Lets Have This Conversation

With nearly half of the year behind us the digital economy has never held more importance for a vast majority of Canadians. In April CTV News reported Nearly five million Canadians started working from home in response to measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and a new poll finds that many workers think the change will be permanent. Therefore, how has this development altered the state of our digital economy? Ryan McLaughlin Senior Economist & Research Analyst at Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) joined me this week to discuss how the trends in our digital economy have shifted.

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Promoting inclusion in a non-competitive environment when it comes to effective adaptive fitness is key for sustainable success. Promoting a healthy work environment will help boost productivity and stabilize morale. At TeamUP Health and Fitness in Gilbert Arizona, providing individuals a positive place to reach their fullest fitness potential is the objective. For individuals with disabilities, corporate professionals, and facility managers TeamUP fitness is a judgement free zone where everyone has an opportunity to thrive. Drew Saenz is TeamUP’S executive director and he joined me this week to discuss the concept behind their business model and promoting a healthy lifestyle for individuals with disabilities.  To learn more about TeamUP Health and Fitness you can visit  www.Teamupwellness.com You can also follow them on Facebook at:  https://www.facebook.com/TeamUp1161/

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With so many Canadian businesses searching for innovative solutions to re-engage their profit margins and generate interest, thinking outside the box and using technology and innovation is the key to success. At Launcodein Calgary Alberta they have a question that drives their company every day. What’s Your Mission? It’s a big question. One that comes with risks, challenges, and tough decisions. But it is also a question that can open new markets and new ways of thinking. It is a call-to-action to set your sights beyond today and towards the future. To chart your course and accelerate your business past your-competitors. There are a lot of questions facing your business, but there is one sure way to propel it forward. Jason Swanson is the director of Sales for Launchcode and he joined me this week to discuss different ways all businesses can accelerate business growth and how Launchcode continues to be successful in this challenging business climate.

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Unemployment rate reaches record high as restrictions ease and more Canadians look for work. The unemployment rate was 13.7% in May, the highest rate recorded since comparable data became available in 1976. Therefore, the question is a simple one.  What’s the key to Canada’s economic recovery?  Trevin Stratton is the Chief Economist and Vice President at Canadian Chamber of Commerce (Canada.  He joined me this week to discuss our nation’s economic prospects and outlook.

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For Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia this year, places them at a critical inflection point they have to win or perhaps they would be headed straight for the unemployment line. The selections they made in the 2020 NFL Draft, will be a large part of their foundation on which to build upon. They must get starters out of this crop of players considering how high they were selecting. Can Jeffrey Okudah and Deandre Swift lead the resurgence in the motor city? Also, which other players will make an instant impact on the field this year? Walter Cherepinsky, President at Walter Football Inc one of the leading draft analysis sites on the web today, stopped by the show this week to dish on the Lions and other national draft related topics in 2020.

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The NBA is set to make a triumphant return to the hardwood at the end of July.  In the most magical place on earth Disneyworld.  The NBA board of governors voted recently, to approve a 22-team format to restart the 2019-20 season July 31 in Orlando, Florida, the league announced   Under the plan, 13Western Conference teams and nine Eastern Conference teams will play eight regular-season "seeding" games, a possible play-in tournament for the eighth seed and playoffs at the Walt Disney World Resort. The top 16 teams in the Eastern and Western conferences will be joined by teams currently within six games of eighth place in the two conferences -- New Orleans, Portland, San Antonio, Sacramento, Phoenix and  Washington.  Michael Pina NBA reporter for SB Nation joined me this week to discuss the league’s return to the hardwood.

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America is intrinsically divided and broken. The soul of America appears to be lost and devoid of leadership. It is hardly a political opinion to suggest at this point, the messaging from the White House has been at best inadequate and at worst a clear dereliction of duty. We’ve gone from the virus being a Democratic hoax and “the 15 (cases) within a couple of days, is going to be down to close to zero" to a few days later a national emergency being declared to being told we should be largely through the crisis by Easter. What kind of coverage of that kind of back and forth is fair? Or unfair? Racial tensions are also stoked again thanks to the untimely death of George Floyd. Which brought to surface the work which still needs to be done to bridge the gap of racial division in the country. How will all these issues play in an election year? How do we heal a broken nation? This was the, genesis of my discussion with Mary C. Curtis. A 2006 Nieman Fellow at Harvard University, nationally syndicated columnist/commentator Published in The Washington Post, The Root, The Grio, Essence.com and NPR commentator. Hear her views on how we can promote more unity and kinship.   Be sure to keep up with the latest content produced by Mary C. Curtis by visiting: • maryccurtis.com  (Personal Website) • washingtonpost.com/blogs/she-the-people/  (Blog) You can also find her on twitter @mcurtisnc3

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The Indianapolis Colts have had a banner offseason by many accounts. Highlighted by the acquisition of fiery Philip Rivers to help jumpstart production under center and lead a potentially potent offense. He was brought in to help the Colts reach and obtained something they have not had since 2006, a super bowl. Can the team from the Hoosier State return to their glory years and capture the ultimate prize again? Have they done enough this offseason, to return to the upper echelon of super bowl contenders? Jake Arthur is a contributor for Colts.com. He joined me this week to provide his prognosis as to whether the Colts can capture the ultimate prize this season. Let’s have this conversation.

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The NHL Is doing its part to bring sports starved fans some normalcy. By adopting a 24-team format which will accelerate the push towards the playoffs. Mike Stephens an NHL Analyst & Host at Yahoo Sports joined me earlier this week. To discuss the league’s return to action and what it means for the psyche and psychology of people who have missed the sport.

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How do we Preserve the value of Objective Journalism?   Preserving the integrity of the journalism profession is something veteran WDIV Local 4 anchor Devin Scillian values a great deal.  In late March, after watching a press conference where President Donald Trump again referred to the media as ‘Enemy of the people’: Scillian made an impassioned plea to his audience.  saying, "It's dispiriting because, I'm telling you right now, American journalists are working in insane conditions to try to bring you the latest in a situation that is unprecedented for all of us." Scillian and I have a similar view on the sanctity and value of objective journalism, that is why I am honored to feature him as a guest this week, to discuss the value of objective journalism.

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