Pathfinders Podcast

Stacey Berger is a transformational coach, speaker and business strategist who has spent her career studying what creates lasting success. After 16 years in corporate leadership across marketing, operations, finance and acquisitions, she was successful on paper but found that external success doesn't always bring internal fulfillment. She left the golden handcuffs of a secure career to help people...

Surbhi Gupta is a product strategist and technology leader with over two decades of experience at companies including Tesla, Meta, and Zoox. From driving $1.62 billion in revenue at Tesla to advancing secure, scalable AI at Meta, her journey reflects innovation, adaptability, and impactful leadership. Beyond technology, Surbhi challenges the traditional career ladder, championing career equity, po...

Robert Helm is an experienced manufacturing and operations leader whose career spans manufacturing, transportation, logistics, and business development. From starting as a welder to serving in Director-level roles, Robert has spent decades improving operations, leading teams, and creating environments where people can succeed. Today, he serves as Director of Business Development at Chrysalis: An A...

In this Pathfinders Outlook episode, we explore The Great Deconcentration: a world where countries may increasingly build relationships across multiple centers of economic power rather than simply choose one bloc. From trade and technology to capital, critical minerals, energy and the everyday friction businesses face, this is a deeper look at a global economy quietly being rewired. Canada is draw...

Sekar Vembu is the Founder and CEO of Vembu Technologies, a Chennai based software company building enterprise backup, data protection, and cyber resilience solutions for businesses around the world. An IIT Madras alumnus, he has spent more than three decades building globally competitive software products from India. Earlier in his journey, he was also a cofounder of what eventually became Zoho C...

Beyond Flags: Power, People & The Changing World brings together five voices from the United States, India, and Canada for a candid roundtable conversation about the forces reshaping relationships between nations and the people living beyond the headlines. Carl Wheless is a decorated Iraq War combat veteran who served in both the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army, including during the Battle...

What does great leadership actually look like in the modern times? The world of work has changed. Information is everywhere. AI can put extraordinary knowledge in anyone’s hands. Teams expect more than direction, and a title might give you authority, but it cannot make people trust you, believe in you, or want to follow you. So what separates the leaders people simply work for from the leaders the...

Gordon Sheppard is the CEO of Executive Wins, an executive coach, business advisor, professional speaker, facilitator, and podcaster with more than 25 years of experience helping leaders and organizations turn successful outcomes into repeatable, predictable business results. He is the creator of Anatomy of a Win , a practical five-step framework that helps leaders understand not only what made an...

Carl Wheless is a United States Marine Corps veteran and a decorated Iraq War combat veteran who answered his country's call on multiple occasions. After serving in the Marines from 1983 to 1993, he returned to military service following the attacks of 9/11, deploying twice to Iraq, first with the Texas Army National Guard and later with the United States Army during the Battle of Ramadi, one of t...

Andrew Z. Brown is the President of Bridgemaker Referral Programs, an accomplished business strategist, author, and communications expert known for helping organizations increase revenue, build trust, strengthen reputations, and shorten sales cycles through practical, real-world strategies. Over the course of his career, Andrew has contributed to more than 200 product and service launches across 1...

Steven Langer is redefining what it means to lead, work, and thrive in today’s fast paced world. As the founder and CEO of Well By Design and the author of The Coherence Compass: Finding Wellness in a World Off Course , he is on a mission to help organizations build cultures where well being and performance go hand in hand. In his conversation on the Pathfinders podcast with host Vijayan Swaminath...

Rudy A. Zacharias is a communications and marketing leader with more than 25 years of experience shaping brands, strategies, and partnerships across government, corporate, and public-sector organizations. Over the course of his career, he has worked at the intersection of strategic planning, corporate communications, stakeholder relations, and organizational transformation, helping institutions na...

In this episode of Pathfinders features host Vijayan Swaminathan is in conversation with Trevor Muir , Former CEO of Surepoint Group, Founder of UNIC Speak. Trevor is a seasoned Entrepreneur, Speaker and Thought Leader. He shares a profound personal experience that led to a significant transformation in his life. He reflects on a moment of crisis that forced him to confront his emotions and reasse...

#ChangeJourney #CuriosityLeads #PerspectiveShift #GoWithTheFlow #AuthenticConnections #PathfindersPodcast #KarliGrove #Transformation #EmbraceChange #ExploreNewHorizons The episode of Pathfinders features host Vijayan Swaminathan in conversation with Karli Grove , founder of Kantency Consulting. Karli discusses her philosophy on organizational change , emphasizing subtle, human-centered transforma...

In this episode of Pathfinders , Vijayan Swaminathan sits down with ever versatile and hospitality executive Chris Yeung to explore his journey from growing up in Edmonton to leading in one of the city’s key industries. Chris opens up about navigating cultural expectations, redefining success, and the importance of curiosity in shaping a meaningful career. The conversation digs into modern challen...

In this inspiring conversation, Vijayan Swaminathan and Lasse Joergensen explore the journey of transformation through authenticity, vulnerability, and storytelling. 🌱 From navigating entrepreneurship to finding balance between materialism and purpose, Lasse shares how embracing honesty and humanity can lead to deeper connection, growth, and meaning in life. ✨ Key Points 🌍 Transformation starts...

Daveed Henriquez sits down with Vijayan Swaminathan to share his journey from El Salvador to Canada, highlighting how culture, community, and mentorship shaped his life and career in the lighting industry. They discuss how lighting influences human experience and how cultural values affect communication and business relationships. Our hashtag at Williams Engineering is “WE Brighten Lives”. It's ou...

Alex Marr in conversation with Vijayan Swaminathan , distills decades of experience into timeless lessons that reshape how we think about selling and leadership. His insights reveal that great sales come from understanding people, not just processes. "You're not selling a car, you're not selling a photocopier, you're not selling AI widget or an AI solution. What you're selling is trust and peace o...

⚠️ Content Warning This episode includes discussion of deep emotional struggles and personal trauma. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is finding things difficult, please reach out for support — you’re not alone. 💛 Global & Regional Hotlines: 🇺🇸 United States: Dial 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or visit 988lifeline.org 🇨🇦 Canada: Call or text 988 or visit 988.ca...

In this episode Preet Dhaliwal and Vijayan Swaminathan, explore how education can shape a sustainable future. Preet shares insights on shifting mindsets, embracing empathy, and preparing students for tomorrow. ✨ Key themes: 🌱 Schools as living labs for sustainability 💙 Empathy, courage & vulnerability in learning 📚 Lifelong learning beyond classrooms 🌍 Global perspectives on privilege &am...

In this inspiring episode, Vijayan Swaminathan sits down with internationally acclaimed artist 🎨 Giselle Denis to explore her creative journey, the power of live painting, and the deep connection between art, nature 🌿, and humanity. They discuss how purpose emerges through fear, the value of community, and the emotional essence behind authentic expression. From daily rituals 🧘‍♀️ to the evolvin...

Summary In this lively exchange, Jake Bruun shares his journey through tech , reflecting on lessons, challenges, and joys along the way. Together with Vijayan Swaminathan , they dive deep into software development, community, and life philosophies — blending technical insights with personal wisdom and humor. 🎮 Jake Bruun’s tech journey began with gaming & programming. 🗣️ Communication is as v...

Summary In this powerful conversation, Karley Cunningham—former pro athlete turned brand strategist and founder of Big Bold Brand—joins Vijayan Swaminathan to unpack how branding is far more than marketing: it’s a leadership act. 💡 They explore how entrepreneurs can accelerate clarity, embody authenticity, and lead with purpose using Karley’s SureFire Method . From the mental fitness of movement...

In this conversation, Praveen Kumar Bouna takes us through his journey from software developer to educator — from his early days at Honeywell to building a career in Singapore and beyond. We dive into: ✨ The power of networking & mentorship 💡 Why practical skills matter more than theory ⚙️ Outsourcing vs. building in-house 📚 The rise of open source & creating online courses 💰 Lessons o...

Summary In this engaging conversation, Mike Mack shares his journey from a small-town farm boy to the founder of X5 Management, emphasizing the importance of aligned teams, effective communication, and leadership qualities. He discusses his early career in banking, the evolution of leadership over the years, and the significance of soft skills in today's business environment. Mike also reflects on...