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Boiling Point Podcast
Boiling Point Podcast episodes
- Boiling Point - Episode 077 - Ken MacLeod
Pounce on your Opportunities
Introducing Ken MacLeod
Sometimes the only thing holding you back from achieving any goal is your own hesitation. No journey has ever happened where someone hasn’t taken the first step. Ken MacLeod and the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra know all about this.
Back in 2002, Ken’s daughter had finally been accepted into the NBYO after applying for her third time. When Ken was dropping her off at a summer camp weekend, when he heard that the NBYO had been invited to perform at Carnegie Hall. There was only one problem; the orchestra was not in the financial position to accept the invite. However, Ken thought, “how can we not say yes?” and started working toward raising the $140,000 it would take to join the show. At the time, the orchestra comprised of 70 musicians and one orchestra. They had an annual budget of $25,000 and only two part-time staff members. The orchestra would perform five concerts with a total of 1,000 patrons. Not only did Ken raise the money for the Carnegie Hall concert, but over the years and under his leadership the orchestra now has 800 kids with a budget of $2.5 million, 55 employees, 82 concerts yearly, with 31,000 patrons.
Ken credits the success from recognizing opportunities when they come and pouncing on them. He sees decisiveness as the number one quality of leadership and through his lack of hesitation the NBYO has won an East Coast Music Award, been nominated for three others. They have also been the subject of two nationally televised documentaries (including Sistema Revolution produced by Hemmings House Pictures). Most importantly the NBYO has produced social change for underprivileged children by increasing their focus, cooperation, and discipline, as well as, improving their academic performance and school absenteeism.
Check out this week’s Boiling Point to learn why it is important to jump at your opportunities and to see how a small group of people can make real social change.
In this episode
- Ken tells us how he got involved with the NBYO and how he knows Greg.
- We hear about the amazing transformation the NBYO has had in the last decade.
- Ken tells us how pouncing at opportunities is the real key to success.
- Ken tells us how a revolutionary program in Venezuela impacted the NBYO and how both programs have become a shinning example to the world.
- We discuss how classical music is not just for the elite and can actually be the spark toward social change.
- We learn how the NBYO and El Sistema have changed the lives of kids in New Brunswick.
- Ken discusses the perils of hesitation and how leadership is just ordinary people doing extraordinary things one-step at a time.
- Ken also tells us what is next for the NBYO.
- Dave appreciates Ken’s approach to leadership and his practical way of seeing opportunity and taking steps toward it.
- Greg is inspired by how Ken puts in so much time toward something that isn’t his fulltime job and how a small group of people can make such a huge impact.
- Greg also tells our audience how they can see Hemmings House’s “Sistema Revolution”
Links
- The New Brunswick Youth Orchestra Website
- The New Brunswick Youth Orchestra on Facebook
- The New Brunswick Youth Orchestra on Twitter
- The New Brunswick Youth Orchestra on YouTube
- El Sistema Websites
- Watch Sistema Revolution (Canadians Only)
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29 min - Boiling Point - Episode 076 - Jeff Schnurr
Conservation Capitalism
Introducing Jeff Schnurr
The saying goes, “there is more than one way to skin a cat.” The same is true for conservation. The choice doesn’t have to be between jobs and preservation because there is a middle ground. Jeff Schnurr knows this, and his organization, Community Forests International, both aids in the conservation of forests and is a moneymaking entity.
After he completed high school in Sackville, New Brunswick, Jeff started tree planting and traveling the world. He ended up in Pemba, Tanzania (an island in the Indian Ocean), where over the years his efforts led to trees being planted, renewable energy projects, as well as agriculture projects. The goal was to work with the community in Pemba and develop new ways for people on the island to live on the land and make an income. Through the efforts of Community Forests International, over 1.5 million trees, over 100 football fields of agriculture have been produced.
Jeff has since taken what he has learned from the Pemba projects and translated them back to New Brunswick and developed a way practice sustainable forestry while storing carbon and selling carbon offsets. Check out this week’s Boiling Point to see how conservation and capitalism can work in harmony.
In this episode
- We hear how Jeff got involved with worldwide conservation.
- Jeff discusses the great things that are happening in Pemba, and how he has taken what he has learned back to Canada.
- We learn how not all forestry is harmful and practices that actually improve the health of the forest.
- We discuss the middle ground of conservation and capitalism.
- Jeff describes his interesting business model and what carbon trading is all about.
- He also tells us how he focuses his attention with projects happening on both sides of the world.
- Jeff also tells us about how it is easy to find people when you have an organization based on a belief.
- We learn why New Brunswick was low-hanging fruit for Community Forests International and what comes next for the organization.
- Dave loves how Community Forests International has an educational component and learns how much potential we have in our woods.
- Greg loves the idea of taking on conservation with an entrepreneurial approach.
Links
- Community Forests International Website
- Community Forests International Facebook
- Community Forests International Twitter
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29 min - Victoria Clarke: Discover Saint John
Discover Saint John
Introducing Victoria Clarke
Victoria Clarke has an enviable job for all of those who live and love Saint John, New Brunswick. Back in July, Victoria took the job as Executive Director of Discover Saint John, the destination marketing organization for the place that the Boiling Point calls home. For many, Saint John is a city you drive past on the highway on your way to other destinations. However, for those in the know, Saint John is a hidden gem consisting of authentic, genuine people, unique surroundings, and quaint businesses and services. Like Victoria says, Saint John is like the prettiest girl at the dance with low self-esteem; sometimes those who live in the city forget just how great they have it.
Part of Victoria’s mandate is to encourage those in the business world to bring their conferences and annual general meetings to Saint John. The city is a terrific spot for such events because of the close proximity of hotels, world-class restaurants, activities, and some of the most welcoming people you could find. Those who come in from the bigger cities are impressed with all this little place can offer in convenience and quality.
Check out Boiling Point this week for a love-in for the city we hold so dear, Saint John.
In this episode
- Dave starts us out with a little story about running into Victoria in a hotel parking lot.
- We talk about what we love about the city of Saint John and what makes the city so unique.
- Greg makes a pitch to sell his waterfront cottage in Quispamsis.
- Victoria reminds us of some of the great activities and sights that tourists and stay-cationers can take part in.
- We talk about the unique personality of the city and its people.
- Victoria reminds all Saint Johners to be ambassadors of their city.
- She also tells us how Discover Saint John can be an asset to planning your unique event.
- Everyone shares one of their own quirky Saint John finds.
Links
- Discover Saint John website
- Discover Saint John YouTube
- Discover Saint John Facebook
- Discover Saint John Twitter
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33 min - Boiling Point - Episode 074 - Shawn Smith
Understanding DisAbilities
Introducing Shawn Smith
Shawn Smith grew up believing he was a dumb kid. Though he tried in school, he didn’t receive the marks he had hoped for. He failed grade eight and made 32 attempts to complete his 18 credits for high school. It wasn’t until the age of 30, that he was finally diagnosed with ADHD and was given a prescription for Ritalin that he realized that his difficulties were not from a lack of motivation but a lapse in communication.
Shawn has since received his masters’ degree in education and counseling and fights the stigma of disability with his organization, Don’t Dis My Ability. He now helps families, individuals, and companies that deal with the issue of disability with a message that it isn’t motivation that is lacking but communication. He offers tools to those that are currently struggling with disability, which can turn a problem into an opportunity with an asset-based mentality. Tune into this week’s episode of the Boiling Point to hear how we are all brilliant in our own way.
In this episode
- We recognize the importance of National Inclusion Month.
- Shawn tells his story of growing up thinking something was wrong with him and how it all changed with his diagnosis at age 30.
- Shawn explains what he means by saying it isn’t what is wrong with him but what is right.
- He explains why often there is not an absence of motivation but proper communication.
- We hear a tale of an employee that Shawn worked with in New Brunswick, and the amazing turn-around that happened.
- Shawn explains a few of the tools he uses to produce results.
- He explains what he means by an asset-based mentality.
- Shawn also tells us about apps and animations being developed along side previous BP guest Gene Fowler.
- We also hear about a camp for children with learning disabilities that Shawn is currently working on.
- Dave is moved by Shawnn’s ability to share a story in order to help people understand an issue.
- Greg believes that employers need to continue to educate themselves and always strive for empathy with their employees and that everyone is brilliant in their own way.
Links
- Don't Dis My Ability
- Gene Fowler's BP Episode
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31 min - Boiling Point - Episode 073 - Nelson Cabral
The Era of Creative Leadership
Introducing Nelson Cabral
Businesses that specialize in the creative understand that a creative leadership style can be very advantageous to a company culture. However, this leadership style can often be missing in in traditional industries. The old-style, top-down leadership structure of the past just isn’t working anymore for some businesses and the old guard of traditional leaders is looking for an innovative approach to change their company cultures.
Nelson Cabral is one of the people leading the charge to change the way we lead. Nelson spent many years traversing the different creative industries. He was a former creative director at an advertising firm, a film director, and even a musical theatre leading man. Now, Nelson is a public speaker, trainer and seminar leader, and his company Cabral Creative is teaching the skills of creative leadership to numerous companies.
A study from IBM a few years back surveyed CEOs from around the world found that creativity was the number one, most important quality from any leader. Tune into this week’s Boiling Point to find out how you and your organization could improve with creative leadership.
In this episode
- Nelson suggests a new way for Greg and Dave to greet our guests.
- We hear how Nelson is a creative leadership triple threat and what his over two-decade experience in the advertising business taught him about creativity.
- We discuss how EVERYONE can be creative, not just “creative-types”.
- Nelson explains how many leaders get stuck in their typical way of leading which is predictable and risk-adverse.
- We distinguish what creative leadership looks like.
- Nelson brings us through his “Creative Storm” and how it aids in changing company culture.
- He tells us that leaders need to set the stage for creativity but not necessarily perform on it.
- We discuss why creative leadership is so important now and some examples of those leading the creative leadership charge.
- Dave is impressed with Nelson’s energetic approach and how the coaching approach can be very similar to the creative leadership approach.
- Dave also notes that it may be easier to change your current company culture than to just move on to somewhere else.
- Greg emphasizes how everyone can be creative, not just “creative-types”.
Links
- Cabral Creative
- NelsonCabral.ca
- Creativity Inc. by Ed Catmull
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31 min - Boiling Point - Episode 072 - Mark Hemmings
Where your passions will take you
Introducing Mark Hemmings
Almost every younger brother looks up to his older sibling, and there is no exception in the Hemmings family. Greg’s older brother, Mark, shaped his likes, choices, and life. They shared similar interests and even found themselves in similar industries coincidentally.
Mark is an internationally renowned photographer that specializes in travel, fashion, commercial, and architectural photography. In 1997, Mark was a student at the University of New Brunswick-Saint John, when he was hired by the university to travel to Japan to recruit English-as-a-second-language students. Mark turned out to be a horrible recruiter, but left the country with a new passion. Mark had started taking pictures, really, for the first time in his life and fell in love with the art. Photography is a passion that he falls in love with more each and every day.
Mark now works around the world at his craft and was also able to fuse two more of his passions into his career, which are travel and teaching. Mark holds photography workshops around the world for those of any skill level and piece of equipment. His workshops span the gamut; his students travel to such places as Mexico, Japan, Eastern Europe, and South Korea.
Check out this week’s episode to learn how you can turn your passion into your career.
In this episode
- We hear how Greg and Mark got into very similar industries completely separately.
- Mark tells us how a trip to Japan changed the course of his life.
- He tells us how he got is start in photography in the movie industry.
- Mark tells us how he teaches students how to capture amazing images regardless of their skill level or type of equipment.
- He tells us about how his love of photography grows every day.
- We hear how Greg is a jack-of-all-trades but master of none, and how Mark seems to be a master of anything he touches.
- Mark tells us how technology changes in the photography industry keep his passion fueled.
- He also explains how his work must always honor the people, city, and culture of the places he photographs and about his favorite gig in Transylvania.
- Dave admires Mark’s spiritual side and how he uses his art to change the world.
- Greg believes that you don’t have to be a professional to get that great feeling and results of art and that technology has little to do with the output of art.
Links
- MarkHemmings.com
- Mark's Instagram
- Mark's Twitter
- Mark's Facebook
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27 min - Boiling Point - Episode 071 - Josh Martin
The Badge of Awesome
Introducing Josh Martin
Sometimes the knocks that life throws at us are the pivot point to a better way. Josh Martin knows all about this. At 27 years old, Josh was diagnosed with leukemia and given a 50/50 chance at survival. One of the first nights in hospital for his chemo treatments, Josh started to compile a list—his reasons to fight. The list was a combination of items that made his life awesome and the stream of consciousness quickly developed into 118 items.
The experience with cancer also ignited Josh’s aspirations. He wanted to chase his dreams and do what he was passionate about. To Josh, this was story telling. He left his job as a project coordinator with an international development organization to chase his dream, become an entrepreneur, and write. Now Josh is also a motivational speaker and the creator of Badge of Awesome.com.
Take the time to listen to this week’s episode of the Boiling Point to be inspired to take your next step toward the person YOU want to be.
In this episode
- Dave tells us how he came across Josh by chance.
- Josh tells us about Badge of Awesome and the type of humorous and advice content it has.
- Josh tells us about his “wake-up call” from cancer and how it inspired him to follow his passions.
- Greg mentions how many of his friends are also in “early mid-life crisis” mode.
- Josh offers us a great thought from Martin Luther King Jr. about taking the first step.
- He also reminds us that we don’t need to have a “near death” experience to make positive changes in our life.
- Josh tells us that we should all take time and space to reflect and gives hints for building a tribe.
- He also tells us about his simple treasures project.
- Dave reflects on how certain experiences drive change and how the bumps in the road in life can be made into something positive.
- Greg echoes that crisis can allow for amazing changes and that you don’t need to know your destination but just have to take the first step.
Links
- The Badge of Awesome Website
- Badge of Awesome on Twitter
- Badge of Awesome on Facebook
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30 min - Boiling Point - Episode 070 - Nora Livingstone
B Corp Adventure
Introducing Nora Livingstone
What do you do when you have a thirst for travel and adventure, as well as a heart for the welfare of animals? You start a business. At least that is what Nora Livingstone did.
Back in 2012, Nora was approached by her veterinarian friend about starting a business that would link ethical animal groups around the world to people interested in lending a helping hand. Nora jumped at this opportunity despite a lack of experience in business because it fulfilled her lust for adventure and altruism.
Together they founded Animal Experience International. Their goal was to be asked by organizations helping animals around the world to find helping hands, and the way to gather people was by building trust. One great way to establishing trust was a B Corp designation on their business that would prove they are ethical and they are truly helping the animals and the communities surrounding them.
Nora’s top tip for new entrepreneurs is the power of “the ask”. There are so many people that are willing and able to lend assistance if you just open the doors to your world. This philosophy has allowed Nora to have a confidence that if she doesn’t know the answer to problem, that through her network she will eventually figure everything out.
In this episode
- Nora tells us about just a few of the experiences she has had around the world helping countless types of animals.
- Nora tells us the importance of knowing whether your volun-tourism operator is ethical and justice-focused.
- We hear how becoming a B Corp has given Animal Experience International increased credibility with its customers.
- Dave recounts an unfortunate snake farm tour.
- We learn that AEI’s customers range from youth to the elderly.
- Nora explains how adventure leads to the coolest opportunities.
- She also tells us about the power of “the ask” and what it has meant for her and her company’s growth.
- Greg appreciates Nora’s adventurous spirit and suggests that entrepreneurs treat their business with the same enthusiasm.
- Dave likes the confidence Nora gains from admitting when she doesn’t know something, but is going to figure it out.
Links
- Animal Experience International's website
- Animal Experience International's Twitter
- Animal Experience International's Facebook
- Animal Experience International's Instagram
- Nora's Twitter
- B Corp Website
- Hemmings Houses' "Melting Lands"
Melting Lands from Hemmings House on Vimeo.
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30 min - Boiling Point - Episode 069 - Greg Faxon
Reengineering your Passion
Introducing Greg Faxon
There are many people out there that need some help reorganizing their lives and businesses. Some people are in an unfulfilling job, and others are in the midst of a startup and need guidance. Even seasoned entrepreneurs need a kick-start from time to time to reengineer their business to work for their needs. A great way to navigate the path of where you are to where you want to be is to invest in a coach.
Greg Faxon is an executive coach who experienced a lot of dissatisfaction at his previous job. It wasn’t that it wasn’t a great job; he was working in market research and consulting around the world. Greg knew that he was a long way from the boardroom and some parts of his job just made him feel brain dead. He decided to make a change for the better by hiring his own personal coach, which eventually led him down the path of opening up his own coaching business. Now, Greg finds himself helping the very same type of people that he was like not too long ago.
Check out this week’s episode of Boiling Point to get the scoop on coaching and lessons on how you can take the next step toward your own personal gratification.
In this episode
- Greg Hemmings tells us how he met and got to know the other Greg.
- Greg Faxon tells us his origin story of what made him go into coaching.
- Greg goes on to tell us how he was inspired while jogging through the zoo and the parallels he saw between himself and the wolves.
- He tells us how hiring his own coach expedited his personal journey, uncovered hidden fears, and set him on a path toward success.
- We learn why coaching is a better way to go than just reading a book or taking a seminar in personal development.
- Greg tells us about his B.R.A.V.E. Business Framework.
- We learn how our host, Greg’s favorite part of the coaching experience was the accountability it provided.
- We also learn what this accountability means and that it isn’t just a “homework buddy”.
- We also hear how Greg got an important message on bravery from Seth Godin.
- Dave likes Greg’s cerebral approach and his ability to educate quickly so that people can understand what they are consuming.
- Greg Hemmings appreciates that though accountability was his favorite part of the coach relationship that it must be the type of accountability that eliminates co-dependence.
Links
- Greg's Website
- Greg's Facebook
- Greg's Twitter
- Greg's YouTube
- Seth Godin's Website
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30 min - Boiling Point - Episode 068 - Derek Riedle
Prepare to be Civilized
Re-introducing Derek Riedle
Sometimes you come up with an idea that is so timely that you feel you must seize your opportunity. Derek Riedle had one of these eureka moments recently, but did not sit by and wait for someone else to grab the opportunity. Derek is the head of Revolution Strategy and also the co-producer (along with our own Greg Hemmings) of Hemmings House’s new series, “The Real Houses of…” However, Derek’s new idea had him so excited that he went from concept to launch in a half of a year.
Derek saw a disconnect between the way that cannabis culture was being expressed in popular media and the true face of the people that partake. The stereotype of the lazy, slacker pot smoker doesn’t reflect on millions of successful, motivated people that use cannabis recreationally. While there has been content developed for the cannabis community, Derek saw a void for the millions of upscale, high income, educated and profession smokers. So, starting last week Derek and his team launched Civilized, which provides content for the elevated cannabis culture. The online publication doesn’t just discuss cannabis however; there are articles about travel, business, entrepreneurialism, science and technology as well because the elevated cannabis culture doesn’t define themselves by what they smoke.
Check out this week’s bonus episode to find out how you to can become Civilized.
In this episode
- Derek tells us about his steps into the digital publication world.
- We here how civilized leverages both Derek’s home base of Los Angeles and his hometown of Saint John, New Brunswick.
- We here how Derek’s knack of spotting trends led him to launching Civilized.
- Derek tells us about a unique, and early opportunity to talk with singer Melissa Etheridge about her new brand of cannabis infused wines.
- Derek tells us about his success with finding start-up investment and how you still have the opportunity to get in at the ground floor.
- We also learn about the amazing team of content creators and advisors that Derek was able to gather.
- Dave is inspired by Derek’s capability to see an opportunity and seize it.
- He also appreciates Derek’s choice to find opportunities around the world but to include his hometown in the execution.
- Greg notes that Derek has proven that things like this can be done and quickly.
Links
- Civilized Website
- Civilized on Facebook
- Civilized on Twitter
- Revolution Strategy
- The Real Houses of... Website
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30 min