In this episode, host Rebecca Scott chats with Meltem Kilicaslan—Qualified Mediator, Founder of MELTEM K Consulting, and advocate for organizational harmony—about why conflict resolution skills are truly a superpower. Meltem shares her journey from being a conflict avoider to becoming a leader in mediation, showing how reframing conflict can unlock stronger relationships, healthier workplaces, and greater self-awareness.
She dives into practical strategies like identifying your default conflict style, embracing compassionate curiosity, and choosing dialogue over assumption. Whether you’re navigating difficult conversations in your personal life or fostering collaboration in a diverse workplace, this episode provides actionable insights on transforming conflict into connection, empowering yourself and others, and cultivating lasting harmony.
In this episode, host Scott Stirrett chats with David Sinkinson—award-winning author of Startup Different, podcaster, and Co-Founder of AppArmor—about the myths that often mislead early-stage founders. David shares how he and his brother bootstrapped AppArmor from an idea sparked on a university campus into a company later acquired by Motorola Solutions for $560 million, all without venture capital. He dives into the realities of finding product-market fit, why charging early matters, and how scrappiness fuels innovation.
Whether you’re weighing funding options or reflecting on what success means beyond the exit, this episode offers practical lessons and candid insights for founders navigating their own journey.
In this episode, host Scott Stirrett chats with Mehrsa Raeiszadeh, Co-Founder of MintList and startup consultant, about one of the biggest challenges early-stage founders face: how to raise money before having traction. Mehrsa shares her personal journey of building MintList in a crowded marketplace—competing against companies that raised hundreds of millions—by focusing on creative ways to prove traction before writing a single line of code.
She dives into practical strategies like using pre-orders, strategic partnerships, and accelerator programs to build credibility and investor trust. From navigating B2B vs. B2C dynamics to achieving product-market fit, this conversation is packed with insights for entrepreneurs looking to solve the “parallel dependency” of needing resources to get traction—and needing traction to secure resources.
In this episode, host Scott Stirrett chats with Jordyn Benattar, Founder and President of SpeakWell, to explore the power of authentic public speaking. Jordyn introduces her revolutionary concept of "private speaking" – communicating publicly with the same ease and authenticity as you would with close friends and family. Drawing from her background, she shares profound insights into why public speaking anxiety exists and how our evolutionary history shapes our modern communication challenges.
Jordyn offers practical strategies for overcoming perfectionism, embracing imperfections, and using personal storytelling to create genuine connections with audiences. Whether you're terrified of speaking in front of others or looking to refine your existing skills, this episode provides actionable advice for turning daily conversations into opportunities for growth and transforming preparation into authentic performance.
In this episode, host Scott Stirrett chats with Guy Levesque, Executive Director of the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking at the University of Calgary, to explore what makes Calgary one of Canada’s most vibrant—and underestimated—entrepreneurial cities. From its rugged roots and risk-taking culture to its rapidly growing tech sector, Guy unpacks what he calls Calgary’s “entrepreneurial DNA.”Drawing from his cross-country experience in innovation ecosystems, Guy shares why he made the leap from Ottawa to Calgary, what sets the city’s startup community apart, and how the Hunter Hub is fueling a diverse pipeline of entrepreneurial talent. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, ecosystem builder, or just curious about what’s happening in Western Canada, this episode offers an inside look at a city—and a community—on the rise.
In this insightful conversation, host Scott Stirrett chats with Mark Franklin, Practice Leader and President at CareerCycles, Co-founder of OneLifeTools, and longtime career counselor, to explore how people navigate career transitions in today’s uncertain world. Drawing from decades of counseling experience and psychological research, Mark unpacks why many professionals feel stuck, the common trap of “miswanting,” and how structured reflection can lead to better career choices.
From mini-retirements and job crafting to balancing doing good with doing well, Mark shares concrete tools for building careers that are both meaningful and sustainable. Whether you're in your first job or your fifth pivot, this episode offers grounded guidance on how to take intentional next steps—without getting overwhelmed by the pressure to have it all figured out.
In this rich and wide-ranging conversation, host Scott Stirrett chats with Peter Jaskiewicz, Patricia Saputo Chair in Family Enterprise and a leading expert on next-generation ownership, to explore what makes family businesses endure across generations. Drawing on both personal experience and global research, Peter unpacks why family enterprises—often dismissed as “traditional”—are actually hotbeds of long-term innovation, resilience, and value creation. From managing succession and avoiding role confusion to fostering entrepreneurial spirit across generations, Peter shares practical strategies for building what he calls “learning families”—those who invest in human, social, and cultural capital as much as financial wealth. Whether you’re part of a multi-generational business or just curious about how family dynamics shape entrepreneurship, this episode offers timeless wisdom for building a legacy that lasts.
In this episode of the Venture for Canada podcast, Scott Stirrett sits down with Naofeld Tassouni and Andy Saldana, co-founders of QueerTech, to explore their journeys as queer entrepreneurs and the creation of their organization. From their serendipitous meeting at a Montreal tech event to scaling QueerTech into a national movement, they discuss the systemic challenges faced by queer entrepreneurs, the importance of representation, and how they built a thriving community.
Along the way, they share insights on transitioning from volunteer work to full-time entrepreneurship, the power of "program-market fit," and their ambitious vision for the future of QueerTech.
In this conversation, Scott Stirrett sits down with Vass Bednar, Executive Director of McMaster University's Master of Public Policy Program, to unpack what it really means to be a policy entrepreneur. Bednar, who's on a mission to redefine the term from its academic stereotypes, reveals how policy work can be as innovative and impactful as any tech startup. She takes us through her unconventional career path—what she calls her "professional scavenger hunt"—where she's gathered insights from think tanks, political offices, and even live radio shows.
Along the way, Bednar shares hard-won lessons for aspiring changemakers: why showing up to events matters more than you think, how to build a "kitchen cabinet" of trusted friends and advisors, and the surprising power of intellectual curiosity in driving policy change.
In this insightful episode, Scott Stirrett speaks with Annelies Tjebbes, CEO of Roots & Rivers, and Hayley Rutherford, Senior Consultant and Operations Director, about a rarely discussed topic: how entrepreneurs can successfully take extended leaves of absence. Annelies shares her experience taking an eight-month parental leave where she completely disconnected from her business, including the practical "hacks" she implemented to maintain boundaries. Hayley offers the complementary perspective of stepping into an interim leadership role, highlighting the challenges of relationship transitions and the unexpected growth opportunities that emerged.
Together, they reveal how a founder's absence can actually strengthen an organization by forcing the decentralization of knowledge, evolving processes, and shifting from a founder-centric identity to a more mature team-based structure.
Whether you're an entrepreneur contemplating a leave for parental responsibilities, health reasons, or simply a sabbatical, this episode provides practical guidance on preparation, knowledge transfer, and relationship management.
In this dynamic episode, Scott Stirrett is joined by Eric Ries — entrepreneur, bestselling author of The Lean Startup and The Startup Way, and founder of the Long-Term Stock Exchange (LTSE). He explores how the principles of experimentation, vision, and agility can transform not only startups, but also individual careers.
Eric shares how the Lean Startup methodology, originally designed to help businesses thrive in uncertainty, can empower early-career professionals to make bold decisions, test hypotheses about their work, and adapt to a rapidly evolving world. From founding a stock exchange with nothing but an idea and a government form, to navigating the rise of generative AI, Eric draws on decades of experience to offer practical advice for anyone navigating career ambiguity.
Whether you're building your first MVP, pivoting in response to market changes, or trying to articulate your personal values in an age of institutional distrust, this episode offers a timely blueprint for embracing uncertainty with purpose.
In this thought-provoking episode, Scott Stirrett sits down with Upkar Arora, CEO of Rally Assets, to explore the profound concept of personal transformation as a pathway to global impact. Upkar shares insights from a career development course he created at the University of Waterloo, highlighting how traditional education often neglects the critical skills that truly matter for long-term career success. He emphasizes the importance of developing an inner compass to distinguish between extrinsic motivators and intrinsic motivators that create lasting fulfillment. He also illustrates through personal anecdotes how reframing challenges as growth opportunities can lead to unexpected success.
Whether you’re starting your career journey, facing a professional transition, or seeking greater meaning in your work, this episode offers valuable guidance on aligning your unique gifts with the world’s needs to create a life of purpose, impact, and personal fulfillment.
In this informative episode, host Scott Stirrett delves into the intricate world of Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) with legal expert Josh Calderon, founder of grit & co law. Josh shares his insights into the legal nuances that entrepreneurs must consider when acquiring a business. He covers practical advice on when to engage legal counsel, understanding the inevitable 'hair' on deals, and how early relationships with legal advisors can significantly benefit business searchers.
Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this episode is packed with crucial advice for anyone looking to buy a business and navigate the complexities of legal and financial landscapes effectively.
In this compelling episode, Scott Stirrett is joined by Zabeen Hirji, a former Chief Human Resources Officer of RBC and a distinguished expert in the future of work, leadership, culture, and AI. Zabeen is now in her Purposeful Third Act where she unlocks the potential of people and builds inclusive prosperity.
As an advocate for effective workplace adaptation to artificial intelligence, Zabeen shares her insights on how AI is reshaping the work environment. She emphasizes the importance of AI fluency and developing human skills such as adaptability, empathy, and curiosity. Zabeen illustrates how AI can alleviate mundane tasks, allowing humans to focus on creative and impactful work. She also covers ethical AI usage, minimizing bias, and strategies for young professionals to enhance their career trajectory in an AI-driven world.
Whether you're starting your career or pivoting to a new path, this episode provides essential advice on thriving in an ever-evolving job landscape.
In this insightful episode, host Scott Stirrett chats with Patrice Mousseau, the visionary Founder and CEO of Satya Organic and a member of Fort William First Nation. A former broadcast journalist, Patrice turned her investigative skills towards finding a steroid-free solution for her daughter's eczema. This quest led her to traditional medicine, rigorous medical research, and eventually to crafting a botanically-based balm using a $15 crockpot she bought off Facebook.
Patrice shares the remarkable journey of creating a sustainable skincare solution that doesn’t buy into the allure of becoming a "unicorn" business. Patrice opts for meaningful impact over explosive growth, and nurtures a business that is deeply aligned with personal values and community well-being.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in how a commitment to sustainability and community can coexist with ambitious business goals.
Join us for the kickoff of Season 11 of A New Wave of Entrepreneurship. Host Scott returns to explore authentic entrepreneurship—doing business on your own terms, tackling challenges in new ways, and disrupting the status quo.
This season, we dive deep into stories and insights from guests redefining the entrepreneurial landscape. Whether you’re an experienced entrepreneur or newly curious about the startup world, this season offers powerful lessons and inspiration for everyone.
In this enlightening episode, Gina Patterson sits down with Samantha Stilwell, a Cultural Anthropologist and global team management expert. With her expertise in cultural anthropology and organizational psychology, she equips business leaders with the necessary tools to effectively navigate and engage with their diverse peers, customers, and business partners.
She shares her experiences transforming teams across four continents and multiple industries, highlighting her passion for preserving cultural differences. Throughout the conversation, Samantha also reflects on her multi-passionate career path, advocating for the importance of embracing change, and pursuing passions fearlessly.
Whether you're contemplating a career shift or seeking to integrate diverse cultural insights into your professional life, Samantha offers a fresh perspective on embracing your true self and the myriad opportunities the world has to offer.
Join host Gina Patterson as she sits down with Jennie Wedd, Senior Manager of Marketing & Partnerships at Venture for Canada. Diagnosed with ADHD later in life, Jennie shares how this revelation brought clarity but also deep feelings of shame, anxiety and isolation.
Through her journey, she discovered what she believes to be the antidotes to shame: embracing vulnerability and finding joy. In this episode, Jennie introduces the concept of "No Shame Zones" (NSZs)—a term she coined to describe spaces where people feel free to show up authentically without fear of judgment. She also explores the balancing act of prioritizing people and projects, highlighting how top-down vulnerability and practices like recognizing "Pure Joy Moments" (PJMs) can foster trust and build more connected, resilient, and productive teams.
Whether you're a leader looking to cultivate a more inclusive and empathetic workplace, or someone interested in personal growth and mental health, this episode offers valuable insights into self-acceptance, leading with authenticity and harnessing the power of vulnerability in leadership.
Join host Gina Patterson as she sits down with Nadia Ladak, Co-Founder and CEO of Marlow, a trailblazing femtech startup that introduced the world's first lubricated tampon. In this insightful episode, Nadia shares her unique challenges of pitching a female-centric product to a predominantly male investor audience. She recounts her exhilarating experience on CBC's Dragon's Den, where she secured a deal that skyrocketed brand awareness.
Nadia also touches on the broader implications of gender disparity in medical research and funding. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a woman navigating similar challenges, or anyone interested in the intersection of innovation and women's health, this episode offers a blend of personal journey, business strategy, and advocacy against widespread health stigmas.
Join host Gina Patterson as she dives into an inspiring conversation with Jenessa Olson and Laura Gabor, co-founders of ecologicca, a climate tech startup transforming air quality solutions. Jenessa shares her journey from professional athlete to serial entrepreneur, driven by her personal health challenges and a passion for problem-solving. Laura reveals her path from angel investor to co-founder, highlighting the values and trust that underpin their partnership.
Together, they explore the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, from navigating setbacks to building a business rooted in innovation and resilience.
Whether you’re curious about climate tech, the dynamics of co-founding, or the grit it takes to pursue a vision, this episode offers actionable insights and heartfelt reflections on forging a meaningful path forward.