Tune Up Your Warrior

What if the way we talk about mental health is actually part of the problem? Chris Ide is a father, advocate, and President of the Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health—and in this powerful conversation, he shares why it’s time to stop treating mental health like a separate issue. As his son once asked, “If it’s your brain, isn’t it just… health?” In this episode, Chris and Jenny explore: 🧠 W...

What does it mean to lead as an immigrant woman of colour in spaces where you’re still seen as a “first” or an “only”? In this episode, finance executive and bestselling author Nadine Niba joins Jenny to talk about rising through the ranks of corporate Canada with courage, conviction, and an unapologetic sense of self. From leaving Cameroon to writing Quarterbacking Your Life , Nadine shares her j...

When your child struggles with their mental health, parents often feel powerless, isolated, and unsure where to turn. For Michelle Crogie, that experience shaped not only her personal journey as a mother, but also her calling as the Executive Director of PLEO (Parents’ Lifeline of Eastern Ontario) . In this episode of Tune Up Your Warrior , Michelle shares how her daughter’s mental health challeng...

In this deeply moving episode of Tune Up Your Warrior , host Jenny sits down with Tamy Bell , founder of The Golden Society and mother to Griffin — a boy whose light continues to inspire a movement. Tamy shares her family’s journey, from Griffin’s premature birth and early weeks in the NICU to his brave battle with pediatric cancer. Through raw honesty and remarkable resilience, she reveals what i...

In this episode, Jenny Chen sits down with Craig Meeds, Head of BMO Private Wealth Canada, to explore what it really takes to lead with impact in today’s evolving world. From transparency and trust to systemic change and sponsorship over mentorship, Craig shares how he's helping shift the finance industry—one honest conversation at a time. Together, they dive into Malcolm Gladwell’s Revenge of the...

As kids return to school this fall, the conversation around youth mental health is louder than ever—and one question keeps coming up: Should we ban social media for kids under high school age? To kick off Season 2 of Tune Up Your Warrior , Jenny sits down with high school teacher and mom Tara Borowiecki to unpack what’s really happening in today’s classrooms—and homes—when it comes to screens, str...

What’s in a name? For many of us, it’s our beginning. Our legacy. Our first connection to where we come from. In this episode, Jenny Chen sits down with Onome Ako —CEO, global development leader, and author of I Am Cherished —to talk about how names carry the weight of our culture, our identity, and our worth. Named one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women , recipient of the RBC Canadian Women Entrepre...

" In the end, we are all stories — so let’s make it a good one. " In this special solo season finale, I open up about the journey that shaped me: from immigrating to Canada, to navigating a childhood where I never felt I belonged, to breaking generational cycles as a mother, to walking away from a 16-year career to launch Catalais Consulting and the Tune Up Your Warrior podcast. 🎧 What you won’t...

On this episode of Tune Up Your Warrior , Jenny sits down with her friend, longtime journalist and community builder Sam Laprade for a raw and courageous conversation about emotional abuse, reclaiming your identity, and what it takes to rebuild a life on your own terms. Sam opens up about the disconnect between who she was publicly and the pain she endured privately—and how finding her voice chang...

What does it really take to be an inclusive leader in today’s world—especially when conversations around equity and belonging are being challenged, politicized, or dismissed? In this episode, Jenny sits down with Silvio Stroescu — President of BMO InvestorLine and Head of Digital-First Wealth Management at BMO, transformational executive, and one of her greatest career mentors—to explore the core...

In this episode of Tune Up Your Warrior , host Jenny Chen sits down with Aki Temiseva, President and CEO of the United Nations Association in Canada, to explore the global talent crisis—through a systems lens, not a diversity checkbox. With over two decades of leadership experience spanning four continents and organizations like World Vision and Right To Play, Aki brings a powerful global perspect...

Stage-four cancer, chronic illness, blended-family life—Jenny and her husband Dan MacMillan have seen every side of what happens when there’s no plan in place. In this candid conversation they unpack:• Why naming an executor or Power-of-Attorney is a burden, not a badge of honour• The five starter questions that kick-off any solid estate plan — no lawyer required • Lived lessons from navigating di...

This week, we’re breaking the rules and letting a Nepo Husband have the mic. (It’s his birthday week — we’re letting him cook.) Dan MacMillan — or as he’s known in the industry, Danny Mac — is a top-ranking wealth advisor, cancer survivor, loving dad and dog dad, and the person I admire more than anyone I’ve ever worked with. Oh, and my husband. ❤️ In this episode, we unpack: What true sales leade...

In this episode, Jenny sits down with one of the most interesting people she’s ever met—Tony Garcia, Director of Academic Operations at George Brown College’s Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts. With a career spanning over 80 countries, Tony’s insights into the future of hospitality, innovation, and inclusive leadership are not to be missed. From prestigious kitchens in New York to wine pane...

At Linebox Studio, design is just the beginning. Founded in 2007 with a mission to approach architecture differently, Linebox has grown into one of Canada’s most respected boutique design studios. Today, COO Melissa Reeves is helping lead the firm into its next chapter—infusing equity, purpose, and people-first values into how they build, lead, and evolve. In this episode, Melissa shares her journ...

As summer begins, so does a seasonal surge in visible homelessness across Canadian cities. But homelessness doesn’t begin—or end—with what we see on the streets. It’s a reflection of systems that fail the most vulnerable, and a test of how deeply we value dignity, equity, and care. In this timely episode, Jenny sits down with David Gourlay , President & CEO at Shepherds of Good Hope , to unpac...

In this episode of Tune Up Your Warrior , Jenny sits down with award-winning photojournalist Ashley Fraser, whose lens has shaped how Ottawa sees itself. Best known for her work on the Ottawa Citizen’s Social Scene column, Ashley captures more than just events—she documents the heartbeat of a city through its people, its stories, and its acts of generosity. Ashley shares her journey into photojour...

What happens when human rights become a political debate? In this powerful Pride Month episode, Jenny sits down with global inclusion expert Joanne Lockwood to explore the growing backlash against the trans community—and why progress, no matter how far we think we’ve come, is never permanent. Joanne speaks candidly about her journey from corporate leadership as a white male to living openly as a t...

June is Seniors’ Month in Ontario—and yet, the challenges older adults face remain underfunded, understaffed, and under-discussed. In this urgent and eye-opening episode, I sit down with Delphine Haslé , Executive Director of The Perley Health Foundation, to unpack one of the biggest crises we’re not talking about enough: the growing breakdown of our long-term care system. As our aging population...

When it comes to DEI conversations, Asian voices are often the most overlooked. In this powerful episode, Jenny sits down with Ernest Chang — a Korean American DEI leader based in Chicago — to unpack the realities facing Asian professionals in today’s workplace. From the model minority myth to the bamboo ceiling, from silent expectations to the pressure to succeed without struggle, this conversati...

It’s hockey tryout season. And for many families, that means stress, judgment, and silent pressure behind the glass. Let’s be clear: this isn’t a takedown of competitive sports — it’s a wake-up call for the grownups in the room. In this powerful and personal episode, I’m joined by Jessica McCoy — investment professional, fierce hockey mom, and one of my closest friends — to talk about what’s reall...

In honour of Mental Health Week , this is a reminder that strength isn’t found in silence—it’s found in honesty. In a world that rewards performance but punishes vulnerability, asking for help can feel like failure. In this episode, Jenny sits down with Taryn Gunnlaugson , one of just 20% of CFA Charterholders in Canada who are women, and one of very few Investment Counsellors across the country,...

As Canada recognizes National Nurses Week and Hospital Week, we spotlight the future of healthcare—not just as a system, but as a human experience. In this powerful episode, Jenny sits down with Jennifer Van Noort , one of Canada’s most respected leaders in healthcare philanthropy. As the Chief Development Officer at the Ottawa Hospital Foundation, Jennifer shares the human stories behind the head...

What does it mean to fail forward—and how can it transform the way we lead, grow, and redefine success? In this episode, we sit down with Chris Thompson , Wall Street veteran, executive coach, and founder of Career Free Agency , a leadership and career transformation company helping professionals unlock purpose and own their power. After managing multibillion-dollar portfolios for over two decades...

What does it take to swing big—in sport, leadership, and life? In this episode, Jenny sits down with Lisa “Longball” Vlooswyk—an 8-time Canadian Long Drive Champion, keynote speaker, and advocate for women in sport—to talk about the unspoken barriers that still exist on and off the course. They dig into: ✨ The gendered expectations placed on women in male-dominated sports ✨ What happens when coa...