The Studio D Podcast

TLDR: A real conversation about building a business through persistence, learning on the fly, and focusing on what actually creates value.

In this episode, Matt sits down with Levi Smith, entrepreneur and business owner, to talk about the realities of starting and growing a company from the ground up. Levi shares lessons from early risks, figuring things out through experience, and why adaptability matters more than having everything perfectly planned. They discuss the importance of relationships, staying focused on solving real problems for customers, and how entrepreneurship shapes personal growth over time. The conversation also explores leadership, resilience through setbacks, and the mindset required to keep building when things get hard.  

You’ll hear about:

• Why learning through action and experimentation is often the fastest way to grow a business.

• How strong relationships and trust create opportunities that strategy alone cannot.

• What resilience actually looks like when navigating challenges as an entrepreneur.

Connect with Levi Smith:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levismithbroker/

TLDR: A practical conversation on leadership, growth, and why the best businesses are built on relationships - not transactions.

In this episode, Matt sits down with Andrew McDonald, business leader and entrepreneur, to talk about what it really takes to grow a business while staying grounded in people-first values. Andrew shares lessons from building and leading teams, how trust and relationships shape long-term success, and why leadership often means stepping back so others can step forward. They explore decision-making, personal growth through entrepreneurship, and the importance of clarity and accountability inside organizations. The conversation also touches on resilience, learning through challenges, and why strong culture always starts with leadership.  

You’ll hear about:

• Why long-term business success is built on relationships, trust, and consistent leadership.

• How leaders create space for their teams to grow while maintaining accountability and clarity.

• What entrepreneurship teaches about resilience, decision-making, and personal growth.

Connect with Andrew McDonald:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-mcdonald-5026168/

TLDR: Here’s the podcast description for Cam Zimmer, written in the same structure and tone as the previous episodes and based on the transcript.  

A practical conversation about how data, experimentation, and curiosity drive modern marketing success.

In this episode, Matt sits down with Cam Zimmer, marketing leader and growth strategist, to talk about what it really takes to build marketing that performs. Cam shares how his career evolved from early digital experimentation into leading data-driven growth strategies, and why curiosity is one of the most valuable traits a marketer can develop. They explore how experimentation fuels better decision-making, why marketers need to stay grounded in fundamentals even as tools evolve, and how thoughtful measurement helps teams focus on what actually moves the needle. The conversation also dives into balancing creativity with analytics and why the best marketing teams build a culture of testing and learning.  

You’ll hear about:

• Why curiosity and experimentation are essential for marketers navigating constant change.

• How strong measurement frameworks help teams focus on results instead of vanity metrics.

• Practical ways to balance creative thinking with data-driven decision-making.

Connect with Cam Zimmer:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-zimmer-mact-scmp-a99b2b16/

TLDR: A calm, honest conversation about money, simplicity, and how confidence - not optimization - leads to a better financial life.

In this episode, Matt sits down with Evan Neufeld, financial planner and founder of Cedar Point Wealth, to talk about what it actually means to “retire with confidence.” Evan shares why most people feel overwhelmed or anxious about money, how simplicity is often the most effective strategy, and why financial planning is far more about clarity and behavior than chasing returns. They dig into savings rates, retirement timing, estate planning, talking about money within families, and the emotional shift from saving to spending in retirement. The conversation also explores generosity, values, and why having “enough” is often more powerful than endlessly pursuing more.  

You’ll hear about:

How focusing on big financial “levers” (not minutiae) creates clarity, confidence, and better outcomes.

Why retirement decisions made without a plan often lead to regret - and how to avoid it.

How values, generosity, and simplicity shape long-term satisfaction far more than net worth alone.

Connect with Evan Neufeld:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-neufeld-cfp%C2%AE-3a2697111/

TLDR: A behind-the-scenes look at how food, farming, and storytelling intersect - and why simple, repeated messaging matters more than ever.

In this episode, Matt sits down with Amber Johnson, Director of Marketing and Communications at Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, to explore what modern marketing looks like in agriculture and food systems. Amber shares how she balances grower-facing communications with U.S. market development, working directly with chefs and food service leaders to get Canadian-grown lentils on menus across North America. They talk about trust, long-term brand building, why marketers often overcomplicate their message, and how food connects emotionally with people in a way few industries can. The conversation also dives into leadership, team structure, measurement beyond sales, and why clarity beats constant reinvention.  

You’ll hear about:

How simple, repeatable messaging builds trust with audiences who don’t live inside your industry.

Why food storytelling works - and how emotional connection drives awareness and adoption.

What strong marketing leadership looks like when you’re setting vision instead of executing every tactic.

Links mentioned in the episode:

Canadian Food Focus: https://canadianfoodfocus.org/

Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan: https://aitc.sk.ca/

Saskatchewan Open Farm Days: https://skopenfarmdays.ca/

Connect with Amber Johnson:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-christine-johnson/

TLDR: A thoughtful conversation on how clarity, curiosity, and well-designed systems help people and teams do their best work.

In this episode, Matt sits down with Josie Kornelson, performance and compensation systems consultant at Lead Up Coaching & Consulting, to unpack how organizations can better support growth, motivation, and retention. Josie explains what compensation systems really are, why career pathways matter more than titles, and how misalignment - not dysfunction - is often the real issue on teams. They explore CliftonStrengths, people-first leadership, and why understanding how individuals are wired creates healthier cultures, clearer expectations, and more sustainable performance. This episode is equal parts practical and reflective, offering insight for leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone responsible for building or growing a team.  

You’ll hear about:

How clear performance and compensation systems reduce friction, improve retention, and create fairer growth paths.

Why leaning into strengths (instead of fixing weaknesses) leads to more engaged, energized teams.

How curiosity, self-awareness, and shared language improve leadership, communication, and trust.

Connect with Josie Kornelson:

Website: https://leadup.ca

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josie-kornelson-7b4170261/

TLDR: Great conversation - here’s the episode description for Alex Black, written in the same format, tone, and structure as the others, and based strictly on the transcript.  

A grounded, people-first look at what great leadership really requires - and why culture is built in the small moments.

In this episode, Matt sits down with Alex Black, HR professional and people leader at SIIT, to unpack what it actually takes to build healthy, high-performing teams. With nearly two decades in HR and years spent in people leadership, Alex shares why trust, empathy, and psychological safety are no longer “soft skills,” but foundational business necessities. They explore outdated leadership models that no longer work, the difference between managing work and leading people, and how tools like DISC help leaders understand themselves and their teams better. The conversation also dives into accountability, feedback, conflict, and why strong workplace culture is everyone’s responsibility - not just management’s.  

You’ll hear about:

How trust, empathy, and psychological safety directly impact performance, retention, and innovation.

Why many leaders struggle when moving from subject-matter expert to people leader - and how to close that gap.

Practical ways to build healthier teams through communication, self-awareness, and shared accountability.

Connect with Alex Black:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-blackcphr-clc-ctmp-qmed-rpr/

TLDR: A thoughtful conversation on people-first leadership, honest communication, and building teams that actually work well together.

In this episode, Matt sits down with Jen Korney, Operations Director at ZU to talk about what it really takes to lead people - not just projects. Jen shares her journey from product owner to operations leadership, how clear communication and trust shape strong teams, and why creating space for direct feedback matters more than avoiding discomfort. They explore leadership growth, managing complexity across teams, celebrating small wins, and how AI is becoming a practical tool (not a replacement) in modern operations. The conversation is honest, grounded, and full of real-world perspective from inside a fast-moving tech organization.  

You’ll hear about:

• How people-first leadership and clear communication prevent burnout and improve team performance.

• Why direct conversations (instead of “roundabout” feedback) build healthier, more effective workplaces.

• Practical ways AI can support operations, project management, and efficiency - without replacing human judgment.

Connect with Jen Korney:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenkorney/

TLDR: Building social media that actually works means showing up consistently, sounding human, and focusing on what truly matters.In this episode, Matt sits down with Colby Anderson, co-founder of Scout Media, to break down what effective organic social media really looks like for businesses today. Colby shares hard-earned insights from creating thousands of pieces of content for clients across industries, including why being on camera matters, how to get comfortable doing it, and what to do when ideas feel tapped out. They talk candidly about metrics that actually matter (and which ones don’t), balancing quality with consistency, using AI as a creative support - not a replacement - and how businesses should think about handling social media in-house versus outsourcing. This episode is packed with practical advice for founders, marketers, and anyone responsible for content. You’ll hear about: How to create consistent, authentic social content without overthinking or burning out.Which metrics actually signal success in organic social - and why comments and shares beat likes and followers.Practical guidance for doing social media in-house, including common pitfalls, burnout risks, and how to structure the role for long-term success.Connect with Colby Anderson: • Website: https://scoutsask.ca • Instagram & Facebook: @scoutmediasask

TLDR: A powerful reminder that the fastest way to change your life is to start leading yourself - on purpose.

In this episode, Matt sits down with Corliss Rassyle, keynote speaker, empowerment expert, author, and founder of Lead Conference Canada, to talk about what it really means to lead yourself first. Corliss shares how entrepreneurship, loss, and personal reinvention shaped her philosophy that every next level in life requires a next level of you. They explore vision-setting without overwhelm, giving yourself permission to want more, breaking old conditioning, and why ambition isn’t something to be ashamed of. This is a deeply honest conversation about purpose, belief, courage, and choosing to live a big, intentional life - before life forces you to wake up.  

You’ll hear about:

• How to create a clear vision for your life without getting stuck in fear, doubt, or “what’s realistic.”

• Why giving yourself permission is often the missing step between wanting more and actually going after it.

• How belief, values, and small intentional goals compound into confidence, fulfillment, and long-term growth.

Connect with Corliss Rassyle:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corliss-rassyle-63107a77/