Privacy matters — because trust is everything.

In this episode of Successfully Ambiguous, host Christine Brooks-Cappadocia (AVP, Continuing Studies at York University) sits down with Peter Kosmala, global privacy expert and York instructor, to explore how data culture differs across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, revealing why protecting what’s personal has never been more important.

From cybersecurity and transparency to managing your digital footprint, this conversation reveals how privacy has evolved into a cornerstone of digital trust and ethical innovation.

What you’ll learn:

• Why privacy is cultural and what that means for global business
• How cybersecurity and privacy work hand in hand
• What Canadian organizations can do to build transparency and compliance
• How job seekers can protect their digital reputation and data rights
• What “the right to be forgotten” really means — and what it doesn’t

Special offer (expires January 2026):

Save $100 on York University’s Information Privacy program.

Use code SuccessfullyIP when registering for the next cohort.

Learn more or apply:

https://continue.yorku.ca/programs/certificate-in-information-privacy/

This promotional code is non-transferable, has no cash value, and may not be combined with other offers.

Have a question or career story to share?

Email: [email protected]

Join the conversation with today's leaders and share your career questions. Make sure to subscribe, like, and share! 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you build something meaningful when the odds are stacked against you?

In this episode of Successfully Ambiguous, Olu Villasa, Program Manager at the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA), shares how lived experience, purpose and community can turn barriers into opportunities — and how BEA is helping reshape entrepreneurship in Canada.

Plus, stay tuned for an exclusive offer for professionals ready to take the next step in their career.

🎓 SPECIAL OFFER FOR LISTENERS – SAVE $100 ON TUITION at York University School of Continuing Studies

• Certificate in Business Process Improvement — Code: SuccessfullyBPI (Exp. Mar 2 2026)

Non-transferable; cannot be combined with other offers.

Join the conversation with today's leaders and share your career questions. Make sure to subscribe, like, and share! 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Dr. Christine Sawchuk, President and CEO of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Business Valuators (CICBV), to explore a career path that’s not just rewarding—it’s practically guaranteed. With a near 100% employment rate, business valuation is one of Canada’s most secure and in-demand professions.

Christine shares how this field is critical to navigating succession planning, legal disputes, and the valuation of intangible assets in today’s tech-driven economy. We also talk about the unique challenges women face in advancing their careers—including the tendency to hold back from applying unless they meet every single qualification. Christine’s advocacy for women and underrepresented groups is both personal and powerful, and her own journey from accountant to educator to CEO (and now Doctor Sawchuk) is a testament to lifelong learning and bold career pivots.

If you’ve ever hesitated to raise your hand for an opportunity, this episode will inspire you to rethink what’s possible.

Join the conversation with today's leaders and share your career questions. Make sure to subscribe, like, and share! 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Maham Abbasi, entrepreneur and founder of the No Shame Project, joins Christine Brooks-Cappadocia to share her journey of turning advocacy into impact. From challenging stigmas around period poverty to supporting students in education and study abroad, Maham shows how purpose and passion can build stronger futures.

Join the conversation with today's leaders and share your career questions. Make sure to subscribe, like, and share! 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Gayathri Rajamohan—one of only five global finalists for the prestigious PIEoneer Alumni of the Year Award and the only from a Canadian institution. Her story is one of courage, community, and commitment to empowering women in cybersecurity.

In our conversation, Gayathri shares how her upbringing, her father’s example of service, and her own journey as an international student shaped her passion for giving back. From founding “Ladies Leading Cyber” to mentoring students in Canada and abroad, she’s helping others see themselves in tech—and thrive.

We talk about:

• The cultural shift from India to Canada and how it shaped her confidence
• Why asking for help is a superpower
• The joy and growth that come from volunteering
• Her experience as a teaching assistant and what she’s learned from her students
• What it felt like to be shortlisted for a global award—and what’s next

This episode is full of heart, insight, and practical advice for anyone navigating change, especially international students and women in tech. Gayathri’s story reminds us that success isn’t just about personal achievement—it’s about lifting others as you rise.

Tune in and be inspired.

Join the conversation with today's leaders and share your career questions. Make sure to subscribe, like, and share! 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When I first met Dana Stephenson nearly a decade ago, we were both deep in the trenches of trying to solve a problem that still challenges educators and employers today: how do we prepare students for a future that’s anything but predictable? 

In this episode, I sit down with Dana—co-founder of Riipen, a platform that connects students, educators, and employers through real-world project-based learning—to talk about the power of work-integrated learning, the importance of durable human skills, and how we can better equip learners to thrive in a world shaped by rapid change and AI. 

Dana’s journey is anything but linear, and that’s exactly what makes it so relatable. From construction sites and telemarketing calls to founding a company that’s reshaping education-to-employment pathways, his story is a testament to the value of adaptability, empathy, and learning by doing. We also reflect on our shared belief in the transformative potential of experiential learning—something that brought us together years ago and continues to drive our work today. 

Whether you're a student wondering how to talk about your project experience in a job interview, an educator looking to bring real-world relevance into your classroom, or an employer trying to hire for potential rather than pedigree, this conversation is packed with insights and inspiration. 

Join us as we explore how to embrace ambiguity, build resilience, and create more inclusive, impactful learning experiences for all. 

Join the conversation with today's leaders and share your career questions. Make sure to subscribe, like, and share! 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Successfully Ambiguous, I sit down with Erick Bauer, a fellow communicator, educator, and changemaker. Erick is the Head of External Relations at Meridian Credit Union, Founder of the Bauer Group, author, host of The Bottom Line with Erick Bauer podcast, and passionate about giving back to his community.

Erick shares his journey from policing to public relations, and how he’s used every twist and turn to build a career rooted in purpose. We talk about the power of personal branding, the importance of mentorship, and why building authentic connections—not just sending out resumes—is the key to career success.

We also dive into Erick’s upcoming book, his experience living with cystic fibrosis, and how that’s shaped his resilience and leadership. And yes, we talk podcasts too—his show The Bottom Line is a must-listen for anyone who believes in the power of storytelling.

This episode is a heartfelt, practical, and inspiring listen for anyone navigating a career path that doesn’t follow a straight line.

Join us for a conversation that’s as real as it is hopeful—and find out how Erick is helping shape the Canada we all want to build.

Join the conversation with today's leaders and share your career questions. Make sure to subscribe, like, and share! 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I first met Katherine Chong when she was helping our School build Canada’s first academic program in Product Management. I was struck by her fearless curiosity and the way she turned a sabbatical into a masterclass in human connection. In this episode, I sit down with Katherine—product manager, startup coach, instructor, and cultural consultant for Pixar’s Turning Red—to talk about how 300 conversations with strangers reshaped her career, her mindset, and her sense of purpose.

We dive into how she navigated burnout, embraced “funemployment,” and discovered the power of asking without an agenda. Katherine’s story is a reminder that sometimes the best opportunities come when we stop chasing titles and start following our curiosity. From cold emails to consulting for an Oscar-nominated film, her journey is anything but traditional—and that’s exactly why it’s so powerful.

Tune in to hear how Katherine:

• Used curiosity as a compass to reinvent her career
• Built a network from scratch during a global pandemic
• Helped shape the cultural authenticity of Turning Red
• Coaches others to find their own path in product management and entrepreneurship

This conversation is personal for me—not just because of Katherine’s incredible story, but because it reflects the kind of bold, human-centered thinking we need more of in today’s workforce.

Join the conversation with today's leaders and share your career questions. Make sure to subscribe, like, and share! 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I sit down with someone I deeply admire and have had the pleasure of getting to know through the Canadian Chamber of Commerce—Diana Palmerín Velasco, Senior Director, Future of Work. Diana brings a rare combination of lived experience as a newcomer and deep policy expertise that makes her voice essential in today’s conversations about immigration, labour, and the future of work in Canada.

Diana and I talk candidly about the real challenges facing newcomers—especially highly skilled immigrants and international students—when they arrive in Canada. She shares her own journey of taking two years to land her first job, despite holding a master’s degree from the UK, and a PhD and speaking fluent English. We explore how this disconnect between talent and opportunity is not just a personal loss, but a national one.

We also dive into:

• The unintended consequences of recent immigration policy shifts
• Why employers across Canada—from Yellowknife to Niagara—are struggling to find workers
• The critical role of temporary foreign workers and international students in sustaining our economy
• How AI is reshaping hiring and what that means for equity and inclusion
• The urgent need for collaboration between employers, educators, settlement agencies, and government

Whether you're an employer trying to fill roles, a newcomer navigating the job market, an international student planning your future, or a policy maker shaping Canada's workforce strategy—this conversation is for you.

Diana’s insights are honest, hopeful, and grounded in both data and humanity. I left this conversation inspired, and I think you will too.

🔗 Tune in now and let’s rethink how we welcome talent—and how we build a future of work that works for everyone.

Join the conversation with today's leaders and share your career questions. Make sure to subscribe, like, and share! 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do you do when the job you’ve worked so hard to land turns out to be nothing like you imagined—on day one?

In this episode, I’m joined by the vibrant Michelle Aarons, who shares the story of how her dream job quickly became a wake-up call. But instead of letting that moment define her, Michelle used it as a catalyst for growth, clarity, and purpose.

We talk about:

• The power of reframing disappointment into motivation
• What leaders and hiring managers can learn from her experience
• Why embracing boundless opportunity is more than just a mindset—it’s a strategy

Michelle is a TEDx speaker, a lifelong learner currently pursuing her master’s, and an award-winning professional who brings energy, insight, and authenticity to everything she does. I first met her when she was building a continuous learning unit at another university, and now I’m lucky to work alongside her at the York University School of Continuing Studies.

If you’ve ever questioned your path or needed a reminder that setbacks can be springboards, this conversation is for you.

Join the conversation with today's leaders and share your career questions. Make sure to subscribe, like, and share! 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.