Connecting The Dots

In Part Two of Connecting the Dots, I continue my conversation with Ken Wilden. What picks up from the turning point we paused on becomes a practical look at performing under pressure, learning from failure, and staying sharp when the stakes are high. In this episode, Ken breaks down how he approaches feedback, checks his ego at the door, and uses setbacks (including major crashes), as fuel for growth rather than reasons to step away. His story is a reminder that high-performance careers are built through repetition, humility, and the discipline to keep improving long after the spotlight fades.

In this episode of Connecting the Dots, I sit down with Nick Dean, a creative leader who has built his career at the intersection of hospitality, culture, and people-first leadership. As President of one of Canada’s most recognizable restaurant brands, The Keg, Nick has spent years shaping environments where people feel seen, empowered, and excited to grow. In just a few minutes, Nick breaks down why great leadership starts with how you make others feel, why empowering people is a daily practice (not a slogan), and how smiling, taking risks, and having fun along the way can transform both teams and careers. Sometimes, the biggest impact you can make is simply believing in someone before they believe in themselves.

In this episode of Connecting the Dots, I sit down with Randy Powell, a president and people-first leader who’s scaled brands across food, retail, and consumer goods. What started as a “spiral up” at Campbell Soup evolved into leading organizations at SC Johnson, Second Cup, and Maple Leaf Foods, and even owning a brewery. In Part One, Randy shares how he trusts his intuition, listens hard, and makes brave calls when the data runs thin. His story is a reminder that leadership compounds in the messy middle, and that the best careers are measured by the people you lift.

In this episode of Connecting the Dots, I sit down with Paulo Rhee - the son of immigrants who started in private equity, pivoted into hedge funds, and eventually took a leap to build something of his own. In just 10 minutes, Paulo shares how he spotted an overlooked opportunity turned and why starting a hedge fund doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s playbook. His story is a reminder that the path isn’t always straight — and that you don’t need to reinvent the system to make your mark — sometimes, you just need to trust your instincts and take the risk.

In this episode of Connecting the Dots, I sit down with John Steadman — former varsity swimmer and educator making an impact on the court and in the classroom. In just 10 minutes, John shares how he's built a meaningful path beyond sport by staying true to himself. His story is a reminder that growth doesn’t require a perfect plan — just presence, purpose, and patience. We talk about navigating the early days of your career, the power of being real, and why your greatest impact often comes from who you are, not what you've achieved.

In this episode of Connecting the Dots, I sit down with Jayne McCaw, President & Founder of Jayne’s Cottages, winner of the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Start-Up Award, and a pioneer in the luxury cottage rental industry. In just 10 minutes, Jayne shares her journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship, detailing how she built a thriving business by identifying an untapped market and building incredible trust with customers. We dive into her approach to creating a personal brand, and her advice for embracing failure as a stepping stone to success. Tune in for inspiring insights from a leader who has redefined success by balancing bold decisions, resilience, and integrity.

In this episode of Connecting the Dots, I sit down with Sarah Arulanandam, a trailblazer in both academia and business. In just 10 minutes, Sarah reflects on her journey through education and the corporate world, sharing how she persevered through systemic challenges. We discuss her experiences overcoming obstacles, her advice on staying committed to your passions, and how she has helped redefine breaking new ground. Tune in for valuable insights from someone who has thrived in pushing boundaries and creating new opportunities

In this episode of Connecting the Dots, I sit down with Carl Oxholm, the acclaimed author of The Biology of Leadership, a Forbes top 5 must-read on business leadership. In 10 minutes, we explore the exhilarating journey of taking that first bold step, the power of building unstoppable momentum, the importance of forging a strong, supportive network, and the art of turning obstacles into opportunities. Carl shares his inspiration for writing the book, the biggest challenges he faced, and the greatest lessons he learned along the way. Tune in for insightful advice from a true leader on how to navigate your own path to success.