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A treat for me to interview Mike Eppel -- Canada's voice of business radio and, yes, a former employee of mine at The Toronto Stock Exchange in the late 1980's.  Hear us chat on radio and what makes him tick.  

Mike Eppel has been reporting on the markets and business for more than 20 years.

Mike graduated from Ryerson’s Radio and Television Arts program in 1990, specializing in Broadcast Journalism. While at Ryerson, Mike worked part-time as a markets reporter at the Toronto Stock Exchange, which eventually led him to 680News where he was part of the original launch of the station in the summer of 1993.

From 1999 to 2004, Mike was a business reporter for CTV NewsChannel, CTV National News, CFTO and BNN. He returned to 680News as Senior Business Editor in 2004 as part of an expansion of business coverage to Rogers All-News radio stations across the country and Sportsnet Radio, The Fan 590. He is also seen on CityTV’s Breakfast Television.

His broadcast travels have taken him to Wingham and Barrie. Mike was born and raised in Tillsonburg, Ontario where he started in broadcasting at the age of 16 at the local radio station, CKOT. He also attended the University of Western Ontario, completing fourth-year courses in history and political science.

Mike's Twitter is: https://twitter.com/eppman and to listen to 680 News, visit: https://www.680news.com/listen/

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Helena Leppanen is an Author, Blogger, Finance Guru, and Master of a Lifestyle on a Budget and Serial Entrepreneur.  Sound advise today for anyone like me, close to retirement and the importance of never starting too young to get your financial house in order. 

To contact Helena, go to her website: https://linktr.ee/HelenaLeppanen
Also follow her new Sports Media Academy page on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sports.media.ca/

Want to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected] or text me at 416-841-5669. 

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Brian Patterson is President CEO of the Ontario Safety League.

The Ontario Safety League was formed in 1913 by a group of business and community leaders in response to the  increasing threats to public safety brought about by the automobile.  The mission was to reduce preventable deaths, injuries and destruction on Ontario’s roads through public education and safety awareness.

Today, the OSL is recognized as one of North America’s leading traffic safety organizations.  It provides the general public with safety information and safety-based programs, including Elmer the Safety Elephant for children, and a range of innovative safety courses and services for the transportation industry.

OSL website: https://ontariosafetyleague.com/
Brian on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OSLSafetyGuy
OSL on Twitter: https://twitter.com/onsafetyleague?lang=en

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Kanak completed his undergrad in Information Technology from India in 2018, and moved to Canada for post-grad in digital and content marketing + public relations, In 2019 from York University.  

 Currently,  he is working as a digital analyst at Dentsu International, One of the largest global marketing and advertising agencies, representing Chevrolet as a client.

Today on The Next Phase with Steve Kee podcast, his story. 

Kanak's LinkedIn profile -- https://www.linkedin.com/in/kanakaggarwal/?originalSubdomain=ca

Want to be a guest on the podcast, drop me a line at [email protected].  

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Bob Neufeld is an experienced communications professional with a solid background in issues management, media relations and strategic communications planning.  He can help you create the right messaging, choose the right communications channels to reach the right audience for your organization's needs.  Currently freelancing – Bob is available for short-term and contract communications work to help build your organization's communications capacity. 

Bob on Twitter: @BobNeufer
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-neufeld11/?originalSubdomain=ca

As for me, I decided to retire from day to day work in 2020. This Podcast gives me an opportunity to discuss my search for work, health and finding peace in a rather hectic world. I'm a multi-award winning strategic marketing and communications executive, creative in gathering information about industries and business and effectively applying what’s known toward measurable and effective communications strategies. I've generated the desired results and grown relationships over time. I've learned lessons from various positions of increasing responsibility at some of the biggest names in financial services in this country.

Enjoy the Podcast and if you want to reach me: [email protected] or text me at 416-841-5669. 

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Established in 1928, the Whitby Chamber of Commerce units local business professionals, students and entrepreneurs.

As the voice of business and an accredited Chamber, the WCC staff are guided by their mission, vision and values to ensure a customer experience like no other. The Chamber’s diverse membership is the backbone of this community here in my home town and support its thriving business ecosystem.

The Chamber team continually puts the needs of the membership first when developing and executing programming. This includes more than 80 events throughout the year, many of which are free to attend.  I’ve found these people to be a valuable resource and today I speak with Lorna McGhee, Engagement and Outreach Manager, with my Chamber.

Chamber Website -- https://www.whitbychamber.org/
Lorna's LinkedIn -- https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorna-mcghee-b330b126/
Whitby Chamber on Twitter -- https://twitter.com/whitbychamber
Lorna on Twitter -- https://twitter.com/LornaMcGheeWCC

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The pandemic has created some serious situations for people…physical and verbal abuse, bullying, etc. 

On this podcast, I’m joined by Sabrina Osso, the Founder and CEO of OSSO SAFE…Feel safe where you live, work, and play. She is a TEDx Speaker, Domestic Violence Speaker, Real Estate Agent, and Consultant on promoting safety and preventing violence in the workplace, schools, and in places of residence. 

Sabrina’s personal and professional experience with the subject allows her to bring a unique and holistic approach. By combining education and technology, we can save lives and bottom lines. She is also a professional dancer/teacher who uses her performance abilities to educate on the subject. As a real estate agent, Sabrina is bridging the real estate industry with Osso Safe. 

Sabrina's website -- https://www.ossosafe.com/

Sabrina's Tedx Talk -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyAhN_xwCxs
 
 

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I worked with Pete Karageorgos for decade and he's a great spokesperson and storyteller.  Today we talk about auto insurance. 

With over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, Pete began his career as a Claims Representative with State Farm Insurance. He held a series of positions in their public affairs, sales, claims, life insurance, education and development departments. In 2009, he joined IBC as Manager of Media Relations before assuming his current role. He oversees the Ontario Consumer Information Centre and its management of consumer queries, which numbered nearly 10,000 in 2015. Pete is a frequent event speaker on a range of insurance topics including business insurance and the insurance industry’s response to severe weather. He works closely with member company representatives on local issues and guides IBC’s Community Assistance Mobile Pavilion in Ontario to provide on-site insurance assistance to disaster victims. He has represented IBC on the Ontario Ministry of Consumer Services, Towing and Storage Advisory Group. Pete graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He has achieved the following professional designations: Fellow, Chartered Insurance Professional (FCIP); Fellow, Life Management Institute (FLMI); Canadian Risk Management (CRM); Associate, Customer Service (ACS); Competent Toastmaster (CTM). He is an active community member, serving as Vice-President of the York Jets Soccer Club and as a youth soccer coach. He has served on the Board of Directors for COSTI Immigrant Services and as a Trustee with the former City of York Board of Education. Pete has also been a member of IBC’s Ingage Network, supporting community outreach since 1994.

IBC Consumer Centre -- http://www.ibc.ca/on/about-us/contact-us/

On Twitter -- https://twitter.com/PKarageorgos or https://twitter.com/InsuranceBureau

Got a good story to tell?  Send me an email to: [email protected].

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Rayna Porter is a recent graduate from the Communications and Critical Thinking program at Trent University Durham GTA. Starting her career as a graduate from Medical Office Administration at Durham College, Rayna began working in health care at 19 years old and developed a passion for community engagement and communication strategy that led her to pursue a university education. Rayna has continued to work on the frontline of Northumberland Hills Hospital located in Cobourg Ontario during the COVID-19 pandemic while also working full time in the nonprofit sector at the Trent Durham Student Association and continuing her studies at Trent.  

A very interesting young woman with a bright future in Health Care Communications.  Best of luck Rayna. 

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In this episode we speak with Brian Pallock of Dive Source Scuba in Durham Region.

A third generation Whitby resident and 24 year Whitby Chamber of Commerce  member, Brian grew up working at "Pallock Orchards'' the family's farm, but also had the usual part time jobs at Canadian Tire, General Motors and the Whitby Parks department. Attending Durham College he earned a diploma in Mechanical Engineering and certificate in Adult Training, subsequently working in process engineering for Shawflex Wire and Cable. During this time Brian also became a certified scuba diver, motivated by a love of the water and the explorer Jacques Cousteau.

The 1990's spawned a serious recession in Ontario and he found himself back in farming, expanding the farm market and crop production in both their Whitby and Courtice farms. During this time he also had the greatest success of his life, marrying his wife Tanya and starting a family. Then in 1996 Brian took his passion for scuba diving and became a scuba instructor, while also opening Dive Source in part of the farm market at Rossland and Brock, before expanding and moving to its present location in Oshawa.

Dive Source is now in its 25th year of operation teaching scuba diving, selling and servicing scuba equipment and offering adventure dive travel locally and abroad. This experience base and passion to learn, grow and adapt to change has made Brian a respected business person in Durham, who strongly believes  "You never stop learning "  and that Whitby is a very special place to live, work and raise a family.

To learn more visit: https://www.divesource.com/

Also, do you have an interesting story to tell me?  Drop me a line at [email protected] and we can chat on the podcast.