Mission Critical

In the high-pressure world of competitive figure skating, Canadian Olympian Piper Gilles has carved out a name for herself, not only through her artistry and athleticism but also through her resilience and advocacy. 

Beyond the rink, Piper is a vocal advocate for women’s health and has turned her personal battle into a mission to inspire and educate. While being an elite athlete comes with its own share of personal sacrifice and struggle, it was her diagnosis with Stage 1 ovarian cancer in the spring of 2023 that tested the resilience and fortitude that she had built up for herself throughout the course of her career. 

In this episode, the two-time Canadian Olympian and three-time World Figure Skating Championship Medalist sits with Lance and discusses her artistry through sport, advocacy, and celebrating her accomplishments in life. 

In this episode, presented by Monogram Appliances Canada, Lance sits down with Madelyn Chung, founder of The RepresentASIAN Project, to discuss the complexities of cultural identity, Asian representation in media, and the ongoing work of breaking down systemic barriers within and outside the Asian community. Madelyn shares candid insights into her personal journey of embracing her roots, the impact of pivotal moments like Crazy Rich Asians, and how her platform has evolved to showcase not just success stories, but the nuanced experiences that make up the Asian diaspora. From navigating colorism and internal racism to advocating for solidarity between BIPOC communities, she opens up about the challenges and triumphs of amplifying Asian voices in media and beyond.

In the high-stakes world of professional hockey, Emerance Maschmeyer and Geneviève Lacasse share a story that uniquely sets them apart from their contemporaries. Both elite goaltenders with careers that span the highs of international competition (both were part of Canada’s national team) and the grit of the newly launched Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), they’ve faced it all. But off the ice, they’ve built a partnership that’s as formidable as their game-day personas. Navigating the pressures of elite sport, national team selections, and the rollercoaster of wins and losses, Emerance and Geneviève are redefining what it means to be a power couple in modern sports. 

Speaking at the inaugural GLORY Sports Summit with Lance, the dynamic duo break down the art of balancing competition with connection, advice for aspiring athletes, and what it really takes to succeed at the highest level—together.

Renowned for his dynamic fusion of pop culture iconography, Takaski Murakami has had a formidable impact on culture and art. From his groundbreaking partnership with Louis Vuitton to his haunting work for musician Billie Eilish, collaboration has always played a pivotal role in the Tokyo-based artist’s creative journey.

On the latest episode of the Mission Critical podcast, Lance sits down with the renowned artist for an intimate discussion about his career, collaboration, and what brought him to Toronto for the first time.

In this episode of Mission Critical, Lance welcomes David Shoemaker, the dynamic CEO and Secretary General of the Canadian Olympic Committee. As the world anticipates the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Shoemaker offers a compelling look into his distinctive leadership style and what it's like to lead an organization as unique as his. Elsewhere in the episode, Lance and David discuss the unifying power of sport in fostering community and national pride, and why 2024 is a milestone year for achieving gender equity.

In the sequined, high-camp world of drag, few names shine as brightly as Brooke Lynn Hytes. From her transformative experience on RuPaul’s Drag Race to her burgeoning media empire as host of Canada’s Drag Race, she has not only captivated audiences with her stunning performances but has also become a beacon of queer visibility.

Originally a pageant queen with a penchant for perfection, her time on Drag Race allowed her to break free from rigid expectations, embracing the fun and unpredictability of drag. This shift not only revolutionized her approach to the art form but also resonated deeply with fans worldwide, who saw in her a reflection of their own struggles and triumphs.

In a time when queer communities face renewed challenges, she stands as a testament to the resilience and creativity that define drag culture. Her commitment to joy, visibility, and progress underscores why we need drag culture now more than ever. Drag queens remind us of our shared humanity, challenge societal norms, and celebrate the vibrant tapestry of identities that make up our community. 

In this episode of Mission Critical, Brooke Lynn Hytes joins Lance to talk about how she’s building her own media empire, the importance of queer visibility, and why we need drag culture now, more than ever. 

Laurie May has long been a guiding force that continues to shape the narrative voice of the film industry. As co-founder and co-president of Elevation Pictures, a Canadian distribution and production company, Laurie's vision has always been to make an impact by telling a wide range of independent stories that resonate with audiences—to help viewers feel acknowledged and represented. (After all, cinema, along with all other forms of artistic expression, can serve as a powerful reflection of the world around us.) 

Since launching at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival, Elevation Pictures has gone on to release award-winning films, including The Imitation Game, Room, Moonlight, Everything Everywhere All At Once, and most recently, Past Lives, The Zone of Interest, and Anatomy of a Fall. 

In this episode, Lance chats with Laurie about her fascinating career journey, the business of movies, and the importance of telling diverse stories.

In a world that is increasingly becoming defined by technological advancements and endless content scrolling, what role does a symphony orchestra play in the big picture of it all? It's a question that Mark Williams has had to confront in his role as CEO of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO).

The challenge ahead is an interesting one—how do you honour the rich legacy of a century-old cultural institution without being beholden to that same history, to innovate, push boundaries, and charge into the future? 

For Williams—the first Black CEO of a major North American orchestra—it's about community. An orchestra is hardly a relic of the past but rather a dynamic force that has the power to open doors and minds by bringing people together, whether on the stage or in the audience.

As the TSO embarks on its 101st year and its next century ahead, Williams envisions an orchestra that listens more than it speaks, touching lives in ways that go beyond the concert hall.

On this episode, Lance chats with Mark about the power of music, diversity in the symphony orchestra, and what the orchestra of the future looks like. 

Leonard Brody is an award-winning entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and bestselling author. As co-founder of Caravan, a venture with Creative Artists Agency (CAA), the two-time Emmy-nominated media visionary shares insights with Lance about the intricacies of building ventures for global icons like Carrie Underwood and Tom Hanks, and what brands should consider before entering into a partnership with celebrity talent.

Here's what you can expect from this episode:

Are we in the golden age of celebrity entrepreneurship? Or are we approaching celebrity brand burnout?

How has the landscape of celebrity entrepreneurship evolved over the years?

How does research create the foundation of a successful celebrity partnership?

What is the difference between an endorsement, licensing, and partnership?

What is the profile of the ideal celebrity entrepreneur?

What are some of the safeguards that business owners can build in crisis PR moments where a celebrity has lost the public’s goodwill and trust?

Make sure to subscribe to the Mission Critical podcast for more of today's greatest entrepreneurs and leaders.

You may know SKIMS for its celebrity co-founder, Kim Kardashian, but are you aware of its other co-founder? On this episode of Mission Critical, SKIMS CEO and co-founder Jens Grede joins Lance to talk about his fascinating entrepreneurial journey, his experience working with Kim, and the evolution of the celebrity-driven brand.

Here's what you can expect from this episode:

What makes a great brand?

How Nike's Jordan brand influenced his and Kim's perspective on building SKIMS.

How to harness culture to build your business.

The impact of social media on the culture of fame and commerce.

The evolution of the celebrity-driven brand.

The biggest factor that has contributed to the success of SKIMS.

Make sure to subscribe to the Mission Critical podcast for more of today's greatest entrepreneurs and leaders.