PARLAY Podcast

Sometimes the most brilliant ideas originate from the most unlikely places. This happens to be the case with B Yoga, or the B Mat to be precise.  A long-time lover of yoga after discovering the practice while obtaining her MBA in Australia, Andrea had spent several years in marketing and business development before joining her family’s fifth generation manufacturing and technology business.  A chance encounter with product they wer...

For a woman who “…never thought I would be an entrepreneur – ever!” Kristi Stuart has most definitely proved herself wrong several times over.  A competitive dancer as a child, Kristi had planned to travel the world dancing on cruise ships until a car accident majorly altered her course.

Fast forward to a degree in molecular biology and biochemistry, a successful career in pharmaceutical sales, marriage, and motherhood, which leads ...

After immigrating to Canada, via Fiji and Australia, Saawan Logan quickly fell in love with the land and an idea started to percolate after drinking from a natural spring during a hike.  That idea is now North Water, a Canadian company bringing fresh, clean, alkaline spring water to the rest of the country, as well as a message of sustainability and responsibility.  Going “all in” just prior to the start of the pandemic, Saawan sha...

Ginny Barker is an East Coast girl, living in a Western Canadian world who is simultaneously killing it in the corporate communications world while pursuing her passion of becoming a certified Herbalist.  Growing up on an organic farm in small-town New Brunswick, Ginny didn’t realise how much of an impact this would have on her.  She left for the beckoning “city lights” and has built a successful career in advertising and corporate...

This episode has been in the making since essentially before the podcast began.  My dear friend, Adam Hoffman, is President of Vesta Wealth Partners Ltd., a single-family office, and an Investment Fund Manager democratizing access to private equity.  Based in Calgary, his mission is to empower entrepreneurial families to thrive for generations.

We sit down to discuss many things, but mainly his passion for finding your purpose.  Wit...

In the span of two short years, Dr. Kate Hunter has found a way to, not only challenge how the medical system works but create retail spaces, practices, and communities to support it.  

Join my conversation with Dr. Kate as we discuss how the pandemic brought to light the faults in the system and her unknowing contribution to it.  And, how she personally sought further societal and cultural education and corresponding actions to rec...

“See the good” is the motto for Sphere Optometry, Dr. Danielle Gordon’s Westman Village practice in Calgary.  Considering she opened not too long before the pandemic, one could say this was fitting.  Dr. Danielle’s journey to opening Sphere is both endearing and entertaining, involving a pub in Ireland, a tandem cross-country drive with walkie-talkies, and stumbling across the perfect location to bring her vision to life.  Join me ...

I met Tara Simonton about 5 years ago.  We lived in the same neighbourhood, had kids the same age, went to the same gym, and had lots of friends in common.  I instantly liked her; she had a special lightness and warmth.  Little did I know the journey she had been on to become the person she is today.

After an adventurous start together in Europe, Tara and her husband were excited to start a family.  After years of struggli...

Saying that today’s guest wears a few hats would be an understatement.  Dr. Ingemaud Gerber is a long way from her native South Africa, and the journey to Canada is a story in and of itself.  Fast forward several years later and she is now a key member at Inliv Medical in Calgary, as well as Mom to three busy young ladies.  Her passion for medicine brought her to become certified as a Functional Medicine physician through the Ameri...

Senator, a title that carries a unique cachet for trust, wisdom, guidance, and for this podcast host, a bit of intimidation to be frank.  Thankfully, my guest today, Senator Karen Sorensen, is also approachable, generous, and has a wit and sense of humour about her that makes everyone feel welcome in her presence. Fresh into her new appointment as one of Canada’s newest Senators, Karen’s story is one full of pivots that she has par...

This week we continue the conversation for Part 2 with Certified Divorce Coach, Heidi Dinning.  Diving deeper into the importance and tactics for communication, Heidi shares personal and professional stories to demonstrate different scenarios and effective ways of setting boundaries.    The discussion also leads us to the topics of introducing a new partner, as well as the challenges and possibilities this can bring with it.  Throu...

Divorce.  Although it may be commonplace in today's society, it is still such a challenging and difficult subject.  Progress is being made towards understanding, moving through, and moving on after a relationship has run its course but that doesn’t mean that it is smooth sailing, far from it in many respects.  During this two-part episode, I am joined by my friend, Heidi Dinning, who is a  CDC®Certified Divorce Coach and CDC®C...

Flaneur – a purposeful wanderer, strolling the streets absorbing everything their senses possibly can to fuel their creative mind. My guest today, Jennifer Cloutier, is precisely that. A multi-hyphenate creative with a passion for observing the ordinary and turning it into the extraordinary. From small town roots to criss-crossing the globe, her curiosity led her to develop her talents in a variety of artistic mediums. Jenn’s abili...

Books and a good cozy sweatshirt….name a better combination as we brace for another Canadian winter.  Ecommerce entrepreneur, Kelly Bruce of The Happiest Collection, knows plenty about both.  In 2014 the steep decline of the energy sector in Calgary forced Kelly from the comfort of her role of 16 years in the industry.  Viewing this as an opportunity, she set out on her own and created Little Blue Canoe, an ecommerce site dedicated...

Join Dr. Shannon Vander Doelen and I for the second half of our discussion on infertility, pregnancy loss, and the realities of navigating this challenging situation that many families encounter.  We continue where our conversation left off, speaking frankly of our personal experiences and covering a variety of topics often not discussed.

 Some takeaways from this episode include:

• the importance of assembling a team who can help ...

Dr. Shannon Vander Doelen is a Toronto-based licensed Naturopathic Doctor, wellness speaker and entrepreneur. She supports people on their journey to, and through motherhood - from hormonal health and fertility, to pregnancy and postpartum.  Shannon is also a mother, a mother who is on her own journey of secondary infertility.  It was through her thoughtful and articulate online presence that we connected.  After having a single ph...

Join me and former PARLAY guest, Courtney Gregory, as we team up to share important information regarding Calgary's Annual Gear Up Event, happening on November 4th.  For those who tuned in, you know that Courtney is very involved in the Calgary community, specifically with at-risk youth.  The event will be held on November 4th in the parking lot of The Alex community centre.  Please note that all donations be dropped off  or m...

The literary world erupted for author Ashley Audrain’s The Push as it set records and became one of the most anticipated releases for 2021.  And, although it may appear to be an "overnight success" as a  New York Times, Sunday Times and #1 international bestseller, including appearances on Good Morning America, the real story is actually the making of the story, and the making of a brilliant writer…one small step at a tim...

Courtney Gregory has a lot on her plate, both literally and figuratively.  In the midst of starting and running her own catering company, Catered by Courtney, she is also currently working her way through the Nutrition Science program offered through Stanford Medicine, in the Department of Nutrition Science.  This is all in addition to raising two young kids, and supporting her husband who has been in the thick of Covid as a frontl...