Live. Learn. Lead.

How can you lead with humility and empathy without compromising your performance?   Today our guest is Mimi Nicklin, an empathy expert, bestselling author, and keynote speaker with her company Empathy Everywhere. If you want to lead people well, you first have to understand them, and that’s where empathy comes in. In this episode, Mimi breaks down common misconceptions about empathy, how listening...

What are the simple leadership strategies that can help you create real results?   On today’s episode, our guest is globally recognized leadership expert Gordon Tredgold. Gordon redefined leadership with his FAST Framework and is known for his no-nonsense, simplified approach to leadership. Simpler doesn’t always mean easier, but it can if you figure out the right way to guide your team. In the ep...

What’s the most effective way to communicate our big ideas and share them with clarity?   On today’s episode we’re joined by sought-after message designer and speaker Tamsen Webster. Tamsen helps organizations (including Johnson & Johnson and Harvard Medical School) craft meaningful messages that inspire long-lasting change. She reveals to us the importance of messaging and the secrets to crea...

Why is honest storytelling so important, and how does it intertwine with history?   Our guest today is A'Lelia Bundles, a journalist, author, historian, and more. A'Lelia fell in love with writing at a young age, quickly realizing the power and potential for impact in weaving a story. A'Lelia opens up in our conversarion about the most significant moments in her career, the lessons she’s still rea...

What’s the secret to bringing a jewellery brand with such small beginnings to be this impactful?   Today we are joined by Rachel Mielke, the Founder of Saskatchewan-based jewellery company Hillberg & Berk. Rachel’s experience of entrepreneurship has been all about taking risks, from taking her business full-time to appearing on Dragons’ Den. But perhaps even more importantly, her journey has b...

How can leaders create a positive speak-up culture in the workplace?   Stephen “Shed” Shedletzky is a keynote speaker and author of Speak-Up Culture. When it comes to cultural leadership, Shed has seen and lived the importance of serving and leading from the inside out. He shares some fantastic tips for soliciting feedback and encouraging honesty from your team so that you can live up to a high st...

What does running a successful business as a married couple look like?   On this episode of Live Learn Lead our guests are Tova and Josh Matchett of Timeless Furniture. The motivation for their business came from a desire to create a higher level of freedom in their growing family, and they’ve learned a lot through their business journey—which has included a service pivot, a rebrand, the creation...

Ever wonder how leadership is different in the world of politics compared to in business?   On this episode of Live Learn Lead we’re chatting with Dan McLean, a city councillor for Ward 13 in Calgary since 2021, who has a unique view of leadership through the lens of municipal politics. He discusses his experience as a business owner and how it compares to his life in politics, how he deals with d...

What does it take to lead a global brand while also raising a little human being?   As a career-focused woman, Kara Chomistek, a Partner at PARK Production House, spent her 20s building that part of her life up. Later, when her daughter came along, she knew she would have to find a way to be a present mom while still pouring energy into her work. Today we get to hear Kara’s life-changing experienc...

What are the responsibilities of a great leader, and what do you need to do to embody purpose-driven leadership? Today we’re talking with John Spence, a global business expert and coach, about the greatest lessons he’s learned in his decades of leadership. He is one of the Top 100 Business Thought Leaders in America and has a wealth of experience in advising Fortune 500 companies. During the discu...

What are the secrets to maintaining a fulfilling work-life balance while leading a thriving business in the emotionally charged world of weddings?   Today we dive into the inspiring journey of Lynn Fletcher, a former school teacher turned wedding industry pro. Lynn shares how she transitioned from organizing school events to creating a successful wedding business, driven by her passion for bringin...

In this inspiring episode of Live. Learn. Lead. with Alison Geskin , Alison is joined by Shane Wenzel, President of Shane Homes and one of Calgary’s most recognizable business and civic leaders. From walking job sites as a child to leading a homebuilding legacy that has served over 16,000 families across 100+ communities, Shane brings a bold and refreshing perspective on what it truly means to lea...

In this thought-provoking episode of Live. Learn. Lead. with Alison Geskin, Alison sits down with Russell Stratton , CEO of Bluegem Learning , to discuss how leaders can master difficult workplace conversations while fostering inclusive, high-trust teams. Russell challenges today’s conventional thinking on “wokeness” and explores how performative inclusivity can sometimes stifle real dialogue . Fr...

In this episode, Alison Geskin sits down with Shaun Ford, CEO of Shaun Ford & Co. , to explore how design, leadership, and business success intersect. From the challenges of leading a creative company to the impact of spaces on human behavior, Shaun shares his journey and lessons in balancing artistry with strategy. Tune in to learn:  ✅ How Shaun built a brand that blends timeless design with...

What do all great leaders have in common? Today we welcome a unique lens into the world of leadership.  Brent Barootes , President of the Partnership Group has worked with some of the biggest names in sports, banking, telecommunication, education, arts & culture, and government.  He and his extraordinarily talented team specialize in sponsorship marketing between properties, rights holders and...

Have you ever met a people whisperer?  Well, you are about to today. Susan is probably one of the most genuine, client-focused, innovative professional and transformational change leaders I have ever met. She’s got a ton of demonstrated success in the design, development and implementation of value-add human capital processes and programs, exceeding expectations and maximizing resources one client...

Leadership – that mythical, magical beast that humbles even the best of us.  Today we get a unique lens into leadership from one of the leading minds in space. Dr. Shapiro has educated 1,000's of leaders and is passionate about making employees part of the solution, building authentic community at work, and aligning culture with strategy.  He is always looking for the perfect blend of humanity and...

How do we lead?  We know that much of leadership is an inside job. We know that when we focus on being our best selves, we can achieve great outcomes.  And yet, most of us are not where we want to be.   So much of what we do focuses on the what and the how, that often the who gets lost in the mix.  Success is not an accident, and today my friends, we are going to spend an hour with Jos Willard, wh...

If you’re in a leadership position, you’ve got to know that it’s going to be one of the hardest things that you do in your life because it’s something that will always be constantly evolving and changing. You’ll be in constant state of learning and growing. Who you were yesterday is not the leader you need to be tomorrow.   This my friends is leadership in action.   Spend an hour with Christine an...

Alison talks with Pam Truchon, one of the most formidable leadership icons of our time.  Pam’s credentials in the leadership arena are astounding.  She was the first female in the US ARMY trained in Technical Surveillance Countermeasures – forever changing the landscape of what once was male invite only.  She went on to be Special Agent/Team Chief of the Security Operations Branch with the Defense...

Alison talks with Alexis Zahner, Director of Management Mindfulness, who is in the busines to make business better for human beings.  She's worn many hats, from corporate marketing and local government, she's worked at National Australian media outlet Fairfax. She’s also led Management at the much loved global environmentally sustainable retail brand, Patagonia. And it's through experiencing the g...

Alison talks with Paul Hardy , Founder of Paul Hardy Design and one of the most iconic Canadian figures of this generation.  Together they walk through Paul’s astonishing journey, leading the way to go beyond the ordinary and play in a life of extraordinary.  This is leadership in action. To learn more about the Paul Hardy Design journey, please visit www.paulhardydesign.com    Instagram @paulhard...

Alison talks with Abdul Ahmed , Founder and CEO of Adesso Man, a global men’s lifestyle and accessories brand who continues to be a catalyst, leading the charge in providing accessible style to mean from all walks of life – changing how men feel about themselves – transforming perceptions, growing confidence and unlocking self-expression.  This is leadership in action.     To learn more about the...

Alison talks with Saawan Logan , an eco-entrepreneur who has chosen to rethink her impact on the planet – one sip at  a time.  Co-founder and CEO of North Water , we’ll learn what it take to be Sawaan as she continues to ignite change, saving our planet and those who live on it.  This is leadership in action. To learn more about the North Water journey, please visit https://drinknorthwater.com   I...

Alison Geskin uncovers leadership lessons from some of the most successful leaders from around the globe.