Topical Minds: Recent Episodes
Abdullah Calafato
My name is Abdullah Calafato and I have been inspired by many in the podcast world to start my own. My goal is to have relevant and insightful conversations with a variety of guests to satiate my curiosity (and in the process, entertain you!). Make sure to tune in each week for meaningful and interesting discussions on topics that are relevant and top of mind - ranging from health wellness to sustainable investing. New episodes will be posted weekly. If you enjoy the podcast, please make sure to subscribe, rate and review!
“Stress” has been dubbed the “Health Epidemic of the 21st Century” by the World Health Organization and burnout, a function of stress, has become a global concern. According to a recent survey of 1,500 diverse US workers conducted by Indeed: · Burnout is on the rise with 52% of respondents experiencing burnout in 2021 compared to 43% who said the same in Indeed’s pre-Covid-19 survey. · 53% of Millennials were already burned out pre-pandemic, and they remain the most affected population, with 59% experiencing it today. However, Gen-Z is now neck and neck, as 58% report burnout compared to 47% who said the same in 2020. · The pandemic’s toll is also more apparent among older generations.
On this episode, I am joined by Hamza Khan, best-selling author of The Burnout Gamble. Hear Hamza speak about his own story and provide advice on effective ways to defeat burnout and manage productivity.
Hamza is also a multi-award winning marketer, international keynote speaker and accomplished entrepreneur. He has been featured by Vice, Bloomberg TV and CBC and is regularly invited by leading organizations including Microsoft and Salesforce to speak on subjects such as: how to build digital communities, the impact of personal branding, how to master productivity and how to build resilience.
Enjoy the show!
Where can I tune in to Topical Minds? Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts
How can I support Topical Minds? · Like, listen, watch, share and subscribe! · Make sure to let your friends and family know! · If you like the show, please leave a review! · Follow me on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/abdullahcalafato/
The Law of Attraction, which asserts that we have the ability to influence and shape our lives through the power of thoughts, isn’t just a recent phenomenon proliferated by books such as “The Secret”. It is a concept that has its roots in the ancient world as confirmed by teachings and quotes including: All that we are is a result of what we have thought. - Gautama Buddha.
On this episode, Zehra Mahoon sheds light on how to harness the law of attraction to change your life for the better, the power of positive thinking and ways to make it work for you, how your outer world is a reflection of your inner world, the link between mindfulness and meditation and more.
Zehra is a master mindset and law of attraction coach and manifesting expert. She is the author of twelve books on these subjects and the creator of the Unlimited 40 Day Law of Attraction Work Book and the Unlimited Universe Mastermind. After committing to completely transforming her self-worth in 2006, she went from being massively in debt to owning multiple properties and creating a thriving business, as well as healing her relationships.
Zehra’s books are based on a visual, diagrammatic approach to law of attraction. She breaks down complicated concepts into small bite size pieces linked to analogies that make them easy to remember and apply. Her coaching program helps individuals to identify the blockages that are keeping them from achieving success. She helps individuals change their self-talk and develop new thinking habits that open up a world of new possibilities.
Link to Zehra’s books: https://www.amazon.com/Zehra-Mahoon/e/B00T199EXA%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share
Enjoy the show!
Where can I tune in to Topical Minds? Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts
How can I support Topical Minds? · Like, listen, watch, share and subscribe! · Make sure to let your friends and family know! · If you like the show, please leave a review! · Follow me on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/abdullahcalafato/
The global AI market is growing at a rapid rate and its novel applications continue to transform every walk of life. The power of AI and its potential to change businesses forever and better serve customers are evidenced by significant investments made by tech giants in both AI acquisitions and AI related research and development.
In this episode of Topical Minds, Amir Feizpour, a true thought leader in the AI-centric world, speaks about the important and unique role his organization plays, top trends to watch out for including the increasing use of machine learning in sciences and medicine to solve complex issues. Also hear about tips and suggestions for data scientists, data engineers, product managers or AI enthusiasts who are looking to be successful in the field.
Amir is the founder of Aggregate Intellect an online platform for R&D teams in emerging technologies like AI to stay up to date and build products faster. Amir has built and grown a global community of thousands of AI practitioners gathered around topics in AI research, engineering, and product development. You can join the community for free here: https://ai.science/_m/community/ and start interacting here: https://join.slack.com/t/aisc-to/shared_invite/zt-f5zq5l35-PSIJTFk4v60FML177PgsPg
Amir is passionate about providing career advice, guidance and coaching to aspiring practitioners within the AI and data science space. Book time with Amir here: https://calendly.com/amirfzpr/20min-ama
Enjoy the show!
Where can I tune in to Topical Minds? Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts
How can I support Topical Minds? · Like, listen, watch, share and subscribe! · Make sure to let your friends and family know! · If you like the show, please leave a review! · Follow me on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/abdullahcalafato/
Job seekers including recent university graduates face an increasingly unforgiving job market characterized by intense competition. Job postings getting hundreds of applications has become a common occurrence making the need to stand out even more important. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on the job prospects for younger workers.
On this episode, Mai-Gee Hum leverages her experience and knowledge to shed light on how to navigate through the job market and avoid common mistakes when applying to jobs, which best practices to be aware of and winning strategies to set yourself up for success in a fiercely competitive job market.
Mai is Director of Career Management Services and Corporate Partnerships at Concordia University’s, John Molson School of Business. She works closely with employers to fulfill their campus recruitment needs. She also heads career development programming to promote John Molson student and alumni talent in the job market.
Enjoy the show!
Where can I tune in to Topical Minds? Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts
How can I support Topical Minds? · Like, listen, watch, share and subscribe! · Make sure to let your friends and family know! · If you like the show, please leave a review! · Follow me on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/abdullahcalafato/
Mental health conditions are on the rise worldwide and numerous reports are evidence of an exponential increase in the number of individuals dealing with anxiety and depressive orders, worsening youth mental health and an increase in suicidal ideations, amongst other concerns.
On this episode, Rebekah Rose provides invaluable insights on all things related to the topic of mental health including why it’s a taboo subject, the need to create better support communities and effective ways to help with stress and mental health issues through self-care and mindfulness activities.
Rebekah is a lifestyle and mental health blogger based out of Houston, Texas. Her mission is to create a community to foster nonjudgmental conversations around mental health and destigmatize mental illness.
Enjoy the show!
Where can I tune in to Topical Minds? Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts
How can I support Topical Minds? · Like, listen, watch, share and subscribe! · Make sure to let your friends and family know! · If you like the show, please leave a review! · Follow me on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/abdullahcalafato/
As a result of the pandemic, our overall health and well-being is being negatively impacted in ways previously unimagined. The stress of managing work and our homes, coupled with a sedentary lifestyle has proliferated musculoskeletal disorders with lower back and neck pain becoming the new normal.
In this next episode of the Topical Minds podcast, Marwah Hashimi, a Certified Athletic Therapist and Personal Trainer provides insights into issues and injuries either caused or intensified by COVID-19, the steps and precautionary measures we can take to avoid falling victim to sub-optimal habits and how to prepare for the return to a more active lifestyle.
Enjoy the show!
Where can I tune in to Topical Minds? Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts
How can I support Topical Minds? · Like, listen, watch, share and subscribe! · Make sure to let your friends and family know! · If you like the show, please leave a review! · Follow me on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/abdullahcalafato/
It’s another week and time for another episode of the Topical Minds podcast. On this latest episode, you’ll hear from Edward East, who sits at the helm of one of the world’s fastest growing influencer marketing agencies, on:
- Influencer marketing, a rapidly expanding mainstream form of marketing
- What the term “influencer” refers to and the rise of a “creator economy”
- Dominant platforms within influencer marketing that are being given increasing preference by brands, agencies and influencers alike
- The phenomenon of virtual influencers
- Reasons that make influencer marketing superior vs. traditional forms of marketing
Edward East is Founder and CEO at Billion Dollar Boy, a global creative influencer marketing agency that since its inception in 2014, has experienced tremendous success. BDB has a growing list of renowned clients including the likes of PepsiCo, L'Oréal, Armani and Nespresso.
I had a great time speaking with Edward and I hope you will enjoy the show!
Where can I tune in to Topical Minds? Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts
How can I support Topical Minds? · Like, listen, watch, share and subscribe! · Make sure to let your friends and family know! · If you like the show, please leave a review! · Follow me on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/abdullahcalafato/
- What is sustainable investing and should its principles be incorporated when evaluating what to invest in?
- Does sustainable investing generate higher risk-adjusted returns compared to traditional or conventional strategies?
- What did the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report highlight on the impacts of global warming?
- Why is the current climate target for warming set at 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels and what does this mean for extreme weather events?
- Why is methane a worrying contributor and can curbing its emissions truly result in rapid improvements?
- How do we encourage organizations to act with greater responsibility and is a carbon tax effective?
Tune in to this third episode of Topical Minds as Amr Addas leverages his extensive knowledge and experience and provides an expert’s perspective on climate change and sustainable investing.
Amr Addas is an Adjunct Professor and Director of the Van Berkom Investment Management Program and Van Berkom Small Cap Case Competition at the John Molson School of Business, Concordia University. He is also the Academic Director for Sustainability at JMSB and leads Concordia’s Sustainable Investing Practicum in collaboration with Manulife. He is also a member of the Faculty for the Sustainable Investment Professional Certificate (SIPC) offered by JMSB. Amr has taught at McGill University, Queen’s University’s Smith School of Business, and Sherbrooke University. In addition to his academic work, Amr offers consulting services to portfolio managers at Scotia Wealth Management and sustainable investment training to corporate clients and financial institutions.
Enjoy the show!
Where can I tune in to Topical Minds? Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts
How can I support Topical Minds? · Like, listen, watch, share and subscribe! · Make sure to let your friends and family know! · If you like the show, please leave a review! · Follow me on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/abdullahcalafato/
Considering pursuing your PhD? What are you expected to demonstrate over the course of your PhD journey and how do you become a standout? More importantly, how do you position yourself for success as you near the end of your doctoral program and look to either enter an uncertain job market or look at academic jobs that are intensely competitive?
Tune in to this next episode of Topical Minds as Sanket Korgaonkar, a rising star in the world of academia, sheds light on the above questions, discusses his journey and research interests.
Sanket is an Assistant Professor of Commerce in the Finance Area at the University of Virginia's McIntire School of Commerce. He teaches a course on the fundamentals of real estate finance and investments. Sanket's research interests are broadly in the area of household finance and financial institutions; with a particular focus on the institutions of mortgage lending and consumer lending. Before joining the McIntire faculty in 2019, Sanket was an Assistant Professor of Real Estate at Pennsylvania State University’s Smeal College of Business. He graduated from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and completed his PhD at the University of California, Berkeley.
Enjoy the show!
Where can I tune in to Topical Minds? Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts
How can I support Topical Minds? · Like, listen, watch, share and subscribe! · Make sure to let your friends and family know! · If you like the show, please leave a review! · Follow me on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/abdullahcalafato/
Should I buy real estate now or wait? Are single family homes or condos a better investment opportunity? What are investors, first-time buyers and renters looking for in condos in the COVID-era? Are there factors such as interest rates and other cost factors I need to take into consideration?
If you are looking for answers to any of the above questions, make sure to tune in as these and others get covered in this first episode of the podcast on all things real estate featuring Stephanie Nause, one of the best in the game.
Stephanie is a Toronto real estate veteran who has been in the business for over a decade. She’s the founder of Homeplicity Realty Group and has been ranked as the top seller by several organizations. She has also led her team on numerous occasions to finishes within the top 25 realty teams across Canada. Stephanie attributes her success to always providing her clients with strong communication, honest advice, and best-in-class service.
Enjoy the show!
Where can I tune in to Topical Minds?
Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts
How can I support Topical Minds?
- Like, listen, watch, share and subscribe!
- Make sure to let your friends and family know!
- If you like the show, please leave a review!
- Follow me on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/abdullahcalafato/
This is a brief introduction to Topical Minds. I am extremely excited to be commencing this journey and I look forward to bringing you enjoyable content. First episode will be posted soon. Make sure to subscribe and stay tuned!