Welcome back to "Talking Purpose"! In today's episode, we are thrilled to bring you a powerful conversation with Hilary Kilgour, the visionary Managing Director of Audaxa. Audaxa is an investment fund dedicated to supporting women and non-binary founders in the climate and health sectors through equitable distribution of capital. Hilary shares her decade-long journey in the investor space, highlighting the significant shifts we've seen in money management, including the growing presence...
In today's episode, we're diving headfirst into the world of sustainability and the booming resale market. We'll start by examining the incredible growth in the resale market and how it offers both affordability and sustainability. From Poshmark to StockX, we'll explore how these platforms have transformed the way we buy and sell pre-loved items. And speaking of innovation, we'll introduce you to Recurate, a groundbreaking platform that integrates with e-commerce sites to bring the resale ex...
Welcome to Talking Purpose, the podcast where we dive deep into conversations about meaningful work and sustainability. In today's episode, we're joined by Doug Chaisson, Executive Director of the Fur Institute of Canada. As a former collaborator with the World Wildlife Fund, Doug brings a fresh perspective to the table, discussing the intersection of wildlife conservation and the fur industry's role in sustainability. Doug sheds light on the traditional, economic, and cultural importance of ...
In this episode, I’m joined by friend and old colleague, Sheena Brady and the founder of Tease Tea and the Founder’s Fund. She’s not only built an amazing business selling tea and a wellness lifestyle, she has created a community of women supporting women and granting funding opportunities for women founders through her organization, the Founder’s Fund. In this episode we discuss DIY public and media relations for your business and how to land spots like Ellen Degeneres and The View, expandin...
It was such a pleasure to interview Nadia George. You may recognize the name as she’s an Indigenous actress, advocate and public speaker. And I don’t know how she does it, my goodness, this woman is super woman! When she’s not acting, she’s providing mental health support on set since before her time in the spotlight, she worked in social services for over a decade. And if that’s not enough, she uses her platform for good, being an activist and influencer supporting not for profits like Water...
On today’s episode of Talking Purpose, I sit down with Sajna Massey, the remarkable founder and CEO of Couth Studios—a trailblazing brand that’s redefining the intersection of technology, sustainability, and fashion. Sajna shares the inspiring story behind her journey from electrical engineering and tech to launching her own data-driven fashion house, motivated by a desire to cut down on overproduction and bring customers into the creative process. We get an inside look at how Couth Studios b...
In today’s very special solo episode, I’m tackling a topic that’s often overlooked but absolutely vital for mission-led and sustainable e-commerce businesses: the product experience. Have you ever poured your heart into crafting a brand with a powerful mission, only to wonder why your product isn’t flying off the shelves? It might be because you’re missing the mark when it comes to delivering a memorable and meaningful product experience. That’s why I’m introducing you to what I call the Five...
Welcome back! Today I sit down with Cahill Camden, CEO and founder of NovaCast AI, an innovative platform helping podcasters and entrepreneurs connect and amplify their voices. Cahill joins us from Vancouver, sharing stories from his global digital nomad lifestyle and offering inspiration for those dreaming of location-independent work. Together, we have a chance to dive into brand building in 2025 and the unique power podcasting holds in a world flooded with AI-generated content. We discuss ...
Welcome back to Talking Purpose! In today’s episode, I sit down with her longtime friend, Megan Ryder Burbidge, the inspiring CEO and founder of Sororal—a sustainable travel company dedicated to empowering women around the world. Together, we dive into Megan’s journey from growing up as a kid who traveled the world with her parents' work, to building a business that pairs intentional, luxury travel with community, purpose, and deep social impact. You’ll hear how Sororal crafts transformative ...
Welcome back to Talking Purpose! In this episode, I sit down with Rachel Hutchisson, CEO of Common Impact, to dive into the world of corporate philanthropy and skills-based volunteering. Rachel shares her personal journey from a childhood surrounded by community service to leading an organization that acts as a “philanthropic matchmaker” between companies and nonprofits. The conversation unpacks how skills-based volunteering goes beyond traditional models—think more than just packing boxes or...
In this captivating episode I sit down with the inspirational Adila Cokar, joining us all the way from Dubai. Adila, the founder of the innovative brand The Good Tee and the author of "Source My Garment," takes us through her incredible journey in the sustainable fashion industry. Her story is one of relentless learning and adapting, as she passionately advocates for responsible fashion practices. Throughout this engaging conversation, Adila delves into the complexities and challenges of main...
Welcome! I am so pumped today to have Luke Tengstrom. He is the author of the growing e-commerce newsletter, the Sellout Newsletter and he he is an expert in e commerce growth. We had a lot to talk about as we had a lot in common. Hailing from Australia, but now making waves in America, Luke brings his unique perspective and wealth of experience to this episode, shedding light on the essential strategies that can drive e commerce brands to new heights. From his early days growing up in his pa...
Welcome to an intriguing episode of Talking Purpose, where we dive into the dynamic intersection of technology and brand development with our insightful guest, Janey Park. Janey, the visionary creator of The Digital Runway, is at the forefront of where fashion innovation meets groundbreaking tech. In this episode, Janey shares her fascinating journey through the realms of luxury fashion and marketing, leading to her pivotal exploration of AI, digital fashion, and brand transformation. We delv...
In this captivating episode of Talking Purpose, I welcome Phil Winters, the visionary and co-founder of GoodLot Brewing in Caledon Ontario, for an in-depth discussion about the intersection of craft beer and sustainability. Phil takes listeners on a journey back when he and his partner Gail decided to transform a 30-acre farm into a sustainable brewing enterprise. With sustainability as a core principle from the start, Phil and Gail embraced regenerative agricultural practices, focusing...
Welcome to "Talking Purpose," where stories of passion, innovation, and impact take center stage. In this episode, titled "Rootless," host Katie Kung engages in a captivating conversation with Sachi Singh, founder and CEO of Rootless. Her passion for environmental impact led her to discover the wonders of seaweed—an ingredient she envisions as a transformative force in food, health, and regeneration. Sachi shares the inspiring narrative behind Rootless, highlighting her unyielding commitment ...
Welcome back to another enlightening episode of "Talking Purpose," where we delve into the heart of influencer marketing and its immense potential for purpose-driven brands. Joining us today is Bella Kuscu, a seasoned expert in the PR and influencer marketing sphere. Throughout this episode, Bella shares her rich experiences from working with notable brands like Flat Tummy Tea to offering her expertise in the influencer engagement in agencies across Toronto. We explore the nuances of in...
Welcome to another enlightening episode of "Talking Purpose." I am your host, Katie Kung, thrilled to embark on this journey with Donna Bungard, the director of accessibility at Indeed, the #1 job site in the world1 and a global job matching and hiring platform As we kick off 2025, Donna shares her compelling origin story, growing up within the larger disability community, and how it naturally led her to a career in accessibility and diversity. In this episode, Donna and I dive into the realm...
Welcome everyone to Talking Purpose, This week, I sit down with Zina Grossman, the Chief Growth Officer at WANNA Fashion, to explore the transformative world of augmented reality (AR) in the realms of fashion and e-commerce. Zina takes us through her intriguing progression into the AR space, starting from her first brush with this technology through the popular game, Pokemon Go, to her pivotal role at WANNA Fashion and her mission to enhance retail experiences through virtual try-ons and 3D m...
Welcome to Talking Purpose, where today we have an inspiring conversation with Norbert Elnar, the founder of Masterpiece Kingdom Brands. Norbert shares his remarkable journey of leaving a promising career in advertising in the Philippines to seek purpose and meaning in South Africa, where a chance encounter on a beach in Cape Town, led to a meaningful friendship and collaboration. Norbert candidly shares his transformative experiences and the pivotal moment that led to the creation of M...
Hello, everyone, and welcome to another insightful episode of Talking Purpose, the podcast where we delve into stories of purposeful innovation and impact. I'm your host, Katie Kung, and today I'm thrilled to bring you an inspiring conversation with Akhil Sivanandan, the CEO and co-founder of Green Story. Akhil and I have known each other through the Shopify ecosystem, and it's a pleasure to finally have him on the show. In this episode, Akhil takes us through his journey of becoming a leadin...