Chatter that Matters

I interviewed Ted Nolan at a conference I hosted for the Coffee Association of Canada. I could see how moved the audience was by his life story, as was I. Thankfully our conversation was recorded so I can share this incredible story with you. Ted Nolan was the third youngest of twelve children in a house without plumbing or electricity on the Garden River First Nation in northern Ontario. Ted's first pair of hand-me-down skates were so big he had to stuff his rain boots inside to wear them. The more the school system tried to strip away his indigenous identity, the harder the family fought to preserve it. This is the inspiring and enchanting story of someone who made it to the NHL in the most unconventional way. It was Ted's passion, skill, grit, and ability to deal with rejection. Ted had to battle racism with fans, opponents and even fellow teammates and coaches. The episode touches on his career as both a hockey player and a coach who knew how to win by caring for his players. It also showcases Ted's dedication to his community. His foundation has provided over 300 scholarships. Ted and his two sons, Brandon and Jordan, who also played in the NHL—created the 3Nolans, to create hockey skills development camps for First Nation youth in First Nation communities across Canada. Ted is a great storyteller, and he unpacks some great lessons on how to realize your dream, even with very little, and prioritizing what you value versus what others value. Alan Richardson, SVP of Talent Strategy and Solutions at RBC, and someone who returns to talk about Future Launch, a $500 million commitment to help Canadian youth find and pursue their path in life. Alan has so much to say about attracting, developing and retaining talent; I hope to have him anchor an entire future episode.

Fennella Bruce was the 2022 Businesswoman of the Year and one of the 100 Most Accomplished Black Canadian women in 2020.

In this episode of Chatter That Matters, Fennella shares her incredible climb to the highest ranks of television as a writer, editor, and producer. With humour and grace, Fennella takes us deep inside the world of news and morning television glamorized in the Apple TV hit "The Morning Show."

An immigrant who, at university and early in her career, often found herself as a minority of one. One of the few women and women of colour. Instead of trying to fit into the status quo, Fennella chose to stand out.

Fennella graduates with stellar marks but stalled without a network. She shares how she went from a standing start to overdrive when she fell in love with television and, from there, has never looked back. Respected by her peers and sought after by all the major networks, Fennella talks about a decision many of us dream about but few do. In 2018, Fennella left the trappings and insecurity of a job in media to start FKB Media solutions, focusing on Public Relations, Media Training, Livestream Production, Television Production and much more.

Once again, Fennella becomes "the one and only." The one to watch, the one to make waves, the one to earn the respect of a new business community and the only one to get her clients the attention they need and deserve.

In this episode, cheer a woman who succeeds on her terms while offering powerful lessons in overcoming imposter syndrome, creating opportunity, managing stressful situations and how to stand out and stand for what matters most to you and everyone around you. And if you are starting your career, or work in the news and mass or social media world, listen with a pen and paper!

Alan Richardson, the Senior Vice President of Talent Strategy and Solutions, closes the show with some powerful thoughts on the power of a diverse culture.

To connect with Fennella Bruce: https://www.fkbmedia.com

In this special edition of Chatter that Matters, taped in front of a live audience, I chat with David Chilton, author of The Wealthy Barber and The Wealthy Barber Returns.

You will soon hear why David Chilton is a beautiful human being with a fantastic sense of humour and a gift as a storyteller. Learn how he became one of Canada's best-selling authors, a sought-after speaker, venture capitalist, mentor and one of the most popular Dragons. David takes you into the Den and shares some behind-the-scenes stories.

You will also learn that David didn't have overnight success. The Wealthy Barber took over two years to write and a year to become a runaway best-seller. David initially considered the Wealthy Bartender the title, based on his love of the television show Cheers. David offered his sister ten percent of the profits to edit the book, as he had no money – it was the worst deal he ever made as sales topped 2 million copies.

The timing and content within this show couldn't be better given the state of our economy, inflation that is eating into our purchasing powers, and a looming recession. David talks about why your money matters and shares ideas on how you can grow your wealth.

Two that stood out for me are the difference between own and a loan and the importance of having a will, keeping it updated, and never having a friend or family member be your executor.

Why? You will have to listen to find out.

Please share, rate and subscribe.

To purchase the Wealthy Barber - https://www.amazon.com/Wealthy-Barber-Successful-Financial-Planning/dp/0773762167

A riveting story of defying all odds, three miracles, and the power of love.

Danielle Kaplan is my guest, and we tell her story in three parts.

We begin by talking about her roots, a South African growing up in a life of privilege but living with the guilt of apartheid, and why she and her husband came to Canada.

The second part is when Danielle Kaplan's thrill-seeking husband, Steve Kaplan, crashes his motorcycle on a solo trip that has taken him from Toronto to a deserted road in the Yukon. Steve is thrown off his bike, breaks his spine, and damages his heart. Hungry Grizzly Bears are nearby. No one knows where he is, and he has zero chance of survival. What happens next is spellbinding and genuinely miraculous.

The third part is about how Steve survives the crash, but at the Vancouver General Hospital, his organs begin to shut down. Danielle credits the team there, EMCO, a miracle healthcare invention that took over his heart and lungs until he could get stronger and the healthcare workers who made it all happen. She also reminds us how fortunate we are to have universal health care.

And my three takeaways from Danielle Kaplan's sharing excerpts from her book I Married A Thrill-Seeker is how much anxiety thrill seekers create and leave in their wake for their family and friends to almost drown in when they chase their dreams. The second is how important it is to have love, a caregiver and an advocate on your side when you fight back from death's door. And finally, how remarkable Danielle Kaplan is.

To provide further context, I invite Amy Deacon, Founder and CEO of Toronto Wellness Counselling, back to Chatter that Matters to talk about how opposites attract, and why some people are addicted to risking all that matters for the chase of a thrill.

To purchase I Married A Thrill Seeker: https://www.amazon.ca/Married-Thrill-Seeker-cautious-husbands-risk-taking/dp/1738670201.

Best-selling author and acclaimed thinker Kim Scott provides the framework for giving and receiving exceptional feedback and having more meaningful conversations.

What was the worst feedback that you ever received? I remember working part-time at a drugstore when I was in my teens, and my boss told me I was useless. I had an English Teacher who told me repeatedly that I would never amount to anything. I would like to know if these attacks were why I was horrible at giving feedback. For most of my career, I sugar-coated or even avoided it for fear of hurting someone's feelings. I am closing the year with a Chatter that Matters show that will carry you for years to come. My guest is Kim Scott, and what Kim offers will positively and profoundly change how you provide and accept feedback as a parent, mentor, coach, leader, and peer. Some fantastic lessons for life and livelihood. How did this show come about? Feedback from my daughter, Mikahla Chapman, who also co-hosts this show with me. My youngest daughter Mikahla has a Master of Science in Occupational Psychology from London Metropolitan University. In November, she sent me this text - "Dad, I just read this article on radical candor, and the concept reminds me of you." This text and our subsequent conversation inspired us to reach out to Kim Scott, the author of the best-selling book Radical Candor author. Kim Scott draws upon her experiences working in Silicon Valley for clients, including Apple and Google, and Kim shares many entertaining stories to illustrate her points on how we can all get better at giving and receiving feedback.

Alan Depencier, the CMO of RBC, returns to the show to talk about how RBC applies the principles of radical candour to create a culture where everyone has a voice. Alan offers some great points for anyone who has the honour of leading a team.

To purchase Kim's book.

https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/radical-candor-fully-revised-updated/9781250235374-item.html?ikwid=radical+candour&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0#algoliaQueryId=bc022c5aa46a1871d1916ffa7331cc50

I saved this episode for the holidays, as it is an excellent time for reflection. If you do listen and feel the way I do about Dany's message, please share it with others. The best way to lift and unite Canada is through our collective spirits. First and foremost, we are not East or West, left or right, gay or straight, Liberal or Conservative. We are Canadian. Together we can make this the greatest country on Earth for generations to come. So what is this episode all about? Imagine, for a moment, that this scenario happened to you. You are Muslim, a proud Canadian, and part of a family that has lived in and contributed to its community and country for generations. Like many other kids, you dream of playing hockey in the NHL. 9/11 happened, and overnight a sign appeared on your neighbour's lawn. OSAMA BIN LADEN LIVES CLOSER THAN YOU THINK. The sign points to your house. That moment puts my guest, Dany Assaf, on a lifetime quest to unite Canadians and remind us of who we are and why and what truly matters. Today, Dany is respected globally as one of the world's top competition lawyers, with Torys LLP, a former adjunct professor at Western University and an author. Dany has just released a remarkable book titled: Say Please and Thank You & Stand in Line: One man's story of what makes Canada special and how to keep it that way. This is Dany's inspiring and moving story and message, which will warm your hearts over the holidays.

I invite Alan Depencier, CMO of RBC, who I have come to know over the past two years. Alan joins the show to talk about the episode, and I ask him about the role organizations like RBC can play in supporting all Canadians and their dreams during these challenging times. Alan speaks from the heart versus marketing speak.

What does it take to win on the court? Preparation, Perseverance and Perspiration.

What does it take to win off the court? Curiosity, Compassion, Charisma, and Connections.

In 1988, Milos, Mila Pospisil, and their two sons unlawfully drove from Czechoslovakia to Austria to escape the Communist regime. The family worked long hours at low wages to save money to move to Canada. Here, Vasek Pospisil was born.

If you enjoyed the movie King Richard, where Richard Williams is determined to see his two daughters, Venus and Serena, make history, this story has many parallels. Vasek started his tennis career at age three as a ball boy as his father coached his older brothers in tennis, but he was winning international tournaments by age six.

Vasek's rise to the top tennis ranks would take years, with many setbacks, but always with the support of his parents. Vasek learns how to compete against the likes of Federer and Djokovic. Even career-threatening injuries Vasek sees as opportunities to grow individually and to support other tennis players. In 2020 Vasek teamed up with Novak Djokovic to form a grassroots movement that would protect player interests. That movement would become the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA).

One of the great takeaways for the listener is Vasek's approach to life. First and foremost a tennis champion, but Vasek is also an astute investor and entrepreneur with a circle of friends that includes people like Richard Branson.

And what did Team Canada accomplish in 2022 that no other country has ever done? After winning the ATP Cup to start the year, Canada closed it with its first-ever Davis Cup title.

Game, Serve and Match.

Ken Wong on Teaching our Children Well. Ken Wong is one of Canada's most acclaimed educators. To better appreciate his impact on academia, I posted a tribute on LinkedIn when I heard he was retiring. Overnight, it garnered over 50,000 impressions and an outpouring of love from all over the world.

This is Ken's incredible and inspiring story, and, as you would expect, it's packed with many life lessons for building your career and brand, combined with what we must do as a society to teach our children well. Shannon Cole returns to the show to explain marketing and why it matters. I ask her how organizations can leverage their marketing dollars to better the communities they do business in.

The 'GOAT' is how fans and broadcasters describe the greatest athlete of all time. It's also the fuel that has fired debate since sports began. I can certainly make a case for my guest this week, Canadian soccer phenom Christine Sinclair being in that exclusive club. No male or female on the planet has scored more international goals, and she is the second footballer of either sex to score at five World Cup editions. Her legacy is a testament to her athleticism and perseverance: five FIFA Women's World Cups, Four Olympic Tournaments with three medals and one Gold, three championships with professional teams, and twice the National Collegiate Division Championship in the United States. In January 2022, Sinclair was awarded the Best FIFA Special Award as the world's all-time leading scorer.

Christine has just released a fantastic memoir called Playing the Long Game. Christine reflects on her rousing successes, the role her family played, why she wants to level the playing field for women athletes and why Canada and Canadians need to support professional women's soccer in Canada.

I also invite two people who have played with Christine to share their thoughts on why 'Sinc' is the greatest and why she matters beyond the field. Karina LeBlanc, who backstopped Canada's national team, is now the General Manager of Portland Thorns FC, where Christine plays, and Shannon Cole, the VP of Marketing at RBC, played with and against Christine in college.

As you would expect from someone who has accomplished so much and for so long, Christine offers many powerful life lessons on perseverance leading to possibility.

Have you noticed the bright yellow and magenta book in bookstores titled Swagger - Unleash everything you are and become everything you want? Grab one before they are gone. The author Leslie Ehm is the undisputed Queen of Swagger who has discovered the secret to tapping into your authentic self and turning it into a superpower at work and in life. And no, this is not the old Swagger—that show-off, in-your-face, arrogant kind. This brand-new Swagger is unshakable, unstoppable, and utterly irresistible, and Leslie Ehm will show you how to unlock and unleash it.

Leslie also shares her life story; the only way to describe it is energetic, eclectic, and electrifying. Leslie offers powerful lessons from each step of her journey, including chasing her dreams of being a New Wave Punk Singer in her teens to England to becoming a songwriter, script reviewer, creative director, world-renowned corporate trainer, and best-selling author.

Carmela Trombetta joins the show, and she is someone with a swagger. Carmela is recognized as one of Canada's most powerful women by the Women's Executive Network in recognition of her community involvement in Hamilton.

To buy Swagger: Unleash Everything You Are and Become Everything You Want:

Indigo: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/swagger-unleash-everything-you-are/9781989603970-item.html

Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1774582767?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_9PNDAEXRKQZAKZXAJAD7

To connect with Leslie: