The Calgary Sessions

Dr. Karen MacNeill and I talk about what it really takes to perform under pressure. Whether you’re an athlete, leader, or just someone trying to keep it together in tough moments.

She shares honest stories about setbacks, the mindset shift from fear to freedom, and how mental fitness makes the difference when it counts. We talk about resilience, finding balance, and why clarity and purpose matter more than ever.

This one’s for anyone curious about high-pressure performance, real leadership, and navigating the twists and turns of personal growth.

How To Connect:

Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jeffhumphreys.ca

Dr. Karen MacNeill - https://macneillperformance.com

Podcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.modelmilk.ca

Podcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shortlinecreative.com

Ross has done a lot in his life: firefighter, nurse, musician, speaker, and now the host of a TV show. What really stood out was how all those parts of his story came together.

We talked about service, identity, and the tension between being who you are and who you're expected to be. Ross shared what it’s like to discover his Métis roots later in life, the lessons that come from frontline work, and how music gave him space to finally be himself.

If you’ve ever tried to balance different sides of who you are, or felt like you didn’t fit into just one box, this one hits home.

How To Connect:

Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jeffhumphreys.ca

Ross MEMPHIS Pambrun - https://rosspambrun.ca

Podcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.modelmilk.ca

Podcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shortlinecreative.com

I sat down with Nicole Robertson, a journalist and founder of Muskwa Productions, to talk about where her voice comes from and how she’s used it to tell hard stories for nearly 30 years.

With Cree and Scottish roots, she spoke about growing up between cultures and the early experiences that shaped her sense of identity. We talked about the loss of her childhood friend Neil Stonechild, her early reporting on residential school survivors, and why she built a media company to ensure Indigenous stories are told by the people living them. She also shared how grounding practices, time in nature, and ceremony help her stay connected to the work.

The episode explores journalism, identity, responsibility, and the long path to telling stories that matter.

How To Connect:

Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jeffhumphreys.ca

Nicole Robertson - https://muskwaproductions.com

Podcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.modelmilk.ca

Podcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shortlinecreative.com

In this episode, I sit down with Emma Harding, a voice coach and artist development expert who grew up backstage in the British rock scene and later built a creative life in Calgary.

We get into what it really means to unlock your true voice, how healing your past can change your performance, and why community matters more than chasing perfection.

We also talk about ADHD, imposter syndrome, and the impact of neuroscience and trauma on creativity.

How To Connect:

Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jeffhumphreys.ca

Emma Harding - https://www.rockitvocalstudios.com

Podcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.modelmilk.ca

Podcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shortlinecreative.com

Daniel Plenzik built a steady career as an electrical engineer before deciding to leave it behind. What started as a personal passion for winemaking turned into a full-on commitment to craft spirits, leading to a Calgary distillery that quietly produced the best brandy in the world.

We talked about what it really takes to step away from security, how long-term thinking shapes every decision, and why building something meaningful often means doing it the hard way.

This one’s about passion, patience, and choosing to build something most people won’t notice until much later.

How To Connect:

Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jeffhumphreys.ca

Daniel Plenzik - https://bridgelanddistillery.com

Podcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.modelmilk.ca

Podcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shortlinecreative.com

Tom has built a life around work ethic, stability, and solving big problems. But in recent years, he started asking harder questions about what he actually wanted—and whether the safe path was still the right one.

In this episode, we talk about what it means to walk away from structure, how creativity shows up in business, and why being second-in-command can be a strength. Tom opens up about the cost of doing things you're good at but don’t love, the pull to make art later in life, and the tension between building stability and chasing truth.

We also get into imposter syndrome, abstract art in Calgary, and how AI might shape the future of leadership.

How To Connect:

Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jeffhumphreys.ca

Tom McCaffery - https://tworiver.ca

Podcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.modelmilk.ca

Podcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shortlinecreative.com

Dan Allard helped start Cold Garden, one of Calgary’s most recognizable breweries.

In this episode, we talk about how it came together, what drove the decisions behind it, and why building something a little different felt important. It’s a look at business, identity, and what it means to create something that reflects your values.

How To Connect:

Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jeffhumphreys.ca

Dan Allard -https://coldgarden.ca

Podcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.modelmilk.ca

Podcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shortlinecreative.com

I didn’t know Scott before this episode, but his story left a mark. He built Crescent Point from scratch, led for 18 years, and eventually stepped away. We talked about the pressure of being a young CEO, the impact of government policy on Calgary’s energy sector, and the moments where everything could’ve gone sideways.

What stood out most was how much of his leadership style came from unlikely places—NHL locker rooms, family dinner tables, and quiet conversations with mentors. He built a culture where trust wasn’t just a word, and he’s still applying those lessons today as an entrepreneur, mentor, and now a published author.

This one covers a lot: leadership, letting go, risk, reinvention, writing, and why culture really does matter. Especially when it’s built on friendship.

How To Connect:

Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jeffhumphreys.ca

Scott Saxberg - https://scottsaxberg.com

Podcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.modelmilk.ca

Podcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shortlinecreative.com

Most careers follow a straight path. Kathy Macdonald’s didn’t.

She started as a fitness instructor, then became a police officer, then a cybercrime expert and keynote speaker. At every turn, she faced setbacks—like failing the police fitness test twice—but kept pushing forward.

We talk about reinvention, resilience, and how small decisions lead to unexpected careers. Kathy shares how policing shaped her, why public speaking became her next challenge, and why most people hesitate before taking life-changing opportunities.

This conversation was about adapting, pushing through failure, and recognizing the moments that shape us.

How To Connect:

Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jeffhumphreys.ca

Kathy Macdonald - https://kathymacdonald.ca

Podcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.modelmilk.ca

Podcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shortlinecreative.com

Kate Ryan’s path wasn’t typical. Growing up in a turbulent home, she learned early how to adapt and figure things out on her own. At 16, she left, chasing something bigger than the life she knew. That decision took her across the world, where she discovered circus arts, built a career, and eventually founded her own entertainment company.

We get into what it takes to carve out a creative career from nothing—the struggle, the setbacks, and the relentless work behind the highlight reel. Kate shares what it was like navigating the gig economy, competing in an industry that prioritizes hustle over stability, and learning to balance passion with sustainability.

A conversation about resilience, trust, and the mindset it takes to build a life on your own terms.

How To Connect:

Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jeffhumphreys.ca

Kate Ryan- https://www.kateryancircus.com

Podcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.modelmilk.ca

Podcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shortlinecreative.com