The Inspire Podcast

In this episode of the Inspire Podcast, Gabe and Bart discuss why (and how) data science plays a key role in helping companies connect with and understand their audience to drive growth, positive impact and leadership.

Here are some moments from the conversation:

Guest introduces himself -3:07.432

Time as journalist -3:34.700

Digital Publishing -4:08.601

The Globe's technology team -4:26.328

Data science and AI -4:50.535

Spinoff company on data science -5:24.376

Washington Post -5:33.182

Jeff Bezos buys Washington Post -5:41.270

A new CMS for publishers -6:41.951

Globe took part in development of ARC platform -7:25.960

Developing a software tool -8:11.070

Converting people to technology solutions -8:58.054

Conversion -9:12.877

Flip revenue from ads to users -10:01.115

Globe's last print remake -10:30.996

Sophie - analytics showed that opinion pieces were in demand -11:34.068

Digital data informing a relaunch -12:24.911

Growth story -12:38.860

Part of me is a ventures junkie -13:17.250

Finding a corporate partner for Opinion section -14:00.389

Asymmetrical marketing opportunities -15:17.255

Partnership with Purpose Investments -16:09.494

The role of data in decision making and marketing 17:21.607

Over-reliance on gut and intuition -17:34.171

What was you first mandate? -18:44.363

Charitable license -18:56.397

Globe and Mail foundation? -19:09.272

Revenue diversification -19:44.059

Conference Business -20:15.184

BMO - Ambitious policy discussion conference -20:35.483

Finding right commercial partners created great results -23:17.877

What approach to take when reaching out to potential partners -24:33.239

Finding common ground - re: values -24:58.818

When you share values --- then what? -25:32.617

Bring them wins! -28:55.371

Accretive solutions -29:23.593

Advice to people -- re: conversion -30:11.782

"Know something - Believe in something" -31:26.522

Moral courage -31:39.756

Listening to the conviction in other -32:03.279

Alignment -32:12.963

In todays episode of the Inspire Podcast, Bart interviews Renae Morriseau. Renae's journey has been in working creatively with Indigenous people. She's a writer, theatre director & musician who helps people find their voice through effective storytelling.

Here are some moments from the conversation:

How did you get to do what you do? -04:23.2

Agusta Buel -05:08.1

Phil Fontane's experience -05:29.2

What was it about Phil's story? -06:33.4

Storytelling to decolonize -08:28.2

Truth and reconciliation commission -11:59.4

Resilience art -12:12.4

Downtown east side of Vancouver -12:47.7

Self care -13:21.3

Reconciling with their own families -14:31.9

What's your approach to working with people on storytelling -16:18.8

Collective stories -21:33.0

Growing global awareness of systemic racism -24:15.1

How do non-indigenous people listen? -25:18.6

Hungry listening = Dylan Robinson -25:58.6

Decolonize our listening -26:16.4

How do you open up to listening -30:48.2

Difficulties in connecting with stories that challenge us -31:25.5

Not knowing what to say is the greatest gift to someone -32:03.1

Silence can be OK -32:23.3

Align mind, heart, gut -33:34.5

Resources? where to go from here? -34:37.0

Renae's Work:

THEATRE

-Here’s a project called, Home, Homelessness & the Culture In-Between. There is a 5 minute video on this link

http://urbanink.ca/sro/

-This is a play she helped to write call Weaving Reconciliation: Our Way. This is about ‘reconciliation’ within Indigenous communities as a family mends their relationship back together because of the impact of Residential School.

http://weaving-reconciliation-our-way.ca

DIRECTING PROFESSIONAL THEATRE

-This is a play White Noise by Taran Kootenayhoo that she will be directing for its Vancouver premiere at the firehall theatre. Here is a little write-up about it.

https://www.newwestrecord.ca/entertainment/this-new-west-theatre-production-explores-internalized-racism-1.23630503

HER MUSIC with M’GIRL

-Here is an article written about M’Girl Music - A group of Indigenous Women singing hand-drum songs. What’s unique about what they do is that they harmonize to their traditional Cree, Saulteaux, Anishnaabe songs.

https://www.straight.com/music/1315931/mgirl-infuses-indigenous-themes-western-vocal-harmonies

DIRECTING A TELEVISION SERIES

-And finally her film work, she directed 6 episodes of the 12 created for the 3rd Season of Quest Our West - for APTN. This will come out this fall. This link is about Season 1 and 2.

https://www.aptn.ca/questoutwest/

In today's episode of the Inspire Podcast, Bart interviews Matthew Confer. Matt is VP, Strategy and Business Development at Abilitie. Abilitie develops award-winning corporate leadership development and mini-MBA programs for rising leaders and executives around the world. Their team-based business competitions involve aspiring leaders in an active, learn-by-doing environment.

Matt and Bart discuss how simulations can build leadership skills, and what leaders can do to create simulations of their own to foster better team performance.

Here are some moments from their conversation:

Abilitie- 04:04.6

What is experiential learning?- 05:31.0

Simulations- 06:05.4

Competitive component- 07:29.2

The relationship between experience/practice and learning- 08:34.1

Study on student engagement- 08:47.6

How to manage and develop talent- 11:58.5

Rethinking 'coaching'- 12:26.4

Objections to simulations- 13:59.8

How to get the most out of role plays- 15:38.5

How to do experiential learning in a team context- 17:00.4

Common learning themes- 19:07.4

Look to replicate in-class training experiences like coffee breaks etc.- 20:21.4

How to do leadership in a virtual work world- 21:45.4

Bias towards thinking that our choices will succeed- 23:29.6

Role play worst-case scenarios-24:55.7

Mistakes to avoid- 28:00.2

Where to go for more- 30:52.4

Link to Matt's TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/matthew_confer_before_you_decide_3_steps_to_better_decision_making

At The Humphrey Group we have been hard at work to develop programs that will help our clients communicate inspirationally.

Right now we are focused on helping our clients answer the question, “how can we amplify our leadership in today’s digital world?”

The norms are changing, the opportunities are changing and so communication must change too. To delve into these changes on the Inspire Podcast, Bart interviews Rick Davidson. Rick is a Senior Vice President - Banking and Financial Services at CGI. CGI is amongst the largest IT and business consulting services firms in the world. Listen in to learn about what CGI has done to better engage with their employees in this new world of remote work, and the opportunities and challenges remote work possesses. 

This conversation will definitely help you inspire in your virtual communication.

Here are some moments from the conversation:

About CGI -02:25.9

COVID challenges -06:34.2

Wakeup call -07:12.8

Stressful transitions -07:29.8

CGI challenges -08:09.7

Investment in tech tools to work from home -08:36.3

How to deal with loss of connection -10:31.9

How to support members -11:05.3

Health and wellness focus -11:44.1

Making it fun -12:39.6

More about the people -14:22.1

Mistakes made at first? -14:54.1

More work than normal -15:10.5

Handling childcare -16:52.3

What causes people doing more work -18:08.0

Untold demands on leaders -22:31.9

What paradigm of leadership works in COVID times... -22:42.6

Business world needs more compassion -24:37.5

Make it fun -25:16.6

What do you want to keep from the COVID times? -30:26.1

Keep the humanity -31:31.1

A leader's inspirational mindset stems from courage. The courage to speak up and persuade people of what you believe is right. In today's episode of the Inspire Podcast, Bart interviews Martine Roy. Martine has spent a lifetime standing up for equity. She exemplifies courageous speaking.

After being driven out of the Canadian Forces for her sexuality, Martine spent her life speaking up for inclusion and the LGBTQ+ community. She was a key plaintiff and advocate in seeking and securing a formal apology from the Canadian government for the purge of LGBTQ+ persons from the Forces, and continues today as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the LGBT Purge Fund.

In addition, Martine blazed a trail as a co-founder of Pride at Work, and as the creator of ERG groups at IBM Canada. Today she continues to champion LGBTQ+ rights in her work at TD today, where she serves as Regional Manager, LGBTQ2+ Business Development Quebec Eastern Canada.

Here are some moments from the conversation:

Introduction -02:34.4

Martine's time in the army -03:24.9

Anti gay policies during the 80s -05:49.5

CF1920 -06:15.5

Special investigator unit -07:05.4

Under arrest -08:10.5

2nd interrogation -10:03.5

Dishonourably discharged for homosexuality -10:54.2

80s Taboos -13:28.7

Therapy -15:03.5

Intersectionality -15:34.6

1992 law changed -- but still silence from govt -18:50.9

IBM -19:42.4

LGBTQ+ group at IBM -20:05.5

1953 TJ Watson Policy letter -21:07.9

"Pride at Work" organization -23:26.1

The power of the allies -24:22.7

The vision of Pride at Work -25:08.0

National Bank -26:05.1

Employee resource group -27:10.0

Benefits of employee groups -27:42.1

Lost time to inauthentic life -27:56.1

No apology from military -29:22.4

2014 -- need to do something -30:54.1

Advice for others -33:29.3

In today's episode of the Inspire Podcast, Bart interviews Tim Tamashiro. Tim is the author of "How to IKIGAI", along with being a jazz singer, speaker, and radio broadcaster.

He now however focusses on bringing the Japanese concept of IKIGAI to the world. The term translates to "life's worth", and helps one understand how they can live a more fulfilling life.

Here are some moments from the conversation:

Welcome - 02:38.5

Tim's journey - 03:28.6

Origin of the word IKIGAI - 04:00.4

4 directions of IKIGAI - 05:19.6

Clarifying ideas on IKIGAI - 08:40.5

Left CBC to self study IKIGAI - 11:26.9

Figuring out your IKIGAI - 12:30.7

IKIGAI coach/introducer - 14:32.5

Young adult career journey - 15:13.3

The power of the subconscious mind - 17:00.5

Gap years - 17:43.0

How to do IKIGAI when dealing with commitments - 18:34.1

Save up... plan for it - 19:38.8

Advice on starting to explore - 20:50.7

How to know when you've found your IKIGAI? - 22:37.5

Advice on communication.... - 26:52.6

Do more "You"! - 27:29.2

Angela Knight's "Do Crew" - 27:49.0

Tim's IKIGAI - 29:55.3

Don't defer fulfilment - 31:52.0

In today's episode of the Inspire Podcast, Bart interviews Demetrios Nicolaides. Demetrios is the MLA for Calgary-Bow and Alberta's Minister of Advanced Education.

Listen in to learn more about the rules politicians follow to refine their messaging, how they deal with criticism, and what it takes to inspire their audience.

Here are some moments from the conversation:

Demetrios recent political postings -02:44.3

Reason for having him on... -03:09.8

The campaign -- what you learned? -04:11.6

Examples of mistakes -04:55.5

What helped him get chosen for the cabinet -06:26.5

Defining a vision helped position him for success -07:25.7

Having a vision for education -08:48.0

What shocked you about politics -11:19.0

Any slip ups? -12:26.9

Working at The Humphrey Group was great training -12:50.0

Types of language to use in politics -13:42.5

Being ready to be 'on' -14:39.8

How to deal with discrepancies between govts' position and your own -16:12.8

Re-introducing the "I" in politics -16:55.8

Polarization -19:26.9

Humanize communications whenever possible -22:01.0

Personal attacks? -22:50.6

What lessons would you share with leaders? -25:25.5

In today's episode of the Inspire Podcast Bart speaks with Nathania Harrison who is the founder of Saor Studio. Saor is a movement studio where their efforts are grounded in self study, body awareness and mindfulness to help you uncover new possibility within.

Listen in to learn how you can keep your mind healthy by keeping your body healthy.

Moments from the conversation:

How Nathania started Saor Studio - 03:57.8

Backyard teaching - 06:21.9

Leaving the dream job - 07:21.1

Balancing work and family - 08:08.4

Joyful stress - 08:42.9

Philosophy of movement and positive stress - 09:32.3

Movement helped with anxiety and depression - 09:55.4

Alternative to medication - 10:51.8

Movement at Saor Studio - 11:26.0

How does movement help the mind? - 12:04.2

Explore how we respond to discomfort through movement - 12:18.7

The mind's response to discomfort - 13:06.0

Awareness builds strength - 13:37.0

Learning your response to challenges - 14:06.0

Awareness is 80% of the battle - 14:51.2

How to learn from discomfort - 15:25.9

Rewriting your limiting stories - 16:22.1

Focus on feelings in the body instead of mind - 17:01.5

"Courageous confidence" - 20:31.6

Courage to stay with discomfort - 21:27.1

Creating a new ability - 22:21.8

Listening to deeper self to reach full potential - 22:57.2

Plug section - 26:53.5

In today's episode of the Inspire Podcast, Bart speaks with Sharon Zohar. Sharon in the CEO/Founder of The Big Push. The Big Push is a business accelerator for women led companies. They provide hands-on services and support to create actionable and measurable growth plans to help lift women-led companies to new heights.

Listen in to get some unique insight into the challenges facing female entrepreneurs during this pandemic and more generally in the entrepreneurial workspace.

Here are some moments from the conversation:

Small business and startups in the time of COVID-19 - 03:45.0

What is The Big Push? - 04:37.1

Why start The Big Push? - 05:23.7

Challenges facing women entrepreneurs and investors - 06:37.9

Bro culture - 08:16.8

Why women led companies receive less investment - 09:16.0

What The Big Push does for women entrepreneurs - 10:13.6

Programs at The Big Push - 11:29.4

Road to success workshop - 11:52.0

Liftoff program - 12:59.4

Accelerator program - 14:08.3

How many companies has The Big Push helped? - 14:33.2

General advice for women entrepreneurs - 15:42.7

Do founders still face biases, and how to handle? - 16:41.0

Networking for female founders - 18:11.7

Impact of COVID-19 - 19:39.7

Advice for founders during COVID-19 - 21:40.2

In today's episode of the Inspire Podcast, Bart Egnal interviews Liam Austin. Liam is a Virtual Event Planner & Online Conference Consultant.

Join in as Bart and Liam discuss what conferences will look like in our new virtual world, & how conferences could work when we're not travelling and getting together in large crowds.

Here are some moments from the conversation:

Virtual event strategist - 04:08.0

What started the virtual event business? - 05:27.5

From LinkedIn groups to webinars to virtual events - 06:34.1

Higher conversion rates with virtual events - 07:29.6

Attendee costs much better with virtual events - 08:08.6

Real vs virtual summits... - 09:06.2

Accountability - 10:58.2

Engagement - 11:33.6

Accommodating people's attention spans - 11:51.6

Blocking time and mixing up presentation with engagement - 12:14.5

Building technical comfort and confidence in participants - 14:32.0

How to build engagement - 15:12.2

Mistakes to avoid in online events - 16:41.8

Start with the end goal! - 17:14.1

Free and VIP participants structure - 17:24.6

Free event - generate new prospects - 17:39.2

Example of an event mistake - 19:42.4

Build rapport, bring value before up selling - 22:59.1

Targeting niche interests important for conversions - 23:31.9

Preparing speakers for virtual events - 24:12.6

Common speaker mistakes - 26:28.3

Is business for virtual booming? - 27:41.6

How to find more.... - 29:41.7