Sheliza Jamal is an educator, speaker, and equity and inclusion coach. She is a graduate of the Harvard Graduate School of Education where she studied the impact of arts in education, leadership in social change organizations, education entrepreneurship innovation, and educational policy through the lens of systemic inequities. Sheliza also holds an Honors BA in Theatre and BEd from York University and is starting her PhD at OISE, University of Toronto in the Department of Social Justice Education. Sheliza brings over a decade of experience in public education teaching and designing and implementing programs and services aimed at addressing inequitable outcomes for underserved communities. Sheliza has a background in theatre performance and education and often uses theatre-based techniques to develop a sense of embodied empathy and engage participants in dialogue about oppression. Sheliza is an Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT) and a K-12 Inclusion Learning Coach with the Toronto District School Board where she supports students, teachers and leaders in programs that foster equity and inclusion to meet the needs of diverse learners.

In this conversation we talked about building confidence, managing imposter syndrome, and unconscious bias. We also talked about equity, diversity and inclusion, casual racism, and the negative effects of social media.

Gregg Brown is the founder of Change Ready Leadership and the best-selling author of Ready, Set, Change AGAIN! An award-winner in the fields of leadership and change, Gregg helps leaders and teams seize opportunities, create positive change and elevate their effectiveness in the workplace. As an international keynote speaker, he engages his audiences to help them break out of status quo change management thinking and discover people-centric approaches that actually work. His work has been featured nationally and internationally in media such as Entrepreneur, Global News, iHeart Media, HR.com and on CTV’s The Social.

In this conversation we talked about the power of calmness, personal leadership, and elite public speaking. We also talked about structured downtime, relaxation practices, and getting in the zone. It was an inspiring conversation that got me to consider all that it would take to unlock a new, higher level of performance.

Danny Tseng is the Co-Founder of Syllable Design, an interior design and architecture firm. As a licensed architect with the Ontario Association of Architects, Danny thoughtfully crafts buildings with rigorous detail and creatively maneuvers around restrictive parameters to create the best possible design solution. His main role at Syllable Design is leadership in design direction and production quality assurance. Working on key projects such as a major office building renovation, Danny is the driving force of design exploration within the firm. Previously, he used to work at some of Toronto’s largest firms—Quadrangle and Moriyama & Teshima Architects—having exposure to fine detailing and concept development on key projects around the GTA. Danny graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, and the University of Toronto completing a Masters of Architecture.

In this conversation we talked about professional transitions, moments of change, and burnout. We also talked about deadlines, sugar & caffeine, and work-life balance. 

Daniel Breez is the Finance Manager of Caudalie Canada and the Founder of Measured Growth CPA in partnership with Accodex Partners, an accounting technology firm. In his early years, Daniel had a strong passion for music and arts, and until the age of 20, he competed and performed professionally in ballroom dance. After that, he took on guitar and singing lessons and continues to put on live performances in his spare time. After graduating from the Schulich School of Business, Daniel felt lost, as most people do, and was unsure of what his next steps should be. It was at this point that he found a strong passion for fitness, nutrition, and psychology. This led to a huge transformation not only for the body but also for the mind. After completing his CPA CA requirements, Daniel co-founded IMPACTx Toronto, a live interview series for a community of young entrepreneurially-minded individuals. It was this passion for entrepreneurship that led Daniel down a path to pursue his own accounting practice to help impact-driven businesses succeed.

In this conversation we talked about pushing through slumps, starting a business, and getting inspired. We also talked about adherence to the process, nutrition and supplements, and productivity systems in general (and in detail). It was a gem-filled conversation that gave me the inspiration to get back into some good habits that got me here in the first place.

Brione Wishart is a Toronto based film director, producer and the founder of TrepFuel and ARTLEE Creative Agency. His work stems from a love of Cinema, Music, and Storytelling. Known for his ability to create visually engaging content and beautifully crafted work that captures something real and authentic in every subject, Brione's talent for cinematic storytelling is evident in all of his work. His work includes a wide variety of clients such as Porsche, Samsung, Under Armour, Bacardi, Huawei, eBay, Capital One, Gillette, Hasbro, Kitchen Aid, and The Alzheimers Society.

In this episode we talked about hip-hop moguls, ownership, and entrepreneurship. We also talked about fatherhood, burnout, and hip-hop.

Kelly Foss is the co-host of the Millennial Minimalists Podcast and the co-founder of IMPACTx Toronto, a monthly mindset-focused event series supported by Shopify Toronto. Kelly's professional experience includes managing partnerships, events and content marketing for brands including Air Canada, Iconink Hospitality, and Diversio AI. Today Kelly is overseeing partnerships and events for Bang & Olufsen Toronto. Kelly graduated with honours from Western University Canada and has worked in Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Los Angeles. 

In this episode we talked about minimalism, the fashion industry, and creating communities. We also talked about travel, inspiration, and eliminating distractions when it comes to your time, energy, and attention.

Sam Demma is an alumni of Canada’s Top 25 Under 25 Environmentalist Award, the co-founder of the social enterprise PickWaste, and a 19-year-old youth speaker. He’s been recognized on national news, he’s delivered a TED talk, he’s worked with brands such as A&W, and over the past two years he has spoken to thousands of students across the country. He is a connector for the League of Innovators, the emcee of Speaker Slam Youth, and the youngest member of an advanced Toastmasters club. From soccer to social impact – Sam is the example of what happens when young people follow their dreams with small consistent actions.

In this episode we talked about TED talks, mental health, and being young. We also talked about bouncing back, the education system, and public speaking in general.

Pauleanna Reid is a Canadian journalist, two time author, and celebrity ghostwriter. She’s a Senior Contributor at Forbes. She’s also the Founder of WritersBlok, a collective of freelance writers who create share-worthy content. Pauleanna is the author of two books, Everything I Couldn’t Tell My Mother as well as Mixed Emotions. Her fascinating life story has been covered by publications include Global News, FLARE, Huffington Post, ESSENCE Magazine and MTV Canada. And for the past six years, she’s been speaking across North America with a focus on empowering young people, especially women, in transition.

In this conversation (co-hosted by Pauleanna’s co-author and business partner Andrew Nguyen), we talked about embracing the grind, confronting failure, and overcoming doubt. We also talked about building empires, manifesting success, and staying the course. 

Hussain Bokhari is a Masters of Engineering Candidate at Ryerson University, studying Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. Born in Pakistan and raised in Canada, Hussain’s got a contagious appetite for personal development. Between his studies, during the day, he works as a Development Associate at Ryerson University, researching and writing proposals for major gifts. At night, he’s growing his start-up Holistic Bodies, a brand that’s dedicated to promoting holistic wellness. His motto is "Educate, Empower, Enjoy".

In this conversation we talked about manifesting success, persisting through lows, and building an online presence. We also talked about fitness routines, unlocking energy, and staying focused on long-term goals.

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Follow Hussain Bokhari on Instagram: @huss_life

Follow Holistic Bodies on Instagram: @holisticbodies1

Herbert Lui writes about life, psychology, and culture. He was a staff writer for Lifehacker, and his writing has appeared in The Globe and Mail, the New York Observer, and Fast Company. As the creative director of Wonder Shuttle, Herbert works with clients like Shopify, Stripe, and Pocket to make impressions instead of buying them. Prior to that, he has worked with grammy-nominated musicians, luxury retailers, and award-winning studios on their copywriting, strategy, and creative.

In this episode we talked about Kanye West, creative inspiration, and reaching your full potential. We also talked about structuring time for mega projects, context switching, and staying focused. 

DISCLAIMER: We spent a good chunk of the convo talking about Kanye West. If you want to skip that, go to about the halfway point of the episode.