Successfully Ambiguous?

Meet Dr. Christine Sawchuk, President and CEO of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Business Valuators (CICBV), to explore a career path that’s not just rewarding—it’s practically guaranteed. With a near 100% employment rate , business valuation is one of Canada’s most secure and in-demand professions. Christine shares how this field is critical to navigating succession planning, legal disputes,...

Maham Abbasi, entrepreneur and founder of the No Shame Project, joins Christine Brooks-Cappadocia to share her journey of turning advocacy into impact. From challenging stigmas around period poverty to supporting students in education and study abroad, Maham shows how purpose and passion can build stronger futures. Join the conversation with today's leaders and share your career questions . Make s...

Meet Gayathri Rajamohan—one of only five global finalists for the prestigious PIEoneer Alumni of the Year Award and the only from a Canadian institution. Her story is one of courage, community, and commitment to empowering women in cybersecurity. In our conversation, Gayathri shares how her upbringing, her father’s example of service, and her own journey as an international student shaped her pass...

When I first met Dana Stephenson nearly a decade ago, we were both deep in the trenches of trying to solve a problem that still challenges educators and employers today: how do we prepare students for a future that’s anything but predictable?  In this episode, I sit down with Dana—co-founder of Riipen, a platform that connects students, educators, and employers through real-world project-base...

In this episode of  Successfully Ambiguous , I sit down with Erick Bauer, a fellow communicator, educator, and changemaker. Erick is the Head of External Relations at Meridian Credit Union, Founder of the Bauer Group, author, host of The Bottom Line with Erick Bauer podcast, and passionate about giving back to his community. Erick shares his journey from policing to public relations, and how...

I first met Katherine Chong when she was helping our School build Canada’s first academic program in Product Management. I was struck by her fearless curiosity and the way she turned a sabbatical into a masterclass in human connection. In this episode, I sit down with Katherine—product manager, startup coach, instructor, and cultural consultant for Pixar’s  Turning Red —to talk about how 300...

In this episode, I sit down with someone I deeply admire and have had the pleasure of getting to know through the Canadian Chamber of Commerce— Diana Palmerín Velasco , Senior Director, Future of Work. Diana brings a rare combination of lived experience as a newcomer and deep policy expertise that makes her voice essential in today’s conversations about immigration, labour, and the future of work...

What do you do when the job you’ve worked so hard to land turns out to be nothing like you imagined—on day one? In this episode, I’m joined by the vibrant Michelle Aarons , who shares the story of how her dream job quickly became a wake-up call. But instead of letting that moment define her, Michelle used it as a catalyst for growth, clarity, and purpose. We talk about: The power of reframing disa...

How important is it to ask for help along your career path? Do you wonder how some people have the confidence to build their network and try new things? In a motivating and enlightening conversation with Anika Forde we delve into how to live from a place of abundance and have the confidence to ask for the support you need to take the next step on your career path.   Anika opens up about...

How important is it to fit in with Canadian culture to get a job? Do you wonder how to excel in a job interview? In a frank discussion with Richard Pinnock of Diversity of Thought we delve into how to navigate the challenges and opportunities of diversity to impress and add value to your employer of choice!   Richard has inspired thousands of young people with his leadership training on...

How important is it to understand how to reframe failure? Do you wonder how to take risks in your career? In a powerful and inspiring discussion with Priya Bates of Inner Strength Communication we delve into how to take risks and process failures so you can turn them into valuable lessons!    Priya opens up about her own career journey, her “lightbulb moment” and shares invaluable lesson...

How important is it to understand the language and cadence of your desired career? Do you wonder how AI will impact your career in the future? In an eye-opening discussion with John Weigelt, National Technical Advisor at Microsoft, we delve into how to navigate the rapidly changing job landscape while harnessing the power of AI responsibly and learning to overcome hiccups along the way! John leads...

Welcome to Successfully Ambiguous, the proudly Canadian podcast that asks, “When opportunity knocks, will you be ready to answer?” and explores how successful people prepare to leverage the unexpected. Host Christine Brooks-Cappadocia, AVP of York University School of Continuing Studies, has a non-linear professional journey and leads one of the largest Schools in the country dedicated to helping...