Chatter that Matters

I went in, and she was sitting there in a motel room with a kilo of cocaine on the bed and two bikers helping her break it down into smaller bags. That was the insanity I was living in. Gordon Lownds has lived multiple lives. He grew up in Toronto and clashed with his father and an older brother who bullied him until he finally fought back at sixteen. That was the moment he said, enough. He left home, hustled at carnivals, and learned some of the sharpest business lessons you will ever hear. He packed in a philosophy degree, then an MBA, and turned out to be a brilliant business mind. By his forties, he had co-founded Sleep Country Canada with Stephen Gunn and Christine Magee, and later Listen Up Canada. These companies reshaped how Canadians sleep and how they hear. At the height of his success, on his forty-eighth birthday in 1998, Gordon tried crack cocaine for the first time. It was day one of a thousand-day descent into hell that nearly destroyed everything he loved and all he had built and cost him over a million dollars in drugs. What happened after is a rare and remarkable story of recovery, resilience, reinvention and redemption.   To buy Gordon Lownds' Book: Cracking Up: From Rising Star to Junkie Despair in 1,000 Days-An Unlikely Addict's Memoir - https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/cracking-up-from-rising-star-to-junkie-despair-in-1000-days-an-unlikely-addicts-memoir/9781990700798.html

As you listen to the show, I encourage you to step into Debra E. Meyerson's shoes.  Debra had a dream life: a tenured professorship at Stanford, a reputation as a groundbreaking scholar on organizational change and identity, and big adventures with her husband, social finance leader Steve Zuckerman, including sailing across Europe with their three kids. Then, at 53, a stroke changed everything. In the first 48 hours, Steve watched the Debra he knew slip away.  Her speech, her mobility, and everything she took for granted.  After her medical leave expired, her academic career, one she had spent a lifetime building, was taken away. Debra and Steve sit down and share what happens when life happens in an unexpected manner. You will hear Debra struggle to form the sentences she wants to communicate, and Steve talk about what it means to rebuild lives that will never be the same. You will celebrate how they moved from crisis and almost depression to purpose as they create Stroke Onward to support the emotional side of recovery - how Debra found the strength to write her book Identity Theft, and why they took on a 4.500 mile tandem bike ride across America to raise awareness and funds. If you have ever faced a before-and-after moment or loved someone whose life changed in a split second, or you want to feel the power of human positivity, Debra and Steve's story will stay with you long after the episode ends.  

Recorded in front of a sold out crowd at the Toronto Hunt, this episode captures the energy of a live audience and a message every Canadian needs to hear. We are living longer, and more of us will reach 100, yet our healthcare system is under strain and our daily choices matter more than ever. My guest, Mike Kessel, CEO of Cleveland Clinic Canada, brings a clear and practical view of what it means to live long and live well. He explains why lifestyle drives most of our health outcomes and how simple habits like movement, sleep, and lowering stress can add years to our lives. He takes us inside the future of virtual care and remote diagnostics and shows how rapidly medical knowledge is accelerating. His message is simple. We are each the CEO of our own wellbeing, and the small decisions we make today shape the life we get to enjoy tomorrow. Mike frames healthcare in the most human way possible, as the business of creating more meaningful moments with the people we love. After Mike, Leanne Kaufman, President and CEO of RBC Royal Trust, joins me to share why planning for the later chapters of life matters just as much as planning for your health. Because living longer only works when we prepare for it. A powerful and timely episode for anyone who wants to understand how to live not just longer, but better.

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 generation facing heavier financial pressures, and why the simplest habits still create the strongest foundations.  We also discuss spending in the age of social media and tap-to-get, the affordability crisis surrounding home ownership, and why Wills and Estate Planning matter.   David Chilton, with his humility, honesty, and unwavering commitment, remains a beacon of support for Canadians.  Encountering someone who has reshaped a nation's financial mindset is rare, but witnessing them do it twice is even rarer. So grab a seat on the Barber's Chair, and listen to my interview with David Chilton.   To buy David's  book: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/the-wealthy-barber-the-fully-updated-all-time-canadian-classic/9781068975004.html To learn more about Wills and Estate Planning: https://www.rbcwealthmanagement.com/en-ca/royal-trust    

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 power, and why storytelling is his calling. We explore the making of The Last Mogul, Prosecuting Evil, and The Road Between Us, and his belief that movies can still change hearts, minds, and even history. This year, Barry is being honoured with the 2025 Horatio Alger Award, one of Canada's most distinguished recognitions. The award celebrates Canadians who have triumphed over adversity to achieve extraordinary success while giving back to others. For Barry, whose films often illuminate resilience and moral courage, the award feels like the story coming full circle.      

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 comparison, her mind constantly echoing what she believed she wasn't. At eighteen, during the pandemic, she turned her journal of thoughts into a book titled Becoming Me Again, a raw and heartfelt memoir about learning to love yourself in a world that often profits from your insecurity.   Now twenty-three, Natasha has transformed her private struggle into a message of hope for anyone feeling alone with their thoughts. She openly discusses journaling as healing, the trap of perfection, and the effort needed to make your inner voice your ally rather than your critic.   This isn't a story about fame or wealth. It's about resilience, self-discovery, and the bravery required to come home to yourself. It might change how you speak to yourself or someone you love.       To purchase Natalie's book: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/becoming-me-again/d883d2f3-3c47-3108-94c0-f00ae4da68f6.html

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 last time. Walking through the doors of The Gatehouse changed everything. Today, Stewart is a national advocate, leading Survivor Council Canada, and hosting a podcast with more than 300 episodes, empowering others to speak their truth. Stewart shares how he rebuilt his life from the ground up—through courage, community, and the hard work of healing. It's raw, real, and deeply human. If you've ever struggled to find your voice or support someone searching for theirs, this is an episode you'll never forget.   To buy tickets to Man Enough to Heal, or to support Gatehouse: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/man-enough-to-heal-men-share-their-journeys-of-healing-and-hope    

"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. Yet at every turn, she refused to surrender her story. Now a mental health educator, community leader, mother, and creator of The Oxygen Mask Mindset, Calissa teaches others how to breathe again, how to care for themselves before they care for others. Her voice is unfiltered and full of grace, reminding us that healing begins when we reclaim our power. Andrea Barrack, RBC's Senior Vice President of Sustainability and Impact, reveals how RBC's leadership in mental health is giving more Canadians the care, hope, and community they deserve.

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 Depencier from RBC joins to share how small business owners are the engine of our economy and all RBC does to fuel their dreams. A show about positivity and possibility and all things Perry Miele.

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 every PR honour, as well as recognition from the United Nations for promoting social change. Judy shares her story and how vision, grit, and a simple "What if?" mindset enabled her to leave the corporate world and establish one of the world's most respected public relations agencies. Stay tuned for my three key takeaways, and then ask yourself, What if I applied Judy's lessons in life to my own life?   To find out more about RBC's Women of Influence Awards:  https://www.womenofinfluence.ca/rbc-cwea/      

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 Advantage, he shows how to go beyond resilience to antifragility—how actually to thrive because of chaos. Scott shares how small wins build confidence, why wide and deep networks are essential, and how rethinking risk is the key to growth. His story is proof that the very things that make us feel different can become our most significant edge. And at the close, Alan Depencier, Chief Marketing Officer, Personal and Commercial Banking at RBC, will discuss their deep commitment to supporting Canadian entrepreneurs with the resources, mentorship, and capital they need to succeed.   To purchase Scott's book: https://a.co/d/bqK05mx To learn about RBC and Small Business: https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=rbc.com%2Fsmall+business&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8     

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 Clearco and providing over $5 billion in funding to 10,000 companies, her story is proof that entrepreneurship is less about waiting for the perfect idea and more about diving in, scrapping, iterating, and moving faster than the giants around you.  Michele is all in. In this conversation, Michele opens up about resilience, speed, and scrappiness, the difference between ego and conviction, and why storytelling is the real currency of entrepreneurship. She also speaks candidly about becoming a mother and how that shifts her perspective on the world we're building for the next generation. Alan Depencier joins the show to discuss small business and why it matters to you, to me and to RBC. If you've ever wondered what it truly means to go "all in" on your ideas, your business, and your life, this conversation will light your way.  

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, conquer her addictions, carry her through the heartbreak of losing her brother, and fulfill her dream by create Cheekbone Beauty. This business brings beauty to our world in so many wonderful colours-shades of survival, purpose, resilience, and purpose.     To look at the creativity of Cheekbone Beauty and this extraordinary entrepreneur: https://www.cheekbonebeauty.com To learn more about Jenn Harper, 2020 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards Ones To Watch Award Winner:  https://www.womenofinfluence.ca/2020/09/22/meet-jenn-harper-founder-and-ceo-of-cheekbone-beauty-cosmetics-inc-and-2020-rbc-canadian-women-entrepreneur-awards-ones-to-watch-award-winner/ To learn about RBC's Truth and Reconciliation Office: https://www.rbc.com/newsroom/news/article.html?article=125905      

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 one of the most unexpected and courageous pivots imaginable: leaving politics to become a Medium connecting those who live here with those who have departed. What ties it all together is her conviction in tikkun olam, a jewish concept meaning reapir of the world. Whether through evidence-based research, community activism, or channelling messages of love and healing from those who've passed, Rima's life is devoted to building inclusion, belonging, and hope. In this conversation, we explore: How her family's escape from apartheid South Africa shaped her identity and lifelong quest for justice. The lessons she's learned from academia, politics, and the people she's served. Why she believes our ancestors never leave us, and how as a Medium she can help bring messages from the other side that brings healing and forgiveness. What her journey teaches us about choosing good over cynicism, compassion over division, and possibility over despair. Suspend disbelief. Open your heart and listen to the many wonderful messages from Rima Berns-McGown, the Medium. Presented by RBC, because they believe in stories of human possibility.   To learn more about Rima: IG - @rimabernsm or rimabythesea.com      

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 region was drowning in ideology, bloodshed, and fear.   Then came Oscar Arias, the newly elected President of Costa Rica, a nation that had disbanded their military decades before. While others escalated the violence, Arias chose defiance. He stared down Ronald Reagan, had U.S.-backed rebels expelled from Costa Rican soil, rejected global pressure, and authored the Arias Peace Plan. This bold diplomatic initiative helped bring five nations to the table and bring an end to years of war. Oscar Arias didn't just defy world leaders; he defied the odds and changed the course of history. In 1987, Arias was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. But he didn't stop there. Through the Arias Foundation for Peace & Human Progress, he helped spark the UN Arms Trade Treaty—the first legally binding agreement to regulate the global weapons trade. And now, in his 80s, Oscar Arias is on another peace mission. To build a Global Peace Museum in Costa Rica. A place to remind the world that peace isn't idealistic, it's possible, if given a chance.   (And for history buffs, you will be mesmerized by the stories of how Oscar Arias encountered and, over time, built extraordinary relationships with Reagan, Bush, Thatcher, Gorbachev, Castro, Mulroney, the Pope and many more.)

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, purpose, and a relentless spirit carried her through unimaginable pain and propelled her into a life of service and impact.   Her memoir, Living Life Full Throttle: Surviving, Serving, and Summiting, is a testament to what's possible when we choose to live with intention and courage.   If you're facing adversity, rebuilding after loss, or questioning whether you have what it takes to begin again, this episode is for you. Sheryl's journey reminds us that healing isn't linear, that fear never truly disappears, and that the most powerful act of resilience is to keep putting one foot in front of the other. This isn't just a story of survival; it's a blueprint for transformation and inspiration.     To buy her book:  https://www.amazon.com/Living-Life-Full-Throttle-Surviving/dp/1960876805  

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 AI, and the importance of curiosity and lifelong learning in managing rapid change.He is also a popular speaker around the world.   Dan offers many words of wisdom for individuals, businesses, and Canada, drawing on his own experiences as someone who radiates positivity and optimism.   I give you my personal guarantee that you will not be disappointed. Please share this with anyone who could use a boost of positivity and practical advice in their life.    And my special thanks to RBC for supporting small business owners and Chatter That Matters. https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/business/index.html

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 in the dressing room. He discusses injuries, pressure, and the emotional toll of professional sports, but also  resilience, rediscovery, and what it means to find peace. Today, Jason is helping young adults address their mental health challenges with tools such as breathwork, journaling, and emotional vulnerability. His mission is simple: if he can help even one kid feel less alone, then every struggle he went through was worth it. A powerful show and one that will resonate with anyone struggling with the realities of their life.   

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 vulnerability transformed her into a more authentic leader. Alycia explains why saying "yes" before you feel ready can accelerate career growth, and why mentorship matters. Karen reveals how a single tragic moment in nursing inspired her to drive healthcare innovation and policy change, and why listening remains the most powerful tool for overcoming the status quo. From mentorship to healthcare transformation, from bold decision-making to vulnerability in leadership—these extraordinary stories offer leadership lessons that will inspire you to lead with impact.   Room is an organization dedicated to advancing gender equity in senior leadership. To find out more: https://www.roomwomen.com

"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 every recipe, writing every pun, designing every page. And then they took one last shot. On the back of The Wealthy Barber, they found David Chilton's phone number. They called. He answered. His Mom loved the recipes, so he went all in.  Together, they formed their own publishing company and launched Looneyspoons, a cookbook that would go on to become a national sensation. It wasn't just a one-hit wonder. They followed it up with Crazy Plates and Eat, Shrink & Be Merry, creating a Canadian cookbook empire defined by heart, humour, and health. Millions of copies sold. A Food Network show. A movement. The sisters went their way, but Greta wasn't done. What came next was a stunning solo debut, Yum & Yummer—a runaway bestseller, and now, a triumphant follow-up: Every Salad Ever. Sold exclusively at Indigo, it has topped the charts since its debut, proving Greta's recipes—and her voice—resonate as strongly as ever. You will be hooked from the first few seconds as Greta shares the full journey: the hustle, the heartbreak, the humour, and the healing. It's a masterclass in perseverance, creativity, and chasing and realizing a dream—even when the world says no. And my biggest takeaway - Sometimes the difference between a dream that fades and one that flies is one phone call—and someone who believes in you. To buy Greta's book: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/every-salad-ever-from-grains-to-greens-and-pasta-to-beans-plus-every-salad-in-betweens-indigo-exclusive/9781775047018.html