Today we’re joined by Claire Gray, Leadership & Team Facilitator and all-around leadership expert.  

Claire is passionate about building high-performing teams and developing leaders who can thrive in the face of complexity and change. She is also the author of Thriving Leaders: Learn the Skills to Lead Confidently and host of the Thriving Leaders podcast—featuring conversations with world-renowned thinkers like Amy Edmondson, David Clutterbuck, and Dermot Crowley. 

Claire works with professionals to develop leadership capability, build strategy, and create high-performing teams. She has worked with small businesses and large corporates across Financial Services, Professional Services, Transport, Government, and NFP sectors in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and the UK. She recently completed The Art & Practice of Leadership Development program at the Harvard Kennedy School. With a Master of Business, a Bachelor of Behavioural Science, and credentials across multiple coaching institutes, she brings both depth and humanity to her work. 

Join us for an insightful conversation about what it truly takes to help leaders, and their people, thrive in today’s fast-paced world. 

Connect With Claire: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube 

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Today we’re joined by Amber Smith, Workforce Advisor with Community Futures Entre-Corp and a passionate personal training coach at Crew Training. She thrives on helping others unlock their potential whether that means supporting businesses or inspiring individuals to push beyond their limits in the gym.  

Amber believes growth happens when people are challenged and supported, and she brings that philosophy to everything she does. In 2022, she was recognized with the Women in Business Inspire Award and the Change Maker Award for her leadership and community impact. Helping and guiding others is what truly fills her cup. 

Join us for an uplifting conversation about mindset, resilience, and the power of showing up for yourself - and for others. 

Connect With Amber: ⁠LinkedIn⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ 

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Today we’re joined by Lewis Baarda, Field Tested Research Manager at Farming Smarter, a southern Alberta agricultural research hub helping crop producers make informed decisions around inputs, technology, and management practices. 

Lewis leads the Field Tested research program, focusing on on-farm trials, irrigation, and specialty crops. With a Master’s degree in geography from the University of Lethbridge and extensive experience in spatial analysis and multivariate statistics, Lewis applies data-driven insights to real-world farming challenges. From variable rate technology to soil sensors, GIS, and remote sensing, he helps producers translate complex data into practical solutions for their operations. 

In this episode, we dive into the role of field-scale research in modern agriculture, how data and technology can transform decision-making on the farm, and the importance of collaboration between researchers and producers to drive sustainable, resilient farming practices. 

Connect With Lewis: Website | LinkedIn | X 

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Today we’re joined by Jeremy Lang, a purpose-driven Canadian entrepreneur and visionary founder with over 25 years of experience in both entrepreneurship and the corporate world. 

As the founder of Open Mind Developments and Pela, and co-founder of Lomi, Jeremy pioneered the compostable phone case and smart waste appliance categories. His companies have sold millions of products worldwide, preventing thousands of tons of plastic waste and food waste from landfill and donating over $1 million to for-purpose organizations. 

Beyond building companies, Jeremy also coaches and consults with entrepreneurs and business leaders, helping them align personal growth with their business visions to make a global impact. Known for his strategic thinking and collaborative leadership style, he is deeply motivated by solving complex problems, creating meaningful change, and helping others reach their highest potential. 

In this episode, we explore Jeremy’s approach to category creation, sustainability-driven innovation, and the mindset needed to build businesses that not only succeed but make a lasting difference. Join us for an inspiring conversation about entrepreneurship, innovation, and leading with purpose in today’s rapidly changing business landscape. 

Connect With Jeremy: LinkedIn  

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Meet Judy Riege - a leadership mentor who has spent over 25 years helping leaders at every level reach their highest potential. 

Judy’s passion lies in mentoring the next generation, integrating insights from neuroscience, psychology, and leadership theory to design memorable, impactful learning experiences. With a focus on emotional intelligence and shared leadership, she helps individuals and teams develop the “superpowers” that drive culture, resilience, and breakthrough results. 

Since 2017, she has coached over 20 Olympic and Paralympic programs, including Canada’s National Women’s Hockey Team (who captured GOLD in Beijing), while building a culture “the world is still trying to beat.” 

In this conversation, Judy shares why leadership is a mindset - not a position - and how human-centered leadership rooted in authenticity, connection, and the “kind truth” can change the game for organizations navigating today’s complex world. 

Connect With Judy: LinkedIn | Instagram 

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Today we’re joined by Brandy Old and Craig Elias, a dynamic duo passionate about helping aspiring entrepreneurs take their first steps, and growing startup communities around the world. 

Over the past nine years, Brandy and Craig have supported hundreds of first-time, early-stage, underrepresented, rural, and student entrepreneurs in navigating the challenges of launching a business. They’ve worked alongside global thought leaders like Ash Maurya and David Bland to level up entrepreneurial ecosystems, coaching founders and mentors on Lean methodologies, identifying riskiest assumptions, and validating ideas before investing time and resources. 

In this episode, we explore their hands-on approach to building ecosystems, from Founder Fridays and the Traction Canvas to free resources like HelpAStartupOut.com and online startup camps. Brandy and Craig share practical strategies, real-world insights, and actionable tactics they’ve applied while pitch coaching, running workshops, and guiding entrepreneurs across Canada, the US, Australia, and Europe. 

Join us for an inspiring conversation with two of Canada’s most prolific ecosystem builders, about community-driven entrepreneurship, actionable frameworks for first-time founders, and the global impact of fostering equitable startup ecosystems. 

Connect With Craig: LinkedIn 

Connect With Brandy: LinkedIn 

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Today we’re joined by Wendy Murphy, CEO and Partner of The Timber Tech Group of Companies – Timber Tech Truss, Brydon Stairs, and Timber Tech Building Solutions. With nearly three decades in Alberta’s construction industry, Wendy has led transformational growth through new divisions, strategic acquisitions, and a people-first approach to leadership.

In this episode, Wendy shares her journey from launching Timber Tech’s Calgary division in 2007 to scaling the business through expansion and succession. We explore her insights on resilience, mentorship, and creating pathways for future leaders—along with the lessons she’s learned about building with purpose, both in business and in life. 

 
Tune in for a powerful conversation about growth, grit, and the impact of people-first leadership in shaping lasting success. 

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Today on the podcast we’re joined by Ann Mitchell, City Manager at the City of Medicine Hat.

With over 30 years of experience in local government, Ann brings a deep understanding of what it takes to lead municipal organizations with both strategic vision and operational excellence. Throughout her career, she has embraced the challenge of balancing internal leadership with external accountability, serving not only as a City Manager but as a trusted advisor to council. What drives her most is the opportunity to affect meaningful, positive change in the communities she serves. 

A certified executive coach, lifelong learner, and PhD candidate, Ann brings a unique perspective to public sector leadership - one grounded in continuous learning, ethical governance, and the power of strong relationships. 

Join us for a thoughtful conversation on the leadership puzzle, and why at its core, leadership is never about you. 

Connect With Ann: LinkedIn 

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Today we’re joined by Jennifer Massig, CEO of Engineering – a civil engineering firm in Calgary dedicated to creating innovative stormwater management solutions for communities across Western Canada and beyond.  

After years in traditional firms, Jennifer launched Magna with a vision to do things differently: blending technical expertise with a strong sense of culture, collaboration, and community impact. From starting out as a sole proprietor to now leading a 30+ member team, she’s built a company that not only solves complex infrastructure challenges but also invests deeply in people and purpose. 

In this episode, Jennifer shares her journey as a founder and leader, the lessons she’s learned about building culture in a technical industry, and why creating space for every voice at the table matters. We’ll explore how she’s shaped her business, grown a strong team, and continues to invest in the next generation of leaders. 

Connect With Jennifer: Website | LinkedIn 

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Today we’re joined by Bryan Bates, Principal and Founder of Cogitact - an automation consultancy helping Canadian small businesses automate and streamline their technology to improve their workflows.

With over 25 years of experience in operations, technology, and consulting, Bryan brings a rare blend of business strategy and technical insight. At Cogitact, he partners with professional service firms and small-to-mid-sized businesses to eliminate inefficiencies, automate reporting, and bring big-company solutions to teams that need them most.

In this episode, we unpack what it means to lead with integrity in a digital-first world, the hidden cost of manual work, and why empowering your team through better systems is one of the most underrated moves a business owner can make. 

Connect With Bryan: Website | LinkedIn  

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