Steve Cadigan is someone who helped shape the culture of one of the most impactful platforms in the world, LinkedIn. He’s been called a Talent Hacker, a Culture Strategist, and a Future of Work thought leader. But today, we’re more interested in the man behind all that, what shaped him, what he’s learned, and what he’s still figuring out.

Steve Cadigan is a rare blend of boardroom strategist and culture architect. He’s not just dug into the trenches of HR, he led those trenches. At LinkedIn, when the company was just a few hundred people, he helped scale it into thousands, shaping the very culture that made it a global icon.

Before that, he cut his teeth at tech giants like Cisco and EA, helping organizations navigate rapid growth, acquisitions, global teams and change.

Today, through Cadigan Talent Ventures, Steve advises leaders and companies around the world on how to turn talent into advantage, how to re‑think work in this era of disruption, and how to build cultures people actually want to join.

This episode was sponsored by Matthew Stevenson Insurance.

Website: https://matthew-stevenson.ca/#work

Instagram: @mattstevensoninsurance

This episode's Dad Jokes Sponsor is Spicer Landscaping and Snow Removal.

Website: https://www.spicerlandscaping.ca

The Clothing and Swag Sponsor of the show is OneBone Clothing.

Website: https://onebonebrand.com

Ivan Fredette has lived what many of us fear: addiction, loss, numbing pain. Ivan didn’t hide from it. Instead, he built a way out. After 17 years of battling alcohol addiction and being wounded by the tragic suicides of a cousin and sister, Ivan decided to take full responsibility for his life. 

Today, he’s the founder of Ironclad Brotherhood, where men come together to reclaim discipline, purpose, sobriety, and legacy. He’s not just a coach. He’s a man who’s walked through the fire and now guides others through the flames. Outside of the mentorship world, he runs Safe Tree Ltd., a successful 7‑figure business in Niagara, proving transformation applies in business too. 

As a husband and father of three, Ivan brings to the table not just business savvy and recovery wisdom, but the real world challenge of living the legacy you teach. In this episode we’ll talk about: how to turn wreckage into leadership, what real accountability looks like for men, how fatherhood reshapes your mission, and why choosing life is the first step to building something meaningful.

Follow Ivan on Instagram @ivanfredette

Website: https://www.ivanfredette.com

This episode was sponsored by Matthew Stevenson Insurance.

Website: https://matthew-stevenson.ca/#work

Instagram: @mattstevensoninsurance

This episode's Dad Jokes Sponsor is Spicer Landscaping and Snow Removal.

Website: https://www.spicerlandscaping.ca

The Clothing and Swag Sponsor of the show is OneBone Clothing.

Website: https://onebonebrand.com

Emily O’Brien’s story is a rare, raw example of redemption and resilience. At age 25, she was caught smuggling cocaine and was later convicted—receiving a four-year prison sentence. 

During her time behind bars, something unexpected happened: she noticed popcorn was one of the few treats that brought people together in confinement. With limited spices—lemon pepper, dill—she began experimenting. That simple idea grew into Comeback Snacks, which she officially launched after her parole in 2018, with a mission to fight stigma, hire formerly incarcerated people, and build hope one bag of popcorn at a time. 

Today, Emily’s brand is stocked in hundreds of outlets across Canada and the U.S. She employs people who have criminal records, works to shift public perception, and speaks about never letting your past define your future. 

Joining Emily O’Brien in studio is her father, John O’Brien — an accomplished executive, strategic advisor, Catholic leader, and mountaineer… but more importantly, a dad who’s walked through fire with his child and stood beside her every step of the way.

John is currently the Chief Financial Officer of the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Catharines, and the founder of O’Brien Strategic Services, a consulting practice that supports Catholic organizations across North America. He spent over three decades with the Diocese of Hamilton, overseeing everything from cemeteries to insurance, while also mentoring new executives in the often complex world of religious governance.

Follow Emily on Instagram @emz.obrien

This episode was sponsored by Matthew Stevenson Insurance.

Today, we’re honoured to welcome Garvin Pinette to the show—a proud father, passionate public servant, archery champion, and a man who’s turned his deepest struggles into powerful fuel for change.

Garvin is a Correctional Officer and Peer Support Coordinator with Manitoba Corrections, and the founder of the department’s first-ever Peer Support Program and Trauma-Informed Care Committee. After surviving three traumatic events early in his career and receiving a PTSD diagnosis, Garvin faced down some of the darkest days of his life—and chose to fight, not just for himself, but for the mental wellness of others in uniform.

He partnered with the MGEU to launch the Healthy Minds at Work Campaign, building out a full Peer Support Training Program. Today, Garvin is a full-time Staff Trainer, a Divisional Coordinator, and a recognized mental health leader in first responder circles.

But that’s just part of the story.

Meet Lexi & Brett Johnson, co‑partners in life and mission. Lexi is the founder of Lexi J Wellness®, a thriving online fitness & wellness brand built from her basement in 2020. Certified in multiple NASM specialties and with a degree in Health Sciences, her goal is simple: help women reclaim strength, health, and confidence in just 28 minutes a day.

Brett, by her side as husband and partner, plays a supportive and active role in their shared vision. He works a full-time job while being both the CFO and COO of Lexi J Wellness. Though not as publicly profiled yet, he shows up in event campaigns, community support, and the “behind the scenes” muscle of Lexi’s growth. Their dynamic pairs business acumen, community focus, and personal drive.

Dave Hulshof is a commercial real estate expert with over 15 years’ experience in investment advisory and wealth management. As Co‑Founder of The Investments Group at Royal LePage Burloak, he co-leads one of Canada’s most active property investment teams—analyzing over 1,500 deals annually and facilitating more than $100 million in transactions in 2023 alone

Holding respected financial designations (CLU, CFP), Dave approaches real estate not just as a broker but as a strategic financial advisor—leveraging a vast network and sophisticated analysis to unlock hidden opportunities. Whether it’s off-market properties or complex valuations, his work helps clients build generational wealth through smart, data-driven investments.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

– How Dave’s father saved their home from foreclosure

– Lessons in resilience and how they shaped his parenting

– Commercial multifamily strategy and CMHC financing

– Co parenting, therapy, and mental health

– Starting a finance podcast with his son

– Fitness shows, jujitsu, and personal discipline

This episode was sponsored by Matthew Stevenson Insurance. Website: https://matthew-stevenson.ca/#work

Rick Campanelli is one of Canada’s most recognizable and loved media personalities—a broadcasting icon whose career began when he won MuchMusic’s “MuchTemp” contest in 1994, earning the nickname “Rick the Temp” before becoming “The Franchise” on Much. Over 12 years, he became a fixture on Canadian entertainment television with roles on ET Canada and Deal or No Deal Canada. Since then, he’s transitioned into radio and live TV reporting with CHFI and Breakfast Television Toronto, while remaining deeply rooted in philanthropy and community. Off-screen, Rick is equally devoted to family. A proud father of three, he has openly shared how taking paternal leave early in fatherhood changed his life, cementing his belief in hands-on parenting

– The importance of staying authentic in media

– Lessons from decades in television and radio

– How the industry has evolved and where it is heading

– Most memorable celebrity encounters and interviews

– Balancing public life with personal values

In this episode, we sit down with Antoine Vaillant, a bodybuilder, entrepreneur, and popular social media personality whose approach to life goes far beyond the gym. Antoine opens up about the mental side of fitness, what it means to push your limits, and how bodybuilding became both a passion and a path to personal growth.

He also shares the real challenges behind competition prep, his philosophy on suffering, and why many people get lost in the pursuit of validation. Whether you're into lifting, mindset, or simply understanding what drives people to become the best version of themselves, this episode offers something honest and real.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

– Antoine’s journey through bodybuilding and competition

– The mindset needed to build physical and mental strength

– Learning from suffering and struggle

– The trap of chasing validation through aesthetics

– Daily routines and how they shape identity

– Finding deeper meaning through fitness

– How Antoine uses pain as a tool for growth

This episode was sponsored by Matthew Stevenson Insurance.

Website: https://matthew-stevenson.ca/#work

In this episode, we sit down with Brian and Mikey Ehrenworth of Frameworth Sports Marketing, one of the most recognized names in the sports memorabilia world. From working with legends like Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby to managing wild behind-the-scenes moments like recovering Rick Nash’s jerseys from a garbage dump. Brian and Mikey share what it takes to build trust and maintain excellence in the sports world. Their stories are a mix of grit, good timing, and genuine relationships. Whether it's traveling across the country to hang frames in a superstar’s home or coordinating one-of-a-kind memorabilia projects, they’ve built a business where passion meets precision. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to work behind the scenes with the biggest names in sports, this episode gives you a front-row seat. Topics Discussed in This Episode: – How Frameworth became a go-to brand for athletes like Sidney Crosby and Wayne Gretzky – The unbelievable story of Rick Nash’s missing jerseys – Building trust and relationships in the sports industry – Creating authentic memorabilia that fans love – Balancing family business dynamics with professional growth

A Bold, New Cancer Medicine that Big Pharma Doesn't Want People to Use | Lee Whitley | Ep.22 |

Lee says the proof is in the people—and he invites anyone to reach out and talk to them directly. In fact, he once turned down a $1.5 billion offer for his formula, refusing to hand over control to big pharmaceutical companies. His mission is to make healing accessible, not profitable.

This episode offers a rare look into the mindset of someone who believes so deeply in what he’s doing, he’s willing to lose everything to keep doing it.

Topics Discussed in This Episode:

How Lee’s medicine is made using CBD and plant-based ingredients

Why he turned down billions of dollars from pharmaceutical companies

Stories of people who say they’ve healed using his formula

The link between immune health and disease recovery

Why he gives out medicine for free to those who can’t afford it