Podcasts about leblanc

Front Row Classics is pleased to welcome Emmy-winning actor, Christian Le Blanc. Christian and Brandon chat about his background and acting influences which eventually led him to a multiple decade run on The Young and the Restless as Michael Baldwin. The two also discuss his experiences working with the likes of Julie Harris, Charles Nelson Reilly and Eileen Brennan.  A twelve-time Emmy nominee and three-time Outstanding Lead Actor Emmy winner, Christian Jules Le Blanc, stars as Michael Baldwin on CBS's number one rated daytime drama, The Young and the Restless. Christian joined the cast of The Young and the Restless in October 1991, departing in 1993. He returned to the series in April, 1997. A slick attorney, Michael has found happiness in his marriage to Lauren Fenmore (Tracey E. Bregman), despite the antics of his troubled brother, Kevin (Greg Rikaart) and his unpredictable mother, Gloria (Judith Chapman). In 2022, Christian made his New York theater debut in Ruth Stage Company's production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Christian's television appearances also include the role of Kirk McColl on As the World Turns, a starring role as a regular on In the Heat of the Night with Carol O'Connor and Howard Rollins, and many guest appearances including Perry Mason, Cheers and Gabriel's Fire. He produced and starred in his first short film, Puppy Love, with actress, Grace Zabriskie, which was honored as the Outstanding Short Film at the Los Angeles and New York International Short Film Festivals. Le Blanc's stage credits include Ladies In Retirement, in which he starred with the legendary actresses Julie Harris and Eileen Brennan. More recently, Le Blanc appeared in the Los Angeles Times Pick-of-the-Week, No Orchids for Miss Blandish. In 2008, he appeared in The Catonsville Nine, in 2009, Appearances to the Contrary and in 2011, The Tennessee Williams Literary Festival in New Orleans. He is currently a member of the Rogue Theater Company of Los Angeles. Christian also has taken on the role of host at many high-profile venues including: The 2012 Creative Arts Daytime Emmy Awards, The Annual Young and the Restless Charity Tea, Soap Cruise, and numerous charitable and daytime functions. Christian is also an award winning artist. His work has been shown in Los Angeles and Washington D.C., and New Orleans where they are currently on display at the Jean Bragg Gallery of Southern Art. He is currently working on a children's novel which he is illustrating. Christian, an army brat, was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, but calls New Orleans, Louisiana, home. He is one of the eight children of Andre and Alice Le Blanc. His father is a decorated veteran of the U.S. Special Forces. Le Blanc lives in Los Angeles. His hobbies include genealogy and languages and sports including: water skiing, swimming, and racquetball. He has also worked as a substitute teacher in the Los Angeles school district. A world traveler, Le Blanc's journeys have taken him to Australia and the Middle East.

Welcome Christian Le Blanc Front Row Classics is pleased to welcome Emmy-winning actor, Christian Le Blanc. Christian and Brandon chat about his background and acting influences which eventually led him to a multiple decade run on The Young and the Restless as Michael Baldwin. The two also discuss his experiences working with the likes of … Continue reading Ep. 462- An Interview with The Young and The Restless’ Christian Le Blanc →

For more than five decades, Trent Angers has dedicated his life to journalism, publishing, and preserving the stories that define Louisiana and its people. As founder, editor, and publisher of Acadian House Publishing, Trent has edited and published 126 books over a 45-year career while also authoring six books of his own. His work has ranged from Cajun history and Louisiana political figures to military ethics, faith, and inspirational storytelling. A graduate of LSU’s School of Journalism, where he was named Outstanding Graduating Senior and received the Hodding Carter Award for Responsible Journalism, Trent followed in the footsteps of his father, Bob Angers, founder of Acadiana Profile magazine. Trent would eventually spend 36 years as editor and publisher of Acadiana Profile, helping build it into one of the longest-running regional magazines in America before selling the publication in 2010 to focus full-time on book publishing with Acadian House Publishing. During our conversation, Trent reflects on a life immersed in words, ideas, and the people behind them. “Born with printer’s ink in my blood” Trent jokes that journalism was his destiny. “You could say I was born with printer’s ink in the blood.” His father purchased the Franklin Banner-Tribune in 1953, and Trent grew up watching the realities of community journalism firsthand. When Bob Angers launched Acadiana Profile in 1968, regional magazines were virtually unheard of. “I thought he had lost his mind because there was almost no such thing as a city or regional magazine in this country at the time.” Instead, Bob Angers proved to be a visionary. More than fifty years later, the publication remains an important voice for South Louisiana. Acadian House Publishing: More Than Books Today, Acadian House Publishing is one of Louisiana’s most respected independent publishers. Its catalog includes biographies, history, cookbooks, inspirational works, faith-based books, and regional classics. Trent describes publishing as far more than simply printing books. “Publishing involves careful acquisition of titles, careful editing, fact-checking, correcting, perfecting, marketing, warehousing, accounting, and distribution.” Acadian House receives approximately 150 manuscript proposals each year but publishes only three or four books annually. “No is the most powerful word in the English language.” With limited capacity, Trent looks for books that move people, educate readers, and inspire meaningful reflection. Dispelling Myths About Cajun Culture At age 40, Trent wrote his first book, The Truth About the Cajuns, a work designed to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about Acadian people. “The first book I actually wrote is when I turned 40. The book was titled The Truth About the Cajuns. The book was designed to dispel the myths and stereotypes about the Acadian people. We’re very proud of our Acadian heritage. We’re not simple minded people who aren’t so bright. We don’t all dwell in the swamp. Our lives do not revolve around eating, drinking and dancing Trent wanted readers to understand that Cajun identity extends far beyond the caricatures often portrayed in popular culture. The book remains one of the most thoughtful examinations of Cajun identity and heritage. Dudley LeBlanc: The Original Champion of Cajun Pride Another of Trent’s works is Dudley LeBlanc: A Biography, which chronicles the life of the legendary founder of Hadacol and one of Louisiana’s most colorful political figures. “Dudley LeBlanc, who founded Hadacol, was also known as the political and almost spiritual leader of the Acadian people. He had a French language radio show emanating from from Abbeville. The truth is, Dudley started the French Renaissance movement before Jimmy Domengeaux formalized it through CODIFIL. Dudley LeBlanc would bring it up and say, ‘Let’s stand up for our Acadian heritage and be proud and not ashamed of who we are, not ashamed of our heritage and culture.” While many remember LeBlanc for his wildly successful patent medicine business, Trent argues that his greatest contribution was cultural. Long before organizations formalized the movement to preserve Cajun culture, LeBlanc encouraged Acadians to embrace their language, traditions, and identity. According to Trent, both Dudley LeBlanc and James Domengeaux deserve tremendous credit for preserving and advancing Acadian culture in Louisiana. The Forgotten Hero of the My Lai Massacre Perhaps no project has shaped Trent’s career more than The Forgotten Hero of My Lai: The Hugh Thompson Story. The book tells the story of Hugh Thompson Jr., the American helicopter pilot credited with stopping the My Lai Massacre during the Vietnam War. “I became Thompson’s biographer and spent lots and lots of time with him in Vietnam, in Norway, and throughout the United States, in Washington, D.C., etc. I wrote his speech when he received the soldier’s medal in Washington at the Vietnam Wall, which is the highest award a soldier can earn for anything other than direct combat with the enemy,” Trent said. Trent devoted more than 3,000 hours of research across three continents to tell Thompson’s story. “That book was my opus.” The defining moment came when Thompson landed his helicopter between fleeing Vietnamese civilians and advancing American soldiers. “Not on my watch,” he said. Thompson ordered his gunner to protect the civilians, even if it meant turning their weapons on fellow Americans. His actions saved lives and ultimately helped bring the massacre to an end. Trent explains why Thompson’s story continues to resonate: “They were willing to give up their lives just because it was the right thing to do.” The book has since been placed on the reading list of the Joint Chiefs of Staff because of its lessons on leadership, battlefield ethics, and moral courage. Publishing Louisiana’s Most Influential Voices Over the years, Acadian House has published works by an extraordinary range of Louisiana authors and leaders. Among them are books by: Dale Brown Lt. General Russel L. Honoré Marcelle Bienvenu Camille Pavy Claiborne Brian Sibley Chad Judice Trent speaks admiringly of each, emphasizing not only their accomplishments but also their character, intellect, and ability to inspire others. Dale Brown and Human Dignity One of Trent’s most meaningful publishing relationships has been with legendary LSU basketball coach Dale Brown. Acadian House published Brown’s Getting Over the Four Hurdles of Life, and Trent later authored Dale Brown: Caught in the Battle for Human Dignity. He also played a significant role, along with Lafayette attorney Glenn Armentor, in the effort to have LSU’s basketball court named in Brown’s honor. “Every generation needs role models.” For Trent, Brown represents integrity, courage, compassion, and leadership. “Dale Brown is a role model of integrity, courage, bravery, intelligence.” Those qualities made him not only a successful coach but also one of America’s most sought-after motivational speakers. The Secret Life of an Editor One of the most fascinating parts of our conversation centered on the editor-author relationship. After working closely with writers for months or years, Trent says editors often develop a deep understanding of how authors think. “We call that mind meld.” His philosophy is simple: “The job of an editor is to make the writer look like a genius.” That requires more than correcting grammar. It involves improving structure, strengthening logic, checking facts, and helping authors communicate their ideas as clearly as possible. Cookbooks Outsell Almost Everything Despite publishing biographies, history, and inspirational works, Trent admits one category consistently surprises him: Cookbooks. Acadian House’s most successful title is Marcelle Bienvenu’s iconic cookbook Who’s Your Mama, Are You Catholic, and Can You Make a Roux? The book has sold approximately 200,000 copies. “That book is in the top one percentile of books ever published in America.” For Trent, the success is both gratifying and humbling. “You do a cookbook and you sell the heck out of it.” The enduring popularity of Louisiana food culture continues to introduce readers around the world to Acadiana traditions. Freedom of the Press As a lifelong journalist, Trent remains deeply passionate about the First Amendment. “Freedom of the press is the hill I would die on. This country is free, in part because of the free press. Because of the free flow of information. It’s the press’s job to educate, to inform, to entertain. We serve the public, not the government. The press exists to serve the public.” He argues that a free society depends upon the free flow of information and a press willing to challenge power when necessary. “The press exists to serve the public, not the government.” Regardless of political affiliation, Trent believes journalism’s highest calling remains informing citizens and protecting democratic accountability. What’s Next: Orphan Train to Louisiana Among Acadian House’s upcoming projects is Orphan Train to Louisiana, a book examining the little-known story of thousands of orphaned children transported from New York City to families across America. The project was inspired by a staggering historical reality. “At one point in New York City there were 30,000 babies and children on the street, homeless.” The book explores the efforts of religious organizations and charitable groups that worked to place children with loving families, including many in Louisiana. For Trent, it is exactly the kind of story Acadian House loves to tell: forgotten history that reveals the best of humanity. Faith, Service, and Gratitude Outside of publishing, Trent is active in the Secular Franciscan Order, whose members seek to live according to the spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi through service, humility, and care for others. Reflecting on his blessings, he says: “We’re among the luckiest people in the world, in the history of civilization.” That perspective of gratitude, combined with a lifelong commitment to storytelling, continues to shape his work today. Whether preserving Cajun history, documenting battlefield courage, promoting faith-filled voices, or introducing readers to remarkable Louisianans, Trent Angers remains one of Acadiana’s most important cultural storytellers. To learn more about Trent Angers and Acadian House Publishing, visit their website and explore a catalog that reflects the rich history, culture, faith, and character of Louisiana.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming retail, but are retailers giving away too much decision-making power to algorithms? On this episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc welcomes back retail strategist, educator, speaker and author Carl Boutet to the podcast to discuss his latest book, The Flip. Drawing on more than three decades of retail experience and his work advising organizations around the world, Carl offers a thought-provoking perspective on how AI is reshaping retail strategy, customer engagement and business leadership. The conversation begins with Carl's unique vantage point as a global retail observer. Fresh off another teaching engagement at the Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok, Carl shares insights from Southeast Asia's rapidly evolving retail landscape. From super apps and mobile commerce to experiential shopping destinations and high-energy retail environments, he explains why emerging markets are often leapfrogging traditional retail models and creating new opportunities for customer engagement. Michael and Carl then explore one of the most important topics facing retailers today: the growing influence of artificial intelligence on decision-making. Carl argues that while AI can dramatically improve efficiency, it also poses the risk that businesses become increasingly dependent on algorithmic recommendations, potentially sacrificing the creativity, differentiation, and strategic judgment that make brands unique. At the center of the discussion is Carl's new framework outlined in The Flip. He introduces the four forces that he believes are fundamentally reshaping commerce: automation, optimization, contextualization and immersion. Together, these forces are changing how retailers attract customers, personalize experiences, manage operations and compete in increasingly digital environments. The discussion extends beyond technology into the future of retail itself. Carl shares observations from his travels across Asia, highlighting how retailers are creating energy-rich destinations that blend shopping, entertainment, food and community. These experiences offer important lessons for North American retailers seeking to remain relevant in a world where consumers increasingly have unlimited digital choices at their fingertips. Michael and Carl also examine the rise of AI-powered customer discovery, the future of search and marketing, the growing importance of trust, and why retailers must think carefully about where human value creation fits inside increasingly automated organizations. Carl explains why curiosity, organizational adaptability and a relentless focus on core business fundamentals remain essential leadership capabilities despite the rapid pace of technological change. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025 and 2026. Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

Les actualités, avec Kevin Leblanc, Frédéric Zermati et Cédric Philippe. by Radio Balances

Écoutez ce numéro de Radio Balances, avec l'entraîneur Kevin Leblanc et Frédéric Zermati, en gala jeudi, et nos chroniqueurs Cédric Philippe, Sami Bouazza, Hubert Smadja, Alexandre Decoopman et Romain Lecellier du Parisien. Inscrivez-vous sur Genybet - Jusqu'à 250€ de bonus de bienvenue 10€ supplémentaires en ouvrant un compte sur Genybet avec le code « RB10 » avec ce lien bit.ly/3BvWfhe

durée : 00:06:54 Vous aimez ce podcast ? Pour écouter tous les épisodes sans limite, rendez-vous sur Radio France

In case you missed it, this is ACT-IAC's Emerging Tech and Innovation conference keynote remarks from NASA Johnson Space Center CIO Dr. Troy LeBlanc. He outlines how 65 years of human spaceflight have produced an explosion of imagery and mission data, from priceless Apollo film archives to near real-time ISS downlinks and millions of photos per expedition. He explains the need to organize, secure, and rapidly process data for confident, safe decisions, while preserving public trust as AI makes altered images harder to detect. LeBlanc describes NASA's approach to image provenance through policy and C2PA standards, plus AI to accelerate cataloging, metadata tagging, and near real-time downlink analysis to flag issues or restrictions.Agile Product Discovery Course | ACT-IAC Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IACSubscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate. Intro/Outro Music: See a Brighter Day/Gloria TellsCourtesy of Epidemic Sound(Episodes 1-159: Intro/Outro Music: Focal Point/Young CommunityCourtesy of Epidemic Sound)

Ce podcast explore l'art complexe du dressage des chevaux sauteurs du Cadre noir.L'écuyer Gildas Flament, maître de manège, y détaille l'apprentissage technique des sauts d'école, tels que la croupade, la courbette et la cabriole, en privilégiant le renforcement positif et le bien-être animal. La chercheuse Marine Leblanc apporte un éclairage scientifique en introduisant la notion d'empathie sensorimotrice qui définit la connexion physique et intuitive entre l'homme et l'animal. Leurs échanges soulignent l'importance du contact comme canal de communication essentiel pour percevoir l'équilibre et l'impulsion du cheval.Pour aller plus loin :Vidéos JSIE 2023 - L'apprentissage de l'empathie sensorimotrice en équitation - Marine LeblancThèse de doctorat - L'empathie sensorimotrice dans les interactions homme-cheval : Étude du « contact » et de son apprentissage dans le travail à la main d'écuyers du Cadre noir avec des chevaux sauteursArticle Équ'idée - L'expérience du contact chez des écuyers experts dans le travail à la main avec des chevaux sauteursArticle - Les apports mutuels du Cours d'Action et de la Cognition Distribuée à la compréhension des interactions inter-espèces : Le cas d'une relation singulière écuyer-sauteurSi vous souhaitez en savoir plus sur le sujet, rendez-vous sur notre site internet equipedia.ifce.fr où vous trouverez tous les travaux de nos experts. Vous pouvez aussi nous rejoindre sur notre groupe Facebook IFCE - équipédia, sciences et innovations équines pour plus de contenus. Pour ne manquer aucun épisode, abonnez-vous, partagez, commentez et n'hésitez pas à laisser 5 étoiles sur Apple Podcasts et Spotify.Hébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Leblanc delivers peak-time club energy live from block. in Dublin. Built around his own productions, unreleased material, and melodic techno anthems, this two hour journey features cuts from artists such as CamelPhat, Cloonee, Maceo Plex, Max Styler, and more.

Ceci n'est pas un podcast. In de nieuwste aflevering van Beats en Bars is Jetroo onze plug. Een echte k(l)et die de voorbije jaren zeker zijn plek heeft opgeëist in de Belgische scene. Van Jetlife over de Quelle Klet-projecten tot South Side Zoo. Release na release bouwde hij verder aan zen eigen stijl. Met Say Cheese gaat Jetroo all‑in op stonerrap. Een scherpe pen, maar de flow a l'aise: alsof ge door de stad wandelt (in een Avirex) met halfgesloten ogen. We duiken in deze plaat om te checken waarom die zo blijft plakken, en hoe Jetroo z'n eigen hoek in het genre heeft uitgebeiteld door altijd volledig zichzelf te blijven. Tootootooo!Shoutouts:IDE SNAKE, LEBLANC, TWEEDEDAG - AUGUSTUS, VOL. 1TIM BEUMERS, RAFTING GOODS - YESSIRBROCKHAMPTON - SATURATIONINTRO (00:00:00)SO'S (00:01:13)DRAKE 3 ALBUMS (00:11:14)NEW RELEASES (00:14:52)JETROO (bio) (00:17:21)SAY CHEESE (stats) (00:31:56)PLUGTALK (00:37:32)BUENA VISTA ANTI SOCIAL CLUB (00:45:21)TOOOTOOO (00:53:33)BOTANISCH (01:01:08)90'S AVIREX (01:07:12)HAUTE COUTURE (01:15:47)DOE DE DEUR TOE (01:23:33)ZANDMAN (01:33:05)STAPPENTELLER (01:38:19)BOEFKICK (01:47:31)KILL DE SCENE (01:55:09)CECI N'EST PAS UN DOOBIE (02:01:36)AFTERTHOUGHTS (02:05:13)NEXT UP (02:25:05)Next Up: 'T Hof Van Commerce - Rocky 7Links:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/beatsandbarsLinks ⁠⁠

Links from today’s broadcast: Find Ray LeBlanc: https://www.facebook.com/groups/789579057185182/ Ray Speaking at Marshfield City Counsel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXIqx9fI7WM …………………. You can join the studio audience by clicking on the ‘Join Live Studio Audience’ button at WCNTV.net as well as watched our archived video broadcasts. Subscribe to the Wisconsin Christian Newspaper by going to WisconsinChristianNews.com Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WisconsinChristianNews/

On connaît Jack Leblanc pour son humour, son énergie et le divertissement qu'il apporte aux autres. Mais derrière son sourire et ce qu'il laisse paraître, il y a une histoire dont on ne soupçonne pas toujours l'ampleur. J'avais envie de lui offrir un espace pour raconter son parcours, mais surtout pour mettre en lumière une réalité dont on parle encore trop peu. Une conversation vraie, touchante et remplie d'espoir qui, je l'espère, pourra rejoindre ceux qui en ont besoin. Bonne écoute

Westfair Communications hosted its 2026 C-Suite Awards on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at the Mansion on Broadway in White Plains, NY. The evening celebrated outstanding senior executives and organizations across Fairfield and Westchester Counties, highlighting the visionary strategies and innovative initiatives driving the local economy. It brought together regional leaders and decision-makers to honor stories of resilience and leadership, emphasizing how individual business success helps elevate the entire community.Glen LeBlanc, Chief Lending Officer at Fairfield County Bank, shared his insights with host Joan Franzino during the celebration. Glen, who manages a team of lenders and administrative assistants to finance businesses and commercial real estate projects across Westchester and Connecticut, detailed his long career which uniquely included a 12-year stint as a "junk man" in his family's salvage yard business. He emphasized that his hands-on experience running a family business gave him a profound understanding of what business owners undergo to maintain operations, purchase inventory, and make payroll, allowing him to better serve his banking clients today.

In this very special live edition of The Voice of Retail podcast — the first live recording in nearly 550 episodes on the main-stage at Retaiul Council of Canada's STORE conference — host Michael LeBlanc takes the stage at Retail Council of Canada's STORE Conference in Toronto with three of Canadian retail's most compelling leaders: Julia Freeman, CEO of The Jilly Box, David Brownstein, President of Browns Shoes, and back on the podcast for his third visit Selwyn Crittendon, CEO of IKEA Canada and newly appointed Chair of the Retail Council of Canada Board of Directors. Julia Freeman shares the remarkable story of The Jilly Box, co-founded by content creator Jillian Harris — fresh off her Independent Retail Ambassador of the Year 2026 award — which sells 20,000 surprise subscription boxes in under 24 hours, 27 seasons in a row, while championing small Canadian, women-owned and equity-deserving brands. Julia offers a candid assessment of the state of Canadian e-commerce, the patriotic "shop Canadian" wave reshaping consumer behaviour post-tariffs, and how The Market by The Jilly Box marketplace is delivering industry-leading conversion with four units per basket. David Brownstein, fourth-generation leader of Montreal-based Browns Shoes, celebrates a banner week as his father, CEO Michael Brownstein, received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Excellence in Retailing Awards Gala. David reveals the store design philosophy behind Browns' 71 locations — wide entrances, best merchandise up front, AI-embedded traffic counting — plus why Browns has never hired a store leader from outside in 86 years, and why brand partners like On, Birkenstock and UGG are complements, not competitors. Selwyn Crittendon lays out IKEA Canada's grounded AI philosophy: better retailing, better operational efficiency, and better jobs — built on clean data, mandatory AI literacy training for 7,200 coworkers, and a firm commitment that AI augments rather than replaces people. He also unpacks IKEA's small-format expansion strategy, from plan and order points pioneered in Canada to the new London, Ontario store and IKEA's bold SoHo move in New York, and explains why sustainability paired with affordability is "the new superpower of retail." The conversation ranges from family business dynamics and talent retention to influencer marketing strategy — including Julia's advice that your associates and small business partners may be your most powerful untapped brand ambassadors — and wraps with David's three keys to retail success today: empower frontline employees to make customer-service decisions, break down organizational silos to stay agile in the AI era, and invest relentlessly in retaining great people. Recorded in front of a live studio audience — complete with a surprise Jilly Box giveaway featuring the sold-out first-ever men's box — this episode captures the energy, optimism and hard-won wisdom of Canadian retail's best, and Selwyn's reflections on why he stepped up to chair the RCC board during turbulent times. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025 and 2026. Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

This episode features Laura Elmore LeBlanc, Chief Executive Officer of the Sobering Center. Founded in 2018, The Sobering Center provides a safe, compassionate alternative to jail or the emergency room for individuals experiencing intoxication, serving more than 14,000 people while evolving into a national model for innovative, community-based substance use care that connects individuals to treatment, stabilization services, and ongoing support.If you have an innovation in mental health that you'd like to see on the podcast, email JCMH@txcourts.gov with the subject line "Reimagining Justice."*Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speakers' own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the JCMH, the Supreme Court of Texas, or the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only.

As global trade faces unprecedented disruption, international eCommerce remains one of the most compelling growth opportunities for retailers and brands. On this episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc welcomes Matthew Merrilees, CEO North America at Global-e, with special guest co-host Jim Okamura, co-founder of the Global eCommerce Leaders Forum, for a deep dive into the future of cross-border commerce and global retail expansion. Drawing on more than two decades of experience spanning international logistics, eCommerce, supply chain management, and global retail growth, Matthew provides a practical and insightful perspective on how brands can successfully navigate today's increasingly complex global marketplace. The conversation explores how supply chain disruption has evolved from a temporary challenge during the pandemic into a permanent strategic consideration for retailers. Matthew explains why agility, scenario planning, and operational flexibility have become essential capabilities for brands seeking sustainable growth in an environment shaped by tariffs, geopolitical uncertainty, changing regulations, and shifting consumer expectations. A central theme of the discussion is profitability. Matthew reveals why virtually every conversation with retailers today centres around profitable growth rather than simply pursuing top-line revenue. He discusses how brands are optimizing inventory allocation, managing duties and tariffs, leveraging duty drawback programs, simplifying technology stacks, and improving international fulfilment strategies to protect margins while expanding globally. Matthew shares why customers around the world continue to expect seamless, localized shopping experiences regardless of where a retailer is based. Whether shopping in Canada, Europe, the Middle East, or emerging markets, consumers increasingly demand domestic-like experiences that remove friction from cross-border transactions. Throughout the episode, Matthew outlines the characteristics that distinguish the most successful global brands. Digital-first thinking, calculated risk-taking, strong brand differentiation, and customer-centric innovation consistently separate market leaders from competitors. He argues that retailers who continue investing and expanding during periods of uncertainty are often best positioned to capture future growth. The episode concludes with a powerful call to action for retailers and brands considering international expansion: don't wait. As Matthew notes, consumers around the world are already discovering brands online. The question is no longer whether brands should go global—but how quickly they can do it profitably and effectively. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025 and 2026. Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

Amanda and Rachael break down the BC Conservative leadership race, Don Davie's proposed floor crossing bill, Trump and Leblanc, Cusma and Ontario liberal leadership! Follow us on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/beyondaballot/Thank you to our Title Sponsor, DoorDash!

Another week, another brand new episode. Check out all the latest tracks in this show. DJ Artin - Hopeless Heart Absolutely, John Summit - DON'T BELIEVE IT Martin Garrix - Catharina (Surf Mesa Remix) Fedde Le Grand - This Is A Groove TH;EN, Mia Mendi, Blake Light - Lights Don't Lie Hills, POLOVICH - Affection Nevve, Leblanc (ofc) - The Flood Joel Corry, RAHH - Devotion (Sweetest Emotion) Alok, Khalid - Dive Into Me (Hypaton Mix) Benny Benassi, Chris Nasty - Superstar BYOR - Club Go Crazy Will Sparks, JDG, Luciana - Bad Girls Skytech, AMRV - Just About to Lose Mike Candys - Headlights Armin van Buuren, Argy, Marlo Rex - Like A Child Crazy Town, bradeazy - Butterfly 2026 Goom Gum - Imagine

Le ministre Leblanc est en voyage aux États-Unis pour faire valoir les positions canadiennes dans le cadre de la renégociation de l’ACEUM, mais à ce contexte difficile s'ajoutent des nouvelles menaces tarifaires de la part de Donald Trump. Le Québec saura-t-il tirer son épingle du jeu ? Entrevue avec Louise Blais, émissaire du Québec dans le cadre de la révision de l'Accord Canada-États-Unis-Mexique (ACEUM). Regardez aussi cette discussion en vidéo via https://www.qub.ca/videos ou en vous abonnant à QUB télé : https://www.tvaplus.ca/qub ou sur la chaîne YouTube QUB https://www.youtube.com/@qub_radioPour de l'information concernant l'utilisation de vos données personnelles - https://omnystudio.com/policies/listener/fr

Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc called on the U.S. and Mexico to pursue a long-term renewal of CUSMA; U.S. President Donald Trump renewed his threat of Canada joining the U.S. as some economists dismissed it as political rhetoric; A new Nanos poll shows most Canadians want changes to health care as frustration grows over wait times and staffing shortages.

Ontario’s Representative in Washington David Paterson; B.C. Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay; The Front Bench with Dan Moulton, Melanie Paradis, George Soule and Laura Stone.

On this episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc welcomes Jackie Swanson, Managing Partner at Gartner Consulting, for a wide-ranging and highly practical conversation about artificial intelligence, agentic commerce, and the rapidly changing future of retail. Swanson brings Gartner's global perspective to one of the most urgent strategic issues facing retailers today: how AI is fundamentally reshaping customer discovery, commerce channels, operating models, and competitive advantage. Drawing on Gartner's extensive AI research and consulting work with retailers and consumer brands in Canada and around the world, she explains why generative AI represents a structural shift unlike previous technology waves such as cloud computing or mobile commerce. At the centre of the discussion is the rise of “agentic commerce” — a world where AI agents like ChatGPT, Claude, and future large language model interfaces increasingly sit between retailers and consumers. Instead of browsing websites or apps, customers are beginning to shop conversationally through AI interfaces that recommend, filter, compare, and eventually complete purchases on their behalf. Swanson explains why this represents an entirely new commerce channel and why retailers must rethink their strategies before they lose control of customer discovery and loyalty. Michael and Jackie explore the major implications for SEO, branding, merchandising, customer relationships, and organizational design as AI-driven commerce accelerates. Swanson introduces the emerging concept of “AEO” — AI Engine Optimization — and discusses how retailers must rethink product data, customer signals, and digital infrastructure to ensure their brands surface inside AI-driven shopping experiences. The conversation also tackles one of the industry's biggest strategic questions: who inside a retail organization should own AI? Swanson argues that an AI strategy cannot be confined solely to IT or digital teams. Instead, it must become a CEO-level, cross-functional transformation involving merchandising, marketing, loyalty, operations, and technology leadership. Swanson outlines three critical priorities retailers must address over the next 12 to 18 months: establishing strong AI governance and ethical frameworks, cleaning and restructuring enterprise data for AI readiness, and creating clear organizational ownership for AI strategy and execution. The episode closes with a fascinating discussion about which retail categories may benefit most from AI-driven commerce, why smaller challenger brands could gain unexpected advantages, and why retailers that adopt a “wait and see” approach risk falling dangerously behind. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025 and 2026. Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

The Listing Bits Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Greg Robertson sits down with Atticus LeBlanc, founder and CEO of PadSplit, to discuss the affordable housing crisis and how room-by-room rentals can create housing opportunities for people who are priced out of traditional apartments. Atticus shares his journey from commercial real estate broker to housing entrepreneur, the origins of PadSplit during the Great Financial Crisis, and how the company has grown from a single prototype house to more than 33,000 beds nationwide. The conversation explores shared housing, affordability challenges, real estate investing, and the role technology can play in expanding access to housing. Key Takeaways Atticus grew up in New Orleans, studied Architecture and Urban Studies at Yale University, and credits competitive swimming with teaching resilience and persistence. After entering commercial real estate during the early stages of the housing crash, he discovered an overlooked opportunity in room-by-room housing. A chance encounter with tenants Mitch and Otis led to his first rooming-house experiment, revealing strong demand from renters who couldn't qualify for traditional apartments. PadSplit was founded in 2017 to provide the operational and technology infrastructure needed to make shared housing scalable. The platform functions similarly to Airbnb, connecting hosts with renters while handling marketing, screening, payments, move-ins, and support. Many PadSplit residents are workers earning modest incomes who are unable to meet traditional apartment qualification requirements despite having stable employment. The company has grown from 82 beds in 2018 to roughly 33,000 beds today. Shared housing can help homeowners offset mortgage costs and create pathways toward real estate investing. Atticus argues that local market knowledge often matters more than national data when identifying successful housing opportunities. The average PadSplit resident stays about nine and a half months, though many remain for years due to the affordability and stability the model provides. Links Padsplit Atticus on LinkedIn Sponsors Aligned Showings — MLS-owned showing software built to simplify scheduling, improve communication, and keep MLS data where it belongs. Giant Steps Job Board – Built for organized real estate and PropTech, not generic tech bros and recruiters who don't know what an MLS is. Production and editing services by: Sunbound Studios

In Episode 308 of Where Brains Meet Beauty, Jodi Katz sits down with Michelle LeBlanc, VP Merchandising, Beauty, & Personal Care at CVS Health, to discuss the strategy behind merchandising beauty across more than 8,000 stores.Michelle shares how CVS approaches localization, balances legacy and emerging brands, and thinks about shopper behavior through the lens of speed, convenience, and accessibility. She explains why CVS sees itself as an “anti-destination” retailer, how customer feedback shapes assortments, and what today's shoppers are really asking for.The conversation also explores Michelle's 20-year career journey, her leadership philosophy centered on kindness and psychological safety, and the realities of balancing executive leadership with parenting three boys. It's a thoughtful conversation about modern retail, beauty discovery, and leading with humanity. Thanks to our partner CEW where you can discover how to accelerate your career - go to CEW.org and use code WBMB20 for 20% off your first year of membership.

NEW! Perfect for beginners, access our Microdosing Starter Package HERE.What happens when nurses (trained in high-pressure, evidence-based medical environments) turn inward and begin exploring healing through microdosing and plant medicine? In this deeply personal conversation, we're joined by psychiatric nurse practitioner Amber King, holistic nurse coach April LeBlanc, and holistic healing guide Wanda Handel to explore their experiences with psilocybin, nervous system healing, and emotional transformation.  You can find show notes, resources and more at: https://tinyurl.com/4ynejjdn 

On this episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc welcomes back Deb Craven to the podcast, President of Longo's and Retail Council of Canada's Distinguished Retailer of the Year for 2026, for an in-depth conversation about leadership, grocery innovation, Canadian retail growth, and what it takes to scale a beloved regional brand while preserving culture and customer trust. Recorded on the cusp of Longo's milestone 70th anniversary celebrations, Deb reflects on the remarkable evolution of one of Canada's most respected grocery retailers. She shares insights into the company's continued expansion strategy, including the upcoming opening of Longo's 44th store in Welland, Ontario— the furthest geographic expansion yet. Deb explains how Longo's has invested heavily in supply chain modernization, including doubling the size of its distribution centre, improving logistics flows, and introducing light automation to support future growth and operational consistency. The conversation also explores the strategic advantages Longo's has gained through its partnership with Empire Company Limited. Deb discusses how the relationship has created opportunities for shared learning, talent development, operational scale, and broader access to retail expertise while still allowing Longo's to maintain its unique identity, culture, and guest experience focus. Michael and Deb spend considerable time discussing the changing Canadian grocery landscape and how consumer expectations continue to evolve. From affordability concerns and value perception to the growing importance of protein, fibre, wellness, and GLP-1-driven shopping behaviours, Deb explains how Longo's is adapting merchandising, meal planning, and customer engagement strategies to remain highly relevant to modern shoppers. The discussion also dives into one of the most important emerging topics in retail: artificial intelligence and agentic commerce. Deb shares how Longo's is actively working to understand AI-driven shopping assistants and personalized grocery recommendations, and how retailers will need to position themselves as consumers increasingly rely on intelligent digital agents to make purchase decisions. Throughout the interview, Deb's leadership philosophy stands out clearly. She emphasizes listening, curiosity, empowering frontline employees, and maintaining a “store-first” mindset — principles that have helped Longo's consistently rank among Canada's top grocery experiences. The conversation culminates with reflections on Longo's recognition as Retail Council of Canada's Distinguished Retailer of the Year and what lies ahead for the company as it balances growth, innovation, and its deeply rooted community values. Please join us at STORE 2026 in Toronto June 2nd and 3rd, and for the Excellence in Retail gala to celebrate Deb's achievement, the evening of June 2nd at the conference. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025 and 2026. Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

You can find more from Mike here:Upcoming book, What If Anger Is the Answer?https://www.whatifangeristheanswer.com/A non-profit I am building to help Marines transition from the service to civilian lifehttps://www.marinesnextchapter.org/What does it take to go from leading Marines in combat to building humanoid robots for the Department of Defense—and what does that journey teach about confidence, leadership, and unshakeable self-worth? In this powerful episode of The Self Esteem and Confidence Mindset, we sit down with Mike LeBlanc, Marine Corps major, entrepreneur, Harvard Business School graduate, and founder of Foundation Future Industries, to explore his remarkable transition from 14 years in the Marines to creating robotics companies and pathways for veterans into startup and technology careers.Mike shares leadership lessons from the Marine Corps, how military discipline builds authentic confidence and self-esteem, the challenges of transitioning from service to entrepreneurship, and what it takes to build cutting-edge technology—including humanoid robots for the United States Department of War and industrial applications. His story reveals how purpose-driven leadership, resilience, and veteran mindset create unshakeable confidence in business and life.You can find more from Mike here:Upcoming book, What If Anger Is the Answer?⁠https://www.whatifangeristheanswer.com/⁠A non-profit I am building to help Marines transition from the service to civilian life⁠https://www.marinesnextchapter.org/⁠

On this episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc sits down with Stephen Bailey, Chief Marketing Officer of Vancouver's John Fluevog Shoes—one of North America's most distinctive independent retail brands. For over 56 years, Fluevog has built a fiercely loyal customer community by doing something most brands struggle to sustain: staying unapologetically unique. With 20 stores across Canada and the United States, a direct-to-consumer model, and a decision to step away from wholesale, Fluevog has created a retail ecosystem built on scarcity, craftsmanship, human connection, and creative courage. Stephen shares his 21-year journey helping shape one of Canada's most iconic design-led retail brands. From creating limited-run footwear collections manufactured in small family-owned factories around the world, to nurturing a passionate global community of “Fluevogers,” he explains why being “not for everyone” has become one of the company's greatest strategic advantages. Michael and Stephen explore how heritage brands stay relevant without becoming trapped by their own history. Stephen shares why Fluevog refuses to chase trends, how the company balances creativity with commercial discipline, and why staying true to brand character has helped them navigate economic cycles, retail disruption, and changing consumer behaviors. The conversation also tackles one of retail's biggest current themes: AI and algorithm-driven commerce. Stephen offers candid insights on how niche brands can thrive in a world increasingly shaped by machine-driven recommendations, digital marketing automation, and platform economics—while still protecting the human side of retail. They also discuss international growth, including Fluevog's ambitious expansion into Amsterdam, the lessons learned from operating in global markets, and why physical retail remains the company's most powerful marketing channel. Perhaps most importantly, Stephen shares why community remains Fluevog's ultimate moat. From in-store “Fluevogologists” delivering highly personalized service to customer interactions that dramatically reduce returns while building loyalty, Fluevog continues proving that in an increasingly digital world, human connection still drives extraordinary retail outcomes.   Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025 and 2026. Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

Recorded live from the stage at the SIAL Innovation Show in Montreal, this special episode of The Voice of Retail dives headfirst into one of the most disruptive forces reshaping commerce: artificial intelligence and its growing influence on how consumers discover, evaluate, and purchase food and grocery products. Michael welcomes Guillaume Mathieu, Co-Founder and Partner at Montreal's ilot, a strategic consultancy helping brands and retailers navigate growth, innovation, and consumer behaviour in Quebec and beyond. Guillaume also serves as Editor-in-Chief of Boillon, a leading B2B media platform for Quebec's agri-food sector, and is himself a podcaster in the brand and food space. Together, they unpack new consumer research revealing a fascinating contradiction: while consumers—especially younger shoppers—are rapidly embracing AI tools in everyday life, many remain hesitant when AI intersects with food. Why? Because food is deeply emotional, personal, and tied to authenticity. Guillaume shares proprietary insights showing that consumers are comfortable with “invisible AI,” such as asking ChatGPT for recipes or meal ideas, but become significantly more skeptical when AI becomes physically visible—whether that's robotic baristas, automated cooking systems, or AI-driven food preparation. The conversation explores how search behaviour is rapidly evolving from short keywords to highly contextual prompts. Consumers are no longer searching “pasta sauce”—they're asking for “a locally made tomato sauce perfect for a Mother's Day dinner.” That shift is creating enormous opportunities for smaller brands to compete against larger incumbents by winning on relevance, storytelling, authenticity, reviews, and discoverability across platforms like Reddit, websites, and emerging generative engines. Michael and Guillaume also examine the rise of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), the next evolution of SEO, and why brands must rethink their digital content strategy immediately. Product pages, recipes, reviews, seasonal content, and contextual storytelling may soon become critical assets in getting surfaced by platforms like OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and other AI-powered recommendation engines. On the retail side, the discussion turns to smart appliances, AI-powered grocery ecosystems, and the possibility that refrigerators themselves could become the next e-commerce channel. As technology companies, delivery platforms, and retailers compete for ownership of consumer relationships, this episode offers essential strategic insight for grocers, food brands, marketers, and retail executives.   https://ilotetcie.com/ Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025 and 2026. Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

This week we interviewed Tarah Combs LeBlanc, a Democratic candidate in District 33. She spoke to us about running for office as a working mother and what she would bring to Frankfort as a person who is actually impacted by issues. In addition to the interview, we spoke about Donald Trump making major endorsements in the Kentucky Senate and US-6 district, and the impacts on those races, plus several quick hits.

In this high-energy live episode of The Voice of Retail, Michael welcomes two dynamic voices shaping the future of retail and consumer brands: Jake Karls and Carl Boutet. Recorded live on location, this spontaneous conversation delivers powerful insights into what it takes to build a modern consumer brand in an increasingly crowded, algorithm-driven marketplace. Jake Karls shares the remarkable growth story behind Mid-Day Squares—from launching the company in Montreal with his sister and brother-in-law to building a vertically integrated manufacturing business producing more than 150,000 bars per day across North America. But this isn't just a product story. Jake explains how Mid-Day Squares intentionally built a media company mindset from day one, hiring content creators before traditional food scientists, documenting their journey, and turning storytelling into one of their most valuable growth engines. Listeners will hear how a major cocoa pricing crisis nearly disrupted the business—and how that challenge sparked one of their biggest innovations: their breakout “No Bread PB&J” product line. Jake reveals how combining product innovation with viral content, emotional storytelling, and fearless authenticity helped the brand secure retailer support and create consumer demand at scale. Carl Boutet brings his trademark strategic lens to the conversation, unpacking why brands must “take back agency” in an era increasingly dominated by AI-generated content and algorithmic sameness. Drawing from themes in his upcoming book, Carl argues that AI is quickly becoming table stakes—not differentiation—and that the brands that win will be those that create genuine emotional connection, distinctiveness, and memorability. The conversation also explores the evolving role of retail media, the power of founder-led storytelling, startup innovation in CPG, and why in a world of automation, human energy may be the ultimate competitive advantage. For retailers, brand builders, entrepreneurs, and marketers trying to understand what cuts through in today's attention economy, this episode delivers practical insights, inspiration, and plenty of laughs.   Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025 and 2026. Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

A NASA nuclear scientist died after a fiery crash in a rural Alabama town last year, which at the time caused suspicion among family members. Joshua LeBlanc, 29, died in a fiery crash in his Tesla on July 22, 2025. The crash happened in Huntsville, Alabama where his Tesla was found burned beyond recognition at about 2:45 in the afternoon.NASA nuclear engineer found dead in burned Tesla after vanishing from his Alabama home last yearLink - https://nypost.com/2026/04/23/us-news/nasa-nuclear-engineer-joshua-leblanc-found-dead-in-tesla-after-vanishing-from-alabama-home/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=nypostFamily of Paranormal YouTuber David Wilcock Speaks Out After He Dies by Suicide at 53Wilcock, 53, died by suicide on April 20, the Boulder County Sheriff's Office said.People OnlineLink - https://people.com/family-of-paranormal-youtuber-david-wilcock-speaks-out-after-he-dies-by-suicide-11957395Attribution:David Wicock Video from Interstellar@InterstellarUAP on XLink: https://x.com/InterstellarUAP/status/2047038412167774583?s=20David Wilcock X posts via TaraBull @TaraBull on XLink: https://x.com/TaraBull/status/2046921961553694906?s=20Eric Bulison Audio vis Rep. Eric Burlison @RepEricBurlison on XLink: https://x.com/RepEricBurlison/status/2046990034708947101?s=20Joshua LeBlanc via New York Post @nypost on X Link: https://x.com/nypost/status/2047200601075765390?s=20Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-tempest-universe--4712510/support.Please follow the #podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTempestUniversePodcast?sub_confirmation=1

In this special ENCORE episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc sits down with Mat Povse, President of Best Buy Canada, live on the stage in Vancouver at Retail Council of Canada's 2025 Retail West stage for a wide-ranging and candid conversation on leadership, innovation, omnichannel retail, and the future of consumer technology in Canada. Povse begins by unpacking what is currently working at Best Buy Canada, pointing to strong financial momentum driven by a clear sense of purpose: understanding why the retailer exists and how it adds value in a crowded technology marketplace. He emphasizes that Best Buy is not simply a retailer, but a people-first organization built on adaptability, humility, and a culture that embraces constant change. That mindset has enabled the company to modernize approximately 85% of its Canadian store fleet, with plans to reach full modernization across all 320 locations—an achievement Povse notes is rare by global retail standards. The conversation explores the evolving role of physical stores in an attention-scarce world. Povse explains how Best Buy balances frictionless transactions for efficiency-driven shoppers with high-touch, consultative experiences for customers overwhelmed by complex technology decisions. This dual mandate—serving both mass market and specialty retail needs—defines Best Buy's in-store strategy and underpins its omnichannel ecosystem. LeBlanc and Povse also examine post-pandemic tailwinds, including technology refresh cycles following the COVID “buy-forward” period. Povse outlines how innovation from major vendors, operating system upgrades, gaming launches, and AI-enabled devices are fueling renewed demand. He positions Best Buy as a critical platform for brands bringing new technology to market, reinforcing its role as both retailer and technology authority. A significant portion of the discussion focuses on Best Buy Express, the partnership with Bell that rapidly expanded the retailer's physical footprint by opening 167 stores in just five months. Povse describes the initiative as “fiercely successful,” highlighting how Express locations are driving both in-store traffic and incremental online sales in previously underserved markets. The episode also dives into Best Buy's early leadership in retail media and marketplace strategy. Povse frames Best Buy as a platform connecting first- and third-party sellers with consumers across stores, digital channels, and media assets—while stressing the importance of protecting the customer experience. He underscores that retail media must enhance relevance, not create friction. Finally, Povse reflects on leadership philosophy, advocating for collaborative decision-making, discretionary effort, and values-driven culture. He closes with practical advice for retailers and vendors alike: build the right team, listen more than you speak, understand your business at both micro and macro levels, and lead with honesty and humility. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025 and 2026. Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

A NASA nuclear scientist died after a fiery crash in a rural Alabama town last year, which at the time caused suspicion among family members. Joshua LeBlanc, 29, died in a fiery crash in his Tesla on July 22, 2025. The crash happened in Huntsville, Alabama where his Tesla was found burned beyond recognition at about 2:45 in the afternoon.NASA nuclear engineer found dead in burned Tesla after vanishing from his Alabama home last yearLink - https://nypost.com/2026/04/23/us-news/nasa-nuclear-engineer-joshua-leblanc-found-dead-in-tesla-after-vanishing-from-alabama-home/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=nypostFamily of Paranormal YouTuber David Wilcock Speaks Out After He Dies by Suicide at 53Wilcock, 53, died by suicide on April 20, the Boulder County Sheriff's Office said.People OnlineLink - https://people.com/family-of-paranormal-youtuber-david-wilcock-speaks-out-after-he-dies-by-suicide-11957395Attribution:David Wicock Video from Interstellar@InterstellarUAP on XLink: https://x.com/InterstellarUAP/status/2047038412167774583?s=20David Wilcock X posts via TaraBull @TaraBull on XLink: https://x.com/TaraBull/status/2046921961553694906?s=20Eric Bulison Audio vis Rep. Eric Burlison @RepEricBurlison on XLink: https://x.com/RepEricBurlison/status/2046990034708947101?s=20Joshua LeBlanc via New York Post @nypost on X Link: https://x.com/nypost/status/2047200601075765390?s=20Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-tempest-universe--4712510/support.Please follow the #podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTempestUniversePodcast?sub_confirmation=1

From space‑lab clean rooms to the inner universe of human awareness, my guest Todd R. LeBlanc has spent decades exploring both the frontiers of technology and the depths of consciousness. In this episode, we talk about his journey from seasoned space‑lab manager to author of The Book of Odd and his new project, The Book of Odd: Awakening. Todd explains why our greatest “technology” isn't rockets or AI, but awareness itself—our ability to live in the present moment, ask better questions, and recognize that “right now” is the only place we ever have any agency. We dig into what most people get wrong about time, the anthropic principle and our role as conscious observers, and why cultivating curiosity, gratitude, and critical thinking is more powerful than chasing status or stuff. https://youtu.be/j4cga5xSrRQ?si=FnUBXqWFik_RCERl You'll hear how Todd structures his days around meditation and writing before he gives any energy to his day job, why he believes we should “give our best self to ourselves” first, and how simple habits like journaling, reading, and daily reflection can lead to a quiet but profound awakening. We talk about seeing hidden wonder in everyday things—from toilets and soccer balls to the Panama Canal and public libraries—how to protect yourself from misinformation by strengthening your own mind, and why he thinks we're each just one line in a much larger language of existence carried through our DNA and culture. If you're ready to become more present, more curious, and more intentional with your one “flicker” of time, this conversation will give you both inspiration and concrete first steps. Resources: Todd R. LeBlanc on Linkedin The Book of Odd

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Paul J. LeBlanc, Visiting Scholar & Special Advisor, Harvard University Graduate School of Education (HGSE)In this episode, recorded LIVE from the Ellucian Live 2026 conference in Denver, Colorado,YOUR host is Dr. Jodi BlincoListen in to #EdUpThank YOU so much for tuning in. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to EdUp!Connect with YOUR EdUp Team - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Elvin Freytes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Joe Sallustio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠● Join YOUR EdUp community at ⁠The EdUp Experience⁠We make education YOUR business!P.S. Want access to the only intelligence platform built exclusively from presidential conversations in higher education? Join EdUp Leadership!

In this debut episode of the podcast's new deal breakdown segment, Axel sits down with Sean LeBlanc of Mammoth Properties to dissect one of the most compelling deals they've done together — a 23-unit, three-property portfolio in New Hampshire that returned nearly all investor capital within 14 months, while still leaving two cash-flowing buildings on the books with solid long-term debt.Sean walks through the full lifecycle of the deal: how it was sourced off-market through a residential agent, how the joint venture was structured, the rough value-add conditions they inherited, what went better than expected (rents in Manchester), what went worse (the Farmington property), and how the decision to sell one building early unlocked a home run outcome for all investors involved.This episode is a masterclass in deal flexibility, portfolio loan structuring, and why scattered-site portfolios remain one of the last great opportunities to buy at a real discount in today's market.Join us as we dive into:How a 23-unit, three-property portfolio in New Hampshire was sourced entirely off-market through a residential agent relationshipHow Axel and Sean structured a simple joint venture to take down a deal that was at the ceiling of Sean's deal size at the timeThe value-add playbook: tackle vacant units first, assess inherited tenants for reliability, renovate quickly, and phase in rent increasesHow the Manchester properties outperformed projected rents — underwriting 3-beds at $1,800, achieving $2,100 on fully renovated downtown unitsThe decision to sell the Farmington property after one year: sale price of $1,210,000, net proceeds of $505,337 — nearly recovering the full $555,000 of invested equityHow a subsequent refinance of the remaining two Manchester buildings generated an additional $242,000 in proceeds, bringing total cash returned to $748,000 on $555,000 investedWhy partial release language in a portfolio loan is the single most important thing to negotiate before you closeWhy scattered-site portfolios remain one of the best places to find below-market deals — and why the big institutional buyers largely ignore themConnect with Sean LeBlanc:Follow him on InstagramLearn more about Mammoth PropertiesAre you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.Connect with Axel:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners

On this episode of TTP, we're chatting with a trio of fighters on UFC Winnipeg and breaking down the fights this weekend as well. TIME STAMPS: John Castaneda Interview - 2:00 Fights, Dogs, and Parlays: UFC Winnipeg - 17:11 Melissa Croden Interview - 23:10 Julien LeBlanc Interview - 32:21 And be sure to check out ou sponsor: getproply.com

In this episode, Axel records the first-ever live, in-studio episode of the Multifamily Wealth Podcast alongside good friend and fellow Southern New Hampshire investor Sean LeBlanc of Mammoth Properties. Sean runs a vertically integrated operation managing 262 units and roughly $60M in assets — and brings a uniquely hands-on, operator-first perspective to every aspect of buying and running multifamily real estate.The conversation covers Sean's journey from mortgage broker to full-time operator, the philosophical and practical differences between operator-first investors and spreadsheet-first investors, and how building a world-class in-house management team creates a genuine competitive edge when pursuing deals. Sean and Axel also get into the tactical mechanics of executing a value-add business plan — from what happens on day one post-close to how to sequence exterior improvements, rent increases, and tenant communication to maximize results.This episode is essential listening for operators who want to understand how in-house management creates acquisition advantages, and for investors at any stage who want a real, unfiltered look at what building a sustainable multifamily business actually requires.Join us as we dive into:How Sean built Mammoth Properties by selling his best-performing asset, parking $250K into an operating account, and hiring top-down from day oneThe "grow or die" phase every serious operator goes through early on — and why some risk-taking early in your career is necessaryThe operator-first vs. spreadsheet-first investor divide — and why Sean views every acquisition through a management lensWhy hiring a high-level COO (Troy) before hiring anyone else unlocked the foundation for long-term portfolio growthHow vertical integration — owning cleaning contracts, maintenance, and renovations under Mammoth — creates certainty in underwriting that third-party operators simply can't matchThe sequencing strategy for value-add takeovers: big exterior improvements first, phased rent increases over the first six months, and targeting bad-apple tenants earlyWhy common area renovations early in a heavy value-add can backfire — and what to focus on insteadThe role of goodwill and reputation in long-term vacancy performance — and why spending money that doesn't pencil on paper often pays off in the P&LCurrent challenges: market paranoia, the political climate around rent control, and the difficulty of making clean acquisition decisions as a more established operatorWhy New Hampshire remains one of the most compelling multifamily markets in New England — and what the Massachusetts rent control vote in November could signalConnect with Sean LeBlanc:Follow him on InstagramLearn more about Mammoth PropertiesConnect with Axel:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners

Dominic LeBlanc explique pourquoi le PLC n'accepterait pas que Jacques Gourde rejoigne ses rangs. Et Justine Philie se fâche contre les épiceries qui ne reprennent plus les contenants consignés.

MMA Lock of the Night is back to give you breakdowns and predictions for UFC Winnipeg: Burns vs Malott. Also on the card, Phillips vs Jourdain, Nallo vs Herbert, Jasudavicius vs Silva, Moises vs Young, and Buzukja vs Barbosa.

Atticus LeBlanc, CEO of PadSplit, shares insights on transforming affordable housing through shared living, innovative business models, and addressing the housing crisis efficiently. Discover how their marketplace reduces vacancy loss, simplifies operations, and creates impactful solutions for workforce housing and beyond.   Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind:  Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply   Investor Machine Marketing Partnership:  Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true 'white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com   Coaching with Mike Hambright:  Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike   Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a "mini-mastermind" with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming "Retreat", either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas "Big H Ranch"? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat   Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform!  Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/   New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club   —--------------------

In this week's episode, Lisa interviews Florence K, award-winning musician, author, and mental health advocate. Florence talks with Lisa about her experience growing up in a musical household and the bond of touring musicians. She also addresses the challenges of being a professional musician. In her current work as a PhD candidate in clinical psychology at the University of Quebec in Montréal, she explores the complex link between mood, creativity, and well-being in the performing arts. Joining in the conversation is Dr. Aimée Gaudette-Leblanc. Aimée is a professor and researcher whose work focuses on early childhood development, parent-child relationships, and the role of arts and culture in family well-being. Aimée shares insight into the family ensemble, sensitive and responsive parenting, and the joy of observing your children musicking.Florence K's artist pageFlorence K shares “My Story” in The Catalyst, publication of The Mental Health Commission of Canada. Florence K's co-authored article, “Exploring the well-being of professional female musicians: a self-determination theory perspective” in Frontiers in PsychologyAimée's co-authored article, “The implications of participating in a Music Early Learning Program for parental sensitivity and socioemotional functioning in children aged 2–5 years: A randomized control trial” in Psychology of MusicAimée's faculty homepageSesame Street song “Put Down the Duckie” discussed in episode

In this episode, Edward LeBlanc breaks down the three essential ingredients every great practice needs: fun, finding something new, and embracing frustration. He challenges coaches to redefine “fun” as enjoyment of growth and hard work, while emphasizing that real improvement comes from discovery and struggling through mistakes. The discussion dives into common coaching mistakes—like overloading players, poor communication, and prioritizing outcomes over process—and offers clear ways to fix them. LeBlanc also shares how elite coaches evolve by simplifying teaching, asking better questions, and creating game-like learning environments. If you want to run more effective practices and develop smarter, more resilient players, this episode is packed with actionable insight.Show Notes:3 Essentials: Fun, Find, Frustrate Enjoying the work, not just games Keeping players engaged through discoveryFind something new every practice Learning can come from old skills, seen differently Frustration is part of growth Teach players to embrace mistakes Avoid overcomplicating drills Don't prioritize results over process Define the “win” in every drill Replace generic coach speak with specifics Ask more questionsConnect drills to real game situations Use more game-like reps Balance simple vs. complex teaching Adjust based on age and development Create a shared team vocabulary Allowing bad repsEvolving as a coachSend us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.After analyzing over 100 million shots, basketball data scientists at Noah Basketball have uncovered the formula of the perfect shot, helping players on 28 of 30 NBA teams improve their accuracy faster than ever before.This same patented shot-tracking technology is now available to you in the Noah Backboard for a fraction of the cost. Learn more today at noahbasketball.com. Inquire while supplies last! Register for a PGC Basketball camp today and register to be a PGC Partner Program to receive exclusive discounts: https://pgcbasketball.com/partner 

This week, the PATHPod gals bring you something brand new—our very first sponsored episode, created in collaboration with U.S. Soy. And wow… did the stars align for this one. As longtime soy lovers (professionally and personally), partnering with a research‑driven, evidence‑based organization felt like the perfect fit.We're joined by the wonderful Chelsea LeBlanc, RD, a Nashville‑based dietitian, media expert, and mom who brings warmth, clarity, and practical wisdom to every part of this conversation. Together, we walk through eight evidence‑based “Soy Prizes”—the surprising, reassuring, and downright fascinating benefits of soy foods.From complete protein to heart health, from seed‑oil panic to brain health, from prostate and breast cancer research to menopause support and even skin health… this episode is packed with science, stories, and simple ways to bring soy into your everyday routine.You'll also hear our own “soy surprises,” kitchen favorites, and easy ways to start experimenting—tempeh tacos, miso dressings, edamame shortcuts, tofu magic, and more. As always, it's conversational, joyful, and rooted in real‑life habits that help you feel good.Resources MentionedAll linked resources are available through U.S. Soy and the Soy Nutrition Institute Global:National Soy Foods Month Hub:Consumer Resources - www.soyconnection.com/soyfoodsmonthProfessional Resources - soyfoodsmonth.ussoy.org   Soy Foods Guide (tips, recipes, how‑tos) Dietitian Toolkit (mix‑and‑match guides, bento ideas, plant‑protein snacks, media resources) Soy Nutrition Institute Global - https://sniglobal.orgCalls to Action Try a soy milk swap this week—coffee, smoothies, cereal. Pick one new soy food to explore: tofu, tempeh, miso, edamame, soy nuts. Challenge assumptions and stay curious—soy science is far more reassuring than the myths. Check out the recipes and resources in the show notes and start building your own soy toolkit. Why This Episode MattersSoy is versatile, delicious, accessible, and backed by decades of research. Whether you're team tofu, team tempeh, team edamame, or team “still figuring it out,” we hope this episode helps you feel confident, inspired, and maybe even a little soy‑prised.

There is a quiet myth in startup culture: that building something big requires sacrificing your body, your relationships, and your inner life. But what if the most durable companies are built by people who know how to take care of themselves before the pressure hits? Host Yusuf sits down with Mike LeBlanc, a decorated Marine Corps officer, Harvard Business School graduate, co-founder of Cobalt Robotics and Foundation Future Industries, and author of the upcoming book What If Anger is the Answer? Mike brings a grounded, honest perspective on what it really takes to build under pressure, why rigidity breaks companies, and why the first system any company runs on is the founder's own health and mindset. About the Guest: Mike LeBlanc is a former Marine Corps major who completed three tours to the Middle East, served as an economic and technology advisor to the Pentagon, and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School. He co-founded Cobalt Robotics, a Silicon Valley startup backed by Sequoia, Founders Fund, and Coatue, which raised over $120 million and was acquired in 2024. He is now co-founder of Foundation Future Industries, building humanoid robots for the U.S. Department of Defense. His book What If Anger is the Answer? is available for pre-order on Amazon, Target, and Barnes and Noble. Key Takeaways: Internal grit is the skill no one can give you. Being turned down by over a thousand investors while still raising more than $100 million requires an inner resilience that goes far deeper than strategy. The founders who survive rejection have already decided they know what they have. Stop stretching your neck. Mike's Lamarck vs Darwin analogy is clear: most people exhaust themselves adapting to whatever environment they're in. The smarter move is to find the environment where you are already the best fit. There are no bad genres, only bad stories. Stress, uncertainty, and hard pivots are not signs something went wrong. They are features of the startup genre. Reframing difficulty as part of the experience, not a detour from it, is what keeps founders going. Founder burnout is often hidden resentment. When founders become controlling under pressure, what is usually underneath is not fear. It is a feeling that no one else cares the way they do. Naming that honestly is the first step to leading better. Food, sleep, and exercise are the three easiest levers. Emotional and hierarchy pressures are hard to control. Your workout, your sleep, and what you eat are fully in your hands. When everything else feels uncertain, protect these. The builder is the first system. Your nervous system, your sleep debt, your body all flow directly into your decisions, your culture, and your company. Taking care of yourself is not a detour from building. It is building. Connect With Mike LeBlanc: Book (pre-order): What If Anger is the Answer? by Mike LeBlanc Available at: Amazon, Target, Barnes and Noble LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mike-leblanc-20783b114 Episode Chapters: [00:00] Opening: What If the Healthiest Founders Build the Strongest Companies? [03:00] Welcome: Who Is Mike LeBlanc? (approx.) [04:00] The One Internal Skill Every Founder Must Build: Grit After a Thousand Rejections [07:00] Lamarck vs Darwin: Stop Stretching Your Neck and Find Your Environment [08:00] The Misconception About Building: Embrace the Genre, Not Just the Goal [10:00] Flow, Eudaimonia, and Why Flourishing Beats Happiness as a North Star [12:00] What Is Really Behind Founder Control and Reactivity Under Pressure [17:00] The Practical Shift: Food, Sleep, and Exercise Are the Easy Levers [20:00] Lead Yourself First: The Builder Is the First System the Company Runs On Want to be a guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life? DM on PM - Send me a message on PodMatch DM Me Here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik Disclaimer: This episode is produced for educational and informational purposes only. All views expressed by the guest are their personal opinions alone and do not represent the views of the host or Healthy Mind by Avik™. The Network does not verify, endorse, or assume responsibility for any guest statements. Nothing in this episode constitutes medical, legal, financial, or professional advice, please consult a qualified professional before making any decisions. Listeners are encouraged to engage critically and independently with all content do not consume blindly. Use this content as a starting point for your own reflection and research, not as a substitute for professional guidance. Third-party content is referenced under fair use for informational purposes only. Guest speakers are solely responsible for their own statements. If you have concerns about any content, please contact us here By listening, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer in full. Read detailed disclaimer here. Healthy Mind By Avik™️ is a global platform redefining mental health as a necessity, not a luxury. Born during the pandemic, it's become a sanctuary for healing, growth, and mindful living. Hosted by Avik Chakraborty, storyteller, survivor, and wellness advocate. With over 6500+ episodes and 200K+ global listeners, we unite voices, break stigma, and build a world where every story matters.