Zebras to Apples

What happens when you spend a year asking curious questions about how the world really works? In this special milestone episode, Bryndis Whitson steps out from behind the mic to reflect on the first 30 episodes of Zebras to Apples. From lost microphones and recording mishaps to unforgettable stories about airplanes, grocery stores, fish logistics, concerts, political campaigns, sustainability, sec...

What does supply chain look like when there are no street addresses, limited cell service, and groceries travel thousands of kilometers? Bryndis Whitson sits down with Christina Monroe to explore the realities of living in Northern Canada, from freight and food security to shipping, travel, and planning far ahead.  The conversation spans what it takes to move goods, people, and services across vas...

In this heartwarming episode, Bryndis sits down with Lorne Fleming, whose career journey spans the Royal Canadian Air Force, Calgary Transit, and the very beginnings of Calgary’s LRT system. After leaving the military, Lorne wanted to continue in a role that focused on serving, so he found his way into transit, where he began as a trolley and bus driver. His understanding of city routes, complex t...

In this episode of Zebras to Apples, Bryndis welcomes political professional, advocate, and community-builder Anna Murphy to uncover the surprising parallels between politics and logistics. From managing leader schedules to coordinating multiday provincial tours, Anna reveals how political offices operate like high-stakes logistics hubs. Every movement, including flights, vehicles, venues, speakin...

On this episode of Zebras to Apples, host Bryndis Whitson is joined by Jen Borno, an experienced project manager whose career spans forecasting, IT systems, software development, corporate services, and supply chain logistics. Jen shares how she navigated industries by bringing a problem-solving mindset to every role, whether through optimizing contracts, launching disability systems, or leading c...

Cindy Clark, President of Women in Supply Chain (WISC), joins us on the show to outline how supply chain touches almost everything we do. She traces her path from the automotive and heavy-duty parts world to running her own repair shop, and shares how the profession grew up alongside her, especially as big manufacturers leaned into new tech. Along the way, Cindy shows why logistics, procurement, a...

In today's conversation, Adela Parilla pulls back the curtain on how big contracts really get done and why smart negotiation is more about empathy than edge. From cranes and rental fleets to EPC mega-deals, Adela shows how clear strategy, safety, seasonality, and long-term risk trump a price-only mindset and why “lowest price” is a trap when factors like total risk, uptime, and human exposure are...

In this conversation, host Bryndis Whitson sits down with Jonathan Moser to demystify the everyday materials we rarely think about: plastics, cement, and concrete. They talk about the massive supply chains that bring them to life, from Alberta’s natural‑gas liquids and hydrocarbon “crackers” to the railcars that ship plastic pellets to manufacturers. Jonathan also shares stories from his time at D...

This special compilation pulls standout answers to one big question we ask on the show: “What advice would you give to someone entering supply chain and logistics, or pivoting their career?” Instead of one guest, you’ll hear a fast-moving montage of insights from across our first 21 episodes. It’s a mix of frontline wisdom, leadership perspective, and practical next steps, curated to help you move...

In this episode of Zebras to Apples, host Bryndis Whitson talks with Bridget Rathwell, a culinary entrepreneur who turned her lifelong love of cooking into several successful food ventures. Growing up in a family where food and hospitality were central, Bridget learned the importance of homemade, nourishing meals, and now shares the traditions taught to her by her mother through her meal-prep serv...

Host Bryndis Whitson welcomes Barry Davidson to Zebras to Apples for a discussion about the logistics involved in security, from hotel security to dignitaries and policing. Barry has experience in security risk management and executive protection, as well as being a volunteer firefighter. Early in his career, he recognized that having a knowledge of logistics was key to providing security teams fo...

Host Bryndis Whitson welcomes Tim Creedon to Zebras to Apples for a conversation about Tim’s career journey. Tim’s career has taken him from transforming retail logistics to driving economic development with many stops in between. The skills he learned in every job became valuable in every new endeavour along his path and helped inform how he formed supplier partnerships and led teams with steady...

Host Bryndis Whitson welcomes consultant and author Leor Rotchild to the show to talk about sustainability in supply chains and his book “How We Gather Matters: Sustainable Event Planning for Purpose and Impact” . Leor’s experience planning large-scale events like the Calgary Stampede with a focus on sustainability gives him a great insight into what is being done throughout supply chains and in c...

Host Bryndis Whitson takes listeners on a cross-country road trip, recounting a 4,700-kilometer journey from Calgary, Alberta to Moncton, New Brunswick—and back again. With personal stories, geography trivia, and supply chain observations, Bryndis showcases the practical realities and quirky facts from traveling across one of the largest countries on Earth. Bryndis weaves together roadtrip logisti...

Host Bryndis Whitson welcomes Norman Poon, co-founder of BitWide and an instructor at Bow Valley College, to the show to discuss his career in a variety of industries from healthcare to banking, mainly in a Human Resources capacity. They examine the systems behind every industry and how employee needs drive those systems. Norman presents these industries from a customer service and employee perspe...

Host Bryndis Whitson welcomes Ron Waters, Grocery Utility Clerk at a Calgary, Alberta grocery store, to the podcast to discuss his 40-year career and how food logistics have evolved over the years. Ron describes how food was shipped and stored 40 years ago, as compared to the digital systems and greater volumes he currently deals with. Ron has insight into everything to do with ordering, stocking,...

Host Bryndis Whitson welcomes friend Brian Lewis to the podcast to talk about Brian's time in the Air Cadets and on the drill team, the discipline and teamwork it instilled in him, and how learning to fly gliders was a formative step in his career journey. Brian explains the ins and outs of gliders as compared to airplanes, becoming the Public Relations Director for the Air Cadets, and how he star...

Host Bryndis Whitson welcomes Halldor Thorgeirsson, the Director of Operations for Salties seafood import company, to the show to discuss the logistics of bringing fresh, never-frozen Icelandic fish to Canada. Halldor explains the streamlined and multimodal supply chain - air, sea, and land transport - used by Salties that ensures fish are caught, processed, and delivered across Western Canada in...

Host Bryndis Whitson welcomes Mike Borthwick to the show to share his behind-the-scenes look at music tour logistics and warehouse operations. Through his career, Mike has been a roadie and a warehouse worker, and he describes how supply chain logistics apply just as much to traditional warehouses as they do to live events, concerts, and stage productions. Mike tells Bryndis stories of the intrica...

Host Bryndis Whitson welcomes Dr. Rajbir Bhatti, Associate Professor of Supply Chain Logistics at Mount Royal University, to the show to talk about his career journey and what led him to Mount Royal. Having started with a background in engineering and data analytics, Dr. Bhatt’s PhD explored fuzzy logic in supplier relationship management. He explains this to Bryndis, and shares the academic and a...

Host Bryndis Whitson becomes the interviewee in this special episode, and her husband, Scott Deederly, joins to interview her. Bryndis explains how her mother and university courses sparked her interest in the movement of people and goods, which became a deep passion for understanding human-centered logistics. She shares her academic journey, including a civil engineering course that helped her un...

Host Bryndis Whitson welcomes David Kalinchuk, an economic developer and author of “Rich for the Right Reasons” , to discuss warehouse logistics and urban planning. Dave talks about rapid e-commerce growth and shifting consumer behaviors, how they are changing logistics hubs and requiring urban policies that can adapt. He and Bryndis explore the importance of integrating warehouses into city frame...

Host Bryndis Whitson welcomes Greg Principato, current president of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale World Airsports and former CEO of the National Aeronautic Association of the United States, to the show. Greg brings an extensive history of experience and lifetime of passion for aviation to his conversation with Bryndis. He shares his career journey, insight into aviation logistics, and...

Host Bryndis Whitson welcomes Alison Mercer, the Senior Curator of the Military Museums in Calgary, Alberta. Alison was the curator of the Cold War exhibit in the Air Force Museum and is currently overseeing its expansion alongside the board. Alison talks about what it’s like to curate museum exhibits, how artifacts are sourced, and the supply chain logistics of transporting a fighter jet down the...

Host Bryndis Whitson welcomes executive and supply chain expert Siobhan Chinnery to the podcast to talk about some of the diverse industries, ever-changing challenges, and fun surprises the supply chain offers. Recognized as one of 100 Influential Women in Canadian Supply Chain by Supply Chain Canada, Siobhan has a wealth of experience and some fascinating hands-on stories to share about how the s...