A special edition of Chatter that Matters. Thirty-five years ago, David Chilton and his record-shattering best-seller, The Wealthy Barber, revolutionized Canadians' approach to money. Its profound impact was not just on the nation, but also on me. I cleared my credit card debts, paid myself first, and found peace of mind. I had the chance to sit with David to talk about the complete remake of his classic. We delve into why David returned to the barbershop, how he rewrote every lesson for a gener...
Nov 17, 2025•23 min•Season 4Ep. 262
Barry Avrich is a Renaissance man, and his creativity knows no boundaries. From crafting brilliant advertising campaigns for Les Misérables , The Phantom of the Opera , and Frank Sinatra's final concerts to directing over fifty documentaries that expose the power, ego, and humanity behind fame, he's lived by one lesson from his father—don't blend in. In this conversation, Barry opens up about his unlikely path from Montreal to the Silver Screen, the thin line between ambition and addiction to po...
Nov 13, 2025•46 min•Season 4Ep. 261
Many people are experiencing a growing sense of insecurity in an uncertain world. Every generation feels it, but for many young people, it's hitting harder. They've endured a pandemic and now face a world that's changing rapidly, along with high unemployment and a mental health crisis that's even harder to confront. That's why I wanted to share this story about a 16-year-old girl who was lost and then found her way back. At sixteen, Natasha Soregaroli was caught in a storm of self-doubt and comp...
Nov 06, 2025•33 min•Season 4Ep. 260
I am breaking format and putting this show up on Monday, as Stewart has an event called Man Enough to Heal this Wednesday, that I want to support. Details and links below. This week on Chatter That Matters , meet Stewart Thompson, a man who turned unimaginable trauma into a mission to help others heal. For decades, Stewart carried the silence of childhood sexual abuse, numbing the pain through addiction and isolation. At fifty, he faced an unthinkable choice: end his life or ask for help one las...
Nov 03, 2025•26 min•Season 4Ep. 259
"Everybody's journey is unique, and we have the power to write our own story. We need to stop giving other people the pen." Calissa Ngozi Calissa Ngozi's life is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the choice to rise above. Born into hardship, labelled by a doctor as a child who would "never amount to anything," and adopted into a world that didn't mirror her reflection, Calissa faced sexual abuse, family mental illness, and later in life, the unimaginable loss of her twin sons. ...
Oct 30, 2025•40 min•Season 4Ep. 258
Perry Miele is someone I have admired since the first day we met many decades ago. Perry shares his remarkable journey from growing up in Thunder Bay as the son of Italian immigrants to becoming a serial entrepreneur, investor, and mentor to many. Perry's story is about resilience, optimism, and the enduring lessons that come with having both grit and grace. In this episode, Perry reflects on politics, entrepreneurship, and pursuing the Canadian Dream as individuals and as a country. Alan Depenc...
Oct 23, 2025•41 min•Season 4Ep. 257
Many people dream of owning their own business and being their own boss, especially today when careers can be suddenly disrupted by tariffs or technology. I would encourage those who dream to also do. Judy Lewis is my guest this week, and she doesn't follow paths; she creates them. An inductee into the Marketing Hall of Legends and co-founder of Strategic Objectives alongside her sister Deborah Weinstein, they have redefined what it means to build with purpose. Their campaigns have received ever...
Oct 16, 2025•39 min•Season 4Ep. 256
Scott Stirrett grew up in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, a hockey town where he never fit in. Bullied, struggling in school, and privately wrestling with his sexuality, he felt like a misfit destined to sit on the sidelines. Instead, those early struggles became the foundation for his life's work. Scott left a prestigious role at Goldman Sachs to start Venture for Canada, raising more than $80 million and helping over 10,000 young Canadians embrace entrepreneurship. Now, with his book, The Uncertainty ...
Oct 09, 2025•40 min•Season 4Ep. 255
This episode was taped in front of a live audience at Canavision, which is a fantastic conference made possible through the vision and creativity of Randy Rowe. My guest is Michele Romanow, one of Canada's most fearless entrepreneurs, a Dragon, a disruptor, and a mentor who built seven businesses before the age of 35 and changes the way founders access capital. From launching a sustainable coffee shop at Queen's University, to cold-calling chefs and starting a caviar company, to co-founding Clea...
Oct 02, 2025•47 min•Season 4Ep. 254
I love the famous Walt Disney quote, Dream it and Do it. It is also the battle cry for Entrepreneurs and Artists as they seek sponsors, support and a paying audience. But what if an idea came to you in an actual dream, and that dream manifested into a destiny that touched your entire universe? In the rawest days of her sobriety, Jenn Harper had a dream of three Indigenous girls wearing lip gloss. Her subconscious became her living quest, one that allowed her to reclaim her indigenous roots, conq...
Sep 25, 2025•41 min•Season 4Ep. 253
Last week, my guest was Oscar Arias, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and former President of Costa Rica, who brought peace to Central America. This week, I continue to prove that Chatter That Matters has no boundaries, only journeys of those who overcome, who chase, who change their world and ours for the better. My guest is Rima Berns-McGowan, a woman who has devoted her life to making the world a better place. She has walked many paths—scholar, author, community builder, politician and then made on...
Sep 18, 2025•37 min•Season 4Ep. 252
I had the pleasure of hosting one of the most extraordinary guests I've ever had on Chatter That Matters during the 80th sessions of the United Nations Assembly happening in New York. My guest is someone who has made a powerful and positive impact on our universe: Dr. Oscar Arias, a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and two-time President of Costa Rica. Oscar takes us back to a time when Central America was on fire, civil wars raged, and the United States and the Soviet Union armed opposing sides. The ...
Sep 11, 2025•39 min•Season 4Ep. 251
My guest this week is Sheryl Ramstead a woman whose story defies the odds and redefines what it means to be resilient. At 29, on her first solo flight, a fiery plane crash left her body burned and her survival chances below one percent. But from that inferno emerged not just a survivor, but a force of reinvention who became a federal prosecutor, judge, corrections commissioner, marathon runner, mountain climber, and in her sixties, a nurse. In this episode, Sheryl shares how faith, family, purpo...
Sep 04, 2025•43 min•Season 4Ep. 250
I encourage you to listen to this week's Chatter That Matters, featuring my guest, Dan Monaghan. Dan is a trailblazer, and his energy is infectious; his storytelling is excellent, and his approach to life, as well as his zest for it, is something we can all learn from. Dan shares his journey from humble beginnings in Canada to building international ventures, including the innovative digital agency network WSI World. We discuss Dan's creative approach to franchising, the transformative impact of...
Aug 28, 2025•40 min•Season 4Ep. 249
Jason Demers played over 700 games in the NHL, represented Canada at the Olympics, and was the "glue in the locker room" for five franchises. Teammates knew him as the guy who brought humour, energy, and heart. But inside, Jason was battling something invisible—crippling anxiety that made every night feel like fighting for his life. Jason opens up about the duality of his career: the confident defenceman fans saw on the ice, and the young man masking stress and fear with substances and a smile i...
Aug 21, 2025•46 min•Season 4Ep. 248
They broke barriers, challenged the status quo, and redefined what authentic leadership can be. Three women. One stage. A masterclass in leading with heart, purpose, and courage. Recorded live at the sold-out Work The Room Leadership Summit 2025, I sat down with three trailblazing women leaders who inspire change: Linda Kuga Pikulin, President of ROOM and Women of Influence; Alycia Calvert, Chair and CEO of EY Canada; and Karen Mueller, CEO of SterileCare. Linda shares how embracing vulnerabilit...
Aug 16, 2025•28 min•Season 4Ep. 247
"We found David Chilton's phone number on the back of The Wealthy Barber, picked up the phone, and just called. He answered. That one call changed everything." They had cushy jobs and no culinary credentials—just a shared dream between two sisters to write a cookbook that combined truly healthy recipes with laugh-out-loud humour. It was bold. It was different. And it was rejected by publishers. Seven times. But Greta and Janet Podleski didn't give up. They poured themselves into the work—testing...
Aug 07, 2025•30 min•Season 4Ep. 246
You're lying on the ground, your body completely paralyzed. You can hear voices around you, footsteps moving closer, then away. You're fully aware of everything, but you can't speak, can't move, can't signal that you're there. You are trapped inside your own body, and you know your life is hanging by a thread, yet you have no way of letting anyone know you need urgent help. Minutes feel like hours. And what if the people who do find you believe you've brought this on yourself? This was the sudde...
Jul 31, 2025•33 min•Season 4Ep. 245
What if everything you worked for—your savings, your home, even your identity—could be stolen without a weapon or a warning? In this chilling yet empowering episode of Chatter That Matters , recorded live at the Toronto Hunt, I moderate a critical conversation on the growing threat of cybercrime—and how we can fight back. Joining me are three remarkable minds from the frontlines of this invisible war: Margot Denomme, former Crown Attorney, author and advocate for youth digital safety, compares g...
Jul 24, 2025•41 min•Season 4Ep. 244
"Being dry is just changing your drink. Being sober is changing everything." — Jordan Kawchuk. Jordan Kawchuk is a brilliant storyteller, a former media professional, and a father—but for over 30 years, he was also an alcoholic. In this raw and revealing episode, Jordan opens up about a lifetime battle that has taken him through several treatment centers, estranged him from the people he loves most, and nearly consumed his identity. Yet today, at 50-something and nine months sober, he speaks wit...
Jul 17, 2025•37 min•Season 4Ep. 243
What does it take to reinvent yourself—again and again—while remaining grounded in gratitude and generosity? In this inspiring episode recorded in front of a live audience, I sit down with the one and only Canadian icon and my dear friend, Arlene Dickinson, the beloved "matriarch of Dragon's Den." We explore the extraordinary journey that shaped her into one of the country's most respected business leaders and advocates. From overcoming tough odds—being a single mother of four with no post-secon...
Jul 10, 2025•31 min•Season 4Ep. 242
I try not to play favourites, but this week's guest may be the most extraordinary human I've ever interviewed. Diane Dupuy is the founder of Famous PEOPLE Players , a Black Light theatre company where the performers are individuals with physical and developmental disabilities. On stage, they become invisible, allowing life-sized puppets to dance, dazzle, and delight the audience. Offstage, they find purpose, dignity, and a chance to be part of something magical. In this profoundly moving episode...
Jul 03, 2025•45 min•Season 4Ep. 241
What happens when a lifelong dream clashes with a tough new reality? This episode follows the compelling journey of Dapo Bankole, who left everything behind in Nigeria to create a brighter future for his family in Canada. But what awaited him wasn't a red carpet—it was a steep climb of survival jobs, diminishing savings, and the gradual loss of self-worth. Through honest storytelling and deep reflection, Dapo shares how mentorship, microloans, and community support not only rebuilt his life but ...
Jun 25, 2025•32 min•Season 4Ep. 240
From Hollywood Hits to Finding Happy: Peter Samuelson's Mission to Lift Others Peter Samuelson could have stayed in Hollywood, producing box-office hits like Revenge of the Nerds and The Return of the Pink Panther . Instead, he utilized his storytelling and leadership skills to rewrite the script of his life, founding seven nonprofits that empower society's most overlooked individuals, including those in foster care. In this inspiring episode, Peter reveals the decisive moments that shaped him, ...
Jun 19, 2025•45 min•Season 4Ep. 239
In this deeply personal and moving episode, I sit down with Alok Ahuja, co-founder and CEO of Trexity, for a conversation that goes far beyond business. When Alok's father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Alok left a high-flying role at Shopify to become his full-time caregiver. That decision, rooted in love, sparked a journey of clarity, purpose, and the founding of a company built to serve Main Street, not Bay Street. This is a story of legacy, resilience, and how one man chose presence o...
Jun 12, 2025•39 min•Season 4Ep. 238
In this episode of Chatter That Matters , as the RBC Canadian Open is minutes away from teeing off, I sit down with PGA Tour winner and Canadian golf icon Corey Conners. From his roots in Listowel, Ontario, to competing on the world stage, Corey's journey is a testament to discipline, humility, and perseverance. Corey discusses his childhood passion for hockey and golf, the connection between math and mindset, and how fatherhood has altered his perspective on life and legacy. He also shares what...
Jun 05, 2025•36 min•Season 4Ep. 237
An incredible story of a woman who takes the torch ignited by her father's entrepreneurial spirit and uses it to light up entrepreneurial dreams and positive change across continents and industries, all with heart, humanity, and hustle. Bashak Ilhan is a founder, five-time entrepreneur, digital strategist, and brand architect who has achieved two multi-million-dollar exits and boasts a global career that spans London, the Middle East, Europe, and the U.S. Bashak doesn't follow the rules; she rew...
May 29, 2025•35 min•Season 4Ep. 236
In this inspiring and deeply personal episode, Cheryl Hickey, the beloved former co-host of Entertainment Tonight Canada, takes us beyond the glitz of red carpets and celebrity interviews to share her remarkable journey from a small town to the national spotlight. With warmth and honesty, Cheryl reflects on the moments that shaped her. She navigated challenges and a health scare, embraced personal transformations, and celebrated the joys and lessons of motherhood. She opens up about life after t...
May 22, 2025•39 min•Season 4Ep. 235
Bridge Over Troubled Waters: Taylor Cavanaugh's Journey from Demons to Desire Some fall and stay broken. Others build a bridge and rise. Taylor Cavanaugh was a gifted student and elite athlete—but he was also a restless spirit chasing chaos. His journey spirals through addiction, jail, bar fights, and breakdowns. Then, somehow, a way through. He claws his way into the Navy SEALs. Falls again. Reinvents himself through one of the most brutal gauntlets on earth: the French Foreign Legion. In this ...
May 15, 2025•32 min•Season 4Ep. 234
What if the moment that saves your life isn't a miracle, or even counselling but a word, scribbled on a napkin? Steve Hershberger had lived a life built on his father's expectations, chasing achievement like a moth to a flame, versus his artistic passions. But after two decades of following someone else's blueprint, the façade cracked. His physical and mental health collapsed. He stood at a breaking point—until a friend's intervention, and a single word on a napkin, cracked open a new path forwa...
May 08, 2025•40 min•Season 4Ep. 233
