As storyteller-in-chief at CodeWord Communications for 20+ years and a part-time writing professor, Suzanne Bowness has built a successful freelance writing business.   

Now, she’s written, “The Feisty Freelancer: A friendly guide to visioning, planning and growing your writing business,” published by Dundurn Press in 2025. It helps readers get started on the writing journey. Tune into this Career Buzz episode to hear Sue’s career story, how it felt being laid off at 25, and how she turned that bad experience into good outcomes. Learning about planning any business, getting work, pitching services, getting paid, and gaining flexibility and working-from-home options.  

In the past, what happened in your car typically stayed in your car. That is no longer the case. The influx of digital innovations, from infotainment connectivity to over-the-air (OTA) software updates, is turning cars into information clearinghouses. While delivering significant customer value, these changes also expose vehicles to the seamier side of the digital revolution. Hackers and other black-hat intruders are attempting to gain access to critical in-vehicle electronic units and data, potentially compromising critical safety functions and customer privacy. In this episode, Stephen Armstrong and AJ Khan, addresses this topic.

Guest Bio

AJ Khan is the Founder of Vehiqilla Inc and has over 20 years of experience in Governance, Risk & Compliance, and 13 years of experience in Cybersecurity Innovation and Emerging Technologies. AJ is an ardent advocate of Cyber Security and Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) and in his view, there is a critical need to address Cyber Security in today’s Connected and Cloud deployments and if considerable effort is not made to address this issue, corporations will incorporate considerable Security Debt that will manifest itself later in the form of major security breaches.  AJ’s is a published author and his book “Automotive Cyber Governance”, is focused on defining cyber governance best practices for the Connected, Autonomous and Electric Vehicles. 

Associate Professor at the University of Warwick, Dr Gill Frigerio’s career term was making connections. Take the time to listen to Dr Gill’s tips and commit to reflect on your connections. Roy C. Vella encouraged us to be curious and open to experiences and taking risks.  Think about it, how curious are you? Listen, reflect and answer! Join Hoda Kilani and her guests on Career Buzz and increase your Career Literacy.

Guest Bios

Roy Vella Roy is a well-known digital strategy expert, professional speaker, and independent Non-Exec Director, Advisor & Consultant to enterprises large and small. As a resourceful Stanford JD/MBA and US/UK citizen, Roy has proven complex problem-solving skills and global execution delivering high-growth, digitally-driven teams. He runs a management consultancy providing strategic advice and commercial services to digital leaders globally, particularly as an expert in the deeptech, fintech, smart home industries. In EMEA, he engaged many notable, brand name clients as well as many London-based incubators and their fast-growing European start-ups.

Dr Gill Frigerio is an Associate Professor in the Centre for Lifelong Learning at the University of Warwick who leads on the Centre's qualifications in Career Studies and Coaching. Prior to moving into a teaching role, Gill worked in career development practice and management, and most recently was Head of Careers in the Centre for Student Careers and Skills at Warwick. Gill's teaching interests cover theory and practice in career coaching; working with vocation and calling; as well as researching career development practice. She has research interests in intersectional approaches to women's career development, socially just careers work and supporting practitioners as researchers. Gill is the Chair of NICEC, a learned society for those working in career development. She has recently completed a Doctorate in Education looking at a 'calling-informed' framework for career development practice and particularly focusing on women's experiences of work and faith.

Martina Rowley has organization and precision in her blood. Having been raised, educated and trained in Germany, her work ethic and style reflect her heritage. After a 20-year career as an executive assistant, Martina completed a business training program and then started her own business as a virtual business manager (VBM) and Certified Canadian Virtual Assistant (CCVA).   In her new book, “Supercharged Productivity: Overworked. Overwhelmed. Over it.”, Martina shares proven productivity and time management strategies.  

When you are working on your own career, Dr Ingrid reminds us that you have a responsibility to remember that you are part of something bigger. Do you agree or disagree? Stay tuned as Dr Ingrid introduces us to the career culture in Norway and the concept of collective individualism.

Frank shared the two most important attributes looked for by HR managers. Do you have any ideas on how to ensure that you portray these attributes during an interview? Together let’s learn from Frank’s 40 years of experience as he talks about the difference between employed and employable and so much more!

Listen, reflect and answer! Join Hoda and her guests on Career Buzz and increase your Career Literacy.

GUEST BIOS

Dr Ingrid Bårdsdatter Bakke

Dr. Ingrid is a postdoctoral fellow and Assistant professor working at the Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, in Lillehammer, Norway.

Her research focuses on Norwegian and Nordic work culture and how it affects career guidance, career guidance and policy, integrated guidance and career guidance in the welfare system. She lectures and supervises students on the MSc in Career Guidance, and is a Further Education Counsellor of Students on career theory, career guidance, national culture and organisational theory.

Frank Newman

For over 40 years, Frank has worked in Human Resources to create great working environments where the best people want to come to work every day.

His pioneering work in compassionate leaves led to the creation of the Employment Insurance Compassionate Care Leave which has benefited thousands of Canadians as they care for family members during critical illnesses.

Frank and his team service clients that include a wide variety of small and medium sized businesses in South Western Ontario including manufacturing, agri-business, IT services, trucking, accounting, brewing, water sports, professional associations, medical and veterinary clinics, not-for-profit organizations, as well as musicians and even a magician.

As a Certified HR Leader, Frank is an HR mentor for the Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, an HR subject matter expert with Launchpad at Wilfrid Laurier University, and a volunteer mentor for the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre. An accomplished speaker and HR Leader, Frank has presented to many community and industry groups including numerous Chambers of Commerce and Rotary Clubs. He has also appeared on CTV Kitchener News and has been a frequent commentator on Human Resources issues on 570 Radio Kitchener.

A discussion with host Stephen Armstrong and guest Peter Devita on the new e-petition (E-5117) asking the Prime Minister to call an emergency 1st Ministers’ Conference to deal with dangers to Canadians from Cyber System Security Attacks and the inappropriate use of AI. The petition calling on our political leaders to put their heads together and address severe issues of Cyber-attacks. There is no stopping technology advancement and application in everyday life. Formal Technology management in necessary to safeguard the future. Nations that do not advance or manage technology have no future.  How do we do this?  The engineering and applied science professions have the know how that parliamentarians need to partner with. This thinking is missing both from our politicians and from the profession itself.

Peter DeVita Bio

Peter is a licensed P.Eng and is past president of the Professional Engineers Ontario in 2001. Peter founded his electronics manufacturing company in 1977.  He is currently president of Engineers for the profession. He is a graduate of the University of Toronto holding a BASc & MASc in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.  He also holds an MBA from York University with focus on Marketing and Economics.  He has taught courses at Sheridan College, and Centennial Colleges overseeing the development of two degree courses in software and network technology. He wrote a book on the engineering profession organizations called:  “A Search for Advocacy – Creating the Canadian Engineering Profession”

Dr Paul Hartung told us to be mindful individually and reflect on what gives us meaning. When you can answer that question, you can find work that will fit in with who you are and what is meaningful to you. Think about it, what gives you meaning?

Together let’s learn from Tracey’s experience as she talks about Labour Market Information, Forecasting and so much more! Tracey Campbell advised us to value Labour Market Information for our career success. Do you agree or disagree?

Reflect and answer these questions using Hoda’s chats with Dr Paul and Tracey as your prompts! Join Hoda and her guests and increase your Career Literacy.

Guest Bios

Paul J. Hartung, Ph.D. is Professor and Vice-Chair, Department of Family and Community Medicine at Northeast Ohio Medical University where he directs the College of Medicine’s first-year course in the psychosocial foundations of clinical medicine.

He serves on the editorial boards for Journal of Vocational Behavior (2003- ), Journal of Career Assessment (1997- ), International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance (2012- ), Australian Journal of Career Development (2021- ), African Journal of Career Development (2018- ), and British Journal of Guidance and Counselling (2023- ). He is current Past President Division 16 (Counseling, 2022-26) of the International Association of Applied Psychology (IAAP) and past editor for The Career Development Quarterly (2014-2021).
For his outstanding contributions to the science and profession of psychology and the field of career development, he received the American Psychological Association (APA) Division 17 John L. Holland Award, the National Career Development Association (NCDA) Eminent Career Award, and the APA Society for Vocational

Tracey Campbell has been a career development practitioner for over twenty-five years. She spent the first 15 years delivering career and employment services directly to youth and unemployed adults in Alberta – specializing in clients with multiple employment challenges.

Tracey has worked in both direct services as well as public policy development. She currently works for the Government of Alberta as a Senior Policy Analyst specializing in career development and labour market research.
She is a proud member of the Asia Pacific Career Development Association, National Career Development Association and the Career Development Association of Alberta – promoting the certification of career development professionals and championing career development for Canadians and citizens around the world.

Which term would you use to describe your story so far? Dr Kris Magnusson used one term to take listeners on a journey that combined his life mission as well as the history and challenges in the career field. Stay tuned as Dr Magnusson introduces us to the 5 Ps, shares his career journey and reflects on what makes a great mentor. Join Hoda and her guest, Dr Kris Magnusson, on a journey to increase your Career Literacy.

Guest Bio

Dr. Magnusson is the Senior Advisor to the VP Academic, and is responsible for preparing and implementing the business case for SFU’s proposed new School of Medicine. Concurrently, he is serving as the acting Associate Vice President Academic, Teaching and Learning. During his time as dean, he also served two terms as the Chair of the Association of BC Deans of Education, was co-chair of the BC Advisory Group on Provincial Assessment, led the development of the ACDE Accord on Internationalization in Education, and was co-chair of the SFU Aboriginal Reconciliation Council.

Kris’ academic work is in the area of counselling psychology and career development. He was the recipient of the Province of Alberta Career Development Award of Excellence and the 2006 recipient of the Stu Conger Award for Leadership in Career Development.

Kris is also a cofounder of the Canadian Research Working Group for Evidence-based Practice. Prior to joining SFU, Kris was a junior high school teacher, a college counsellor, and a faculty member in counselling psychology at the Universities of Calgary and Lethbridge.

In this episode of Innovation Nation on Career Buzz, Stephen Armstrong invites Husam Sha'ath for a robust conversation. Business ethics is the moral principles, policies, and values that govern the way companies and individuals engage in business activity. It goes beyond legal requirements to establish a code of conduct that drives employee behavior at all levels and helps build trust between a business and its customers.  Business ethics refers to implementing appropriate business policies and practices with regard to arguably controversial subjects.  Some issues that come up in a discussion of ethics include corporate governance, insider trading, bribery, discrimination, social responsibility, and fiduciary responsibilities

Guest Bio

Husam Sha'ath is a seasoned consultant, coach, instructor and practitioner in the fields of Strategic Management, Implementation Management, Corporate Transformations and Project & Program Management.  He is the Founder and President of FORTE Management Consulting Inc., a Management Consulting and training firm based in Toronto.  Prior to that, Mr. Sha’ath was a Principal Consultant in Corporate and Operations Strategy with PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting in Toronto. He is past Chair of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Chapter Council of the Canadian Association of Management Consultants. He holds a BSc Mech Eng, and MBA, and is a Fellow Certified Management Consultant, and a UK Chartered Engineer.  He grew up in Kuwait worked in the Sultanate of Oman, and Jordan before immigrating to Canada in 1996.

On this episode of Career Buzz, Stephen Armstrong is joined by Tylaine Duggan to talk about "Working with and inspiring Youth in the 21st Century".  

There are a lot of things that fill us with hope for the future: Technology, science, ethical and accountable leaders, nonprofits, and even mission-driven corporations committed to doing good. But there are few things that give us more hope for the future than young people. In the age of information warfare and AI technology, young people come face-to-face daily with problems not of their own making: natural, and man-made disasters, injustices, student loan debt, mental health stigma, corrupt leaders and corporations, and endless social change.  So how do we help youth steer this global complexity to make the world a better place?

Tylaine Duggan Bio - a natural entrepreneur has dedicated her core career to advancing youth and community.  She has combined her extensive experience in business and management, to make a positive impact on the world via youth. Her philosophy of viewing challenges as opportunities and her belief in the power of imagination and enthusiasm are truly inspiring. Ms. Duggan has achieved numerous milestones, and accolades including being the recipient of; Canadian Profit Magazine “Top 100 Corporations” as Co-Founder & CEO of ISDN.  She has also received various International Women’s Achievements Awards. Her organization has received the personal endorsement of various prime minister’s of Canada and premier’s of Ontario.