This episode of Hire Expectations dives into a topic that does not get nearly enough attention. Men’s mental health. In honour of Men’s Mental Health Month, Nelson Borges joins us to talk about why safe spaces, real connection, and honest conversations matter more than ever. He breaks down the barriers that keep men silent and explains how peer support and community connection can completely change the game for emotional well being.

Nelson shares practical steps men can take when they are struggling, including simple grounding strategies like the five second rule. We also explore how workplaces can build a culture that supports mental health year round rather than treating it like a once a year awareness campaign. For partners, friends, and family members, Nelson offers compassionate advice on how to show up for the men in your life without judgment or pressure.

You will hear about helpful mental health resources, the role of technology in finding support, and the ripple effect that happens when one person chooses to reach out. At its core, this episode is about community support, courage, and breaking the stigma that still surrounds men asking for help. As Nelson says, it starts with compassion and it is absolutely okay to cry.

🎙️Passion vs. Opportunity: What Really Drives Career Success?

What matters more for career success… passion or opportunity?

In this episode of Hire Expectations, we unpack one of the biggest career debates in today’s evolving job market.

Join Kelly and Kerri as they explore how career development has changed and why the path to professional growth isn’t as linear as it once was. From recruitment insights to real-world hiring strategies, this episode dives into how job seekers and employers alike can find the sweet spot between what inspires them and what the market demands.

You’ll hear how passion can be discovered through unexpected opportunities, why visibility and execution matter more than ever, and how hiring for potential — not just qualifications — builds stronger teams.

💡 Key Takeaways:

Passion and opportunity are both essential for long-term career success.

The modern job market rewards adaptability and curiosity.

Employers should nurture passion, not just expect it.

Passion is a muscle that grows stronger with use.

Visibility is everything, show your results, don’t just talk about them.

🎧 Tune in to learn how to align your passion with opportunity, build momentum in your career, and create a path that feels both purposeful and practical.

What if you could become your own banker?  

In this episode of Hire Expectations: Beyond the Boardroom, we sit down with Rick Goldring — former Mayor of Burlington and financial advisor at Ascendant Financial. Rick shares his unique perspective on leadership, resilience, and the Infinite Banking Concept, a strategy that empowers individuals and business leaders to take back control of their financial future. 

He discusses the pitfalls of traditional financial advice, the history of infinite banking, and why financial literacy is more critical than ever. Rick also highlights the importance of liquidity, stability, and long-term planning, encouraging leaders to rethink their approach to money and embrace the power of becoming their own banker.

LISTENERS -  Learn more from the book Rick discusses, and access their preferred pricing:
Becoming Your Own Banker by Nelson Nash: shop.ascendantfinancial.ca

Neurodiversity in the Workforce: Building Inclusive Workplaces that Thrive

In this episode of Hire Expectations: Beyond the Boardroom, we’re joined by Carolyn and Jordan from the Centre for Diverse Learners for a powerful conversation about neurodiversity in the workplace. They share what inspired the organization's recent rebrand—from a focus on disability to a celebration of diverse strengths—and how that shift is impacting both the community and the corporate world.

From legal obligations to leadership modeling, this episode dives into what it really means to create inclusive environments where neurodivergent talent can thrive. Whether you're an HR professional, a leader, or just curious about how to better support diverse minds at work, you'll walk away with actionable insights and new perspectives.

💡 Key Takeaways:

Neurodiversity is gaining long-overdue recognition in today’s workforce conversations.

The Centre for Diverse Learners rebrand reflects a shift from viewing individuals as disabled to recognizing their strengths.

Inclusive workplaces benefit everyone—not just those who are neurodivergent.

Accommodations shouldn’t require proof of disability; they should be accessible for all.

Diversity of thought fuels innovation and long-term success.

Employers have legal and ethical responsibilities to foster inclusivity.

Documentation can be a powerful tool in advocating for workplace accommodations.

Leadership must actively model inclusion to set the tone for culture.

Community engagement can disrupt systemic barriers and cycles of poverty.

Customized training is key to building truly neurodiverse-friendly organizations.

Tune in for an honest and insightful conversation that challenges the status quo and offers a roadmap for change.

In this episode of Hire Expectations: Beyond the Boardroom, we sit down with Shaheryar Mian, a visionary executive, director on the Burlington Chamber of Commerce board, and the kind of leader who turns ideas into action. Shaheryar shares how he has navigated a career across finance, consulting, entrepreneurship, and authorship, all while staying deeply rooted in community, purpose, and people-first leadership.

We explore what it means to reinvent yourself, the underrated power of listening, how civic engagement shapes leadership, and why success is less about the title and more about the legacy you leave behind. From writing a novel to launching businesses in Canada and Dubai, Shaheryar brings bold insight, humility, and humour to the conversation.

This is an episode about building the kind of career and life that actually fulfills you.

🎧 Hire Expectations: Beyond the Boardroom is powered by VP Workforce Solutions – a proudly Canadian recruiting firm connecting exceptional talent with outstanding opportunities.

Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook @VPWorkforceSolutions for more behind-the-scenes content and upcoming episodes.

💬 Got a topic you want us to cover? Reach out—we’d love to hear from you!

#HireExpectationsPodcast #VPWorkforceSolutions #RecruitingExcellence #FutureOfWork

In this episode of Hire Expectations: Beyond the Boardroom, we’re joined by Tracey Newell — a seven-time board member, leadership champion, and passionate advocate for women in leadership. Tracey dives deep into the challenges women face on their journey to the boardroom, including imposter syndrome, lack of access to mentorship, and navigating a corporate world still catching up with the need for diversity.

Drawing insights from her new book, Hers for the Taking, Tracey offers practical advice for women looking to grow their careers with intention, build confidence, and step into leadership with clarity and conviction. This episode explores how women can identify their North Star, lift one another up, and claim the opportunities they’ve earned — not just hope for them.

Whether you're early in your career or ready for the C-suite, this conversation is packed with wisdom, empowerment, and a bold reminder: leadership is Hers for the Taking.

Connect with Tracey Newell:
🌐 Website: https://tracey-newell.com
📚 Book: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/hers-for-the-taking-your-path-to-the-c-suite-beyond/9798891882515.html

Enjoyed this episode?
Be sure to follow or subscribe to Hire Expectations: Beyond the Boardroom on your favourite podcast platform so you never miss an empowering conversation.

💬 If today’s episode inspired you, please leave us a review — it helps more listeners discover the show and join the movement toward inclusive, intentional leadership.

🎙️ Hire Expectations: Beyond the Boardroom is brought to you by VP Workforce Solutions — Delivering your perfect workforce. Your success, our strategy.

In this episode of Hire Expectations, the VPWS ladies dive into the transformative power of feedback and how it shapes leadership, communication, and corporate culture. Special guest Moatassem Moatez, founder and CEO of MYCourier Inc., joins the conversation to share his entrepreneurial lens on using feedback as a tool for performance improvement, employee engagement, and business growth.

From the nuances of feedback in startups vs. corporate environments to the impact of remote work on team dynamics, this episode explores how intentional communication can make or break progress. Mo shares strategies for giving feedback that actually lands—and more importantly, drives change.

Whether you're a business leader, people manager, or part of a growing team, this episode offers real talk on how to create a culture where feedback isn’t feared, but embraced.

💡 Key Takeaways:

Feedback fuels business success when it’s timely, clear, and actionable

Leaders must create safe spaces and listen beyond words

Structured vs. flexible feedback styles in corporate and entrepreneurial settings

Embracing feedback culture improves team performance and engagement

Innovative delivery methods—like video feedback—can elevate connection remotely

The hardest feedback often leads to the biggest breakthroughs

In this episode of Hire Expectations, we sit down with Kristyn Livermore of West End Hypnosis to explore the powerful connection between mindset and career success. Whether you’re actively job hunting or feeling stuck in your current role, this conversation dives into how hypnosis can help you overcome mental barriers, manage stress, and build lasting confidence.

Kristyn demystifies common misconceptions about hypnosis, walks us through what a typical session looks like, and shares how self-hypnosis can be a game-changer in your personal and professional life. Plus, she opens up about her own healing journey—and why understanding emotional patterns is the real key to moving forward.

🎧 Tune in to learn how healing from past workplace trauma and creating safety in your nervous system can be the missing link in your job search strategy. Kristyn also shares the link to get a FREE consult with her!

Key Takeaways:

Hypnosis helps job seekers reduce stress and build unshakable confidence

Emotional patterns often hold us back more than the situations themselves

Free screenings ensure hypnosis is the right fit for each client

Feedback isn’t failure—learning to receive it is a skill

Self-hypnosis puts the power of mindset in your hands

Healing is possible—even if you're not "in crisis"

Think cybersecurity is just an IT issue? Think again. In this eye-opening episode of Hire Expectations, we sit down with Scott and Christina Birmingham of Birmingham Consulting to expose one of the fastest-growing threats to businesses today — insider attacks fueled by cybercriminals offering employees major cash in exchange for sensitive data.

We break down:
💥 How and why employees are getting targeted.
💥 The mistakes companies make that leave them vulnerable.
💥 Why cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility — not just IT.
💥 What HR and leadership teams need to do now to foster a security-first culture.
💥 How AI is revolutionizing (and weaponizing) cybercrime.

If you think your organization is too small to be at risk — think again. You cannot afford to miss this episode.
Tune in, take notes, and yes… go change that password.

The Future of Recruitment with Suky Sodhi

🎙️ Episode Summary
In this insightful episode of Hire Expectations, we sit down with Suky Sodhi, a powerhouse in the recruitment and staffing industry, to explore the evolving landscape of hiring, leadership, and AI-driven recruitment practices. Suky shares her expertise on modern interview methods, the importance of diverse leadership, and how allyship in the workplace fosters stronger, more inclusive teams. She also breaks down the impact of AI in recruitment, discussing both its benefits and potential biases.

As recruitment continues to change, Suky emphasizes the people-first approach, ensuring that both candidates and employers receive a tailored, meaningful experience. From redefining how we conduct interviews to adapting leadership styles for diverse teams, this conversation is packed with valuable insights for recruiters, business leaders, and job seekers alike.

🎯 Key Takeaways:
✅ Interviews should be adaptable—no two candidates are the same.
✅ Traditional hiring methods fall short in assessing candidate potential.
✅ Diverse leadership requires flexibility and understanding.
✅ Allyship is an ongoing commitment to workplace equity.
✅ Recruitment practices must evolve to enhance the candidate experience.
✅ AI is disrupting hiring, but biases must be addressed.
✅ A people-first approach is the key to successful staffing.
✅ Building strong relationships is crucial for recruitment success.

🎧 Tune in to learn how you can stay ahead in the evolving world of recruitment!

#SukySodhi #Recruitment #Staffing #Leadership #Allyship #AIRecruitment #InterviewMethods #DiverseLeadership #CandidateExperience #HiringTrends