The Playbook – Everyday skills for every professional

Straight up - this is a powerful and emotional episode. I met Beth at an event in San Diego earlier this year. She was a standout panelist, and I asked her if she'd like to hang out on the show. What she shares in this episode is intensely personal. From a must-read book (even if you don't work in events) to a wonderful relationship with her dad, you get the feeling that following her st...

Wendy Porter sees opportunity just about  everywhere. And she seems to have a knack for converting those opportunities into special things – events, businesses and one-of-a-kind of experiences. Get a front row seat on HOW she does that in this week's Gamechanger edition of The Playbook: Segment 01 – First Event "You can put on an event, right?" A handful of words can shift the traje...

"Oh, there's a lot of opportunities, if you know when to take them, you know?"    What do the Pet Shop Boys and really pretty journals have in common? The answer is event planner and creative explorer Micki Lubek. Micki is one of the most interesting writers I’ve personally come across over the past couple of years. And now…I find out what makes her such a powerful creative force. I...

You know that one person in your industry who decided to push the limits, and became a superstar around the world? In my industry, that's Christian Chenier. He went from doing great work in Toronto, to doing great work with The Blue Man Group, NBC/Universal and the recent Luna Luna installation in L.A. (not to mention stops with Broadway shows and so so much more). How did he do it...and what...

Health advice...that feels different. I've interviewed Dr. Heather Denniston three times over the past few months, and each time I have...I've learned something completely unexpected. Want to build a better life for yourself? This is an eye opening episode, where Heather shares the four things that changed her game. Segment 01 - Forced independence. What happens when you're young an...

It was 29 years ago this week that I first heard the name David Brandy. It was in a voicemail. He was offering me an interview, which turned out to be my first full time writing gig. David is a writer, Creative Director and "lens based artist," and he's got some intriguing ways he's built that life portfolio. Segment 01 – Learning how to be an adult (from my kids) The ultimate...

What happens when you get two professional speakers together? This is what happens – 46 intriguing moments on how Michael Barris build a brilliant career as a jazz guitarist, journalist, teacher and coach. Listen up...and steal steal steal some big ideas. Segment 01 – Broken strings A live concert that is not going well, until Michael breaks a string and says "f@ck it." Segment 02 – Bern...

Funny story.  I was leaving a keynote session last week and bumped into this guy before I headed to my car. "This guy" turned out to be Canada's Got Talent magician, mentalist and hypnotist Savio Joseph. And does he ever have some interesting Gamechangers. Segmen 01 - YouTube Yep. THAT YouTube. How Savio uses it to learn, and how he's becoming an internet sensation thanks to Ti...

What does a comms pro, ESPN poker writer and Magic the Gathering HoFer (seriously) do for inspiration? Find out in this edition of The Playbook Game Changers, as we bring Gary Wise into the studio. This season is all about the things that change our professional games – and how we use those skills, insights and media to inspire great careers and great lives. Segment 01 – Shame and Resilience Yeah,...

The Playbook is just passing YEAR THREE of shows – and we’re celebrating with a Brand. New. Season. Season 08 is called “Gamechanger” – where we talk to a whole bunch of smart people about the things that have changed their professional and personal lives. Books. Podcasts. Advice. TikTok Videos. You name it. To kick the season off, you get me talking about my Big 4… Segment 01 – Tiny Joys When Ala...

You may have heard the term "neurodiversity" in your recent travels, and wondered "what does that mean?" It's all part of a path to understand how to get the most out of people. Event specialist Hannah Whitaker is on the show this week to talk about how that happens... Segment 01 - The Problem I’m joining a committee at work to deal with things like neurodiversity and incl...

You want to change someone's mind about something. You know the skills of persuasion. How do you do it in a way that doesn't leave everyone feel icky and weird? This week on the 100th episode of the show, we have Marsha Shandur to talk about that exact thing. It's called ethical persuasion, and here is how it works. Segment 01 - The Problem "Our company had a trainer come in la...

Chris Elkerton had a brain aneurysm in the middle of a meeting. 16 months later, he's back at work. It's an incredible journey from which anyone can learn. How Chris made the Comeback...this week on The Playbook. Segment 01 - The Challenge "I am returning to work after a heart incident...what do I need to know?" On a regular day, in a regular meeting, something very not ordinar...

Ooo - this is a gooooood episode. The super tense film Sway is about to have its Toronto premiere this weekend. We've got producers, actors, directors and writers galore - because the story BEHIND the making of the film is also super fascinating. Segment 01 - The Problem Y ou have a big idea. You have great passion. You have extraordinary skills. Now what?  Stars and Producers Misheal Morgan...

Podcasts. Masterclasses. Learning Management Systems. Infographics. Linkedin. Community College Classes. Holy crumb...there is a LOT of choice when it comes to what we want to learn and where we should be learning it. Where do we even start? Intel's Elaine Mah has answers. In this episode, we ideate how to learn, what to learn and where to look. Segment 01 -- The Challenge I'm a senior m...

Segment 01 – The Problem Here’s the problem… I just helped my company launch a brand new marketing campaign – advertising, social media, PR, the whole thing. The numbers are trending really well. But something feels off, and I can’t quite place it. Any thoughts? Segment 02 – Secrets How do engagement and attention actually work? Ben’s got a few surprises for you. Segment 03 – Levels of Engagement...

Jason has a presentation to give at the super awesome GO WEST event in Edmonton. And he has 11 days to get it together. On this episode, we follow Jason as he considers his content and begins to build towards his rehearsal. He vacillates. He stumbles. He comes up with new ways to do things. It's messy -- the way a real brainstorm should be. Segment 01 - The Problem Jason describes the process...

Sometimes – you can’t solve your problem in real time. Sometimes, you just need to know when to sit with something, or to accept and move on. This week, super author Annie Meehan helps you sort this out for your career and your life. Segment 01 - Introduction Here’s the problem… I just got news from a really big client that they’re not going to renew my contract for the new year. I’m sad. I’m angr...

From neurodivergent through mental health, our workforce continues to fragment and diversify. 20 years ago, hiring someone who was disabled was an occasional though for most businesses. As we understand more, we learn to unlock the potential of all employees. This week, superstar Rebecca Summerfield stops by to show how you can build a business that can unlock that potential. Segment 01 - The Oppo...

This edition of The Playbook is going to resound BIG TIME with so many of you. In our hyperconnected world, people are feeling more lonely than ever before. Luckily, my friend Joelle Parent-Proulx has been doing a LOT of thinking about loneliness and solitude. Want to feel more connected and be a-ok with your solitude? Listen up to this week’s episode. It’s so so so good. Segment 01 – The Problem...

If you struggle with your mental fitness and mental health (or work with someone who does), you want to listen to Leslie Bennett on this week’s show. Every time I have a conversation with Leslie, I walk away with so many new ideas, strategies and insights.  This show is no different, and I don’t think the term “self care” comes up even ONE TIME. Practical and powerful ways to support your people. ...

Want to instantly confuse someone? Ask them the question, "how do I REALLY embrace  the idea of sustainability?" We talk about building more sustainable lives. The question is – how do we LIVE those lives. This week on The Playbook, we Brainstorm that idea with Chance Thompson. Segment 01 – The Problem I know sustainability is important – apparently so does my company. They just asked me...

I’m not going to sugarcoat it – your presentation is probably bad. Selfish. Boring. And dear goodness, that PowerPoint. Luckily, you have two passionate (and mildly angry) people to help out. On this week’s Playbook, McGill’s Andy Churbill and I are fixing your presentation! Segment 01 – The Problem I’ve been tapped to give a presentation at an upcoming conference. I have to talk about a new techn...

Warning – Some NSFW language is unbeeped in this episode. When Ellyn Winters was diagnosed with breaded cancer, she stood up in some wholly unexpected ways. She refused reconstructive surgery, she wrote a book, she created an AI version of herself and she away a lot of the mystery and shame associated with the disease. On today's episode – how you can stand up too. Segment 01 – The Problem I...

Here’s a secret you won’t believe – I’m an introvert. Yeah, yeah, I know. You see me all chatty, all the time. But the next time you’re at an event where I’m present, watch me. I tend to circle the room and duck out early so that I can reclaim all my energy. That’s why this week’s episode is so special for me. Speaker agency superstar Tami Adams comes by to hash out great real world networking tip...