Discovery Series: Unplugged

With headlines swirling about rising global tariffs and economic uncertainty, what does it really mean for Canadian businesses—and the advisors who support them?

In this episode of the Discovery Series: Unplugged, Randall Bartlett, Senior Director of Canadian Economics at Desjardins, breaks down the latest developments in international trade and what they signal for the Canadian economy.

We unpack:

• The impact of U.S.-Canada trade tensions
• How tariffs ripple through small businesses and households
• What advisors can do to help clients prepare for volatility

Whether you’re guiding business owners or planning with incorporated professionals, this episode brings clarity to a complex economic landscape.

A Recession is Likely as Trade War Impacts Loom
Tit for Tat: What Do Retaliatory Tariffs Mean for Canadian Imports, Growth and Inflation?

What do fly fishing and insurance have in common? For Nicolas Richard, President & CEO of Desjardins Global Asset Management, both are about patience, precision, and seeing the full picture. In this episode, he explains why the investment engine behind insurance products—like Participating Whole Life—is just one part of a much bigger conversation. From demystifying the role of dividends to helping advisors bridge the gap between performance and protection, Nicolas shares insights every financial services professional should hear.

What does nuclear engineering, politics, and fashion have todo with the world of insurance? In this episode, Jeffrey Yang—Business Development Director at Advice Canada and host of Penny For Your Thoughts—joins us to share his unconventional journey from failed advisor to industry leader.

Jeffrey opens up about early struggles in the business, themistakes that nearly derailed his career, and the powerful mindset shift that brought him back on track. From tying bow ties to tying in life lessons, he breaks down what it means to lead with purpose, build authentic connections, and turn storytelling into your strongest sales tool.

This episode is a reminder that success isn’t linear—andsometimes, it all starts with finding the courage to stand out.

At just 13 years old, Simmi Paul lost her father to a sudden heart attack—an experience that changed everything. With no life insurance, her family faced not only emotional loss, but financial hardship. That moment became the foundation of her purpose.

Now a successful Desjardins Agency Owner in Brampton, Ontario, Simmi shares her powerful journey from family caregiver to legacy builder. In this heartfelt episode, she opens up about how her early life experiences shaped her values, her leadership style, and her unwavering belief in the power of life insurance.

In this episode, Simmi shares:

✔ What it means to lead with empathy, especially in cultural communities

✔ The emotional impact of being uninsured—and how it fuels her mission

✔ Her approach to Participating Life Insurance as an investment conversation

✔ Lessons from real-life claims, including critical illness and return of premium

✔ How she built a new team from scratch and made 2024 her best year yet

Simmi’s story is a masterclass in resilience, authenticity, and advisor leadership—a must-listen for anyone who believes that personal experiences can shape powerful careers.

The future of financial advice isn’t just digital—it’s cyborg. In this episode of Discovery Series: Unplugged, we welcome back the always insightful Angelina Hung, BA, CFP, CLU, CHS, EPC—Financial Marketing Nerd at Financial Tech Tools—to explore how advisors can merge human expertise with AI-powered efficiencies.

From optimizing your digital brand to leveraging AI for sales scripts, client engagement, and compliance, Angelina breaks down the AC/DC model—Attract, Convert, Deliver, Collect—and how advisors can apply it to modernize their practice. Plus, we dive into the evolving role of AI in advisory services, the importance of personal branding, and whether Iron Man’s Jarvis is closer to reality than we think.

This episode is packed with practical strategies, humor, and a deep dive into the balance between tech and human connection. Will the advisors of 2040 be cyborgs? Tune in to find out!

At 27, Leane Besky was on the path to corporate success when one phone call changed everything—she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Suddenly, the future she had planned was uncertain. Years later, tragedy struck again when her husband was diagnosed with leukemia, forcing her family to navigate not just the emotional toll, but also the financial reality of critical treatments.

Now, as an Insurance Agent & Owner of Leane Besky Insurance Agency Inc. – Desjardins Insurance, Leane is on a mission to help clients prepare for the unexpected. Drawing from her personal experience, she highlights the real cost of medical treatments, the importance of critical illness insurance, and the power of financial independence when facing health challenges.

In this episode, Leane shares:

✔ How her personal health journey reshaped her approach to financial planning

✔ The hidden costs of medical treatment and how insurance can provide peace of mind

✔ Why including a Critical Illness solution in every client conversation matters

✔ The impact of storytelling—overcoming the fear of sharing your personal experiences to help others

Leane’s story is a powerful reminder that financial security and health independence go hand in hand.

For Phillip South, a single moment changed everything. On his way to a blind date, he hit play on an episode of Discovery Series Unplugged—a decision that reshaped his career and mission as a financial professional.

Now a Life and Health Insurance Advisor at Desjardins Financial Security Independent Network – Toronto West Centre, Phillip shares his powerful journey from health and nutrition to financial services. He opens up about the emotional and financial challenges of supporting his sister through five different cancer diagnoses and how that experience fuels his passion for educating his community on financial security.

Phillip also tackles a unique challenge—breaking the stigma and superstition around life insurance in his community. Through personal storytelling and relationship-building, he found a way to break down barriers and build trust.

🎧 In this episode, we discuss:

✔ How personal experiences shape an advisor’s approach

✔ The power of storytelling in overcoming client objections

✔ The importance of community, connection, and resilience in financial services

This is a story of perseverance, purpose, and finding the hero within.

In this episode of Discovery Series: Unplugged, we sit down with Ara Movsessian, Principal at Aria Wealth Solutions and a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo, for a powerful conversation on balancing ambition, purpose, and financial security. With over 25 years of experience in insurance, private banking, and commercial lending, Ara shares how his martial arts discipline has shaped his approach to wealth management, helping clients achieve their dreams without compromising their future.

From navigating complex wealth planning cases to fostering the right mindset for business success, Ara’s story is one of perseverance, integrity, and continuous growth. Learn how the principles of martial arts can inspire resilience in financial advising and discover why Ara believes there’s no need to choose between building your dreams and securing your future.

🎥 This is a video episode available exclusively on Spotify. You can also listen on all major platforms, including Apple Podcasts.

In Episode 77 of Discovery Series: Unplugged, recorded live at the Desjardins Agents Planning Meeting in Blue Mountain, we sit down with Connor Langill, Insurance Account Representative at Traci Langill Desjardins Independent Insurance Agency. Connor shares his inspiring journey from the ice rink to the insurance world, reflecting on the challenges he faced after being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a teen.

Drawing from lessons learned on and off the ice, including time spent alongside NHL superstar Connor McDavid, Connor discusses how adversity shaped his leadership style and personal growth. He dives into the COACH framework—Competence, On Demand, Attitude, Culture, and Help—and reveals how he uses these principles to foster teamwork and success at his agency.

Whether you’re looking to identify leadership potential within your team or gain insights into building resilience in the face of challenges, this episode is packed with actionable advice and relatable stories.

In Episode 76 of the Discovery Series: Unplugged, we sit down with Karla Morris, an Insurance Advisor at Aviso Insurance Inc. & Wealth Advisor at Aviso Wealth from Nipawin, Saskatchewan. Married into a farming family, Karla's story is one of resilience, growth, and community.

Karla opens up about the unique challenges and opportunities of working with farming families—from the impact of life insurance in preserving a family legacy to the essential conversations around financial and succession planning. She highlights the critical need for advisors to "speak the farmer's language," offering relatable strategies to bridge the gap between urban and rural financial needs. This episode isn’t just about farming—it's about building a sustainable future for the next generation. Whether you're an advisor or just curious about life on the prairies, tune in for an heartfelt and educational conversation filled with actionable insights.

Mutual funds and other securities are offered by Avisio Wealth, a division of Aviso Financial Inc. Aviso Insurance Inc. offers financial planning, insurance & investments to members of credit unions and their communities.