down roots?
• We discuss why the region is in the shape it is and how experts have been pointing to the part of the solution for over 25 years.
• We also discuss how the region’s geography and relative inexpensiveness could be tempting to former Silicon Valley execs.
• Aaron sees the Atlantic Region as the entrepreneur’s work/life balance capital of the world.
• Aaron discusses solutions to our problems.
• We learn that we have to own that things are bad, but craft a united vision and enable collective action to make things better.
• There is a discussion of how Atlantic Canadian humility can actually be hurting us.
• We also learn why it will be important to both praise success and forgive failure.
• Aaron asks everyone to visit ForTheRegion.ca to sign the “Fight not Flight” pledge or to consider becoming a volunteer.

 

Links

- For the Region Webpage

- For the Region on Facebook

- For the Region on Twitter

- Aaron on Twitter

- Aaron's Website

- B Corp Website

- Aaron's Previous Episode of the Boiling Point

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Building Community One Hanging Hug at a Time

Introducing Cory Richardson of Hanging Hugs

Cory Richardson is an individual who has spent his life spreading love and community. Whether teaching hula hooping to children, or taking the time to help the people of Uganda, Cory has a knack for teaching and helping. His company, Hanging Hugs, can be seen as an expression of the man himself by providing comfortable and relaxing luxury hammocks where you feel like you have just received a long, warm hug.

 Cory is back at his community building again and this time he is looking for Hanging Hugs to help him develop a farm cooperative and hostile where people could come to feel in touch with nature and themselves. By buying a Hanging Hug, you will be provided with a voucher for the ability to stay at the farm so that, “your vacation is in the bag.”

 To see how a product and create a feeling, and how it can then create a community, check out this episode of The Boiling Point.

 

In this episode

• We learn that Greg’s first film project was done with Cory when they were high school friends.
• We learn how Cory takes on challenges like kayaking from Canada to Mexico.
• Cory lets us in on how art therapy has helped him and others.
• We also hear of projects that have had him teaching hula hooping around the world as well as helping the people of Uganda.
• Greg tells us from personal experience how terrific a hanging hug hammock is.
• Cory tells us how he cannot keep his luxury hammocks in stock because he is inundated with orders.
• We also here of Cory’s new dream of owning a coop farm/hostile and what he needs to do to get this done.
• Greg loves the product and thinks one day there will be a movie about Cory and his great ideas.
• Dave loves Cory’s passion and how he can lock into a concept and will it into existence.

 

Links

- Hanging Hugs website

- Hanging Hugs on Facebook

- Family of Friends Farm on Facebook

- Cory on Facebook

- Family of Friends Farm Website

- Chat to the Future Website

 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Taking a Stand

Introducing Christina Smith of The Redwoods Group

Sometimes the course of events in life offers you an opportunity to take a stand for what is right and just. This week’s Boiling Point guest knows all about this. Christina Smith is a consultant with the Redwoods Group and a B Corp MVP. Redwoods is a socially responsible insurance company, which works with youth serving organizations such as the YMCA and Boys and Girls Clubs to insure against and prevent things like child sexual abuse and drowning. What sets Redwoods apart is they are a B Corporation that provides amazing training and when terrible incidents occur their team really tries to help healing and prevent any future occurrences.

Christina has a real passion for B Corps, so much so that she took a leading role to see B Lab’s annual Champions Retreat come to her home state of North Carolina. She organized the socially responsible businesses in her community and their efforts paid off when the Champions retreat was scheduled to come to N.C. this year. However, after the retreat was rewarded to N.C., its government made an unfortunate decision to pass a discriminatory law. The Bathroom Bill was passed which meant that no municipality could pass laws prohibiting the discrimination in public places based on sexual orientation or gender identity. This essentially forced any transgendered individual to use the bathroom of the biological sex as listed on their birth certificate.

This decision put B Labs in a very difficult place; how could they have a gathering of socially responsible businesses in a place that just passed such a discriminatory law? Some argued that by having the event in North Carolina they could bring attention to the issue and protest against the law. Would the Selma civil rights march be as effective if it happened anywhere else? However, many in the B community didn’t feel safe entering a place that showed such hostility towards LGTBQ individuals.

Find out what happened and about the power of business for good in this episode of the Boiling Point

 

In this episode

• We hear how Greg and Christina met at Portland, Oregon’s B Champions Retreat.
• Christina lets us in on the great work being done by the Redwoods Group to protect children.
• We also hear how Christina got wrapped up in the B Corp movement.
• Greg discusses a potential documentary he is working on.
• Christina tells us about how she organized a movement and was rewarded by having the B Champions Retreat awarded to North Carolina.
• She also talks about the debate that raged within the B community as to what approach they should take.
• We learn about the fallout of North Carolina’s law and how businesses are fighting back by taking away their money, jobs, and events that could cost the state billions of dollars.
• Greg is inspired by how business can “flex its muscle” for justice and the ripples it can create.
• Dave is inspired by Christina’s passion and inspired to make his own company a B Corp.

 

Links

- Christina on Linked In

- Christina on Twitter

- The Redwoods Group

- B Corporation Website

- B Impact Assessment

- B Champions Retreat

- Information on North Carolina's Bathroom Bill

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chief Spiritual Advisor

 

Introducing Sean Dunbar and Picaroons Traditional Ales

Sean Dunbar has a great gig; he brews, drinks, and talks about beer for a living. More than that though, Sean is the owner of Picaroons Traditional Ales and he has been a catalyst and shaper of the New Brunswick craft brewing industry.

Sean has had his ups and downs within the industry, but has been able to not only has he been able maintain the spirit he envisioned for Picaroons, but he has also been a mentor and collaborator for those just starting in the industry. His hands have shaped the industry in New Brunswick behaves; not as strict competitors but with the notion that a high tide floats many ships. Therefore, a strong craft beer sector can support a number of small brewers. All he asks for those he assists is for them to pay it forward down the road.

Check out this episode to be inspired by how business can be done.

 

In this episode

• Monica Adair introduces Sean.
• We hear how Sean is inspired to change the world one beer at a time.
• We also learn about how Picaroons supports its industry as well as the arts.
• Sean gives us a brief history of craft brewing, both industry wide and for Picaroons since the mid 90’s.
• He tells us why he believes you are not truly an entrepreneur unless you are treading out there on the edge.
• Greg talks about risk taking behavior in his youth and how that relates to him as an entrepreneur today.
• Sean likens his path of an entrepreneur to a play-write and how you need to experience pain to tell the world about it.
• Sean also expands on knowing the part you are meant to play in the world and be willing to play it.
• We hear how he has inspired others to pay-it-forward in his industry.
• There is a discussion on why craft beer has such a following and how to keep the “spirit” of a craft brewer even when you are scaling quite large.
• Sean tells us if you want to understand Picaroons is, just go have a beer and a conversation with a friend.
• Dave is inspired by Sean’s authenticity, courage, and drive.
• Greg likes Sean’s notion of a CEO being a spiritual advisor for a company.

 

Links

- Picaroons' website

- Picaroons on Twitter

- Picaroons on Facebook

- Picaroons on Instagram

- Sean on Leadership Unleashed

 

 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Crafting the Life you want to Create

 

Introducing Stephen Kopp & Monica Adair of Acre Architects

As Stephen Kopp and Monica Adair could tell you, architecture isn’t only about designing buildings or spaces. Just as importantly, architecture is designing lives and purpose. Their company, Acre Architects, works around the world inspiring people to live great stories within and around their work. As they would say, you only live once and therefore you and your surroundings should be developed thoughtfully and with purpose.

Acre Architects broadens the field of architecture and design and was selected as one of this year’s young emerging firms in Canada for Twenty + Change. At the core of Monica and Stephen’s philosophy is an understanding of the unique opportunity that creative collaboration offers for the exploration of new ideas and achievement of new outcomes. Check out this episode of the Boiling Point to consider just how thoughtful design truly affects your life.

 

 

In this episode

• Monica and Stephen try out some of our Boiling Point beer.
• We find out what attracts such great architects to New Brunswick and Saint John.
• We discover what the meaning of storied architecture is.
• Monica and Stephen tell us how they feel that their job is like a cross between a coach and a storyteller.
• We also learn about how great physical design has changed the lives of their clients.
• There is a discussion on how memory can influence design.
• We also discuss how it is still okay to claim partial credit from collaborative success.
• Monica notes the folly if everyone “aims at the biggest target” at the same time, and perhaps you can shoot your arrow and then paint your target around it.

 

Links

- Acre website

- Acre on Twitter

- Monica on Twitter

- Stephen on Twitter

- Monica on Linked In

- Stephen on Linked In

 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices