Career Buzz

Join Hoda for conversations that boost your career literacy. Guest Emer O'Donnell shares, “When you have a real sense of purpose and this is why you're here, then you can't help but follow your heart”. Do you have a real sense of purpose? Sharon Vandermeer follows with a statement about why she values stepping out of her comfort zone, “If I'm ever in a position where I'm uncomfortable that means that growth is happening”. How often do you get uncomfortable in your work? Comment and share your thoughts and experiences. Guest 1 Bio Emer O Donnell, Founder of TeenReconnect, is a behavioural change coach with a background in psychology and 20+ years working in global organisations.  In 2016, she recognised a gap in young people's educational skills that prevented them from navigating the complex world we now live in leaving so many feeling overwhelmed, lost and anxious. She was then inspired to become the Founder of a coaching and training company called TeenReconnect to address this gap.  She focuses her work on supporting parents to help their children to thrive, empowering youth professionals to increase their skills, and supporting organisations that wish to become more effective in this space. She emphasises the importance of developing well-being first for sustained performance.  Emer is also the author of “Understanding Teen Stress & Anxiety; A Parent's Guide to Building Love and Connection” and has created the digital Q Pathfinder coaching app. It is a personalised tool used as part of her 7Q TeenReconnect coaching programme for young people so they understand who they uniquely are and can learn how that plays out in their career choices, confidence, learning, stress, and relationships.  Emer is passionate about making a difference, believing young people are the future. She also knows that if you don't know who you are it is way harder to create a life you love. Guest 2 -Sharon Vandermeer Self Bio Raised in the country, I learned early on the value of hard work, community, and resourcefulness. When I made the move to Melbourne, I quickly found my calling in recruitment—a space where I could connect people with opportunities that change lives. After a few years in the industry, I took the leap and founded On the Ball Personnel Australasia, allowing me to fully embrace my passion for service. Every day, I get to bridge the gap between talented job seekers and businesses looking for the right talent, ensuring both thrive. With a commitment to providing real value, my approach is built on authenticity, fun, and a deep understanding of what makes great workplaces tick.  Recruitment isn't just about filling roles—it's about building careers, strengthening businesses, and making sure people are set up for long-term success. It's been one of the most rewarding spaces to play and make a difference in!    For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

On this episode of Career Buzz, host Mark Franklin interviews  Dr. Maria Milland, a Danish obstetrician and gynecologist whose humanitarian work has taken her to some of the world's most challenging environments. Drawing on her experience working in the al-Hol refugee camp in northeast Syria, Maria shares powerful insights from her new book, *Born at the Gates of Hell*, offering a rare and deeply human perspective on life inside the camp—particularly in the maternity ward where new life begins amid extreme conditions. Together, they explore her career journey, the skills and values that sustain her work, and what her experiences reveal about resilience, ethical tension, and making meaningful career choices.    For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

Aerospace engineering sits at the intersection of advanced science, complex systems design, and the timeless human ambition to fly. From the earliest aircraft to today's highly sophisticated jets and emerging sustainable aviation concepts, the field continues to push the boundaries of innovation and engineering precision. Behind every aircraft is a multidisciplinary effort involving structural design, advanced materials, manufacturing technologies, and rigorous safety standards. As the aviation industry looks toward more efficient and environmentally responsible aircraft, engineers are reimagining how airplanes are designed, built, and operated. Stephen Armstrong and Andrew Bondarchuk explores the world of aerospace engineering and the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of flight.   Guest Bio Andrew Bondarchuk is an aerospace engineer specializing in aircraft structural design and future aircraft development. He earned his Aerospace Engineering degree from Carleton University and gained early industry experience through an internship with Airbus in the United Kingdom. He began his career at Bombardier working on the production and design of aircraft including the Global 5500, 6500, and 7500 programs. Today he is a Senior Design Engineer in Bombardier's Research and Technology group in Montreal, contributing to next-generation aircraft concepts such as the EcoJet blended wing body.   For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

Join Hoda for conversations that boost your career literacy. In this episode, Dr Brian Hutchison shares, “Particularly in the west we can get this idea of individualism in our head and I think that that's an inaccurate idea”. Do you agree? Comment and share your thoughts and experiences.   Guest Bio Dr Brian Hutchison, also known as Global Career Guy, Dr Brian Hutchison Ph.D., LPC, CCSCC is Core Faculty of Clinical Mental Health Counseling in the School of Counseling at Walden University, USA. He received his doctorate degree in Counselor Education Supervision from Pennsylvania State University and has worked as a career, school, and mental health counselor and clinical supervisor. Brian's career consultation and education work operates within the brand of Global Career Guy where he specializes in consultation, research, speaking, and training focused on how career development fosters mental health well-being, school engagement, and social justice. He has worked in more than 50 countries and written more than four dozen publications including the 12th Edition of School to Career, a career textbook for high school students.   For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

Canada is accelerating toward an electric future—but are we truly ready for the EV transition? Beyond the headlines, this shift raises real questions about infrastructure, affordability, and grid resilience. Today, we ask what's working, what's missing, and whether Canada is prepared for what comes next. In this episode, Stephen Armstrong is joined by guest Andre Mech.   Guest Bio Andre Mech is an Environmental Engineer who has been a climate change proponent for the past 25 years.  Andre works in the areas of electrical generation, emission reduction, energy efficiency project evaluation, project development, finance, management, verification, including carbon offset generation activities to minimizing climate change. He has direct experience with carbon related planning in the commercial institutional building sector, transportation sector and combined heat and power sector. He is a regular speaker at national and international energy conferences. He holds a BEng Mech Eng from the Royal Military College Canada and an MBA from Western University.   For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!  

Join Hoda for conversations that boost your career literacy. One quote that stands out in this episode, is by Ahmed Mostafa Kamal who shared many useful career and life tips staying in our “comfort zone is killing our dreams”. Do you agree? Next, Ruth challenges us by stating “you can move anything that you do from exclusion to inclusion”. Comment and share your thoughts and experiences.   Guest 1 Bio Ahmed Mostafa Kamal, a career development leader and expert in the Middle East. He is the founder of Career Development in the MENA Region, founder of AM Foundation for Career Development, the Co-Founder & Senior Partner of GROWAT Saudi Arabia and a UNICEF Advisor. His work has included training more than 1000 counselors, facilitators, coaches, and guides in Egypt, KSA, Qatar, and Turkey. Ahmed began the first career development project in Egypt funded by USAID in 2006. Then, he extended his efforts to other countries in the MENA region as well as in Europe, Asia, USA and Canada. His focus is enriching Arab individuals, teams, organizations, and countries with the required knowledge, materials, tools, and experiences to benefit from a professional career development process—all translated and adapted for the Arab culture. Ahmed won the merit award from the National Career Development Association (NCDA) in 2022, best international career development practitioner award from NCDA in 2011, and best international Global Career Development Facilitator award from the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) in 2015. He holds many certifications in the fields of career development, mental health, business, and distance learning that are associated with several global associations including NCDA and CRG.   Guest 2 Bio Ruth McAteer, a Career Development Professional. Ruth's work in the careers space focuses on exclusion to inclusion, investigating how to rethink career curriculum design, resources, and events as well as traditional one-to-ones, to maximise accessibility.  By critically examining who we are designing for, she challenges traditional approaches to ensure career education can reach the widest demographics. Grounded in the globally applicable Employability Capital Growth Model and aligned with the global Sustainability Development Goals this approach helps people identify how and where they want to make an impact - the first step on any career journey!  As a member of the Deaf community, Ruth is also a passionate advocate for people with disabilities especially regarding equality and inclusion in the workplace.    For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

On Career Buzz, we're stepping into one of the biggest questions facing Canada, the U.S., and every advanced economy navigating digital transformation: How do we redesign the bridge from education to employment? Ryan Craig, is a Managing Director at Achieve Partners, a US firm investing in the future of learning and earning. Ryan has been tracking and forecasting these shifts for more than a decade. He's the author of the insightful Gap Letter, and three books: College Disrupted, on the unbundling of higher education and competency based hiring A New U, examining faster and cheaper last mile pathways into digital careers Apprentice Nation, a compelling case for scaling apprenticeships as a stronger and fairer alternative to traditional post-secondary programs   For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

We explore the plight of the homeless in downtown Toronto with Stephen Armstrong and Bob Duff, by focussing on the St Simons Shelter in Cabbagetown. “The measure of a society is found in how they treat their weakest and most helpless citizens”…. Abraham Lincoln. “A nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members.” ~ Mahatma Ghandi   Guest Bio Our guest today is Bob Duff who was a guest in 2017, and again in 2023. Bob is the executive director of the St Simons Shelter for the homeless in the Cabbagetown area of downtown Toronto – now located in the Isabella Hotel. Bob shared his personal story of his trajectory from Bay Street family man, to homelessness, to becoming a tireless front-line worker with the downtown homeless population. He holds Degrees: B.A. in journalism from Ryerson University, and a MA economics from University of Ottawa, and a Juris Doctorate from Stetson University Florida.   For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

On this episode of Career Buzz, host Mark Franklin interviews Max Robinson, a lifelong wind enthusiast, water athlete, and coach who turned his early spark for windsurfing into a world-class career. From the shores of Georgian Bay to the Wingfoil World Tour, Max has flown across oceans, competed at the highest level, and returned home with a mission: to coach the next generation of riders and help others find their flow on the water.  Tune in to hear Max's story of passion, performance, reinvention — and how the wind can shape not just your sport, but your whole career.     For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

AI is rapidly transforming the aerospace industry, with Boeing recently deploying over 70 generative AI applications across engineering, manufacturing, and maintenance, positioning AI as a “co-pilot” to support human decision-making under supervision.  This shift marks a significant step in integrating AI into core aerospace operations, enhancing productivity, safety, and innovation across the value chain.  The global AI market in aerospace and defense was valued at US$22.45 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach US$43.02 billion by 2030. Join Stephen Armstrong and Dominique Spragg in this discussion.   Guest Bio Dominique Spragg is an accomplished leader in the aerospace industry, specializing in integrated operations, business development and sustainable technologies. With experience ranging from CEO roles in sustainable aviation startups to strategic planning and operations management, Dominique has made significant contributions across North America, Europe, Russia, and China. Dominique is currently consulting in the sustainable aviation space, with companies ranging from Advanced Air Mobility (AMM) start-ups to Fortune 100 multi-national companies exploring alternative propulsion and sustainable aviation fuels.  Dominique's holds an Aerospace Engineering degree, an MBA, and an IFR pilot Private Pilot License.   For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

Join Hoda for conversations that boost your career literacy. In this episode, Manana Jaworska shared, “I believe it's possible for everyone to find a career that enables them to live a life that they want”. Do you agree? Dr Alan McAlpine told us how he finds value in writing his goals down and checking on them regularly. Do you think writing your goals down will help you accomplish them?   Guest 1 Bio Manana Jaworska, a career transition coach and freelance frontend engineer. Manana has made two career transitions herself: from psychology to engineering, and then to coaching. She is passionate about helping people find work that makes them happy and fulfilled. You can follow Manana on Instagram @careerchangeguide and on LinkedIn.   Guest 2 Bio Dr Alan McAlpine, Deputy Director of Student Success at Curtin University, Australia, Dr Alan McAlpine. Dr Alan is a tragic 70's music rock lover, he enjoys playing his guitar (badly) and sings in a (non performing) band – The Geriatrics. As much as he would like to focus on his music, that doesn't pay the bills.  His portfolio comprises Careers and Employability and a Social Impact Hub. He has over 20 years' experience in the career development field and has been involved nationally and internationally for many years through his involvement in NAGCAS (National Association of Graduate Career Advisory Services), where he is currently National President.  Alan's extensive experience includes past roles such as Associate Director, Student Success at QUT and Careers and Employment Manager for over a decade. He serves on the Career Industry Council of Australia (CICA) Executive Committee and chairs the board of Graduate Careers Australia.     For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

Humans have difficulty knowing what to want. Have you ever wanted something - a certain food, a job - gotten it, then realized you don't like what you wanted? There's a technical term for that - it's called "Miswanting." According to researchers Dan Gilbert and Tim Wilson, Miswanting happens when we poorly forecast what we'll actually like. "Wanting" is a prediction we'll like what we want, but so often we don't. Miswanting is a common problem we humans have, therefore knowing why it happens and how to avoid it can be a very helpful when you're considering different careers, and in career counselling. So many people want a job where they can "help people" and "make a difference." We hear it frequently in our CareerCycles practice. But when it comes to generating possibilities people hit a wall. Mark met Christine Nam, a new car delivery specialist, and noticed how much she loves helping people on a happy day when they get into their new car for the first time. After working in retail for years, Christine thought she'd move up to auto sales. In which she thrived. Yet, despite the better money, she left that role to work as a delivery specialist where she likes making a difference and helping people.  Tune in to this episode, where you'll hear Christine's story - an illustration of learning what to want, and repairing past miswants.   For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

In this episode with Hoda Kilani, the guests shared spectacular stories that showed them stepping out of their comfort zones. You could almost feel Nerel's passion to support every student transitioning from high school to college or career. What did you think of his approach? Katherine reminded us that we have more strengths, we've achieved more than we give ourselves credit and it's important that we just stop, look back, take stock and celebrate what we've achieved. How often do you stop and reflect on your accomplishments? Share your thoughts.   Guest 1 Bio Nerel Winter is the CEO and Founding Principal of Bostonia Global, a TK-14 school model dedicated to creating personalized learning experiences that connect students' strengths, interests, and values to their future goals.  Drawing on his passion for school redesign and global learning, Nerel has collaborated with schools nationwide to develop innovative educational experiences. He has extensive experience working in dual and multilingual learning models, with a focus on student advocacy and connecting passions to global understandings.  Born and raised in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Nerel's personal experiences with opportunity gaps, along with his work in school redesign and student advocacy, have led him to develop a thriving college and career coaching business. Through this venture, he passionately supports high school and college students in navigating the often-overwhelming transition from high school to college or career, offering personalized guidance that empowers them to connect their unique strengths and passions to a successful and fulfilling future. Information regarding his work can be found at nerelwinter.com.   Guest 2 Bio  Katherine Jennick is a UK-based Career Development Professional, Mentor, and Educator.  In 2019, she founded What's your strength? ®, which started as a card activity to empower teenagers and has since evolved into a series of award-winning resources for all ages that are used in 16 countries. Katherine's innovative work has been recognised by the Department of Education, and she has been shortlisted for CDI Careers Adviser of the Year and two business startup awards.  Her resources are recommended by National Careers Week, the CDI, and The Careers and Enterprise Company. Katherine also offers 1:1 career guidance for young people and delivers collaborative creative workshops to a variety of audiences. She is the co-architect of the #SoMuchMoreThanTalkingAboutJobs campaign and a passionate advocate for the career development sector.   For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

When you lose your job, do you need resume-writing tips & job interview best practices?   Or, do you need an empathetic sherpa to guide you through the stages of grief, so that when you land your next job, you are prepared for success?   Born and raised in sunny San Diego, Steve Jaffe began his writing journey at San Diego State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and communication. After a 25-year career in advertising and marketing—including work on the iconic “What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas” advertising campaign—he has returned to his writing roots. His new book is “The Layoff Journey From Dismissal to Discovery: Navigating the Stages of Grief After a Job Loss”.   For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

Stephen Armstrong and Fail Vanstone explores how a humanities education can help us understand not just the systems we live in, but what it means to live well within them. From art and literature to ethics and philosophy, we're looking at how stories, emotions, and imagination connect us- to each other, to our world, and to ourselves.  So, if the Humanities help us understand what it means to be human, how do they shape the ways we express that humanity -through creativity, emotion, and imagination? And in the age of AI do humanities even play a bigger role or is humanities under threat.   Guest Bio Professor Gail Vanstone is an Associate Professor in the Department of Humanities at York Uni, Toronto and coordinates the Humanities Program. She works at the intersection of feminist theory and women's documentary film production. Her ongoing research frames women and the stories they tell as powerful critical tools for understanding women's experience in a world where their voices are often muted. She is author of many Published essays including “D is for Daring (2007)”, a history of Studio D, feminist film unit at Canada's National Film Board; and, with Brian Winston and Wang Chi, “The Act of Documenting (2017)”.   For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

Join Hoda and her guests for conversations that boost your career literacy. In this episode, Dr Marilyn Maze suggested that we should “just ask AI” during our job exploration. Do you use AI in your career exploration? Dr Steve elaborated on the statement, “if you want to change performance, change the audience”. Did his explanation help you envision how you can enhance the work you do? Share your thoughts.   Guest 1 Bio Dr Marilyn Maze is the Financial Administrator of the Asia Pacific Career Development Association (APCDA). In her previous role as Executive Director of APCDA, Dr Marilyn organized the annual APCDA Conference since its inception. She has conducted numerous research projects on significant labor market and career counseling issues, and presented at international conferences.  Dr. Maze is a Fellow of the National Career Development Association and she received NCDA's Eminent Career Award in 2022, the NCDA President's Award in 2016, and the NCDA Credentialing Commission Service Award in 2016. She received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Maryland Career Development Association in 2010. Dr. Maze formerly developed the ACT Profile (previously called DISCOVER).   Guest 2 Bio  Dr Steve Regur, the founder and CEO of Educators Cooperative, leading ground breaking projects to provide more opportunities for students. From developing global career readiness initiatives to maximizing collaborative learning networks, Steve transforms lofty ideas into sustainable, impactful results.  Steve has been in the job of school transformation for over 25 years working across the U.S. and internationally. He has co-founded nine schools, led multi-million-dollar grant projects, and is now launching the Career Connected Schools network.   For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

What happens when you put career development at the heart of conversations about AI, longevity, and the future of work?    On this Career Buzz episode, we're diving into the future of work with Lisa Taylor, Founder and CEO of Challenge Factory — an organization that helps people and companies rethink careers for longer lives, changing demographics, and new technologies.    Lisa Taylor's work focuses on career services for older workers, and bridging business, policy, and human potential. She authored The Talent Revolution: Longevity and the Future of Work, paperback edition. Lisa's message in this AI-enabled world, is that to thrive, we must put career development at the centre of the conversation.     For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

Isn't there a faster way to gain job-ready tech and AI skills — without committing to a whole degree program? Today on the show… imagine you want to step into a new career — but the idea of spending years earning another degree feels out of reach. There is another path. As the saying goes, AI won't replace people — but people who use AI will replace people who don't. Through short, focused “nanodegrees” and online courses, Udacity is helping individuals and organizations build the skills that shape the future of work. Jared Molton, Vice President at Udacity, is part of the movement forging futures in tech — empowering learners worldwide to unlock their potential in an AI-enabled world.   For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

In this episode, we're tackling a topic that affects not just companies, but communities and careers: how we find and grow the people who keep our industries moving. Our focus is on the aerospace, engineering, and manufacturing sectors—areas where Canada has deep strengths but also faces big challenges. To help us unpack this, we're joined by the owners of a Toronto- based executive search firm that does things a little differently. Instead of focusing only on C-suite leaders, they recruit across the entire spectrum—from tradespeople and technicians to engineers, managers, and executives. We'll explore their business model, the unique dynamics of aerospace, trends across manufacturing, and how AI impacts recruiting.   Guest Bios Our Guests today are a father and son team. Barry Wohl has over 30 years in HR leadership, including roles as Vice President of Human Resources at major aerospace firms like Safran and Bombardier. He brings deep expertise in talent acquisition and organizational growth. Now leading a recruitment firm specializing in manufacturing, engineering, and aerospace, he has helped thousands of professionals find the right roles in areas such as quality, supply chain, and compliance. Matthew Wohl is the VP and Partner at The Wohl Group, bringing over 14 years of experience in recruitment and talent strategy. He's helped countless professionals and companies find the right fit while building a LinkedIn network of 135,000 followers who engage with his insights on modern hiring. Focused on making recruitment more human and effective, Matthew is passionate about improving the hiring experience and supporting people through career transitions.    For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

When Helene Clarkson's kids were a bit older, and her husband's career was on track, she asked herself: Hey, what am I gonna do? Today on Career Buzz, we talk with Helene Clarkson, founder of a Canadian sustainable fashion label that designs stylish, smart, versatile clothing for women on the go. After an earlier career, in theatre and acting, in 2014, Helene launched her own clothing line, and what began with pop-up shops in Toronto has since grown into a global brand. From launching and scaling a mission-driven brand, to navigating the complexities of design, production, and identity in fashion — clothing designer Helene Clarkson shares her story behind the seams.   For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

In career, there are fast shifts - and slow shifts. Fast is quitting, layoff, retirement. Slow is the build-up to fast. How can you optimize slow to weather fast? On Career Buzz, we explore transitions with Marilyn Hintsa — a retirement readiness coach and facilitator of Next Chapter Dialogues. After navigating her own unexpected early retirement, Marilyn now helps others move beyond the ‘shoulds' of what retirement is supposed to look like, and instead create meaningful, fulfilling lives.   For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

Why are team-building and career development critical for creating engaged, high-performing workplaces? How do trusting relationships between employees lead to stronger collaboration, better productivity, and lasting success for organizations?   Heidi Heung and Mark Franklin and Rich Feller lead and coordinate the teams at OneLifeTools and CareerCycles. Our teams of career professionals have helped thousands of employees navigate career and life transitions by sparking powerful conversations that build clarity, confidence, and connection. Listen in as we have a conversation about the positive outcomes of organizational team building and internal career development.    ALSO on this episode:   When you're overwhelmed by news, ads, tech and the fast pace of life, how can you slow down, focus on what you want and then actually get it?   David Cohen has taught thousands over the years to sell, plan and market their ventures successfully. He's recently published the book, “Live Life SWIFT: The Ultimate Guide Filled With Actionable Steps to Help You Live Your Best Life.” In it, he takes readers through the simple but effective SWIFT framework to help anyone make good plans, and take inspired action.    For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

Entrepreneurship is the process of identifying a commercial opportunity and putting it into action by developing new products, services, or business models, often involving innovation and risk-taking. It encompasses a wide range of activities, from starting a small business to launching a scalable startup, and can occur independently or within an existing organization, such as through intrapreneurship.  At its core, entrepreneurship involves creating new value, whether economic, social, or otherwise, by utilizing resources in innovative ways to address market needs or gaps.  The entrepreneur is typically seen as an innovator who bears the primary risk and potential reward of the venture, driving change through activities like “creative destruction” to replace outdated offerings with new ones.  65% to 85% of entrepreneurial ventures fail and only 10% reach a 20th anniversary. Our Guest Today is Rahi Tajzadeh a seasoned executive strategist, Certified Management Consultant, and trusted advisor known for guiding boards, C-suites, and founders through complex transformation, turnarounds, and strategic growth. With 19 years of experience across diverse sectors, Rahi delivers actionable, research-driven strategies that drive measurable growth, innovation, and ethical leadership. A graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University with a Master of Science in Management and a Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurship, Rahi is a recipient of awards such as the CMC Canada President's Award and recognition as a Top 10 Alumni.   For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

In this special episode, Dr Michael Stebleton and Dr Abby Razink present an engaging discussion about a new concept they are playing with, namely, Career Play. Explore the meaning of Career Play and its value for your career and life success. Listen & join Hoda and her guests on Career Buzz to increase your Career Literacy.   Guest Bios Dr Michael J. Stebleton is Professor of Higher Education in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. He teaches at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. His academic interests focus on college student development and career development. His work has appeared in numerous venues including: Journal of Career Development, Journal of College Student Development, and Career Development Quarterly. In 2017, Stebleton received the Merit Award from the National Career Development Association (NCDA) for his contributions to the career education field. Dr. Abby Razink, is an organizational consultant and recent Ph.D. graduate in Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Her dissertation explored the influence of experiential learning on career development during the college-to-work transition. At the University of Minnesota, she taught sales courses and directed an intercollegiate sales competition. Abby serves on the editorial board of NASPA's Journal of College and Character. Her writing on educational trends has appeared in Psychology Today. Abby can be reached via LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/abbyrazink.   For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters! at onelifetools.com

How can everyone a student meets help them in their career exploration? Professor Michael Stebleton from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, and colleagues argue in their publications that anyone can be a “career influencer” and that career conversations can be effective when everyone on campus adopts this helpful mindset. Tune into this wide ranging conversation with career expert Mike Stebleton where we talk about gamification and play as a form of career development, AI's impact on careers, how students can articulate their skills, and even how to be a “reasonable adventurer.”   For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

Industrial design is a process of design applied to physical products that may be manufactured by mass production.  It is the creative act of determining and defining a product's form and features, which takes place in advance of the manufacture or production of the product. Industrial Design can also be described as “creative problem solving”. At times, at the end of the design process, there won't actually be a new product emerging. One of the first questions asked is “is a new product necessary?” But what does it take for an industrial designer to transition from a purely design role into an entrepreneur path building a design/manufacture/install business in the area of home renovations.   Guest Bio Kevin Karst an Industrial Designer and journeyman cabinetmaker with 50 years of experience. Kevin moved from the Canadian prairies to Ontario in 1984 to pursue higher education. His Industrial Design degree, with high distinction, from Carleton University (1988) builds on his certified tradesman status. With a background of product development at Knoll, Teknion and OSF, Kevin currently excels at custom design, fabrication and installation for his client base in Toronto, specializing in residential cabinetry and furniture.  Currently working from his well-equipped facility in the East Downtown area, he provides innovative solutions with superior craftsmanship to discerning clients.   For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters! at onelifetools.com

You know those giant pieces of heavy equipment you see on construction sites like cranes, bulldozers, backhoes? Ever wonder how people learn to operate them? And how the decide to get into that work in the first place? Imagine a heavy equipment simulator so good you can use it to train people, and even explore what it'd be like to operate heavy equipment. That's what Mark Franklin did when he met Jonathan LaBerdia, an account manager for CAT Simulators. He set Mark up on a simulator at a conference booth, and had him operate a bulldozer around a simulated work site. He said he did a good job! Because he hadn't killed anyone, unlike others who tried the simulator.     What's it like to work in the world of simulators? How do you get into that work? Listen in as Mark Franklin talks with Jonathan LaBerdia, of CAT Simulators, here on Career Buzz, the unique radio conversation that empowers lives, enriches careers and energizes organizations.     For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

As technology grows day by day, businesses also grow to stay ahead, or else be obsolete. Part 2 of the Innovation Nation episode with Pranav Bhardwaj explores how AI and Generative AI are reshaping management consulting. It covers strategic implications like new business models, managed services, and outcome-based pricing. The discussion highlights data governance, compliance challenges, and how firms measure ROI from AI. It also examines the evolving competitive landscape as tech giants and boutique AI firms disrupt traditional consulting. Finally, it emphasizes why human judgment, ethics, and trust remain critical alongside automation.   Guest Bio Pranav Bhardwaj is currently the Global Lead for the Operate Program and Deloitte Consulting. Pranav is a career MC, having worked in the MC industry since the age of 22. His clients have spanned from the UK to South Africa, from Japan to the US and 8 years ago he dropped an anchor in Lake Ontario and has been living in Toronto a few minutes from the lake. His areas of specialization are enterprise strategy, artificial intelligence, product development and supply chain management. In his current role, he is supporting the definition and execution of a firmwide strategy that would impact the 400,000+ employees and Deloitte and over 3000 clients that Deloitte serves globally. A mechanical engineer with a business degree from Ivey business school, he is passionate about all thing's technology, people and reading!

Thrilled to have Devon Turcotte, and Sarah-Jane VandenBerg join us to talk about careers, parenting and their podcast, The One About Careers. Listen & join Hoda and her guests on Career Buzz to increase your Career Literacy. Guest Bios Sarah-Jane VandenBerg is a Career Coach, Author and Speaker. She is a Certified Career Development Practitioner and a Holistic Narrative Career Professional with over 30 years of experience working with career decision makers and job seekers. She has witnessed the confusion, despair and anxiety individuals have around work. After individuals have worked with Sarah-Jane, individuals feel relief and reassurance about their career plans and know how to get the results they desire. Sarah-Jane's book is called, Lost & Found: An Adult's Guide to Empowering Teens to Make Their Best Career Decisions and she speaks about Career Decision Making with competency, fun, practicality and honesty to adults who live with, work with and mentor teens. Together with Devon Turcotte, their podcast, The One About Careers, is the career podcast for adults who work with, live with or mentor teens who are finding it a challenge to plan for life after high school. Released weekly in bite-sized conversations about everything career and education to help their listeners better support the career decisions of the teens in their life.  For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters! at onelifetools.com

Is it true that children are more creative than computer AI? How can we use literature, art, and stories to increase innovation, resilience, and joy in the era of AI? These are the research questions of Career Buzz guest, Angus Fletcher. We had an inspiring conversation covering Angus's own career and education story from studying life science in undergrad to focusing on Shakespeare in his PhD. Listen in to connect the dots from bio to Bard, and from science to story. Angus Fletcher is Professor of Story Science at Project Narrative at The Ohio State University, and author of “Primal Intelligence” and “Storythinking: The New Science of Narrative Intelligence.”  

As technology grows day by day, businesses also grow to stay ahead, or else be obsolete.  AI and Gen AI is impacting the MC industry requiring a major transformation in operations and services.  The MC industry is a $1T business globally and is expected to rise to $5T by 2028. This paradigm shift is both a challenge and an opportunity for the MC industry. AI and Gen AI has changed the way we interact with technology. This new technology will impact the business domain in general and specifically MC, which has always been a human centric industry. The MC sector offers specific knowledge and solutions to companies across different industries.  AI and Gen AI consulting services will take MC to a higher level of performance, alter the nature of MC more than ever, allowing for the automation of operational processes as well as enhancing the quality, and service effectiveness. AI and gen AI is more than an incremental tech revolution – it is in fact a major paradigm shift that MC firms need to embrace. Guest Bio Pranav Bhardwaj who is currently the Global Lead for the Operate Program and Deloitte Consulting. Pranav is a career MC, having worked in the MC industry since the age of 22. His clients have spanned from the UK to South Africa, from Japan to the US and 8 years ago he dropped an anchor in Lake Ontario and has been living in Toronto a few minutes from the lake. His areas of specialization are enterprise strategy, artificial intelligence, product development and supply chain management. In his current role, he is supporting the definition and execution of a firmwide strategy that would impact the 400,000+ employees and Deloitte and over 3000 clients that Deloitte serves globally. A mechanical engineer with a business degree from Ivey business school, he is passionate about all thing's technology, people and reading!

Enjoy this lively conversation and dive deep with Hoda and guest, Dr Marcelo Staricoff, into the JOY OF NOT KNOWING aka #JONK. Listen & join Hoda and her guests on Career Buzz to increase your Career Literacy. Guest Bio A former scientist and Primary School Headteacher, Dr Marcelo is currently a Lecturer in Education at the University of Sussex and joint course leader of the BA Primary and Early Years Programme. He has recently worked on behalf of UNICEF with policy makers, educators and textbook writers to help implement a reformed national curriculum in Uzbekistan.  Dr Marcelo also works for Coram (a children's charity), runs courses and acts as an advisor to a number of schools and educational organisations. He speaks regularly at national and international events on the principles that underpin the Joy of Not Knowing's philosophy of education and school leadership.  Marcelo is also the author of Start Thinking (Imaginative Minds, 2005) and has published widely in the fields of creative, critical, multilingual, multicultural and philosophical thinking and learning in the classroom. Marcelo is a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Education (APPG) and a Trustee of the Laurel Trust and Chair of the Michael Aldrich Foundation. Marcelo's work and his contributions to education were recognised in 2019 by being named as a Founding Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching and in 2023 when he became a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters! at onelifetools.com

Welcome to the show where we explore how everyday hobbies can spark extraordinary ventures. Whether you're baking on weekends, tinkering with tech, snapping photos, or writing poetry—your hobby might be more than just a pastime. In this series, we dive into real stories and expert insights on how people just like you turned what they love into thriving businesses. Because sometimes, the key to success isn't starting with a plan… it's starting with a passion.  In this case the passion for Rugby. Guest Bio Shane O'Neill is a 30-year information system and technologist with a possible “untraditional” journey to where he is today. A veteran of the Irish Defence Forces and UNIFIL service in Lebanon, he has plotted his journey in IT thought predominantly in media.  With that knowledge, along with a great love of rugby, Shane created a technology he calls Audeohost – a streaming service for live TV sports commentary delivered directly to a fan's smartphone. The product has applicability across many industries and settings. The Audeohost journey began in 2011, with certain ups and down and we are not necessarily talking volume control here. The Audeohost strapline is “Hearing the complete Picture”. Shane grew up in County Tipperary and attended Limerick Regional Tech College. For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters! at onelifetools.com

Our message today is about gathering others to support you. Wayne Pagani's term was Circle of Support. Take the time to pause, re-listen to the definition of the term and let us know how you grow your Circle of Support. Bella Doswell is on a mission to increase awareness about the work that Career Development Professionals do. She calls it a movement and is inviting everyone to join. Is there a topic for which you would like to advocate? What would you do to start a movement? Listen & join Hoda and her guests on Career Buzz to increase your Career Literacy. Guest Bios Guest and Career Development Professional, Wayne Pagani has over 25 years of coaching experience serving people with diverse backgrounds internationally. He has assisted over a thousand clients with career / life objectives to develop effective action plans in order to achieve their life aspirations and career goals. This is combined with over 14 years of business experience in the transportation industry where Wayne was responsible for managing operations and maximizing employee engagement. In addition, he brings over ten years of counselling experience working with clients in residential facilities to foster personal growth.  Wayne also facilitates inspirational workshops and services to clients seeking solutions in all sectors of business and community. He has delivered customized train-the-trainer programs for career / employment service organizations.  And finally, Wayne offers a holistic perspective and approach to supporting people, empowers them by providing resources and connections to others to help them realize and fulfill their career/life aspirations. Bella Doswell, is an award winning, Certified Careers Development Professional who brings successes in helping people make successful career management decisions and develop winning job search strategies. Rather uncommonly, she has a master's degree in Career Development & Coaching, which gives her more flex and depth when helping Clients. Bella has helped people with their careers in the UK, the UAE and since 2012, for Clients in Canada. She has enjoyed working with a wide spectrum of clients, from under/post grads at university, right through to more recently, professionals and Senior Executive level employees, from all sectors of the labour market. Bella has also taught student CDPs counselling skills and ethics at Further Education level and is a passionate advocate for the promotion and professional wellbeing of CDPs around the world.  And finally, Bella is the Co-Architect of the successful #SoMuchMoreThanTalkingAboutJobs campaign, and author of the weekly CDP Thought For The Week, posted every Monday on LinkedIn.  For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters! at onelifetools.com

In this episode, Professor Mark Chignell shared his decade-long journey transforming research into real-world tools aimed at enhancing cognitive and physical health in aging populations. His work bridges psychology, engineering, and entrepreneurship, resulting in products like To Race With Me, BrainTagger, and Chummy, now being tested in care homes across Canada and Japan. How can human-centered design reshape the future of aging and dementia care? What does it take to turn a decade of research into real-world healthcare innovation? Could tech tools like 2 Race With Me and Brain Tagger redefine well-being for older adults? Guest Bio Mark Chignell has been a member of the Mechanical & Industrial Engineering faculty since 1990. Prior to that he was an Assistant Professor in Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Southern California from 1984 to 1990. Professor Chignell taught in the Psychology Department at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia from 1980 to 1982. He has a PhD in Psychology (University of Canterbury, New Zealand, 1981), and an MS in Industrial and Systems Engineering (Ohio State, 1984). He was formerly (2013-2017) the Director of the Knowledge Media Design Institute at the University of Toronto, and the BUL Chair in Human Computer Interaction. He has been a visiting scientist at the IBM Centre for Advanced Studies in Toronto since 2002 and he was a visiting scientist at Keio University from 2005 to 2010. Professor Chignell has co-authored books on expert systems and intelligent databases (published by John Wiley & Sons) and he has co-edited three books. He has many journal and conference papers on topics such as hypertext and information retrieval, user interface design and healthcare applications. His research has been funded by the Bell University Laboratories, the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), IBM, the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE), the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, TELUS, Oki Corporation, Ricoh Corporation, and Apple Computer. He has founded two start-up companies, both of which received funding. His latest startup is Centivizer Inc. which is a University of Toronto startup that has been funded by the AGEWELL National Centre of Excellence. Centivizer creates exergaming and cognitive assessment products to support healthy aging.   For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters! at onelifetools.com

Dr Dorothy E. Siminovitch shares tremendously valuable career advice. Her career term was Awareness Intelligence. Take the time to pause, relisten to the definition of the term and the questions that Dorothy asks and let us know how easy it was for you to answer them. Listen, learn and respond! Join Hoda and her guests on Career Buzz to increase your Career Literacy.   Guest Bio Dorothy E. Siminovitch, PhD, Master Certified Coach, is founder and president of Gestalt Coaching Works, LLC. She is an international coach, consultant, speaker, and author. Dorothy is the founder and co-owner of the Gestalt Coaching Program in Istanbul, an ICF coach training program which she serves as Director of Training and as faculty. Dorothy earned her PhD through Case Western Reserve University's prestigious Department of Organizational Behavior. She pioneered the application of Gestalt theory, concepts, and practices in the service of professional coaching. She began delivering Gestalt coach training in 1996 after earning her Master Certified Coach credentials from the International Coach Federation (ICF). Dorothy honed her rich coaching, teaching, and consulting skills while serving in leadership and primary educator roles at renowned Gestalt study centers, and she has expanded her knowledge and wisdom by co-presenting with fellow thought-leaders in the coaching field. Dorothy specializes in coaching for signature awareness of one's presence, leadership peak performance, overcoming derailment, and working with high performance leaders, groups, and teams. She presents additional training and development opportunities to ICF conferences and chapters and by invitation to commercial and non-profit organizations worldwide. Her book, A Gestalt Coaching Primer: The Path Toward Awareness Intelligence (2nd Edition), is recognized as a profound introduction to professional coaching for those well-practiced and novices alike. She is co-developer and co-author of the Awareness 20/20™ leadership assessment instrument, a quantitative analysis of leaders' awareness and the demonstrated ROI benefits of the self-aware leader. Dorothy is best known by colleagues, clients, students, and presentation participants as someone whose inviting warmth inspires trust, hope, and intuitive wisdom. She was recently honored by the ICF-Toronto Chapter with the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award in Coaching

One of the most alarming aspects of AI is its impact on jobs and the economy. Advances in AI threaten to make many human jobs obsolete.  Which will completely disrupt national and international economies. And, a growing number of AI experts - such as "The Godfather of AI," and Canadian Nobel Prize winner Geoffrey Hinton - are warning that the current AI Arms Race between OpenAI, Google and other tech companies, is very dangerous, and might lead to the destruction of the human race.  Yet - little is being done to prepare for the impending shock.   Dagan Shani is a filmmaker who explores the future implications of AI and automation on the job market. His 2 documentaries, OBSOLETE and DON'T LOOK UP are available on Youtube. Through interviews with experts and smart editing of film clips from news and talk shows like Jon Stewart, Shani explains the risks and sounds the alarm.     Join Mark Franklin, and Dagan Shani, from his family's home in Kibbutz Gan Shmuel in Central Israel, on this episode of Career Buzz.

Career planning is important because it helps you manage your career effectively and achieve your professional goals. By planning your career, you can focus on your overall objectives and not just your immediate plans, which can lead to a more fulfilling and successful career path.  Planning your career allows you to define what you want to achieve and carefully plan the steps to make it happen. It helps you build your career on your own terms and can be an adaptive process that evolves as your life changes. On the other hand, it is often said, letting your career happen without planning can lead to missed opportunities and a lack of direction. But is this true - what happens when you are driven more by opportunities that arise than by knowing where you want to go?   Guest Bio: Civil Engineer Keith Farndale. He has worked in construction management from 1974. He was a “designated consulting engineer” in Ontario. He ran a successful project management consulting and training business based in the GTA from 1993 to 2014 (21 Years). He taught PM non-credit and degree credit courses in the MEng programme at University of Toronto since 1993. (note: now a “retired” PEng in Ontario.)  He holds a BEng in Civil Engineering from the University of Waterloo and an MBA from McMaster University.

You sit in a favourite comfortable chair, or enjoy that useful kitchen gadget or you clean up using a cool vacuum cleaner; these products were probably designed by an industrial designer.    Imagine combining artistic talent – together with skills and knowledge in product use, marketing, and materials – to create functional and appealing product designs. Today we talk to 2 industrial designers. ⁠Doreen Stegmuller ⁠and⁠ Morna Gamblin⁠, both experienced industrial designers, and teachers. We'll explore their career stories, design philosophies, and the challenges and opportunities in the field today. Join us for an insightful conversation that'll take us from Acceptance to Appetite, and from Bike Racks to Biomedical Devices.​ (Learn about Industrial Design in ⁠Canada⁠ | ⁠US⁠)

Sustainable aviation involves the development and use of renewable or waste-derived aviation fuels, known as Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), which meet sustainability criteria. These fuels are designed to reduce CO2 emissions from aviation, a sector responsible for 12% of CO2 emissions from all transport sources.  The global aviation industry is committed to a sustainable future for aviation, aiming to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This goal will be achieved through improvements in aircraft and engine efficiency. In this show we focus on issues beyond fuels including design, materials and we unpack some myths with David Zingg and Stephen Armstrong. Guest Bio: Professor David Zingg is Internationally recognized as a leading researcher in the field of computational fluid dynamics, and has achieved numerous advancements that have increased the competitiveness of Canada's aerospace industry.  As a Professor at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS) for the past 37 years, Dr. Zingg has championed the need to reduce the impact of aviation on the environment, and has built a highly respected team to develop technological solutions to address this issue. His research areas include aerodynamics, computational fluid dynamics, and aerodynamic shape optimization. His current research is focused on applying high-fidelity aerodynamic shape optimization to aircraft design to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft.  To help ensure that results of his research are quickly transferred to practice, Dr. Zingg has consistently engaged industry in his research activities and has close ties with Bombardier and NASA. He holds BSc, MASc and Phd all from the UofT.

Sustainable aviation involves the development and use of renewable or waste-derived aviation fuels, known as Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), which meet sustainability criteria. These fuels are designed to reduce CO2 emissions from aviation, a sector responsible for 12% of CO2 emissions from all transport sources.  The global aviation industry is committed to a sustainable future for aviation, aiming to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This goal will be achieved through improvements in aircraft and engine efficiency. In this show we focus on issues beyond fuels including design, materials and we unpack some myths with David Zingg and Stephen Armstrong.   Guest Bio: Professor David Zingg is Internationally recognized as a leading researcher in the field of computational fluid dynamics, and has achieved numerous advancements that have increased the competitiveness of Canada's aerospace industry.  As a Professor at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS) for the past 37 years, Dr. Zingg has championed the need to reduce the impact of aviation on the environment, and has built a highly respected team to develop technological solutions to address this issue. His research areas include aerodynamics, computational fluid dynamics, and aerodynamic shape optimization. His current research is focused on applying high-fidelity aerodynamic shape optimization to aircraft design to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft.  To help ensure that results of his research are quickly transferred to practice, Dr. Zingg has consistently engaged industry in his research activities and has close ties with Bombardier and NASA. He holds BSc, MASc and Phd all from the UofT.

When you're traveling, there's something that opens up. It's easier to meet people and good things seem to happen in a more concentrated way. That's what happened to Mark when he travelled in lovely BC recently. On a transition day between spending time with friends and starting to work, Mark had a Sunday to myself to drive from Vernon to Kamloops in BC's interior. Looking for a coffee shop, he found the wonderful Bean Scene on Vernon's 30th Avenue. The servers, Carmela and Hannah were super friendly. Mark noticed the happiest and most colourful art that made him smile. When he decided to buy a couple pieces, Mark contacted the artist Nancy Vince and had a great conversation. Her story of making happy art inspired him and led to her being a guest on this show.

When you're traveling, there's something that opens up. It's easier to meet people and good things seem to happen in a more concentrated way. That's what happened to Mark when he travelled in lovely BC recently. On a transition day between spending time with friends and starting to work, Mark had a Sunday to myself to drive from Vernon to Kamloops in BC's interior. Looking for a coffee shop, he found the wonderful Bean Scene on Vernon's 30th Avenue. The servers, Carmela and Hannah were super friendly. Mark noticed the happiest and most colourful art that made him smile. When he decided to buy a couple pieces, Mark contacted the artist Nancy Vince and had a great conversation. Her story of making happy art inspired him and led to her being a guest on this show.

If someone lives to live to age 90, which is now true for over half of Canadians, and they retire at 60, that's a 30 year, post-work life. At age 60, they have half their life more to live. So, what's next for them? How will they find purpose and meaning across 30 more years? And who is there to help them design their lifestyle?   ⁠Mike Drak⁠ is a Retirement Lifestyle Designer. After a 30+ year career in financial services, Mike retired. He quickly realized he needed to figure out what to do in his post-work life. Which he set out to do. Now, he's author of three books: Victory Lap Retirement, Retirement Heaven and Hell and Longevity lifestyle by design.  He's a public speaker and workshop leader on the topic of non-financial aspects of retirement. And he's currently training for IRONMAN competition.

If someone lives to live to age 90, which is now true for over half of Canadians, and they retire at 60, that's a 30 year, post-work life. At age 60, they have half their life more to live. So, what's next for them? How will they find purpose and meaning across 30 more years? And who is there to help them design their lifestyle?    Mike Drak is a Retirement Lifestyle Designer. After a 30+ year career in financial services, Mike retired. He quickly realized he needed to figure out what to do in his post-work life. Which he set out to do. Now, he's author of three books: Victory Lap Retirement, Retirement Heaven and Hell and Longevity lifestyle by design.  He's a public speaker and workshop leader on the topic of non-financial aspects of retirement. And he's currently training for IRONMAN competition.

In this episode, Stephen Armstrong and Dwight Mihalicz dive into a fascinating discussion on how Management Consulting is evolving in an era of unprecedented change. The MC profession is at a pivotal moment in history. As businesses navigate the challenges of the digital age, consultants are transforming how they deliver value to their clients. This transformation is not just about technology; it's about adapting to new expectations, addressing challenges like cybersecurity and sustainability, and ensuring ethical practices in a rapidly changing world. Tune in to explore how Management Consulting is evolving to meet these demands and what this means for the future of the profession.   Guest Bio  Dwight Mihalicz is President of Effective Managers™ and a thought leader in management consulting. He is a Former Chair of the International Council of Management Consulting Institutes (ICMCI), and Author of Consulting Through Uncertainty: A Global Perspective and The Effective CEO.  He is Creator of the Effective Point of Accountability® framework, used globally to improve organizational effectiveness.  He is known for guiding the consulting profession through disruption and innovation. He has expertise in adapting consulting practices for the digital age while ensuring professionalism and measurable results. 

In this episode, Stephen Armstrong and Dwight Mihalicz dive into a fascinating discussion on how Management Consulting is evolving in an era of unprecedented change. The MC profession is at a pivotal moment in history. As businesses navigate the challenges of the digital age, consultants are transforming how they deliver value to their clients. This transformation is not just about technology; it's about adapting to new expectations, addressing challenges like cybersecurity and sustainability, and ensuring ethical practices in a rapidly changing world. Tune in to explore how Management Consulting is evolving to meet these demands and what this means for the future of the profession.   Guest Bio  Dwight Mihalicz is President of Effective Managers™ and a thought leader in management consulting. He is a Former Chair of the International Council of Management Consulting Institutes (ICMCI), and Author of Consulting Through Uncertainty: A Global Perspective and The Effective CEO.  He is Creator of the Effective Point of Accountability® framework, used globally to improve organizational effectiveness.  He is known for guiding the consulting profession through disruption and innovation. He has expertise in adapting consulting practices for the digital age while ensuring professionalism and measurable results. 

In this episode, Hoda Kilani invites Katherine Jennick and Bella Doswell to share their united vision, unique mission and the reasons they started the #SoMuchMoreThanTalkingAboutJobs campaign. If you were asked to start a campaign and promote a hashtag, what would that hashtag be? Take some time to think about it. Listen to get inspired, reflect and answer! Join Hoda and her guests on Career Buzz and increase your Career knowledge. Bella and Katherine are behind the global movement that aims to unite Career Development Professionals aka CDPs around the world to tell our friends, professional allies and the public about the benefits our work bring to individuals, the economy and society. On February 3rd, CDPs from all parts of the globe will take part in a LinkedIn flash mob, which will see them creating posts showcasing the work they all do behind the scenes.  CDPs will be writing a piece, posting a photo or image that encapsulates what they do behind the scenes in their job. If you are a CDP and you want to get involved, you have options. You can create your post and send it to LinkedIn on the 3rd of February. Alternatively, look out for your CDP friends and colleagues on the day, and keep an eye out for the hashtag on LinkedIn.  When you see the posts, please follow, like, comment and support CDPs and the hashtag#SoMuchMoreThanTalkingAboutJobs campaign in raising awareness about the work that Career Development Professionals do.

In this episode, Hoda Kilani invites Katherine Jennick and Bella Doswell to share their united vision, unique mission and the reasons they started the #SoMuchMoreThanTalkingAboutJobs campaign. If you were asked to start a campaign and promote a hashtag, what would that hashtag be? Take some time to think about it. Listen to get inspired, reflect and answer! Join Hoda and her guests on Career Buzz and increase your Career knowledge. Bella and Katherine are behind the global movement that aims to unite Career Development Professionals aka CDPs around the world to tell our friends, professional allies and the public about the benefits our work bring to individuals, the economy and society. On February 3rd, CDPs from all parts of the globe will take part in a LinkedIn flash mob, which will see them creating posts showcasing the work they all do behind the scenes.  CDPs will be writing a piece, posting a photo or image that encapsulates what they do behind the scenes in their job. If you are a CDP and you want to get involved, you have options. You can create your post and send it to LinkedIn on the 3rd of February. Alternatively, look out for your CDP friends and colleagues on the day, and keep an eye out for the hashtag on LinkedIn.  When you see the posts, please follow, like, comment and support CDPs and the hashtag#SoMuchMoreThanTalkingAboutJobs campaign in raising awareness about the work that Career Development Professionals do.

Have your thoughts about the post-holiday re-entry to work been filled with anticipation…or dread?Sure, work is work and the first week back in a new year or even after a weekend can sometimes make us long for activities like bingeing favourite shows and playing board games with family and friends. But when you're in a fulfilling role, you enjoy your work.The “Sunday Scaries” (that anxiety feeling at the end of the weekend or holiday) should not be a thing.So, if you're feeling that way, could it mean you're not in the right role? Or the role was right two years ago but now you're feeling stuck? Or maybe your priorities have changed and you're pondering what's next in your life's journey?Book a check-upOne way to explore these feelings is to sign up for a career check-up. Career professionals use these single, focused consultations to help you assess the health of your career. Just as you would go to the doctor if your stomach was feeling persistently “off” or you would visit the physiotherapist for ongoing back pain, it makes sense to take action when you're feeling that way about your career. Even when you're feeling fine, doctors still recommend periodic check-ups—same idea.Of course, just as some people hesitate to visit the doctor, many let their unrest about career issues fester. It's easy to stay wistfully wondering for too long when you would really benefit from taking even a small step that will help you address your worries about work. Are those who hesitate the same people who wait until a cavity gets worse before they visit the dentist?How it worksSince career is a big topic, a check-up typically begins by identifying a particular issue you want to focus on, whether it's starting a job search, finding a better role within your organization, deciding on which education and training options to help your career trajectory, or any other concern that's been keeping you up at night. Career professionals will typically ask you to share reflections or any actions you've taken, so that by the time your check-up is scheduled, your counsellor can maximize your time together with targeted conversations. By the end of the call, you will have concrete suggestions about next steps, including a prescription that will help to improve your career wellness.Even if the result is just to make a few tweaks in your current work routines or get concrete about positioning yourself for promotion, career professionals note that it never hurts to affirm you're still fulfilled by your career. After all, work takes up so much of our days—about 80,000 hours across one's lifespan—and the worst would be to look back with regret if you could have taken action. When you think about it, your career is not just a single job but a major part of your life, so don't rest until it's a “full expression of who you are,” which is part of a career definition.Another sign for some that it's time for a check-up is when you realize you're burdening your spouse, best friend, other best friend, or work acquaintance about your career worries. If you've been guilty of this (or if you're the sympathetic ear), know that you'll get better advice from an actual career professional with many hours of counselling experience and a track record of success in guiding others through your same questions.Big benefitsBesides helping analyze a particular problem, career professionals also help you see the big picture, to reflect on how your career fits into your life and goals. Your past, your skills, your interests and your desire to do good in the world all have a big impact on creating a career that you will love. Career professionals are interested in knowing what unique mix of strengths and desires make you happy at work and in life. In other words? A holistic view.Without career check-ups, people risk another year of unhappiness, in a job that doesn't suit them. In 2024, Canadian HR Reporter magazine quoted a report by recruiter Hays Canada that noted 71 percent of workers wanted to leave their jobs in the next 12 months. The report noted that figure was up from 61 percent the previous year. How would you rate your job satisfaction, and importantly, how has it changed from a year ago? Wouldn't it be sad if you waited yet another year before getting a check up? If your sense of fulfilment has gone down, or even stayed the same, commit to this being the year you take action.When you enlist feedback from people whose entire job is focused on helping others with their careers, even starting the clarification will feel like progress as you finally begin to admit that you're ready to see what's possible.Career professionals themselves thrive on witnessing clients move from unease to satisfaction in their work lives. When people find roles that are a better fit, their whole energy changes. Even a move from mild dissatisfaction to renewed enthusiasm within your own job can feel amazing. If there's ever one last present to give yourself at the start of a new year, it's the gift of certainty that you're doing everything you can to make the most of your time and talents in the workplace, and in the world.The CareerCycles Career Check-up includes a private and confidential 75-minute interactive virtual session using an evidence-based narrative approach, a pre-reflection to maximize check-up effectiveness, and a prescription for next steps that will help move you towards your goals. Find out more at www.careercheckup.ca 

Have your thoughts about the post-holiday re-entry to work been filled with anticipation…or dread? Sure, work is work and the first week back in a new year or even after a weekend can sometimes make us long for activities like bingeing favourite shows and playing board games with family and friends. But when you're in a fulfilling role, you enjoy your work. The “Sunday Scaries” (that anxiety feeling at the end of the weekend or holiday) should not be a thing. So, if you're feeling that way, could it mean you're not in the right role? Or the role was right two years ago but now you're feeling stuck? Or maybe your priorities have changed and you're pondering what's next in your life's journey? Book a check-up One way to explore these feelings is to sign up for a career check-up. Career professionals use these single, focused consultations to help you assess the health of your career. Just as you would go to the doctor if your stomach was feeling persistently “off” or you would visit the physiotherapist for ongoing back pain, it makes sense to take action when you're feeling that way about your career. Even when you're feeling fine, doctors still recommend periodic check-ups—same idea. Of course, just as some people hesitate to visit the doctor, many let their unrest about career issues fester. It's easy to stay wistfully wondering for too long when you would really benefit from taking even a small step that will help you address your worries about work. Are those who hesitate the same people who wait until a cavity gets worse before they visit the dentist? How it works Since career is a big topic, a check-up typically begins by identifying a particular issue you want to focus on, whether it's starting a job search, finding a better role within your organization, deciding on which education and training options to help your career trajectory, or any other concern that's been keeping you up at night. Career professionals will typically ask you to share reflections or any actions you've taken, so that by the time your check-up is scheduled, your counsellor can maximize your time together with targeted conversations. By the end of the call, you will have concrete suggestions about next steps, including a prescription that will help to improve your career wellness. Even if the result is just to make a few tweaks in your current work routines or get concrete about positioning yourself for promotion, career professionals note that it never hurts to affirm you're still fulfilled by your career. After all, work takes up so much of our days—about 80,000 hours across one's lifespan—and the worst would be to look back with regret if you could have taken action. When you think about it, your career is not just a single job but a major part of your life, so don't rest until it's a “full expression of who you are,” which is part of a career definition. Another sign for some that it's time for a check-up is when you realize you're burdening your spouse, best friend, other best friend, or work acquaintance about your career worries. If you've been guilty of this (or if you're the sympathetic ear), know that you'll get better advice from an actual career professional with many hours of counselling experience and a track record of success in guiding others through your same questions. Big benefits Besides helping analyze a particular problem, career professionals also help you see the big picture, to reflect on how your career fits into your life and goals. Your past, your skills, your interests and your desire to do good in the world all have a big impact on creating a career that you will love. Career professionals are interested in knowing what unique mix of strengths and desires make you happy at work and in life. In other words? A holistic view. Without career check-ups, people risk another year of unhappiness, in a job that doesn't suit them. In 2024, Canadian HR Reporter magazine quoted a report by recruiter Hays Canada that noted 71 percent of workers wanted to leave their jobs in the next 12 months. The report noted that figure was up from 61 percent the previous year. How would you rate your job satisfaction, and importantly, how has it changed from a year ago? Wouldn't it be sad if you waited yet another year before getting a check up? If your sense of fulfilment has gone down, or even stayed the same, commit to this being the year you take action. When you enlist feedback from people whose entire job is focused on helping others with their careers, even starting the clarification will feel like progress as you finally begin to admit that you're ready to see what's possible. Career professionals themselves thrive on witnessing clients move from unease to satisfaction in their work lives. When people find roles that are a better fit, their whole energy changes. Even a move from mild dissatisfaction to renewed enthusiasm within your own job can feel amazing. If there's ever one last present to give yourself at the start of a new year, it's the gift of certainty that you're doing everything you can to make the most of your time and talents in the workplace, and in the world. The CareerCycles Career Check-up includes a private and confidential 75-minute interactive virtual session using an evidence-based narrative approach, a pre-reflection to maximize check-up effectiveness, and a prescription for next steps that will help move you towards your goals. Find out more at www.careercheckup.ca