Shows
Live. Learn. Lead.The Maverick's Guide to Modern Leadership with Dan McLeanEver wonder how leadership is different in the world of politics compared to in business? On this episode of Live Learn Lead we’re chatting with Dan McLean, a city councillor for Ward 13 in Calgary since 2021, who has a unique view of leadership through the lens of municipal politics. He discusses his experience as a business owner and how it compares to his life in politics, how he deals with difficult situations and conflict, and the skills that it takes to be an effective councillor. Topics discussed in this episode include:Wh...2025-07-2847 min
Live. Learn. Lead.Family First: A Mother’s Journey of Purposeful Career Choices with Kara ChomistekWhat does it take to lead a global brand while also raising a little human being? As a career-focused woman, Kara Chomistek, a Partner at PARK Production House, spent her 20s building that part of her life up. Later, when her daughter came along, she knew she would have to find a way to be a present mom while still pouring energy into her work. Today we get to hear Kara’s life-changing experiences in motherhood, how she maintains healthy relationships as a busy working mom, and how she has still been able to also suc...2025-06-2543 min
Live. Learn. Lead.Making the Complex Awesomely: Simple A Conversation with John SpenceWhat are the responsibilities of a great leader, and what do you need to do to embody purpose-driven leadership?Today we’re talking with John Spence, a global business expert and coach, about the greatest lessons he’s learned in his decades of leadership. He is one of the Top 100 Business Thought Leaders in America and has a wealth of experience in advising Fortune 500 companies. During the discussion, he shares his thoughts on most leaders’ greatest struggle, along with how to solve it from the root of the problem. He also gives tips for creati...2025-05-151h 11
Live. Learn. Lead.The Business of Love - Lynn FletcherWhat are the secrets to maintaining a fulfilling work-life balance while leading a thriving business in the emotionally charged world of weddings? Today we dive into the inspiring journey of Lynn Fletcher, a former school teacher turned wedding industry pro. Lynn shares how she transitioned from organizing school events to creating a successful wedding business, driven by her passion for bringing people together and her love for pink and rhinestones. She reveals the courage it took to leave a stable career and embrace entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of honesty, integrity, and accountability in her leadership s...2025-04-0942 min
Live. Learn. Lead.📢 Legacy, Leadership & Belonging | Featuring Shane WenzelIn this inspiring episode of Live. Learn. Lead. with Alison Geskin, Alison is joined by Shane Wenzel, President of Shane Homes and one of Calgary’s most recognizable business and civic leaders. From walking job sites as a child to leading a homebuilding legacy that has served over 16,000 families across 100+ communities, Shane brings a bold and refreshing perspective on what it truly means to lead with purpose.Together, Alison and Shane dive into:Lessons learned growing up in a family-run businessHow Shane earned—not inherited—his leadership roleThe evolution of Shane Homes under his visionCivic pride, visibi...2025-03-2647 minLive. Learn. Lead.📢 Navigating Difficult Workplace Conversations | Featuring Russell StrattonIn this thought-provoking episode of Live. Learn. Lead. with Alison Geskin, Alison sits down with Russell Stratton, CEO of Bluegem Learning, to discuss how leaders can master difficult workplace conversations while fostering inclusive, high-trust teams.Russell challenges today’s conventional thinking on “wokeness” and explores how performative inclusivity can sometimes stifle real dialogue. From dealing with tough feedback to addressing conflict with courage and respect, this episode is a must-listen for any leader looking to enhance communication, build trust, and create a truly inclusive culture.💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: ✅ Strategies for tackling diff...2025-03-1251 minLive. Learn. Lead.📢 The Business of Design: Leading with Vision and Creativity | Featuring Shaun FordIn this episode, Alison Geskin sits down with Shaun Ford, CEO of Shaun Ford & Co., to explore how design, leadership, and business success intersect. From the challenges of leading a creative company to the impact of spaces on human behavior, Shaun shares his journey and lessons in balancing artistry with strategy.Tune in to learn: ✅ How Shaun built a brand that blends timeless design with modern innovation ✅ The biggest leadership challenges in the creative industry—and how to navigate them ✅ The role of design in shaping culture, productivity, and collaboration ✅ Sha...2025-02-2649 min
I Need To F***ing Talk To You101 - Tough Conversations Are Hard with Alison Geskin: The Power of Strategy (and F***ing Spinach on Your Teeth)While Ken is out of town, Russell takes the reins and sits down with Alison Geskin, Founder and CEO of The Art of Strategy.Alison is a globally recognized leader in strategy, organizational development, and people performance. Her innovative approach to connecting strategy with people development has consistently driven powerful performance and positive outcomes for organizations worldwide.In this episode, Alison talks about her work in practically supporting strategic change with the 'how' and not simply the 'what'. She also shares one of the most difficult conversations she experienced as an executive—one that may res...2024-09-2456 minLive. Learn. Lead.Brent Barootes || Partnership GroupWhat do all great leaders have in common? Today we welcome a unique lens into the world of leadership. Brent Barootes, President of the Partnership Group has worked with some of the biggest names in sports, banking, telecommunication, education, arts & culture, and government. He and his extraordinarily talented team specialize in sponsorship marketing between properties, rights holders and sponsors.This my friends is leadership in action.Spend an hour with Brent and Alison as they deep dive into intentional leadership and how to build culture wisely....2022-05-0245 minLive. Learn. Lead.Susan McGuire || Susan McGuire Consulting & CoachingHave you ever met a people whisperer? Well, you are about to today.Susan is probably one of the most genuine, client-focused, innovative professional and transformational change leaders I have ever met. She’s got a ton of demonstrated success in the design, development and implementation of value-add human capital processes and programs, exceeding expectations and maximizing resources one client at a time.This my friends is leadership in action.Spend an hour with Susan and Alison as they deep dive into intentional leadership and how to bui...2022-03-1536 minLive. Learn. Lead.Dr. Joel Shapiro || Adventure ConsultingLeadership – that mythical, magical beast that humbles even the best of us. Today we get a unique lens into leadership from one of the leading minds in space.Dr. Shapiro has educated 1,000's of leaders and is passionate about making employees part of the solution, building authentic community at work, and aligning culture with strategy. He is always looking for the perfect blend of humanity and business performance.This my friends is leadership in action.Spend an hour with Joel and Alison as they deep dive into intentional lead...2022-02-1638 minLive. Learn. Lead.Jos Willard || Jos Willard CoachingHow do we lead? We know that much of leadership is an inside job. We know that when we focus on being our best selves, we can achieve great outcomes. And yet, most of us are not where we want to be. So much of what we do focuses on the what and the how, that often the who gets lost in the mix. Success is not an accident, and today my friends, we are going to spend an hour with Jos Willard, whose mission is to help good people build profitable lives and achi...2022-02-0146 minLive. Learn. Lead.Christine Dagenais || Bright Wire LeadershipIf you’re in a leadership position, you’ve got to know that it’s going to be one of the hardest things that you do in your life because it’s something that will always be constantly evolving and changing. You’ll be in constant state of learning and growing. Who you were yesterday is not the leader you need to be tomorrow. This my friends is leadership in action. Spend an hour with Christine and Alison as they deep dive into intentional leadership and how to build culture wisely. 2021-12-0158 minLive. Learn. Lead.Pam Truchon || TCG AssociatesAlison talks with Pam Truchon, one of the most formidable leadership icons of our time. Pam’s credentials in the leadership arena are astounding. She was the first female in the US ARMY trained in Technical Surveillance Countermeasures – forever changing the landscape of what once was male invite only. She went on to be Special Agent/Team Chief of the Security Operations Branch with the Defense Intelligence Agency, moved up to be Deputy Chief, security, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, was Chair, facilitation, and Instruction, for the CIA Centre for Leadership Development, worked in the Office of the Nat...2021-11-1553 minLive. Learn. Lead.Alexis Zahner || Management MindfulnessAlison talks with Alexis Zahner, Director of Management Mindfulness, who is in the busines to make business better for human beings. She's worn many hats, from corporate marketing and local government, she's worked at National Australian media outlet Fairfax. She’s also led Management at the much loved global environmentally sustainable retail brand, Patagonia. And it's through experiencing the good, the bad and the ugly of Leadership and its effects, that Alexis’s passion to bring mindfulness into how we lead was born. This is leadership in action.To learn more about the Management Mindfulness journey, please visit w...2021-11-0241 minLive. Learn. Lead.Paul Hardy || Paul Hardy DesignAlison talks with Paul Hardy, Founder of Paul Hardy Design and one of the most iconic Canadian figures of this generation. Together they walk through Paul’s astonishing journey, leading the way to go beyond the ordinary and play in a life of extraordinary. This is leadership in action.To learn more about the Paul Hardy Design journey, please visit www.paulhardydesign.com Instagram @paulhardydesignFacebook @PaulHardyIncPinterest @paulhardydesignincTwitter @paulhardyincHelping people and organizations perform at their best, Alison coaches, consults, teaches, podcasts and speaks all ov...2021-10-1547 min
After Hours PodcastCreating Systems in Your Business: Alison GeskinHello and welcome to After Hours with your host, Amanda Hamilton. After Hours is a platform for conversations with some of Canada’s most dynamic creative entrepreneurs. Driven by open, honest conversations, we dig into what makes businesses survive and thrive, giving you tactical insights and takeaways to fuel success, create enduring rituals and well, crush it in life and business.
Let’s talk about eating strategy – for breakfast, lunch AND dinner. Dare I even say, for dessert? On today’s podcast, we chat with strategy expert Alison Geskin about creating systems in your business that allow for grow...2021-09-2043 minLive. Learn. Lead.Abdul Ahmed || Adesso ManAlison talks with Abdul Ahmed, Founder and CEO of Adesso Man, a global men’s lifestyle and accessories brand who continues to be a catalyst, leading the charge in providing accessible style to mean from all walks of life – changing how men feel about themselves – transforming perceptions, growing confidence and unlocking self-expression. This is leadership in action. To learn more about the Adesso Man journey, please visit www.adessoman.comInstagram @adessomanFacebook @adessoman Follow Abdul Ahmed on Instagram @abdulb_ahmed and on LinkedIn www.linkedIn.c...2021-09-1540 minLive. Learn. Lead.Saawan Logan || North WaterAlison talks with Saawan Logan, an eco-entrepreneur who has chosen to rethink her impact on the planet – one sip at a time. Co-founder and CEO of North Water, we’ll learn what it take to be Sawaan as she continues to ignite change, saving our planet and those who live on it. This is leadership in action.To learn more about the North Water journey, please visit https://drinknorthwater.com Instagram @drinknorthwater Pinterest @drinknorthwater.com Facebook @drinknorthwaterFollow Saawan Logan on www.linkedin.com/in/saawanHelping people and organizat...2021-09-0139 minLive. Learn. Lead.Live. Learn. Lead. TrailerAlison Geskin uncovers leadership lessons from some of the most successful leaders from around the globe.2021-08-0800 min