Uncommon Sense

Hosted by CPA Alberta

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Alberta Chartered Professional Accountants (CPAs) are remarkable. They’re experts and entrepreneurs; innovators and change makers; early adopters and trailblazers. And they each have a story to tell. Listen to the Uncommon Sense podcast to hear Alberta CPAs share their stories and insights on leadership, business, education, finance, technology, and so much more. Uncommon Sense is produced by the Alberta CPA Education Foundation’s Hesje CPA Knowledge Centre.

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60 recent

June 11, 202645 min

Overcoming Personal Challenges to Serve Others with Mika Kitagawa-Friesen

Content Warning: This episode covers a variety of topics, including discussion around sexual abuse and violence, which may be upsetting to some listeners. If you or someone you know could benefit from the resources discussed in this episode, please visit https://www.sace.ca/contact/. Mika Kitagawa-Friesen CPA, CMA recently received CPA Alberta's Distinguished Accomplishment Award, in part because of her work as CFO of the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton. On this revelatory episode, Mika talks about her work at the Centre and what it means to her to be part of a team that supports survivors and educates the community about sexual violence. She also discusses her unique career path, her experiences as an immigrant to Canada, and how a health crisis affected her professional and personal lives. ------- Let us know what you think of this week's episode. Take our survey >> https://bit.ly/4kNI2NJ

May 28, 202641 min

Building Leadership Skills Through Executive Coaching with Jason Labonte CPA, CMA

Our guest on this episode is Jason Labonte CPA, CMA, a Certified Executive Coach. Jason shares some perspectives on the value and benefits of executive coaching and how coaching can help professionals hone their leadership skills. He discusses the qualities and characteristics of successful leaders, and how the demands on leaders are changing. Jason is also an accomplished Ironman athlete, so we took some time on this episode to talk with Jason about his commitment to this grueling sport. All in all, it's an eye-opening and enjoyable conversation with an insightful guest. Let us know what you think of this week's episode. Take our survey >> https://bit.ly/4kNI2NJ

May 14, 202627 min

Two Perspectives on Mentorship with Sandy Lyons and Rod Gatti

Two Perspectives on Mentorship with Sandy Lyons and Rod Gatti by CPA Alberta

April 30, 202631 min

Putting Yourself Out There: Helping Women-Led Businesses Thrive with Sarah Carver, Part 2

In Part 2 of Sarah Carver's conversation with host Erin Schwartz, Sarah discusses the impact of tariffs and AI on small businesses such as C-West Custom Fixtures and how these impacts are being addressed. She also talks about the path to success for women-led businesses in traditionally male-dominated business sectors. As well, Sarah shares her reasons for being a dedicated supporter and mentor of younger professionals. There's much more to hear about in this engaging conversation about the many ways people can "put themselves out there" in their careers and their lives.

April 30, 202633 min

Putting Yourself Out There: Helping Women-Led Businesses Thrive with Sarah Carver, Part 1

In the first episode of this two-part conversation, Calgary CPA Sarah Carver joins host Erin Schwartz CPA to talk about her career path and how her decision to become a CPA instead of a lawyer led to her current role as Financial Controller for C-West Custom Fixtures as well as co-founder of her own design studio. A common theme underpinning Sarah's career has been her belief in the value of "putting yourself out there" and taking risks. Sarah reflects on the rewards that come with being part of a women-led business and how C-West successfully managed through the COVID-19 pandemic. Sarah and Erin also discuss Sarah's volunteer work with the Narrow Road Recovery Home and what that work has meant to her.

April 16, 202629 min

Reflecting on a Remarkable Career: A Conversation with Stephen Bergstrom, Part 1

Stephen Bergstrom FCPA, FCMA is semi-retired. Well, sort of. In Part 1 of a two-part conversation with CPA Education Foundation Director Erin Schwartz CPA, Stephen explains what he means when he says he's unclear on the concept of retirement and describes how he stays busy (very busy) during his semi-retirement. Stephen chats about his career as a CPA and accounting educator—a career that included serving in support of Canada's armed forces in two different conflict zones. His conversation with Erin is wide-ranging, informative, and intriguing, and even includes one of the best meet-cute stories you'll ever hear. Let us know what you think of this week's episode. Take our survey >> https://bit.ly/4kNI2NJ

April 16, 202631 min

Reflecting on a Remarkable Career: A Conversation with Stephen Bergstrom - Part 2

Stephen Bergstrom FCPA, FCMA continues his conversation with host Erin Schwartz CPA about the value of staying busy during retirement and provides some thoughts on how people can prepare for retirement. The conversation then turns to trends in post-secondary accounting education and how students are responding to those trends. With his customary insight and wisdom, Stephen provides an informed glimpse into the value of accounting education and turning that education into a career. Let us know what you think of this week's episode. Take our survey >> https://bit.ly/4kNI2NJ

April 2, 202637 min

Mentorship and the CPA Profession with Deepa Mittimani CPA

Having a mentor can be a key factor in any professional's career growth and success. Deepa Mittimani CPA has lent her unique skills and history of career accomplishments to her record of service as a mentor to Alberta CPAs and other professionals. In this episode, Deepa does a deep dive into her work as a mentor and shares how her own experiences as a new Canadian have shaped how she supports mentees new to Canada. She also touches on her work as an accomplished artist and writer, and the unexpected connections between life as a CPA and life as an artist. Let us know what you think of this week's episode. Take our survey >> https://bit.ly/4kNI2NJ

March 19, 202636 min

Tax Tips for 2026 With CPA Ryan Clarke - Part 2

In Part 2 of our tax tips discussion with Ryan Clarke CPA, CA, FEA, Ryan walks listeners through some changes and new features related to filing of personal tax returns for the 2025 tax year. Ryan also outlines steps to take if you're unable to pay your taxes or if you make a mistake on your tax return. Note: This episode contains general information about filing your tax return and is not meant to be construed as personal advice. Let us know what you think of this week's episode. Take our survey >> https://bit.ly/4kNI2NJ

March 19, 202623 min

Tax Tips for 2026 With CPA Ryan Clarke - Part 1

Tax expert Ryan Clarke CPA, CA, FEA, joins us for this annual "tax tips" episode for personal income tax filers in Alberta. In Part 1, Ryan shares a bit about his career journey, and then outlines some general information about filing personal income tax returns for the 2025 tax year. Note: This episode contains general information about filing your tax return and is not meant to be construed as personal advice. Let us know what you think of this week's episode. Take our survey >> https://bit.ly/4kNI2NJ