In this episode of Bright Lights, Bernie Malinoff sits down with Idan Driman, VP of Marketing at Pet Valu, to explore the rapidly evolving world of pet retail and what truly drives brand love in this deeply emotional category.

Idan shares how early memories with his childhood dog shaped his marketing philosophy, why authenticity is non-negotiable for pet parents, and the mindset shifts that transformed Pet Valu’s team from a production function into strategic storytellers. He breaks down the award-winning Love Lives Here platform, how creativity and performance fuel each other, and the role of purpose-driven leadership in building high-performing teams.

The conversation also shines a light on Companions for Change, Pet Valu’s nationwide commitment to animal welfare that has raised over $32M and helped more than 51,000 pets find forever homes.

If you’re a marketer, a pet lover, or simply someone interested in how purpose and performance can coexist, this episode is full of thoughtful insights and inspiring lessons.

In this inspiring episode of Bright Lights, host Bernie Malinoff sits down with Jennifer La Forge, General Manager of Rakuten, to explore what it takes to lead with authenticity in today's rapidly changing business landscape.

Jennifer shares how her upbringing on a farm shaped her approach to leadership, emphasizing the importance of grit, tenacity, and treating your team like family. From building psychologically safe workplaces to navigating uncertainty with transparency, Jennifer offers practical wisdom on creating cultures where both performance and morale thrive.

The conversation also dives into Jennifer's commitment to giving back through her board work with Easter Seals, helping children with physical disabilities access life-changing camp experiences. She opens up about the personal habits that fuel her energy and success, including the transformative power of weightlifting and continuous learning.

Whether you're an executive, aspiring leader, or simply someone who values purpose-driven work, Jennifer's story will leave you feeling energized to lead with more humanity and impact.

In this episode of Bright Lights in Conversation with Element54, Bernie Malinoff sits down with Joe Adamo, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Transat and President of Transat Distribution Canada, as he reflects on his remarkable career in aviation. From early lessons in curiosity and engagement to navigating the challenges of customer experience, analytics, and post-pandemic recovery, Joe shares what has driven Transat’s success and the culture he’s helped shape. As Joe prepares for semi-retirement, he also reveals insights into leadership, succession planning, and the exciting next chapter in his life.

Join Bernie Malinoff as he sits down with Jake Karls, the founder and emotional heartbeat behind Mid-Day Squares. In this conversation, Jake dives deep into what it means to lead with authenticity, vulnerability, and energy in both business and life. From pranking friends to building a CPG brand that resonates with millions, Jake shares the lessons he’s learned about emotional transparency, managing burnout, and the power of connecting with people through storytelling.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a leader, or someone looking for inspiration to bring more of your true self into your work, this episode is packed with insights on building community, fueling creativity, and staying unapologetically real.

BeaverTails CEO Pino Di Ioia joins host Bernie Malinoff to unpack a 38-year journey from summer job to franchisee to owner of an iconic Canadian brand. Pino shares formative lessons from his immigrant parents, the golf-course side hustle that revealed his entrepreneurial streak at 11, and how family, community, and service shaped his leadership. We get candid on setbacks (including a literal “lemonade” mishap), the art of flavor drops and innovation without losing your roots, and why supporting youth mental health through Jack.org aligns with BeaverTails’ purpose to “make happy happier.” The conversation closes with legacy, passion, and the emotions great hospitality creates.

With the upcoming global insights and analytics ESOMAR Congress in Toronto this September, we ask three questions to industry leaders, including what excites them most about the future of insights. In this episode, we speak with Jasmine Sachdeva, who leads the consumer, shopper, and analytics Centre of Excellence for Arterra Canada. Arterra owns and distributes 100+ wine brands in Canada, including Jackson-Triggs, Inniskillin, and Sandbanks.

With the upcoming global insights and analytics ESOMAR Congress in Toronto this September, we ask three questions to industry leaders, including what excites them most about the future of insights. Our first guest is Kristin Luck, President of ESOMAR, and founder of the consultancy, ScaleHouse, where she serves as an advisor and growth strategist to firms in the marketing services and technology space.

Learn about sustainability from two special guests from Equifruit: Jennie Coleman, Owner and President and Kim Chackal, Director of Sales and Marketing. Get insights into the supply chain of the fruit that is in over 90% of weekly Canadian grocery baskets, what each individual can do to help support sustainable practices, and why companies should be bold about what they're doing in this space.

In this interview with Michael Fazio, Director of Sales & Head of Sustainability at Conagra Brands, we explore his perspective on the main barriers to sustainability, the mindsets required to hold ourselves accountable, and how innovative solutions don't have to cost much money or any money at all.

In this interview with Zachary Dominitz, Global SVP of Account Management at Terracycle, we explore how his background makes him a natural champion for sustainability, what he sees as the biggest barriers to recycling, and why it all has to start with education.