The Exec Hotseat Podcast [Executive]

Hosted by BRD | Brand Revival & Design Inc.

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May 2026

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Your go-to guide for business leadership, offering an insider look into the world of business and entrepreneurship through interviews with industry shaping leaders and CEO's. From starting a small business to running a large corporate organization - from finances to mindset, to building community, we cover it all; diving into the principles and practices that can help you understand and navigate the ever-changing business landscape. While sharing stories, business leader to business leader - it is our mission to also deliver actionable & meaningful advice on a wide array of topics, that will elevate the lives and businesses of our audience with each episode.

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27 recent

May 28, 2026Episode 2657 min

26 - In Front of What's Ahead: Fred Meier on Leadership, Learning, and Manitoba's Workforce Future

Featuring: Fred Meier, President and CEO of RRC Polytech In this episode of The Exec Hotseat Podcast, Lisa Thompson and Amanda Buhse connect with Fred Meier, President and CEO of RRC Polytech for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, public service, innovation, and the future of education in Manitoba. Fred shares his journey from growing up in Winnipeg as the child of immigrants to spending more than two decades in Manitoba's public service before stepping into leadership at RRC Polytech in 2020 — right at the start of the pandemic. Along the way, he reflects on the mentors and lessons that shaped his leadership style, the importance of listening before problem-solving, and why relationships remain one of the most valuable investments leaders can make. The conversation also explores how RRC Polytech is evolving to meet the needs of a rapidly changing workforce. From applied research and entrepreneurship to AI, healthcare simulation, and advanced manufacturing, Fred offers an inside look at how the institution is helping students and businesses stay "in front of what's ahead." Key Highlights: 🗝️ Why listening is one of the most important leadership skills — and how it changed Fred's approach to problem-solving 🗝️ How RRC Polytech is supporting entrepreneurs, applied research, and innovation across Manitoba 🗝️ What the shift from Red River College to RRC Polytech represents for the future of education and workforce development If you're an entrepreneur, leader, educator, student, or someone curious about the future of work and innovation in Manitoba, this episode offers an insightful and inspiring conversation about leadership, adaptability, and community impact. __________ 👉 Connect with Fred and the RRC Polytech team! 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/school/rrc-polytech 📷 Instagram: instagram.com/rrcpolytech 🌐 Website: rrc.ca __________ Founder + Host: 👉 Lisa Thompson🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisabrd📷 Instagram: @lisathompsonbrd 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brandrevivaldesign📷 Instagram: @brdagency.ca 🌐 brdagency.ca __________ ✨ Co-host: 👉 Amanda Buhse🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amanda-buhse📷 Instagram: @abuhse 🌐 coalandcanary.com __________ Big shout out and thank you to The Exec Hotseat Podcast team. Thank you to our amazing Presenting Sponsor, RRC Polytech! 🔥

March 24, 2026Episode 2541 min

25 - From Handmade Beginnings to Market Success: Rachael Hatala on Craft, Creativity, and Building The Laughing Sparrow

Featuring: Rachael Hatala, Founder and Designer of The Laughing Sparrow In this episode of The Exec Hotseat Podcast, Lisa Thompson and Amanda Buhse sit down with Calgary entrepreneur Rachael Hatala, the creative force behind The Laughing Sparrow. Known for her minimalist, handcrafted jewelry and bold personality, Rachael has built a brand that blends artistry with entrepreneurship while staying fiercely true to her values. Rachael's journey started early. At just twelve years old, she sold her first handmade jewelry piece in her grandmother's store. Years later, after becoming a mother, she made the decision to turn her passion for creating into a full-time business. What began as a side hobby evolved into a thriving brand built through artisan markets, trade shows, and a commitment to craftsmanship. In this conversation, Rachael shares the realities of running a handmade business. From traveling across Canada for markets to personally crafting every piece she sells, she offers a candid look at what it takes to grow while staying authentic. She also reflects on the pressures of entrepreneurship, the importance of community, and why creativity should never be forced just to follow trends. Key Highlights: 🗝️ Why Rachael believes creatives should "jump off the cliff" and figure it out along the way 🗝️ The truth about artisan markets and why persistence matters more than instant success 🗝️ How staying true to craftsmanship and quality helped The Laughing Sparrow stand out If you're an entrepreneur, creative maker, or anyone curious about building a business from passion, this episode offers an honest and inspiring look behind the scenes. __________ 👉 Connect with Rachael! Instagram: instagram.com/laughingsparrow Facebook: facebook.com/LaughingSparrow Website: laughingsparrow.ca __________ ✨ Founder and Host: 📷 instagram.com/lisathompsonbrd | 🔗 linkedin.com/in/lisabrd 📷 instagram.com/brdagency.ca __________ ✨ Co-host: 📷 instagram.com/abuhse | 🔗 linkedin.com/in/amanda-buhse 📷 instagram.com/coalandcanary __________ Big shout out and thank you to The Exec Hotseat Podcast team. Thank you to our amazing Presenting Sponsor, RRC Polytech! 🔥

March 17, 2026Episode 2442 min

24 - From Basement Sing-Alongs to the Jumbotron: Lisa Windsor on Confidence, Music, and Owning the Stage

Featuring: Lisa Windsor, lead singer of Mach 10, the official band of the Winnipeg Jets. In this episode of the Exec Hotseat Podcast, Lisa Windsor shares the story behind the voice that now energizes thousands of Jets fans every game night. Known for her powerhouse vocals and high-energy performances, Lisa has built a career performing across Manitoba with her band Flatland Famous and, more recently, with Mach 10 at Winnipeg Jets games. But her journey didn't start under arena lights. As a kid who often felt like an outsider, Lisa found refuge in music, singing along to cassette tapes in her basement. After being told at a young age that she "couldn't sing," it took years, supportive mentors, and a leap of courage to step onto a stage and discover her voice. Today, Lisa performs in front of packed arenas, working alongside a tight-knit group of bandmates who share her passion for music and live performance. In this conversation, she reflects on the nerves that still come before every show, the moments that make performing unforgettable, and the mindset shifts that helped her pursue opportunities instead of holding herself back. Key Highlights: 🗝️ How a high school choir teacher changed the trajectory of her life 🗝️ The journey from early self-doubt to performing in front of 15,000 fans 🗝️ Why taking the chance is often more important than fearing failure Listen to the full episode to hear Lisa Windsor's inspiring story and the lessons she's learned along the way. __________ 👉 Connect with Lisa! 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisa-windsor-9b00a021a 📷 Instagram: instagram.com/lisamwindsor Mach 10 Instagram: instagram.com/mach10wpg Flatland Famous Instagram: instagram.com/flatlandfamous __________ ✨ Founder and Host: 📷 instagram.com/lisathompsonbrd | 🔗 linkedin.com/in/lisabrd 📷 instagram.com/brdagency.ca __________ ✨ Co-host: 📷 instagram.com/abuhse | 🔗 linkedin.com/in/amanda-buhse 📷 instagram.com/coalandcanary __________ Big shout out and thank you to The Exec Hotseat Podcast team. Thank you to our amazing Presenting Sponsor, RRC Polytech! 🔥

March 11, 2026Episode 2355 min

23 - Curiosity Gets Loud: Nicole Dubé on Reinvention, Storyosity, and Communicating What Matters

Featuring: Nicole Dubé, owner of Dubé Media Consulting and Storytelling, former host of CTV Morning Live Winnipeg, and founder of Winnipeg StorySlam. Nicole Dubé spent two decades in broadcast news living the "viewer first" mindset, chasing clarity, and learning how to hold attention in a world that moves fast. Then the questions started. During the pandemic, with burnout creeping in and the industry shifting under everyone's feet, Nicole found herself asking what life could look like outside the newsroom, even though media had been her dream since she was a teenager. In this episode, Nicole shares what it took to grieve that identity, trust her curiosity anyway, and build a business around communication training, media coaching, and storytelling. She unpacks the "curiosity gap," why discovery is only half the work if you cannot communicate the meaning of it, and how leaders can stop pitching products and start telling human stories that actually land. She also gives a simple framework for finding your story, and invites listeners into the community she has built through Winnipeg StorySlam. Key Highlights: 🗝️ Why media coverage starts with a human story, not a product pitch 🗝️ The "BAM" framework: backstory, action story, momentum story 🗝️ How mentorship and community can accelerate your next chapter Tune in and hear how Nicole turned curiosity into a career reset, and why the story you tell yourself might be the first thing you need to rewrite. Top of Form __________ 👉 Connect with Nicole! 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nicoledubemedia 📷 Instagram: instagram.com/nicoledubemedia 🌐 www.nicoledubemedia.com __________ ✨ Founder and Host: 📷 instagram.com/lisathompsonbrd | 🔗 linkedin.com/in/lisabrd 📷 instagram.com/brdagency.ca __________ ✨ Co-host: 📷 instagram.com/abuhse | 🔗 linkedin.com/in/amanda-buhse 📷 instagram.com/coalandcanary __________ Big shout out and thank you to The Exec Hotseat Podcast team. Thank you to our amazing Presenting Sponsor, RRC Polytech! 🔥 Bottom of Form

January 28, 2026Episode 2246 min

22 - Flipping the Script: Zak Biggs on Human-First Marketing, Legal Brand Building, and Turning Lawyers Into Influencers

Executive Hotseat Podcast | Episode 22 Featuring: Zak Biggs, Director of Marketing, Goodlawyer This isn't your average legal story. From pounding lawns in high school with his future co-founder to leading the marketing charge for one of Canada's boldest legal tech startups, Zak Biggs is helping Goodlawyer rewrite the rulebook - by being unapologetically human. In this episode, Zak shares how a small team of friends turned a stiff, suit-heavy industry into a platform for community, storytelling, and straight-up joy. From cinchilla fleece vests to yacht parties, Zak walks us through how they built a brand people actually want to be part of—and why leaning into authenticity, not automation, is their greatest advantage. We dig into why lawyers are more human than their headshots suggest, how to turn a LinkedIn post into a brand magnet, and what happens when you make real fun part of your marketing funnel. Key Highlights: 🗝️ Building a B2B brand through real people, not just polished logos🗝️ Why creating FOMO with yacht parties beats three average events every time🗝️ Using storytelling and authenticity to break down the intimidation factor in law __________ 👉 Connect with Zak: 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/zakbiggs __________ 👉 Connect with Goodlawyer 🔗 LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/gtssDHW2 📷 Instagram: https://lnkd.in/gNwDJSmN 🌐 goodlawyer.ca __________ ✨ Founder and Host: 📷 https://lnkd.in/gzx7GFaJ | 🔗 linkedin.com/in/lisabrd 📷 instagram.com/brdagency.ca __________ ✨ Co-host: 📷 instagram.com/abuhse | 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gVM2zF3v 📷 https://lnkd.in/g7_QX3eM Thank you to our amazing Presenting Sponsor, RRC Polytech! 🔥

January 15, 2026Episode 2136 min

21 - Redefining the Salon Model: April Brown on Scalable Business, Franchise Strategy, and Joyful Leadership

Executive Hotseat Podcast | Episode 21 | Calgary Series Featuring: April Brown, Founder & Visionary behind Rootbar From playing with Barbies to founding one of the most innovative salon concepts in Canada, April Brown has always had a vision and she's making it real. In this episode, April shares how Rootbar was born during COVID as a response to time-starved clients and outdated models. But this isn't just about beauty - it's about building a business where stylists lead, grow, and co-own their future. With a rotating leadership structure, a franchise-ready system, and a deep respect for joy and boundaries, April is shaping a new standard in the service industry. We explore how she balances it all: scaling across Canada, mentoring new franchisees, and stepping into motherhood - all while staying clear on what matters most. Key Highlights: 🗝️ How Rootbar's rotating leadership model helps stylists build real-world business skills 🗝️ What it takes to franchise successfully - without losing your brand soul 🗝️ Why slowing down, setting boundaries, and choosing joy fuels smarter growth 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, or wherever you get your podcasts. 🌐 Exec Hotseat Website: exechotseatpodcast.libsyn.com 🎧 Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7jYiAX2y8MH2JgQmiarmMM 👉 Connect with April: 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/rootbar-inc 📷 Instagram: instagram.com/rootbarsalon 🌐 rootbar.ca ✨ Founder and Host: 📷 instagram.com/lisathompsonbrd | 🔗 linkedin.com/in/lisabrd 📷 instagram.com/brdagency.ca ✨ Co-host: 📷 instagram.com/abuhse | 🔗 linkedin.com/in/amanda-buhse 📷 instagram.com/coalandcanary Big shout out and thank you to The Exec Hotseat Podcast team: instagram.com/thisistineke instagram.com/rrcpolytech instagram.com/brdagency.ca instagram.com/kylecottrellmedia Thank you to our amazing Presenting Sponsor, RRC Polytech! 🔥

December 22, 2025Episode 2053 min

20 - From Burnout to Botanicals: Harman Dhaliwal & Gabby Zoppa on Partnership, Perseverance, and Ayurvedic Wisdom

Executive Hotseat Podcast | Episode 20 Featuring: Harman Dhaliwal & Gabrielle Zoppa, Co-Founders of Spa Botanica What happens when two near-strangers launch a wellness spa with no money, no safety net, and no backup plan? You get Spa Botanica - one of Winnipeg's most beloved spas, built on Ayurvedic principles, natural skincare, and unshakable trust. Harman and Gabby didn't just grow a business. They weathered a pandemic, rebuilt after a fire, and raised kids from the spa floor - literally. Through years of reinvention, they've stayed grounded in their shared vision: to bring ancient healing practices into modern lives, one homemade facial at a time. This episode is packed with insight, laughter, and lessons learned the hard way. Key Highlights: 🗝️ The real story behind launching with zero dollars - and zero backup🗝️ How an unexpected fire (caused by towels!) tested their resilience🗝️ Why partnership, trust, and community kept them going when everything said "quit" 👉 Listen now on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, or iHeart. Or catch it here:🎧 Spotify: Exec Hotseat on Spotify _____ 👉 Connect with Harman & Gabby: 📷 Instagram: instagram.com/spabotanicawinnipeg 👤Facebook: facebook.com/SpaBotanicaWinnipeg 1459 Corydon Avenue info@spabotanica.ca 204-489-8107 🌐 spabotanica.ca ______ ✨ Founder and Host:📷 @lisathompsonbrd | 🔗 linkedin.com/in/lisabrd📷 @brdagency.ca ✨ Co-host:📷 @abuhse | 🔗 linkedin.com/in/amanda-buhse📷 @coalandcanary 🎥 Video: Kyle Cottrell Media Big shout out and thank you to The Exec Hotseat Podcast team: Tineke Buiskool-Leeuwma RRC Polytech BRD | Brand Revival & Design Inc. Kyle Cottrell Thank you to our amazing Presenting Sponsor, RRC Polytech! 🔥

December 10, 2025Episode 1940 min

19 - Christine Thiessen on Building Canada's Largest Women's Conference

Episode 19 | Christine Thiessen, Founder of the Winnipeg Women's Conference & Community What started as an idea during lockdown is now Canada's largest women's conference. In this episode, Christine Thiessen shares how trusting her gut (while pregnant, no less), ignoring the naysayers, and leaning on her love for Excel turned a vision into a movement. As the driving force behind both the Winnipeg Women's Conference and its thriving year-round Community, Christine opens up about the power of authentic connection, the challenge of being the one others look up to, and the magic that happens when women gather with purpose. ✨ In this episode, we explore: 🗝️ How Christine launched a sold-out conference when the world was still on pause 🗝️ What "community over competition" really looks like in practice 🗝️ Her unapologetic belief that "hobbies don't make money" and why it matters 👉 Tune in on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, or iHeart to hear how Christine is building real spaces for women to connect, grow, and lead boldly. Or catch it here: 🌐 Exec Hotseat Website: exechotseatpodcast.libsyn.com Or here: 🎧 Spotify / Exec Hotseat Podcast: open.spotify.com/show/7jYiAX2y8MH2JgQmiarmMM _____ 👉 Connect with Christine! 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christineturczyn 📷 Instagram: instagram.com/mrschristinethiessen 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shoulders-back 📷 Instagram: instagram.com/shouldersbackwpg 🌐 shouldersback.org _______________ 👉 Follow Winnipeg Women's Conference! 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/winnipeg-women-s-conference 📷 Instagram: instagram.com/winnipegwomensconference instagram.com/winnipegwomenscommunity 🌐 winnipegwomensconference.com 🌐 winnipegwomenscommunity.com _____ ✨ Founder and Host: 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisabrd 📷 Instagram: instagram.com/lt_wpg 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brandrevivaldesign 📷 Instagram: instagram.com/brdagency.ca 🌐 brdagency.ca _____ ✨ Co-host: 📷 Instagram: instagram.com/abuhse 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amanda-buhse 👏 Thank you to our amazing Presenting Sponsor, @rrcpolytech! 👏

November 26, 2025Episode 181 hr 0 min

18 - Your Idea Is Enough: Jane Helbrecht & Margaux Miller on TEDx Talks, Storytelling, and Building a Speaking Career

Episode 18 | Your Idea Is Enough: Jane Helbrecht & Margaux Miller on TEDx Talks, Storytelling, and Building a Speaking Career In this episode of Executive Hotseat, we sit down with two globally recognized speakers - Jane Helbrecht, leadership expert and founder of Uplift Engagement, and Margaux Miller, TED-featured MC and connection strategist - to unpack how they each built and delivered standout TEDx talks that captured global attention. Their journeys are woven with grit, stagecraft, and community. Jane speaks about disrupting leadership norms and helping teams thrive, while Margaux dives into the art of online connection in a hyper-digital world. Together, they reveal the real behind-the-scenes work - from chaos-run rehearsals to choosing the exact talk title that lands you on TED.com. You'll hear how each speaker turned childhood stage dreams into global visibility, and how building the business of speaking requires as much strategy as crafting a killer talk. Whether you're chasing your first keynote or scaling as a solopreneur, this episode delivers a powerful roadmap. Key Highlights:🗝️ The mindset shift from "Do I have the right idea?" to "Who needs to hear this?"🗝️ Behind the curtain of the TEDx rehearsal process, from application to on-stage blocking🗝️ Turning visibility into a business: building reach, community, and sustainable speaking gigs 👉 Listen now on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, or iHeart and take notes - because this one's full of practical wisdom you won't want to forget. Or catch it here: 🎧 Spotify / Exec Hotseat Podcast: open.spotify.com/show/7jYiAX2y8MH2JgQmiarmMM _____ 👉 Connect with Margaux! 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/margauxmiller 📷 Instagram: instagram.com/margauxamiller 🌐 speakwithmargaux.com 👉 Connect with Jane! 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in//janehelbrecht 📷 Instagram: instagram.com/janehelbrecht _____ ✨ Founder and Host: 👉 Lisa Thompson 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisabrd 📷 Instagram: instagram.com/lt_wpg 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brandrevivaldesign 📷 Instagram: instagram.com/brdagency.ca 🌐 brdagency.ca _____ Co-host: 👉 Amanda Buhse 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amanda-buhse 📷 Instagram: instagram.com/abuhse 👏 Thank you to our amazing Presenting Sponsor, RRC Polytech! 👏

November 4, 2025Episode 171 hr 2 min

17 - Partnerships with Purpose: Todd Burns & Terry Sulphur on Clean Tech, Collaboration & Stewardship

Episode 17 | RRC Polytech Alumni Series episode 6 Todd Burns of Cypher Environmental and Terry Sulpher of Mountainside Earthworks share how a single project sparked a two-decade partnership that's now transforming how Canada thinks about sustainability. From Red River Polytech beginnings to global clean-tech impact, this conversation dives into education, innovation, and the relationships that make real change possible. Lisa Thompson guides a conversation filled with insight, gratitude, and vision — exploring why aligning values matters more than any contract, how education drives environmental progress, and what it looks like when business becomes a vehicle for stewardship. Key Highlights: 🗝️ How Cypher Environmental and Mountainside Earthworks turned shared values into a lasting clean-tech partnership 🗝️ The Cypher Green Roads Program and how it gives back to local and Indigenous communities 🗝️ The leadership lessons behind collaboration, gratitude, and the "triple-win" philosophy _____ 👉 Tune in now on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, and iHeart to hear the full episode! Exec Hotseat Website: exechotseatpodcast.libsyn.com Spotify / Exec Hotseat Podcast: open.spotify.com/show/7jYiAX2y8MH2JgQmiarmMM Connect with Terry! 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/terry-sulphur-501b6179 MS Environmental Solutions 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/mountainside-environmental-solutions 🔗 Facebook: facebook.com/ms.environmental 🌐 Website: ms-enviro.com _____ Connect with Todd! 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/toddburns81 Cypher Environmental 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/cypher-environmental-ltd 📷 Instagram: instagram.com/cypherenvironmental 🌐 cypherenvironmental.com _____ Your Hosts 👉 Lisa Thompson 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisabrd 🌐 brdagency.ca _____ 👉 Amanda Buhse 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amanda-buhse 🌐 coalandcanary.com 👉 Thank you to our amazing Presenting Sponsor, RRC Polytech!