The Generalist Advantage

Why Listen:  You work in engineering or technical teams where smart people still struggle to move things forward   Episode Description:   Managing complex work isn’t about having the smartest people in the room—it’s about making sure they’re actually solving the same problem. Marc LeBlanc, Sr Mrg of Engineering at General Dynamics,  brings a systems-level perspective shaped by years moving across...

Why Listen:  You’re trying to influence systems that are rigid, slow, or highly structured—and want a more practical way to do it  Episode Description:    Local government sits at the intersection of policy, process, and real community needs—and that intersection is far messier than it looks from the outside. This conversation explores what it takes to operate effectively in that space, where rigi...

Why Listen:  You want better tools for helping others “get it,” especially when the topic is complex, cross-functional, or emotionally charged.  Episode Description:   Analogies aren’t just clever turns of phrase—they're tools for meaning-making, leadership, and connection. In this episode, we sit down with Carolyn Duckworth, Head of Sales (North America) at Kepner-Tregoe, to explore how analo...

Why Listen: You understand your value—but struggle to explain it in a way others immediately get. Description:  Heather Cayouette didn’t write a book to buildauthority—she wrote it because she couldn’t clearly explain what she actually did. After leaving an executive role to build a more flexible, multi-dimensional practice, she found herself facing a familiar generalist challenge: everything made...

Why Listen:   You’re ready to move beyond job titles and explore what impact looks like on your own terms.  Description:   What if your career didn’t need a linear path or even a defined destination? In this conversation, we sit down with Heidi Hauver, a business leader and seasoned HR leader a to explore what it truly means to be a generalist in today’s world. From breaking free of rigid roles to...

Why Listen:   If you’re considering going out on your own—but don’t want to start from zero. Episode Description:    There’s a mismatch in the market: thousands of small business owners want out, and very few buyers feel equipped to step in. This conversation, with Markian Perget, Exit Advisor, explores that gap—and why it may be one of the most overlooked opportunities for generalists today. Inst...

Why Listen:   If you’re juggling multiple interests but struggling to turn them into something coherent. Episode Description:    Dustin Miller, known as “PolyInnovator,” has spent years building a life—and a system—around one idea: you don’t have to choose a single lane to do meaningful work. As a creator, systems thinker, and advocate for modern polymathy, he brings a practical lens to what it ac...

Why Listen:   You hadn’t connected the dots between generalists and improv. Episode Description:    What does improv have to do with leadership, confidence, and staying in the game—especially for generalists navigating change? In this energizing episode, we speak with Joel Zeff, keynote speaker, improviser, and author of  Make the Right Choice , about how the principles of improv can transform how...

Why Listen:   You’ve never fit neatly into a job description—and now AI doesn’t either. Episode Description:    What does it take to think clearly—and build systems—in a world of endless AI possibilities?  In this follow-up episode with Alex Poulin, we move beyond definitions and into the lived experience of trying to  apply generalist thinking  in a fast-evolving AI landscape. We talk about decis...

Why Listen:   You’ve never fit neatly into a job description—and now AI doesn’t either.  Episode Description:   We explore what it means to be an AI generalist in a rapidly shifting world of work.  Our guest is Alex Poulin — a critical thinker, marketing expert, and current prompt engineer at Meta.  We unpack the mindset, skills, and systems thinking that define generalists and why these traits ar...

Why Listen:   You see patterns, connect dots, and spark change—but feel invisible. Episode Description:    What does it mean to thrive as a generalist in a world that still rewards specialization? In this conversation, Siobhán O’Riordan, author of  Reframe: How Generalists Thrive in a Changing World , joins to explore the often-overlooked value of generalists in today's volatile, uncertain, co...

Why Listen:   You’re tired of advice that says “pick one focus” and want to hear a different take from someone who didn’t niche — and still succeeded.  Episode Description:   What does it take to run seven businesses, coach other founders, and still find time to be a father of five, a hockey coach, and a community leader? In this episode, we sit down with Jared Hamilton — a farmer, entrepreneur, a...

Why Listen:  You want to understand how AI is reshaping strategy, roles, and value delivery in professional services.  Episode Description:   In this  forward-looking conversation, Jen Rice, founder of Groundbreaking, joins to explore how AI is disrupting the consulting industry—and why that disruption is forcing a long-overdue shift toward outcome-focused, customer-centric models. Jen and Julie u...

Why Listen:   You’ve worked across roles, industries, or functions, and you’re wondering how to turn that range into a leadership advantage.  Episode Description:   Do you need to be a generalist to rise the ranks of the organization? That’s the question Dr. Mansoor Soomro looked to answer in his research. In this conversation, the author of  The Generalist Advantage  shares insights from studying...

Why Listen:  You want to celebrate as a proud generalist.    Episode Description:     In this special 50th episode of The Generalist Advantage, host Julie Lavergne reflects on the journey so far—how the podcast began, the surprising impact it’s had, and what she’s learned from 49 rich conversations with generalists across industries.  She unpacks six powerful patterns shaping the future of general...

Why Listen:   You’re juggling many interests and wonder how to turn that into a sustainable, joyful way of working and living.    Description:   In this episode, we explore what it means to live and work as a polymath with Barbara Kleeb—a doctor, musician, and coach who supports multidimensional thinkers in reclaiming their energy. Barbara shares her nonlinear path from medicine to music to entrep...

Why Listen:   You’re craving more meaning and calm in your personal or professional life—and curious how others are redefining ambition and impact.  Episode Description: What does it take for businesses to become AI-ready? In this candid and forward-looking conversation, we speak with Christopher Dore—business educator, AI entrepreneur, and CEO of Scarlet Nova—about how small and mid-sized organiz...

Why Listen:   You’re craving more meaning and calm in your personal or professional life—and curious how others are redefining ambition and impact.  Episode Description: After a thoughtful parental leave, Cailin Hillier returned to her role as a UX researcher with a refreshed sense of purpose—and a deeper appreciation for the power of pause. In this candid conversation, Cailin shares how she’s lea...

Why Listen: You want to lead like a founder—even if you’re not in tech.  Episode Description:    What does it really take to lead a small, mission-driven organization through massive growth? In this conversation, we speak with Allan Reesor-McDowell, Executive Director at the John Howard Society of Ottawa, about his earlier experience rapidly scaling Matthew House Ottawa from a tiny charity into a...

Why Listen: You’re tired of permission-based culture and curious about systems built on trust and autonomy. Description:    Is the traditional org chart on its last legs? In this provocative conversation, organizational futurist Joseph Logan challenges the foundations of how we've structured work for the last 150 years. Drawing on his journey from a senior pharma executive to partner at Jumpsu...

Why Listen:   If you’re in growth mode and want to learn from a generalist who’s DONE it. Description:   In this special two-hour conversation, Andrew Waitman—former CEO of Assent, Order of Ottawa inductee, and one of Canada’s most respected business leaders—reflects on his decade transforming a 25-person startup into a $100M ARR global SaaS powerhouse. Speaking candidly about his journey from eng...

Why Listen:   You’ve outgrown the career script you were handed—and you’re ready to write your own. Description: What if success wasn’t something you climbed toward—but something you defined for yourself? In this candid conversation, Anna Lundberg shares how she walked away from a high-prestige corporate role to build a career shaped by freedom, flexibility, and values-alignment.  Founder of One S...

Why Listen:   You’ve met people who just “get it done”—this episode explains who they are and why they matter. Description:   What if generalists weren’t just versatile professionals—but a distinct breed of business operator, like Navy SEALs for the corporate world? In this high-energy conversation, Casey Woo—high-growth CFO, CEO, and founder of the Operators Guild—shares his unique framework for...

Why Listen:  If you’re navigating AI and automation in recruitment, this conversation helps you cut through the hype and focus on skills-based assessment—so you can hire smarter, faster, and fairer.    Description:   I sit down with a senior director at Indeed to unpack the promise—and the practicalities—of skills-first hiring in today’s Canadian labour market. We cover what’s broken about degree...

Why Listen:   For anyone feeling pressured to “prove” themselves: Hear how to embrace your generalist strengths and connect meaningfully in any room. Episode Description:   We explore how impostor syndrome shows up for generalists and what it takes to move past it—without losing the curiosity and humility that make generalists thrive. Lynn Ladd, Chief of Staff at OTUS Group and an active leader in...