Paper Napkin Wisdom · Leadership & Entrepreneurship Insights for Founders and Executives

Christine McDannell is a serial entrepreneur, author of  The Resilient Founder , and a passionate advocate for building businesses that align with long-term legacy and personal purpose. She's launched and sold multiple companies, including a 7-figure exit, and now focuses her energy on guiding purpose-driven founders through her work at Kindred Quarters and Kndrd.io .  In Episode 252 of Paper Napk...

In Part 4 of the Freedom by Design series, Michael Walsh — growth strategist and founder of Walsh Business Growth — returns to the Paper Napkin Wisdom podcast with another deceptively simple, powerfully transformational idea. This time, Michael outlines what he believes to be the four core driving influences of all human behavior : Survive, Thrive, Connect, and Adapt .   Michael's frameworks aren'...

Heads up: this is a live recording, and the audio has some echo due to a tech glitch. Still, John's wisdom shines through—and we think it's worth it. Hope you agree. In this special final chapter of a three-part series, we return to Paper Napkin Wisdom  with legendary entrepreneur John Sleeman , founder of Sleeman Breweries and Spring Mill Distillery. But this time, he's not alone — John is joined...

Heads up: this is a live recording, and the audio has some echo due to a tech glitch. Still, John's wisdom shines through—and we think it's worth it. Hope you agree. This episode marks the second chapter in a three-part journey through the life and legacy of John Sleeman, the iconic Canadian entrepreneur behind Sleeman Breweries. And in this moment, we move from the grind of building a business to...

This episode is personal.  Just after college, I started a small business with my friend Matt Fox. We launched a student-focused magazine called Fingertips  — hunting down wing nights and drink deals before smartphones made that easy. Money was tight. Hustle was everything. And our first cold call was to Sleeman Brewing in Guelph.  John Sleeman said yes.  That early "yes" stuck with me — and now,...

Michael Walsh returns for part three of our special Freedom by Design  series on Paper Napkin Wisdom, and this one might be the most visually striking yet. If you're a fan of simple visuals that unlock big thinking, you're going to love this napkin. It's a 10x10 grid—just 100 dots—but what it represents could be the unlock for transformational leadership and next-level scale.  Michael is the found...

In Episode 246 of Paper Napkin Wisdom , Govindh Jayaraman sits down with Ari Galper, the world's leading authority on trust-based selling and the creator of the revolutionary "One Call Sale" method. With over 25 years of experience, Ari has completely flipped the traditional sales script. His approach isn't about pressure, persuasion, or playing games—it's about trust, truth, and transformation. ...

Dustin Wells isn't just an experienced tech entrepreneur — he's a guide for leaders looking to rediscover purpose in the peaks and valleys of business and life. With over two decades in tech and a successful exit under his belt, Dustin has learned to measure success not only in valuations but in clarity, impact, and joy. In Episode 245 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Dustin shared a message written in bol...

Michael Walsh is no stranger to growth. As the founder of Walsh Business Growth , he's spent years helping established business owners scale with intention, clarity, and impact. In this second installment of our Freedom Framework  special on Paper Napkin Wisdom, Michael returns to reveal one of his most powerful visual tools for growth: The 4 Danger Zones .  Drawn on a simple napkin (as all great...

Freedom. It's a word thrown around a lot in entrepreneurial circles. For some, it's about time. For others, money. But in Episode 243 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Michael Walsh challenges all of us to look deeper. With his napkin reading, "Freedom is not a selfish act," he invites established business owners to consider a profound shift in how they view growth and fulfillment.  Michael Walsh isn't just...

"Self-care isn't selfish… it's essential."  That's the simple but deeply powerful message that Karen Kossow chose to write on her napkin for this episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom. And it's a message that comes from lived experience.  Karen is a devoted parent of two autistic children and a tireless advocate for those navigating complex family dynamics. As a life coach and speaker, she specializes in...

In Episode 241 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, I reconnect with someone whose growth journey I've witnessed firsthand—Marina Byezhanova. She's not just a remarkable entrepreneur and thought leader; she's also someone I've had the privilege to coach during her early years in the Entrepreneurs' Organization Accelerator program. Today, she's the co-founder of Brand of a Leader , a global personal branding ag...

There's something really honest about a message that stops you cold, makes you sit up straighter, and asks you: What are you really doing with your time?   That's exactly what happened when I sat down (for the second time!) with Borzou Azabdaftari, founder of NickelBronx , a bold and authentic brand identity firm based in Washington, D.C. Our first recording got lost to the digital ether—but hones...

In Episode 240 of Paper Napkin Wisdom , we're joined by Darcel Dillard-Suite, a powerhouse entrepreneur, mental health advocate, and co-founder of Full Circle Health. With nearly three decades of entrepreneurial experience, Darcel has built a thriving business alongside her husband, a psychiatrist, focused on holistic mental wellness and support for underrepresented communities. Her impact has bee...

In Episode 238 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, we sit down with James Kaveney, founder of  Unlimited Heart , a transformative platform rooted in helping people lead with courage, connection, and clarity. James is a speaker, coach, and facilitator who draws deeply from personal experience, emotional intelligence, and heart-centered living to guide individuals and leaders toward lives of greater purpose and...

In this episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom , I sit down with Dr. Heidi Hanna , a global expert in stress mastery, resilience training, and brain-based performance strategies. She's a best-selling author, keynote speaker, and leadership coach who has worked with high-impact organizations like Google, Cisco, the PGA Tour, the U.S. Military, and countless executive teams around the world. She's also some...

If you were watching NFL football in the early '90s, you know the name Mark Rypien. He's the Super Bowl MVP who led Washington to victory in Super Bowl XXVI. The first Canadian-born quarterback to start in the NFL. A big-game player with a big arm.   But what most people don't know is the powerful story that came after the confetti.   In this special episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom , I sit down wit...

Julie Whitney's career reads like a masterclass in communication—25 years in PR, authoring thousands of news releases, booking stories that captivated viewers across major networks, and crafting messaging that cut through the noise. But in a bold pivot, Julie turned her storytelling superpowers toward something more heartfelt and enduring: children's books.   In this inspiring episode of Paper Nap...

  Bryce North is not your average entrepreneur. He's a venture capitalist, tech innovator, and the fearless founder of Don't Be A Little Pitch — a platform aimed at transforming the pitch process for startups and investors alike. But behind the bold branding and quick wit is a deeper lesson — one that was hard-earned through pain, failure, and raw self-discovery.   In Episode 234 of Paper Napkin W...

Stéphanie Szostak is the kind of person who doesn't just light up the screen—she lights up every conversation with depth, grace, and a grounded sense of self that comes from real inner work.   You may recognize her from blockbuster films like Iron Man 3 or The Devil Wears Prada , or from her unforgettable role as Delilah in ABC's A Million Little Things . But in this episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom...

In Episode 232 of Paper Napkin Wisdom , we sit down with Hristo Arakliev , co-founder of Hyperzon , Amazon growth strategist, and entrepreneur with a clear edge—one honed through experience, humility, and a relentless commitment to intentionality.   With over a decade of experience navigating the complex world of Amazon growth, Hristo has helped brands crack the code to sustainable success in one...

Laura Burke is a powerhouse of transformation. A corporate leader turned coach, mentor, and authenticity advocate, Laura brings more than just credentials to the conversation—she brings clarity, conviction, and a contagious energy. With a background that spans executive leadership, people development, and personal growth, she now champions others in stepping fully into their purpose.   In Episode...

In episode #230 of Paper Napkin Wisdom , we sit down with Ted Nolan —former NHL head coach, Jack Adams Award winner, and proud member of the Ojibwe Nation. Known not just for his coaching success but for the powerful presence he brings to every room, Ted shares the napkin that has guided him through every chapter of his life:   📝 "Learn to Win with What You Got."   Those seven words might be the...

  In E pisode 229 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Govindh Jayaraman sits down with the remarkable Sheelagh Whittaker — a trailblazer in Canadian business, a bold thinker, and a woman whose leadership career spans from her time as CEO of EDS Canada to boardroom seats at global giants like Imperial Oil, RBC, and CanWest. Sheelagh is not only known for her business acumen but also for her candid style and fe...

Warren Rustand is more than a seasoned entrepreneur and former White House Appointments Secretary — he's a mentor to leaders across the globe, a passionate advocate for intentional living, and someone who's spent decades helping others uncover their best selves. In Episode 228 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Warren shares the essence of leadership in one quiet, powerful quote:   "When you ask someone a co...