In this episode of Rooted Here, we sit down with Danylo Puderak of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress of Saskatchewan to explore the history, leadership, and relationships that have helped Ukrainian culture remain deeply rooted in Saskatchewan for more than a century.

The conversation also looks at the role UCC Saskatchewan has played over the past 50 years, from supporting cultural organizations and advocating for Ukrainian education and heritage to helping newcomers find work, learn English, and build new lives in the province.

When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, that work changed dramatically. Danylo recalls phones ringing constantly and inboxes overflowing with Saskatchewan residents offering housing, employment, donations, and whatever help they could provide. With nearly 9,000 displaced Ukrainians eventually arriving in Saskatchewan, the organization found itself responding not only to a global crisis, but to the deeply personal challenges faced by families who had been forced to leave everything behind.

The episode explores what those newcomers continue to face, why language and isolation can be some of the hardest barriers to overcome, and how programs, cultural organizations, volunteers, and everyday relationships can create a sense of belonging far from home.

At it’s heart, this is a conversation about why culture survives when people continue to carry it forward, adapt it, and make room for others to belong.

Because in Saskatchewan, as Danylo puts it, everybody seems to have a Baba, know a Baba, or somehow find themselves connected to one.

Learn more about the Ukrainian Canadian Congress:

https://www.ucc.ca/

This episode is presented by The Bamboo Podcast Network.

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Leadership is often taught through strategies, frameworks, and management theory. But what if some of its most important lessons come from observing ecosystems, navigating uncertainty, accepting mistakes, and learning how people behave under pressure?

In this episode of Rooted Here, we sit down with Dale Botting, founder of Botting Leadership Inc., author, biologist by training, and former Saskatchewan deputy minister, to explore what decades in public service, business, policy, and executive coaching have taught him about leading people.

Dale shares how growing up in Prince Albert, spending time in Saskatchewan’s wilderness, and studying biology shaped the systems-based approach he later brought into government and organizational leadership. He explains why families, communities, and businesses operate like interconnected ecosystems.

The conversation also explores adaptive intelligence, difficult decision-making, recovering from failure, and why every move needs a counter move. It challenges common leadership myths and speaks candidly about workaholism, vulnerability, depression, and the loneliness that can come with senior leadership.

From protecting the Churchill River to helping shape public policy, coaching executives, writing books, and mentoring the next generation, Dale’s story offers a deeply human look at what leadership becomes when it is shaped by experience rather than theory alone.

Learn more about Dale Botting and his work:

dalebottinginsights.ca

Nobody from Nowhere

March 4th

This episode is presented by The Bamboo Podcast Network.

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AI is making it possible to build faster, automate more, and create things that once required months of work and thousands of dollars. As the technology becomes more powerful, leaders face a bigger question: just because we can use AI, does that mean we always should?

In this episode of Rooted Here, we sit down with Katrina German, founder of Ethical Digital, to explore how businesses and individuals can embrace the possibilities of AI without losing sight of trust, responsibility, and human impact.

Katrina shares the entrepreneurial journey that took her from social media campaigns and video production to building a nationally recognized technology startup and eventually founding Ethical Digital. She also explains why the pressure to “use AI or get left behind” is not necessarily true and why leaders should begin with small, thoughtful decisions rather than rushing into large-scale adoption.

The conversation explores AI’s impact on creativity, employment, hiring, misinformation, data privacy, cybersecurity, and the environment. Katrina also discusses the importance of digital literacy, human oversight, and building clear guardrails before allowing technology to make decisions on our behalf.

Learn more about Katrina German and Ethical Digital:

katrinagerman.com

ethicaldigital.ca

This episode is presented by The Bamboo Podcast Network.

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Opportunities can open doors, but what happens after you step through them is where the real learning begins. Saying yes can mean taking on unfamiliar challenges, making difficult decisions, and becoming responsible for more than your own success.

In this episode of Rooted Here, we sit down with Colton Wiegers, CEO of Wiegers Financial & Benefits, to explore the experiences that shaped how he approaches business, leadership, and community today.

Colton shares how his entrepreneurial journey began by selling snacks as a kid, evolved into building a painting and renovation company while attending university, and ultimately led him into the family business.

The conversation also explores mentorship, communication, community involvement, financial planning, and why leadership ultimately comes down to taking care of people.

Learn more about Wiegers Financial & Benefits:

https://www.wiegers.ca/

This episode is presented by The Bamboo Podcast Network.

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Business growth is often measured in sales, expansion, and new opportunities. Behind every transaction are real people navigating major decisions, emotional transitions, and moments that require far more than a standard business approach.

In this episode of Rooted Here, we sit down with Fredrick Bodnarus and Terri Patterson to explore the evolution of their auction and real estate business. They share how evolving client needs led them beyond traditional auctioneering, and how consistent follow-up and thoughtful diversification helped grow their business.

The conversation also explores reputation, trust, delegation, technology, and the responsibility that comes with helping families through estate sales, downsizing, and significant life changes. Through it all, Fredrick and Terri explain why processes can evolve and technology can improve, but the human side of service cannot be automated.

Learn more about Bodnarus Auctioneering:
https://bodnarusauctioneering.ca/

This episode is presented by The Bamboo Podcast Network.

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Building a business often looks like growth, momentum, and more work coming in. Behind the scenes, it can also mean hard lessons, staffing challenges, burnout, and learning how to build systems that can carry the business forward.

In this episode of Rooted Here, we sit down with Paul Langlois of Langlois Electric to talk about his journey in the electrical trade, the realities of running a trades business, and the lessons that shaped how he leads. Paul shares how his business started with his truck and tools, how it evolved through different stages of growth, and why culture, safety, mentorship, and strong systems matter in building something that lasts.

Learn more about Langlois Electric:
 https://langloiselectric.ca/

This episode is presented by The Bamboo Podcast Network.

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 Public service is often seen through meetings, decisions, and titles. The real work lies in the conversations, community connections, volunteer work, and everyday responsibility that happen far beyond City Hall.

In this episode of Rooted Here, we sit down with Bev Dubois, City Councillor for Ward 9, to talk about leadership, community involvement, and what it means to stay connected to the people you serve. Bev reflects on her early years in Saskatoon, the family values and mentors that shaped her, her path from volunteer boards to city council, and the lessons she has learned through years of public service.

This episode is presented by The Bamboo Podcast Network.

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Most people think financial planning is just about watching a bank account balance grow. But true security isn't about numbers on a screen—it’s about having a concrete strategy to protect the people you love when life completely changes.

 In this episode of Rooted Here, we sit down with Darren Ulmer of White Owl Financial to break down the exact strategies wealthy, confident families use to build lasting peace of mind. Darren shares why relying on willpower to save fails, how to outsmart your own daily spending habits, and why an automated system is your best defense against money anxiety. 

If you want to know what a professional roadmap looks like and how a single, written plan can safeguard your family’s future before a crisis hits, this conversation is exactly what you need to watch.  

Learn more about White Owl Financial: https://advisor.sunlife.ca/darren.ulmer/ 

This episode is presented by The Bamboo Podcast Network.  

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What happens when a family crisis inspires a completely new way to do business?

In Episode 06 of Rooted Here, we sit down with Leon Ferguson, the CEO of Stream Group. Leon went straight into the workforce after high school, but his entire perspective shifted during COVID-19 when his mom and sister were both diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Living at the hospital, he saw firsthand how overwhelmed families struggle to understand complicated medical care. He decided to use his business background to fix it.

This is a powerful conversation about building a business that directly takes care of regular people and underserved communities. 

Connect with Stream Group:
🌐 Website: https://streamgroup.ca/

This episode is presented by The Bamboo Podcast Network.

Go behind the scenes at the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) with Vickie Drover, VP of Academics, to see how the institution is leading a high-tech revolution to support local communities and build the future workforce.

In this episode of Rooted Here, Vickie shares an insider’s look at the strategy, reality, and vision behind SIIT's innovative ecosystem:

• The Reality of Student Funding: Busting the myth of "free" education and looking at the financial hurdles SIIT students conquer through loans, jobs, and corporate-backed awards.
• Virtual Reality Classrooms: De-risking career pathways by letting students "test-drive" advanced trades before they invest.
• The Virtual Health Hub: Deploying remote robotics and healthcare training straight to rural and northern areas.
• Aviation Training: Expanding programs so local people are fully equipped to maintain the critical aircraft their communities rely on.

This is a deep dive into how SIIT moves past simple corporate box-checking to build true, long-term community self-reliance from the academic ground up.

Learn more about SIIT's programs: https://siit.ca/

This episode is presented by The Bamboo Podcast Network.

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