Conversations That Matter

Ep 491 - The Claims of Life Guest - Diana Chapman Walsh

Ep 491 - The Claims of Life

Guest - Diana Chapman Walsh

 

By Stuart McNish

 

The Claims of Life, a new book by Diana Chapman Walsh, traces the emergence of a young woman who set out believing she wasn’t particularly smart but went on to meet multiple tests of leadership in the American academy – a place where everyone wants to be heard and no one wants a boss.

 

The Claims of Life offers readers an unusually intimate view of a trustworthy leadership that begins and ends in self-knowledge. During a transformative fourteen-year Wellesley College presidency, Walsh advanced women’s authority, compassionate governance, and self-reinvention. 

 

After Wellesley, Walsh’s interests took her to the boards of five national nonprofits, galvanizing change. She kept counsel with Nobel laureates, feminist icons, and the Dalai Lama, seeking solutions to the world’s biggest challenge: preserving our planet.

 

We invited Diana Chapman Walsh to join us for a Conversation That Matters about a life of openness and endless possibilities.

 

You can see the interview here https://www.conversationsthatmatter.ca/

 

Learn More about our guests career at careersthatmatter.ca

Ep 49o - Addressing the Infrastructure Deficit Guest - Mark Liedemann

Ep 49o - Addressing the Infrastructure Deficit

Guest - Mark Liedemann

 

By Stuart McNish

 

The backbone of any complex society is its infrastructure. It is the glue that binds communities, provinces and countries together. The concept of infrastructure was central to Rome’s dominance for 500 years. Cody Gregory writes, “One of the key  aspects of Roman society and development was its unprecedented utilization of roads, sewers and aqueducts.”

 

Here in British Columbia, it was the railway that brought us into Confederation and it was the development of hydroelectric power that catapulted the province forward economically. Mark Liedemann, the President and CEO of Infrastructure BC says, “We’re building on those legacy projects to ensure the province has the essential structures needed to thrive.”

 

In her letter to the Board of Infrastructure BC, Finance Minister Katrine Conroy says, “Government and public sector organizations must continue to advance results that people can see and feel in these key areas – strengthened health care, safer communities, attainable and secure housing, and a clean and fair economy that delivers affordability and prosperity.”

 

We invited Mark Liedemann to join us for a Conversation That Matters about the never ending work of planning and building the infrastructure the province requires.

 

You can see the interview here https://www.conversationsthatmatter.ca/

 

Learn More about our guests career at careersthatmatter.ca

Ep 489 - The Path to Urban Net Zero Guest - Jeanette Jackson

Ep 489 - The Path to Urban Net Zero

Guest - Jeanette Jackson

 

In June of 2021, Canada – along with the other G7 countries – committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. It is an audacious goal, one that affords Canada with an opportunity to play a leadership role and become the first of the G7 to reach net-zero emissions.

 

It’s a long way from where we are at the moment. Currently, says Jeanette Jackson of Foresight, “we’re in last place, which accelerates our need to step up the pace and position Canada as a force of nature on the path to net zero.” Over the past decade, Foresight has worked relentlessly toward making net-zero a reality.

 

Foresight has a 10-point approach to accelerate research and development in clean tech, build regional clusters and host events. Jackson says, “We’re creating the ecosystem that fosters investment in world leading companies that are serving a social purpose, that being achieving net zero by virtue of the products and services they produce and provide.” 

 

On February 6, Foresight is hosting “CityAge Vancouver: The Urban Zero Challenge.” We invited Jeanette Jackson to join us for Conversation That Matters about the opportunities and challenges ahead for us on our path to greenhouse gas reduction.

 

You can see the interview here https://www.conversationsthatmatter.ca/

 

Learn More about our guests career at careersthatmatter.ca

Ep 488 - A Ministry of Entrepreneurialism Guest: Naseem Javed

Ep 488 - A Ministry of Entrepreneurialism

Guest: Naseem Javed

 

“The world, and in particular Canada, needs to embrace entrepreneurialism as a new frontier to resuscitate our gasping economy,” says Naseen Javed, the CEO and founder of Expothon. “We need a new Ministry of Entrepreneurialism that can ignite an economic revolution.”

 

Javed says, “This new Ministry will only work if it is managed by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. Bureaucrats, academics, and economists live in a world where their theories don’t survive contact with the real world. When you put them in charge of entrepreneurship, they pour sand in the gears of innovation, business agility, and the magic small and medium business create in solving the world’s challenges.”

 

The potential is enormous. Canada has an opportunity to embrace this concept, says Javed. “We are a knowledge-based country. If we seize the moment and create a legislative and tax environment that fosters rather than hinders entrepreneurs, we can turn around Canada’s sagging per capita GDP and boost the economy.”

 

We invited Naseem Javed to join us for a Conversation That Matters about unleashing the power of entrepreneurship in an effort to turn around Canada’s sinking economy.

 

You can see the interview here https://www.conversationsthatmatter.ca/

 

Learn More about our guests career at careersthatmatter.ca

 

Join us Feb 6  for Conversations Live - Lethal Exports

Ep 487 - The Greatest Gift of All Guest: Paul Sitnam

Ep 487 - The Greatest Gift of All

Guest: Paul Sitnam

 

By Stuart McNish

 

“Impact investing is an investment strategy that aims to generate specific beneficial social or environmental effects in addition to financial gains,” according to Investopedia. It is upheld as a societal good, but it does not include devoting your life to helping others. 

“The greatest gift of giving possible is your life’s work,” says Paul Sitnam. He is a living example having done just that for the past 40 years. Sitnam dedicated his life to international humanitarian work in Africa, the South Pacific and the Middle East. His service to others, he says, has “allowed me to work with people in need of a hand up, rather than a handout. I worked with people to help them recover from disasters that shook their confidence.”

Sitnam says, “I quickly dispelled myself of the notion that I was going to save the world.  I just tried to do the best I could with the situation I found myself in and the resources available.” He goes on to speak to the power of empathy over sympathy. “Humanitarian work,” he says, “must facilitate victims of a disaster in a manner that allows them to regain their dignity. They need to be treated as much as possible as partners rather than as vulnerable people or  beneficiaries. No one likes to be thought of – and treated – as a beggar.”

We invited Paul Sitnam to join us for a Conversation That Matters about making a difference by being where assistance is needed.

You can see the interview here https://www.conversationsthatmatter.ca/

 

Learn More about our guests career at careersthatmatter.ca

 

Join us Feb 6  for Conversations Live - Lethal Exports

Ep 486 - Can First Nations Save Canada’s Economy? Guest: Chris Sankey

Ep 486 - Can First Nations Save Canada’s Economy?

Guest: Chris Sankey

 

By Stuart McNish

 

“Canada’s per capita growth has been negative three out of the last four quarters,” says Perrin Beatty, the President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. He adds, “Canada needs to do more to attract investment” – a sentiment that was recently shared by a panel of experts for “Conversations Live” about economic reconciliation. Haisla Chief Counselor Crystal Smith said, “First Nations hold the key to the country’s economic future.”

 

It is a belief held by Indigenous businessman Chris Sankey, who says that “we can’t afford to obstruct BC’s energy sector any longer.” In an op-ed for the Vancouver Sun, Sankey said, “The chilling effect on the investment landscape of our region and of Canada in general has been terrible.”

 

Moving forward, Sankey is looking to LNG to generate jobs and economic growth. He says, “More than a billion dollars in indigenous procurement spending and benefits have already been negotiated with Coastal GasLink, Kitimat LNG and Woodfibre LNG. And should the Haisla make a final investment decision on Cedar LNG, the opportunities will continue to grow for everyone – not just First Nations. Everyone.”

 

We invited Chris Sankey to join us for a Conversation That Matters about economic reconciliation and how it can reverse Canada’s sinking attractiveness to investors.

You can see the interview here https://www.conversationsthatmatter.ca/

 

Learn More about our guests career at careersthatmatter.ca

 

Join us Feb 6  for Conversations Live - Lethal Exports

Ep 485 - The interconnectedness of all things Guest: Wade Davis

Ep 485 - The interconnectedness of all things

Guest: Wade Davis

By Stuart McNish

 

The Roman emperor Markus Aurelius posited in his book “Meditations” that “all things are implicated with one another and the bond is holy.” At the time of his writing, it was a philosophical concept. Today it has been proven by science – genomics in particular.

 

Wade Davis, the great Canadian thinker and anthropologist, in his talk at the Dr. Rix Distinguished Keynote address “The Wayfinders of Genomic Wisdom,” said that “studies of the human genome have left no doubt about the interconnectedness of all things.”

 

Davis went on to say, “Genomic science unveils the profound truth that we are all connected by the same genetic cloth.” He argues that “indigenous perspectives combined with genome insights can revolutionize conservation, restore ecological balance, mend cultural divisions and provide the antidote to heal an ailing world.”

 

We invited Wade Davis to join us for a Conversation That Matters about the interconnectedness of life.

 

You can see the interview here https://www.conversationsthatmatter.ca/

 

Learn More about our guests career at careersthatmatter.ca

 

Join us Jan 23 for Conversations Live - Infrastructure Deficit

Ep 484 - How to Stop Stereotyping Seniors Guest: Rudy Buttignol

Ep 484 - How to Stop Stereotyping Seniors 

Guest:  Rudy Buttignol

By Stuart McNish

 

More than 7 million people in Canada are older than 64 – that’s just shy of 20 percent of us. I’m one of those people.  The issues that all seniors face include, but are not limited to, financial security, health care, and an end to ageism. Rudy Buttignol, the President of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP), represents associations across the country advocating with all levels of government on behalf of 330,000 members.

According to Buttignol, “The greatest obstacle to achieving better societal outcomes for senior citizens is ageism.” There is a generally held belief that as you age, your body and mind will fall apart and you’ll be grumpy and lonely and you're going to be ill. Buttignol says, “That’s simply not true. They are, however, the basis of bias directed at seniors.”

Those attitudes towards seniors impact so many other aspects of their lives. Buttignol says, “It’s why families worry that seniors can’t remain in their homes. It affects the way health care providers treat senior patients. It’s discrimination.”

 

Since 1983, CARP has been working to combat stereotypes about seniors. The organization also advocates for tax policy changes that will support homecare, reframing the concept of retirement residences from “institutions” to “homes.”

We invited Rudy Buttignol to join us for a Conversation That Matters about aging well and why we need to respect our elders.

 

You can see the interview here https://www.conversationsthatmatter.ca/

 

Learn More about our guests career at careersthatmatter.ca

 

Join us Jan 23 for Conversations Live - Infrastructure Deficit

Ep 483 - Youthful Cities: Attracting and retaining a young population Guest: Robert Barnard

Ep 483 - Youthful Cities: Attracting and retaining a young population

Guest:  Robert Barnard

By Stuart McNish

 

How a city attracts young adults to live and work matters. Robert Barnard, the founder of Youthful Cities, says, “Young adults are vital today and into the future. Attracting young people is important. Equally [as] important is retention – that is, keeping their residents in the city.” On that account, Vancouver is good at attracting but not so good at retaining.

 

This is a problem, says Barnard. “The vitality of a city is embodied in the young people it attracts to live and work. The key to attracting young people is ensuring cities meet their needs and today, those needs include housing costs, transportation and a commitment to values such as the environment. Essential to keeping those same people are liveable salaries and affordable housing.”

 

According to Barnard, “COVID-19 dramatically impacted young adults' ability to secure jobs and job skills.” That, in turn, will compound the already decreasing ratio of working-age young people to seniors. Barnard goes on to say, “The impact of the pandemic also means young people have higher levels of debt and housing insecurity.” Youthful Cities has developed a research program called DEVlab, which examines the workforce and skill development gaps of 15- to 29-year-olds impacted by COVID and how to meet those needs.

 

We invited Robert Barnard of Youthful Cities to join us for a Conversation That Matters about how we engage young people in the building of better cities.

 

You can see the interview here https://www.conversationsthatmatter.ca/

 

Learn More about our guests career at careersthatmatter.ca

 

Join us Jan 23 for Conversations Live - Infrastructure Deficit

Ep 482 - Save Our Streets Guest: Jess Ketchum

Ep 482 - Save Our Streets

Guest:  Jess Ketchum

By Stuart McNish

 

At a press conference at the Woodwards development, the new Save Our Streets (SOS) public safety coalition said, “The growing crime, violence, vandalism and theft crisis is impacting local communities and businesses.” The costs associated with addressing security and safety, according to SOS spokesperson Jess Ketchum, are “jeopardizing the financial viability of many businesses and threatening their survival.”

 

The compounding effects of the rising lawlessness, according to Ketchum, include but are not limited to “concerns for the safety of shoppers, concerns for the wellbeing of staff, and challenges to attract staff.” As a result, business leaders and concerned citizens formed the coalition to call for a “province-wide, non-partisan movement to raise awareness of the issues and the costs that are passed onto families.” 

 

The coalition has developed a 10-point plan, demanding actions from the government to fulfill its responsibility to address a suite of issues related to the current levels of crime, violence, and fear.

 

I invited Jess Ketchum of SOS to join me for a Conversation That Matters about ways to combat crime and lawlessness.

 

You can see the interview here https://www.conversationsthatmatter.ca/

 

Learn More about our guests career at careersthatmatter.ca

 

Join us Jan 23 for Conversations Live - Infrastructure Deficit