The Calgary Sessions

What does it mean to see the world through an artist's eyes?

Sheila Kernan is a Calgary-based artist whose journey has been shaped by a creative upbringing, a love for experimentation, and a deep connection to the imperfect beauty of life.

In this episode, we explore Sheila’s path from her inventive childhood to her career as a professional artist. We talk about how her mother’s resourcefulness influenced her creative spirit, the power of mentors who pushed her to embrace her potential, and the impact of travel on her artistic perspective. Sheila also shares her thoughts on failure, learning through mistakes, and why imperfections often make the most meaningful art.

This is a conversation about creativity, exploration, and finding inspiration in the everyday.

Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jeffhumphreys.ca

Sheila Kernan - www.sheilakernan.com

Podcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.modelmilk.ca

Podcast Production - www.shortlinecreative.com

How do relationships shape our careers and the communities we call home?

In this episode, I sit down with Eric Francis, a well-known sports columnist and analyst with Sportsnet. We talk about his journey from the Calgary Sun to Sportsnet, how his love for sports turned into a career, and the big moments that shaped his path—like covering the Olympics and Tiger Woods during his prime.

Eric also shares why Calgary feels like a city of opportunity to him, the unique sense of community here, and how he’s giving back through the Eric Francis Pizza Pigout, an annual event supporting KidSport Calgary. It’s a fun mix of stories, insights, and reflections on sports, media, and the power of connection.

How To Connect:

Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jeffhumphreys.ca

Eric Francis - x.com/ericfrancis

Podcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.modelmilk.ca

Podcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.shortlinecreative

How does a lifelong love for sports lead to a meaningful career in medicine?

Ian Auld is a sports medicine physician, founder of Group 23 Sports Medicine, and Medical Director for the Calgary Flames. Growing up in a family that valued sports and discipline, Ian’s path evolved from playing sports to building a practice where he could combine his passion for sports with a purpose-driven approach to medicine.

In this chat, Ian shares what it means to build confidence from within, how family values shaped his career, and the importance of mental strength for high-performing athletes. He also talks about raising his own kids with lessons on hard work, self-discipline, and finding balance in a world that often demands extremes.

This episode shows how purpose isn’t something you find by chance—it’s something you build through the choices you make.

How To Connect:

Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jeffhumphreys.ca

Ian Auld - www.group23.ca/specialists

Podcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.modelmilk.ca

Podcast Production - www.shortlinecreative.com

Why do we often push ourselves to fit into black-and-white thinking, even when life is full of grey areas?

Sandra Wigg is an author, coach, and lifelong learner who believes in the power of ‘grey thinking’—seeing beyond absolutes and letting go of the pressure to always have things figured out. Her journey from a science-driven career in geology to coaching and writing is shaped by years of learning to trust herself, especially when facing life’s toughest challenges.

In our chat, Sandra and I dig into topics like the role of external validation and how it holds us back, why high achievers often burn out, and what it really means to build confidence from within. We talk about the lessons Sandra took from her work with high-performance athletes and how she uses them now to help others find purpose, peace, and perspective. This episode explores how shifting from ‘right or wrong’ to a more balanced view can open up possibilities in our lives.

How To Connect:

Jeff Humphreys - www.jeffhumphreys.ca

Sandra Wigg - www.sandrawigg.com

Podcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.modelmilk.ca

Podcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.shortlinecreative.com

What does it mean to lead by being real and staying curious?

Christine Dagenais is the founder and CEO of Bright Wire Leadership. In this episode, we talk about how she went from a corporate career to building her own business, all while keeping people and purpose at the center. Christine shares how early family influences and her love of travel shaped her approach to leadership, bringing together values like authenticity and adventure.

We chat about what makes strong leadership today—things like building trust, listening well, and showing up as your true self. Christine’s perspective sheds light on the power of ‘soft skills’ that aren’t so soft when it comes to real impact. We explore how personal values drive her work and why staying grounded in who you are is key to leading well.

This conversation offers a look at leadership that feels relatable and real, especially for anyone interested in bringing more meaning into their work.

How To Connect:

Jeff Humphreys -www.jeffhumphreys.ca

Christine Dagenais - www.christinedagenais.com

Podcast Location - www.modelmilk.ca

Podcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.shortlinecreative.com

What drives a champion’s mindset—raw skill or relentless determination?

In this episode, I sit down with Lisa 'Longball' Vlooswyk, an 8-time Canadian Long Drive Champion who transformed setbacks into stepping stones. Starting in gymnastics, Lisa later found her calling in golf, teaching herself the sport and breaking barriers along the way.

We get into her path of resilience, the role of family values, and the challenges of navigating a male-dominated sport. Lisa shares insights on the power of self-belief, embracing new challenges, and pushing past limitations.

This one’s for those intrigued by grit, ambition, and the mindset of a true competitor.

How To Connect:

Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jeffhumphreys.ca⁠

Lisa 'Longball' Vlooswyk - ⁠www.lisalongball.com⁠

Podcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.modelmilk.ca⁠

Podcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.shortlinecreative.com⁠

What does it mean to truly listen to someone's story?

Loren McGinnis, host of CBC’s The Calgary Eyeopener, has built a career around asking thoughtful questions and mastering the art of listening. From growing up on the Sunshine Coast to adventuring in Yellowknife, Loren’s path to broadcasting has been anything but typical.

In this episode, we explore the lessons he’s learned from small-town life, his time working with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and his unexpected detours into stand-up comedy. We also chat about how his love for the North and his unique approach to listening have both played key roles in shaping his career, and why his perspective on ambition might challenge what you expect.

If you're curious about storytelling, the impact of community, and how listening can open doors, this conversation offers a unique perspective.

How To Connect:

Jeff Humphreys - ⁠www.jeffhumphreys.ca⁠

Loren McGinnis - ⁠www.x.com/lorenmcginnis⁠

Podcast Location - ⁠www.modelmilk.ca⁠

Podcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.shortlinecreative.com⁠

What shapes us more—our upbringing or the choices we make along the way?

In this episode, I sit down with Gordon Breault, someone who’s lived both sides of that question. Gordon took over his family’s public speaking business, but his path to success wasn’t a straight line. From growing up in a family with tough love and early independence, to struggling with addiction and identity in his teenage years, Gordon’s story is one of resilience and finding purpose in unexpected places.

We get into the impact of family dynamics, the role of sports in his early life, and the pivotal moments that turned things around for him. Gordon talks openly about how hitting rock bottom eventually led him to rediscover his purpose and build a successful career. He also reflects on the power of hard work, what it means to lead a business, and why mentorship has been so key in his journey.

If you’re interested in stories about personal growth, overcoming challenges, or finding meaning through service and entrepreneurship, this conversation is worth listening to.

How To Connect:

Jeff Humphreys - ⁠www.jeffhumphreys.ca⁠

Gordon Breault - www.speakerscanada.com

Podcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.modelmilk.ca⁠

Podcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.shortlinecreative.com

What drives someone to walk away from a secure career in law to build something completely new?

Brett Colvin is the co-founder and CEO of Goodlawyer, a Calgary-based startup aiming to transform how people access legal services. In this episode, we explore Brett’s journey from aspiring professional soccer player to corporate lawyer, and finally, to entrepreneur.

We discuss what it was like growing up with a clinical psychologist mother and a stockbroker father, how Brett’s early dreams of sports shaped his work ethic, and why he decided to leave corporate law behind. Brett shares his passion for building businesses, like his experience running a painting franchise, and how that entrepreneurial drive eventually led him to create Goodlawyer, where he’s focused on transforming the legal industry.

If you're curious about entrepreneurship, personal growth, or the changing landscape of legal services, this episode is for you.

How To Connect:

Jeff Humphreys - www.jeffhumphreys.ca

Brett Colvin - www.goodlawyer.ca

Podcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.modelmilk.ca

Podcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.shortlinecreative.com

How do you go from self-doubt to embracing your creative side with confidence?

How To Connect:

Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jeffhumphreys.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠

Michele Doucette - ⁠⁠www.micheledoucette.com

Podcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.modelmilk.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.shortlinecreative.com⁠