Business Dharma: Recent Episodes
Kimberly Schmitke
Welcome to Business Dharma, conversations about the future of business at the intersection of people, planet, profit and spirituality for leaders, innovators, visionaries and changemakers. We explore ideas and build the bridge to the future.
It is with mixed feelings we say good-bye to the Business Dharma podcast. It has been an awesome ride and we are very grateful to all our guests that have shared their wisdom, insights, and precious time. We also want to thank our network for their continued support. Now we invite you to buckle up for the final ride where we share our reflections, learnings, and plans for the future. Please stayed tuned as we refresh our storytelling methods for 2023.
JeLisa and Ny are fashion industry veterans focused on sustainability, conscious living, and change. As curators and hosts of The Conscious Cut podcast, they elevate the voices of BIPOC creatives, fashion industry disruptors and change makers to help us all think consciously about where our clothing comes from and what our personal responsibilities are in facilitating change.
Through many conversations and lived experiences, they have discovered how challenging it is for women of color to build fulfilling careers within the industry and to stay healthy in the process. After a period of traveling, then resting, they decided to document this process while continuing to forage their own sustainable paths within the industry.
In this episode, JeLisa and Ny take us into the fashion industry showing us the underbelly and the true cost of fashion as a system. As thought leaders, they skillfully hold the tension between industrial responsibility and consumer responsibility, calling for change on both ends while providing a glimpse at the sustainable future that lies ahead.
Adrienne is a business lawyer who believes in the power of combining logic with intuition in the application of law! She started The Gentle Lawyer in 2022, with a focus on maximizing both healthy feminine and masculine qualities to guide, teach and empower entrepreneurs and business owners. After years of noticing so many talented humans feeling unsure of how or when to engage a lawyer when launch or growing their businesses, Adrienne began a mission to show others how law – both common and natural – can work in their favour, in a way that is accessible, relatable, and entirely affordable.
Adrienne grew up on a grain farm in St. Brieux, Saskatchewan and achieved degrees in business and law before taking a very winding career path through private practice, in-house counsel, entrepreneurship, and government in the areas of law, professional photography, and healing arts.
Lindsay Austin is an entrepreneur, certified executive coach, podcast host, mother, and wife. As the owner of LA strategy consulting LTD. she brings passion, positivity and enthusiasm to organizations and clients, co-creating unique solutions to empower change. In addition to being a super talented coach she was recently ranked as one of Calgary's top 16 coaches of 2022.
She's also a fierce business mind with 15 years of experience in Human Resources and leadership with Crescent Point Energy and currently the VP of Ripa industries LTD, an industrial fabrication business founded with her husband and his family. Talk about a busy lady. In this episode, we discussed the journey of entrepreneurship, exploring how it differs from traditional employment and the self care tools required to not only survive, but also thrive on the rollercoaster of self-employment.
How do you work in a modern world that gives meaning and purpose? What makes work meaningful?
Kim and Tanner sit down for a special live edition of the podcast, celebrating the 25th Business Dharma podcast episode. They discuss all things related to the concept of work, including the great resignation, unfulfilling jobs, employee retention and their personal experiences regarding good and bad work.
In June 0f 2022, Business Dharma host, Kimberly Schmitke was featured on the Every Little Model Podcast to discuss her favourite model, the Change Equation by David Gleicher and how this helps us to navigate change in our teams, organizations, communities and lives.
Thanks to John and Tricia for so generously sharing your content.
Audrey Stretch is a wise woman, world traveler, mother, grandmother, student of life, teacher, and true elder. Audrey has lived her life saying ‘Yes’ to adventure, following her intuition, and embracing the differences amongst people, cultures, and races.
As a self-proclaimed octogenarian (person living in their 80’s) Audrey left a small rural Alberta farming community in her early 20’s accompanying the love of her life (Allan Stretch) to foreign lands including Montreal, India, Jamaica, and Israel. She delivered her first child over 50 years ago, away from family and friends, in India, creating home through deep relationships and an expanded definition of family.
When she returned to Calgary, Alberta in the early 80’s she jumped into a career as a teacher’s assistance for troubled youth. Here she learned the importance of using your hands and body to process trauma spearheading an art program (that was before its time) to support youth in using creativity to heal.
Audrey reminds us that “our intuition is good”, encouraging us to see past our differences and prejudices reaching for our shared humanity. Echoing the wisdom that we all seek connection, and that true belonging starts with feeling at home in our own skin.
I have been blessed to know Audrey as Aunty A witnessing her world travels and learning from her well read, well observed, lens on life, love, and personal strength. Aunty A taught me at a young age “Not to ‘should’ on myself or let others ‘should on me’. I have taken this lesson into my life to form boundaries as well as share this reflection with numerous clients, who like all of us, hold a propensity to be a just wee bit hard on ourselves.
In this episode, Aunty A and I sit down to a cup of tea. Meeting for the first time since before the pandemic to muse, reflect, and connect. I feel blessed to have this wise woman in my life and grateful for this and all our conversation throughout the years.
Thank you, Aunty A, I love you. Your time, care, and sharing has made such a difference in my life and impacted the woman I am today.
Angela is an entrepreneur, writer, transformational life coach, and ex-petroleum engineer. After an international career in oil and gas where she and her family lived in The Netherlands and Brunei Darussalam, Angela came home to Saskatoon to raise her young family and start a new chapter in her life.
She specializes in introducing engineers and other science-based professionals to their inner world so that they may lead more meaningful and satisfying lives. She is working on creating a digital membership for the fall of 2022 as well as finishing her book.
She lives on an acreage south of Saskatoon with her husband, three children and one cat.
Angela can be contacted through www.angelajamieson.com.
Grant Strem is chairman and CEO of Proton Technologies Canada, an industry disruptor focused on producing vast amounts of zero emission hydrogen at a low cost. Born, raised, and educated in the Oil and Gas hub of Calgary Alberta, Grant holds a B.Sc. in Geology and an M.Sc. in Reservoir Characterization. He has spent his career working in the industry as a reserve’s evaluator, Petroleum consultant, research analysis and business owner. In 2015 Grant’s life changed when he co-founded Proton Technologies with Dr. Ian Gates.
Grant RETURNS for a larger than life discussion where we dream big and talk the next renaissance of humanity.
Scott Marchinko is the Vice President of Delco Water with more than 20 years of experience in the water treatment industry. Scott’s career has included extensive experience in all aspects of the business including Strategic Planning, Sales, Design, Commissioning, Project Management (PMP), Operations, Maintenance, and Optimization of Municipal and Industrial Water Treatment Equipment.
Scott's a leader for the people, and he leverages relationships to create an unbeatable culture that fosters innovation, integrity, trust, relentless growth, positive relationships, empowerment, teamwork, and accountability.
In this episode Scott shares his recipe for inspired leadership. From spending the time to uncover hidden passions, listening empathetically, and believing in the abilities of people to achieve beyond what they thought was possible. His secret recipe, is grounded in self care, knowing experientially that great teams are most alive when leaders are thriving and giving themselves time and space to think clearly.
I have known Scott for over a decade as a colleague, friend, and now client. During this time, I have immensely enjoyed watching him grow into the inspired leader he is today. When it comes to the topic of leadership, Scott is insightful, reflective and inspiring, walking the walk of creating magic inside teams.
Edmund Bellegarde is the President & CEO of FHQ eCommerce Ltd, a wholly owned First Nations company that pursues opportunities in the banking and iGaming sector.
From 2006-2021 Edmund served as the Tribal Chief & CEO of the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council (FHQTC). Over the course of these 15 years in leadership, he worked together with the 11 Member Nations to develop and expand the Tribal Council’s economic interests, build capacity in governance, strengthen institutions, generate employment and education opportunities, and improve overall community well-being, while also advancing inherent and treaty rights.
Prior to his time as Tribal Chief & CEO, he served as President & CEO of the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA).
Edmund is a recognized leader in Indigenous development and an influential bridge builder focused on reconciliation. He possesses more than twenty years of practical expertise in governance, strategy, international negotiations, relations, business development, community engagement, partnerships, operations, and capital finance.
In this episode Edmund shares his story, vision, and life experience. Using his words and wisdom to encourage us to consider the role that dignity, purpose, and responsibility plays in each of our lives. Edmund shows us that teachers are everywhere and that who we be in this world is directly linked to what we believe in ourselves and our ability to see beyond current limitations.
Edmund is an important friend, client, and teacher in my life and I am honoured to share his words with you.
Tony Chapman is a Canadian marketing maverick behind two internationally renowned communications agencies and a research firm. His agencies have collectively won over 100 national and international awards including the much-coveted Agency of the Year. Tony has worked with organizations locally and globally, in the private, public and not for profit sectors as one of the youngest recipients inducted into the Marketing Hall of Legends, he is considered one of Canada’s leaders on brand strategy and customer engagement.
Recently, Tony sold all of his interests and drew upon his three decades of experience as a consumer expert and business strategist and transitioned into his new role as a thought leader. Tony showcases these learned skills as a frequent conference host, delivering inspirational addresses to audiences in China, Brazil, Spain, Poland, Scotland, Mexico and across North America.
His unique perspective was evident as a judge on the Food Network’s hit “Recipe to Riches,” and as the host of City TV’s “Nissan Innovation Challenge.” He is featured in upcoming documentaries on BBC and CBC, talking about viral marketing. His top-ranked podcast Chatter that Matters focuses on what matters most to your life, livelihood, community, and planet.
Tina Giroux-Robillard is a mother, grandmother, a wildlife biologist, regulatory officer, policy analyst, and advocate who has spent her career working with and learning from First Nations Communities. Much of Tina’s work over the past 15 years has been with the Athabasca Denesųłiné on barren ground caribou stewardship, using Traditional Ecological Knowledge as a primary source of data.
Tina is currently working to create Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) in the traditional territory of the Athabasca Denesųłiné, which will be the first IPCAs in the province of Saskatchewan!
In this episode Tina shares her life’s work on Barren Ground Caribou and her passion for moving beyond mitigation to genuine conservation. She shares the stark reality facing these charismatic creatures as well as opening our eyes to the impact their declining numbers is having on the communities who depend on the Caribou for both subsistence and as an essential part of their identify. Tina reminds us of the importance of traditional knowledge is gaining a complete picture of ecosystem ecology encouraging us to forge an individual connection with the land to awaken compassion and move us into action.
Kim Klassen is the creator of the Sustainability Theorem, a proven methodology to improve authenticity, embolden courage and strive to be the change you wish to see in the world. Kim achieved her Bachelor of Science with an environmental focus and MA in Environmental Education & Communication. Coupled with the completion of her education and enduring the personal tragedy of losing her brother, she could no longer ignore the deep inner call to make small but meaningful shifts in her lifestyle. Kim seeks to better understand her place in the world and a way forward for individuals to create a more resilient society. With the Sustainability Theorem, Kim walks people across the bridge from the old way of living to the new paradigm of authenticity and positive impact. Kim believes in sustainable happiness because it’s hard to save the world on a bad day.
In this episode Kim shares her journey, passion, and vision while helping us to create the link between individual growth and systems change. She draws on brain science and the psychology behind learning to meet our own unmet needs, encouraging us to go within, searching for our own light, answers, and authentic expression of our truth.
Kim encourages us to befriend our fears and lean into love as a transformative power.
In this episode, we welcome back Marilyn Poitras to the podcast. Marilyn was a guest previously and if you haven’t listened already, we encourage you to tune in, as it’s a wonderful episode. Again, Marilyn shares her traditional knowledge and experience as a Harvard Law School graduate, lawyer, professor, negotiator, and community builder. We invited Marilyn back at the start of 2022 to discuss the role of goals, ritual and change in our lives. During this episode she shares her perspective on the balance between striving and being while playing with the concept of human evolution and the reality of incremental change.
Kimberly Donna Schmitke is a seeker, an internal explorer and an active participant. As the founder of Autumn Goose Coaching, Kim has spent many years honing her unique skillset that brought her to where she is today. In a way, Kim could be considered a disruptor. With a love of the natural world, she consciously challenges the capitalistic and environmental problems of today by empowering the businesses of the future. With a background in Environmental Science, a Masters of Business Administration and advanced training in executive coaching, Kim helps encourage a community of likeminded individuals to unlock their own values and create purpose driven businesses.
Lindsey Ackerman is a Geotechnical Engineering and Project Manager who has worked on a variety of heavy civil construction projects throughout the United States. As a woman in the male dominated construction industry Lindsey has learned through trial and error how to stand in her power, set boundaries, and speak from her active voice.
In this episode Lindsey encourages us to call out our own BS, find our truth, and follow our intuition regardless of perceived societal norms. She also shares the transformational moment in her career where through direct feedback she realized the cost of being too nice.
Lindsey is a dear friend, an eternal optimist, and a great example of what authentic leadership looks like in action.
Jonathan Palmer is a husband, father, entrepreneur, business leader, and professional engineer with extensive experience providing electrical design and project delivery services. As the founder and president of Extropic Energy Inc. he uses his experience to fuel his passion, creating innovative solutions for renewable energy electrification projects.
Inspired by the challenges of our time, Jonathan sees opportunity where others see limitations. Leveraging meaningful relationships and diverse perspectives to create out of the box solutions. As a leader with a strong growth mindset, he uses adversity as an invitation to push beyond conceptual limits, risking failure to find what lies on the other side.
In this episode Jonathan walks us through the transition to sustainable energy production, including the value shifts required to get us there. Jonathan redefines wealth in terms of rich communities, vibrant ecosystems, and healthy families, while reminding us of our agency in defining our future. His words and perspective stretch our rational mind inviting us to leave a legacy of courageous actions for the generations to come.
Tanner James comes from a long line of peasant farmers, trail riders, elk hunters, alcoholics and agriculture salesmen. As a talented artist he uses a variety of mediums to tell stories that are inspiring, heartbreaking, and gut-wrenchingly funny.
Moved by the power of story to shape our values, ethics, and society, Tanner focuses on brining local stories of misfits, and unsung hero’s out of the woodwork and into our homes. Tanner is a published author, has directed and produced a recent short film ‘Chess for Life’, and is a talented folk singer who has performed across North America.
I met Tanner in Mrs.Nakama’s Kindergarten class. As one of my oldest friends I have enjoyed being on the receiving end of his adventurous stories. Recently Tanner joined the Autumn Goose team as our Chief Story Teller, helping organizations visualize their personal mythos and live into their legends.
In this podcast we talk about the importance of the misfit in societal transformation, the role of failure in learning, and how localizing art can be a path towards diversity and global transformation. Tanner’s own story reminds us of the importance of authenticity and how in the journey of growth perseverance and resolve are just as important as skill.
John Desjarlais Jr. Nehinaw (Cree)-Metis is a visionary from Kaministikominahikoskak (Cumberland House), Saskatchewan. He carries a passion for sustainability, diversity, and change. Originally trained as a Mechanical Engineer, John started his career in the mining industry in 2001. Led by his curiosity, supported by mentors and driven by his ability to ask bigger questions, John took an interest in community development, economic reconciliation, and Indigenous capacity building.
These passions come to life in his current role as General Manager of Great Plains Contracting (primarily owned by FHQ Developments), as well as his service on various boards, councils, and committees, including as President-Elect of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientist of Saskatchewan. As a lifelong learner John has completed a Master’s in Business Administration and is in the process of completing a Master’s Degree in Governance and Entrepreneurship in Northern and Indigenous Areas (GENI).
In this episode John bravely explores the space of economic reconciliation, the challenge of unbridled capitalism, and the cost to society and the natural world when Indigenous world views are excluded from our economic paradigm. John calls us to bold action as he dives into tangible solutions for sustainable development and actioning equity issues. He takes us out of our myopic view of time, reminding us to think about the impact of our decisions over seven generations. John’s voice rings with truth as he urgently reminds us that when it comes to Indigenous Engagement and Participation “we are past doing the right thing for social sake. It is an economic and sustainability imperative”.
Dylan Combres is a former industry worker with experience in oil and gas, potash mining, and construction. With a passion for nutrition, human physiology and helping people, Dylan embarked on his journey to become a nurse 3 years ago making the switch from working for a paycheck, to living a life with flexibility, purpose, and meaning.
I first met Dylan in an underground potash mine 7 years ago, since then I have been gifted a front row seat, as his partner, watching him chase his dreams, live into his potential and allow life’s challenges to become the fertile soil for growth.
In this episode Dylan shares his journey from manual labour and industry to entering university as a mature student. His words echo with truth as he reminds us that people only believe in us to the degree that we believe in ourselves, and that true wealth comes from honouring our bodies and living a life of health. We also talk about the tension between holding a vision and living for today while dispelling the myth of ‘getting there’ and exploring the practice of presence.
I welcome you into our home for morning coffees as I get the pleasure of drawing out the man who inspires me daily to live life for the moment and let go.
Grant Strem is chairman and CEO of Proton Technologies Canada, an industry disruptor focused on producing vast amounts of zero emission hydrogen at a low cost. Born, raised, and educated in the Oil and Gas hub of Calgary Alberta, Grant holds a B.Sc. in Geology and an M.Sc. in Reservoir Characterization. He has spent his career working in the industry as a reserve’s evaluator, Petroleum consultant, research analysis and business owner. In 2015 Grant’s life changed when he co-founded Proton Technologies with Dr. Ian Gates.
In this episode Grant explains the technology while taking us into the future where clean energy is abundant, technology has been unleashed, and human capacity has expanded beyond our planetary boundaries.
As a self-described “person with an opinion” Grant speaks on why carbon taxes are important for motivating change, the missing conversation around air pollution, and what is needed to expedite the development of critical technologies.
Festus Kiplagat is a tree grower and agroforestry professional whose purpose and passion is combining indigenous and scientific knowledge to restore ecosystems, while improving the lives of farmers and creating landscapes resilient to climate change. He is founder and chairman of the Green Planet Initiative 2050, a project that works to reverse land degradation and increase food security by restoring land lost to slash and burn agricultural (aka conventional agriculture) and returning traditional livelihoods by providing a green rural economy.
In this episode we talk about the tragic loss of land to non-sustainable agricultural practices and how walking back to traditional agricultural methods shapes not only the land, but the hearts and minds of those involved in this transformation. Festus reminds us that real change starts with a shift of our minds and that nature speaks in the language of reciprocity, loving us back with abundance every time we care.
Scot Bryson is the epitome of ‘if you don’t like your world then change it’. He is a lifelong problem solver, utilizing existing technologies, including those proven viable in space, to solve our world’s most pressing problems. As a founder of Orbital Farm, Scot is a visionary developing closed loop agriculture for the age of Anthropocene. Closed loop systems are 10,000 times more efficient than traditional agriculture, helping achieve food security and reduce land degradation.
In this episode we talk about how closed loop agriculture is a win for farmers, industry, consumers and the environment alike. We also deep dive into the paradigm shift needed to transition from an easy and cheap linear economy founded on the incorrect assumption of unlimited resources, to a circular one, which operates within ecological boundaries. Scot calls us to action encouraging investors, consumers, and cooperation to take a stance and be the catalyst for change.
ERICA RHINEHART has devoted her life to chasing the Moon. That is, following the holy, moonlit path through the mysterious dimensions of nature and psyche, while guiding others to do the same. She is a nature-based soul guide with Animas Valley Institute, as well as a ceremonialist, writer, chef, and English teacher. As a life-long lover of the transformational, world-shifting power of the written, spoken, and lyrical word, she is passionate about bringing forth the multifaceted voices of the wild and the ancient as they express themselves through those who have re-membered how to listen.
In this episode we talk about her work as a guide to the nature-based descent to soul and how conversing with mystery and touching essences is the work of human making and maturation. She reminds us that awareness and presence is the doorway into touching the mystery and fullness many of us seek, and how this process of individuation helps us be in service to the web of life.
Marilyn Poitras is a Harvard Law School graduate who has studied with traditional knowledge keepers and communities from all over the world. Marilyn sees opportunity everywhere as a lawyer, negotiator, professor, and community builder. She relies on life experience to connect people and ideas through culture, community, music and story. She is a voice for the hidden figures of our society through her work with women’s issues and rights.
In this conversation we talk about the cost of buying into the perceived colonial experiment and what it means to look at our individual privilege. We also talk about the challenges faced by Indigenous women in Canada and why Indigenous women are the ‘canaries in the coal mine’, foreshadowing what’s to come when a society loses empathy. As with any conversation with Marilyn, she opens the door through traditional teachings on how we might begin to move forward both individually and collectively by caring for one another.
Carly Forest is an endorsed Insight Yoga Teacher, an energy medicine practitioner and accredited enneagram teacher. Carly trained at the Spirt Rock Meditation centre in California and has spent almost 20 years deepening her practice in Vipassana and tantric Buddhist traditions. Her work honours the mystery of the natural world while inviting people into dialogue with their lives, and an embodied experience of reality. I met Carly in 2016 while she was leading a silent retreat on Denman Island (Taystay'ich). Since then, Carly has been one of my most formative teachers with her voice often reminding me to stay with my life, and my experience even in moments of discomfort.
In this conversation we explore her journey and how practice has led to a porosity in her soul. We also look at our human tendencies to numb and dissociate from experience, while opening a window to explore the benevolence reality, and the possibility for change through developing a relationship of reciprocity with the more than human sphere.
It’s my pleasure to introduce Vern Bachiu for Episode 1 of Conversations with Kim. Vern is a beloved teacher, friend, and mentor. He has spent his career in Indigenous economic development and recently partnered with the University of Saskatchewan to Indigenize their Business School. In this episode, ‘The Pilgrimage of Life’, Vern and I explore his life journey through the lens of his pilgrimage on the Camino and his processes for facing shadows, letting go, and finding purpose.