Chatter that Matters

I encourage you to listen to this week's  Chatter That Matters , featuring my guest,  Dan Monaghan . Dan is a trailblazer, and his energy is infectious; his storytelling is excellent, and his approach to life, as well as his zest for it, is something we can all learn from.   Dan shares his journey from humble beginnings in Canada to building international ventures, including the innovative digital...

Jason Demers played over 700 games in the NHL, represented Canada at the Olympics, and was the "glue in the locker room" for five franchises. Teammates knew him as the guy who brought humour, energy, and heart. But inside, Jason was battling something invisible—crippling anxiety that made every night feel like fighting for his life. Jason opens up about the duality of his career: the confident def...

They broke barriers, challenged the status quo, and redefined what authentic leadership can be. Three women. One stage. A masterclass in leading with heart, purpose, and courage. Recorded live at the sold-out  Work The Room Leadership Summit 2025, I sat down with three trailblazing women leaders who inspire change: Linda Kuga Pikulin, President of ROOM and Women of Influence; Alycia Calvert, Chair...

"We found David Chilton's phone number on the back of The Wealthy Barber, picked up the phone, and just called. He answered. That one call changed everything." They had cushy jobs and no culinary credentials—just a shared dream between two sisters to write a cookbook that combined truly healthy recipes with laugh-out-loud humour. It was bold. It was different. And it was rejected by publishers. Se...

You're lying on the ground, your body completely paralyzed. You can hear voices around you, footsteps moving closer, then away. You're fully aware of everything, but you can't speak, can't move, can't signal that you're there. You are trapped inside your own body, and you know your life is hanging by a thread, yet you have no way of letting anyone know you need urgent help. Minutes feel like hours...

What if everything you worked for—your savings, your home, even your identity—could be stolen without a weapon or a warning? In this chilling yet empowering episode of  Chatter That Matters , recorded live at the Toronto Hunt, I moderate a critical conversation on the growing threat of cybercrime—and how we can fight back. Joining me are three remarkable minds from the frontlines of this invisible...

"Being dry is just changing your drink. Being sober is changing everything." — Jordan Kawchuk. Jordan Kawchuk is a brilliant storyteller, a former media professional, and a father—but for over 30 years, he was also an alcoholic. In this raw and revealing episode, Jordan opens up about a lifetime battle that has taken him through several treatment centers, estranged him from the people he loves mos...

What does it take to reinvent yourself—again and again—while remaining grounded in gratitude and generosity? In this inspiring episode recorded in front of a live audience, I sit down with the one and only Canadian icon and my dear friend, Arlene Dickinson, the beloved "matriarch of Dragon's Den." We explore the extraordinary journey that shaped her into one of the country's most respected busines...

I try not to play favourites, but this week's guest may be the most extraordinary human I've ever interviewed. Diane Dupuy is the founder of  Famous PEOPLE Players , a Black Light theatre company where the performers are individuals with physical and developmental disabilities. On stage, they become invisible, allowing life-sized puppets to dance, dazzle, and delight the audience. Offstage, they f...

What happens when a lifelong dream clashes with a tough new reality? This episode follows the compelling journey of Dapo Bankole, who left everything behind in Nigeria to create a brighter future for his family in Canada. But what awaited him wasn't a red carpet—it was a steep climb of survival jobs, diminishing savings, and the gradual loss of self-worth. Through honest storytelling and deep refl...

From Hollywood Hits to Finding Happy: Peter Samuelson's Mission to Lift Others Peter Samuelson could have stayed in Hollywood, producing box-office hits like  Revenge of the Nerds and The Return of the Pink Panther . Instead, he utilized his storytelling and leadership skills to rewrite the script of his life, founding seven nonprofits that empower society's most overlooked individuals, including...

In this deeply personal and moving episode, I sit down with Alok Ahuja, co-founder and CEO of Trexity, for a conversation that goes far beyond business. When Alok's father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Alok left a high-flying role at Shopify to become his full-time caregiver. That decision, rooted in love, sparked a journey of clarity, purpose, and the founding of a company built to serve...

In this episode of Chatter That Matters , as the RBC Canadian Open is minutes away from teeing off, I sit down with PGA Tour winner and Canadian golf icon Corey Conners. From his roots in Listowel, Ontario, to competing on the world stage, Corey's journey is a testament to discipline, humility, and perseverance.  Corey discusses his childhood passion for hockey and golf, the connection between mat...

An incredible story of a woman who takes the torch ignited by her father's entrepreneurial spirit and uses it to light up entrepreneurial dreams and positive change across continents and industries, all with heart, humanity, and hustle. Bashak Ilhan is a founder, five-time entrepreneur, digital strategist, and brand architect who has achieved two multi-million-dollar exits and boasts a global care...

In this inspiring and deeply personal episode, Cheryl Hickey, the beloved former co-host of Entertainment Tonight Canada, takes us beyond the glitz of red carpets and celebrity interviews to share her remarkable journey from a small town to the national spotlight. With warmth and honesty, Cheryl reflects on the moments that shaped her.  She navigated challenges and a health scare, embraced persona...

Bridge Over Troubled Waters: Taylor Cavanaugh's Journey from Demons to Desire Some fall and stay broken. Others build a bridge and rise. Taylor Cavanaugh was a gifted student and elite athlete—but he was also a restless spirit chasing chaos. His journey spirals through addiction, jail, bar fights, and breakdowns. Then, somehow, a way through. He claws his way into the Navy SEALs. Falls again. Rein...

What if the moment that saves your life isn't a miracle, or even counselling but a word, scribbled on a napkin? Steve Hershberger had lived a life built on his father's expectations, chasing achievement like a moth to a flame, versus his artistic passions. But after two decades of following someone else's blueprint, the façade cracked. His physical and mental health collapsed. He stood at a breaki...

What if saving a home could help save the planet and a family in need? We tear down 600 beautiful homes every year… That seems incredibly wasteful. Not just from a materials perspective. From a human one." — Glyn Lewis On this episode of Chatter That Matters, I sit down with Glyn Lewis , a man who's not just talking about sustainability—he's building it, one rescued home at a time. As founder of R...

What if Canada could become a global food superpower—from farm to fork, from field to plate? In this live-recorded episode taped at Farm Credit Canada's Future of Food Conference, I sat down with two titens transforming Canada's agricultural landscape: Curt Vossen , the visionary CEO of Richardson International, and  Kristjan Hebert , a farmer who manages his tens of thousands of acress of land wi...

Have you ever stood in a place that felt like more than just a location? Where the air carried stories, the land echoed memory, and you walked away with more than a photo, or even a memory that will last a lifetime, you walked away different? Two weeks ago on Chatter that Matters I interviewed Ben Cowan-Dewar who built Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs on Cape Breton Island.  Two golf courses that have...

Zita Cobb's story isn't just worth hearing—it's worth hugging.  In this episode of Chatter That Matters, you'll meet a woman who helped to transform Fogo Island, one of the most remote and rugged places in Canada, into a beacon that attracts the world. Zita's perspective on hospitality, community, and the miracles of reimagining a place will change how you view tourism, shifting from merely visiti...

"Tourism advances our Cabot brand and provides people and communities with an incredible opportunity to escape inequality." – Ben Cowan-Dewar. Welcome to Chatter That Matters, where we share inspiring stories of human journeys, extraordinary dreams, and transformative ideas. The timing couldn't be more perfect for this episode—today marks the beginning of The Masters, one of the most celebrated sp...

I am breaking format to share my conversation with Ben Mulroney this morning on his national radio show on the Corus network.  I offer six transformative ideas for  Canada on how we can thrive in the next decade. Forget the partisan debates and dive deep into bold ideas that transcend politics and policy. Here's a sneak peek at what you'll hear: 1)Unlocking Canada's Tourism Potential: From a place...

  "We're not in the hospitality business. I create experiences. I create moments. I create memories." – Marcel Bregstein What does turning a dining room into a stage and service into soul-stirring theatre take? In this week's 'Taped Live' - Chatter That Matters , I sit down, glass in hand and mic on—with Marcel Bregstein: sommelier, showman, and the heart behind The Toronto Hunt, one of Canada's m...

"I just have an idea. I'm motivated. I figure out how to do it, and away I go."  I usually avoid experts who offer lifestyle advice since so many podcasts already cover that territory. However, I was at a loss for words when I learned more about Gina Livy's unique journey.  Gina's story isn't about lost pounds but about purpose reclaimed. From a university experience that saw her gain 100 pounds a...