Chatter that Matters

Sitting down with extraordinary entrepreneur and thought leader Chip Conley was an absolute joy. In his twenties, he founded Joie de Vivre Hospitality. After facing near death, he sold his business and helped mentor the founders of Airbnb to realize their success. A best-selling author, sought-after speaker, and visionary. Chip now leads an extraordinary movement to redefine how we approach aging...

We live in troubling times where the dangerous echoes of history pound onto Canada's streets. Chants calling for the eradication of an entire population are not just words—they are a chilling reminder of humanity's darkest chapters. My show this week confronts the reality of the genocide, both past and present, and explores how hate-filled rhetoric, left unchecked, can lead to unimaginable atrocit...

"Aging is a design problem, not a disease. Our current societal infrastructure isn't just outdated; it limits the possibilities for fulfilling, extended lives." – Dr. Joe Coughlin.  Are you ready to rethink your approach to aging and retirement? In this life-opening episode of Chatter That Matters, I sit down with Dr. Joe F. Coughlin, founder and director of the MIT AgeLab. We dive deep into the t...

Have you ever wondered what it was like to raise Beyoncé as a father and be her manager? Or how Destiny's Child came to be one of the best-selling girl groups of all time. The role brands like L'Oréal and Pepsi played in Beyoncé's early success as a solo artist. Mathew Knowles, the father of Beyoncé and Solange, joins Chatter that Matters to share his remarkable journey from a Father of Beyoncé an...

Today, we delve into the remarkable journey of Dr. Shahana Alibhai, a distinguished family physician and mental health advocate who focuses on youth from equity-deserving neighbourhoods. Shahana grew up in a family that had 72 hours to flee Uganda during the expulsion of Asian minorities under Idi Amin. She witnessed her parents' resilience, adaptability, and optimism in the face of extreme hardsh...

As the Paralympics light up Paris this week, with athletes from over 170 countries showcasing their incredible talents, I felt compelled to do a special show to honor their achievements. My journey led me to the inspiring story of Danielle Campo—someone who has never let her disability define her. Diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and once told she'd never walk, Danielle not only defied their pred...

As the world eagerly anticipates the premiere of the new documentary on The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), I am thrilled to bring you an exclusive interview with Jake Gold, one of the world's music mavens, Canadian Idol Judge, and the legendary manager who played a pivotal role in shaping The Hip's iconic career. Jake Gold managed The Tragical...

In this heartfelt episode,  I interview Jan Stewart, a mental health advocate, and author of Hold on Tight: A Parent's Journey Raising Children with Mental Illness. Jan shares her deeply personal journey of raising two neurodivergent children, Andrew and Ainsley, and the challenges her family has faced. From early signs of their children's struggles to navigating a complex healthcare system, Jan's...

Ever wondered what it was like to live at Paul McCartney's place, or the band dynamics within the members of Rolling Stones?  Find out in our exclusive Chatter That Matters episode where Prince Stash shares the 1960s counterculture and his time playing music and hanging out with members of the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, and many more. A wonderful storyteller, Prince Stash, transport...

How many of the world's creative thinkers - our songwriters, poets, comedians, and artists began life escaping from the reality of their life?  One that I know is my guest this week.  Aaron Starkman is one of the top 100 Creative Minds in Advertising, and the Chief Creative Officer of Rethink, a Canadian Agency that is recognized as the best in the world. Aaron shares his journey from a challengin...

One of my favourite quotes is by Steve Jobs, who once said, "We're here to put a dent in the universe." I celebrate those who choose to do so, who overcome circumstances to chase their dreams and change their world and ours for the better. I'm thrilled to introduce my guest for today's episode: Jon Cornish. Jon Cornish is a dynamic and multifaceted individual. As a former College and CFL star, he...

Dr. Brian Goldman is a veteran ER physician and an award-winning medical reporter for CBC Television's The Health Show and The National. He's known across Canada as CBC Radio One's "House Doctor." Brian has a proven knack for making sense of medical baffelgab. He has two top-rated shows, White Coat Black Art and The Dose.  On Chatter that Matters, Dr. Goldman shares his journey from a young medica...

'Heaven is the Feeling One Leaves on Earth.' Abandoned at Birth. Join me this week on Chatter that Matters for the heart-wrenching and uplifting story of Janet Sherlund, author of Abandoned at Birth: Searching for the Arms That Once Held Me. Janet discusses the profound effects of adoption on her identity and self-esteem, sharing her lifelong quest to reconnect with her birth parents and uncover w...

To build excitement for the Paris Olympics episode, I sit down with the inspirational Avalon Wasteneys, a Canadian Olympic Gold Medallist and a powerhouse in the rowing world. Avalon shares her journey from being raised in a family of world-renowned athletes to what it took to be part of a team that won Olympic Gold. From her early days as a competitive cross-country skier to putting her oar into...

Emma Beehler - Her Beautiful Autistic Mind. In today's episode of Chatter that Matters, we challenge perceptions about neurodiversity. Society often views neurodiverse individuals through a lens of limitation versus exploration. We overlook the extraordinary contributions of neurodiverse minds to our world. From scientific breakthroughs to artistic masterpieces, many of our advancements have been...

Canada. It's Time. On our country's birthday, I break my show format to discuss what we need to do as a nation to pursue our future. This future is not a distant dream but a reality we must actively shape, marked by purpose, passion, pursuit, and laddering to prosperity and peace. I begin the show with my take on Canada a nd why we need to create a magnetic culture to attract the best and the brig...

You will soon hear why I found Derek Blais an exceptional guest. He has the spirit of youth but with the presence and insights of an elder. Derek's journey embodies the spirit of Chatter that Matters by sharing how he overcame circumstances to chase his dreams but change his world and ours for the better. Derek speaks candidly about his struggles and triumphs, including the pivotal moment of embra...

How do I follow up on last week's interview with Malcolm Gladwell? Joining me today is best-selling author and world-renowned speaker Joe Roberts. Joe shares his moving and incredible journey from homelessness and addiction to becoming an entrepreneur, CEO, and, today, an influential advocate for youth. Joe lives to inspire change and offers actionable steps for overcoming challenges, fostering re...

Malcolm Gladwell is an outlier in his own right, as a journalist, author and public speaker. His unique perspective and engaging writing style have made him a prominent sociology and popular culture voice. He has five New York Times bestsellers — The Tipping Point, Blink, Outliers, What the Dog Saw, and David and Goliath. In addition to his best-selling books, Malcolm co-founded Pushkin Industries...

This week's episode features Nick Taylor, who captivated the golf world and all of Canada with his thrilling 72-foot playoff eagle putt, making him the first Canadian in 69 years to win the RBC Canadian Open. Nick takes us on a journey from his childhood dreams of being a professional golfer to being ranked the top amateur in the world. Nick then shares his experiences on the PGA Tour before refle...

This is a true-life Ted Lasso story, taped in front of a live audience at the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers Conference. I love every word of what Jay DeMerit has to say about life, sports, ego, and leadership. Jay's journey extends beyond athletic supremacy to becoming a role model for youth, an entrepreneur, and a sought-after keynote speaker. Jay DeMerit shares his journey from bein...

Frank Palmer is a character of immense character. Frank is a true icon, creative genius, thought leader, visionary and entrepreneur.  Frank is being featured as part of The Legends Journey, Lessons in Leadership series. A collaboration between Chatter that Matters and the American Marketing Association's Toronto Chapter. In this series, we interview inductees from Canada's Marketing Hall of Legend...

Sometimes, the most gripping tales are not those of fiction. They're not from a bookshelf or a TV screen. They're real-life stories that unfold around us. Stories that remind us of the power of the human spirit. Today on Chatter That Matters, we share the indomitable spirit of Stacey Curtis, who survived a plane crash, cancer that roared through her body and where she was given only a few years to...

Did you ever dream of building something with your best friend?  Discover the inspiring story of April Brown and Sarah Sklash, who quit their jobs and purchased a roadside motel in Prince Edward County.   With hard work, dedication, and little experience, they transformed the dingy motel into a beautiful space reflecting life's sunshine and simple pleasures. Their entrepreneurial adventures caught...

Today, I welcome Jeanne Beker, a global icon and an inductee into the Marketing Hall of Legends. Jeanne is also a dear friend and a trailblazer who has found success as a world-renowned fashion journalist, entrepreneur, author, keynote speaker, and, above all, a wonderful mom. At age 72, Jeanne continues to fashion her destiny with passion, creativity and talent. In this candid 'chat to me about a...