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The Ampersand Unplugged brings you an audio version of our May 2026 edition of The Ampersand, read aloud by the author. In this milestone 200th edition, Adam reflects on what you find when you stop looking at the mannequin in the window and walk the shop floor instead.

From touring client sites across Alberta to a fumbled answer under hot lights at an awards luncheon, he makes the case that the real story of any business—including his own—is never found out front. It's a little further back, with the people who show up every day and do the work.

You can find the full written blog on our website here.

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The Ampersand Unplugged brings you an audio version of our October 2025 edition of The Ampersand, read aloud by the author. In this edition, Adam reflects on what it means to navigate the start of a career—and what the rest of us can learn from watching the next generation figure it out.

On the surface, this edition is about early-career twenty-somethings showing up at his office looking for direction. But really, it's about all of us—how we think about careers, progress, and what it means to be "on track." He makes the case that your 20s and 30s aren't about mastery; they're about experimentation. And that what looks like drifting is often just development that doesn't photograph well on a resume. 

You can find the full written blog on our website here. 

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The Ampersand Unplugged brings you an audio version of our April 2026 edition of The Ampersand, read aloud by the author. In this edition, Adam reflects on what artificial intelligence means for the deeply human work of executive search. 

From the death of the Rolodex to the resurgence of vinyl records and Legion bingo nights, he makes the case that as the world speeds up and algorithms multiply, what people crave most is texture, trust, and judgment that can't be simulated.

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The Ampersand Unplugged brings you an audio version of our November 2025 edition of The Ampersand, read aloud by the author. This month’s piece reflects on mentorship, service, and the quiet wisdom of those who help carry the weight for others. 

Through stories of caddies, a day spent looping for his son at a golf tournament, and the lasting influence of a beloved mentor, Adam explores the value of perspective, humility, and walking alongside others as they navigate their own fairways. 

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The Ampersand Unplugged brings you an audio version of our March 2026 edition of The Ampersand, read aloud by the author. This month’s piece explores the value of patience, discipline, and the quiet work behind lasting results—from building a backyard rink to building a business, and everything in between. It’s a thoughtful reflection on why process matters, especially when outcomes are unpredictable. 

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The Ampersand Unplugged brings you an audio version of our December 2025 edition of The Ampersand, read aloud by the author. This month’s piece reflects on change, continuity, and the quiet ways our perspectives evolve over time in our work, our careers, and our lives. It’s a thoughtful look at how much shifts, how much stays the same, and what those patterns reveal as one chapter gives way to the next.

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Welcome to Season 5 of The Ampersand Unplugged. This season, we’re doing something a little different. While Kiara Tyler—the creative force behind our first four seasons—is away on maternity leave, Adam Pekarsky will be bringing you audio readings of our monthly Ampersand blog posts.

For 17 years, The Ampersand has landed in inboxes as a written reflection on work, leadership, community, and the everyday questions that shape our professional lives. Season 5 translates those essays from page to sound—no interviews, no hot takes, just the original pieces read aloud, designed to keep you company during the in-between moments of your day.

Whether you’ve been a longtime reader or you’re discovering The Ampersand for the first time, we’re glad you’re here. Think of these as quiet, thoughtful audio companions — something to listen to while walking the dog, sitting in traffic, or staring out an airplane window. Thanks for reading, thanks for listening, and welcome to a new season!

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For those who prefer to listen, The Ampersand Unplugged brings you an audio version of our February 2026 edition of The Ampersand, read aloud by the author himself, Adam Pekarsky. This month’s piece reflects on decision-making, missed opportunities, and the enduring question of “what if?"—from large-scale civic moments to the quieter choices leaders face every day.

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As we bring Season 4 of The Ampersand - Unplugged to a close, it’s time to step back and reflect on the journey we’ve been on with Candidate Confessionals. In this final episode, we take an honest look at the highs and the lows, admitting a few things. From our favorite episodes to the lessons learned along the way, we discuss what worked, what didn’t, and what’s in store for Season 5. Tune in as we pull back the curtain and give you a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how we're planning to make next season our best one yet!

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In this episode of The Ampersand - Unplugged, we sit down with Max Dawson, an expert in executive recruitment and a fellow Partner at the Humanis Edmonton office, Max has over a decade of experience navigating North America’s corporate and sporting landscape. A former three-sport varsity athlete, Max’s journey took him from the field to the boardroom, earning an MBA in Sports Management from Griffith University, and eventually working in Corporate Partnerships with the Edmonton Oilers.

In this candid conversation, Max reflects on his career transitions, the lessons learned from sports, and the values he instills in his daughters, Stella and Ada. We also explore his work on the board of Luge Canada and how he continues to bring his passion for sport into both his personal and professional life.

Join us as we explore Max’s fascinating career journey, the theme of this season, and how he continues to bridge the gap between the sporting and corporate worlds.

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