We’re kicking off Season 3 with two international 2nd year MBA students, Fabliha Mahmood and Arthur Benitez, who share what it was really like to land in Canada, face the nerves of orientation, and start building a brand-new life. From getting lost on the way to campus to assembling furniture and finding their people, they talk candidly about what helped, what they wish they’d done differently, and how new students can ease into the whirlwind. If you’re about to start your MBA (or any big new chapter), you’ll see yourself in their stories.

In our season finale, we sit down with Ange McCabe, CEO of Intuity Performance, certified coach, and fellow “recovering HR professional”—to explore what it really means to lead with your whole self. Ange shares why leadership transformation is often quieter than we expect, how coaching can bridge the gap between technical skill and human connection, and why we can't separate who we are at work from who we are everywhere else. A grounded take on leadership, coaching, and why the small shifts often matter most.

Trying something a little different this episode as we talk with (instead of ‘to’) part-time MBA student Curtis Middleton all about the fear that gets in each of our ways. Curtis with the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), Tiffany with the Fear of People’s Opinions (FOPO), and Paul with the Fear of Joining In (FOJI). We each share our own experiences with these fears, where they show up, how they can actually help us, and how we use others to help balance us. If you subscribe to any of these fears, know you’re not alone. We struggle with them too!

Talking with Katie O’Malley, owner of (en)Courage Coaching and self proclaimed “Career Nomad” about how her (really interesting and squiggly) career has been guided by both but, and yes-and. She gives us great advice on how to find your career non-negotiables while at the same time understanding that no experience is a waste. Katie is a true demonstration of the true alignment and fulfillment that can be found when you lean into self-awareness, intuition, and hard work. If you’re trying to figure out how to honor yourself in your career, and find what truly fits, this is a must listen.

Talking to Jenna Dahl, Manager, Student Wellness Services with MacEwan University - who also happens to be Paul’s previous colleague - about how she harmonizes her role, being a mom of 2, business owner, and competitive Pole dancer. Jenna quickly notes that it’s not about work/life balance, but rather it’s work/life harmony that adjusts through the ebbs and flows of life. Finding her own harmony hasn’t always been easy, and she offers some great tips and experience how to navigate life in a way that truly allows you to do it all.

Talking with recent MBA grad Guoxu Li about the mindset needed to truly find success. Known as someone highly skilled in the world of finance and economics, what makes Guoxu truly stand out isn’t (just) his technical skill, but more so his approach to mindset, relationships, and life in general. A conversation so powerful and inspiring, it sparked the first tears we’ve seen in 60 episodes (from Tiffany). He starts reminding us that ‘growth is more about mindset than academics’ and the wisdom continues the entire episode. Truly a must watch/listen.

Talking with Griffin Mumby, MD/MBA student as he wraps up his MBA journey and shares how impactful it has been, but how it was also born from a setback. If you had asked Griffin a few years ago, an MBA wasn’t his plan. But life sometimes has other plans, and it’s up to us to either lean in, embrace the suck, and focus on what we can control - or lean out. Griffin is a prime example of what can happen when you choose the former. Experiencing a set-back? Not sure what to do when life doesn’t go according to plan? Give this a listen.

Talking with Vivika Sharma, one of our team’s stellar interns, about how her year-long internship in CWIL has helped shape her and her personal brand. Vivika is very much ‘ahead of the curve’ when it comes to what she knows about herself, how she’s grown, and her confidence in her ability to thrive ‘wherever the wind takes her’. There are just some students that you know are going to make big differences, and Vivika is one!

Talking with 2nd year MBA student Shida Liu about what it is that has led to a truly successful MBA journey. As someone who is always authentic, and focused on treasuring every experience and building strong relationships, it’s easy to see why Shida is well respected AND why he’s had a successful MBA journey. He’s a brilliant demonstration of why you should never say never, and always be open to what possibilities might show up.

Talking with MBA alumni Marina Barbu (‘21) about how she successfully navigated a (rather significant) career pivot from hospitality management into pharmaceuticals and innovation. Marina skillfully navigated the (large) gap between these seemingly disparity industries because she know what was important to her: impact, adventure, and curiosity. And utilized an unwavering dedication to building strong relationships that continues to support her success today. Facing a pivot? No matter how big it is, Marina’s advice is a sure-fire recipe that anyone can use to find success.