Chatter that Matters

You're lying on the ground, your body completely paralyzed. You can hear voices around you, footsteps moving closer, then away. You're fully aware of everything, but you can't speak, can't move, can't signal that you're there. You are trapped inside your own body, and you know your life is hanging by a thread, yet you have no way of letting anyone know you need urgent help. Minutes feel like hours. And what if the people who do find you believe you've brought this on yourself?

This was the sudden nightmare Ian McGann lived through when he suffered a catastrophic brain stem stroke, one so rare and severe that he was given only a 5% chance of survival. His body shut down, but his mind never did. What followed was a harrowing journey—delayed medical treatment shaped by stigma, moments of despair and defiance, and ultimately, a recovery that defied every odd stacked against him.

Ian shares what shaped his survival and the new purpose he's carrying forward. It's a raw, unflinching conversation about life, loss, and second chances that will stay with you long after you listen.

What if everything you worked for—your savings, your home, even your identity—could be stolen without a weapon or a warning?

In this chilling yet empowering episode of Chatter That Matters, recorded live at the Toronto Hunt, I moderate a critical conversation on the growing threat of cybercrime—and how we can fight back.

Joining me are three remarkable minds from the frontlines of this invisible war:

Margot Denomme, former Crown Attorney, author and advocate for youth digital safety, compares giving a child a smartphone to handing them car keys without a manual. She's on a mission to delay smartphone use, reform digital education, and protect self-esteem before it's shattered by comparison culture.

Milos Stojadinovic, RBC's cybersecurity expert, explains how cybercrime has become a multi-trillion-dollar global industry, complete with 24/7 malware support and AI-powered deepfakes-his warning: the identity crisis is just beginning.

Detective Sergeant Colin Organ, head of York Region's Financial Crimes Unit, shares heartbreaking stories of victims who lost everything to scams—and exposes a justice system struggling to respond to these crimes as anything more than "non-violent."

Why this episode matters:

Cybercrime is no longer fringe—it's global, organized, and relentless. As AI accelerates the threat, we must take action to protect our families, finances, and future.

You'll learn:

• How to build habits that shield you from scams

• Why criminals are always a step ahead—and how to close the gap

• What parents must know before giving their child a phone

• Why outdated laws leave us all more vulnerable

• Whether deepfakes and AI put humanity itself at risk

Subscribe to Chatter That Matters and take the first step toward cyber resilience. Because in this fight, awareness isn't just power—it's protection.

To buy Margot Denomme's brilliant book: The Family Smartphone Guide: https://www.amazon.ca/Family-Smartphone-Guide-Navigate-Smartphones/dp/0992034043

To read articles from RBC on CyberCrime and prevention:

https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/en-ca/my-money-matters/topic/cyber-security/

"Being dry is just changing your drink. Being sober is changing everything." — Jordan Kawchuk.

Jordan Kawchuk is a brilliant storyteller, a former media professional, and a father—but for over 30 years, he was also an alcoholic. In this raw and revealing episode, Jordan opens up about a lifetime battle that has taken him through several treatment centers, estranged him from the people he loves most, and nearly consumed his identity. Yet today, at 50-something and nine months sober, he speaks with honesty, humility, and surprising humour about what it means to recover, to reconnect, and to begin again.

I follow Jordan through the wreckage and the rebuilding. From the seductive lure of martinis and jazz to relapses in hotel rooms, from moments of public failure to private reckoning—Jordan spares nothing. He offers insight into the difference between being "dry" and truly being "sober," the power of storytelling as a healing act, and how he's learning to live, love, and listen—one moment at a time.

Whether you or someone you know is battling addiction, or you're simply human and healing from life's frictions, this is a conversation that matters.

To connect with Jordan or to see his work: https://thechase.substack.com/

What does it take to reinvent yourself—again and again—while remaining grounded in gratitude and generosity? In this inspiring episode recorded in front of a live audience, I sit down with the one and only Canadian icon and my dear friend, Arlene Dickinson, the beloved "matriarch of Dragon's Den."

We explore the extraordinary journey that shaped her into one of the country's most respected business leaders and advocates. From overcoming tough odds—being a single mother of four with no post-secondary education—to earning her place in a male-dominated industry, Arlene's honest reflections on imposter syndrome, self-reliance, and reinvention are both practical and moving.

But this conversation isn't just about business. We discuss life, media, and breaking stereotypes surrounding age, relationships, and relevance, reminding us all of the power of authenticity, generosity, and not being afraid to stand alone.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, a leader, or just someone looking for support (not a handout), Arlene's lessons on curiosity, empathy, and nation-building will stay with you long after the episode ends.

A big thank you to RBC and RBC Wealth for supporting and sharing these stories of positivity and possibility.

I try not to play favourites, but this week's guest may be the most extraordinary human I've ever interviewed. Diane Dupuy is the founder of Famous PEOPLE Players, a Black Light theatre company where the performers are individuals with physical and developmental disabilities. On stage, they become invisible, allowing life-sized puppets to dance, dazzle, and delight the audience. Offstage, they find purpose, dignity, and a chance to be part of something magical.

In this profoundly moving episode, Diane shares how she turned her childhood trauma, learning challenges, and rejection by society into a purpose-driven life. Famous PEOPLE Players is her ever-burning flame of inclusion, artistry, and belief in human potential.

From being discovered by Liberace—who invited the troupe to open for him in Las Vegas—to receiving support from Paul Newman, Senator Ted Kennedy, and even a standing ovation from Phil Collins, Diane's journey is one of sheer will and unstoppable passion. No funding? She finds a way. Border blocks? She calls the White House. Criticism? She answers with applause.

But today, this company which has changed so many lives is fighting to keep its lights on. With no government funding, they rely solely on ticket sales, donations, and sponsorships.

If this episode moves you—and it will—share it. And if you can, support the show that refuses to stop, because for Diane Dupuy and her PLAYERS, the show must go on.

And please stay to hear what Andrea Barrack, from RBC, has to say about the role that organizations can play in creating a better world.

Visit famouspeopleplayers.com. Help keep the curtain up.

RBC: Purpose Framework: https://www.rbc.com/our-impact/_assets-custom/pdf/esg-report-2023-en-placemat.pdf

What happens when a lifelong dream clashes with a tough new reality? This episode follows the compelling journey of Dapo Bankole, who left everything behind in Nigeria to create a brighter future for his family in Canada.

But what awaited him wasn't a red carpet—it was a steep climb of survival jobs, diminishing savings, and the gradual loss of self-worth.

Through honest storytelling and deep reflection, Dapo shares how mentorship, microloans, and community support not only rebuilt his life but also inspired him to build bridges for others. His transformation from a struggling newcomer to founder of The Immigrant Life serves as a powerful reminder of what's possible when we stop wasting talent and start investing in human potential.

Joining the conversation is Andrea Barrack, Senior Vice President of Sustainability and Impact at RBC, who explains why RBC is supporting Windmill Microlending—a groundbreaking organization helping thousands of skilled newcomers reclaim their careers, dignity, and dreams.

A beautiful story of dreaming, doing and doing for others awaits.

From Hollywood Hits to Finding Happy: Peter Samuelson's Mission to Lift Others

Peter Samuelson could have stayed in Hollywood, producing box-office hits like Revenge of the Nerds and The Return of the Pink Panther. Instead, he utilized his storytelling and leadership skills to rewrite the script of his life, founding seven nonprofits that empower society's most overlooked individuals, including those in foster care.

In this inspiring episode, Peter reveals the decisive moments that shaped him, like a life-changing nudge from a 10th-grade teacher and his father's unwavering belief in education. We explore his journey from film sets to social impact, from co-founding the Starlight Children's Foundation with Emma Samms and STARBRIGHT World with Steven Spielberg, to building First Star, a program that sends 90% of foster teens to college.

Peter also shares the wisdom behind his new book, Finding Happy, a field guide for Gen Z and Millennials navigating life's complexities. Packed with insight, humour, and "madcap adventures," it's a reminder that long-term happiness isn't about fame or fortune—it's about helping others.

If you're looking for hope, purpose, and 'finding happy', don't miss this conversation.

Andrea Barrack returns to the show to talk about the role organizations can play to support individuals and communities.

In this deeply personal and moving episode, I sit down with Alok Ahuja, co-founder and CEO of Trexity, for a conversation that goes far beyond business. When Alok's father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Alok left a high-flying role at Shopify to become his full-time caregiver. That decision, rooted in love, sparked a journey of clarity, purpose, and the founding of a company built to serve Main Street, not Bay Street.

This is a story of legacy, resilience, and how one man chose presence over prestige to honor the father who shaped him. It's also about the kind of father Alok hopes to be.

This Father's Day, we celebrate the mentors, protectors, and everyday heroes who show up to lift their future, and ours on their shoulders.

To learn more about Trexity. https://trexity.com

In this episode of Chatter That Matters, as the RBC Canadian Open is minutes away from teeing off, I sit down with PGA Tour winner and Canadian golf icon Corey Conners. From his roots in Listowel, Ontario, to competing on the world stage, Corey's journey is a testament to discipline, humility, and perseverance.

Corey discusses his childhood passion for hockey and golf, the connection between math and mindset, and how fatherhood has altered his perspective on life and legacy. He also shares what it means to represent Canada in the Olympics and Presidents Cup, and the pride he feels wearing both the Maple Leaf and RBC shield.

This episode isn't just for golf fans—it's about what it takes to chase your dreams and stay true to yourself along the way.

I close with three takeaways from our conversation, and Mark Soder from RBC joins me to discuss why Golf matters to you, to me and to RBC.

An incredible story of a woman who takes the torch ignited by her father's entrepreneurial spirit and uses it to light up entrepreneurial dreams and positive change across continents and industries, all with heart, humanity, and hustle. Bashak Ilhan is a founder, five-time entrepreneur, digital strategist, and brand architect who has achieved two multi-million-dollar exits and boasts a global career that spans London, the Middle East, Europe, and the U.S. Bashak doesn't follow the rules; she rewrites the playbook.

This episode is more than a resume—it's a revelation. It tells the story of an individual who embraces her identity, relies on her resilience, and continually reinvents herself and her enterprises to seek and realize opportunities.

A blueprint for lighting your path in an increasingly complex world.

To learn more about Bashak's offering, Road Branding, and how they help companies expand internationally and manage their B2C and B2B operations, Click Here