Chatter that Matters

"I honestly believe that my best work is in front, not behind me. I am driven by a deep passion and need to make a difference and leave this world a little better than when I arrived. That's what keeps me going. Rick Hansen.

Chatter that Matters is a national radio show and podcast that radiates positivity and possibilities. I share stories of ordinary people who do extraordinary things despite circumstances. Their life lessons inspire us to be more and do more and help us get to where we need, want, and deserve to go.

This week I chat with Rick Hansen, one of Canada's greatest all-time athletes and activists. At age 15, Rick was an aspiring Olympian when a truck accident put him in a wheelchair for life. Rick could have chosen a path of anger and resentment, but instead, he decided to make a difference in the lives of millions of people who suffer from disabilities.

Rick won three gold medals and six overall at the 1980 and 1984 Summer Paralympic Games. And then, inspired by his friend Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope, and Rick's dream of creating an accessible and inclusive world and finding a cure for spinal cord injury, Rick launched the Man In Motion World Tour. From March 21, 1985, to May 22, 1987, Rick Hansen wheeled over 40,000 km through 34 countries.

This interview is as wonderful as Rick Hansen is. Listen with your children, and be motivated about someone who not only believes but proves every day that 'there is nothing you can't do if you set your mind to it. Anything is possible.' Paralympian Joel Dembe, from RBC, joins me at the end of the show.

Rick Hansen

https://www.rickhansen.com

https://www.historymuseum.ca/RickHansen/

https://www.cbc.ca/archives/topic/rick-hansen-man-in-motion

https://terryfox.org/terrys-story/marathon-of-hope/

https://paralympic.ca/team-canada/joel-dembe

To chat with Tony Chapman.

Web: https://chatterthatmatters.ca

Web: https://tonychapmanreactions.com

Twitter – @TonyChapman – https://twitter.com/tonychapman

Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonychapmanreactions/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/chatterthatmatters/

Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcGvzmw9MFkUcGylrFA2xCQ

RBC - https://www.rbc.com

RBC Future Launch - https://www.rbc.com/dms/enterprise/futurelaunch/index.html

www.padulox.com

I Heart Radio - https://www.iheart.com/podcast/962-chatter-that-matters-49304322/

Chatter that Matters - Friday at noon

https://www.iheartradio.ca/newstalk-1010

https://www.iheartradio.ca/580-cfra/shows

https://www.iheartradio.ca/am-1150

https://www.iheartradio.ca/am800

https://www.iheartradio.ca/cfax-1070

https://www.iheartradio.ca/610cktb

https://www.iheartradio.ca/newstalk-1290-cjbk

https://www.iheartradio.ca/cjad

Chatter That Matters is scheduled to air on BNN Bloomberg, Fridays at 8 pm

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/shows

This week on Chatter that Matters, I chat with Mario Mikowski, a force of nature in the field of sustainable tourism. Mario is the third generation of a family who has made their living creating unique hotels in Costa Rica. His Great Uncle, inspired by President Kennedy's visit, built the landmark Hotel Presidente in San Jose, Costa Rica. His Dad, an entrepreneur erupting with ideas, created Tabacon Therma Resort and Spa, situated at an active Volcano base. And Mario continues with Nantipa, a boutique resort located in Santa Teresa.

Santa Teresa is impossible to get there and even more impossible to leave. The coast roads will have you traverse rivers in your vehicle, and you are at least five hours from a major airport. For many, including my wife Marion and I, who are spending our winters here, it is our Utopia. A place where we can be in constant conversation with nature. To be surrounded by desert forests that erupt during the rainy season, swept away by the Pacific Ocean's changing tides, walk miles of beach that bridge nature, not buildings. To meet people from all over the world who come here and often stay. There are no all-inclusive resorts, golf or tennis or marinas. You find yourself when you find yourself in Santa Teresa.

When I asked Mario what word matters most to him, he chose sustainability. Costa Rica is a small country but a world leader in sustainability, and Mario speaks about why at conferences worldwide.

He shares his idea on how you can breathe sustainability into your life and business by adopting three principles. The first two are evident in terms of how you treat Mother Nature and the energy you use, but the third, in my opinion, stands above all. We need to move away from this winner take all attitude and approach capitalism to share and care.

Enjoy this podcast and the words of wisdom from Mario Mikowski, knowing that he first studied to be a biomedical engineer, as he was obsessed with building the 6 million dollar man, to an MBA from Columbia and a lifetime devoted to making two people smile. Guests who come to his property, and his country, and Mother Nature for treating her with the respect she deserves.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mario-mikowski-00a02728/?trk=public-profile-join-page

https://www.hotel-presidente.com

https://www.tabacon.com

https://www.visitcostarica.com/en

https://www.anywhere.com/costa-rica/sustainable

https://www.fourseasons.com

To chat with Tony Chapman.

Web: https://chatterthatmatters.ca

Web: https://tonychapmanreactions.com

Twitter – @TonyChapman – https://twitter.com/tonychapman

Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonychapmanreactions/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/chatterthatmatters/

Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcGvzmw9MFkUcGylrFA2xCQ

RBC - https://www.rbc.com

RBC Future Launch - https://www.rbc.com/dms/enterprise/futurelaunch/index.html

RBC - Oceans - https://ca.rbcwealthmanagement.com/michael.kirkpatrick/blog/2569461-Ocean-economy-The-next-frontier-in-Canadian-innovation

RBC Blue Water Project - http://www.rbc.com/community-sustainability/_assets-custom/pdf/grantingdeadlines.pdf

Incredible takeaways for all, as we all have self-doubt. In my Chatter that Matters podcast, I ask people whom I admire to tell me one word that matters most, and why. What word would you choose?

We then talk about how this word influences choices, the paths you pursue, and who you are and why you matter. We garner Life Lessons that we can all apply to help us get to where we need and want to go.

In this episode, I chat with Dimple Mukherjee, an Occupational Therapist focusing on positive psychology. Dimple told me her word was 'command' my biases swept me into positions of control - a conductor of an orchestra, a military general. I couldn't be further from the truth.

Dimple shares her story and why her word Command is about commanding who she is, erasing her self-doubts, and identifying why she matters to her children, to her friends and family, and to her clients. And as you listen...you will her radiant smile.

Incredible takeaways for all, as we all have self-doubt.

LInked In -https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimple-mukherjee-1ba123205/

https://www.instagram.com -

https://www.instagram.com/dimple_mukherjee/ Website: www.dimplemukherjee.com

Tony's Links:

To chat with Tony Chapman.

Web: https://chatterthatmatters.ca

Web: https://tonychapmanreactions.com

Twitter – @TonyChapman – https://twitter.com/tonychapman

Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonychapmanreactions/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/chatterthatmatters/

Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcGvzmw9MFkUcGylrFA2xCQ

RBC - https://www.rbc.com

RBC Future Launch - https://www.rbc.com/dms/enterprise/futurelaunch/index.html

It's not even 5:00 am and my day is special and so very alive. When I interview a guest I am hyper-focused on the delicate balance of questions, flow and above all listening generously. I have no idea how it will all sound until the final edit.

I can tell you that I am so moved, energized and enlightened by Rocco's words and wisdom. I could easily have steered the conversation to talk about Rocco's career and all the advice that can come from someone who has accomplished so much in both the for-profit and not-for-profit.

Instead, we focused on life, and a tiny word that is hidden inside, and that word is 'if' the oxygen of dreams and possibilities.

I know that too much and too many are chasing a finite amount of your time. And intent often gives away to being drowned by the firehose of content that hits you every second of the day.

I can tell you that those who push the firehose away and listen to Rocco's words with intent and generosity, will feel as I do now.

Rocco thank you for gifting me and others with what truly matters.

(This picture was taken when Rocco was walking Camino de Santiago, a large network of ancient pilgrim routes stretching across Europe and coming together at the tomb of St. James (Santiago in Spanish) in Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain.)

Links:

Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/roccorossi/

Twitter: @roccorossito

Ontario Chamber of Commerce

https://twitter.com/OntarioCofC

Heart and Stroke Foundation

Labatt

Camino de Santiago

Tony's Links:

To chat with Tony Chapman.

Web: https://chatterthatmatters.ca

Web: https://tonychapmanreactions.com

Twitter – @TonyChapman – https://twitter.com/tonychapman

Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonychapmanreactions/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/chatterthatmatters/

Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcGvzmw9MFkUcGylrFA2xCQ

RBC - https://www.rbc.com

RBC Future Launch - https://www.rbc.com/dms/enterprise/futurelaunch/index.html

Learn from one of the best on how to create your personal brand, and then let the world know.

Why should you listen to this episode? Sometimes for a moment, and other times for what seems like a lifetime, most of us have been unfulfilled and searching for change. Bobby Umar, decided to change his life, and his process for doing so can be applied to others searching for Fulfillment.

Bobby's choice was to become a motivational speaker. Today Bobby's social influence is over 500,000. A 5 times Ted X speaker, Inc. Magazine Top 100 Leadership Speaker, Best Selling Author, and a leading expert on personal branding, networking, and social and digital marketing.

Learn from Bobby Umar. One of the best to create your personal brand, and then let the world know.

Bobby Umar's links:

Speaker website: www.raeallan.com Startup: www.dypb.ca Twitter: https://twitter.com/raehanbobby Facebook Business page: https://www.facebook.com/raehanbobby/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyumar/ LinkedIn Company Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bobbyumar/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raehanbobby/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BobbyUmar Clubhouse: @raehanbobby

To chat with Tony Chapman.

Web: https://chatterthatmatters.ca

Web: https://tonychapmanreactions.com

Twitter – @TonyChapman – https://twitter.com/tonychapman

Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonychapmanreactions/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/chatterthatmatters/

Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcGvzmw9MFkUcGylrFA2xCQ

RBC - https://www.rbc.com

RBC Future Launch - https://www.rbc.com/dms/enterprise/futurelaunch/index.html

In my new series, Word Matters, I ask guests to identify what word matters most to them and then why. We then look at how this word has influenced their choice, help them overcome challenges, and purpose a path with purpose.

Did you watch the show Mad Men that ran on AMC networks? 2007 - 2015. It was a period piece about a fictional advertising agency. Man Men was a slang term coined by people who worked in the NY Advertising scene as many of the shops made their home on Madison Avenue. I loved the show because it captured the golden age of advertising within the rapidly changing and often clashing culture of the sixties. That's what great advertising does. It breathes through the zeitgeist of a changing consumer to uncover unique insights, unmet needs and to position brands so that they matter. As Don Draper says, who is the star of the show, 'new' it creates an itch, you put your product in, like a calamine lotion.

My guest today is Ashley Gorrie. She is the CEO of Gorrie, Canada's oldest advertising and marketing services company. It's been breathing for 135 years; Gorrie has survived Great Depressions, Recessions, Two World Wars, and it's now COVID. This show isn't about Gorrie; it's about Ashley and her word Evolving.

Ashley is the fifth generation to lead this family, and most studies will show that it is difficult and at times impossible to pass the baton between ages. Issues like entitlement, unwillingness to transfer power, or the lack of talent or vision tears apart the founders' dreams.

I ask Ashley how they have done it, and she is candid in saying that they hit many speed bumps, but their secret sauce is that the next generation had to buy the business versus being given it. That requires risk, confidence and conviction.

Ashley talks about what it is like growing up within the dynamics of a family business and four siblings-collaborative versus competitive. She fondly talks about going to work with her Dad where she got to play with their client's brands - Barbies from Mattel and Cover Girl Makeup.

Life lesson: Reframe negative to positive. At age five, Ashley is diagnosed with dyslexia, a learning disorder. One of her sisters also is dealing with the challenges of book learning. Instead of imposing prison walls or rewriting boundaries, her Dad, who also has the same challenges, opens up her mind and potential by framing them as creative people.

Her Parents could have lowered their expectations and allowed Ashley and her sister to accept these walls; instead, they tear off the roof so that Ashley can see endless possibilities.

Ashley talks about why she didn't want to take over the business, but circumstances change when Ashley's Dad and his siblings have a fallout, Gorrie is now their family business.

Ashley realizes that her creativity is the lifeblood of her ability to sell and problem solve. In a moment of self-reflection and possibly the need for her Dad's affirmation, she pursues an EMBA from Kellogg-Schulich.

Ashley talks about how she balances her young family and her ambition to run Gorrie- an aspiration that requires her Dad's approval, who needs to be convinced, and her Mom worried about her taking on too much.

Ashley's first hour on the job as the CEO is the worst hour of her life as she tries to convince employees she can lead, but the technology fails, the audience bias reeks of nepotism.

Life Lesson: Imagine a desired future outcome. To survive, Ashley has to make drastic changes, downsize, correct and erase and rewrite much of what her Dad had done. It puts pressure on their relationship, but her Dad posts a critical question that Ashley answers through a business case.

Life Lesson: Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses. Ashley brings in a partner to focus on operations, freeing Ashley to do what she does best - creative problem-solving. Her business is on a roll, and then COVID hits like a sledgehammer. Clients cancel programs, but payroll must be met.

Life Lesson: Transparency and honesty lead the way. The leadership team rallies, her Dad never leads her side, and Ashley evolves again by realizing an essential leadership attribute during these times is transparency and honesty. To share and invite others inside the tent.

Life Lesson: Leaders can have a higher purpose. Ashley then offers her thoughts on what leaders need to do to leave future generations with opportunity and pursuit.

Ashley's links https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-gorrie-3272872/ https://twitter.com/gorrieactivates https://www.instagram.com/gorrieactivates/

Tony Chapman's Links

To chat with Tony Chapman.

Web: https://chatterthatmatters.ca

Web: https://tonychapmanreactions.com

Twitter – @TonyChapman – https://twitter.com/tonychapman

Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonychapmanreactions/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/chatterthatmatters/

Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcGvzmw9MFkUcGylrFA2xCQ

RBC - https://www.rbc.com

RBC Future Launch - https://www.rbc.com/dms/enterprise/futurelaunch/index.html

Jon Love is one of the world's most successful and respected builders and leaders. Jon offers several 'drop the mic' insights and ideas in this podcast. (Bring pen and paper)

Jon chooses the word OFFENSE, as his word that matters and shares how we can all apply this mindset to counter the relentless storm of negativity.

Jon shares early memories of his father and why relationships breathe life into purpose, pursuit and humanity.

Jon offers his thoughts on how not to follow in the footsteps of a successful parent.

He talks about why there is no such thing as a family business.

Why Jon went dark for 90 days, with no electronics, as his transition strategy, to create a one-page plan to build KingSett Capital, which today is Canada's leading private equity real estate business.

Why Jon's desired legacy at KingSett Capital is not to be revered but to be forgotten and his plans to transition to a new phase in life.

Jon shares some of his leadership lessons, for example, become better and better at doing less and less.

And then Jon drops the mic by offering you three non-partisan pillars for Canada to build our future on, close the widening gaps in society, and have a purposeful role on Planet Earth.

Jon Love - Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonlovekingsett/

KingSett Capital - https://www.kingsettcapital.com

Oxford Properties - https://www.oxfordproperties.com/corp/

YPO - https://www.ypo.org

Order of Canada - https://www.gg.ca/en/honours/canadian-honours/order-canada

Tony Chapman

To chat with Tony Chapman.

Web: https://chatterthatmatters.ca

Twitter – @TonyChapman – https://twitter.com/tonychapman

Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonychapmanreactions/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/chatterthatmatters/

Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcGvzmw9MFkUcGylrFA2xCQ

RBC - https://www.rbc.com

RELENTLESS matters to Sulemaan Ahmed

In WORDS MATTERS, I interview people I admire and then ask them for the word that matters most and why. We then look at how this word influences their choices, their life and their career to discover life lessons we can all apply to help us get to where we need and deserve to go.

In this episode, I chat with Sulemaan Ahmed, a gifted entrepreneur, a loving Father and Partner, and someone who is relentless in uncovering the truth, overcoming diversity and making things happen versus simply watching and wondering. Sulemaan is known as 'Yoda' by his clients as he helps them climb a steep learning curve with a digital world changing faster than the speed of life.

Sulemaan provides some great answers to my questions:

Why are relentless people labelled over-achievers and trying too hard?

Your 5-year-old boy was on a no-fly list. How did a single tweet and five years of relentless effort turn this injustice into justice?

The colour of your skin and your name has created barriers. What do you do to tear them down, and what can Canadians do to ensure they stay down?

What role have your mentors played in your life?

Your wife, Khadija Cajee, has been a driving force in your life. When Covid hit, the two of you chose to make things happen versus watch and wonder. Share with us your idea that ended up involving people like Ryan Reynolds and creating a' Tinder' for PPE.

Running a volunteer group is very different than your own company. What did you learn about keeping people motivated to stay the course?

How did you 'face the dragon' when people you trusted tried to squeeze you out, and what did you learn about yourself?

Relentless is often the lifeblood of greatness - in science, business, athletics, academics - what advice can you offer the listener on how to turn that switch on?

I conclude with the three lessons that mattered most to me.

To chat with Sulemaan Ahmed

web www.servoannex.com

Twitter: @Sulemaan

Linked In Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sulemaan

To chat with Tony Chapman.

Web: https://chatterthatmatters.ca

Twitter – @TonyChapman – https://twitter.com/tonychapman

Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonychapmanreactions/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/chatterthatmatters/

Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcGvzmw9MFkUcGylrFA2xCQ

RBC

https://www.rbc.com

In my new series, I ask people that I admire, what word matters most to them. It's a simple question but not one that's easy to answer. In this episode, I chat with Anthony Longo, the CEO of Longo's, one of the most exciting food retailers on the planet. Longos is a family business that treats everyone - their customers, employees, and vendors, like family. Anthony talks about the Italian word VOGLIA. In English, it means to crave or desire, an appropriate word for a food impresario and a fantastic word to describe anyone with a curious mind who spends their life inquiring and discovering to innovate and improve. Why does this podcast matter to you? It's a wonderful tale that begins with Antonio Longo coming to Canada in the '50s, with six children and spending each day scarring his lungs and arms in a foundry to provide, and only agreeing to quit when his children started their own business. It continues with the next three generations building on his dream. It's packed with life lessons to help you get to where you need and deserve to go. How to picture your customer in a way where you can look into their life, what matters most, so that you can serve them better. Why values and humility are the lifeblood of leadership. What COVID taught Anthony Longo and his team about culture, resiliency and what will change in how they manage going forward. And then Anthony unpacks some powerful ideas on what Canada can do to grow our agricultural sector. From Farm to Plate he shares his thoughts on why food means the world to each of us, and to all of us. Download Chatter that Matters wherever you get your podcasts. If you listen on Apple or Spotify please subscribe and share as it helps Canadian Podcasters fight for an audience in a global marketplace that has no boundaries.

Links:

Anthony Longo /Longos

Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-longo-a76a273/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LongosMarkets

Web: https://twitter.com/LongosMarkets

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LongosMarkets/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/longosmarkets/?hl=en

Agriculture Canada

https://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/agriculture-and-agri-food-canada/?id=1395690825741

Niagara College Innovation Centre

https://www.ncinnovation.ca/specializations/canadian-food-wine-institute-innovation-centre

Food, Health, and Consumer Products of Canada - https://www.fhcp.ca/

Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers https://cfig.ca/

Retail Council of Canada - https://www.retailcouncil.org/

Tony Chapman's Links

Web: https://chatterthatmatters.ca/

Twitter – @TonyChapman – https://twitter.com/tonychapman

Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonychapmanreactions/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/chatterthatmatters/

Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcGvzmw9MFkUcGylrFA2xCQ

Chat Bites are bite-sized podcasts. In each one, I focus on a word and why I feel it matters to your life and livelihood. In this episode, I take you back to when I spent a qualifying year at Carlton University. I took an English Literature Course, and we studied Utopia and Dystopia. My end of term assignment was to write a short story on one world or the other. I had an idea that I wanted to express and then have you think about- that neither civilization was attainable or acceptable, and that choice matters above all.

It was the course where I fell in love with writing, and in this episode, I share a synopsis of my story.

Let me know what you think about CHAT BITES. Stay tuned for my next episode. Getting ATTENTION Matters

Tony Chapman's Links

Web: https://chatterthatmatters.ca

Twitter – @TonyChapman – https://twitter.com/tonychapman

Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonychapmanreactions/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/chatterthatmatters/

Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcGvzmw9MFkUcGylrFA2xCQ