ChangeMaker Leader Podcast

What does it actually take to go from a side hustle to a full time business? In this episode of the ChangeMaker Leader Podcast, Leigh Mitchell sits down with David Kwok of YSpace, York University's pan-university entrepreneurship and innovation hub, to talk about what real support for founders looks like at every stage of the journey. David has spent over a decade building the programs and par...

Welcome back to the ChangeMaker Leader Podcast. Today is for The Art of the Possib i lity: Leading a Non-Linear Life with Christine Brooks-Cappadocia   Your career was never supposed to look like a straight line. Women Changemakers are often rebuilding, pivoting, or finally giving themselves permission to lead differently. Here at Women in Biz Network, we support women in being themselves unapolog...

The Brave Move That Changes Everything: Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone to Unlock Your Purpose What if the thing you have been searching for is not ahead of you, but already inside you, waiting to be seen? In this episode of the ChangeMaker Leader Podcast, host Leigh Mitchell sits down with Jill Valentine, founder of Ugo Impact and creator of the Ugo Triple Change Effect Model, for a conversati...

Fifteen years ago, Leigh Mitchell was building a business that required her to stand in front of rooms full of people, and she could barely get through a sentence without wanting to disappear. She studied the speakers she admired. She tried to become them. It was a disaster. In this episode, Leigh gets personal about her journey from stage fright to keynote stages, university classrooms, and board...

Searches for "feel overwhelmed," "stress relief," and "burnout from life" are all at all-time highs in 2026 — and if you're feeling it too, you're not alone. This video gives you a science-backed, 20-minute nervous system reset routine you can do twice a day to regulate stress, reduce cortisol, and reclaim your calm. This routine integrates vestibular (balance/inner...

What actually happens when ambitious women stop scrolling  and start showing up? In this episode, Leigh Mitchell sits down with Kim and Linda  of My Creative Break for a conversation about the magic that  unfolds when driven women gather in person — the spark, the  stories, and the sisterhood that no DM can replicate. "The most powerful thing we ever did was create a space where women felt saf...

Dr. Jim is a Generation-0 immigrant and lifelong revenue leader who now runs a GTM consultancy for stage-zero founders. He integrates sales, marketing, and partnerships into a single buyer-aligned motion to create frictionless, loyalty-building experiences. We dig into why the old “more activity = more revenue” playbook falls flat in the attention economy — and how AI can actually help you become...

On the ChangeMaker Leader Podcast, we are speaking live with the author of Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol, a book named one of the year's top 10 by the Washington Post. Part memoir, part journalistic exploration, the book exposes the “pinking” of the alcohol industry. Together, we will explore: How writing memoirs, personal essays, or even short reflections can help...

Discover how Kaliyha De Sousa went from volunteering at Regeneration Toronto, a thrift store supporting homeless individuals and newcomers to Canada, to leading major iPhone campaigns at OMD. In this impactful episode, our ChangeMaker Kaliyha, who is an OMD Supervisor, shares her unconventional path into media planning, including how she grew the nonprofit's TikTok account to 30K followers, le...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Patrick McCaully of PointMan! News Creation and Rachel Ott of Varger Girl Design—a husband-and-wife duo who've successfully built thriving businesses while sharing both a workspace and a marriage for over 25 years. In this masterclass on business, creativity, and life, Rachel and Patrick share their journey from having zero business experience to beco...

How do you stand out in one of the most competitive job markets in recent memory? What are hiring managers really looking for? And how can you break into your industry when everything seems stacked against new grads? In this special episode for  post-grad marketing students and emerging professionals , we’re joined by  Courtney Sebu , HR executive and founder of  Shastra Inc. , to discuss how to n...

What does it take to close Canada’s gender gap in leadership? In this episode, we sit down with Julie Savard-Shaw , Executive Director of The Prosperity Project , to explore the transformative power of the  Rosie Mentorship Program  — a free, bilingual, and virtual initiative designed to support  mid-career women  on their path to leadership. Julie shares her personal journey, the inspiration behi...

Podcast Description: In this episode, we sit down with Rebecca, founder of  Detour Co. , a natural skincare brand born from a personal need for clean, effective products. After relocating to Muskoka, Rebecca transformed her passion into a thriving business, guided by authentic customer feedback and a deep connection to community. She shares how she transitioned from crafting products at home to op...

AI is Changing Media & Careers, Are You Ready? In a world where AI is disrupting every industry,  CBC News  hired its first-ever  AI Advisor  — and it wasn’t a Silicon Valley technologist. It is CBC's  Rignam Wangkhang , who is leading CBC into the AI era. In this episode, Rignam shares how he carved out a role that didn’t even exist a year ago, the cultural challenges of introducing AI in...

This episode will explore Khadija Natali inspiring journey from a small farming community in #India is becoming a voice for international students and young women. We'll unpack how setbacks, rather than roadblocks, have been catalysts for her personal growth, perspective shifts, and purposeful advocacy.

Tired of AI that makes you sound like a robot? This fast-paced, no-fluff livestream is your sneak peek into how to actually use AI to write with clarity, confidence, and alignment. You’ll get practical tips, real prompt examples, and a taste of what’s coming in our May 29 masterclass with AI strategist Susan Diaz. In just 30 minutes, you’ll learn: How to avoid the most common AI prompt mistakes Ea...

🎧 Podcast Episode: The Power of Vulnerability on Stage and Screen What happens when the thing you once feared most becomes your greatest strength? In today’s episode, we explore the power of vulnerability as both a personal tool and a public force. Our guest has spent a lifetime navigating the challenges of a stutter, only to transform that journey into a platform for global impact—through comedy...

In this powerful episode of The Changemaker Collective , Leigh Mitchell sits down with Brandon B. Happy—artist, activist, and founder of the Cultured Collective—for a heartfelt and thought-provoking conversation on reclaiming identity, healing through service, and the radical power of imagination. Brandon shares his deeply personal journey from generational trauma, addiction, and homelessness to l...

Struggling to hear back from job applications? Tired of being ghosted after interviews? In this high-energy and insight-packed episode, Izzy Piyale-Sheard joins us to drop serious knowledge on how to stand out in today’s crowded job market — with a little help from AI. As a job search strategist and brand builder, Izzy shares practical, no-fluff advice on how to use AI tools to tailor resumes, wri...

In this episode, we sit down with John Castillo to explore the mindset shifts and strategies that drive success in business. From overcoming imposter syndrome to embracing collaboration over competition, John shares his insights on building a powerful personal brand, seizing B2B and subcontractor business opportunities, and thriving in the creator economy. Whether you're an entrepreneur, freel...

How do you break into a marketing career in today’s competitive job market? In this episode, Jared Kligerman answers your biggest questions about launching a successful marketing career. From landing your first role to standing out in applications, Jared shares insider tips, industry insights, and practical advice to help you navigate the journey. Whether you’re a student, a career switcher, or ju...

In this episode, we’re joined again by Saeed Zeinali, a visionary entrepreneur who reshaped the mental health industry through groundbreaking med tech innovations. Saeed shares his journey of creating a startup that challenges traditional approaches to mental healthcare, blending technology and compassion to address an urgent global need. But that’s not all—Saeed also weighs in on the evolving lan...

Kick off the new year with purpose and clarity in this inspiring podcast episode! We dive deep into the art of goal setting tailored for changemakers like you. Whether you're striving for personal growth, launching a meaningful project, or aiming to create a lasting impact in your community, this conversation is packed with actionable insights to help you succeed. In This Episode, You’ll Learn...

In this episode, we’re joined by YouTube advertising guru Aleric Heck to uncover the secrets behind creating high-engagement ads on one of the world’s most competitive platforms. As the founder of AdOutreach, Aleric shares his proven strategies for helping brands capture attention, drive clicks, and engage viewers through YouTube ads. We’ll also dive into how his company leverages AI to personaliz...

We're diving into a topic at the heart of every modern entrepreneur’s journey: the delicate balance between technological advancement and authentic brand identity. Joining us is Ronsley Vaz , a renowned entrepreneur, author of Amplify AI , and founder of Amplify. With his unique blend of expertise in AI and storytelling, Ronsley will share how businesses can harness the power of AI to scale wi...