Intentifiers

What if the most radical thing we could do is simply leave people alone? In this unfiltered, deeply human episode of Intentifiers, Jodi Rai and Lina Buffington find themselves mid-conversation before the record button even hits - and what follows is one of the most honest exchanges the podcast has produced yet. They explore the tension between doing meaningful, social-justice-rooted work and refus...

Running an organization is meaningful work. It's also complicated, exhausting, and full of pressures that nobody really prepares you for. In this episode of Intentifiers, Jodi Rai and Executive Director Lina Buffington get candid about the real challenges that come with managing people and organizations in today's world - and what it actually looks like to navigate them with intention. Together, t...

What does it really cost to be the “first,” the “only,” or one of very few BIPOC people in predominantly white organizations? In this deeply honest and reflective conversation, Jodi Rai and Lina Buffington explore the invisible labor, emotional burden, and mental health impacts that often come with navigating leadership, academia, and professional spaces as women of colour. Together, they unpack:...

Dima Salame, an HR professional and leadership coach, shares her journey through burnout and back to intention. She speaks candidly about the signs of burnout, the lessons learned, and why listening to your inner voice is essential for both wellbeing and leadership.

Christopher Scipio has spent over a decade in Canada’s federal public service, advancing anti-racism, gender equity, and policy innovation. In this conversation, he reflects on leadership as an act of care, the importance of courage in creating systemic change, and the love that underpins his work.

Bryce shares a deeply personal story of moving through religious trauma, depression, and the search for meaning. His journey includes facing both emotional and physical pain, and finding pathways toward healing, self-understanding, and light. Today, Bryce speaks with honesty and vulnerability about resilience, the importance of safe support systems, and his belief that love is light. His story is...

Joel Solomon is a Founding Partner of Renewal Funds, Canada's largest mission venture capital firm, at $240 million assets under management. Investing in climate tech and organic foods in Canada and the USA, Renewal Funds is GIIRS-rated, a founding Canadian B Corp (5x “Best for the World”), a “1% for the Planet” member, recognized as ImpactAssets “Top 50 impact fund managers.” Joel is also 2021 Cl...

Trixie Ling was born in Taipei, Taiwan and grew up in many places from Taiwan, Singapore, United States of America, and Canada. She launched Flavours of Hope in March 2018 as a labour of love, stemming from her passion for creating intercultural spaces, o learn together, break down barriers, and build bridges between cultures through food, stories, and entrepreneurship. In Trixie's Story of Intent...

Abneet Sandhar is a trained classical Indian yoga guide, receiving her 300hr teacher training with Master yoga lineage holder: Maitreyi Yogacharini from the Arkaya foundation in 2019. She is also a Feminine Embodiment Coach receiving Woman's Temple facilitation training with Awakening Women in 2017, and also is a certified Holistic Nutritionist + Chef. Abneet is OBSESSED with guiding women back to...

Originally born in Montreal, Melissa was influenced by her mother who worked in factory garment production for large scale clothing distributors in that city. She can remember sitting at the foot of her mother's industrial sewing machine organizing buttons into their respective categories and playing with remnant scraps of fabrics to create colorful collages. Melissa established Adhesif Clothing i...

Lystra, is invested in the success and amplification of my QmooniTi at every intersection and on a global scale. She/They is a multitalented human due to her curious nature which has driven her to access a multidisciplinary education and career. She/They is deeply invested in healing from the generational trauma(s) collected by my ancestors due to wyt supremacy and it’s deadly systemic culture. Sh...

Sharon is Métis/Cree originally from Treaty Six Territory, is founder, and LEO of Cree8iv Collaboration Inc, doing business as DEVA Training & Staffing Solutions. Sharon is also a member of The Braid, an active member of PowHERhouse, a founding member of Impact Arts Co-operative, and a member of Zebras Unite Co-operative. Sharon is pursuing an MBA through Royal Roads University, and is writing...

Dr. Ami Patel, a pharmacist and Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist, is passionate about raising awareness about menstrual health, mental health, infertility and PCOS, especially in the South Asian community where these are all taboo subjects. Going through her own challenges with PCOS and feeling ashamed and alone, she now wants to build a community for fellow women diagnosed with PCOS to...

Bhavana is the lead designer and CEO of BHAV , a Chicago based women's wear clothing line. A pharmacist by profession (and still currently practicing) she decided to pursue her dream of fashion design. She launched her debut line three years ago and has not looked back since. Bhavana is inspired with her own Indian cultural identity and seeks to empower women to find unique ways to embrace their c...

Sangeetha Kowsik was born in Fremont, CA, a Parsons School of Design grad, is an NYC-based designer, interfaith chaplain, educator, and established gallery artist. The only person in the world doing this: A Hindu, Indian American woman who's an Islamic/Arabic calligrapher. Sangeetha is the Hindu Chaplain/Spiritual Advisor of NYU/Columbia Universities, founder of NYU Hindu Center, founding member o...

JoAnna Haugen is a writer, speaker, and solutions advocate who has worked in the travel and tourism industry for nearly 15 years. She is also the founder of Rooted, a solutions platform at the intersection of sustainable tourism, social impact, and storytelling. Her mission through Rooted is to responsibly document, support, celebrate, and share sustainable travel-related initiatives that prioriti...

Brenda Rigney coaches business leaders and start-up entrepreneurs up to something BIG in their life. She hosts a weekly podcast called #3UNIQUES to learn what makes people unique. Brenda has spent 25+ years consulting with CEO's, entrepreneurs and family-businesses on scaling business solutions, or steps in as a fractional executive team member to support strategic planning, organizational design...

Farah Nazarali, she has been teaching and studying yoga and mindfulness for 15 years. She brings a wealth of practical experience in teaching, breathing, wellness, conflict resolution, and non-violent communication in a variety of settings. As well, Farah is the founder of Drishti Point, a yoga podcast that has recorded hundreds of podcasts with fascinating individuals in the yoga and meditation s...

Natasha is an experienced change practitioner and project professional with a proven track record in systems implementations, organizational change initiatives, and large scale transformation. She also uses her change super powers as an advocate for asylum seekers and refugees. Natasha’s Story of Intent centers around her lived experiences with change and looking to provide support to organization...

Jill Valentine's Story of Intent is about the power of travel and volunteering abroad can become tools to really help people gain clarity, confidence a sense of community. She shares how by integrating travel, being of service to others with her coaching practice she believes in fellow humans living happy and fulfilling lives while becoming lifelong change makers. This is Jill and her Story of Int...

Neha Mohan's Story of Intent is a precious one detailing how her mental health declined after the end of her marriage. She shares her lived experience of South Asian stereotypes and misunderstandings of mental health and what she is doing to combat them. Neha's Story of Intent is one that exemplifies self-compassion, strength, and empathy for others.

Brett Elmgren’s Story of Intent comes from a place of real authenticity. Brett describes why and how he fell in love with the idea of values being core drivers for how humans and organizations treat each other. Brett elaborates on his work experience and leap of faith in venturing out on his own to continue supporting leaders while enhancing his own growth and development.

Veronica Vukusic's Story of Intent is about living and breathing every step in life with intention. Veronica describes how through yogic practice and scriptures she tries to live her live with intention while teaching this way of being in her yoga classes. Her embodiment of intentional living is inspirational as she helps others in viewing yoga as a means to be intentional.

Susanne Heaton's Story of Intent is one of sadness and triumph. Susanne shares how her personal health battles and the passing of her daughter led to her intention of helping others find health through the beauty of nature. She shares her passion about helping by being a is a huge advocate for the benefits of connecting with nature for the body, mind, and spirit.

Manpreet Dhillion's Story of Intent is all about being intentional about setting an intention and the things she has done to see that intention come to life. She shares two very cool examples of intentions she set and describes concepts related to why she believes these intentions came true for her.