They Just Get it: Recent Episodes
Tyler Chisholm
Are you the type of person who never says “no” to the unknown? Are you adventurous enough to quit your job and start something that sparks your passion? They Just Get It will give you the inspiration to create a fulfilling life for yourself. Hosted by Tyler Chisholm, They Just Get It delivers old-fashioned chats with a modern twist. Tyler talks to those who have chosen the path less travelled; they provide insights on goal-setting, overcoming adversity, and building the life you want. Get inspired to create an existence that excites you with They Just Get It!
What do you get when a lawyer tries an insanely difficult competitive race after taking a break from fitness? You get Katherine Simonson. She shares her perspective on putting yourself in a vulnerable position through fitness competitions and the grit, perseverance and toughness required to push through to the finish line. Putting yourself out there to compete against other resilient athletes comes with a risk of failure, which forces many to stay in their comfort zone. But not Katherine. This episode will inspire you to sharpen your sword, go to battle and focus on short and long-term goals that will discipline you and provide you freedom.
Not everyone sees an intense physical challenge and goes, “Hell yea!” but Katherine does. The discipline required can often look like an obsession to an outsider, but it’s what is needed to push beyond your limitations and really grow. Katherine also touches on the isolation and loneliness that can come from tackling major challenges and how she treats relationships as a means to help one another improve. As someone with immense self-confidence, peer pressure has never been an issue for Katherine - she only competes against herself, not the opinions of strangers. If you want to get inspired and kick-start your next growth phase in life, this episode will inspire you to do just that.
As pet owners, we often feel like our animals understand us - whether they curl up next to us when we’re feeling ill, or get excited when we’re happy. Mary Paulette explains how her work helps pet parents not only understand their pets’ emotions, but also their physical needs. By understanding energetic principles, pet parents can provide the best care for their furry friends, grieve their loss, or even figure out where their dog wants to go on holiday.
When tragedy strikes, first responders are often the ones on the front lines. They face trauma and tragedy every day and it takes a toll on both their bodies and minds. Jessica van der Hoek is a first responder who has battled alcoholism, depression and financial strain because of her job. She tried many traditional methods to heal from these struggles but nothing worked until she tried psychedelics. Psychedelics acted like a parachute that she didn’t even know she had - one that brought her peace and deeper empathy towards others. Now, Jessica helps other first responders navigate their own trauma. Discover her journey to healing and learn what plant medicines may be able to do for you.
Kevin is no stranger to pain and suffering. Having competed in ultra-marathons and high-performance competitions, he has faced his fair share of injuries. However, battling Trigeminal Neuralgia isn’t easy – it takes time, patience, and perseverance. In this episode, Kevin shares his story of living with the disease – from the fear of experiencing a seizure far from home to navigating getting back to his favourite activities. He also talks about the mindset he needed to adopt to get out of bed and onto the race circuit once more. Whether you’re fighting your battles or just need some inspiration, this episode will motivate you to keep going!
In today’s world, mental health issues are becoming more and more prevalent. However, there is often a lack of spiritual understanding when it comes to addressing these problems.
Sue’s story is a perfect example of this. During the 1980s, she suffered from severe depression that was never properly treated. Instead, she was subjected to endless medication and even electro-convulsive therapy – neither of which affected her condition. It wasn’t until she took a holistic and spiritual approach through plant medicine that she uncovered some important truths about herself that actually allowed her to heal. By processing these insights and accepting them as part of who she is, Sue was finally able to embrace her inner child and give herself unconditional love.
Photo Credit: https://bwitilife.com/
If you have never experienced mental illness or addiction, this episode is a compassionate look at those who do. Learn about the different forms that these issues can take and what you can do to support a loved one who is struggling. As an outreach worker, Robyn’s work helps reduce isolation and improve socialization for her clients. She also shares her own experiences with mental health in hopes of demystifying the issue and encouraging others to seek help.
Managing a marriage, household, business, and raising three kids is no easy feat. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to keep everything running smoothly - which is exactly what Stephen and Melissa have done over the past twelve years. In this episode, they share their journey from starting out as small business owners to growing Marketing Guardians into a successful company with eight employees. You’ll hear about some of the lessons they’ve learned along the way, as well as get an inside look at what life is like behind-the-scenes at Marketing Guardians. Whether you’re interested in starting your own business or just want to learn more about how others have succeeded in doing so, this is definitely an episode you don’t want to miss!
As we raise our collective consciousness around topics like colonization, we can begin to notice the spectrum of Western society and values. The value we place on money means a lack of stewardship of the land and resources around us or the dependency created by Western NGOs operating in other nations. Kim illuminates these topics through her Indigenous way of knowing and helps you to ask the questions we must all begin to ponder, like what narrative do we want to create or what we want to ensure will be in place for the next seven generations. You’ll gain an understanding of her personal journey as a 60s scoop survivor connecting to her Indigenous Nation, plant medicine, the authenticity of human experience, and how the stories we carry in our bodies shape our experiences.
As a new business founder, Chloe knows that she doesn’t know everything. When she decided to try online dating, she met another entrepreneur who told her about Canadian small business financing. Even though they didn’t have a second date, Chloe realized how important it is to keep an open mind and connect with as many locals as possible. Her inspiring story shows how one chance encounter can change your whole business!
What does it mean to truly recover from addiction? For Ryan Snow, it means redefining what’s possible. A former Olympic ski coach and high-performance athlete, Ryan knows firsthand the importance of mind, body, and spirit health. After witnessing a traumatic injury of someone he was training, and becoming an addict himself, Ryan committed to transforming his life. Through his own journey of healing and self-discovery, he developed a powerful philosophy on addiction recovery. In this inspiring conversation, Ryan shares his story and insights on addiction recovery, the current state of the world, and how we can create positive change in our lives.
In her 20s, Erica discovered skateboarding and the incredible community that came with it. However, she found that the community lacked representation of women. As a team manager and board member, Erica was often the only woman in the room. This lack of diversity spurred her to action, and she founded 100% Skate Club - a safe space for women and non-binary skateboarders to come together and skate. Today, the club has over 60 members and continues to grow. Erica’s journey is proof that when you can’t find the community you need, sometimes the best thing to do is build it yourself.
After not travelling for a few years, consumers want a bespoke travel experience and Alain Robert is providing it for them with his company The Travelogist. He understands that even in today’s world of e-commerce and automation there will always be a place for human touch and customer service in travel. The relationships he has with airlines, hotels and other complementary companies means he can get you access to unique and often unlisted opportunities. Get inspired for your next vacation and tap into Alain’s expertise with this episode.
Baruch and Britta have a successful relationship. They have their strengths and weaknesses, but the important part is that they both put in the effort to maintain it. To this end, they started going to therapy when they first started dating. Their episode will help you think about relationships, and how entrepreneurial life overlaps with partnerships. It also touches on finding shared goals and visions to elevate both yourself and your partner. As Britta says, as an entrepreneur, you’re really committing to transforming your fears into opportunities. And that’s what Baruch and Britta are doing — together.
If you want to be a better guitar player, you take lessons. Yet humans have this funny idiosyncrasy of believing we are acutely curious, deep, critical thinkers without much practice at all. In this episode, David helps you understand what our ‘soft skills’ - including curiosity, problem-solving, collaboration, critical thinking really mean. You will learn how to develop and improve these skills with competency-based learning to become a better human being.
Zachary shares his story of growing up ‘inside the walls’ of the Tsuut’ina Nation. As an Indigenous youth, his father let him know he would have to work twice as hard as anyone else to prove himself. While some might see this as a defeat, Zachary saw it as a challenge he could rise up to meet. Fuelled by the love of his land, a desire to collaborate with the communities around Tsuut’ina, and a refreshing perspective on what really matters in life, Zachary’s story will inspire you to rise up to meet any challenge in your own life.
Of course, nobody wants to get a divorce but if you end up needing one you want it to be as painless and respectful as possible. Our society still treats divorce with a certain disdain and through a legal lens - ignoring the very real human impact it has on families. Zeina El-Sayed took her decades of divorce court experience and her ability to see all angles of a situation to establish Trusted Divorce. Helping couples navigate the difficult process of divorce efficiently, fairly and empathetically helps them co-parent better and rise above adversity. Join me as Zeina shares her journey from Calgary courthouse to business owner and explains why an amicable divorce is the best way to avoid a long, painful, expensive experience.
From a constant feeling of "unsettled" to suffering from skin issues (psoriasis) for many years, I was on a quest to find out what was holding me back from living and enjoying the best version of my life. I believed it was something I had to heal from the inside out. To heal my body and settle my mind, I turned to my past guest, Adele Emelson and her partner Sherry Lagreley, Iboga facilitators located here in Calgary. With shamanic medicine, they helped me heal my skin and settle my mind - along with unlocking insights that allowed me to heal in ways I could not have begun to grasp before my ceremony.
Murray Rodgers built a successful career with accolades abound, including being co-discoverer of the largest gas fields in Pakistan but, somehow, after all of this, he felt deeply unfulfilled and unsuccessful. Being the driven and curious person he is, Murray began to explore shamanic plant medicine and yoga as a means to connect with himself. His use of Ayahuasca was a transformative experience that gave him a renewed perspective on life and his leadership approach. Find out how using psychedelics can help you confront the wounds within and change your outlook on all aspects of your life.
When Emma saw her husband going to work each day as a lawyer and the ease of getting ready he had, a lightbulb went off in her mind. Women take much longer to get ready simply due to the sheer volume of choices they have to make around how to mix separates into an outfit that can go from daycare drop-offs to pitch meetings. As a result, she wanted to develop an apparel company that gave women easy options to look flawless - without needing a subscription to fashion magazines or special skills as a stylist. Learn how her unique experiences in law, real estate and government work combined to unleash a new creative outlet and successful company for Emma.
Patricia doesn’t see or hear dead people - that’s just not how it works for her. Instead, memories or knowledge from others pop up in her mind much like it would for you if you were asked, “What did you eat for dinner last night?” Her track record is incredible - from knowing when a client would win the lottery to locating a missing woman right here in Alberta - Patricia is able to provide closure to her clients. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, Patricia’s episode also brings unique insights into what is happening energetically in the world and how we can get unstuck from low vibrations.
Amy Horne jokes that she’s a “bad employee” who doesn’t care about becoming the biggest corporation. What she does care about is handcrafting micro-batch chocolate that treats those who produce it ethically and with deep respect.
If you’re curious about taking a chance on a dream that is costly and potentially risky, learning more about the truths of cacao bean production, and why being a “bad employee” might not be the worst thing a boss tells you, this episode of They Just Get It is perfect for you.
Kate has been devoted to lifting up stories that are more authentic and more inclusive. As a media professional, she’s seen the power of storytelling that helps people imagine themselves in different ways. As a result of this passion, Kate co-directed and produced the Secret Marathon - a race where women in Afghanistan must train and run in secret to avoid being a target for a terrorist attack. She brought this film home and started the Secret 3K, an annual race across Canada to promote gender equality, safety and inclusivity.
Join me as Kate talks about her mission to bring people together that want a better world and her unique career path as an entrepreneur.
For over 30 years, Colleen Biggs has been the co-owner of TK Ranch, the pioneers of direct marketing grass-fed beef in Alberta. So, it should come as a surprise that at one point Colleen was a vegetarian. But it wasn’t a food craving that changed her ways. It was a notion that came from a man in a cowboy hat – Cattle are a tool that ranchers use to harvest sunlight.
Join me as Colleen takes us through the history of TK Ranch and their mission to not only offer grass-fed beef to Albertans but to also maintain our province’s grasslands.
Lisa Krzyzewski usually sat out of gym class as a kid. Not from a lack of trying, but from living with asthma. With constant training, medicine, and a bit of trial and error, Lisa always powered through to stay active and healthy in adulthood. That’s until she did a deep dive into research-based alternatives and discovered the perfect remedy. Reversing her biological clock. Join me as Lisa takes us into Aeon Future Health and her mission to help Canadians take back their health with cutting-edge therapies.
Adele Emelson is an Iboga Shaman and Practitioner. Her journey towards this practice began out of curiosity with a friend. But when she first took the medicine, that curiosity quickly turned into a life-changing experience. One that allowed her to confront her demons and get closure with her past. Join me as Adele takes us through Iboga, how her mind-opening experience inspired her to become a Shaman and how her perspective on life has transformed since her first experience.
Connie DeSousa and John Jackson are two of Canada’s most celebrated chefs. From busy kitchens to on-screen competitions, their culinary journeys have taken them all over the world. It wasn’t until they teamed up and came home that they started to cook up something really good. A vision that would change our culinary scene. The result? Five of Calgary’s most lauded restaurants. Join me as Connie and John share their secret ingredients for success and recipes for disaster in the culinary world.
Chris “Danger” Bingham has been flying planes since he was 17 years old. From the British Isles to Indonesia and different cities across Canada, Chris has piloted over 10 types of industrial planes around the world. That all changed when a co-worker took him through an old photo album. Suddenly, Chris had the urge to start playing with fire. Join me as Chris takes us into the life of a Water Bomber Pilot and shares how a couple of photos opened up a world of possibilities.
For some, interior design is just a matter of where things go in a room. For Amanda Hamilton, it’s something much more thoughtful than that – it’s art. With one look at her work, you’ll see why. As Founder and Creative Director of her award-winning boutique studio in Calgary, Amanda and her team elevate commercial and residential spaces across Western Canada with intelligent, thoughtful, and soulful design. Join me as Amanda shares her artistic journey towards interior design and why her best work started coming to life when she went into business for herself.
Whether it’s from our lifestyles, careers, or journeys – everyone goes about their finances differently. And even though they say, “Money Talks”, most of us don’t want to talk about money. Enter Rob Townsend, CEO of Camber, a people-first financial advisory platform designed to make people happy when they think about money. Join me as Rob takes us through his journey from traditional to people-first finance, the vision behind Camber, and how technology is transforming how we deal with our money into something positive and stress-free.
The best things in life are free, but it’s still a good idea to have some money to fall back on. In a time where COVID has transformed our financial well-being for better or worse, many of us may be worried that our future won’t shape out in the way we planned. Enter Jeremy Clark, President and CEO at CH Financial, a Calgary-based company that personalizes all the services you need for stability, peace of mind, and confidence in your finances. Join me as Jeremy takes us on his journey through the financing world and what CH Financial is doing to transform financial advisers from the suits to our partners.
Everyone’s got a story to tell, and Karen wants to hear about it. From the pressroom to the classroom, Karen has dedicated her life to journalism and helping others get their stories out there. But as print media slowly began to decline, she wanted to make sure that the quality of journalism didn’t suffer when things went digital. Her solution – Taproot Publishing, an Edmonton-based publication that helps people understand what’s going on in their communities. Join me for a good old-fashion chat with Karen as she takes on her journalism journey, her inspiration behind Taproot Publishing, and why making a living by telling stories is worth its weight in gold.
Whoever thinks videogames are a waste of time might think again after hearing Mohamed’s story. Back in the days of Tetris, MS DOS, and floppy disks, Mohamed was always playing video games. Then in the 6th grade he learned how to program and that’s when he knew that his life would be devoted to creating video games – and he hasn’t stopped since. Join me for a good old-fashioned chat with Mohamed as he takes us along his journey from gamer to creator, shares what it’s like to bring his ideas to life on the screen, and talks about how rewarding it is to make creativity your life's work.
We all have that moment when we chose to be an entrepreneur. Some people get that big idea while others simply feel they were meant to do more. For Spencer Sheinin, his moment came when he felt nauseous on his way to work as an accountant. That’s when he switched things up and became a serial entrepreneur. As CEO of Shift Financial Insights, an international keynote speaker and the best-selling author of Entreprenumbers, Spencer has been empowering entrepreneurs around the world and proving that accounting doesn’t have to suck. Join me for a good old-fashioned chat with Spencer as he takes us along his journey and offers up his services to any entrepreneur that needs an extra set of eyes on their books.
When I hear “I’ve been everywhere, man”, I don’t think of Johnny Cash. I think of my guest Marty Park and his rollercoaster journey as an entrepreneur. As a lifelong learner who always says “yes”, Marty skipped the traditional path to forge his own unique journey towards success. Now, he shares his incredible passion as an entrepreneur with others with his successful coaching practice and his book revealing the 99 secrets to master your business.
Join me as Marty shares his personal journey of wins and loses and why it’s important to keep moving forward.
What’s the journey of the CEO? For Ian Burns, it's a story of full-fledged curiosity and never being afraid to ask, "Why do we do it this way?" As CEO of Alberta Central, Ian uses that thinking to advance the collective voice of the credit union system and build awareness of the difference between credit unions and big banks. Join me as Ian takes us on his journey from the Costco warehouse floor to the CEO chair and explains why being a valued member of a credit union is better than being just another customer at the bank.
If the state of the world has you seeking the joys in life - let me introduce you to Karen Caughey. Karen joins me on behalf of Betty’s Run for ALS, an annual event organized by The ALS Society of Alberta to raise much-needed funds towards ALS research and those that are living with and affected by this horrible disease.
For this year's 24th run, a virtual experience that allows others to participate online from anywhere, Betty's Run has launched #SeizeTheDay4ALS – a 14-day social media challenge that encourages others to celebrate the little joys in life, capture them in a photo and share it.
Join me as Karen welcomes us into this amazing community and walks us through the work that The ALS Society of Alberta does to help hundreds of families and how you can participate in Betty's Run for ALS on June 21st, 2020.
There is no better time than now to #SeizeTheDay4ALS.
Most success stories start with that big idea. For Brett Colvin, his success came from a co-worker suggesting he keep his big ideas to himself. So, he left his six-figure job at a prestigious law firm, turned his apartment into a startup office, and co-founded Goodlawyer - a new online platform that delivers "micro legal services" across Canada. Join me as Brett takes us along his journey of growing up with an entrepreneurial spirit to becoming a lawyer and combining those life stages to create Goodlawyer.
*Please note, this was recorded in the “Good Old Days” before COVID19
Now that we need to spend more time indoors, some are finding a sense of adventure and escape on their TVs, phones, and tablets. But for Jenelle Peterson, the greatest adventures will always be in the great outdoors, even if it takes a while for us to get out there and find them. Jenelle shares how the great outdoors made her into the person she is today, from growing up with an adventurous spirit to how she and her co-founders of The Wild | Life Outdoor Adventures are inspiring this generation of would-be-explorers to do the same.
It’s hard enough to start a new job during this pandemic, let alone one that redefines you from an entrepreneur to an intrapreneur. And yet, my guest Colleen Pound has done just that. Having spent nearly two decades running her own firm, she has made the move to grow a line of business that is a strategic priority for Deloitte. But that’s not the only reason I wanted to have her on the show. I thought it was about time that I learned about Colleen's story. So, join us for a good old chat as Colleen takes us along the journey that shaped her, including how understanding vulnerability, leadership, and family have acted as her North Star in a successful career of navigating uncharted waters and helping others along the way.
Growing up with a successful and entrepreneurial father, Shauna always knew she’d follow in his footsteps. Not in the “taking over the family business” way, but by starting a business of her own. The question was - What kind of business? That's where Shauna's journey began and it took her from Calgary to Boston and back before she took a leap of faith and founded Brookline PR. 15 years later and still going strong, Brookline PR is one of Canada's leading boutique PR agencies.
From being a full-fledged entrepreneur to a hard-working mother, Shauna shares the life lessons she picked up along the way and shows why true success is only found on your own path, not in your family tree.
*Please note, this was recorded in the “Good Old Days” before COVID19
What’s the difference between a Keynote Speaker leading a presentation with a laser pointer and an International Orchestral Conductor leading a symphony with a baton? For Peter, there is no difference - he’s both. On top of that, he's also an Executive Coach and a National Host/Broadcast. What ties all of these together? His enormous passion to awaken the light in others and to be a part of their journeys towards success.
You simply must listen to Peter's story, one that can only be appreciated with his enthusiasm and zest for life. He will inspire you to follow your passions and never limit your potential, and his refreshing energy will be music to your ears.
*Please note, this was recorded in the “Good Old Days” before COVID19
Have you ever cracked a joke and had someone say, "You should be a comedian"? Well, Andrew had a friend like that, and that’s where his journey begins - on a dare at a Yuk Yuk's Comedy Club back in 1997. From there, he worked hard to master his craft and make his way to the coveted headliner slot. Now an accomplished comedian, Andrew is also a sketch writer and performer, both on stage and the silver screen.
Comedy is often seen as a gift that comes naturally, but as Andrew will share, it’s far more work than play. His story will inspire you to keep hustling when it comes to your passions and to ignore the hecklers you face along the way.
*Please note, this was recorded in the “Good Old Days” before COVID19Join me as I chat with Wes Nelson, Former, President and Co-Founder of CEL (Calgary eSports League)
Wes takes on his journey towards a rising industry that combines competitive gaming with a live audience - eSports. Always seeing himself as a casual gamer, Wes saw an opportunity while working at SPARK to fill large, unused space for a night of gaming. After many unsuccessful attempts to get the powers that be on board, he decided to host the event himself. So, on a Tuesday night in January 2019, the event was a go and Wes would have been happy if 100 people showed. Then, 500 people showed up. That successful night led to him co-founding CEL, and they are still going strong today and redefining the eSports culture in Calgary
Wes' persistence to run with his idea and have it pay off just might inspire you to keep pushing your own ideas further. Because you never know…
It could be bigger than you think.
*Please note, this was recorded in the “Good Old Days” before COVID19
Will’s career began in health and fitness and led him to a world of tasty goodness that is Bar Von Der Fels, a wine bar and restaurant here in Calgary.
It all started when Will was running a smoothie bar and found an interest in wine. But once that interest turned into his passion, everything changed. He sold the smoothie bar, moved to Calgary, and opened Bar Von Der Fels. Still going strong since 2016, Will and the Bar Von Der Fels team offer up locally sourced food and a wine experience that replaces intimidation with education.
When you hear Will talk about how he saw an opportunity to share his passion with others and acted on it, you’ll feel inspired to do the same. After all, you never know…
People just might want to hear about it.
*Please note, this was recorded in the “Good Old Days” before COVID19Join me as I chat with Kevin Crowe, EVP of Longview Systems and extreme marathoner.
As EVP of Longview Systems, you’d think that Kevin is a busy guy with little time for anything else. So, it may be surprising to hear he has time to follow his true passion - extreme marathoning. On top of that, Kevin has just returned from completing the Spine Race, a seven-day, 431 km ultramarathon from Edale, England, to Kirk Yetholm, Scotland.
Kevin takes us through the highs and lows he faced on his journey towards the finish line and the life lessons he learned along the way. His story will leave you in awe, and the way he puts the time into his passion will inspire you to do the same, no matter how tiring it might seem at first.
Join me as I chat with Mike Morrison, Owner of Bloggity Inc and founder of SocialWest.
Mike takes us into his self-described life as a modern entrepreneur which all began with a blog called Mike’s Bloggity Blog (now Bloggity Inc.) At first, the blog was a place for Mike to share what he was into. But once he got started, his readers kept coming, his audience kept growing and his journey was just getting started. Nowadays, Mike is living his best entrepreneurial life as he owns one of Canada's favorite entertainment and lifestyle blogs, hosts his podcast Quit It, where he talks with budding entrepreneurs about quitting their day jobs, and runs SocialWest, a digital marketing conference in Calgary with new events happening in Ottawa and Halifax later this year.
Mike’s positivity brings a refreshing take on the idea of following your true passions and might inspire you to do the same. Because for Mike, doing what you love is definitely worth it.
Even if you decide to quit your day job.
Join me as I chat with Kim Orlesky, President of KO Advantage Group.
Kim’s journey starts and ends in the world of sales with a very important chapter sandwiched in between. In the beginning, Kim found success in her career, moving from one successful sales role to another, yet she felt she was meant for more. So, she put her career on hold and traveled the world solo, and also wrote a book on her experience. That’s when her second realization hit - she loved sales and wanted to help others love it too. That brings us to today, where Kim continues to share her passion for sales by speaking at international events and offering hands-on coaching through her own KO Advantage Group.
Kim’s journey will inspire you to break out of your shell and live in the moment, whether it benefits your career or your everyday life. For Kim, if we all choose to be ourselves…
The world would be a better place.
Join me as I chat with Shawn Freeman, Regional VP at Fully Managed and founder of TWT Group, an IT solutions firm for small businesses in Calgary.
It may come as a surprise for a guy who works in IT, but Shawn’s journey begins with a car accident. An accident in which Shawn was the victim and not at fault, leaving him in the hospital for five days and in care for a year. It was an accident that had a severe impact on his life, but one that also changed his entire perspective. No one successful ever had an easy path, and in order to find his own success, he needed to follow his passions like there was no tomorrow. So, at 26 years old, he founded TWT Group. Eight years later, TWT Group has been acquired by Fully Managed, with Shawn taking the role of Regional VP, as he and his team continue to empower growing businesses in Alberta by making IT easy instead of infuriating.
Shawn's story of resilience will inspire you to find the silver linings in the roadblocks you face and to seize any opportunity to work and live by your passions. For Shawn, it’s counteractive to think you have all the time in the world.
The time to follow your passion is now.
Join me as a chat with Michelle Berg, CEO & Leading Lady at Elevated HR Solutions.
Michelle takes us through her career in human resources, from her early days in what she describes as “a necessary evil”, to breaking the HR stigma by founding Elevated HR Solutions. With Elevated HR Solutions, Michelle brings a passionate focus to the Human aspect of HR for her clients by digging into what their teams are thinking, hearing, feeling and seeing. Her goal? To have the employee experience mirror the customer experience for all of her clients. Michelle is also part of the team at Disrupt HR, an event series in Calgary that brings speakers from around North America to truly teach other HR professionals to be different.
Michelle’s honesty will give you a different perspective on human resources, and the principles that led her to founding Elevated HR will inspire you to navigate your life with integrity. For Michelle, Elevated is more than the name of her company.
It’s how she chooses to live her life above the line.
Join me as I chat with Robert Price, Co-Founder & CEO of Bōde Canada.
Robert takes us along his journey of being in the executive world of telecommunications and to becoming a disruptor in real estate by founding Bōde, a new peer-to-peer real estate platform based out of Alberta. With the vision to make home transactions as easy and exciting as booking a trip online, Robert and his all-star team at Bōde are quickly shaking things up through their unique and streamlined process and constant drive for total customer satisfaction.
Robert’s career philosophy will inspire you to set and evaluate your own guiding principles, while his passion for teamwork sheds light on the importance of being backed by the right people when moving forward. His principles may sound simple, but don’t let that fool you. For Robert, it’s complicated to make something simple…
But simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
What do you get when you choose to shed light on the gaps in society with honest storytelling? You get Jeremy Klaszus, Founder & Editor of The Sprawl.
Jeremy takes us through his journalism career in Calgary that has spanned over 15 years, writing for a number of local publishers before founding The Sprawl, a crowdfunded and ad-free pop-up journalism publication. Pop-up journalism may be a term you’ve yet to hear as it's a new wave of journalism that takes a more nuanced approach to stories rather than the click-bait approach we’re used to seeing in mainstream media. As Founder and Editor of The Sprawl, Jeremy leads his team and goes deep into specific stories from certain periods of time to give Calgarians a deeper understanding of our city.
Jeremy’s passion for thoughtful journalism will give you a fresh perspective on the industry and shed light on the interesting stories that are hiding in plain sight in our city. If you’re curious about what’s going on out there, you can’t rely solely on the headlines.
You need to immerse yourself in the story.
Join me as I chat with Elaine Campbell, Owner and Trainer at JoyLife Fitness.
Elaine takes along her life journey revolving around fitness that started out in gymnastics at a very young age. As a discipline that requires a lot of commitment, Elaine took the world she knew and used it to start JoyLife Fitness, her own personal training facility right here in Calgary. With JoyLife Fitness, Elaine empowers others to find their own personal joy through movement and positivity.
Elaine’s passion to fuel others with positivity will empower you to bring that kind of outlook into your life, whether it’s in the gym or everyday life. For Elaine, the best result of fitness is more than just looking healthy on the outside.
It’s about feeling good in both your mental and spiritual health.
Join me as I talk to Robyn Zimmerman, Peer Support Worker at Alberta Health Services.
Robyn gives us an honest look into mental health, and how her own life experience of recovery inspired her to be a role model to others who need the same support. Her decision to help others led to Alberta Health Services where she is doing her part to break the stigma of mental health and assure those who are afflicted that seeking help is OK.
Robyn’s sincerity for others will give you a different perspective on mental health and inspire you to be more compassionate and understanding of others. Because when life throws obstacles our way…
We need to believe that we can get through them.
Mitzi tells her story that began as an army brat born in Germany, to moving to Winnipeg and eventually Calgary in the late ‘90s. Having worked in many industries throughout the years from hospitality to corporate compliance, academia, and construction, Mitzi's world now revolves around film as the President and Executive Director of THIRD ACTion Film Festival, which celebrates age-positive culture amongst adults in the field.
Mitzi’s journey towards THIRD ACTion Film Festival is proof that it’s never too late to find your true calling, one that sees your passions come to light against the status quo and will inspire you to be open to all possibilities. For Mitzi, it’s ok to switch things up from time to time, both personally and professionally. Because after all…
Variety is the spice of life.
Jocelyn takes us along her journey that started with a goal to run the Olympics and evolved into founding e=mc2 events, an award-winning live entertainment experience agency that delivers world-class events and conferences. From curating to shows like the Juno’s to being recognized by Avenue Magazine as one of Calgary’s Top 40 under 40 Jocelyn career trajectory is nothing less than inspiring. When she isn’t planning global-scale events, she spends her time giving back to our community and consulting various non-for-profits in their fundraising initiatives.
Jocelyn’s passion for creative conceptualization and bringing people together is her secret to putting on such memorable events and will inspire you to always think bigger. Because when it comes to opportunities, they are always there.
You simply need to keep your eyes open to find them
Join me as I chat with Naheed Gilani, CFA, CFP, founder of Conscious Wealth.
Naheed takes us along his journey that took him overseas to Africa, working in both microinsurance and microfinance, respectively, then later coming home and founding Conscious Wealth, a Calgary-based group of financial advisors that help others invest and plan better. A self-labelled recovering stockbroker with a passion for Socially Responsible Investing, Naheed believes finance can be used for good, and by focusing on education, coaching, and planning, we can overcome any financial setback that comes our way.
Naheed’s sage-like advice will give you a solid set of principles that won’t only shape how you view the world of finance, but your own potential and future as well. Because according to Naheed, when you navigate the path towards success and finding your place within it, hope is not a strategy.
You need to put value on what you can bring to the table.
Join me as I chat with Pete Estabrooks, Trainer & Owner of The Fitness Guy and Creator of TKO Sports Conditioning.
Pete shares his life story which has always revolved around fitness, starting out as a professional boxer and later becoming one of Canada’s foremost experts on personal training and fitness. That reputation led to Pete founding The Fitness Guy where he helps bring fitness into the lives of others, no matter the skill level, and push people towards a healthier life.
Pete’s energy and enthusiasm will inspire you to find the strength to better yourself and his forward-looking attitude will motivate you to put your best foot forward. Because according to Pete, what’s behind you doesn’t matter.
It’s all about what you’re doing now.
Join me as I chat with Tanya Eklund, Leader of the Tanya Eklund Group, the #1 Team at the #1 Remax office in the world. Remax Real Estate Central.
Tanya takes us along her journey that started in rural Alberta, to switching lanes in pursuit of a career as a lawyer to that of a real estate agent. That new path led her to start The Tanya Eklund Group, where she and a group of hardworking women passionately guide their clients in a new life in the home of their dreams.
Tanya’s compassion for her clients will show you the joy that is found through helping others and her strength will empower you to shun the naysayers and dare to prove them wrong. Because at the end of the day, setting out to accomplish your goals is easy enough.
You just need the will to work hard for them.
Join me as I chat with Michelle Cameron Coulter, Olympic Gold Medalist, Best-Selling Author, and Inspirational Leader & GEO of Inspiring Possibilities.
Michelle takes us on her incredible and decorated journey that began with being the first Albertan to win a summer Olympic Gold Medal for Synchronized Swimming at Seoul in 1988. Since then, Michelle has been honoured with the prestigious Order of Canada, inducted into both the Alberta Hall of Fame and Canada’s Sport Hall of Fame, the latter in which she received The Order of Sport, and has founded numerous organizations right here in Calgary. Today, she dedicates herself to helping others find what they are meant to do and create the resources needed to get there.
Michelle’s story will inspire you to live confidently by letting go of expectations, and her words of wisdom will show you that true wealth isn’t measured in dollars and cents but in health and well-being. Because being a true champion isn’t about being the best in the world.
It’s being the best version of yourself.
Join me, your host Tyler Chisholm, for the One Year Anniversary Episode of They Just Get it as I take a turn in the hot seat with guest-host Scott Martin and recount the golden insights I’ve picked up along our 24-episode run.
As both the host of this podcast and the CEO of clearmotive marketing group, it may come as a surprise that my story begins with a dream to be a commercial airline pilot while living on my family farm in Quebec. But much like the journeys of my guests that I’ve had the pleasure to talk with, things went in a different direction for me and for the better.
Usually at this point, I give you a taste of the insights I got out of my guest’s story and how it will inspire you to act on them, an odd thing to do as I talk about myself. But what I will say is this.
This podcast is fueled by my passion to constantly make connections with others, and whether you’re tuning in for the first time or have joined us from the beginning, I hope it inspires you to do the same. Because at the end of the day…
You are the strength of the people you surround yourself with.
Join me as I chat with Larissa Riemann and Rick Eden, Co-Founders of Mount Pleasant Roastery.
Larissa and Rick take us on their journey that started with a popcorn-maker-turned-coffee-roaster and a craving for the perfect cup of coffee. That DIY approach led to Mount Pleasant Roastery, a trust-based, community building small-batch roaster with a simple customer experience – the honour system. Their storefront is their front yard fence where neighbours are encouraged to pick up a bag of beans anytime, even if all they can offer in return is an IOU.
Their story will inspire you to find a passion outside of your day job, even if it’s just a small hobby to break up the daily grind, and the popularity of their roastery will pass onto you a rewarding and gratifying truth.
When you trust people and give them a chance to return in kind, they will.
Join me for a very special Remembrance Day episode as I chat with Jim Donihee, Retired Royal Canadian Air Force Colonel.
Following in the footsteps of his father, Jim was born to fly and destined to serve our country. Jim takes us along his incredible journey that began with his undergrad in Business and Computer Science to serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force for 28 years, retiring as a Colonel in the summer of 2000.
Today, Jim is a proud advocate for the No Stone Left Alone Memorial Foundation, an organization that ensures a poppy is placed on every grave in every cemetery in Canada for Remembrance Day. For Jim, this effort is not a glorification of war, but a gift of respect to our veterans and a powerful way to remind Canadians, both young and old, of the sacrifices that were made for this country that we call home.
Jim’s insights may stem from his years of military service, but they are truly universal to everyone. His words will give you the courage to explore and expand upon your boundaries and knowledge and to face the challenge of taking the steps needed to truly grow as a leader, both in business and in life. Because the greatest outcomes in your journey…
Will come from even the smallest of sacrifices you make.
Join me as I chat with Eric Bennett, Senior Wealth Advisor at Scotia Wealth Management.
Eric shares the secret to his success from putting his strong work ethic as a sous-chef towards his Bachelor in Applied Financial Services, which included an exchange program in Hong Kong, culminating in his current role as Senior Wealth Advisor for Scotia Wealth Management. On top of that, Eric is the Incoming President of the Rotary Club of Calgary, a group that has connected him not only with like-minded entrepreneurs in Calgary but with his community as well for over 10 ten years.
Eric’s wanderlust approach to finding success will inspire you to break out of your comfort zone and have a worldly look at finding your potential and truly setting yourself apart from the pack. Because after all, wherever your path ends up taking you…
The hardest thing in life is discovering what it is you were meant to do.
Join me as I chat with Kris Newell, Director of Retail Development of West Leaf.
Born and raised in Calgary, Kris takes us along his journey from earning his MBA at the University of Calgary, his retail background that started at Popeye’s Supplements and the skills he amassed towards becoming Director of Retail Development at West Leaf, a vertically-integrated cannabis retail company right here in Calgary. Through his role, Kris emphasizes the importance of keeping the customer experience top of mind by researching what it is they want rather than assuming it.
Because if you aren’t doing something you truly enjoy, then why are you doing it?
Join me as I chat with Blaine Penny, CEO of Mito Canada, multiple Guinness World Record holder and caring parent.
Blaine shares the heartfelt story of his son’s diagnosis with mitochondrial disease which completely changed the trajectory of not only his life but of his family’s too. That change led to co-founding Mito Canada, a not-for-profit focused on raising awareness on mitochondrial disease, with the noted stunt of when Blaine became a Guinness World Record holder as The Fastest Man Ever to Run A Marathon Dressed As A Battery.
His commitment to his son, combined with his never-give-up attitude has taken him on a journey over the past 10 years that will leave you inspired, emotional and asking yourself:
What more can I do with my life?
Join me as I chat with Haley Daniels, Canadian National Team Athlete, and 2020 Summer Olympics hopeful.
Haley shares the trials and tribulations of being a competitive athlete in Canada while simultaneously fighting to have your sport featured in the Olympics. Her story takes us from canoeing with her parents as a toddler to the right words of encouragement from her coaches to competing on the international level, all credited to the hard work she puts in to running the business of being an athlete.
Her humility, work ethic and ability to adapt and excel, be it in her canoe or life, will inspire and motivate you to push yourself further, whether you’re an athlete or not.
Join me as I chat with Graham Sherman, owner of Tool Shed Brewery.
Graham takes us on his incredible journey from his days being trained as a pilot, to an IT contractor in Afghanistan to the moment he first brewed a batch of beer in his backyard. That batch led to Tool Shed Brewery, a successful Alberta business that is founded on bringing everyone together and putting our province on the map for making delicious beer with the best ingredients in Canada.
Graham’s positive attitude and enthused passion for hard work and dedication will inspire you to follow whatever pipedream you have, no matter how unrealistic others may think it is. Because at the end of a day where all your hard work pays off…
Nothing beats a cold one.
Join me as I chat with Lauren Pryor, founder of Sweats in the City, former Cross-Fit Athlete, and all-around passionate human being.
Lauren takes us on the journey that led to living her passion as a fitness entrepreneur, from her days as a heptathlete and later a Cross-Fit athlete, to a decade working in Oil & Gas to finally making the leap to running her own business. That business is Sweats in the City, where she helps her clients find their potential in wellness, and Sweatbrands, her online presence and marketing side-hustle.
Her practical advice on approaching the right health regimen for you and separating the good trainers from the great ones will give you a renewed energy to get your own health and fitness revved up. Because wellness is achieved through more than just working out and eating healthy.
It’s achieved by living happy and keeping motivated.
Join me as I chat with Iggy Domagalski, CEO of Tundra Process Solutions and Calgary business leader.
Iggy takes us on his journey of leaving Poland for Calgary, and how surrounding himself with not only the right people but the right mentors to guide him along the way shaped him into the business leader he is today.
His fresh approach to creating a dynamic work culture with simple pick-me-ups like offering beer carts and bringing in DJ’s on Friday afternoons to liven up the office has helped grow Tundra Process Solutions from a team of 14 to 180 in 13 years, all during one of the worst downturns in Alberta’s history. With results like that, you’ll come away from this conversation knowing that Iggy’s perspective truly works.
You get the best out of people when you keep them at top of mind.
Join me as I chat with Trevor Howie, Senior Vice President, West at Govan Brown and Associates.
Trevor shares his story of growing up in southern Ontario, pursuing a life as an Architect, running a tech start-up, to finally diving into building the Govan Brown brand in Calgary during the city’s worst downturn in more than 30 years.
In his role at Govan Brown & Associates, Trevor sees himself as a man on a mission to build a customer-first culture, believing that culture eats strategy for breakfast every day of the week. His humble and heartfelt views on culture and the value of always paying it forward will inspire you to strengthen your own working relationships.
Because not much happens in life without them.
Join me as I chat with Pam Krause, proud member of the LGTBQ community and CEO of the Centre for Sexuality in Calgary.
Pam shares her story of growing up in Alberta during the ’60s and 70’as a lesbian, and how her own reality became the driving force to her life purpose of ensuring that everyone is given equal rights, opportunities, and inclusion. Pam leaves nothing to the imagination when it comes to important issues that affect the LGTBQ community which others may take for granted, such as the use of proper pronouns to reproductive rights, as we discuss how far we’ve come and the work that still needs to be done.
Pam’s direct and honest take on these issues will leave you with a sense of responsibility for what we all can do to support this unique and loving community.
Because everyone has the right to be respected as who they are, no questions asked.
Join me as I chat with Alex Putici, founder and proud member of Work Nicer Coworking.
Alex shares his story of his days on the farm, to cutting his professional skills selling alarm systems door-to-door and how both provided the insights that led to the founding of Work Nicer, Alberta’s largest coworking community. His passion for creating “just enough friction for people to get traction” is the foundational belief of Work Nicer that shows why co-working is not just sharing an office space, it is sharing the journey with your community.
His views on work will refresh and energize you to try something new and innovative. Because whether you are a solopreneur, or a team within a large multi-national, Alex’s core belief, and that of Work Nicer, is universal.
No one succeeds alone.
Join me as I chat with Alice Wheaton, President of CoreGrowth Foundations Inc.
Alice takes us along her journey that started in Northern Newfoundland. The experiences she gathered along the way led to her philosophy on what separates the high-performers from all the rest in your organization, and what keeps them around. From starting out as an emergency room nurse to becoming the first female salesperson for Xerox Canada, her story is inspiring, honest, heartfelt, and at times downright entertaining.
As the author of six books that have been translated in over 16 languages, her take on personal reflection and growth will give you a fresh perspective on what just may be holding you back.
Because choosing to face what lies ahead with either a positive or negative outlook, is entirely up to you.
Join me as I chat with Jeff Jamieson, co-founding partner of Vine Arts, Proof and Donna Mac in Calgary.
Jeff shares his story of starting in the hospitality industry at a young age and why the traditional school system didn’t wet his whistle. His passion for hospitality combined with a belief that wine and cocktails should be accessible to all allowed him and his partner Jesse Willis to create three unique and unforgettable experiences in Calgary.
From the aspects of the hospitality industry that keep him up at night to key insights on the future of the wine & cocktail experience, Jeff walks us through his journey and imparts his golden rule onto drink enthusiasts:
Wherever you are, trust your server.
vinearts.ca
proofyyc.com
donnamacyyc.ca
Join me as I chat with Kevin Crowe, a senior business leader in Calgary, a champion of the community and an ultra-marathon athlete.
Kevin takes us on a journey through his personal philosophy of living your life as a four-legged stool, and how it has taken him to the highest mountain peaks, to a 240-mile stroll through the desert, to the bedside of a dying friend.
His ability to share his most inner feelings and his deep sense of community will inspire you. His story will leave you with a sense of wonder for what is waiting to be accomplished in your own life, and how it’s all for naught unless you surround yourself with the people you care about most.
On the adventure of life finding out what you’re made of isn’t the best way, it’s the only way!
LongviewSystems.com
GiveAMile.org
Join me as I chat with Kyle Shewfelt, three-time Olympian, gold medal athlete and owner of Kyle Shewfelt Gymnastics.
Kyle shares his story of growing up under the self-imposed pressure of being perfect, and how it forced him to take a deep look inside himself to choose a path forward, instead of letting it hold him back. His honesty is both heartfelt and relatable to anyone wrestling with burden of “perfection”.
Kyle’s inspiring journey of introspection goes beyond the mat and proves that when we take an honest look at what is holding us back, be it in life or in business, we can truly reach our full potential.
kyleshewfeltgymnastics.com
Join me as I chat with Lara Murphy, co-founder of Ryan Murphy Construction.
Lara shares her story of growing up in eastern Canada, taking a fateful trip to Alberta, and deciding to never leave. Her story is incredibly inspiring on so many levels, from starting a business in the downturn, to thriving in what could easily be assumed as a male lead industry – and why that’s never been a factor.
Her drive to roll up her sleeves from day one, and her ability to build a team with that shared value have led to her and her business partner building a leading, multi-skilled general contracting company.
ryanmurphyconstruction.com
Join me as I chat with Connor Curran the co-founder of Local Laundry.
Connor takes us along for the ride as he shares his stories of why sobriety is the best place to start when launching a new business, to his short lived career in oil and gas, to the best day of his life (Spoiler Alert: it was when he was laid off). His passion for community and his drive to not “mail it in” for the next 30 years will be inspiring for anyone who has passion for what they do or who is looking for some.
Local Laundry, the company that Connor co-founded is a Canadian based clothing company that aims to build community in everything that they do.
They want to be Canada's Best Company at Building Community through their Five Pillars of Community:
Representing where you come from
Sharing Stories from the Community
Collaborating with other people wanting to have a positive impact on their Community
Giving Back to our Community through Local Charities.
Supporting Canadian based manufacturing
Each month they donate 10% of their profits to a local cause that their customers help them choose.
Their latest pillar is making the transition and commitment to only produce Made in Canada clothing to support Canadian manufacturing, Canadian jobs, a diversified Canadian economy as well as protecting the environment.
Please visit locallaundry.ca to become part of the community.
Join me as I chat with one of the most networked ladies in Western Canada, Miss Catherine Brownlee, the President and CEO of CBI (Catherine Brownlee Inc.)
Part head-hunter, part unicorn wrangler, part bridge builder — and all heart! Catherine shares her journey from growing up on a farm in central Alberta, getting married at 18, finding her passion for connecting people which has become the foundation of her success. I'm inspired by her heartfelt honesty, sharing the highs and lows that we all experience in our journeys.
Pro-Tip: Stick around to the end to learn about Catherine’s next project, it may be the last thing you expect, or, exactly what you are looking for.
catherinebrownlee.com
What do you get when you mix a deep love for motorcycling with a passion for teaching?
You get Trevor Dech from Too Cool Motorcycle School.
Join me as Trevor and I discuss the need to be a lifelong learner and why wearing two different contact lenses can keep you on the right path. His passion for people and his commitment to put safe and confident riders on the streets is a true inspiration to anyone overcoming a new challenge, especially learning to ride a motorcycle.
For those of you out there that ride, or to those who are thinking about getting into the sport, this is a must listen. Trevor’s heart for what he does will leave you wanting to get up and get out on your bike.
TooCoolMotorcycleSchool.com
Join me for a good old-fashioned chat with Chad Hughes, Calgary entrepreneur and all-around great guy!
From his humble beginnings in small town Alberta to becoming a successful business leader, investor, husband, and proud father, Chad’s story is one of hard work and of putting one foot in front of the other (even when he didn’t know where the path was headed).
landsolutions.ca
Join me as I follow the journey of the man behind the magic, Billy Friley of Village Ice Cream, and find out why ice cream might just be the perfect treat for astronauts after all.
It has been said that you can measure a person by the amount of joy they create for the people around them. Well, if that’s the case then Billy is off the scale. He has created an amazing brand that consistently puts smiles on the faces of Calgarians both young and old, and his story epitomizes the perseverance required to find your path -- no matter how hidden it may be.
villageicecream.com
Join me as I sit down with Miss Carlene Donnelly, the Executive Director of the Calgary Urban Projects Society (CUPS).
Carlene is one of my favourite people -- she’s an innovative leader who cares deeply for her community, and for the people in her life. It’s simply a character trait that has been with her since day one.
Carlene shares her journey, tracing it from the shores of PEI where she was the youngest in a family of seven. It’s amazing what you can accomplish when your deep love for others is at the heart of everything you do.
cupscalgary.com
Welcome to They Just Get It, a new podcast that embraces curiosity through getting to know the inspiring people in our life.
From leaders and entrepreneurs, to people who have simply accomplished amazing things, I invite a variety of guests to sit down for a good old-fashioned chat. Along the way, we learn that the path to success is rarely a straight line, and never without pitfalls.
Join me and my guests as they share their stories and offer us some valuable insights into their experiences.