World-renowned Chef Michael Smith shares his remarkable journey from art school to culinary excellence, highlighting the value of balance, leadership, and community along the way. A passionate advocate for intentional living, local food, and the joy of cooking, Michael's philosophy is captured in one word: Tranquilo.

Despite authoring 13 books and hosting numerous television cooking shows, Chef Michael has never been driven by celebrity status. Instead, his focus remains on what matters most to him: The Inn at Bay Fortune.

Tune in to hear stories and insights from one of Canada's most respected culinary leaders.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Origin Story
• 01:23 Finding His Passion in Cooking
• 02:19 The Journey to Culinary Success
• 03:18 Leadership and Kitchen Culture
• 05:05 The Joy of Cooking and Local Food
• 06:31 Balancing Work and Life
• 07:03 Advocacy and Meaningful Action
• 26:55 Culinary Education and Community Support

Shane Safir, an educator and author, shares her journey from teacher to passionate advocate for student voice and identity. She discusses the importance of belonging, radical inclusion, and the limitations of traditional data in education.

Her books include The Listening Leader, Street Data, and Pedagogies of Voice which has recently surpassed 10,000 copies. Shane has connected with districts all across North America to generate positive change in terms of belonging and identity.

What does the future hold for the Whitecaps? How does an athlete make it to the pros? Why is the game of soccer evolving? What is the current state of Canadian soccer?

My conversation with assistant manager of the Whitecaps, Coach D'Agostino, covers all of these questions. We also get into his journey from playing overseas and representing Canada to coaching, and the mentors and influences that shaped his path.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Journey to Coaching
• 02:24 Mentors and Influences
• 04:28 Transition from Playing to Coaching
• 06:55 Coaching at Different Levels
• 11:41 Youth Sports and Player Development
• 14:40 Coaching in Modern Football
• 17:45 Earning Trust and Coaching Philosophy
• 21:10 Philosophy and Decision-Making
• 22:54 Trusting the Process
• 25:14 State of Canadian Soccer
• 28:14 Future of Vancouver Whitecaps
• 33:18 Favorite Coach and Soccer Moments
• 35:22 Characteristics for Success
• 36:36 Professional Aspirations
• 39:04 Final Words and Takeaways

Ceilidh has completed years of research across the globe surrounding forestry and environmental conservation. The conversation with Ceilidh Smith, the education program manager at Sierra Club BC, covers her career journey, the importance of environmental education, and the environmental changes in BC.

We also dig into learning and well-being when environment and nature are at the forefront. She provides practical solutions and encourages educators to reach out to her for support and educational experiences.

We also discuss climate change vs global warming, concerns and optimism for conservation and the importance of critical thinking in addressing environmental challenges.

Brad Smith, a former all-star athlete and the first Canadian bachelor, shares his journey from football to media, defining success, and the impact of mentors. He discusses the transition from sports to media and reinventing himself over again with roles in the Bachelor Canada, Chopped Canada, breakfast television, just to name a few.

He reflects on the lessons learned from football, and the unexpected opportunity into TV that led to his role as the first Canadian bachelor. He shares the assumptions and challenges he faced after the show, and his attraction to the media industry as a platform for making people laugh.

We reflect on his journey which has led to his current show 'No BS with Brad Smith'. He shares insights on personal growth, political ideologies, and the importance of self-love and mental health.

Sheldon Guy shares his journey from a challenging upbringing to becoming a resilient coach and community advocate. He discusses the emotional struggle of losing his vision and the pivotal moment that led to a shift in perspective. Despite the adversity, Sheldon remains positive and continues to make a meaningful impact through his foundation, Improve Her Game.

Sheldon's journey and message inspire resilience, motivation, and the importance of seeking help and support. His story emphasizes the impact of personal experiences and the power of sharing them to inspire others. He also highlights the need for advocacy, accessibility, and inclusion, as well as the importance of embracing vulnerability.

#Rogers #BCFerries #AirCanada #Mastercard #TomBrady #CelineDion #TimDuncan #Pivot

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Inspiration
• 01:12 Sheldon Guy's Early Life and Upbringing
• 03:04 Adapting to a New Environment
• 04:21 Finding Solace in Sports
• 06:08 Transition to Coaching and Community Involvement
• 07:36 Loss of Vision and Emotional Struggle
• 09:46 Moment of Crisis and Resilience
• 11:18 Positive Outlook and Community Engagement
• 12:24 Pivotal Moments and Decision-Making
• 16:30 Pivoting and Perseverance
• 19:13 Improve Her Game and Community Impact
• 22:10 Coaching with Visual Impairment
• 24:58 The Power of Adaptation and Adjustment
• 27:08 The Impact of Personal Storytelling
• 29:19 It's Okay Not to Be Okay
• 31:55 Redefining Success and Impact
• 34:30 Vision and Accessibility
• 41:51 The Power of Advocacy and Action

After many podium finishes, Rick Thiessen finally became a provincial champion in 2025 as a coach. He has been coaching at MEI for 32 years and is instrumental in the development of athletics for the province.

Rick was a part of BC School Sports for 7 years and serving as President for 2 of them. He also helped found the Eastern Valley Athletic Association.

Rick is now semi-retired and looking to run for city council for the City of Abbotsford. He hopes to boost economy and improve parks and recreation that are lacking in comparison to municipalities surrounding us.

Author of Grading Smarter, Not Harder, and Giving Students a Say, Myron Dueck challenges the traditional approach to education that past generations experienced.

We explore Myron's upbringing and the moments that changed his focus on education. He recently published an article AI in Schools which has captured the attention of educators across the globe.

Myron has previously held titles as teacher, Vice-Principal, District Principal, and now is on his journey as a educational speaker and consultant.

Farhan Lalji is a long-time journalist and broadcaster for TSN. He is also heavily involved with youth sport whether that is being an advocate across multiple levels or a head coach for high school football.

His experiences has taken him across the globe covering professional athletes and events such as NFL, NBA, NHL, CFL, World Cup, to name a few.

We get into the story of Farhan, his views on success, and how others can get involved. Additionally, we discuss sport as a whole and trends currently impacting society and youth sport.

Savannah Grewal discusses her journey from college golf at Clemson University, where she shattered records, to the LPGA. She placed top 5 in her second LPGA event at Blue Bay. She highlights the support of her family, the sacrifices and barriers she faced, and the mental and emotional aspects of professional golf.

As one could imagine, we get into the time and sacrifice it takes to break through to see success in a very competitive sport. She also reveals some superstition, routines, and life on the road.

Savannah is a young and rising Canadian star with lots of potential. A shout out to Piper's Heath, her home course, where she developed her game at a young age. Lastly, you'll hear some of her long-term goals and hopes for the sport!