Jason Thompson is a  writer, story artist, animation director, animator, and designer on productions for Disney Jr., Disney Interactive, Warner Brothers, CBC, Teletoon, National Geographic Kids, and the Cartoon Network.

Jason is passionate in his belief that stories can change the world– after listening to our conversation with him, we think you’ll believe that too!  Storytelling is a powerful tool that can help organizations and individuals manage change, spark innovation, and connect in leadership, sales, and strategy.  As you can imagine, this episode is full of great stories as well insight into following your passion, managing change, and the ups and downs of parenthood.  We hope you enjoy our conversation with the engaging and creative Jason Thompson.

Brendan Reimer is Assiniboine Credit Union’s (ACU) Strategic Partner, Values-Based Banking.  In this role, he serves as a strategic adviser to the CEO and senior management team regarding values-based banking initiatives.  In addition, he supports the Board and committees to meet the objectives set out in ACU’s Values-based Banking Policy and action framework and aid ACU to embed the principles and practices of values-based banking into the credit union's core functions and daily work.

Our conversation with Brendan is as inspiring as it is broad.  From the incredible work ACU is doing in the community, living and managing by values, to a discussion about B Corps and the ability of business to be a force for good, we dive deep and learn a lot.  This conversation will leave you yearning to live your purpose and take a holistic approach to your life and work.  Please enjoy our conversation with Brendan Reimer, Assiniboine Credit Union’s Strategic Partner, Values-Based Banking.

Ian Smith is an innovator, leader, consultant, and coach passionate about authentic relationships that fuel growth and results both personally and professionally.  When asked what would make his time on the podcast a hell yes, Ian told us, “ I care deeply about authenticity, accountability, honesty, and humility in relationships and inspiring people to just “do you.” If I can encourage people to step out, ask the hard questions of themselves about what they are really built for, and inspire them to do what they are passionate about…. that’d be a "hell yeah!”

In this episode, we dive into several topics, including authentic leadership, how imperative it is for leaders to provide space for people to take risks, the importance of perspective, and developing an awareness of your ego.

As the Director of Olympic Performance for the Canadian Olympic Committee, Derek was responsible for Team Canada at nine Olympic Games.  Known for being innovative and visionary, Derek has a track record of creating world-leading excellence by creating systems that enable individuals and teams to perform their best in complex, high-pressure environments.  A former competitive national-level athlete and coach himself, Derek implicitly understands the importance of mindfulness in achieving success - more than a series of techniques; it is a personal journey.

Our discussion with Derek is wide-ranging and insightful.  We discuss the concept of mindful performance and dig into several ideas, including flow, self-compassion (precisely why self-compassion is the new hardcore), trusting your preparation, awareness, and the importance of embracing the process, not the outcome.  Please enjoy our conversation with the inspiring, insightful, and mindful Derek Covington!

In need of some inspiration today? Check out this podcast with Michelle Sawatzky-Koop. In addition to holding a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and working as a broadcaster with Golden West Radio,  Michelle is the only setter in Canadian history to win anything at the Olympics.  In 1996, the Canadian Women’s Volleyball Team qualified for and competed at the Summer Olympic Games.  They won one match against Peru, besting them over five sets and Michelle played that match.

This podcast is rooted in a story about an athlete, but it really teaches us about the power of passion, tenacity, love, family, and our will to do our best.  There will always be people who tell you what you're doing is impossible, there will always be people who suggest you need to be perfect and there will always be people who tell you that you don’t belong.  After listening to this conversation, you will walk away believing that nothing is impossible, that mistakes are essential and that what other people think doesn’t really matter.  What matters is your belief in yourself and your faith in your ability to do anything you set your mind to.

Please enjoy this discussion with Michelle Sawatzky-Koop.

Chidiogo Akunyili-Parr is a writer, speaker, storyteller, and movement builder who is impacting global narrative based on her belief and championship of the power of people to change the world. She is the Founder of She ROARS; the Chief Community & Communications officer at Ubuntu Foundation, a World Economic Forum Global Leadership Fellow, a fellow at the Harambe Entrepreneur Alliance; An Atlantic Dialogue Emerging Leader, and an Associate Fellow of Nigerian Leadership Initiative.

Her upcoming book is her first, and it chronicles the life of her late mother, Dora Nkem Akunyili.  'I am Because We Are: An African Mother's Fight for the Soul of a Nation'  illuminates the role of kinship, family, and the individual's place in society while revealing a life of courage, how community shaped it, and the web of humanity that binds us all.  Throughout our discussion, Chidiogo reminds us of the power of listening to our truth, the importance of empowering others, and how interconnected we all are through the web of humanity.

Prepare to be inspired in this discussion with Chidiogo Akunyili-Parr.

Dr. Nikos Apostolopoulos is the Founder and Developer of microStretching® and Stretch Therapy™. microStretching® is a recovery- regeneration technique rooted in functional-clinical anatomy. It is the applied outcome of Nikos’ Ph.D. research. Since its inception, microStretching® has been used to treat many professional, elite, and amateur athletes, including those who compete at the Olympic level and the NHL, the NBA.  The premise behind microStretching® is to dampen the sympathetic nervous system (the one that triggers a fight or flight response) so a relaxation response is created (i.e., the parasympathetic nervous system is engaged) through a stretching technique that is fully supported and causes no pain. The process is helpful for everyone, from those in their senior years right through to elite athletes.  For more information about Dr. Nikos Apostolopoulos, microStretching® and Stretch Therapy™, visit his website or email him directly at [email protected].

Carolyn Trono is an Olympian, a leader, and a game-changer. She is the Winnipeg Newcomer Sport Academy (WNSA) founder and is currently the Director of Quality Sport Development for the Sport for Life Society.  She recently served on Canadian Sport Minister Kirsty Duncan’s Work Group for Gender Equity in Sport

Her work with the WNSA has changed her life, broadened her perspective, and profoundly impacted all the kids, families, and coaches involved with the program.   Carolyn reminds us that it is crucial to listen to perspectives and experiences different from our own.   She is an inspiring exemplar of someone who takes action when she sees a possibility for a better future. This overview only scratches the surface of the wisdom Carolyn shares in our discussion.  Please listen to the entire episode for the complete story.

Currently, Dr. Strachan is a Professor and serving as Associate Dean Research and Graduate Studies in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management at the University of Manitoba. Her research is focused on positive youth development through sport, and she is interested in exploring positive coaching behaviors and parent involvement. Along with Dr. Dany MacDonald and Dr. Jean Côté, she began Project SCORE, an online resource for coaches and parents to learn about the 4 Cs in sport (i.e., competence, confidence, connection, and character) and how the Cs can be incorporated to promote positive youth sport spaces.

Leisha is a former national team member in the sport of baton twirling, earning two bronze medals at the world championships. She has been coaching in the sport for the past 26 years and is a judge and choreographer in baton, working with athletes across Canada, Scotland, England, and Australia.

In our conversation with Leisha, we talk about positive youth development and the four C’s, including how each can be developed and how the four C’s apply to leadership and leading.  We also chat about the vulnerability involved with learning new things and the link between dance, movement, culture, and resilience.

Dana Way is a Biomechanist and a veteran member of Canada’s national Athletics team. He has attended four Olympic Games, one Paralympic Games, five World Championships in Athletics, and several other major games and championships.   Dana’s position on these national teams was not as a coach or an athlete but as a biomechanist (biomechanics is essentially physics with the human body).  His role is to work with coaches to help them identify how to make athletes better, what kinds of things are making them worse, and how they can maximize their performance.

Every day Dana has the opportunity to work with some of the best athletes and coaches in the world.  In our conversation, we learn about Dana’s experiences and discuss the importance of trust in building relationships, the importance of knowing your role when the stakes are high, and how to retain a sense of awe, gratitude, and excitement when extraordinary things (like seeing a world championships 100m final) are at risk of seeming mundane.