Mission Critical with Lance Chung (GLORY Podcast Network)

Over the years, the collecting and trading of sneakers has grown from past-time hobby into multi-billion-dollar global industry. Thanks to a passionate community of enthusiasts (or sneakerheads) the art of collecting kicks has fueled a category that is now considered a rising asset class. In this episode, Lance chats with Scott Cutler, CEO of online marketplace StockX, about "hype," redefining the rules of commerce, and the business of sneakers.

Since the dawn of humanity, humans have been enchanted and spellbound by the art of storytelling. Today, in a time characterized by the democratization of media, our ability to share stories has never been more powerful thanks to technology.

Leading the charge of the next generation of storytellers is Wattpad, led by co-founder Allen Lau. They’ve helped launch writing careers and have adapted user-generated stories into hit movies and TV shows. Needless to say, they know what it takes to tell a great story.

In today’s episode, Lance speaks with Allen about how (and why) he created Wattpad, the importance of telling diverse stories, and how they're using technology to unearth the next big thing.

At just 35 years old, Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas has firmly established himself as one of the most influential minds in professional hockey. But those who have followed Kyle’s career know that being the youngest person in the boardroom is nothing new to the executive. Kyle began his hockey career by becoming the youngest agent ever certified by the NHL Players Association before working his way up the ranks as an OHL executive at just 25 years old. He then moved up and was promoted to the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, the 17th in the club’s history.

His identity as an executive has always been defined by bold – and sometimes unpopular – decisions, many of which are featured in the new Amazon Prime Video original series, All or Nothing: Toronto Maple Leafs.

On today’s episode, Kyle discusses what viewers can expect from the series while offering his philosophies on leadership, managing criticism, fostering young talent, and a wealth of other insights into the world of hockey and business. .

In this episode, presented by Monogram Appliances Canada, Lance sits down with Madelyn Chung, founder of The RepresentASIAN Project, to discuss the complexities of cultural identity, Asian representation in media, and the ongoing work of breaking down systemic barriers within and outside the Asian community. Madelyn shares candid insights into her personal journey of embracing her roots, the impact of pivotal moments like Crazy Rich Asians, and how her platform has evolved to showcase not just success stories, but the nuanced experiences that make up the Asian diaspora. From navigating colorism and internal racism to advocating for solidarity between BIPOC communities, she opens up about the challenges and triumphs of amplifying Asian voices in media and beyond.

This episode is part of MOMENTUM, a special series in partnership with Monogram Canada that celebrates and explores the journeys of Asian-Canadian leaders.

With a snap election just called for April, the pressure is on to get young Canadians to the polls. But will they show up? Youth voter turnout has historically lagged behind older demographics, and trust in political institutions is at an all-time low. In an era of misinformation, democratic backsliding, and global instability, is democracy failing young people—or have young people lost faith in democracy?

To help unpack these questions, Lance chats with Samantha Reusch, Executive Director of Apathy is Boring—a national, non-partisan organization that has spent 20 years working to increase youth engagement in Canadian democracy. A leading voice on democratic reform and voter participation, Samantha has dedicated her career to ensuring young people feel heard in the political process. Under her leadership, Apathy is Boring has helped mobilize thousands of first-time voters.

In this episode, we explore:

✅ Why youth voter turnout remains low—and what’s keeping young Canadians from the polls.

✅ How global politics is shaping youth perceptions of democracy.

✅ The role of misinformation, social media, and tech algorithms in political disengagement.

✅ What needs to change in Canada’s electoral system to better serve young voters.

✅ Apathy is Boring’s innovative strategies to mobilize youth, including Count Us In and Table Topics.

✅ Samantha’s call to action for young Canadians ahead of the 2024 Canadian federal election.

This election could define a generation. But what will it take to get young Canadians to the polls? Let's get into it.

🔗 Resources & Links:

📌 Apathy is Boring: apathyisboring.com

📌 Take the vote pledge: https://www.apathyisboring.com/votepledge

📌 The Feed newsletter: https://www.apathyisboring.com/feed

Like any other industry that has remained largely unchanged in the way it operates and functions, it’s an exciting time to talk about real estate right now. Not just because of how hot this or that market is or rising interest rates, but because of the increasing impact that technology and innovation are having on the sector. Real estate agents are, by any measure, entrepreneurs. And entrepreneurs love to solve problems. Just ask Ryan Serhant.Ryan made a mainstream name for himself thanks to his starring role in the Bravo series Million Dollar Listing New York and its spin-off Sell It Like Serhant. Yet as one of the world’s most successful real estate brokers, his credentials surpass the bright lights of the Bravo production. He’s also the founder of SERHANT., a vertically-integrated mega brokerage comprising an in-house film studio, technology platform, education arm, and marketing division. In his view, the future of real estate goes far beyond just selling a property. It’s about utilizing technology, creating media, and forging real human connections. On this episode, Ryan and Lance discuss his approach to real estate, how technology is impacting the sector, and what the brokerages of the future will look like. Also, what’s a low-rent habit? 

Denzel Spencer (you may know him by his stage name Roy Woods) is a rapper, singer, and songwriter signed to OVO Sound. Known for his signature R&B and hip-hop sound, the Canadian artist has already accomplished what many would only dream of in his early twenties. But despite his success and having the support of the biggest names in the industry today, Roy understands what it’s like to struggle as an artist, which is why he’s giving back as co-founder of LOOP/POOL. The Canadian cannabis brand offers a unique proposition in that it is owned by artists like Roy, Our Lady Peace, and dvsn (alongside CEO Ian Kwechansky), and gives five percent of its proceeds into a music fund earmarked for emerging artists in desperate need of support, especially due to the pandemic.

In this episode, Lance speaks with Roy about his path to entrepreneurship and how to support emerging artists. Ian joins as well to talk more about LOOP/POOL and how artists are embracing an innovative mindset.

Register to attend the Veuve Clicquot BOLD Woman Award virtual ceremony: https://www.veuveclicquot.com/en-ca/bold-woman-award-canada-ceremony-2021

Kayla Grey is an award-winning journalist who became the first Black woman to host a flagship sports highlight program in Canada when she made her Sportscentre debut in 2018. She’s since done everything from covering the Toronto Raptors NBA Championship parade in 2019 to making history (again) in early 2021 when she joined an all-female broadcasting team for the first time in the NBA when the Toronto Raptors faced off against the Denver Nuggets. It’s very clear that Kayla is a force to be reckoned with and has a vision for the future of sports media—and the part that she wants to play in it.

In today’s episode, Kayla and Lance chat about her professional journey, the intersection of sports and politics, and how we can learn to say 'yes' to ourselves.

What does it mean to win? For Nick Nurse, head coach of the Toronto Raptors and the Canadian men’s national basketball team, victory is measured in more ways than one.

On this episode of Mission Critical, Lance chats with Nick about what it takes to create a championship-winning team. Under Nick's guidance, the Toronto Raptors famously won the NBA Championship in 2019, marking the first time a Canadian team has won the elusive title in the sport’s history. The reigning NBA Coach of the Year talks about leadership on (and off) the court, using your platform for good, and why he keeps a literal elephant in his office.

Dating at the best of times can be an awkward experience. So how does one find romance during a pandemic? In this encore episode, Justin McLeod, founder and CEO of online dating platform Hinge, joins us to talk about love and data. Described as a dating app designed to be deleted, Lance chats with Justin about Hinge, digital courtship in the age of a pandemic, and how he's using data to crack the code on dating.

When Turning Red debuted in early 2022, Canadians rejoiced. Directed by Canadian filmmaker, animator, and Academy Award winner Domee Shi (who became the first woman to solo direct a Pixar feature film), the animated film told the story of a young Chinese-Canadian tween girl torn between meeting the expectations of her immigrant parents and her experience navigating the changes that we must confront as we come of age. It was not only a love letter to Toronto (where Domee grew up) but also one to Asian-North American communities and diaspora who continue to grapple with the realities of intergenerational and cultural trauma. It was also an ode to the often awkward, clunky, and imperfect experience of growing up, manifested through the eyes of the film’s protagonist, Meilin, who just so happens to turn into a giant red panda throughout the film. 

Presented by BOLD by Veuve Clicquot, in this episode, I spoke with Domee about self-discovery, her early influences (Spirited Away!), representation, and why transformation remains such a strong theme in her work, career, and life. 

When it comes to real estate, everyone has an opinion on the matter. To buy or not to buy? Invest now or wait for the bubble to burst? Rent or own? And let’s not even get started on these interest rates…

One thing that remains largely unanimous is the increasing difficulty of being able to tap into the market, to get your foot in the door and assume the mantle of property owner. That’s where today’s guest, Khushbhoo Jha, comes in. 

The CEO of Toronto-based tech startup, BuyProperly, Khushboo and her team are revolutionizing the real estate landscape by democratizing access to ownership. Through a model known as fractional investing, real estate investors can buy into properties in a way similar to buying shares or stocks of a company, except that company, in this case, might be a one-bedroom condo in Toronto or a multi-residential complex in Houston.  

In the very first installment of our Mission Critical live event series, Lance speaks with Khushboo at Toronto’s Clio social club in front of an intimate crowd of entrepreneurs and leaders about leveraging the power of technology to solve problems, fractional investing in real estate, and how Canadians can get started on their homeownership journey. Enjoy!

Apply for the Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award: https://www.veuveclicquot.com/en-ca/bold-by-veuve-clicquot/about

What is it that draws us to comedy? Some of our favourite experiences and memories center around moments of laughter. But beyond the obvious, perhaps another reason that explains the magnetic effect of comedy is its ability to speak to the human experience—to illuminate ways in which we are all alike, and also ways in which we are different. Today’s top comedians are masters of observation and have conquered the ability to use comedy as a trojan horse to distill the human experience and, sometimes, complex issues in a relatable and funny way. 

Today’s guest embodies the very best of what comedy is and can be. Allana Harkin is an award-winning director, producer, actor, and comedian who grew up in Hamilton, Ontario, cutting her teeth in the community as a member of an all-women comedy troupe called the Atomic Fireballs. That’s where she first met Samantha Bee, her friend and eventual partner-in-comedy when she became the producer and correspondent of the talk show, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. In her role, she was tasked with tackling complex and politically-charged issues like global warming and abortion bans through the filter of comedy, offering a mirror to the joys and maladies of society. It’s her uncanny ability to reflect the human experience that eventually earned her an Emmy award in the Outstanding Short Form Nonfiction or Reality Series category. 

Nestled in Yorkville’s cozy and luxurious Kasa Moto restaurant, Allana joined Lance in front of an audience for another recording of Mission Critical live, presented by Veuve Clicquot, to talk about the power of comedy, her career trajectory, and how humour can be used as a force for progress and activism. Enjoy!

The year is 2016 and a new phenomenon has thrown the world into an absolute tizzy. People are out in the streets, running into traffic, and flocking to seemingly random destinations. They are zombies attached to their phones on a singular mission to catch them all. And what exactly are they looking to capture? Pokémon. If we rewind and look past the pandemic, you might remember the sheer frenzy that Pokémon Go sent the world into. Shortly after launching, it was almost impossible to avoid the topic entirely as friends, family, and colleagues became consumed in their quest to capture as many pokemon as possible. It was an instant hit that saw app downloads soar to the top of the charts, its popularity is driven largely by a mix of nostalgia and novelty. Unlike other video games, Pokémon Go harnessed the power of augmented reality (or AR) to offer users a heightened real-world experience. While it can be argued that Pokémon Go drove AR into mainstream popularity, the technology has actually been around for a while now. According to the Harvard Business Review, we saw the first commercial application of AR in 2008 when German advertising agencies used the technology to market a BMW Mini. Since then, it’s likely that you’ve used AR in your own experience as well, whether as a Pokémon Go user, viewing real estate listings, trying on a pair of glasses, or placing a filter over your face on a social media platform. The opportunities are endless not only for the end-user, but for the companies that operate directly within the space. Snap Inc is one of them. Joining Lance on today’s episode is Matt McGowan, general manager of Snap Inc. Canada, which bills itself as the “leader in Augmented Reality” and owns Snapchat, Spectacles, Bitmoji, and Zenly. In today’s episode, Matt joins Lance to talk about building community through technology, what the big deal is about AR anyway, and more.

Dating at the best of times can be an awkward experience. So how does one find romance during a pandemic? On today's episode, Justin McLeod, founder and CEO of online dating platform Hinge, joins us to talk about love and data. Described as a dating app designed to be deleted, Lance chats with Justin about Hinge, digital courtship in the age of a pandemic, and how he's using data to crack the code on dating.Read more about Justin and 14 other inspiring leaders (including Arianna Huffington, Seth Rogen, and more) in our 2020 'How I Did It' guide: https://baystbull.com/how-i-did-it-2020-lessons-on-leadership-from-arianna-huffington-seth-rogen-nick-nurse-and-more/

Harley Finkelstein lives and breathes entrepreneurship. As the president of global e-commerce platform Shopify, he's not only witnessed countless entrepreneurs launch their own companies, he’s had a direct hand in helping them lift off. It’s part of Shopify’s bigger picture to cultivate a thriving and vibrant economic ecosystem by empowering entrepreneurs and the small business community. On today’s episode, Harley joins Lance to talk about the power of entrepreneurship, how to overcome imposter syndrome, and future-proofing your business.

XERO: www.xero.com

In a world that is increasingly becoming defined by technological advancements and endless content scrolling, what role does a symphony orchestra play in the big picture of it all? It's a question that Mark Williams has had to confront in his role as CEO of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO).

The challenge ahead is an interesting one—how do you honour the rich legacy of a century-old cultural institution without being beholden to that same history, to innovate, push boundaries, and charge into the future? 

For Williams—the first Black CEO of a major North American orchestra—it's about community. An orchestra is hardly a relic of the past but rather a dynamic force that has the power to open doors and minds by bringing people together, whether on the stage or in the audience.

As the TSO embarks on its 101st year and its next century ahead, Williams envisions an orchestra that listens more than it speaks, touching lives in ways that go beyond the concert hall.

On this episode, Lance chats with Mark about the power of music, diversity in the symphony orchestra, and what the orchestra of the future looks like. 

“If you want specific outcomes in your life, then you are a designer.”These are the immortal words of Canadian multi-hyphenate visionary, Bruce Mau. From architecture to advertising to product design, Bruce has worked across a broad spectrum of disciplines that have changed the way we approach problems and see the world. His name is exalted by many and yet unfamiliar to others. What is certain, however, is that the impact of his work has been felt around the world. He is the one who Coca-Cola asked to restructure their entire organization and identity towards sustainability. He was the one who city planners from Mecca (yes, the Mecca—Islam’s holiest city) approached him to redesign the Hajj, and after 36 years of civil war, he was the guy that Guatemala commissioned to literally rebrand the country and its ability to hope for the future. These are but a few projects that illustrate the scale and influence of Bruce’s work. And yet for someone whose accomplishments have had such an impact, it is perhaps his approach to his work that Bruce is most admired for. A radical optimist, his belief is that designers do not have the luxury of cynicism if we want to change the world. It’s a tough pill to swallow when you consider the times that we live in today, but Bruce charges forward.On today’s episode, Lance is joined by the legendary designer to discuss his illustrious career, the power of optimism, and the making of the first feature-length documentary on him, MAU.

It’s a big responsibility when you’re given the keys to an international community platform with an audience in the millions. So, what do you do with that kind of power? That ability to influence both micro and macro community and industry change? Certainly, there are individuals out there that would take the opportunity to amass further growth by any means necessary and with reckless abandon, and then there are leaders like Erin Elofson.

In her role as Pinterest’s head of Canada and APAC region (which includes Australia and Japan), Erin’s philosophy around leadership means cultivating a platform through the power of positivity. But, what exactly does that mean? Unlike other platforms that have been slow to enforce change and policy, Pinterest took a stance against misinformation and problematic content before anyone asked them to do so and they did that through policy in an effort to create a safe and progressive space for its users. Today, what that means is a concise and intentional effort to build positivity into its platform by banning things like weight loss ads, political campaigns, and COVID misinformation so that users can feel safe.In today’s episode, Lance speaks with Erin about what it means to be proactive about building beneficial change, how to build a responsible community platform, and why Pinterest might just be the most positive corner of the internet. 

In this episode of Mission Critical, we dive into the world of sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurship with a true industry pioneer, Stuart Lombard, the visionary CEO and founder of ecobee.

Stuart and Lance discuss his remarkable story of how he transformed his passion for environmental sustainability into the groundbreaking smart thermostat company, ecobee; the pivotal moments that shaped his remarkable career; and how Google's entry into the market impacted the trajectory of his industry-defining startup.

In this episode, serial entrepreneur, hospitality expert, and beverage consultant Evelyn Chick shares how she turned a pandemic layoff into an opportunity to build her thriving business empire. From navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship to advocating for diversity and inclusion in hospitality, Evelyn opens up about her journey and the best advice she has to offer others navigating a similar path in Toronto's vibrant food and drink community.

This episode is part of MOMENTUM, a special series in partnership with Monogram Canada that celebrates and explores the journeys of Asian-Canadian leaders.

At the start of the pandemic, Paul Davison and Rohan Seth launched Clubhouse, a new type of social network that underscored the power and influence of the audio format. As the world collectively sheltered at home, Clubhouse’s popularity skyrocketed with Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, Oprah Winfrey, and other notable figures engaging on the platform. Unless you were living under a rock, it was hard not to hear about the platform—from friends, colleagues, your Instagram feed, LinkedIn connections. It seemed like everyone was on Clubhouse, or at least clamouring for an invite to the platform. By the start of 2021 (less than a year later), they were hitting 10 million weekly active users.

So, how does one handle such meteoric growth? What Rohan and Paul experienced as founders is an entrepreneur’s dream but comes with its own set of challenges. Where do you go once you’ve already reached the stars? How do you maintain momentum? On today’s episode, Paul and Rohan join Lance to talk about capturing lightning in a bottle, cultivating community, and the road ahead. 

When it comes to international studies, Canada is a top pick for students thanks to the quality of our education system and multicultural reputation. According to the Canadian Bureau for International Education, the years between 2010 and 2019 saw a 154 percent increase in international students visiting Canada, 60 percent of which planned on pursuing permanent residence. In 2021 alone, there were 621,565 international students in Canada across all levels of study. It’s true that Canada is a nation known for its diversity, and that extends to post-secondary campuses across the country. But for many who make their way over to pursue academic studies, the experience can be daunting. Such was the cause for Martin Basiri. After experiencing hurdles as an international student from Iran, he formed his recruitment platform, Applyboard, with his brothers Meti and Massi. Today, ApplyBoard has helped over 300,000 students in over 125 countries, secured over $50M in scholarships, and solidified partnerships with over 1500 schools in a bid to drive up diversity and international minds across campuses in Canada, the US, and the UK. With over 1500  team members around the globe and a valuation of $4 Billion, the vision has always been singular: to provide easier access to education. In this episode, I’m joined by Martin to talk about empowering future talent through education, his entrepreneurial journey, and how we can all embrace a student mindset. 

Reformation is a popular women’s clothing brand with a mission to bring sustainable fashion to the masses. What started out in 2009 as a vintage clothing store quickly evolved into a fashion brand with a core focus on making people look great without hurting the environment in doing so. Since 2015, Reformation (or “Ref” as they’re colloquially known) has been carbon neutral and aim to be climate positive by 2025.

But for a company built so firmly on a foundation of transparency and progressive values, they’ve also had to face their own demons along the way. In 2020, then CEO and founder Yael Aflalo stepped down from her position after allegations of racism from previous employees made their way online.

Since then, Reformation has been committed to right their wrongs. They've launched a Diversity and Inclusion board, created an anonymous employee communication platform, joined the Black in Fashion Council to help advance Black and other underrepresented individuals in the industry, and more to keep themselves accountable.

In this episode, Lance speaks with CEO Hali Borenstein and Chief Sustainability Officer Kathleen Talbot about how Reformation has grown as a company, the importance of sustainability, and how environmental and racial justice are connected.

Reformation's 2020 Year in Review Sustainability Report: https://www.thereformation.com/pages/sustainability-report-2020-review

In this episode, Lance sits down with Emily O’Brien, the inspiring founder of Comeback Snacks, whose entrepreneurial journey took root in an unexpected place: behind bars. From crafting gourmet popcorn flavours to driving meaningful change, Emily has turned a rocky past into a powerful platform for advocacy and second chances. Throughout their chat, Lance and Emily delve into her story of resilience and transformation, exploring how Comeback Snacks is not only breaking barriers in the snack industry but also leading efforts toward prison reform and reducing stigma around formerly incarcerated individuals. Listen as Emily shares insights on building a business with purpose, the challenges of navigating reentry, and her mission to create pathways for redemption and empowerment.

In the sequined, high-camp world of drag, few names shine as brightly as Brooke Lynn Hytes. From her transformative experience on RuPaul’s Drag Race to her burgeoning media empire as host of Canada’s Drag Race, she has not only captivated audiences with her stunning performances but has also become a beacon of queer visibility.

Originally a pageant queen with a penchant for perfection, her time on Drag Race allowed her to break free from rigid expectations, embracing the fun and unpredictability of drag. This shift not only revolutionized her approach to the art form but also resonated deeply with fans worldwide, who saw in her a reflection of their own struggles and triumphs.

In a time when queer communities face renewed challenges, she stands as a testament to the resilience and creativity that define drag culture. Her commitment to joy, visibility, and progress underscores why we need drag culture now more than ever. Drag queens remind us of our shared humanity, challenge societal norms, and celebrate the vibrant tapestry of identities that make up our community. 

In this episode of Mission Critical, Brooke Lynn Hytes joins Lance to talk about how she’s building her own media empire, the importance of queer visibility, and why we need drag culture now, more than ever. 

In a time characterized by "fake news" and conspiracy theories, it feels like we've reached a boiling point with our current culture of doubt. But misinformation (and the spread of it) is not a new phenomenon. One could even argue that it has existed for as long as the study of science, itself. In this episode, Lance chats with Greg Brown, one-half of the social media sensation that is AsapSCIENCE. Greg and his partner, Mitchell, are queer educators that have amassed a social media audience of over nine million followers who tune in daily to learn about a wide range of science topics. As cases continue to climb and various parts of Canada enter lockdown, Lance and Greg talk about how to talk to trolls, what we can do to curb conspiracy theories, and how to think more like a scientist.

Since 2005, Reddit has been a pioneer in building passionate online communities. The company’s mission is to instill a sense of belonging amongst its users—to empower them to share information, have authentic conversations, and drive change. There’s no better recent example of how digital communities can influence transformational change than the GameStop stock-buying frenzy that occurred in early 2021.

In this episode, Lance chats with Reddit Chief Operating Officer Jen Wong about driving real-world change, what brands can do to build an engaged online community, and the most interesting things she’s found on the platform.

There are a handful of consumer brands here in Canada that have established themselves as captains of their respective industries. Iconic institutions that have not only withstood the test of time but have also known how to adapt and evolve with the changing tides of culture and commerce. Harry Rosen is one of them. 

Take a stroll in any high-end mall, financial district, or along a luxurious retail promenade here in Canada and chances are, you’ll see one of their instantly recognizable shopping bags, stuffed with garments from today’s most revered menswear brands like Tom Ford, Brunello Cucinelli, Loro Piana, Zegna, and more. And despite their ascent to the top of the industry, Harry Rosen has managed to operate as a family business since they were established by their namesake founder in 1954. Fast-forward to 2022 and they’re still at the top of their game. From outfitting Prime Ministers and NBA legends to dressing today’s most stylish men, their influence is sizeable. 

On this episode, Lance is joined by Ian Rosen, President, COO, and third-generation leader at the iconic institution. In the second installment of our Mission Critical live podcast series, Ian joined Lance in front of an intimate crowd of entrepreneurs and leaders at Toronto’s Clio social club to talk about his style essentials, leading a heritage brand into the future, and the key to successfully working with your family.

Building an incredible brand is one thing—leading it through an industry shift is another. Joanna Griffiths created Knix to disrupt the intimates industry, making inclusivity and body positivity the foundation of a global movement.

In this episode, Lance chats with Joanna about what it really takes to build a brand that lasts—and why simply selling a product isn’t enough anymore. Joanna opens up about navigating the challenges of scaling a business, staying independent in an era of multi-million-dollar acquisitions, and why she believes the body positivity movement is at risk of disappearing. Plus, we dive into the impact of the current Canada-U.S. trade tensions on entrepreneurs and what it means for the future of consumer brands.

Key Takeaways:

🔹 Disruption vs. Innovation: Why the most successful brands aren’t just filling a market gap—they’re changing consumer behavior.

🔹 The Truth About Body Positivity: Has the fashion industry quietly abandoned the movement in favour of Ozempic-fueled ideals?

🔹 The Reality of Leading Through Uncertainty: How global trade wars and shifting economic policies are making it harder than ever for Canadian entrepreneurs.

🔹 Fundraising With Integrity: Joanna’s unapologetic approach to weeding out bad investors—and why she refused to compromise on her vision.

🔹 The Future of Brand Loyalty: What today’s consumers really care about, and how businesses can stay relevant in a rapidly changing landscape.

This is a conversation about power, influence, and the new rules of leadership in an era of disruption.

🎧 Listen now!

Subscribe to Mission Critical with Lance Chung for more takeaways from today's greatest disruptors.

As the world has collectively witnessed, tackling a pandemic like COVID-19 requires lightning-fast agility in order to disseminate critical information to key decision-makers. No one understands this better than Dr. Kamran Khan, epidemiologist and founder of BlueDot, a Toronto-based social enterprise that harnesses artificial intelligence as an early warning detection system for infectious diseases. In today’s episode, Dr. Khan and Lance chat about why he started BlueDot, profit-purpose harmony, and using big data to disrupt disease.

You may know SKIMS for its celebrity co-founder, Kim Kardashian, but are you aware of its other co-founder? On this episode of Mission Critical, SKIMS CEO and co-founder Jens Grede joins Lance to talk about his fascinating entrepreneurial journey, his experience working with Kim, and the evolution of the celebrity-driven brand.

Here's what you can expect from this episode:

What makes a great brand?

How Nike's Jordan brand influenced his and Kim's perspective on building SKIMS.

How to harness culture to build your business.

The impact of social media on the culture of fame and commerce.

The evolution of the celebrity-driven brand.

The biggest factor that has contributed to the success of SKIMS.

Make sure to subscribe to the Mission Critical podcast for more of today's greatest entrepreneurs and leaders.

Amidst the ever-evolving landscape of the fashion industry, where institutionalized norms have often stifled progress and diversity, a crescendo of voices is challenging the status quo. At the helm of this movement stands Lauren Chan, a powerful advocate for inclusivity and genuine representation. Her journey has been multifaceted—from her tenure as a magazine editor, where she championed diverse, size-inclusive coverage; to her role as a plus-size model; to co-founding her trailblazing brand, Henning. But it’s her unwavering commitment to reshaping the larger narrative around inclusivity and representation that truly defines her impact.

The fashion and media industries have slowly started to recognize the need for change, for more inclusive and diverse representation. Chan, a Brantford, Ontario native living in New York City, embodies this paradigm shift. As the first openly queer plus-size Sports Illustrated Swimsuit rookie, she personifies the evolving standards of beauty and courageously challenges conventional norms.

On this episode, Lance and Lauren chat about her dynamic career journey, embracing the model mindset, and fashion's need for disruption.

As a decorated astronaut, engineer, communicator, author, and musician, Chris Hadfield’s illustrious career has made him one of the most renowned and universally beloved figures in Canadian history. His reputation spread into the international mainstream after becoming the first Canadian to walk in space, flying two Space Shuttle missions and serving as commander of the International Space Station. He then cemented himself into pop culture history for his legendary performance of David Bowie’s Space Oddity while floating aboard the ISS, garnering over 27 million views on Youtube.

Inspired by witnessing the famed Apollo 11 moon landing on television when he was a child, Chris’ achievements have helped encourage the next generation of explorers and scholars. His books, which include three national bestsellers in The Darkest Dark, An Astronaut’s Guide to Life, and You Are Here have become some of the most valuable resources available for those searching for fascinating and accessible introductions to the field.

His influence on young Canadians and the realm of space exploration at large is simply incalculable. And as we continue to embark towards a future full of more question marks than ever before, the presence of strong leaders and scientific thinkers such as himself is more necessary than ever before.

In this episode, Chris joines Lance to talk about his otherworldly experiences, the importance of big-picture perspectives, the future of space exploration, and what it was like writing his latest book (and first fiction), The Apollo Murders. 

This episode contains content that is of a sexual nature. If that’s a thing that might bother you or you’re not quite in the right setting for it, then maybe skip this one for now.

Sex sells. That’s nothing new, but how much? According to a 2021 report by Statista, the business of pleasure is thriving with recent projections of the global sex toy market expected to grow to about $52.7 billion US dollars by 2026, up from $28.64 billion in 2019. That growth, according to Johanna Rief, can be attributed to a handful of different factors, including culture, technology, and media.

As the Head of Sexual Empowerment at WOW Tech Group (the parent company to a group of brands that develop and produce innovative, premium sex toys), Johanna has witnessed the explosive growth of the industry over the course of her career, which has provided her with a unique perspective into its future. From her vantage point, the dialogue around sex and sexuality is one that continues to evolve in tandem with the cultural norms and taboos of society. In many ways, they’re a reflection of what we value and where we stand on matters of politics, religion, business, 

On today's episode, Johanna joins Lance to discuss her fascinating job, the growth of the industry, and what the business of sex toys can teach us about empowerment.

Travel. At some point this year, we’ve all probably daydreamed about our next big trip—the next adventure to go on after the pandemic is over, the people we would go with, the sights to see, and, of course, the food to eat. It’s no surprise that, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism industry has been one of the hardest hit. It begs the question: how—and when—will we as a society feel safe to travel freely again? In this episode, Lance chats with Bruce Poon Tip, founder of G Adventures, an award-winning small group adventure travel company pioneering community tourism, about how we can embrace our spirit of exploration and make an impact at the same time.

In this episode of Mission Critical, we sit down with Lily Li—investment counsellor, socialite, and philanthropist—who shares her remarkable journey from immigrating to Canada to making a name for herself in the male-dominated world of finance. Lily opens up about the challenges she faced breaking into the industry, how she built a powerful network, and why giving back is at the heart of her success. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on resilience, reinvention, and redefining what it means to be a leader.

If you’re a basketball fan and a Canadian, few experiences will ever be able to match what happened in the summer of 2019. In the best-of-seven playoff series, the Toronto Raptors (Canada’s only basketball team) went on to defeat two-time defending and six-time NBA championship winners the Golden State Warriors. It was a season of many firsts, including the first championship win for the Toronto Raptors, as well as the first win by any NBA team based outside of the States. It was also a barometer of basketball’s growing influence within Canada’s sports culture ecosystem, historically dominated by hockey. 

Much of that influence can be attributed to the efforts made on the ground and from the offices of NBA Canada, led by Managing Director (and this episode's guest), Leah MacNab. 

The first woman in the Managing Director position in Canada, Leah’s responsibilities are no small undertaking. Since joining in 2019, she has overseen the development and growth of the league’s business in Canada, including television and digital media, marketing and retail partnerships, licensing, special events, and basketball development. Under her leadership and tenure, the league’s revenue and marketable database in Canada have grown significantly.

In the third installment of the Mission Critical Live podcast series, Lance was joined by Leah in front of an intimate audience of entrepreneurs and leaders at Toronto’s Clio social club to talk about advocating for yourself, what responsibilities an organization like NBA Canada has to its community, and the ways in which the league is leveraging technology to drive a more streamlined fan experience.

Entrepreneurs are built to withstand incredible pressure. As a result, they know a thing or two about supporting one another as a community. Michele Romanow is a serial entrepreneur, an investor on Dragons' Den, and co-founder of the world’s largest e-commerce investment company, Clearco. In today’s episode, Lance and Michele talk about equity and equality, humility, and how entrepreneurship can be a vehicle for solving today’s toughest problems—especially if we work together.

In this episode, we dive into MasterChef Canada winner Eric Chong's unique journey from the lab to the kitchen, but more importantly, the realities of life as a restaurateur—the sacrifices, the endless grind, and the unwavering commitment it takes to succeed. The owner of the newly-opened aKin Toronto, Eric gets real about the highs and lows of the industry and what keeps him pushing forward, even when the pressure feels overwhelming.

Tune in to Lance and Eric’s conversation for an honest, behind-the-scenes look at the restaurant world, the personal toll of chasing your dreams, and what it really means to dedicate your life to the craft.

This episode is part of our MOMENTUM series, presented in partnership with Monogram Appliances Canada, celebrating Asian-Canadian stories that inspire and lead the way forward.

When Tata Harper pivoted her career from industrial engineer to beauty entrepreneur, no one could have predicted that she would soon go on to be known as the Queen of Green Skincare. Yet today, Tata’s eponymous skincare brand has reached astronomic levels of popularity counting the likes of Gigi Hadid, Jessica Alba, and Tracee Ellis Ross among loyal brand fans. But Tata’s commitment to restoring the beauty counter with more transparent and sustainable options doesn’t end with the serums and creams within her bottles. It extends into every aspect of her company, from her Vermont farm right down to the type of ink used on her paper packaging.

But perhaps it’s Tata’s personal, intimate approach to her business that is the company’s greatest asset. She is a glowing (quite literally) category leader that takes a hands-on approach to her principles of maximalist beauty. In this episode, Tata and I talk about how her Colombian upbringing influenced her worldview of beauty, the future of the industry, and what “clean” and “natural” beauty even mean. Are all synthetic ingredients bad? And are all natural ingredients good? Listen to find out.

Chef Eva Chin is redefining what it means to be a steward of culinary culture. As the Culinary Director of Hong Shing and owner of Yan Dining Room in Toronto, she masterfully blends tradition with innovation, proving that Chinese cuisine isn’t static—it’s dynamic, seasonal, and deeply personal. In this episode, we explore her journey from growing up on a farm to working in global culinary hotspots like New York and Hong Kong, and how those experiences fuel her bold vision for the future of food.

Listen to Lance and Eva's discussion for an insightful, thought-provoking conversation that will challenge how you think about Chinese cuisine, leadership in the food industry, and the power of food to drive meaningful change.

This episode is part of a larger series called MOMENTUM, presented in partnership with Monogram Appliances Canada, which celebrates Asian-Canadian stories.

Known as the ‘Olympics of Tech,’ Collision is the brainchild of founder Paddy Cosgrave, who has built the annual tech conference into one of the biggest global gatherings of tech founders, entrepreneurs, startups, and world leaders. Since 2019, Collision has welcomed over 70,000 people to Toronto and is forecasted to have a total economic impact of $188 million over the course of its residency in Canada, to date. 

While in town for Collision 2023, Paddy sat down with Lance to talk about his humble beginnings, how to build an engaged community, and the most important discussion we’re having in tech right now. Plus, find out why he thinks Transformers 4 is one of the most significant movies ever made. 

“Buy yourself the damn diamond.” Such is the gospel of Noura Sakkijha, CEO and co-founder of fine jewelry company Mejuri. In 2015, she started her Toronto-based brand to reframe the conversation around jewelry, mainly around the idea that the industry was built for men gifting women. Instead, Noura wanted to empower women to celebrate themselves. 

This notion of agency and self-expression is precisely what has grown Mejuri into one of the most exciting and dynamic lifestyle brands today. Noura, who is a third-generation jeweler, has proven her business thesis and built her company into a global direct-to-consumer brand that has not only influenced the purchasing behaviour of women but completely turned the industry’s distribution model on its head by pioneering weekly style drops.

Today, Mejuri has been able to amass a following of brand evangelists like Oprah, Bella Hadid, Ariana Grande, and Lizzo - along with thousands of other women - who believe in Noura’s mission. 

In today’s episode, Noura joins us to discuss how her upbringing shaped her approach to design, building a company while raising a family, and what it takes to create a buzzworthy direct-to-consumer brand. 

Bold by Veuve Clicquot: https://bit.ly/30rmbIl

Architectural design is like a language. There’s a lot that we can learn about ourselves and the society we’re a part of simply by observing the structures around us. It tells us about what we value as a society, how we gather and migrate throughout the day, how we work, how sustainable we are, and more. It’s a snapshot of culture, our history, and our future.

Joining us on the podcast today is world-renowned architect Jeanne Gang, the founding principal and partner of the award-winning Studio Gang. Named one of 2019’s most influential people in the world by TIME magazine, Jeanne's work is recognized for its forward approach to design. She’s a changemaker that has championed social impact strategies to improve ecological biodiversity in cities and close the gender wage gap within her industry.

Today, Jeanne joins Lance to talk about great design, using architecture as a force for social change, and her first project in Canada, One Delisle.

What does it mean to create something grounded in community, but built to reach the world? In this episode of Mission Critical, Lance sits down with Stacey Aglok MacDonald and Alethea Arnaquq-Baril—the visionary creators and showrunners behind North of North, the first-ever Inuit-led scripted drama produced by CBC and APTN and getting ready for its global Netflix debut.

Set against the vast and icy landscape of the Arctic, North of North radiates warmth through its humor, its characters, and its unapologetic point of view—it’s a cultural response to a much bigger conversation. As governments and industries set their sights on Arctic development, North of North reminds us that the people who have always called the North home must have a seat at the table—and a voice in the narrative.

In a world where media often gets Indigenous stories wrong, Stacey and Alethea are leading a new wave of filmmaking: deeply rooted in Inuit identity, brimming with universal themes, and ready to be embraced on the world stage. This is a conversation about storytelling as resistance, the power of laughter in the face of hardship, and why the future of cinema might just be found in the farthest corners of the North.

Episode Highlights & Takeaways:

• Why “North of North” had to be shot in Nunavut—and how the land became a character in itself.

• Balancing local authenticity with global resonance: telling stories for Inuit communities and the world.

• The warmth of the Arctic: reframing stereotypes about northern life through humor, fashion, and human connection.

• Reclaiming Arctic narratives: how the show mirrors real-life debates around land use, research, and Indigenous sovereignty.

• The future of Indigenous-led film: breaking through systemic barriers and carving out new creative pathways.

• Comedy as a cultural tool: how laughter helps unpack trauma and build connection across communities.

• What global distribution through Netflix means for Inuit visibility and storytelling on the world stage.

• Advice for emerging Indigenous storytellers on staying grounded while dreaming big.

If the eyes are the windows to your soul, then what does a pair of eyeglasses say about you? For many, eyewear is an extension of one’s self. Quite literally, when you consider the fact that approximately 68 percent of Canadians wear corrective lenses, and figuratively as a reflection of personal style and expression. For years, however, the $160 billion global eyewear industry was controlled by a handful of companies that kept prices high and quality low. That is, until Warby Parker stepped onto the scene in 2010, shaking an entire industry up by offering high-quality eyewear at an accessible price directly to the consumer.  Founded in Philadelphia by Neil Blumenthal, Andrew Hunt, David Gilboa, and Jeffrey Raider out of a Venture Initiation Program of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, the company soon learned that there was a community clamouring for elevated design in prescription glasses that wouldn’t cost hundreds of dollars. Within a year of launching, Warby Parker had earned the interest of Vogue with a feature that caught the attention of both customers and investors alike. As of 2021, Warby Parker is valued at USD $6.8 billion and has distributed over 10 million pairs of glasses around the globe. But despite their commercial success, Warby Parker’s founders have set their sights on far more ambitious pursuits. In this episode, co-founder David Gilboa joins Lance to talk about how Warby Parker grew into a multi-billion-dollar company, his biggest lessons learned along the way, and their mission to revolutionize access to vision care around the world. 

In an age when Canadian talent feels more prominently featured in mainstream Hollywood than ever before, actor Jay Baruchel stands as a distinct directorial and acting voice. From an early age, it was clear that he was destined for the spotlight. His breakthrough role came in the late 1990s with the critically acclaimed Canadian TV series, Popular Mechanics for Kids, where he first had the chance to showcase his quick wit to a broad national audience. Since then, Jay's built up an impressive CV of work, including major Hollywood films like Tropic Thunder, Knocked Up, and the How to Train Your Dragon franchise.

In this episode, Jay joins Lance to talk about Canada's role in cinema, technology's impact on filmmaking, and his latest movie, the critically-acclaimed BlackBerry.

For 27 years, Jeanne Beker was the voice in fashion media—a trailblazer that earned her stripes by reporting on the industry’s most spectacular events and personalities. The host of Fashion Television, her show was syndicated around the globe to 130 countries, offering a glimpse into a pre-social media world that was often guarded and gated. It was her tenacity, warmth, and unapologetic pursuit of a story that led her to interview the likes of Karl Lagerfeld, Kate Moss, Jean Paul Gaultier, Naomi Campbell and so many of the industry’s icons and juggernauts.But looking past the sequins and the tulle and jewels, Jeanne’s reporting on fashion offered a perspective that translated the language of style into a larger dialogue around culture. Through her electric and supercharged interviews, she was also having a conversation about sustainability, commerce, politics, culture, and values. Fashion has always been a barometer of the times, and Jeanne always understood the assignment well. On today’s podcast, Lance is joined by the legendary journalist to talk about her foray into the business, the most entrepreneurial designers, and her best advice on fighting for your own opportunities. 

Ashley Alexis McFarlane is the creative visionary and founder behind Omi Woods, a luxury jewelry brand that focuses on creating contemporary and sustainable heirlooms that celebrate African culture.

In front of a live audience, Lance and Ashley sat down to discuss her entrepreneurial journey, the significance of precious metals in African culture, and what the heirlooms of the future will look like.

Held in a live format at the Pinterest Canada headquarters in Toronto, our interview with Ashley is the latest in our Mission Critical: The Bold Conversations series in partnership with Veuve Clicquot, celebrating women entrepreneurs and leaders.

Visit the Veuve Clicquot Open Database, the first free, global open database which lists and gives visibility to women entrepreneurs globally: https://www.boldopendatabase.com/en

For a full recap of the evening, plus photos from the evening, visit: https://www.gloryprofessional.com/ashley-alexis-mcfarlane-omi-woods/

It can be objectively stated that drag queens are masters of marketing and are some of the most impressive entrepreneurs out there. In addition to RuPaul's core tenets of a winning queen—that is, charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent—they also possess all of the traits that we often associate with entrepreneurship, like resilience, agility, and resourcefulness. Today’s top drag queens are not only the ultimate entertainers but also powerful brands that companies are more than eager to work with. There’s a lot that we can learn from drag queens as business owners and stewards of our own brands.

In today’s episode, Lance sits down with Priyanka on the set of her Bay Street Bull cover shoot to discuss her journey, the mainstreaming of drag culture, and the most important lessons in business we can learn from today’s top drag queens.

Bay Street Bull 30X30: https://baystbull.com/2021-bay-street-bull-30x30/

Priyanka's Cover Story: https://baystbull.com/drag-queen-priyanka-entrepreneurship/

Xero: www.xero.com

Rami Atallah is the CEO and co-founder of SSENSE, a technology platform that focuses on nurturing emerging talent while simultaneously championing today’s most powerful and established luxury brands.

What started as part of his computer engineering graduate thesis, Rami founded SSENSE alongside his brothers, Firas and Bassel, to address the needs of the new generation of consumers. They wanted to build a platform that was, in his words, "interesting, pushed boundaries, and leveraged the internet to reach a global customer base."

Today, the company has a valuation of over $5 billion, carries 1,600 brands ranging from Gucci to Balenciaga, and employs over 1,750 people in permanent positions.

An immigrant from Syria, Rami’s journey is one that exemplifies the power of harnessing diverse perspectives and skill sets, and using your work as a springboard for talent in order to usher a new generation of leaders. 

Recorded live at the SSENSE headquarters in Montreal on set for our 50 most impactful companies cover shoot, Lance sits down with Rami to talk about his immigrant and entrepreneurial journey, how he uses his engineering background to solve problems, and the future of luxury, commerce, and culture. 

DEI has become one of the most polarizing conversations in the corporate world, especially in the 2025 Trump era. Is it a critical business strategy, or just corporate virtue signaling? On this episode of Mission Critical with Lance Chung, Lance sits down with Laura McGee, CEO of Diversio, to cut through the noise and uncover what’s really happening behind the headlines.

McGee shares how Diversio is using AI and data analytics to make workplaces more productive—and why the backlash against DEI is based more on perception than reality. She breaks down the myths surrounding diversity efforts, reveals the surprising truth about which companies are actually pulling back, and explains why leaders should embrace uncomfortable conversations instead of avoiding them.

Key Takeaways:

• The media’s portrayal of DEI is misleading—most companies aren’t canceling it, they’re rebranding it.
• Why fear, not facts, is the biggest barrier to progress.
• The global differences in how companies approach inclusion—and what North America gets wrong.
• How to shift the DEI conversation from divisive to productive.

It’s time to separate fact from fiction. Listen now.

In this episode, Connie Lo, co-founder of Three Ships, joins Lance to discuss her journey in building a clean skincare brand with a mission to make beauty accessible for all. Connie shares her entrepreneurial story, from bootstrapping the company with just $4,000 to achieving significant growth and recognition in the industry. Throughout the conversation, she opens up about the challenges facing women in business, her experience as a young entrepreneur, and the importance of maintaining transparency and authenticity in the beauty world. Connie also dives into the evolving consumer demand for clean beauty, why sustainability matters, and the future of Three Ships. Tune in for an inspiring and honest look at entrepreneurship in the beauty space.

This episode is part of MOMENTUM, a special series in partnership with Monogram Canada that celebrates and explores the journeys of Asian-Canadian leaders.

Aurora James is a force to be reckoned with. Those of you who are tuned in to the world of fashion will likely recognize her name as the designer behind sustainable accessories brand Brother Vellies, a favourite amongst fashion heavyweights like Beyonce, Zendaya, and Solange (to name a few). You may also recognize her for gracing the cover of American Vogue’s coveted September issue in 2020 and, more recently, as the designer behind US congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s 'Tax the Rich’ gown worn to the 2021 Met Gala. But beyond the fold of fashion, she’s also been hard at work to create real and meaningful change within the larger community.In 2020, the Toronto-native and New York City transplant started her non-profit, the Fifteen Percent Pledge, in direct response to the wave of corporate statements issued during the Black Lives Matter movement. Focused on keeping these businesses accountable to racial equity, Aurora challenged the corporate community to commit at least 15 percent (which is roughly the proportion of the Black population in America) of their shelf space to Black-owned businesses. Today, that has manifested in a movement that has seen some of the world’s largest retailers sign on to help decrease the racial wealth gap.On today’s episode, Aurora and Lance talk about progress, community, and what it means to take the pledge. 

Psychedelics are making a big comeback from their controversial history thanks to major breakthroughs in their ability to treat a range of mental health disorders—opening the doors to a future of incredible possibilities. In today’s episode, Lance speaks with Ronan Levy, co-founder and executive chairman of Field Trip Health, a therapy and research centre that uses ketamine (yes, ketamine)-enhanced psychotherapy to help those suffering from treatment-resistant mental health conditions. Ronan and Lance chat about his journey into the psychedelics industry, the science behind ketamine-enhanced therapy, and the impact that psychedelics can have on mental health.

Over the years, society has had to reckon with much-needed change in order to build a more equitable future. Like many other cultural institutions, the fashion industry has not been quick to change. Thankfully, there are those within the ecosystem who have pushed for progress by empowering others and embracing innovation.

At the forefront of this change stands supermodel Coco Rocha, a name synonymous with the industry's transformation. One of the first in her generation to recognize the power of social media as a platform for agency and independence, she instilled a turning point for the fashion industry and its ability to advocate for itself. Beyond the catwalk, she's pioneering the next generation of models through her groundbreaking Coco Rocha Model Camp. 

In this episode, Lance and Coco discuss her entrepreneurial path, advocacy efforts, and what the future holds for fashion.

This episode was sponsored by TELUS SmartWear Security. Learn more here: www.telus.com/en/smartwear-security

In the high-stakes world of professional hockey, Emerance Maschmeyer and Geneviève Lacasse share a story that uniquely sets them apart from their contemporaries. Both elite goaltenders with careers that span the highs of international competition (both were part of Canada’s national team) and the grit of the newly launched Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), they’ve faced it all. But off the ice, they’ve built a partnership that’s as formidable as their game-day personas. Navigating the pressures of elite sport, national team selections, and the rollercoaster of wins and losses, Emerance and Geneviève are redefining what it means to be a power couple in modern sports. 

Speaking at the inaugural GLORY Sports Summit with Lance, the dynamic duo break down the art of balancing competition with connection, advice for aspiring athletes, and what it really takes to succeed at the highest level—together.

How important is optimism in a time where everything seems to be in a general state of chaos? One could argue that entrepreneurs are inherently optimistic given the nature of the business, what with the number of hurdles, uphill battles, and rate of failure that entrepreneurs often experience. District Ventures CEO and Dragons' Den investor Arlene Dickinson understands this well. In today's episode, Lance and Arlene chat about reinvention, mental health, and the importance of optimism.

Apply to the Veuve Clicquot BOLD Women Awards: https://bit.ly/3mP1mwp

KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

[6:20] Entrepreneurs are inherently optimistic people given their tenacity, resilience, and persistence to grow a business.

[12:30] Figuring out your 'Why' is more important than saying "following your passion" in order to discover your core purpose.

[16:00] What does reinvention mean to Arlene, and how does she define it?

[26:22] The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted entire industries. What does reinvention look like in the pandemic era?

[28:03]: There are two words that come to mind when it comes to mental health and the new culture of work: empathy and flexibility.

[32:31] What makes a great business? A long-term vision.

As the driving force behind Toronto’s acclaimed Gusto 54 Restaurant Group, Janet Zuccarini is a rare blend of visionary and architect, crafting a culinary empire that pays homage to her Italian heritage while pushing the boundaries of what hospitality can be. Her restaurants, including the beloved Gusto 101 and the pasta-centric Felix Trattoria in Los Angeles, are more than dining destinations; they are community anchors, each designed to deliver a dining experience that balances warmth and precision, artistry, and authenticity.

For Janet, food has always been a universal language, a bridge connecting diverse backgrounds around a shared table. Rooted in her Italian upbringing, where meals were occasions for connection, she’s made it her life’s work to recreate that sense of gathering and nourishment for her guests. It’s this deeply personal ethos that informs each of her ventures. From hiring top-tier culinary talent to preserving traditional food craftsmanship, she’s not just feeding patrons—she’s honouring culture and tradition, making her restaurants feel like living museums that celebrate the artistry of handmade dishes.

In this episode, Lance sits down with Janet over a shared meal at her restaurant, Gusto 501, to talk about her entrepreneurial journey and business strategy, preserving culinary culture, and her most memorable meal at one of her restaurants (hint: Al Pacino may have been present).

There are few people in media who radiate the kind of glowing, positive, and unabashedly joyful energy quite like Jonathan Van Ness.Known primarily for their co-hosting duties as the resident beauty guru on Netflix’s Queer Eye reboot, it is the magnetic charm and personality of Jonathan (who is non-binary and uses “they,” “he,” and “she” pronouns) that has helped them build the foundation of a media empire that spans everything from New York Times bestselling books, soldout standup comedy tours, and, most recently, a second Netflix series based on their wildly successful podcast, Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness. Whether they intended it or not, Jonathan is an entrepreneur by every definition and their latest endeavour is just another addition to their impressive CV.Launched in 2021, JVN Hair is the result of over two years of development that shifts the focus to hair concern over hair type via its hero ingredient, hemisqualane (a derivative of bio-fermented sugarcane.) Naturally, the vegan haircare brand is an extension of Jonathan. Yes, it’s a product that performs, but it’s also a platform where Jonathan can parlay their values, mission, and body of work through the lens of beauty. It’s one that espouses inclusivity, sustainability, and a larger dialogue around what it truly means to have freedom of self-expression—or, as they put it, to “come as you are.”On this episode, Lance sits down with Jonathan to talk about self-expression, what Pride means to them, and how to engage our communities into protecting trans rights.

Finding and harnessing happiness was an effort that many tasked people themselves with throughout 2020. At the forefront of this campaign? Influencer and social media’s unofficial Chief Joy Officer, Donté Colley. Known for his infectious TiKTok videos full of encouragement and signature dance moves, Donté established his platform (which now boasts over one million followers) to bring more positivity to people’s lives.

While he may count celebrities like Ariana Grande and Beyonce as fans, his true power is his ability to put his audience at ease while tackling topics like mental health and self-love. It is this journey of affirmation that he invites his followers on daily that has made Colley a beacon of joy for those in need of a positive boost.

On today’s episode, Lance chats with Donte, who is featured in the 2021 Bay Street Bull 30X30 guide, about cultivating and protecting your joy.

Bay Street Bull 30X30: https://baystbull.com/2021-bay-street-bull-30x30/

Xero: https://xero.com/ca/

Leonard Brody is an award-winning entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and bestselling author. As co-founder of Caravan, a venture with Creative Artists Agency (CAA), the two-time Emmy-nominated media visionary shares insights with Lance about the intricacies of building ventures for global icons like Carrie Underwood and Tom Hanks, and what brands should consider before entering into a partnership with celebrity talent.

Here's what you can expect from this episode:

Are we in the golden age of celebrity entrepreneurship? Or are we approaching celebrity brand burnout?

How has the landscape of celebrity entrepreneurship evolved over the years?

How does research create the foundation of a successful celebrity partnership?

What is the difference between an endorsement, licensing, and partnership?

What is the profile of the ideal celebrity entrepreneur?

What are some of the safeguards that business owners can build in crisis PR moments where a celebrity has lost the public’s goodwill and trust?

Make sure to subscribe to the Mission Critical podcast for more of today's greatest entrepreneurs and leaders.

We've learned many lessons from the pandemic but perhaps one of the biggest takeaways is the impact of burnout on our wellbeing and mental health. Arianna Huffington is no stranger to burnout culture. Back in 2007, the media mogul reached a breaking point when she collapsed from sleep deprivation and exhaustion after working 18-hour days building her news website, The Huffington Post. It was this experience that would set her on the path to eventually leaving her namesake site and starting Thrive Global, a behaviour-change technology company whose sole mission is to help others tackle the culture of overwork and burnout.

In today's episode, Lance chats with Arianna and is joined by Nabeela Ixtabalan, Executive Vice President of People and Corporate Affairs at Walmart Canada. The trio sits down to discuss how Thrive Global works with today's leading companies, the new era of leadership, and how burnout culture uniquely affects women.

Bold by Veuve Clicquot: https://bit.ly/30rmbIl

Bay Street Bull's 2021 Women of the Year: https://baystbull.com/women-of-the-year-2021/

See photos from Penny Oleksiak's Cover Shoot: https://baystbull.com/women-of-the-year-2021-penny-oleksiak/

At just 21 years old, Toronto-born swimmer Penny Oleksiak has already been crowned as Canada’s most decorated Olympian with seven medals to her name. Before her dominant display this past summer in Tokyo, Penny became the first Canadian to win four medals in the same Summer Games and the country’s youngest Olympic champion. If that weren’t enough, she closed out her Olympic debut by becoming the first athlete born in the 2000s to claim a medal in an individual event, further underscoring her status as a generational talent.

Five years later, Penny returned to the Olympic stage to compete under the bright lights of the Tokyo Summer Games and, once again, represented Canada in spectacular fashion. By securing a silver and a pair of bronze medals, she immortalized herself as Canada’s most decorated Olympic athlete. 

But holding a reputation like hers comes with its own set of challenges. When you’re thrust onto a podium and heralded as one of the greatest athletes in the world, that can sometimes affect your mental health, as we’ve seen in other instances with athletes (notably, young female athletes) like Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka. 

Despite these challenges, it’s undeniable that Penny (and her contemporaries) have all earned their success—and have every right to celebrate it without apology or validation. 

In today’s episode, Lance chats with Penny on the set of our very first Women of the Year issue about navigating the discomfort of high-pressure environments, her philosophy on victory, and what it means to own your ambition. 

In this episode, we sit down with Sasha Plavsic, the visionary founder of ILIA Beauty, to explore how she revolutionized the clean beauty industry. Sasha shares the personal story that inspired ILIA, her approach to blending sustainability with high-performance formulas, and the challenges of balancing innovation with ethical responsibility. From a humble start to becoming a global powerhouse, ILIA is redefining beauty standards, proving you don’t have to compromise on quality or values.

What happens when influence isn’t just about followers—but about power, ownership, and rewriting the rules of an entire industry?

In this episode of Mission Critical, Lance chats with Susan Yara—content creator turned beauty entrepreneur, and the co-founder of Naturium, one of the fastest-growing skincare brands in the business.

She started in front of the camera. Built trust. Built community. And then she flipped the script, turning her influence into infrastructure. Naturium scaled fast, stood out in a crowded market, and was acquired by e.l.f. Beauty for a reported $355 million. But behind the success story is a woman who’s navigated every tension: between personal brand and product brand, between representation and responsibility, between being taken seriously and staying true to where she came from.

In this conversation, Lance and Susan talk about what it really means to have influence that lasts—not just in beauty, but in business.

Episode highlights and takeaways:

• Why legacy brands are watching: Susan shares how indie beauty brands like Naturium are driving innovation and forcing legacy players to catch up.

• Representation done right: Susan talks about the responsibility (and strategy) of creating an inclusive brand without tokenism — and how her multicultural background shaped her vision.

• From startup to acquisition: What it really takes to scale fast, keep your soul, and partner with a company like e.l.f. to go global without losing your original mission.

• The power of analytics: She reveals how understanding her audience through content data gave her a roadmap for product development, retail strategy, and growth.

• Creating vs. scaling: The difference between building a personal brand and building a business—and why separating the two is essential if you want to exit.

Renowned for his dynamic fusion of pop culture iconography, Takaski Murakami has had a formidable impact on culture and art. From his groundbreaking partnership with Louis Vuitton to his haunting work for musician Billie Eilish, collaboration has always played a pivotal role in the Tokyo-based artist’s creative journey.

On the latest episode of the Mission Critical podcast, Lance sits down with the renowned artist for an intimate discussion about his career, collaboration, and what brought him to Toronto for the first time.

Aurora James is a force to be reckoned with. Those of you who are tuned in to the world of fashion will likely recognize her name as the designer behind sustainable accessories brand Brother Vellies, a favourite amongst fashion heavyweights like Beyonce, Zendaya, and Solange (to name a few). You may also recognize her for gracing the cover of American Vogue’s coveted September issue in 2020 and, more recently, as the designer behind US congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s 'Tax the Rich’ gown worn to the 2021 Met Gala. But beyond the fold of fashion, she’s also been hard at work to create real and meaningful change within the larger community.In 2020, the Toronto-native and New York City transplant started her non-profit, the Fifteen Percent Pledge, in direct response to the wave of corporate statements issued during the Black Lives Matter movement. Focused on keeping these businesses accountable to racial equity, Aurora challenged the corporate community to commit at least 15 percent (which is roughly the proportion of the Black population in America) of their shelf space to Black-owned businesses. Today, that has manifested in a movement that has seen some of the world’s largest retailers sign on to help decrease the racial wealth gap.On today’s episode, Aurora and Lance talk about progress, community, and what it means to take the pledge. 

Barbora Samieian is the co-founder of SUNDAYS, a Vancouver-based e-commerce brand that's revolutionizing the furniture industry. The first of our Bold Conversations series (presented by Veuve Clicquot) to be recorded on the road, we headed to Vancouver and gathered a group of the city's leaders at the Carlino (located inside the Shangri-La Hotel) for this week's episode.

Barbora is no stranger to the world of entrepreneurship. She's the visionary behind not one, but two successful ventures beyond SUNDAYS: FIELD & SOCIAL and RIDE CYCLE CLUB, both of which have flourished into multi-location businesses. But her journey didn't start there. Before embarking on her entrepreneurial path, Barbora worked at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and devoted her time to the non-profit sector in Vancouver, all after completing her graduate degree in International Development from the University of Cambridge.

Born in Slovakia and moving to Vancouver at the age of twelve, Barbora's passion for community involvement and her commitment to championing women in business has been an integral part of her life's story.

In this episode, Barbora joins Lance to talk about the intricacies of her entrepreneurial journey, her mission to create sanctuaries through SUNDAYS, her time working at the United Nations, and why Vancouver has become a hotbed for entrepreneurial talent. You'll gain insights into the mind of a passionate entrepreneur and discover how her diverse experiences have shaped her into the inspiring leader she is today.

In GLORY Features, we're expanding our podcast to bring you more guests and their expert advice on what small business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders should know, today. In this episode, host Lance Chung sits down with Leigh Tynan, Director of Online Security at TELUS. Tynan brings her wealth of experience to the table, offering a comprehensive overview of the current state of cybersecurity, discussing the latest trends, emerging challenges, and the proactive measures individuals can take to fortify their digital defenses.

In a world where information is both currency and vulnerability, understanding the truths behind cybersecurity becomes paramount. Here's what you can expect to learn from this episode:

• The state of cybersecurity today.
• The key misconceptions around online security.
• What entrepreneurs and small business owners can do to protect themselves against cybersecurity threats.
• The specific tools and software available for individuals to enhance their cybersecurity.

Food has always been a powerful way of exploring themes beyond its function as a means of sustenance. Think about the best meal you’ve ever had or your fondest food memory. Chances are they involved being in the company of others by breaking bread or engaging in long-held traditions. Food is culture—it brings people together, cements our most cherished memories, promotes powerful dialogue, and forces us to ask important questions about ourselves and our communities.It is through this perspective that entrepreneur Shiza Shahid created her company, Our Place. You may recognize them for their buzzy social media campaigns and kitchenware essentials that promise to make everyone’s lives easier. But beyond that, Shahid’s LA-based company has inevitably ignited meaningful conversations around racial identity, culture, and equality by inviting others into the kitchen.Building a mission-focused company isn’t new to Shahid. Before Our Place, the Pakistani entrepreneur co-founded the Malala Fund alongside Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai to provide better access to education for girls around the world. She also built her own investment company (NOW Ventures) that focused on supporting mission-driven and women-founded startups. Throughout her career, Shahid has devoted herself to not only creating more seats at the table but to building bigger, more inclusive ones altogether—all in an effort to provide others (women and people of colour, in particular) with a voice and opportunities of their own.In today’s episode, Shiza joins me to discuss her fondest food memories, her experience building Our Place, and the best way to support other women entrepreneurs.Registration for the ninth edition of the Veuve Clicquot Bold Awards in Canada will open on September 2022: https://www.veuveclicquot.com/en-ca/bold-by-veuve-clicquot/about

What does it mean to embrace your culture? To reclaim your cultural identity? On today’s episode, Lance chats with James Jones (otherwise known as Notorious Cree) about connecting with and celebrating your culture. With a social media audience of over 2.5 million followers, James is applying a modern use of technology and social media to depict Indigenous culture and traditions. And what he is teaching his millions of followers is to be proud of your culture, to unapologetically embrace the path to discovering your heritage, and perhaps most importantly, that you are not alone in that journey.

George Soleas is the President and CEO of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), one of the world’s most influential forces in the world of spirits.

In this special live recording of Mission Critical Live: The Bold Conversations (presented by Veuve Clicquot), George chats with Lance and shares his extraordinary journey from a refugee in Cyprus to the C-suite.

Starting as a chef in Ontario, he leveraged his passion for customer service into a diverse career, including steel manufacturing and winemaking, accumulating a diverse set of skills that would prepare him for an incredible career ahead. Driven by a commitment to continuous learning, he earned degrees in chemistry, metallurgy, and a Master's in Logistics.

In this live episode, Lance and George discuss his entrepreneurial journey, the immense power of allyship, the LCBO's commitment to inclusivity, and the enduring value of lifelong learning.

Talking about money can often feel taboo when it should feel empowering. Let's face it, personal finance remains an uncomfortable topic to broach for many. When Michael Katchen arrived on the scene back in 2014 with his new fintech startup Wealthsimple, he had lofty dreams of simplifying our relationship with money. Fast forward six short years and Wealthsimple has become a certified unicorn company. And while they've certainly come a long way, their mission has stayed the same: to bring a sense of humanity to finance. On today's episode, Lance chats with Michael about the biggest challenges when it comes to financial literacy, what it means to be a human-centered brand, and how we can all get more comfortable talking about money.

Department stores are disappearing—Nordstrom pulled out of Canada, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman were swallowed up into Saks Global, Hudson's Bay is liquidating, and direct-to-consumer brands are reshaping the retail landscape. But Holt Renfrew (you know them, that Canadian luxury destination with the iconic magenta shopping bags) continues to stand strong. It's an impressive feat considering the brand's almost 200-year history. So, what does it take to not just survive, but thrive in today’s evolving luxury market?

In this episode of Mission Critical, Lance sits down with Sebastian Picardo, President and CEO of Holt Renfrew, to explore the evolving definition of luxury and the future of multi-brand retail. From his first brush with luxury in Argentina to navigating Holt Renfrew through a rapidly changing landscape, Sebastian shares personal insights, leadership philosophies, and the strategic vision that keeps Holt Renfrew at the forefront of the industry.

They discuss:

• The emotional and experiential aspects of luxury in 2025.
• How Holt Renfrew stays relevant in an era where brands are going direct-to-consumer.
• The crucial role of relationships in luxury retail.
• Balancing heritage with innovation.

Key Takeaways:

• Luxury is more than price—it’s about emotion, purpose, and connection.
• Multi-brand retailers must define their own identity beyond the brands they carry.
• Personal service and relationships are the true product in luxury retail.
• Sustainability and heritage can coexist with innovation.
• Navigating uncertainty requires a long-term vision and a strong company culture.

If you’re curious about the future of fashion, retail, and what it takes to lead a legacy brand in a rapidly changing industry, this is the episode for you. Let's get into it.

In the high-pressure world of competitive figure skating, Canadian Olympian Piper Gilles has carved out a name for herself, not only through her artistry and athleticism but also through her resilience and advocacy. 

Beyond the rink, Piper is a vocal advocate for women’s health and has turned her personal battle into a mission to inspire and educate. While being an elite athlete comes with its own share of personal sacrifice and struggle, it was her diagnosis with Stage 1 ovarian cancer in the spring of 2023 that tested the resilience and fortitude that she had built up for herself throughout the course of her career. 

In this episode, the two-time Canadian Olympian and three-time World Figure Skating Championship Medalist sits with Lance and discusses her artistry through sport, advocacy, and celebrating her accomplishments in life. 

Hotels are so much more than places where we choose to rest our heads. Traveler or not, today they serve as cultural institutions—multi-hyphenate anchors within our communities that serve as a destination to break bread, share drink, collaborate, inspire, build, and forge cherished memories.

Brad Wilson is the CEO and co-parter of Ace Hotel Group and the brand’s in-house creative agency Atelier Ace. If you’re not familiar with the brand, they’re a group of hotels known for their charm, collaboration, and whimsicality, choosing to open new locations in cities that serve as hubs of innovation and art. In his opinion, today’s leading hotels serve not just as a place of room and board, but as destinations for discovery and curiosity that facilitate cultural communion. 

On the heels of their first foray into Canada, Lance sits down with Brad to talk about good hospitality, how hotels bring community together, and, of course, the Ace Hotel Toronto. Enjoy!

On this episode of Mission Critical, we’re joined by one of the most influential and universally-beloved figures in the fashion world, Tan France. Tan’s journey to becoming a television sensation may have started with his role as a fashion expert on Netflix’s Queer Eye, but his entrepreneurial path was filled with triumphs long before he entered the mainstream spotlight.

In this mini-episode, Lance speaks with Tan about the origins of his fashion sense, the importance of how we present ourselves, and how he’s empowering entrepreneurs and small businesses. From reflecting on his storied career to discussing his life as a father, Tan’s insights offer a fascinating roadmap to overcoming obstacles and maintaining joy along the way.

This episode is presented by Bold by Veuve Clicquot as part of the Mission Critical: The Bold Conversations series, which celebrates pioneering and visionary women leaders. Check out the Bold Open Database: www.boldopendatabase.com

Reetu Gupta is an activist, philanthropist, co-founder of Rogue Insight Capital Ltd., President of the Gupta Family Foundation, and Ambassadress of The Gupta Group. Under her leadership and that of her family, Reetu has built The Gupta Group into the largest private hotel development corporation in Canada, with over 23 properties within their ever-expanding portfolio. Filmed and recorded from their newest location, Canopy by Hilton Toronto Yorkville, Lance and Reetu discussed her experience working her way up through the business, the dynamics of running a family enterprise, and how she's ushering in a new generation of women- and BIPOC-led hospitality professionals.

Fashion has always been about commentary. No one knows this better than Byron and Dexter Peart, juggernauts of the fashion industry who cut their teeth building their minimalist lifestyle brand, WANT Les Essentiels, into a global empire before departing to start something new. That something was Goodee, an online marketplace that focuses on “good people, good design, and good impact.” In this episode, Lance chats with Byron and Dexter about conscious consumption and the future of luxury.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

[6:07] What lessons did Byron and Dexter learn from their experience building WANT Les Essentiels that they applied to their latest venture, Goodee? It's about looking forward.

[9:00] What makes an exceptional brand? Story and consistency.

[15:06] Why start a company like Goodee in the first place?

[19:27] The future of luxury lies at the intersection of purpose and design.

[25:15] Today's consumers look to retailers for a curated point of view to save time.

[27:35] How does Goodee keep its supply chain, and itself, accountable to its values and mission?

[34:25] Where is the balance drawn between shareholders and stakeholders within an organization?

Mississauga-born Maitreyi Ramakrishnan beat out 15,000 other girls when she landed the lead role of the Netflix original series Never Have I Ever, a groundbreaking show that tells a coming-of-age story focusing on family dynamics, relationships, grief, and friendship through the lens of an Indian-American household. In this episode, Maitreyi chats with Lance about representation, identity, and leadership. Also, what's Mindy Kaling like as a boss?

There are many parallels that can be drawn between running a kitchen and leading a business. Both require leadership, focus, tenacity, and, above all, passion to get you through the inevitable hills and valleys that come along the way—something that internationally-renowned chef and restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson knows a thing or two about. With restaurants around the world from Miami to Sweden to Montreal, a James Beard award, and celebrity appearances on Food Network shows (just to name a few accomplishments), success is something that Marcus has achieved throughout his illustrious career. But the journey has not been without its own hurdles along the way. While he first made a name for himself as the executive chef of Aquavit in New York in the 1990s, his story began 7,000 miles away in Ethiopia. Marcus and his sister were adopted as young children by a white family in Gothenburg, Sweden, after their biological mother passed away from tuberculosis. This fusion of cultures would later inform much of Marcus’ culinary vision and barrier-breaking career. On today’s episode, Lance is joined by Marcus to talk about the kitchen of his childhood, how being an immigrant has helped inform his perspective on food and culture, and how he built a global restaurant empire. Plus, what's it like to curate the menu for the Met Gala?  

Jenn Harper is the CEO and founder of Cheekbone Beauty, an Indigenous-owned and founded cosmetics company that creates sustainable beauty products with the added goal of making a difference in the lives of Indigenous youth. 

In front of a live audience, Lance and Jenn sat down to discuss her entrepreneurial journey, the core tenets of Indigenous business, and how she got Cheekbone Beauty onto Sephora shelves.

Held in a live format at Kissa Toronto located in the heart of the city's Entertainment District, our interview with Jenn is the latest in our Mission Critical: The Bold Conversations series in partnership with Veuve Clicquot, celebrating women entrepreneurs and leaders.

Visit the Veuve Clicquot Open Database, the first free, global open database which lists and gives visibility to women entrepreneurs globally: https://www.boldopendatabase.com/en

For a full recap of the evening, plus photos from the evening, visit: https://www.gloryprofessional.com/mission-critical-jenn-harper-cheekbone-beauty/

Editor's Note: Due to technical issues, the audio in this episode was impacted and not consistent with our usual quality. We apologize for the inconvenience.

In this episode of Mission Critical, Lance welcomes David Shoemaker, the dynamic CEO and Secretary General of the Canadian Olympic Committee. As the world anticipates the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Shoemaker offers a compelling look into his distinctive leadership style and what it's like to lead an organization as unique as his. Elsewhere in the episode, Lance and David discuss the unifying power of sport in fostering community and national pride, and why 2024 is a milestone year for achieving gender equity.

According to a 2021 survey conducted by The Podcast Exchange, the potential for podcasts continues to grow. Nearly 12 million Canadian adults (or 38% of the 18+ population) have listened to podcasts in the past year. Podcast listeners also over-index for being young and diverse, have higher educations, and live in households of over $100K.

In the US, these numbers are even larger with over 82 million people listening to podcasts in 2021, as reported by Statista. That number is expected to reach over 100 million listeners in 2024, which means an increasingly significant audience to market your brand to and establish your voice.

Fatima Zaidi is the founder and CEO of Quill Inc., an award-winning production agency that specializes in corporate audio, and CoHost, a podcast growth and analytics tool. She actually helped us get on our feet with Mission Critical and, suffice to say, is a leading voice on the matter. 

Hosted on-site at Toronto’s Valerie located in Hotel X, Fatima joined Lance at the first live taping of Mission Critical: The Bold Conversations in partnership with Veuve Clicquot. Together, they discussed the growth of the audio format, what businesses should know before starting a podcast, and how they can amplify your marketing strategy.

If you’ve walked through an airport or hotel lobby in the last few years, you may have noticed people using a specific luggage brand, distinguished by its horizontal lines and array of different colourways. That brand is Away and on today’s episode, we're joined by co-founder and CEO, Jen Rubio.

Throughout her career, Jen has become one of the foremost authorities on modern retail, using her business philosophies to help redefine exceptional travel standards. It’s not an easy mission, especially following a time where travelling was viewed with perhaps more skepticism than ever before, but Jen and her company are helping to reignite the spirit of exploration and adventure.

As the leader of her company, she’s also had to navigate how to run a successful retail enterprise while being pregnant with her son, who was born right on the heels of her stepping into the CEO role. Months later, she’s excelling at both the role of executive and mother, helping to break down archaic and misogynistic stigmas surrounding working parents. 

In this episode, Jen joins Lance to discuss the importance of a company’s parental policies, advice for ambitious and career-driven parents, and how to be an empathetic leader. 

Laurie May has long been a guiding force that continues to shape the narrative voice of the film industry. As co-founder and co-president of Elevation Pictures, a Canadian distribution and production company, Laurie's vision has always been to make an impact by telling a wide range of independent stories that resonate with audiences—to help viewers feel acknowledged and represented. (After all, cinema, along with all other forms of artistic expression, can serve as a powerful reflection of the world around us.) 

Since launching at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival, Elevation Pictures has gone on to release award-winning films, including The Imitation Game, Room, Moonlight, Everything Everywhere All At Once, and most recently, Past Lives, The Zone of Interest, and Anatomy of a Fall. 

In this episode, Lance chats with Laurie about her fascinating career journey, the business of movies, and the importance of telling diverse stories.

Take a look inside the boardrooms of corporate Canada and you’ll find that over the years, they’ve largely stayed (and looked) the same. While it has been proven again, and again, and again that a diverse executive suite directly contributes to the growth of a company’s bottom line and overall performance (and is just generally the right thing to do,) straight, white cisgender men have kept the c-suite looking pretty much the same for a long, long time. Wes Hall is working to change that. One of Canada’s most powerful figures on Bay Street, Wes is the executive chairman and founder behind Kingsdale Advisors, an investor on Dragons’ Den, and the founder of the BlackNorth Initiative—a non-profit whose mission is to end anti-Black systemic racism in the corporate world.In the wake of the George Floyd murder and Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, Wes was moved to take action by doing what he does best—by using business as a vessel for change. Specifically, by having the country’s top executives and companies commit to diversifying key decision-making positions. Almost two years since he founded the non-profit, Lance chats with Wes on today’s episode about building BlackNorth, their Racial Equity Playbook, and how long it takes to make progress. 

Death is inevitable. The one true guarantee in life is, ironically, the end of it. So why don’t we plan better for something that is so obviously going to happen? Willful is a Toronto-based startup that is looking to normalize our conversations around death. That is, how we prepare for, talk about, and deal with death. Their first product (as their name may suggest) is an online platform that makes the process of creating a legal will more affordable and convenient for individuals to access.

In today’s episode, Willful CEO and co-founder Erin Bury joins Lance to talk about how she’s grown her company, destigmatizing death, and everything you need to know about creating a will.

From the coffee shop on the corner to the real estate agent that your friend keeps referring you to, family businesses are everywhere and have a significant impact on our economy. But running one can be a complicated matter, especially when the line between personal and professional boundaries is so easily blurred.

Entrepreneur Manjit Minhas can certainly speak to the nuances of running a family business. At 19, the Dragons’ Den investor started her first company in the booze business with her brother, Ravinder. Today, that company they started—Minhas Brewery, Distillery, and Winery—has grown into a global empire with annual revenues in excess of $220 million dollars. In this episode, Lance chats with Manjit about how she built her global empire, the importance of giving back to your community, and what advice she has to offer when it comes to working with your family.

In this episode, serial entrepreneur Yung Wu shares his unwavering belief that true progress in innovation comes from embracing different perspectives. As the former CEO of MaRS Discovery District (@marsdiscoverydistrict) and co-founder of the Coalition of Innovation Leaders Against Racism (@cilar_canada), Wu has been an instrumental force in driving diversity in the tech and business sectors.

By fostering collaboration and confronting biases head-on, Wu is not just advancing business opportunities; he's reshaping the entire framework of Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

This episode is part of MOMENTUM, a special series in partnership with Monogram Canada that celebrates and explores the journeys of Asian-Canadian leaders.

In this episode of Mission Critical, we sit down with Jake Karls, co-founder and "Chief Rainmaker" of Mid-Day Squares, the Canadian chocolate company that's redefining snacking—and business culture.

Jake shares his unfiltered insights on what it takes to build not just a successful brand, but a powerhouse team that believes in your mission. From cultivating habits that help you step into your leadership persona to fostering a company culture rooted in authenticity and transparency, Jake gets real about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. Whether you're launching a startup or leading a team, this episode is packed with actionable advice on how to lead with purpose and build a business that stands out.

In this episode, Lance sits down with award-winning architect Omar Gandhi of Omar Gandhi Architects to explore the artistry, philosophy, and impact behind his work. Omar delves into what defines a great design experience, how architecture can foster meaningful relationships, and what our buildings reveal about us as a society. He shares pivotal moments from his journey, the influence of his East Coast roots, and his approach to navigating diverse landscapes like Halifax and Toronto.

From balancing modern aesthetics with environmental and cultural contexts to pushing boundaries through innovation, Omar offers insights into creating designs that are both timeless and transformative. We also discuss the role of architecture in sustainability, community building, and social change, and how Omar views his legacy in shaping Canada’s architectural identity.

In a world of fast fashion and fleeting trends, San Francisco-based Everlane has emerged as a beacon of ethical elegance, redefining the industry with its commitment to transparency, sustainability, and style. At the heart of this groundbreaking brand is its visionary founder, Michael Preysman, whose mission to revolutionize the way we consume and think about fashion has captured the hearts of consumers around the globe.

What sets Everlane apart is its radical commitment to transparency. Unlike traditional fashion brands that conceal supply chains, Everlane proudly showcases the entire journey of its products, from sourcing of raw materials to the factories where the garments are made. Through their website, customers can explore the stories behind each product, learn about a factory’s fair labour practices, and even see the true cost of production alongside the retail price.

In this episode, Lance and Michael sit down to talk about how his journey building Everlane into a major fashion influence, what's wrong with the world of "sustainability", and the power of optimism in business.

Joey Zwillinger is the CEO and co-founder of Allbirds, a San Francisco-based material innovation company that specializes in making the world’s most comfortable shoes (and now, apparel!) More importantly, they’re a company on a mission to tackle what Joey calls the biggest problem of our lifetime: climate change. In this episode, Joey and Lance talk about sustainability, activism, and whether companies should pay for their pollution.

Key Highlights

[3:29] Allbirds was created to make better things in a better way.

[6:53] What does it mean to create "apparel with purpose"? For Joey and his team at Allbirds, it's about creating something that can help consumers tackle climate change.

[9:35] How do you maintain and protect your values as you grow into a billion-dollar company? It actually gets easier, in Joey's experience.

[12:03] T-shirts made out of crustaceans and shoes made from sugarcane? Where do you even begin to look if you want to be innovative with your materials?

[13:30] Why make the technology behind your innovation open-source? It's about collaborating and collective action if you truly want progress.

[16:09] How important is perfection to progress?

[18:46] Why is it so hard to define sustainability? If we can't define it, how are we to tackle it?

[23:02] As a company, the key to tackling social issues is to maintain authenticity.

[25:50] Enacting change means more than putting the onus on consumers. It means engaging with legislators to keep businesses accountable.