Creative Disruption with Marguerite O'Neal

David Krueger is the CEO and Executive Mentor Coach at MentorPath, a training, executive coaching, wellness, and publishing firm. He developed a system that helps individuals achieve a higher level of productivity and performance through neuro conditioning. Some of David’s robust clientele includes actors, pro athletes, and leaders in executive positions and high-risk, high-reward situations.   David joins me today to share how you can rewire your mind to manage stress more efficiently and explains the possible root causes of what can stress a person out. He describes the importance of mindful meditation, breathing techniques, and acknowledging that some stressors aren’t the cause, but the result of trauma. David also discusses his Neural Conditioning Chart and how you can differentiate a mental detour from a mental distraction.   "Mindfulness is simply a mental mode of engagement." - David Krueger   Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast:   David’s background and a good technique to rewire your brain to a grounded state. The clients he works with and how he helps them manage stress. How he developed the microsystem he uses to help his clients manage stress. What the Neural Conditioning Chart is and how it works. How negative self-talk can serve as a trigger. A breathing technique that works to relieve stress. Differentiating between a mental detour and a mental distraction. Resources Mentioned:   Book: Tinker Dabble Doodle Try by Dr. Srini Pillay   Connect with David Krueger:   MentorPath   Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.

    Hendrik Nieuwland is one of the Partners at boutique management-side labor and employment firm Shields O'Donnell MacKillop, LLP. He is a litigator and is responsible for helping clients solve problems practically and cost-effectively. Some of the cases he has represented include wrongful dismissal, human rights applications, and employment standards complaints. Apart from being a Partner, Hendrik has also authored several legal texts as well as content for many legal magazines.   Hendrik joins me today to discuss how mental health should be handled in a business. He shares his opinions on the current coronavirus outbreak and what employers can do to support their employees who are self-quarantining or working from home. He describes how most employers treat mental health in the workplace and the common mistakes they make. Hendrik also explains why organization leaders shouldn’t be afraid to ask about their employee’s mental health and how to handle violent situations involving their employees.       “One of the biggest mistakes employers make about mental health is they don't ask questions.” - Hendrik Nieuwland       Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast:   The current state of COVID-19 cases in Canada. Hendrik’s take on traveling and quarantining during the coronavirus outbreak. How employers should deal with mental health and stress-related burnout. Hendrik’s thoughts on working from home and the levels of productivity. Common sources of stressors for both leaders and employees. Why leaders shouldn't be afraid to ask about a person's mental health. How companies can provide mental health programs for employees who need them. What to do during a situation where an employee becomes violent. Common mistakes employers make regarding people on leave due to mental health.       Connect with Hendrik Nieuwland:   Shields O’Donnell MacKillop, LLP LinkedIn         Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.  

    Vanessa Vakharia is also known as The Math Guru. More than simply someone who loves teaching math to kids, she is also someone who wants to prove that wanting to learn math and being creative do not need to be two different ideas. She frequently appears on TV as an expert math educator and speaks out about gender stereotypes in STEM. Vanessa is also the host of the Math Therapy podcast, where she works through people’s math traumas.   Vanessa joins me today to discuss how she helps beat the stereotype threat around girls who enjoy math. She explains how she plans to innovate the classroom to make it more holistic and less rigid and describes what led her on this journey of becoming The Math Guru. Vanessa also shares why many people still hesitate to follow their entrepreneurial dreams and start a business.       “People often pigeonhole creatives as being this artsy type, and along with that goes the other stereotypes.” - Vanessa Vakharia       Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast:   What a stereotype threat is and why it's important to address it. When she found out she wanted to be an entrepreneur. Changing people's perceptions regarding creative and logical stereotypes. Why her parents sent her to a creative school and what she learned. How women can be more comfortable around STEM. Why people hesitate to start a business. How she aims to promote education innovation.     Connect with Vanessa Vakharia:   The Math Guru LinkedIn Podcast: Math Therapy         Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.  

    Natalie Prychitko is the CEO of the Whitby Chamber of Commerce, a platform that connects member organizations and companies through events, advocacy, and partnerships. She has over 25 years of experience in managing teams and large organizations. Some of her specialties include diverse strategic programs, gradual adoption of new systems, and generating effective business results. She is also a member of the Board of Directors at Durham Workforce Authority.   Natalie joins me to discuss her thoughts on generating positive disruption in the workplace. She shares what her typical day looks like and how she maintains a strict morning routine. She describes the experiences that made her become a good fit for the position of CEO. Natalie also explains the importance of relaying the rationale behind critical business directives and how you can be a champion of disruption in your company.       “Don't worry about deviating a little and experiencing something new.” - Natalie Prychitko       Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast:   What an ordinary day looks like for Natalie. Balancing being an early bird and socializing at night. The experiences and lessons that helped her become the CEO of the Whitby Chamber of Commerce. The benefits of having a diverse set of managers and leaders. Why communicating the reasons behind business decisions is critical. Defining what disruption means from a leadership perspective. How you can bring disruption to an otherwise rigid system. The new technologies and apps she introduced to various chambers. What she wants her legacy to be.     Resources Mentioned:   Durham Workforce Authority     Connect with Natalie Prychitko:   Whitby Chamber of Commerce LinkedIn         Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.  

    Nancy Shaw is the CEO of the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce, an organization that aims to be the voice of business for Greater Oshawa. They provide leadership support, promotion of business opportunities, and business-to-business cooperation throughout the community. Before her appointment as CEO, Nancy has firmly established her persona in the community, coming in with prior experience as an Executive Officer and Executive Assistant for other community service-oriented organizations.   Nancy joins me today to share her thoughts and ideas regarding gender diversity in executive positions. She describes her role and responsibilities as the CEO of the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce. She explains what being a leader means in today’s world and how young people can become good leaders. Nancy also discusses some of the best ways for young people to start a business and what she believes the future holds for gender diversity in executive leadership roles.       “If you’re going to be anything in this world - be kind.” - Nancy Shaw       Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast:   Ideas she wants to be implemented in the Chamber of Commerce in the future. The stigma she wants to remove from the Chamber. What her role as CEO entails and how she enacts it. Her definition of leadership and what it means. The positive changes she observes in Oshawa. The resources that are available to people that want to start a business. Nancy’s most notable achievements as CEO. What the future holds for gender diversity in higher positions.     Resources mentioned:   Business Advisory Centre Durham     Connect with Nancy Shaw:   Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce LinkedIn         Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.  

    Jody Swain is the Founder of Hire and Fire Your Kids, a gamified parenting app that allows kids to simulate how real-world hiring and jobs work. The goal of the app is to establish a parent-child bond that revolves around chores, self-accountability, and trust. The app has been featured in several media and publications including Savvy Sassy Moms, Dragons’ Den, and CityNews, and was the recipient of the 2020 Mompreneurs Award. Jody has always had the entrepreneurial spirit, and while it did take some time, the skills and experiences she gathered in merchandising, retail, and sales helped her pave the way to start her very own company.   Jody joins me today to discuss what “Hire and Fire Your Kids” is and how it works. She explains how the app helps children build values and build a stronger bond with their parents. She shares how she gained funding for the company and how she pitched it to investors. Jody also describes how best to overcome failure and get back on the path to success.       “If you want to do it, do it. If you fail at it, fail fast, learn from it, and do it again." - Jody Swain       Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast:   How Jody started her entrepreneurial journey. What it was like being a child entrepreneur. What "Hire and Fire Your Kids" is all about and what it teaches kids. The gameplay mechanics and how the game works. What to do when preparing for a pitch. How the game helps parents know what their kids can do. Overcoming the fear that hindered your success. The Kickstarter campaign that reached its goal. What Jody wants her app to change in the entrepreneurial world.       Connect with Jody Swain:   Hire and Fire Your Kids LinkedIn         Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.  

Hendrik Nieuwland is a Partner at Shields O'Donnell MacKillop, LLP., a boutique management-side labor, and employment firm. As Partner, Hendrik is a litigator in charge of solving client problems in a practical, cost-effective, and efficient manner. He has represented a wide range of employment and labor disputes such as wrongful dismissal, employment standards complaints, and human rights applications. Hendrik is also active in the legal community, having authored numerous legal texts as well as contributed to many legal magazines. Hendrik joins me today to share his thoughts on how current activist movements have shaped the way the court system works and treats work-related cases. He describes his specializations and the type of representation he provides. He discusses employment-related options that have arisen due to the coronavirus outbreak. Hendrik also explains why he lost interest in becoming a biochemist and instead chose to practice law. “Having a mentor is essential.” - Hendrik Nieuwland   Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast: Hendrik’s current role at the firm and what they are as a company. Why he changed his mind about biochemistry to become a lawyer. Hendrik’s tips when it comes to looking for a mentor. His thoughts on the recent coronavirus problem. Possible considerations for work-from-home employees. Special cases he's handled regarding harassment and #MeToo. How he handles mental health and stress-related cases. Why he likes getting involved in the legal community. Connect with Hendrik Nieuwland: Shields O’Donnell MacKillop LinkedIn   Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.  

Steve Higgins is a singer, conductor, musician, soloist, and performer. He is the owner of Steve Higgins Productions, a company known for providing elegant musical entertainment across a variety of genres. His life as a singer started in Jamaica, where he sang at churches and chorales. It was when he moved to South Florida, where Steve took singing seriously, travelling all over the world to sing at many events and for organizations. Steve joins me today to share his thoughts on music and why music, just like love, is a universal language. He describes what his life was like before he became a professional singer. He discusses the spiritual aspect of music and how it relates to people even though they may speak a different language. Steve also explains what it’s like to sing in front of an audience and how he wants his leadership to impact the world.    “Music is the language of love and it is music that will tear down all man-made barriers.” - Steve Higgins   Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast: How he developed his love for music at an early age. His belief in music and why it will promote harmony. Why a lot of people, regardless of language, are touched by music. What Valentine's week means to him and the music he recommends. How you can appreciate different genres of music. What it's like to sing in front of an audience. Summarizing his impact as a global leader. Connect with Steve Higgins: Steve Higgins Productions Facebook Join Steve for his performance in Brampton on March 28th, 2020.         Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.

    Welcome to the first episode of Season 3! If you have been an avid listener of the Creative Disruption show since the beginning, thank you for your continued support. If you’re a new listener, welcome to the Creative Disruption podcast! Last year’s theme was all about legacy, burnout and local businesses. This season’s theme is all about 21st Century Leadership, and I can’t wait to have guests who will share their wisdom with you.   In this season’s first episode, I discuss why I went with 21st Century Leadership as the theme of season 3. I share an interesting story about a previous guest and why she wasn’t worried about her legacy. I describe the legacies left behind by two influential people and how they have affected the world. I also share the lessons I’ve learned about living in the moment.       “How we apply ourselves to our work and every action we take, we are building a legacy - a legacy that is lived moment by moment.” - Marguerite O’Neal       Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast:   The new name of season 3 and why I chose it. What it means to live in the present. Measuring success for more than what you can be remembered for. My reaction to Kobe Bryant's recent passing and what he left behind. What my late guru shared with me about creative disruption. Exploring what it means to be a leader in the 21st century.         Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.  

Carol Baxter is a yogi, life coach, writer, and training facilitator. She owns a platform that offers services to help clients live their best life. She is the creator of The Confidence Project, an online program and interactive journal that combines personal narrative, journaling, and a variety of tools and exercises as well as meditation to empower its users. Carol also offers the Tribal Trance Flow class in her studio. It is a mix of guided flow and free-form movements that fuses yoga and tribal dance.   Carol joins me today to share how her life changed when she started getting in touch with her inner self through mindful meditation and yoga. She describes what her life was like as a sensitive child and her coping mechanisms throughout adulthood. She explains how she was able to unlock her true potential and the drive that made her want to help others. Carol also discusses how the Confidence Project and Tribal Trance Flow can help empower you to the next level.   “Positive stress helps fuel who you are.” - Carol Baxter   Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast:   What her vision of the best version of herself was as a child. The challenges of being a sensitive child and how she coped. How leaders can help someone who lacks self-esteem and confidence in business. Carol’s tips to become confident in speaking. Why she decided to open her studio. The difference between positive and negative stress. What the Tribal Trance Flow class teaches students. Getting in touch with your inner self through meditation.   Connect with Carol Baxter:   Official website The Confidence Project Tribal Trance Flow   Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.

  Dr. Carlos Davidovich is the Vice President in Coaching and Neuromanagement at Optimum Talent. Originally from Argentina, Carlos was brought to Canada to bring the concept of neuromanagement and neuromarketing to organizations and businesses. He acquired his scientific background as a medical doctor and an executive at a pharmaceutical business. In his desire to reinvent himself, he went to Europe in 2000 where he learned about and focused on leadership development and coaching for more than a decade. Aside from being an executive coach at Optimum Talent, Carlos also teaches neuromanagement as a professor at the University of New York in Prague under the MBA program and gives lectures at the Rotman School of Management in Toronto under the EMBA program. Today, Carlos joins me to share the significance of having diversity of thought and the growth mindset in the success of your company. He also shares some of the criteria and characteristics that make a successful leader, and how you can leave a leadership legacy in your team.   “The growth mindset is about resilience.” - Dr. Carlos Davidovich   Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast: Defining neuroleadership and neuromanagement Fixed mindset versus growth mindset and their impact on your business Effects of having the fixed mindset in managers and businesses Defining innovation and why innovative people work with a team Identifying the biases that affect your organization and decision-making   Carlos’ Advice for Future-Proofing Your Business: Don’t rely only on your own perception. Look for a mentor or people on your team who think differently than you so you can constantly check your point of view. Be decisive. Use the information available to you and explore alternative ways of doing things.   Connect with Carlos Davidovich: Email: cdavidovich@optimumtalent.com     Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.

    Dr. David Weiss is the President and CEO of Weiss International Ltd., an innovation, leadership, and HR consulting firm based in Toronto, Canada. He is the author of Leadership-Driven HR: Transforming HR to Deliver Value for the Business, and co-author of The Leadership Gap: Building Leadership Capacity for Competitive Advantage and Innovative Intelligence: The Art and Practice of Leading Sustainable Innovation in Your Organization. He has received numerous awards and recognition throughout his career, including the HR Leadership Award by the Asia-Pacific HR Congress and the HR Distinction Award by the Israel HR Association. In addition to helping businesses and organizations discover effective leadership, innovation, and human resource solutions, David is also a highly sought-after motivational speaker, having delivered over 250 presentations and workshop sessions worldwide. David joins me today to discuss how CEOs and executive leaders can crush complexity, calm conflict, and make effective decisions while facing complex situations. He explains the difference between a complicated issue and a complex situation and how CEOs can deal with and leverage unknown, complex problems within their organization.   "To deal with unknowns, the CEO needs to create an environment where people are openly willing to discuss what they don't know"- Dr. David Weiss   Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast: Factors responsible for the increased complexity in an organization How ambiguity and uncertainty is causing a significant level of complexity in various business situations How to identify complex situations vs complicated problems Why “design thinking” is critical to your business How CEOs can facilitate conversations around complex problems and what red flags to watch for Creating an environment of diverse thinking, authenticity, and honesty The importance of looking for ways to expand your team’s horizons on an individual level The importance of creating a culture of asking questions What is constructive dissent The importance of accepting - and expecting - fresh opinions What are “pre-mortem plans” in business and how they can help you mitigate risks sooner How having silos in your organization can indicate a low probability of innovation   Connect with Dr. David Weiss: Weiss International Ltd. Phone: (416) 944-9080

Lorraine Sunstrum-Mann is the CEO of the Grandview Children’s Centre, an independent, non-profit organization that provides specialized programs, support, and outpatient clinical treatment to children with special needs. Their services include occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and preschool outreach programs. Lorraine is experienced in clinical practice transformation, strategic and operational planning, clinical program development, and team building.   Lorraine joins me today to share how Grandview manages and helps children with special needs. She discusses how their company works, the growth they’ve experienced, and how they extend support beyond the walls of their office. She shares her thoughts on the current rate of autism and anxiety in young children and how Grandview is helping families properly identify and address anxiety concerns. Lorraine also discusses their plans for expansion and the kind of legacy she wants to leave behind.   “Our mission at Grandview is to make sure that every child and youth - and their family - are able to live life at their full potential.” - Lorraine Sunstrum-Mann   Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast:   What a typical day for Lorraine looks like. The number of children they serve each year and why they expect their referral rate to double by next year. How their business found the funding and government support they currently receive. The current rate of autism and the number of autistic children Grandview serves. The current rate of anxiety in young children and how Grandview is helping parents and children address this concern. How she keeps their employees motivated while working with children with special needs. Lorraine’s career trajectory and how she got to where she is today. Their plans for expansion and how they plan to move their best practices forward through the expansion of their company.   Connect with Lorraine Sunstrum-Mann:   Grandview Children's Centre   Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.

After overcoming a health struggle, Amy Longard decided to make a career shift from strategic communications to culinary and consulting. Amy had formal training from the Natural Gourmet Institute in New York and has been passionate about promoting wellness and holistic nutrition. She is a coach, consultant, nutritionist, plant-based chef, and speaker who works across Canada and abroad. Amy joins me on today’s episode to share what brought her to pursue plant-based foods and how she channeled her passion for health care. She also shares practical tips on how you can add something healthy on your meals without losing its appeal, how to eat healthy while enjoying the parties during the holidays, and details of her upcoming nutrition and wellness program that’s launching in January 2018.   “What we eat is truly affecting what we feel.” - Amy Longard   Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast: Factors that contribute to how you feel The turning point of her career-change How she realized she’s a health activist How she reaches out to others about healthy food Benefits of consuming seaweed Her advice to Santa that might help him through the holidays Feeling nourished versus feeling bloated The inspiration for her eBook project   Connect with Amy Longard: Amy Longard Website Amy Longard on Instagram Amy Longard on Facebook     Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.

When Kathryn Brenne started sewing at a very young age, she knew she found her passion in life. Sewing for 50 years, Kathryn founded The Academy of Fine Sewing and Design in 2000 and is a founding member and a former president of the Canadian Professional Sewing Association. She is one of the contributing designers and editors at Vogue Patterns. She gives lectures in Canada and the US and spearheads fun, educational tours concerning sewing, fashion, and culture in New York, London, and Paris. Kathryn joins me on today’s episode to share how her business helps support the economy in North Bay and how open-mindedness plays a role, not only in creating designs, but also in the workforce of other industries. She defines what a “vogue woman” is and why this is her target audience, where she gets her design inspirations from, and why she nurtures young people who desire to be future entrepreneurs.   “If you have an open mind, the inspiration can come from food, outdoors, nature, architecture.” - Kathryn Brenne   Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast: Why she prefers to use beautiful and expensive fabric over cheaper ones How she combines different sewing techniques Why Vogue likes her designs Creating patterns for accessories Fashion advice for Mrs. Clause for the holidays How she knew she would have to go global with her business Why she nurtures young entrepreneurs Sewing leather: Her experience, education, and way of teaching others Similarities between fashion and running a business How her partnerships benefit her students and workshops How Instagram becomes a family affair and a means to grow her business   Kathryn’s Advice for Future-Proofing Your Business: Do your best and strive for the best results. Streamline your business based on the reaction you’re getting.   Connect with Kathryn Brenne: Fine Sewing Website Email:kathryn@finesewing.com Couture Workshops in May The Body Double Workshop The Bias Cut Wool Dress Workshop The Classic French Quilted Handbag Workshop London, England Tour and Workshop with Jon Moore   Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.

  Meryl Cook wrote the book One Loop at a Time: A Story of Rug Hooking, Healing and Creativity  to share her new approach to life after her cancer diagnosis. As she dealt with cancer, Meryl developed a process that would further her healing and unblock her creativity at the same time. Today, she is a cancer survivor, creativity workshop leader, and a speaker who inspires women across the country to engage in activities that would help them unlock their creativity and look forward to their present and future. Meryl joins me today to share how she started her rug-hooking project that led to the creation of the healing mat workshops. She also explains the different strategies to heal yourself and connect with your body and how she chooses the colors of her mats through the Chakra Color Theory. She also discusses her upcoming book launch this November and the other plans she has to reach out to more women in the near future.   “Your body hears what your mind says about it.” - Meryl Cook   Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast: Meryl’s first wakeup call through a motorcycle accident Seeking emotional healing by accepting and loving your body Healing techniques that Meryl’s students come up with in her workshops How she and her students come up with mat designs How she assesses whether to accept or decline a social invitation Setting priorities by paying attention to how you feel The purpose of the meditation phrase around the mat What cancer taught her about her body, time, and energy   Meryl’ Advice for Future-Proofing Your Business: At work, spend time on the ones that have energy and are working for you. Take the time to renew, refresh, and reflect. Don’t wait to get all the answers. Start one step at a time.   Connect with Meryl Cook: Meryl Cook Website One Loop at a Time Book   Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.  

    A new decade starts in a few weeks, and the best way to end this season is to ponder the many ways thought leaders can rewire their minds to think big. What should a decision-maker be concerned about in 2020? How should companies improve on existing innovations and become more reachable to their consumers?   In today’s season finale episode, I share the three different ways leaders can improve their mindset to tackle the challenges the new year will bring. I describe some of the concerns leaders face all over the world and how they should tackle these obstacles. I also explain the importance of becoming familiar with new technology, keeping up with trends, and creating better customer engagement.   Happy Holidays and see you next year!         “It is very easy for us to sit back and allow things to change.” - Marguerite O’Neal       Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast:   How research and new developments may be biased. The concerns of many decision-makers across the globe. What it takes to rewire our minds to become better consumers. Becoming comfortable using new technologies. Using social networks and search engines to learn more about trends. The importance of communication between consumers and your company.         Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.

CD003 3-D Printing of Live Tissue with Laura Bosworth   Laura Bosworth is the CEO of TeVido BioDevices, a company dedicated to developing cutting-edge reconstructive and cosmetic surgery and advanced cellular therapy techniques for breast cancer survivors. She has been recognized as a former Fortune 50 executive, received her Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering, and volunteered with several non-profit organizations focused on supporting women’s needs in S.T.E.M fields.   Laura joins me today to share her journey, why she became inspired to develop cellular therapy and manufacturing techniques within the healthcare industry, as well as the challenges she has faced as a startup CEO. She also shares her insight on what it takes to be a successful startup entrepreneur and the importance of remaining flexible in your work environment.     “The key is perseverance, stubbornness, and flexibility.” - Laura Bosworth     Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast:   How being curious about how her role within an organization related to the “bigger picture” helped open the doors of opportunity for future career advancement Her challenges as the CEO of a startup company How she found financial support as a startup CEO Understanding the need of the customer and linking it to funding Changes she would like to see in the healthcare industry Challenges associated with being on the leading edge of technology The challenges of bringing healthcare manufacturing costs down to provide solutions to more people How she attracts and retains people in her organization Honing in on the “missing piece” of your customers to future-proof your business     Laura Bosworth’s Advice for Startup CEOs:   Listen to advisors and ask them “why?” Stay with it, but don’t be too stubborn.     Connect with Laura Bosworth:   TeVido BioDevices Email: Bosworth@TeVidoBioDevices.com   Subscribe, Connect, Share   Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.  

    The word ‘gossip’ has become a rather negative term for sharing stories a person has heard with other people. When you hear the word, you think of celebrities, neighborhood scandals, and maybe someone in the office who is being a little naughtier than usual. However, gossiping may have a place in a team or organizational setting. How can gossip be a useful tool? Is there a good time and place to gossip? What does gossiping have to do with leading?   In today’s episode, I share some of the key reasons why I believe good leaders should gossip. I discuss a few example scenarios where gossip is beneficial. I explain why gossiping is in our nature as social animals and how gossiping helps bring people together. I also describe how gossiping had personally benefited my social life, both in and outside of work, especially when I was part of a dragon boat team.       “Gossip is a form of social bonding.” - Marguerite O’Neal       Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast:   Why I think leaders should gossip more. The benefits of gossip in workplaces. Why gossiping is not inherently hateful. The social and intimate benefits of gossiping. How gossiping has made me feel loved and accepted.     Resources Mentioned:   Lainey Gossip         Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.

Sangbreeta Moitra is a prominent TEDx award-winning speaker and named as one of the Top 400 Inspiring Women in the Netherlands. She has won numerous Dutch, Indian, and European awards including the prestigious TEDxRotterdam Jury Award for her speech Transform Your Presence. Sangbreeta joins me to share her insights on how you can transform your presence, live on purpose, and inspire others. She shares the questions she asks to connect deeply with people, some pieces of advice for speakers and visionaries who are introverts by nature, and the one thing you should never compromise.   “Connect with people on a deep level and show them why you care and why they should care.” - Sangbreeta Moitra   Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast: How Sangbreeta became an international thought leader in transformation Questions she asks people to look at themselves beyond the work they do A time when she felt incomplete and where this led her How she felt when Viva made her one of the Top 400 Inspiring Women Why it’s crucial for professionals to transform their presence What it means to have ordinary lives with extraordinary values How she continually improves herself One of the first things she realized about creating her own identity Entrepreneurial mindset and intergenerational differences Why she wants to be remembered as someone powerful, alive, and radiant   Sangbreeta’s Advice in Transforming Your Presence: Expect honesty when you share honesty and authenticity. Make your audience feel that they matter -- that’s all that’s important. You must make people feel that you believe in them, that you care about them. It’s not about you -- it’s about who you’re speaking with. The end result is always, “What should they feel? What should they know? What should they remember?” Do not copy success stories or be a second-rate version of someone else. Do not climb someone else’s mountain. Climb your own mountain.   Connect with Sangbreeta Moitra: Sangbreeta Moitra Website Sangbreeta Moitra on LinkedIn Sangbreeta Moitra on Instagram Subscribe on her website to get her monthly check-ins: Three Tips on Transformation   Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.  

Carol Baxter is a yogi, life coach, writer, and training facilitator. She owns a platform that offers services to help clients live their best life. She is the creator of The Confidence Project, an online program and interactive journal that combines personal narrative, journaling, and a variety of tools and exercises as well as meditation to empower its users. Carol also offers the Tribal Trance Flow class in her studio. It is a mix of guided flow and free-form movements that fuses yoga and tribal dance.   Carol joins me today to share how her life changed when she started getting in touch with her inner self through mindful meditation and yoga. She describes what her life was like as a sensitive child and her coping mechanisms throughout adulthood. She explains how she was able to unlock her true potential and the drive that made her want to help others. Carol also discusses how the Confidence Project and Tribal Trance Flow can help empower you to the next level.   “Positive stress helps fuel who you are.” - Carol Baxter   Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast:   What her vision of the best version of herself was as a child. The challenges of being a sensitive child and how she coped. How leaders can help someone who lacks self-esteem and confidence in business. Carol’s tips to become confident in speaking. Why she decided to open her studio. The difference between positive and negative stress. What the Tribal Trance Flow class teaches students. Getting in touch with your inner self through meditation.   Connect with Carol Baxter:   Official website The Confidence Project Tribal Trance Flow   Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.

Teresa Shaver is the Executive Director of Business Advisory Center Durham (BACD), a nonprofit organization that provides services that support the success of business owners. Her responsibilities include strategic plan execution and operations management. She specializes in fundraising, grant writing, stakeholder collaborations, public speaking, and social media marketing and strategizing. Teresa obtained her Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Masters Certificate in Public Sector Management from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.   Teresa joins me today to explain the importance of validating your business idea and getting the right type of support for it. She shares what Business Advisory Center Durham can offer business owners and the coaching programs they provide. She describes the drawbacks of being a nonprofit organization in this industry. Teresa also shares what she does outside of work and how meditation and yoga have changed the way she looks at life.       “So much of being an entrepreneur is actually believing in yourself.” - Teresa Shaver       Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast:   Why it’s important to validate your business idea. Keeping your energy high despite numerous setbacks. How their company can help business owners grow. What type of company they are and what sets them apart. Ensuring their business remains lucrative and successful. The different stigmas they experience in this type of industry. Adapting new marketing strategies to engage new types of consumers. The importance of having a coach in business. The beneficial effects of yoga on her life and philosophy.     Connect with Teresa Shaver:   Business Advisory Center Durham         Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.

Amanda Nicol-MacDonald is the Executive Director at Downtown Oshawa. Downtown Oshawa is a website dedicated to showcasing some of Oshawa’s best landmarks, restaurants, events, and services for both tourists and locals. She has over 10 years of experience working and volunteering in the field of leisure and recreation as well as the non-profit and private sectors. Alongside her role as Executive Director, Amanda is also currently undertaking a Master of Arts degree in Applied Health Sciences and is expected to graduate in 2020.   Amanda joins me today to discuss her role as Executive Director and the changes she wants to enact for Downtown Oshawa. She describes her academic merits and what it’s like to be a student and a public worker at the same time. She explains the problems Oshawa has and her proposed solutions for them. She also shares why the organization is rebranding and what we can expect after this overhaul.       “Accept what’s around you. Give what you can. Take what they’re offering when it comes to people.” - Amanda MacDonald       Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast:   Her amazing academic journey and why she chose to pursue business studies. How she juggles running a business while obtaining a Master's degree. What inspired her to get started in this industry. Her aspirations for what Oshawa can be in the near future. The problems that plague Oshawa and how she plans to help solve them. Their recent projects and what we can expect from their recent rebranding. The changes in mindset and the confidence required to work her position. Why millennials are the real leaders today and her advice for millennials.     Connect with Amanda MacDonald:   Downtown Oshawa         Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.

Lorraine Sunstrum-Mann is the CEO of the Grandview Children’s Centre, an independent, non-profit organization that provides specialized programs, support, and outpatient clinical treatment to children with special needs. Their services include occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and preschool outreach programs. Lorraine is experienced in clinical practice transformation, strategic and operational planning, clinical program development, and team building. Lorraine Sunstrum-Mann joins me today to share how Grandview manages and helps children with special needs. She discusses how their company works, the growth they’ve experienced, and how they extend support beyond the walls of their office. She shares her thoughts on the current rate of autism and anxiety in young children and how Grandview is helping families properly identify and address anxiety concerns. Lorraine also discusses their plans for expansion and the kind of legacy she wants to leave behind.    “Our mission at Grandview is to make sure that every child and youth - and their family - are able to live life at their full potential.” - Lorraine Sunstrum-Mann     Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast: What a typical day for Lorraine looks like. The number of children they serve each year and why they expect their referral rate to double by next year. How their business found the funding and government support they currently receive. The current rate of autism and the number of autistic children Grandview serves. The current rate of anxiety in young children and how Grandview is helping parents and children address this concern. How she keeps their employees motivated while working with children with special needs. Lorraine’s career trajectory and how she got to where she is today. Their plans for expansion and how they plan to move their best practices forward through the expansion of their company.   Connect with Lorraine Sunstrum-Mann: Grandview Children's Centre     Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.

Roger Thompson is the Vice President of Strategy and Sustainability at First Service. First Service is a company in the essential property services sector and primarily helps manage and grow property service businesses. Roger has been with the company since 2007 and is currently in charge of progressive roles within the organization. He obtained his MBA from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management and holds multiple degrees from other schools such as Western University, York University, and D'Youville College in New York.   Roger joins me today to share what it means to have a purposeful leadership and how it ties in with their company philosophy on social purpose. He describes his role in the company and his responsibilities. He discusses the power of human connection, how his company helps the community, and how he gets his family involved. Roger also shares his philosophy on building a strong team at work as well as at home and how he is intentional about spending time with his family.       “Do things with intention.” - Roger Thompson       Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast:   His journey to becoming the Vice President of Strategy and Sustainability What it means to have a culture of service. Their unique approach to fulfilling their social responsibility. How his family gets involved in their community and provides service. The volunteer campaign Roger’s 9-year old son developed on his birthday to support Charity Water. The challenges he encountered when working with condominiums and board members. How he manages his team and the business. The challenges of separating work-life from home-life. What he would like to accomplish in the future and the legacy he would like to leave.     Connect with Roger Thompson:   First Service           Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.

Roger Martin is a world-renowned thinker, business strategist, author, and CEO adviser for big companies like Procter & Gamble, Verizon, and Lego. He serves as the Institute Director of the Martin Prosperity Institute, a company whose mission is to develop a better understanding of what it means to have shared and sustainable prosperity. He received his AB from Harvard College and his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1979 and 1981 respectively and from 1998 to 2013, he served as Dean of the Rotman School of Management. On today’s episode, Roger discusses how he came to be one of the world’s greatest business thinkers and why he decided to pursue such a career. He shares his insight on the kind of leader the future needs and the abilities that today’s leaders must have to visualize the future. He explains different types of business models and shares examples of scenarios that make use of each model. He also describes what it means to always choose the path that is least comfortable and why leaders should always strive to make difficult choices.   “Majority of the spoils in business go to those who chose to be distinctive.” - Roger Martin   Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast: How leaders can create a future that doesn’t exist yet. The thought process leaders must grasp to visualize the future. What it means to have the ability to appreciate qualities in life. Why sometimes you must watch and interpret customers instead of asking them. What is integrative thinking? Scenarios that demonstrate Roger's principles and ideas. What it means to fall in love with two opposing models. The Diversity Paradox and why it's a double-edged sword. Why we should operate outside our comfort zone. The difference between a reliable process and valid process.     Key Takeaways: Making choices is not meant to be comfortable. One of the arts of understanding customers is not to ask them questions they can't answer, but asking them questions they can answer and feel comfortable answering. Consumers are not there to design products and services. Their job is to express frustrations and longing.   Resources Mentioned: Carol Dweck - Growth Mindset Hilary Austen   Connect with Roger Martin   Roger Martin official website Martin Property Institute       Download the 4 Steps to Calm Leadership Whitepaper! Level up your leadership skills and lead your organization in a way you never have before! Discover the four critical steps to calm leadership that will stimulate courage and innovation while reducing stress. Head over to BeCalmLeadership.com to grab our new whitepaper: The 4 Steps to Calm Leadership!   Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.

  Dan Carter is the current Mayor of Oshawa and previously served four years as City and Regional Councilor. He is also a professional speaker and author of the book It’s the Right Time Now which tells the reader about his journey, struggles, and rise to success. His contributions to his local community of Oshawa is recognized, as evidenced by several honors and awards. Dan was also conferred an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws by the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.   Dan joins me today to share the importance of accepting our imperfections and brokenness in a world where perfection is used to gain fame and popularity. He describes his life growing up with substance addiction, depression, and learning challenges. He explains the need for the country to recognize its mental illness problem. Dan also discusses some of the plans he has for the future of Oshawa.       “We need to have a conversation about those who have lost hope and feel there is no hope.” - Dan Carter       Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast:   The inspiration that led Dan Carter to run for Mayor of Oshawa. The works he and his wife have done that made the people embrace them. How he overcame the struggles of addiction and cognitive challenges. The national issues that he sees need immediate solutions. How the leaders of Oshawa can help bring these issues to light. What he learned about people when his sister committed suicide. Some of his next projects for the city of Oshawa.       Connect with Dan Carter:   Dan Carter official website It’s The Right Time Now free PDF           Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.

  Gail Green is the President of Emergenetics Ontario, a company focused on human capital development. They provide various solutions to help individuals, teams, and leaders understand the people they work with through methods based on psychometric research. Gail has over 16 years of experience as a solutions provider for companies that want to build culture, develop leadership, and execute priorities.   Gail joins me today to discuss what it means to embrace diversity through mindfulness. She shares the inspiration behind the founding Emergenetics and what they want to achieve with their programs. She explains how their system works, the clients they work with, and the kind of cultural impact they can have. Gail also defines psychological safety and how leaders can create it in their organization.       “Leaders must create team norms that will create psychological safety.”- Gail Green       Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast:   What Emergenetics is all about and what drove her to start this company. The difference between being "culture blind" and being mindful of your behaviors. How Emergenetics helps leaders reconnect with their team members. What it means to embrace discomfort. The unique approach they take to hire new people. The definition of psychological safety and how leaders can create them for the company. What she wants leaders to do for their organization.     Connect with Gail Green:   Emergenetics Ontario Free eBook Email: darlene@emergeneticsontario.com or gail@emergeneticsontario.com           Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.

  Alison Galvan is a professional artist and restaurant owner of The Food and Art Cafe. True to its name, The Food and Art Cafe is a restaurant that aims to feed its customers’ feed body, mind, and spirit. Their goal is to provide an enjoyable experience that also nourishes, encourages, and supports dreamers and free spirits in conquering their goals. It took her and her husband Noel twenty years to get the restaurant to where it is today, and they’re currently eyeing expansion sometime in the near future.   Alison joins me today to share how she and her husband started The Food and Art Cafe and the sacrifices for the business that they both had to contend with on the way to success. She describes the process that named their restaurant, how she met her husband, and what sets their restaurant apart from other businesses. Alison also discusses the idea of hiring employees while also keeping the restaurant’s family feel.       “You have to be solid about your brand - who you are and why you’re doing this.” - Alison Galvan       Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast:   How they came up with the name of their restaurant. The people's reaction to their restaurant name. When she and her husband met and what inspired them to start a food business. Her husband's country and how it compares to Canada. Where she got her passion for art and how she applied it in her career. What it was like starting their restaurant from scratch. The most requested meal in their restaurant. Hiring employees while still keeping the "family feel" of the restaurant. Keeping employees motivated despite having different personal goals.       Connect with Alison Galvan:   The Food and Art Cafe           Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.

  John Henry is the elected Regional Chair and CEO of Durham. His responsibilities include opening and chairing council meetings, declaring emergencies, fostering public interest and involvement, and providing leadership. He is the former Mayor of Oshawa, the former Regional Councilor for Oshawa’s Ward 5, and has previously served as a member of the Regional Planning and Economic Development Committee. John also has specialized training as an Industrial Fire Fighter, Ice Rescue Specialist, and Dive Rescue Specialist.   John joins me today to share how he is leading Durham with a steady hand for change and what it’s like to be a major representative for an entire region. He describes his academic and career background and what led him to run for Regional Chair and CEO of Durham. He explains why Durham is an exciting place to be in right now and how it translates to their agricultural economy. John also shares how he believes the Canadian agricultural industry will evolve over the next decade.       “It’s the fundamental basis of how Canada has become and what we’ve become. We’re a country of dreamers.” - John Henry       Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast:   John's business background and what his typical day is like. How he finds the time to do all of his daily tasks. The ups and downs in his life and what he has learned from them. What the Uplift project is and why it's an amazing thing for the community. Why John believes farming will be different in Canada in ten years. Why Durham excites him and what it means for the economy. What he wants to leave as his legacy.       Connect with John Henry:   Durham Region official website           Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.

  Sonja Sanders is the President and Co-Owner of Jewellery by Sanders Inc, a family-run jewelry business that has been serving the needs of jewel enthusiasts since 1982. She is a Gemologist and Master Goldsmith. Sonja is also an Accredited Appraiser which she obtained from the Canadian Jeweller’s Association and serves as an instructor for various appraisal workshops.   Sonja joins me today to discuss the ins-and-outs of running a family business centered on jewelry. She shares the history behind the company, how her father inspired her to start the business, and how she has diversified the company into one that customers value and support. She explains the academic and skill requirements needed to start your own jewelry business. Sonja also shares the legacy she wants to leave for her family to remember.       “You have to know what training is out there so that you can keep up with it.” - Sonja Sanders       Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast:   How Sonja’s father inspired her to start her business. What it's like to work in a family business. Sonji’s plans for her children and what the future holds for her business. The knowledge and experience needed to manage a jewelry store. The best time to start a jewelry business. When she transitioned from jewelry as a hobby to a business. How she feels about the business right now and how they prevent burnout. How her company overcame disruption in the industry. The one thing she wants to be remembered for.       Connect with Sonja Sanders:   Jewellery by Sanders LinkedIn       Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.

Aaron “Big A” Walker is a Professional Life & Business Coach with over 40 years of entrepreneurial experience. He has owned 14 companies, which has allowed him to have the right mindset when it came to managing his life and business. He has formed 15 Mastermind Groups with members that are considered experts in their respective communities and is the author of View From The Top, where he wrote about what it means to build a life of significance.   Aaron joins me today to describe what it means to identify what is significant in your life. He shares the wisdom he gathered from owning 14 different companies throughout his life and describes the unfortunate event that made him re-evaluate his goals. Aaron explains the importance of setting your priorities straight and how it can impact the way you run your life and your business.   “If you really want a legacy, you'll build relationships very intentionally.” - Aaron Walker       Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast:   Where his nickname "Big A" came from and how he got into this business. The experience he had while running a company in his late 20s. What it's like to have owned 14 companies in over 40 years. The unfortunate event that changed his life forever. Shedding light on his past failures and keeping others away from that road. How he dealt with problems in his marriage and business. Prioritizing your priorities in a way that promotes positivity. Tips on preventing burnouts in work and in life. The best piece of advice he's received and his "growth" mindset. His approach to changing a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. The benefits of being part of a community.     Resources Mentioned:   Mindset by Carol Dweck     Connect with Aaron Walker:   View From The Top Book: View From The Top       Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.

Going out of your comfort zone to take the big leap in your career is a brave thing to do. While this effort to take that leap could lead to being one step closer to your dream job, there may be implications you will need to deal with that can impact your career or personal life. Today, I’ll discuss how to break through the upper limits of your career and avoid self-sabotaging behaviors that could impact your life and career. I’ll also share a superpower move that you can apply when you have a fast increase of wealth, a wonderful relationship that takes your breath away, or a boost in creativity.   “Any fear you may feel when you decide to level up your career is caused by an upper limit problem that you have.” - Marguerite O’Neal   Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast: The impact that setting limits and boundaries on your wealth, creativity, and success can have on your career Where dissatisfaction and being stuck in your comfort zone could lead to What regulates your comfort zone How to reset your upper limit threshold to achieve the next level of success in your career The effects of taking a big leap in your career   Advice for Future-Proofing Your Business: Take the time to think deeply and understand what’s causing your upper limit problem that is preventing you from achieving your next level of success. Discuss your aspirations with those you care about. Take the big leap to create a happy future for yourself and those you love   Resources Mentioned: The Big Leap Book by Gay Hendricks   Level Up through Your Superhero Move! Do you want to start your leadership legacy as a member of the C-level group? Collaborate with me to begin building your irresistible CEO brand by discovering the superpower leadership moves you can make that will make a difference in your career. Email me at marguerite@margueriteoneal.ca today.   Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.  

Suzanne Wortman is the owner of Taxi-Taxi, an Oshawa-based, full-service cab company that has become a household name over the last 30 years. The company was originally founded by her husband, Don Wortman, and has thrived despite many challenges and obstacles. Their success is largely due to their commitment to the safety and security of their passengers as well as their unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of their employees. Suzanne joins me today to share an inside glimpse of her company and her perspective on industry disruption and competition. She explains how the development of ride-share programs like Uber and Lyft have impacted her small business as well as her drivers. She also shares why she strongly believes that ride-share programs should be government regulated and why the taxi industry should remain regulated to preserve consumer safety.   “I don’t have a problem with competition - providing we’re all playing on the same field.” - Suzanne Wortman    Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast: How Suzanne got started in the taxi industry The challenges they faced during their first few years of business How her “go-getter” attitude helped her receive federal grant funding for services offered to disabled customers The importance of staying committed to achieving your goals How Uber and Lyft have disrupted the taxi industry and how it has impacted her small business Why she strongly believes the taxi industry should remain regulated How the emergence of ride-sharing has impacted the traditional taxi drivers Her predictions for the future of the taxi industry What she would like her legacy to be    Resources Mentioned: Taxi-Taxi App   How to Use the Taxi-Taxi App: At the top left of the screen, you will see an address that is close to your proximity Click that search bar and adjust your address to where you are currently At the bottom of the screen, click “Book Now” Type in your destination In the bottom right-hand corner, you can press “Edit” and add more details You can add notes to the driver When your details are correct, click “Confirm Now”     Connect with Suzanne Wortman: Taxi-Taxi    Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.

Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith is the founder of I Choose My Best Life and a board-certified internal medicine physician with an active practice near Birmingham, Alabama. She is a public speaker and the author of multiple books, including Set Free to Live Free and the award-winning Come Empty. She has been featured in multiple media outlets including Redbook, Women’s Day, and MSNBC, covering topics on the mind, body, and spirit connection and has been deemed one of the top 100 medical experts by Good Housekeeping Doctors’ Secrets. Most recently, Dr. Saundra released her latest book, Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity, which shares her groundbreaking insight on the various types of rest people need to achieve optimal productivity and increase their overall happiness.   Dr. Saundra joins me today to discuss the 7 types of rest and how each type impacts our ability to feel productive, refreshed, and effective. She explains what the R.E.S.T. Method is and how it helps you find your rest deficiencies so you can begin feeling more productive and less stressed and overwhelmed. She also explains what a Flow-Break Cycle is and why it’s critical to develop this cycle to avoid feeling burned out, to restore your energy, and to work more productively.     “If you put all of your energy of fixing your burnout on getting more sleep, you are still missing six other types of rest that you need.” - Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith       Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast:   What inspired Dr. Saundra to become a medical doctor What it means to “choose your best life” Her advice for small business owners that are feeling stuck in their business The inspiration behind the Sacred Rest book Understanding the R.E.S.T. Method and how it helps you identify your rest deficiencies Strategies to overcome burnout and become more productive Why entrepreneurs need to develop a Flow-Break Cycle How philanthropic work can help you achieve social rest What Dr. Dalton-Smith would like her leadership legacy to be     The 7 Types of Rest:   Physical rest Mental rest Spiritual rest Emotional rest Social rest Sensory rest Creative rest     Connect with Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith:   I Choose My Best Life website I Choose My Best Life Podcast Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity book The real reason why we are tired and what to do about it - TEDx Talk         Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favourite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.

Hello everyone,   Whether you lead a company, a team, or you are getting yourself ready for leadership, this podcast is for you. We have been having so much fun interviewing guests for Season 2 of the Creative Disruption Show. We found that conversations about addictions, lowered performance - even sex, would often come up in our conversations. We explored solutions with experts on how to prevent burnout and struggle with colleagues and others who control resources. We decided to call Season 2: Sex, Struggle, Strategy.   Leading an organization today is not for the weak of heart. Disruption is inevitable, and it’s scary. According to a Dell Computers survey of 4,000 executives across 12 countries, 52% of executives experienced significant disruption in their industries over the last three years, and almost 50% of executives said they don’t know what their industry will look like in the next three years.   No matter what business you’re in, people are a vital asset, and an asset that is constantly at-risk. Like you, your entire team is regularly confronted with unanticipated and unavoidable change. Human reaction to change is varied. Sometimes people dig in, avoiding change with entrenched inertia. Sometimes people spin out, innovating and iterating without a plan, focus, or results. Either way, reacting to rapid change without a pro-active plan makes the whole company feel threatened, anxious and overwhelmed. The Creative Disruption show allows you to step away from your responsibilities - just long enough to examine your company’s response to change and experience an injection of insight or inspiration.   We want you to ask us the tough questions, the questions the leaders I coach regularly ask me: How do I change how I lead when we are growing rapidly, or I have to cut back resources. What do I do when I see we are losing traction in the marketplace? How do I get my ideas heard? How do I prepare the Board for change? How do I mobilize my organization or team? How do I neutralize conflict? How do we prevent burnout and stress, retain and engage people during change? And last but not least, Do we have a bench strength of talent for the future? Well, my team and I have been finding the answers for you. We have been mining the most current research, science and thought leadership around creativity, disruption, innovation, high performance and engagement to bring you answers to these questions.   The confidence and well-being of many leaders has been shattered as they fall prey to disruptive forces around them. Don’t be a victim of change.   Join us on Tuesdays on your way to work, during work or on your way home to learn how you can creatively disrupt status thinking at work and at home.   See you next week, Marguerite    “No matter what business you’re in, people are a vital asset - and an asset that is constantly at risk.” - Marguerite O’Neal      What You Can Expect in Season 2 of the Creative Disruption Podcast:   Conversations and interviews with organizational leaders in massively disruptive industries Techniques to examine how your organization responds to disruption Strategies to change the way you lead when experiencing rapid growth Methods to rebuild traction in the marketplace Lessons on how to prepare your board and organization for industry change and disruption Insights from small business owners   Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.  

If you’re dreaming of having a C-Suite job, you’re probably working hard and long hours to show your dedication and commitment. You do your best to carry out your responsibilities and accomplish them promptly to show that you can deliver. Are these efforts enough to get you the C-level job you’ve always dreamed of? In this episode, I’m sharing a superpower leadership strategy you can use immediately to start building an irresistible CEO brand. I’m sharing the story of someone I worked with who saw immediate results after taking my advice on what approach to use to obtain his dream job.   “The best superpower move you can make is to give your job away.” - Marguerite O’Neal   Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast: How I guided a client who wanted a C-Suite job to get it What to do when planning on building leaders instead of followers How to “give away” your job The benefits of giving your job away How to create new opportunities in your job   Advice for Future-Proofing Your Business: You have the power to create your career reality. Figure out your superhero move so you can start to create your leadership legacy.   Level Up through Your Superhero Move! Do you want to start your leadership legacy as a member of the C-level group? Collaborate with me to begin building your irresistible CEO brand by discovering the superpower leadership moves you can make that will make a difference in your career. Email me at marguerite@margueriteoneal.ca today.   Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.  

Have you ever said, “Enough is enough!” in frustration when you wanted something to stop or you could no longer deal with a situation that kept occurring? Over the last several weeks, with the recent events happening in the news, you have likely heard this phrase and many others spoken on national television, around the workplace, or at home with your family and friends.   Today, I want to discuss why I agree with the “enough is enough” movement and explain why I strongly believe that no one deserves to live in fear at home, at school, or in the workplace. I’ll explain why I agree with the students that organized and staged walkouts across the United States. I’ll also explain how today’s organizational leaders are failing themselves, their legacies, as well as their teams by tolerating - and in some cases, participating in - workplace harassment.   “Enough is enough. No one should be in an unsafe environment at home, at school, or at work.” - Marguerite O’Neal   Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast:   The “enough is enough” movement. How leaders in organizations are failing themselves, their legacies, and their teams. Ensuring your workplace is free from fear, ridicule, and harassment. The varying degrees of leader sophistication and tolerance regarding harassment in the workplace. How being tolerant of workplace harassment affects your legacy as a leader. The impact that harrassment from upper management can have on the rest of your organization.   Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.  

Michelle Moore, Vice President and National Practice Lead of the Executive Career Solutions group at LHH Knightsbridge, has been recognized as a thought leader in digital disruption. She has over 20 years experience working with executive-level individuals and global organizations to solve complex business problems and maximize career success. She strongly believes that leaders need a firm understanding on the impact that technology - as well as an organization's people - have to drive innovation and positively impact the future of their businesses.   Michelle joins me today to share her insight on what “disruptive talent” is, the importance of nurturing it in your organization, and  how hiring disruptive talent within your organization can help your business drive innovation.     “Innovation is no longer optional.” - Michelle Moore     Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast:   The importance of understanding how technology can positively impact an organization How to encourage innovation within your organization The ingredients for having an agile company Ways to speed innovation How to attract, identify, integrate, and evaluate “disruptive talent” within your organization How she realized she was a disruptor Are millennials a “cohort of disruptors?”     Michelle’s Advice for Future-Proofing Your Business:   Make sure you are building out innovations as a repeatable and sustainable business capability Bring in disruptive talent     Connect with Michelle Moore:   LHH Knightsbridge blog Twitter Email: Moore@LHHKnightsbridge.com       Subscribe, Connect, Share   Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses

Sangbreeta Moitra is a prominent TEDx award-winning speaker and named as one of the Top 400 Inspiring Women in the Netherlands. She has won numerous Dutch, Indian, and European awards including the prestigious TEDxRotterdam Jury Award for her speech Transform Your Presence. Sangbreeta joins me to share her insights on how you can transform your presence, live on purpose, and inspire others. She shares the questions she asks to connect deeply with people, some pieces of advice for speakers and visionaries who are introverts by nature, and the one thing you should never compromise.   “Connect with people on a deep level and show them why you care and why they should care.” - Sangbreeta Moitra   Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast: How Sangbreeta became an international thought leader in transformation Questions she asks people to look at themselves beyond the work they do A time when she felt incomplete and where this led her How she felt when Viva made her one of the Top 400 Inspiring Women Why it’s crucial for professionals to transform their presence What it means to have ordinary lives with extraordinary values How she continually improves herself One of the first things she realized about creating her own identity Entrepreneurial mindset and intergenerational differences Why she wants to be remembered as someone powerful, alive, and radiant   Sangbreeta’s Advice in Transforming Your Presence: Expect honesty when you share honesty and authenticity. Make your audience feel that they matter -- that’s all that’s important. You must make people feel that you believe in them, that you care about them. It’s not about you -- it’s about who you’re speaking with. The end result is always, “What should they feel? What should they know? What should they remember?” Do not copy success stories or be a second-rate version of someone else. Do not climb someone else’s mountain. Climb your own mountain.   Connect with Sangbreeta Moitra: Sangbreeta Moitra Website Sangbreeta Moitra on LinkedIn Sangbreeta Moitra on Instagram Subscribe on her website to get her monthly check-ins: Three Tips on Transformation   Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.  

With 20 years of experience in the financial industry, Tracey Bissett works with personal, commercial, and corporate clients to help build their confidence in the financial area of their life so they can achieve their goals. She is the founder, President, and Chief Financial Fitness Trainer at Bissett Financial Fitness, Inc., and the host of the podcast, Young Money, where she helps future leaders build financial fitness and equip young millionaires-in-the-making with the knowledge to make smart financial decisions. Tracey joins us on this episode to help us understand why it’s crucial to increase your financial fitness, whether you’re the CEO of your company or someone who’s rising in rank in your organization. She shares why many leaders have anxiety about financials, what it takes to be credible in this area, and why it’s essential to invest in a financial coach as you gain higher positions and get closer to your ideal job.   “When you can see the story play out in the numbers, you feel so empowered that you have all the pieces and they’re all fitting together.” - Tracey Bissett   Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast: First step to take to improve your financial fitness Clues or red flags to look out for Two ways people who run their business approach things Personal habits to improve Effects of learning financial fitness Why you should be unafraid to ask questions When bias becomes a concern in the organization An overview of working with a financial coach   Tracey’s Advice for Future-Proofing Your Business: Get a hold of and review the financial statements of your organization. Get the numbers and pick up on the clues of the financials of your organization. You need to have the curiosity and desire to improve your financial fitness.   Connect with Tracey Bissett: Get the free financial assessment! Go to Tracey Bissett Website Young Money with Tracey Bissett: The Advice Show for Young Millionaires in the Making Podcast Email: tracey@bissettfinancialfitness.com Tracey Bissett on LinkedIn   Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.  

A professor of Leadership and Management at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, Dr. Sean Lyons focuses his research on intergenerational differences and how they impact workforce management and workplace dynamics. His research has appeared in Time Magazine, CTV News Channel, the Business News Network, CBC Radio’s The Current, and other media outlets. Dr. Lyons joins me on this episode to share some of the workplace and managerial challenges that involve generational differences. He shares factors that organizations need to address to bridge the generational gap such as the language of values in the workplace and the means of measuring performance. He also shares some thought-provoking results in his research regarding job choices, minimalist living versus growth mentality, and some key indications on why we need to keep looking into intergenerational matters.   “Bridging the gap between values, having people talk about what’s important to them allows you to get to the underlying issues.” - Sean Lyons   Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast: Inter-generational concerns that Sean sees in organizations Why today is a good time to get into the workforce Foreseeing the challenge of caring for the next generation workforce The difference on how this generation views diversity and inclusion The mismatch between this generation’s skills and capabilities and the responsibilities asked of them Why this generation is more entrepreneurial compared to the older generations Motivators of Generation X and why they appreciate millennials How millennials can empower the younger generation Why the ability to step outside of ourselves is another big challenge How he mentors the younger generation as he deals with inter-generational conflict The connection between general identity and people’s place in history   Sean’s Advice for Future-Proofing Your Business: With the rise of anxiety and suicidal attempts, organizations should be getting ready to care for and protect their employees. Younger generations want more developmental feedback and directed guidance to do better in their jobs because they want to do better.   Connect with Sean Lyons: Sean Lyons Website Sean Lyons on LinkedIn Generational Career Shifts Book Hating on younger generations is so 2013 (and 1983 and 1963 ...) Article on Globe and Mail Office of Research - University of Guelph   Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.  

Dreaming big and envisioning yourself as your company’s next CEO may sound like a far-fetched reality. You may think that quickly climbing up the ladder is the best way to get there only to realize that you are not equipped to deal with the challenges a CEO faces every day. On this episode, I’m going to share the best strategy to level up your career and how to adapt the CEO mindset. I’m also discussing the significance of going deep in your organization, what to work on for the most significant change to happen in you, and the relevance of having wellness strategies in your vision to be the next CEO of your organization.   “Your thoughts should no longer be ‘me and my team.’ It must be ‘my organization and me.’” - Marguerite O‘Neal   Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast: How to have a shift in mindset The best way to analyze yourself The questions you need to ask yourself as you strive to level up How to build for broader leadership When to build your dream team The significance of attending to your personal and professional needs   Things to Consider to Level Up: Broaden your scope of influence. Fail fast to succeed. Build your dream team. Prepare internally for change.   Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.  

As a young girl, Dr. Andra “Andi” Campitelli, ND always wanted to be a doctor. Her passion for creating things to help people led her to become the leading Naturopathic Doctor, author, speaker, and guest lecturer across Canada and the U.S. This same passion fuels her desire to empower others by educating them about the significance of health and wellness, fitness, and functional medicine in their overall well-being. Dr. Andi joins me to share the power of choice -- how she tailors her schedule and professional decisions in a way that works best for her mind and body. She talks about that one primary source that leads to other health concerns, what she does to pull herself away from work and stay fit despite her demanding career and the impact of not wanting to conform as a young child to her conviction to make her voice heard in the corporate world.     “I like change. I like new challenges. I don’t mind the unknown or taking a few risks.” - Andra Campitelli   Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast: Biggest health challenge professionals face How she became interested in being a doctor What helped her maintain her interest in science while still in school Why she loved being an entrepreneur and in the corporate world The challenges she faced as a woman in the corporate world How CEOs work with high potential and high achieving people What’s causing exhaustion on leaders and the workplace today Innovations she has brought to market Why she wants to leave the kind of legacy her father left behind   Connect with Andra Campitelli: Dr. Andi, ND Website Dr. Andra Campitelli on Facebook Dr. Andra Campitelli on Twitter Dr. Andra Campitelli on Instagram   Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.  

Anu Bidani is the CEO of STEM MINDS, an organization that helps teachers better equip students with the tools and skills they need to be fearless leaders by providing them a safe environment to learn science, technology, engineering, and math skills. She is a passionate innovator, teacher, and entrepreneur as well as an external reviewer of funding proposals for Ontario Centre of Excellence. Anu also serves on the Advisory Board for the startup company, MyLauft and frequently conducts presentations and speaking engagements at school career events.   Anu joins me today to share the fascinating environment she has built for teachers and students at STEM MINDS and how the company empowers parents while they learn with their children. She explains how STEM MINDS begins to build relationships with parents and students, why she believes it’s important to understand what excites students to learn, and how they use that enthusiasm to determine the programs and skills they would be most interested in learning to hone.   “Once we understand what excites children - what gets them going - that becomes the starting point of their journey.” - Anu Bidani   Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast:   What STEM Minds is about and how they determine the children’s interest and the programs they can start learning How STEM Minds empowers parents as they learn with their children Why art is a vital part of STEM learning Why entering university should not be about grades anymore A message to CEOs who have young kids and to CEOs who are in a position to support the education system   Connect with Anu Bidani: STEM Minds Website STEM Minds on Twitter STEM Minds on Facebook Event: STEMathon in May     Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.

Anu Bidani is a passionate innovator, teacher, and CEO of STEM MINDS. STEM MINDS provide a safe environment for teachers and students, equipping the youth of today with the tools and skills they need to be fearless leaders as they develop a love for learning through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math). Anu joins me today to share why STEM education is essential and how it balances the child’s learning. She talks about how their company offers unique opportunities for significant authentic experiences to students that can save these children personal and financial costs and how parents play an essential role in modeling how to be agents of change. She also shares how parents, teachers, and the different organizations can work together to support the nation’s future leaders.   “Innovation happens when you put all your biases away. You let your mind loose and let it be creative.” - Anu Bidani   Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast: What inspired Anu to switch the mindset of children as they learn How a child’s age, perceived biases, and fear affect the child’s learning Key elements that help children keep an open mind How STEM MINDS creates a safe environment for teachers and students that reduces their fear How STEM is being incorporated into the teachers’ education The financial challenge teachers face in the classroom How children learn to be agents of change How the right kind of gaming help develop skills in children   Connect with Anu Bidani: STEM MINDS Website STEM MINDS on Twitter STEM MINDS on Facebook Event: STEMathon in May     Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.  

Last week, I talked about the tendency people have to make compromises to avoid conflict or keep appearances. While the holidays are supposed to be a time of reconnecting with family and friends, more often than not, it becomes a time of enduring awkward and hurtful situations as people settle for unhealthy compromises.   On today’s episode, I share a new strategy that will disrupt harmful compromises and empower you to regain control of yourself, your responses, and your circumstances. I’ll explain the Legacy System and how this approach can help you develop a plan to recover your power as you examine and determine your trigger points.   “Understanding your trigger points at work and at home is important as you progress into the executive role of your dreams.”   Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast:   Understanding the triggers Disadvantages of negative compromises The role of “unmet needs” in the trigger Systematically assessing your triggers     A Gift Just for You!   Grab a free copy of the Legacy Worksheet today! Send me an email at marguerite@margueriteoneal.ca. For more details, visit my website at MargueriteONeal.ca.   Subscribe, Connect, Share   Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.  

Most of us, if not all, desire peace and harmony in our relationships at home and at work. Sadly, no matter how hard we try to pursue frictionless relationships with others, conflict is an inevitable factor that plays a constant role in our everyday lives, especially during the holidays. To avoid ruining special occasions, we consider different relational approaches to find a middle ground and hope things work for everyone. One of the most common strategies used by many people is making compromises. On today’s episode, I share the meaning of compromise and the reasons why this is most common during the upcoming holidays. I also give examples of negative kinds of compromises and how these trade-offs ultimately result in unhealthy and dying relationships.   “When you take action to address a soul-sucking compromise, you give your brain a very powerful message that you are in charge.”   Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast: The tendency to compromise Common reasons why people compromise Examples of common compromises How negative compromises impact people Common reasons people do not address ineffectual compromises   Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.  

After overcoming a health struggle, Amy Longard decided to make a career shift from strategic communications to culinary and consulting. Amy had formal training from the Natural Gourmet Institute in New York and has been passionate about promoting wellness and holistic nutrition. She is a coach, consultant, nutritionist, plant-based chef, and speaker who works across Canada and abroad. Amy joins me on today’s episode to share what brought her to pursue plant-based foods and how she channeled her passion for health care. She also shares practical tips on how you can add something healthy on your meals without losing its appeal, how to eat healthy while enjoying the parties during the holidays, and details of her upcoming nutrition and wellness program that’s launching in January 2018.   “What we eat is truly affecting what we feel.” - Amy Longard   Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast: Factors that contribute to how you feel The turning point of her career-change How she realized she’s a health activist How she reaches out to others about healthy food Benefits of consuming seaweed Her advice to Santa that might help him through the holidays Feeling nourished versus feeling bloated The inspiration for her eBook project   Connect with Amy Longard: Amy Longard Website Amy Longard on Instagram Amy Longard on Facebook     Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.  

When Kathryn Brenne started sewing at a very young age, she knew she found her passion in life. Sewing for 50 years, Kathryn founded The Academy of Fine Sewing and Design in 2000 and is a founding member and a former president of the Canadian Professional Sewing Association. She is one of the contributing designers and editors at Vogue Patterns. She gives lectures in Canada and the US and spearheads fun, educational tours concerning sewing, fashion, and culture in New York, London, and Paris. Kathryn joins me on today’s episode to share how her business helps support the economy in North Bay and how open-mindedness plays a role, not only in creating designs, but also in the workforce of other industries. She defines what a “vogue woman” is and why this is her target audience, where she gets her design inspirations from, and why she nurtures young people who desire to be future entrepreneurs.   “If you have an open mind, the inspiration can come from food, outdoors, nature, architecture.” - Kathryn Brenne   Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast: Why she prefers to use beautiful and expensive fabric over cheaper ones How she combines different sewing techniques Why Vogue likes her designs Creating patterns for accessories Fashion advice for Mrs. Clause for the holidays How she knew she would have to go global with her business Why she nurtures young entrepreneurs Sewing leather: Her experience, education, and way of teaching others Similarities between fashion and running a business How her partnerships benefit her students and workshops How Instagram becomes a family affair and a means to grow her business   Kathryn’s Advice for Future-Proofing Your Business: Do your best and strive for the best results. Streamline your business based on the reaction you’re getting.   Connect with Kathryn Brenne: Fine Sewing Website Email: kathryn@finesewing.com Couture Workshops in May The Body Double Workshop The Bias Cut Wool Dress Workshop The Classic French Quilted Handbag Workshop London, England Tour and Workshop with Jon Moore   Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.    

Since Christmas time is near, you may have put up your family's Christmas Tree and hung those big red socks as you wait for Santa’s treat on Christmas Eve. You may already be planning your Christmas dinner menu and the gifts you’d give to the ones you love. If you’re busy doing all these holiday planning, imagine the hard work that Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the elves are currently doing to finish everything in time for cheers. A distinguished guest, Mrs. Claus, joins me today to share her fashion preference most of the time throughout the year. She discusses the character traits of a good kid and a naughty one, since most children expect to be on Santa’s Good-Kid List this Christmas. She also explains why organization is the key to their operation’s success and why caring for one another is the legacy she wants to leave behind.   “Technology is ever-changing, and we need to change with it.” - Mrs. Claus   Today on the Creative Disruption Podcast: Why she wears black most of the time throughout the year Anticipating a designer guest Her standards of a good kid and a naughty kid Why Santa gains weight during Christmas time Looking forward to a guest who loves to cook Healthy substitute to chocolate drinks Considering TV Shopping for the coming years   Mrs. Claus’ Advice for Future-Proofing Your Business: Look for ways to expand and for smarter ways to do business. Listen to everyone in the organization who have suggestions or recommended solutions. Take a look at how other companies can assist you so you can be efficient in your business.   Subscribe, Connect, Share Thank you for joining me this week on the Creative Disruption podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with fellow CEOs to help them disrupt the status quo thinking and cement the future of their businesses.