The Inspire Podcast

We're getting closer to season 6 of The Inspire podcast! While the countdown continues, we're bringing you standout episodes from our archives. Stay tuned for more as we continue to countdown to the new season!

In this episode Bart speaks with Casper Wong about his journey to create the United Nation of Cyclists, a race team whose mission it is to promote diversity and inclusion. Casper, whose day job is CEO and Co-Founder of Financeit, came to cycling late in life but quickly caught a passion for the sport. In his interview with Bart, he shared his personal experience of loving the sport but feeling like its homogeneity made it hard to feel included and at home. He connected with others who felt the same, and the result was their organic creation of a race team that today is taking an active role in promoting equity in the sport while giving back. Casper's experience and UNC's rapid growth highlights the underlying demand for change in cycling and shows that this sport does not need a one size fits all approach.

In this episode of the Inspire Podcast, Bart Egnal speaks with Richard Rooney. Richard is the President and Chief Investment Officer at Burgundy Asset Management Ltd.

Listen in to learn how Burgundy has been able to create a culture of responsibility with authority for its employees.

In a data-driven economy, it can sometimes be tough to cut through the statistics and generate genuine connections with our audiences.

In this episode, we hear from Margo Gouley on how you can create better audience engagement by integrating Storytelling into your everyday interactions. With real world examples and concrete tips, this episode is a must listen for anyone seeking to have a lasting impact during their next communication opportunity.

In this episode Bart welcomes Paul Butcher, who recently retired as head of investor relations for Canadian National, where he twice won IR executive of the year. Paul, who has just joined The Humphrey Group to launch an investor relations practice, speaks with Bart about the world of IR communications and what companies really do day in and day out to define and communicate their story to analysts and investors. Paul explains why C-suite executives have two jobs: running the company and participating in IR, why the best companies (like CN) invest huge time and effort to craft and communicate a compelling narrative, and what it takes to get ready for the many questions you face. Paul peppers his comments with anecdotes about the "glamour" of IR travel, the sheer commitment required to get this communication right, and how doing so can unlock shareholder value.

Learn more about Paul and Investor Relations at The Humphrey Group here: https://www.thehumphreygroup.com/investor-relations

0:51 Introducing Paul

1:43 Awards

2:30 Inside investor relations

3:25 What is shareholder value and what does that mean?

3:50 You don't always have control over everything that affects stock price

4:45 Be proactive with communications

5:55 How is investor relations tied with business performance

6:42 Good or bad IR can affect stock price

8:17 Buy-in from leadership

10:38 What executives do in IR

10:56 25% of an executive's time is spent on IR

11:28 Preparing is key for execs

13:00 Know your audience

16:51 Preparation - How do you go about preparing?

19:57 Create a storyboard

23:17 The story you tell in IR

24:50 What qualities make for an exceptional IR executive

26:35 Investor Day

30:46 Rapid-fire questions

30:56 What won't you miss about IR

31:30 Avg flight segments a year?

31:54 Toughest thing that people wouldn't know about IR

32:34 What you miss about IR

33:33 Thanking Paul

In this episode of the pod Bart welcomes back best selling author and human performance expert Greg Wells to talk about his new book, Powerhouse. Drawing on leading research, Greg explains how your ability to perform in the boardroom and in life is based on healing and boosting the mitochondria that power your body. He explains simple ways to do this using breath, focus and movement so you can thrive. In a world where the demands on leaders have never been greater, Greg's practical and straightforward advice is invaluable for those who want to perform over the long haul.

Learn more at: www.drgregwells.com

0:24 Welcoming Greg Wells

1:03 Published 5th book

2:27 Why this book?

3:38 Why is burnout happening?

4:40 Mitochondria and their role

5:28 Why do some people have more energy?

6:32 How we build endurance

7:20 How does stress lead to burnout

8:03 Modern work does not allow fight or flight

8:36 Stress damages the body

9:08 Spiral of burnout

9:42 How to create more energy in your body

10:34 Bart talks about examples of people dealing with stress in leadership

12:44 Breathing

14:14 Long slow exhale

16:18 Box breathing

18:07 Movement

19:59 Walking

20:32 Rhythmic and repetitive exercise is good for creativity

20:42 Why people are shifting from golf

21:55 Notifications problem

22:23 Bart talks about Apple Watch

23:24 The contradictions of new technology

23:53 Compulsive use of tech is damaging to mental health

24:30 Train yourself to use tech wisely

25:59 Energize!

26:17 A little is good - a lot is not

27:07 Adding in micro-stressors for health

29:13 Challenge turns on energy

30:40 Simple things to do to energize

34:58 Just Thrive!

35:44 Community is so important

36:15 Pull together your dream teams

37:36 Podcasting and audiobooks are so much better than doom-scrolling

38:22 Strong communities extend the lifespan

41:19 How to find out more...

42:06 Thank yous

42:21 Outro

Bart welcomes Shamin Mohamed Jr, founder of LetsStopAIDS and co-founder of Deciem to the podcast. Drawing on his unique journey Shamin shares perspectives on how to be inspired in your own career and life, and how to avoid being bound by stereotypes of career success that hem in so many of us. He also explains how important communication has been in his advocacy work and provides some tips to improve your ability to inspire.

Learn more about LetsStopAIDS here: www.LetsStopAIDS.org

00:53 - Introducing Shamin

01:37 - Activism at 15

02:35 - Starting LetsStopAids

04:43 - Bart talks about how unique Shamin's career path is

05:14 - What does "inspiration" mean to Shaman

07:07 - LetsStopAIDS organization

08:39 - What keeps you inspired?

10:18 - Advice on keeping up inspirational tank

11:09 - Who has inspired you to keep going?

13:27 - Deciem journey

14:29 - Corruption in the beauty industry

15:33 - Brandon

16:42 - Thinking disruptively

19:42 - Advice about clarity of purpose

21:07 - Leaders who inspire you?

22:18 - More about Brandon

22:43 - Care and openness - and integrity

23:57 - Leaders in global advocacy

25:39 - Asking for advice 

27:02 - Storytelling

29:39 - Telling stories is a full-bodied experience

30:34 - Thank yous

30:45 - Outro

In this episode of The Inspire Podcast, Bart welcomes Anya Wood, The Humphrey Group's Vice President of Product. Drawing on their combined decades of experience in the leadership training business they explore the evolving demands and priorities of leaders and how those imperatives are redefining the key skills required today. Anya then shares insights into how leaders can respond to these demands while looking at how AI is providing some compelling tools to help them meet the challenge. A great listen for anyone wondering how to rise to this leadership moment with confidence and energy.

0:17 Welcoming Anya

1:00 Learning and development has had seismic shifts

3:46 Her background

4:35 Is it better for learners now?

5:10 Bart talks about the level of knowledge about training options

5:51 Customize and personalize learning

5:58 Boom and result

7:09 Nature of work is becoming more human

8:06 Institution and hierarchical nature of work in the past

9:25 The demands on leaders

9:49 Opportunity of diversity and inclusions

10:28 Communication demands on leaders

12:05 Style changes in communication

13:22 How direct managers change?

14:20 The burden of communication

15:10 Personalized communications

15:33 RTO example from Bart

16:22 Trends in feedback

16:58 People desire regular feedback

18:18 How AI will shape communication...

19:24 Is AI changing how leaders communicate

20:27 The ability for AI to provide immediate feedback

21:24 What advice is Humphrey Group giving to leaders?

22:02 Being an authentic leader...

23:55 EQ matters

24:04 POP

24:46 Bart talks about an example

27:24 Giving feedback

29:08 How to receive feedback from employees?

30:10 Listen and not be reactive

31:32 Bart reinforces professional context

33:47 How can leaders begin to use AI tools?

33:54 PowerPoint rehearse

37:13 Bart summarizes points

37:56 Thank-yous

38:13 Outro

In this episode, Bart welcomes Mike McDonald, Founder of the charity Recess Guardians and CEO of Activ8, a new play-based educational company helping kids and adults move and learn. Mike shares his experiences creating a school-based leadership charity that empowers youth to lead and teach younger kids, He explains why kids embrace leadership opportunities, different styles of leadership, how to use play to create engagement, and how what he learned inspired him to launch Activ8. A great conversation about kids but perfect for the young-at-heart leader.

Learn more about Recess Guardians here: www.recessguardians.org

And Activ8 here: www.unboxactiv8.com

00:00 Show intro

01:00 Introducing Mike

01:20 Bart's disclosure

02:49 Recess Guardians

05:36 Are kids losing the ability to play?

06:34 Foundation of Recess Guardians

07:39 How does Recess Guardians actually work in the field?

09:20 How many kids impacted?

09:53 Problems in schools

10:24 Kids are bad sports

11:30 Sedentary behaviour on the playground

12:13 Common benefits of recess guardians

13:32 Mistakes aren't bad - they help you grow

15:29 Activ8 - where did the idea come from?

18:55 Why go from charity to for-profit?

20:47 What is the Activ8 experience like?

22:16 Difference between reaching adults vs kids?

22:53 Partnership with D2L

24:06 Building leadership skills in adults??

24:35 Different leadership styles

25:05 Spokesperson

25:22 Demonstrator

25:49 The Organizer

26:17 The Role Model

27:15 Transferring these styles to adults

27:22 Don't silo people into one style

28:58 Experiment with different styles of leadership

31:30 Recess time at the office?

33:15 Bart's takeaways

34:52 Where to find out more?

35:16 Thank yous

35:30 Outro

In this episode of The Inspire Podcast, Bart speaks with Joe Manget, Walid Hejazi and Dany Assaf about their new book, Everybody's Business. The three authors, an accomplished business leader, a business school professor and renowned Competition lawyer and author of the bestseller Say Please and Thank You & Stand in Line, share how their research shows Canadian businesses are falling behind and why bold leadership is necessary to reverse the decline. They explain how leaders in all fields must embrace the power of technology, pursue competition on an international stage, recognize built-in monopolistic advantages may not last as long as they think, and above all take risks to energize their careers and companies. The conversation, hosted at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management, is an important listen for anyone who wants to build a great career -- or a great company.

Get your copy of their book, Everybody's Business here: https://www.everybodysbusinesscanada.ca/

Learn more about the authors and their book in the following articles: https://www.thestar.com/business/canada-s-prosperity-is-in-decline-how-embracing-the-new-wave-tech-revolution-can-reverse/article_b1644ea1-bdd3-5eb3-80e5-24f409d3ddbf.html

https://financialpost.com/news/economy/four-pillars-to-build-canada-prosperity

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-canada-next-generation-lower-living-standards/

0:12 Show Intro

0:48 Introducing the guests

1:39 What the book is about

1:47 Massive decline in Canada

2:24 How did the collaboration come about?

3:42 What did you learn from your research

3:59 Canada's productivity challenge

4:14 Widespread complacency HEADLINER?

4:39 Went from 3rd prosperous to 15th

5:18 How we can move the needle

6:43 Technology

7:25 Every generation has to find a way to make tech improve our lives

8:03 Do Canadian leaders adopt this mindset?

8:36 Protectionism

10:01 Dichotomy between legacy protections and innovation

10:45 Average leading Canadian company 124 years

11:41 What are the incentives to innovate?

12:18 RIM example

14:17 Sustaining and disruptive technologies

14:47 KODAK example

15:28 Blockbuster

16:28 Canadian examples

17:07 Open banking

19:17 What if a country is a platform?

19:57 Starlink at the cottage

20:41 Example of Armenian car sales

21:37 Your moat is not as secure as you think

22:09 Don't think of Tech as a threat

24:14 Aerospace industry

25:38 What's going on in the healthcare industry?

26:12 Cable company - video on demand example

28:29 AI for radiology

30:25 Barriers to Canadian innovation

31:46 Advice on pushing through barriers in Canada?

32:09 Hard to find leadership talent in Canada

33:07 What do successful leaders do?

33:20 Vision of the leader

37:15 You can be your own leader

37:55 The opportunity gaps exist

39:01 Atomized mindset

39:27 Creative destruction lab

40:59 20 Billion in capital raised

41:18 Bart summarizes

42:33 Don't accept the status quo

43:07 A Lot can change in 50 years

44:12 Lots of uncertainty -- and opportunity

45:08 Thank yous

45:31 Outro

The "Great Resignation" has led to unprecedented worker mobility. But whether you are thinking of changing roles, leaving your company, or have already started a new role, there are some important things to know and prepare for if you want to thrive. In this episode Bart speaks with Brenda Harrington of Adaptive Leadership, who shares how she coaches executives in anticipation of new moves, and what she helps them do when they take on new positions. Brenda explains how to be realistic about the next step, how to adopt a new mindset, and to develop your authentic power center. Brenda shares stories and examples from her practice that show how to implement this advice in your own career.

Learn more about Brenda and Adaptive Leadership Strategies at their website: adaptiveleadershipstrategies.com And get a copy of Brenda's book, Access Denied at: https://access-denied.net/ 

00:39 Show intro

01:14 Welcoming Brenda

01:57 Brenda's career story

04:29 Early years of starting her company

05:58 Coaching has arrived on the cultural landscape

06:19 Her book

06:38 How did helping people in new roles become the focus?

07:05 Not personally intimidated by change

07:26 Shifting mindset

08:08 People's willingness to change

08:55 Put your toe in the water

10:49 Helping people in new roles - Advice

11:34 Be realistic

12:32 The myth of leadership

13:28 Defining success

13:59 Assessing the new reality of the role

14:45 What to learn in the first 90 days on the job

15:10 Due diligence

15:19 Understanding the power structure in the new role

16:27 Example of hidden culture

18:22 Backchannels

19:24 Adopting the right mindset

20:50 Asking the right kind of questions

24:47 Let go of 'doing'

25:51 Developing a different value system

28:05 The costs of being a leader

28:33 Developing your authentic power center

29:09 How to find authenticity

30:11 Reflecting your style

31:55 Bart talks about the trend towards more authenticity in leadership

33:03 Encourage diversity of thought

33:58 Bart summarizes the discussion

34:48 Social contract

37:38 Thank yous