Shows
Smart Growth RocketHow This MD De-Influencer Breaks Bad Debt, Turning Frugality Into EquityMany assume doctors only focus on clinical medicine. But what happens when a physician tackles financial literacy head-on?In this episode of Smart Growth Rocket, host Francesca Cadhit is joined by Dr. Steph Zhou, Clinical Director of Addictions Medicine, Department Lead in EDI & Social Accountability at Sunnybrook Hospital, and Founder of Breaking Bad Debt. From translating pay stubs as a child of immigrants to creating a physician financial literacy curriculum and leading a national financial wellness conference, Dr. Zhou is redefining what it means to combine medicine, money, and mentorship.Along the way...
2025-09-1739 min
Smart Growth RocketFuture-Ready Skills: How An Entrepreneurial Mindset Unlocks OpportunitiesWhat skills really prepare students for success beyond grades?In this episode of Smart Growth Rocket, host Francesca Cadhit is joined by Judy Wong, professor at Seneca Polytechnic and Co-founder of the YSpace Food and Beverage Accelerator.Judy shares her inspiring journey from her family’s shop in Taiwan to leading global Fortune 500 brands and now coaching the next generation of entrepreneurs. Along the way, she offers powerful lessons for both parents and students.🎧 ▶ In this episode, we cover:Why resilience, curiosity, and empathy matter more than everHo...
2025-08-2032 min
Smart Growth RocketWhat Students Really Need for the Future (Hint: It’s More Than Just Good Grades)Good grades open doors, but they’re only part of the equation. In today’s rapidly changing world, students also need to demonstrate adaptability, critical thinking, and the confidence to innovate.In this episode of Smart Growth Rocket, Francesca Cadhit chats with Jason Lay, Head of Business at Thornhill Secondary School, about how he’s helping high school students build real-world skills through AI, entrepreneurship, and mentorship.🎧 ▶ We dig into:🔹 How students are creating AI-powered business ideas🔹 Why empathy is at the heart of innovation🔹 What parents c...
2025-08-0628 min
Smart Growth RocketWhat Most People Get Wrong About Their Eyes and Their Eyewear | Monica So of Zoom OpticalEyewear is more than just functional. It’s personal, emotional, and transformative.In this episode of the Smart Growth Rocket, host Francesca Cadhit sits down with Monica So, a licensed optician, entrepreneur, and founder of Zoom Optical, a warm and stylish optical boutique redefining the customer experience.🎧 ▶ In this episode, you’ll learn about:✅ An optician’s unexpected pivot from toxicology to opticianry✅ The leap of faith it takes to open that very first shop✅ How she kept her business alive (and thriving) during the pandemic✅ Why eyewea...
2025-07-0922 min
Smart Growth RocketInside the Memory Lab: Why We Forget and How We Remember | U of T PhD Candidate Matthew DoughertyEver wonder why you forget the oat milk at the grocery store, even though you were thinking about it all day? In this episode of the Smart Growth Rocket Podcast, host Francesca Cadhit sits down with Matthew Dougherty, a PhD Candidate in Psychology (Perception, Cognition, & Cognitive Neuroscience) at the University of Toronto, to explore the fascinating (and sometimes frustrating) science of memory.🎧 ▶ We dig into:✅ What encoding and retrieval really mean (in plain English)✅ Why some memories feel like time travel✅ How memories get reorgani...
2025-06-2529 min
Smart Growth RocketAI, Automation, and the Myth of “Doing It All” | Melodie Moore of Business Tech NinjasWhat Most Business Owners Get Wrong About Tech (and How to Fix It)In this episode of Smart Growth Rocket, Francesca Cadhit sits down with Melodie Moore, Founder and CEO of Business Tech Ninjas, to talk about what really holds small businesses back from scaling, and why the answer isn’t just better software.With over a decade of experience building high-performance systems for membership-based businesses, Melodie gets real about:✅ Why most tech “solutions” still create chaos✅ How to hire (and lead) without falling into magical thinking✅ Why CRMs aren’t a cur...
2025-06-1124 min
Smart Growth RocketAgainst All Odds: An IMG’s Journey to Becoming a Doctor in Canada | Family Medicine Resident Dr. Nooshin SarreshtehdariGetting into residency in Canada is hard enough, but imagine being an international medical graduate (IMG) on top of it all. For Dr. Nooshin Sarreshtehdari, giving up was never an option. In this deeply inspiring episode, Francesca Cadhit sits down with Nooshin, an incoming PGY1 Family Medicine Resident at the University of Toronto, who shares her remarkable journey from Iran to Canada, and all the trials in between.Whether you’re an IMG, a non-traditional applicant, or just someone chasing a difficult dream, this conversation is packed with wisdom, honesty, and encouragement....
2025-05-2857 min
Smart Growth RocketCuriosity, Coding, and the Future of Education | Ramy Ghattas of Logics AcademyWhat does it take to future-proof the next generation? In this episode, I sit down with Ramy Ghattas, founder of Logics Academy, to talk about digital literacy, AI in the classroom, and why curiosity is the root of innovation. From engineering to education, Ramy shares his journey and how Logics Academy is reshaping how students across Canada learn STEM and problem-solving skills from an early age. We explore the rise of AI, the role of teachers in a flipped classroom model, and how to raise students who can solve real-world problems, with or without a ro...
2025-05-1423 min
Smart Growth RocketSo You Want to Be a Pilot? Start Here.Think being a pilot is all about cool uniforms and exotic destinations? Think again. This episode is a bit of a departure from the usual Smart Growth Rocket programming, but in the best way possible.Every once in a while, we dive into less conventional journeys. And today? It's all about aviation.In this episode of Smart Growth Rocket, Francesca Cadhit speaks with a licensed pilot-in-training who’s currently climbing the ranks in aviation - and has chosen to remain anonymous so they can speak candidly about the journey, challenges, and real...
2025-05-1114 min
Smart Growth RocketBuilding Future Innovators: Tech, Teaching, and Taking Risks | Brendan Miller of Swift KidsWhat if the path to success isn’t a straight line?In this episode of Smart Growth Rocket, Francesca Cadhit from TopClassEdge.com sits down with Brendan Miller, founder of Swift Kids. Brendan shares his unconventional journey from a childhood love of video games to building one of Canada’s standout programs for tech education.We delve into what can happen if you don’t have it all figured out in high school, the real skills students need to thrive in a tech-driven world, and how facing burnout reshaped Brendan’s career.Plus, we talk...
2025-04-3027 min
Smart Growth RocketFrom Ideas to Impact: Teaching Students to Solve Real Problems (Before They Graduate) | Lucas Chang of Y2 Entrepreneurship LabsWhat if the most important skills your child could learn in school had nothing to do with textbooks?In this episode of Smart Growth Rocket, Francesca Cadhit from TopClassEdge.com sits down with Lucas Chang, Founder and Director of Y2 Entrepreneurship Labs, to explore how problem-based learning and entrepreneurship can help students develop skills like critical thinking, empathy, and confidence - skills that matter no matter what career path they choose.Lucas shares stories from the classroom, challenges he’s faced bringing innovation into schools, and his philosophy that entrepreneurship is about solving problems, not ju...
2025-04-1639 min
Smart Growth RocketHow To Prepare Students For The Future Of Tech And Innovation | Jack Zhou of Wiz RoboticsCan Your Kid Out-Code AI? Jack Zhou on the Future of Learning TechIn this episode of Smart Growth Rocket, host Francesca Cadhit of TopClassEdge.com speaks with Jack Zhou, Co-founder and CEO of Wiz Robotics, a STEM education company based in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Jack shares how his journey from a business student and LinkedIn intern led to founding an innovative academy that now teaches students across the globe.Learn how STEM education, robotics, and coding for kids are evolving, why problem-solving and critical thinking matter more than ever, and what parents and educators...
2025-04-0224 min
Smart Growth RocketHow An Educator-Turned-Entrepreneur Builds a Winning Mindset for Success | Judy Stewart of TrèsolzMindset for Success: Lessons from Athlete, Educator & Entrepreneur Judy Stewart (Founder and CEO of Trèsolz) What do education, athletics, and entrepreneurship have in common? More than you may realize.In this episode of Smart Growth Rocket, Francesca Cadhit sits down with the inspiring Judy Stewart, founder of Trèsolz, a footwear brand helping women finally find stylish, comfortable shoes in larger sizes.Judy shares her journey from being an educator and athlete to launching a business, getting featured on Dragon’s Den, and now working toward getting her b...
2025-03-1923 min
Smart Growth RocketHow An Award-Winning Artist Helps Students Thrive And Succeed Through Art | Sylvia Chan of Creative Genius AcademyThe Power of Art: How Creativity Fuels Resilience & SuccessArt is more than just a creative outlet (although this is already a crucial benefit.) It’s also about resilience, passion, and finding your purpose.In this episode of Smart Growth Rocket, host Francesca Cadhit interviews award-winning artist and educator Sylvia Chan, who shares her incredible journey from struggling student to thriving entrepreneur and art teacher. She reveals how great mentors shaped her path, why art matters for mental health, and the three key ingredients for success. Whether you're a pa...
2025-03-0526 min
Coach for Tutors PodcastSeven Ways to Lower Your Business Stress in 2025!Today's episode, we are joined by the enthusiastic and inspiring Francesca Cadhit. Francesca is a tutor with 15+ years of experience and is the founder of Top Class Edge.This is a wonderful episode for tutorpreneurs seeking ways to best navigate business stressors.Francesca shares with us:Times stress can soar as a tutorpreneurSeven ways you can lower business stress for today, tomorrow, and the year ahead.Francesca can be found at:WebsiteFrancesca has an amazing guide to help students to get ready for University: University Preparation...
2025-01-2714 min
Smart Growth RocketLessons in Medicine, Mentorship, and Microbiomes with Dr. Nicholas TalleyTransforming Medical Education: An Interview with Dr. Nicholas Talley
In this episode of Smart Growth Rocket, host Francesca Cadhit interviews distinguished neurogastroenterologist Dr. Nicholas Talley.
They discuss the importance of good mentorship, the journey from general medicine to gastroenterology, and the critical skills needed for medical students to excel.
Dr. Talley (or Nick, as he prefers to be called) shares insights into the future of medicine with AI and technology, the connection between the gut and brain, and the impact of lifestyle on health. He also provides practical advice for as...
2024-12-1833 min
Smart Growth RocketLessons in Choosing a University with Corey FormicaMeet Corey Formica, Senior Development Officer at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC).
Corey is a UTSC alumna who graduated from the Co-op Arts Management Program. During her time at UTSC, she was actively involved in many student clubs and activities. This ultimately led to a career in the arts industry before transitioning to education, where she has held roles in fundraising and alumni relations.
Corey’s mission is to positively impact the lives of those she engages with, both within her professional capacity and beyond.
I’m excited to share Corey’s insigh...
2024-11-2733 min
Smart Growth RocketLessons in Medical School, Overcoming Rejection, and Research With Dr. Chris Lozano (PGY4 Neurosurgery Resident)Meet Dr. Chris Lozano, Neurosurgery Resident and PhD Candidate at the University of Toronto.
His research interests lie in spine surgery, with a focus on traumatic neck injuries and their unique impact on elderly people. Beyond that, he enjoys powerlifting, travelling, and trying out new food around Toronto.
I’m excited to share Dr. Chris Lozano’s insights about pursuing a non-traditional path to medical school, getting research experience, persisting in the face of obstacles, and what he believes the next generation of doctors should know.
👉 Connect with Dr. Chris Lozano
2024-11-1324 min
Smart Growth RocketBuilding a Successful Future: Lessons from Josh Broun’s Impact KitchenIn today’s podcast, Francesca Cadhit interviews Josh Broun, Co-founder of Impact Kitchen, about his inspiring entrepreneurial journey.
From his background as a fitness trainer to establishing a successful fast-casual food business in Toronto, Josh discusses the importance of passion, resilience, and dedication in pursuing entrepreneurship. He highlights Impact Kitchen's commitment to quality, nutrient-dense food, and plans for future expansion, including new locations in the U.S.
🎧 ▶Tune in to listen to Josh talk about:
✅ The challenges of starting a business
✅ The value of building a strong team
✅ Essential business skill...
2024-08-0723 min
Smart Growth RocketThe Future of Canadian Education and Entrepreneurship: Minister Rechie Valdez SpeaksIn today’s podcast, Francesca Cadhit interviews Canadian Minister of Small Business Richie Valdez about Education and Entrepreneurship in Canada.
Minister Valdez is a Canadian entrepreneur, television personality, and community advocate. She is the first Filipino-Canadian woman elected as a Member of Parliament and appointed to Cabinet and is committed to ensuring the diverse voices of her community are heard.
She has been a member of various parliamentary committees and associations, including the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs and the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association, as well as the Chair of the Canada-Philippines Parliamentary Friendship Group....
2024-07-2424 min
Smart Growth RocketFrom CEO to MD: Lessons on Healthcare and Entrepreneurship with Shiv GaglaniIn today’s podcast, Francesca Cadhit interviews Shiv Gaglani, the Co-founder & CEO of Osmosis.org, a leading health and medical education platform, which was acquired by Elsevier.
Shiv is passionate about creating scalable solutions in healthcare and education. He completed his undergraduate degree and an MBA at Harvard. In 2018, Shiv was also named one of Forbes’ Top 30 Under 30. He is currently a medical student at Johns Hopkins.
🎧 ▶Tune in to listen to Shiv talk about:
✅ His unique journey from aspiring young doctor to successful entrepreneur and back to medical school at Johns Hop...
2024-06-2627 min
Smart Growth RocketSweat, Sacrifice, Success: Secrets to Winning in Sports and Business with Jeremy ChoiIn this episode, Francesca Cadhit interviews Jeremy Choi, CEO of LPS Athletic, about the parallels between elite athletic training, life, career, and entrepreneurship.
Jeremy shares his journey and insights about what future athletes and entrepreneurs need to know for peak performance.
🎧 ▶Tune in to listen to Jeremy talk about:
✅ The qualities athletes and successful individuals need to be at the top of their game
✅ A unique training approach that helps athletes dominate
✅ How lessons in athletics translate to leadership and corporate success
✅ What golf and entrepreneu...
2024-06-1926 min
Smart Growth RocketEducation in the AI Era: An Interview with a High School TeacherIn this episode, Francesca Cadhit interviews Ms. Michelle, a passionate and experienced high school teacher. From supporting education to prevent societal problems to exploring the impact of AI on students to common misconceptions about education, Ms. Michelle shares her unique journey into teaching.
What are some of the challenges and successes in the profession? What advice would this high school teacher give to students and parents?
Tune into this conversation to get the answers and also hear more about what Ms. Michelle has to say about critical skills for students and the evolving role of...
2024-06-0621 min
Smart Growth RocketEngineering to Entrepreneurship: Insights from Mona Datt, CEO of Loom AnalyticsThis episode features Mona Datt, CEO and Founder of Loom Analytics, who shares her journey from an engineering background to leading a tech company specializing in AI-driven automation for legal, insurance, and medical sectors.
With nearly 19 years of experience running companies, Mona discusses the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of understanding the market before product development, and the value of embracing business skills despite an engineering background. She also offers tips for aspiring engineers and entrepreneurs.
🎧 ▶Tune in to listen to Mona talk about:
✅ What led to pursuing engineering
✅ Engin...
2024-06-0517 min
Smart Growth RocketTech Entrepreneurship and Digital Security with Meyer Mechanic from VaultieToday’s episode explores Tech Entrepreneurship and Digital Identity with Meyer Mechanic from Vaultie.
Meyer Mechanic, CEO and Founder of Vaultie, discusses the complexities of digital signatures, the importance of cybersecurity, and the journey of creating and scaling a tech startup.
Vaultie uses “digital credentials and decentralized storage to prove the authenticity of documents and signatures.” The discussion delves into the challenges of distinguishing real from fake online, the significance of protecting personal data, and the entrepreneurial insights from transitioning from a career in financial services to a tech startup.
Meyer shares how he got s...
2024-05-2924 min
Smart Growth RocketDiving into AI for Scientific Research with Eshan AgarwalThis episode features Eshan Agarwal, Co-founder and CEO of Epsilon, to discuss AI in scientific research and education.
Eshan shares his journey from being interested in science and entrepreneurship to creating Epsilon, an AI search engine that aims to enhance the accessibility of academic research. He elaborates on his mission to provide researchers and non-researchers with evidence-backed answers to complex questions and discusses the potential of AI in promoting scientific literacy.
🎧 ▶Tune in to listen to Eshan talk about:
✅ The impact of AI on scientific research and scientific literacy
✅ The s...
2024-05-2216 min
Smart Growth RocketTales (and Tails) from the Veterinary World: Dr. Cliff's InsightsThis episode features Cliff Redford, owner and operator of Wellington Veterinary Hospital, experienced veterinarian, media personality, and animal rights advocate.
Known simply as Dr. Cliff to his clients, he shares his journey from graduating from veterinary college to becoming a clinic owner. He discusses the joys and challenges of the profession, including dealing with burnout and the importance of finding passion in one’s work. Cliff also touches on his volunteer work with wildlife, his adventures in animal rescue filmed for a documentary, and a potential TV show.
🎧 ▶Tune in to listen to Dr. C...
2024-05-1528 min
Smart Growth RocketLessons in Tech Innovation, Real Estate, and Entrepreneurship: A Conversation with Ankita SharmaThis episode features Ankita Sharma, CEO of Philer AI.
Ankita shares her journey as an immigrant entrepreneur, her passions for technology, real estate, and personal well-being, and how her challenging experiences buying a home in Canada led to the creation of Philer AI. She discusses the importance of understanding technology, entrepreneurship as a necessary skill for problem-solving, and real estate as a path to generational wealth. Ankita offers insights into the entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of fundraising in current market conditions, and the importance of building the right team. She also hints at future plans for Philer, f...
2024-05-0813 min
Smart Growth RocketExploring Careers: Pharmacy Pathways and Entrepreneurship with Lydia PatelToday’s episode explores Entrepreneurship and a career in Pharmacy with Lydia Patel.
Lydia shares her insights on the diverse career paths within the Pharmacy field and emphasizes the importance of pursuing interests and opportunities beyond traditional roles. Lydia shares her journey from being drawn to Pharmacy for its blend of science and service to exploring entrepreneurship and content creation.
🎧 ▶Tune in to listen to Lydia talk about:
✅ The challenges and rewards of pursuing a career in Pharmacy
✅ A day in the life of a clinical pharmacist
✅ Exploring...
2024-05-0120 min
Smart Growth RocketEmpowering Financial Literacy in Youth: Insights from Robin Taub | Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA), Keynote Speaker, and Bestselling AuthorToday’s episode explores Financial Literacy with Robin Taub.
Robin Taub is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA), keynote speaker, and bestselling author. Her latest award-winning book, The Wisest Investment: Teaching Your Kids to Be Responsible, Independent and Money-Smart for Life, gives parents the information, strategies and inspiration they need to teach their kids about money.
She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (with High Distinction) from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto.
🎧 ▶Tune in to listen to Robin talk about:
✅ The importance of Financial Literacy f...
2024-04-2418 min
Smart Growth RocketThe Future of AI: Insights from Vladimir IlinovToday's episode features Vladimir Ilinov and examines the impact of AI on businesses, jobs, and education.
After building a seven-figure startup straight out of university, Vladimir is now building a new AI venture at Antler, a global early-stage venture capital firm "backing the world's most driven founders, from day zero to greatness."
🎧 ▶Tune in to listen to Vladimir talk about:
✅ His entrepreneurial journey from his startup straight out of university to a new AI startup at Antler
✅ The future of AI and search engines
✅ The impact of AI on edu...
2024-04-1830 min
Smart Growth RocketLessons in Law and Tech Entrepreneurship with Josh Schachnow from Visto.aiDive into Law, Tech, and Entrepreneurship with Josh Schachnow, CEO and Co-founder of Visto.ai.
Josh is a Toronto-based immigration lawyer and tech cofounder. After spending 2+ years growing his own law firm and helping hundreds of immigrants and companies navigate Canadian immigration, he realized there was no technology to help make the process easy. He now spends most of his time talking to new clients and partners and working closely with the tech team to continue improving the platform.
Tune in to get Josh's insights, tips, and tricks for b...
2024-04-1028 min
Smart Growth RocketLessons in Landing A Software Engineering Internship with Aman ManazirToday's episode dives into what aspiring software engineers should know about breaking into the industry with Aman Manazir, a computer science graduate based in Madison, Wisconsin, who went into software engineering after graduating.
Aman has successfully landed internships at Shopify, Amazon, and John Deere.
From a young age, he has been fascinated by the intersection between self-improvement and technology. This is why he loves learning about techniques to optimize performance and productivity and how this applies to software engineering.
Beyond that, Aman loves sharing h...
2024-04-0223 min
Smart Growth RocketWhat You Need To Know About Money: Financial Feminism And Financial Education With Janine Rogan, CPA | Speaker | Bestselling AuthorToday's episode explores financial education and financial feminism with Janine Rogan, award-winning CPA and author of The Pink Tax.
With over a decade of experience in the personal finance world, five years in tech consulting, and two of the big four accounting firms on her resume, Janine is changing the conversation about money, mental health and feminist finance.
Today's episode discusses financial education, wealth building, and The Pink Tax. Janine Rogan draws from multiple studies, researched statistics, and her own experiences to shine a spotlight on financial literacy, the...
2023-10-1721 min
Smart Growth RocketHow To Unlock Your Career Potential with Luki DanukarjantoMeet Luki Danukarjanto, a management consultant turned career coach who started in the corporate world in one of the Big 4 in the tech-business sphere.
Luki now shares SIWIKE "Stuff I Wish I Knew Earlier" to help you find meaning and purpose in your career and help elevate your confidence to have a better, happier life. Luki considers himself a DJ for personal and professional development, a career catalyst, and a personal trainer for careers.
His goal is to make Toronto the mentorship capital of the world!
2023-09-2730 min
SIWIKE “Stuff I Wish I Knew Earlier”: the podcastHow to be more successful as a high school student | SIWIKE Podcast | Francesca Cadhit (FC-001)In this enlightening episode of SIWIKE Podcast, Luki Danu explores the essentials of career growth and personal development with Francesca Cadhit, the founder of Top Class Edge. They dive deep into the value of mentorship, life skills beyond academics, and the power of thinking long-term. Whether you're a student, a young professional, or someone looking to enrich their life, this episode is packed with actionable advice to accelerate your journey toward success.
🔗 Connect with Francesca Cadhit:
Website: https://topclassedge.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francescacadhit/
👉 Listen to the full episode to learn how mentor...
2023-09-1232 min
Smart Growth RocketLessons in Medical School, Research, and Winning Mindsets With Dr. Kevin WuMeet Kevin Wu, MD, DMD. Kevin is an Ophthalmology Resident at l’Université de Sherbrooke.
Dr. Kevin’s research has been published in journals such as Pharmaceutics. He has also won awards such as the Canadian Medical Association’s 150th Anniversary Award. Beyond that, he’s a cellist with 2 albums.
I’m excited to share Dr. Kevin’s insights about going to medical school (after becoming a dentist), why he chose to become a doctor, and what the next generation of doctors should know.
🎧 ▶ In this episode, he...
2023-09-1217 min
Smart Growth RocketLessons in Entrepreneurship: From Kitchen To National GrocersMeet Chelsie Hodge, Founder & CEO of Blender Bites, a food entrepreneur. In this interview, your host, Francesca Cadhit, dives into entrepreneurship and business tips with Chelsie Hodge, who is making a splash in the freezer aisle. This food entrepreneur went from her kitchen to national grocers with Blender Bites while focusing on nutritious, convenient, and functional solutions.
Who's Chelsie Hodge?
Chelsie is no stranger to the peaks and valleys of entrepreneurship. She has been an entrepreneur for as long as she can remember. Blender Bites was born in 2017 after Chelsie had an "aha" moment to m...
2023-09-0820 minSmart Growth RocketLessons in Engineering School and Breaking Into Tech With Michelle ZengIn this episode, I interview Michelle Zeng, McMaster Engineering Graduate turned Data Analyst and YouTube Creator.
Beyond sharing career tips and life updates, Michelle creates content on her YouTube channel dedicated to her love of travel, food, and cats.
⯈ In this episode, you'll learn:
- Michelle’s journey to getting through engineering school, becoming an engineer, and some advice to consider for emerging engineers
- Michelle’s Professional Engineer (P.Eng) application experience and what she wishes she knew before...
2023-08-2816 min
Smart Growth RocketLessons In Getting Into Medical School And Becoming A Doctor With Dr. Darren ChaiIn this episode, I interview Dr. Darren Chai, a Resident Doctor in Canada and NSERC Undergraduate Student Award Recipient.
Beyond his genuine care for patients and unwavering commitment to their well-being, Darren is also passionate about helping undergraduate students with their pre-medical journey. This led him to start a venture aimed at assisting university students with admissions to medical schools in Canada.
What started as informal mentoring eventually grew to become CanadianPremed.ca: a one-stop shop that provides Canadian med-hopefuls with practical advice, application review services and high-quality practice interviews.
2023-07-2415 minSmart Growth RocketLessons in Entrepreneurship and Making Chocolate Healthier with Suzie Yorke, CEO and Co-Founder of The Better ChocolateIn this episode, I interview Suzie Yorke, 2023 Top 25 Women of Influence® Award Recipient, about what you should know for your entrepreneurial journey, the importance of women in entrepreneurship, and making chocolates healthier with The Better Chocolate.
Suzie Yorke is on a mission to make the world's best-tasting chocolate healthier!
After exceeding $100 million in gross revenue in a little over three years with Love Good Fats, Suzie co-founded The Better Chocolate, a new line of delicious bean-to-bar pure dark chocolates with 0g of sugar added. As the world’s first Ecu...
2023-07-1720 min
Smart Growth RocketWhat You Need To Know About Money with CPA Canada's Doretta ThompsonFrancesca Cadhit chats with CPA Canada's Doretta Thompson.
We discuss various topics, including mindset and money, financial literacy, and common mistakes to avoid when it comes to personal finance.
Doretta is CPA Canada’s financial literacy leader and director of Social Impact. She’s responsible for CPA Canada’s international award-winning financial literacy program, as well as the profession’s programs supporting financial literacy and capacity building in Indigenous communities. She has served in an advisory capacity to national financial literacy initiatives, including those of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada an...
2023-06-2024 min
Smart Growth RocketBeing A Lawyer and The Justice Issue Explained With Lawyer Joseph ColangeloOn today’s episode, Francesca Cadhit sits down with Joseph Colangelo to get his insights on being a lawyer and Canada's justice crisis. Many have said that the middle class has been shut out of justice and that this will continue to get worse until “something breaks.” Joseph explains his take on a justice system where access is a privilege for the very rich or reserved for the very poor, and what it means for the middle class.
Joseph Colangelo is a lawyer who focuses on health law, which includes medical malpractice and the regulation of healthcare profes...
2023-06-1316 min
Smart Growth RocketLessons In Life And Business From Connect.ca Managing Director and Partner, Ryan CoyleFrancesca Cadhit chats with entrepreneur and real estate investor, Ryan Coyle. We discuss various topics, including mindset and business, as well as exciting deals where Ryan made $85M in sales in one day - then lost it.
Ryan Coyle is a Managing Director and Partner at CONNECT asset management – one of Toronto’s leading experts in condominium investing. Ryan has a distinguished track record that goes back over 20 years and a personal portfolio with over 50 condominiums, with over $1 billion in real estate transactions made since 2004.
In this episode, you'll lear...
2023-06-0719 min
Smart Growth RocketEntrepreneurship, Real Estate, and Driving Positive Change with Mission-Driven Real Estate Broker Wasim JarrahWhat does it mean to be successful in business, real estate, and life?
In today's episode, Francesca Cadhit interviews Wasim Jarrah, Real Estate Broker, Director with the Ontario Real Estate Association, Chair of the Government Relations Committee, and recipient of the Toronto Real Estate Board and Real Estate Institute of Canada Community Service Award.
Wasim has also been awarded the Canada 150 medal for his volunteer service.
We talk about how integrity, hard work, and extensive knowledge have led him to become Newmarket’s go-to ag...
2023-05-2518 minSmart Growth RocketGrade Inflation And Improving Education In Schools With Suzanne GluchySuzanne Gluchy is a dedicated teacher with almost 30 years in Education.
In this episode, Francesca Cadhit interviews Suzanne Gluchy and picks her brain about grade inflation, student stress, and ways to improve education in schools.
Are you interested in education, issues that today's students face, or how to better prepare for university and your career? This episode is a MUST.
HIT PLAY to join the conversation.
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2023-05-0614 min
Smart Growth RocketAI and The Past, Present, and Future of Education with Dr. Nicholas MaesDr. Nicholas Maes is a novelist with a Ph.D. in classical studies and a high school teacher who also teaches Classics at the University of Waterloo.
Maes' love for fiction led him to publish a number of books.
His previous novels for young people include "Crescent Star", "Locksmith", and "Transmigration". Maes' first Felix Taylor Adventure was Laughing Wolf, which was nominated for the Snow Willow Award.
In this episode, Francesca Cadhit interviews Dr. Nicholas Maes, educator and author, about his take on education...
2023-04-2917 min
Smart Growth RocketHow This Rhodes Scholar Reacted When She Got A Life-Changing Call and What She Says About Pursuing Her Dreams (With Iako Patton)Iakoiehwahtha (Iako) Patton is the latest Canadian recipient of the Rhodes Scholarship, the world’s oldest and most prestigious international graduate scholarship programme.
Born and raised in the First Nations community of Kahnawake, her identity as an Indigenous woman shaped her perspective and studies. She is now completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto, studying History of Art, Anthropology, and Renaissance Studies.
Iako's passion for art history and bringing the art history community together shines through as the current President of the History of Art Students' Association and a...
2023-02-2818 min
Smart Growth RocketWhat You Need to Know Before Starting Engineering (with Genevieve Aguigwo, Mechanical Engineering Student at the University of Toronto)Genevieve Aguigwo is a mechanical engineering student at the University of Toronto, specializing in Mechatronics and Manufacturing.
As the current National Society of Black Engineers University of Toronto President, Genevieve stands by the mission of increasing the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.
In this episode, Francesca Cadhit interviews Genevieve Aguigwo about how much studying you can expect as an engineering student, how she lands great co-op placements, and how she knew engineering was the path for her.
If you know or are a...
2023-02-1619 min
Smart Growth RocketA Purposeful Education To Thrive in Adulthood with Jay Gosselin, Founder and Program Director of Discover YearLife is hardly “one-size-fits-all”; why should education be any different?
In this episode, Francesca Cadhit interviews Jay Gosselin, Founder and Program Director of Discover Year, about helping young adults build essential skills for their careers and lives.
If you know or are a young person on a quest to self-discovery, this episode is a MUST.
Jay Gosselin uses his own non-traditional career path to demonstrate how action, communication, and authenticity are foundational in building a meaningful career. Jay was in Educational Counselling at the University of Ottawa and previously earned his Honours BA in E...
2023-02-0716 min
Smart Growth RocketUnlocking Your Potential and Raising Unicorns with Steven Ritchie, Associate Director at TKSIn this episode, Francesca Cadhit interviews Steven Ritchie, Associate Director at TKS (The Knowledge Society), about creating the next generation of innovators.
If you are or know a high-potential, ambitious young person who wants to impact billions, this episode is a MUST.
Steven spent the last 10 years working in the digital product space. He has built apps for organizations like Clorox and the UN as an iOS developer. Following that, he led the Product & Strategy teams at Versett and helped build digital companies around the world in the fintech, travel, and e-commerce spaces. Now he...
2023-01-2627 min
Smart Growth RocketWhat This Surgeon and Award-winning Medical Educator Wants Emerging Doctors To Know, With Dr. Nina Ahuja, M.D."From what I’ve heard med school is really demanding - how do I know if I can do it?"
"No one in my family is in medicine – is that a disadvantage?"
"What are some of the challenges medical students face?"
"When should I start studying for the MCAT?"
These are just a few of the top questions pre-med students and emerging doctors ask.
In this episode, Francesca Cadhit interviews Dr. Nina Ahuja BScHons, MD, FRCSC, CHE and reveal what it takes to survive and thrive in the medical field.
2023-01-1918 min
Smart Growth RocketWhat This Admissions Expert Wants Students To Know About Evaluating and Applying to U.S. Colleges with Katelyn Gleason Klapper, CEPWhat does it take to get into your best-fit school?
In this episode, Francesca Cadhit interviews U.S. college (university, for us Canadians) expert Katelyn Gleason Klapper, CEP and explore the world of college applications.
Katelyn Klapper is a Certified Educational Planner (CEP) with 35 years of experience working in higher education and college consulting. She is the founder of College Options, LLC, a small team-based practice serving clients primarily in New England and in the Mountain West.
Katelyn has worked on the campuses of...
2022-12-2230 min
Smart Growth RocketWhat This Doctor Wishes He Knew Before Medical School with Ariel Gershon, MDGet your MD, co-author medical research, be a Medical Genetics Resident at the University of Toronto.
Oh, and be part of an innovative platform designed "for medical school students and practicing physicians to learn and review the fundamentals of clinical medicine." (https://medskl.com/)
Think you can handle that?
Dr. Ariel Gershon certainly can.
In this episode, Francesca Cadhit, Founder of Top Class Edge, interviews Ariel Gershon, MD. He is a dedicated doctor, mentor, and researcher.
...
2022-11-0816 min
Smart Growth RocketEquity, Diversity, and Inclusion with Inclusion Consultant Falisha Karpati, PhDFalisha Karpati is an Inclusion Consultant with a background in neuroscience, specializing in working in academic and research organizations.
In this episode, Francesca Cadhit, Founder of Top Class Edge, asks Falisha about how taking cognitive diversity into account can improve student outcomes and how things can improve, in her professional opinion.
According to Falisha, integrating equity, diversity, and inclusion has 3 key benefits:
Building a sense of belonging and purpose
Embracing diversity means more students can connect with what they learn
Inclusive spaces make the brain happy. Happy brains are ready to...
2022-11-0229 minSmart Growth RocketWhat Med Prep Expert Emily Gershon Says Applicants Should Know About Med School AdmissionsWhat do poetry, literature, and communication have to do with applying to medical school?
More than you realize.
Emily Gershon is a published author and creator of EG Med Prep, where she helps prospective med school students with their applications and interviews.
After realizing that being a vet wasn't what she really wanted to do, she pivoted to English, Poetry, Literature, and Communication.
Now, she helps people reach their med school dreams. Incredible, if you ask me.
2022-08-2218 min
Smart Growth RocketThe Most Common Mistakes Future Engineers Make with Wissam SeifMath whiz. Mechanical engineer. Poker player. YouTube Creator. Aerospace engineer.
Would you believe me if I told you that those all describe one person?
Wissam Seif has experienced more of a transformation in the past decade than many people do in their entire lifespan.
As a student, he was great at math and liked tinkering with things that moved, so naturally, he pursued mechanical engineering in school.
He landed a good role in the industry, but soon had to pivot when there were layoffs at the company.
What next?
2022-06-2927 min
Smart Growth RocketWhat This Real Estate Attorney Wants You to Know about Big Law"Retire Young Retire Rich: How to Get Rich Quickly and Stay Rich Forever!"
When Jack Duffley saw these words on the cover of a Robert Kiyosaki book as a teenager, it changed his trajectory forever.
Jack is now a commercial real-estate attorney in Chicago and runs a personal finance YouTube channel where he documents his investing journey.
In this episode, Francesca Cadhit, Founder of Top Class Edge, interviews Jack about life in Big Law, how he got there, getting a full-ride scholarship to law school, and what’s on the horizon for him an...
2022-06-2120 min
Smart Growth RocketWhat This Mechatronics Engineer Grad Wishes He Knew Before Engineering School“Get your engineering degree, do an internship, start up a YouTube channel. Oh, and pursue real estate. Think you can handle that?”
Oliver Foote certainly can.
In this episode, I interview Oliver Foote, McMaster University engineering student, YouTuber with a video that has over 91,000 views, and future real estate professional.
Francesca Cadhit, Founder of Top Class Edge, chats about how he stays on top of his engineering schedule, what his journey was like to build a YouTube channel people watch, and his current venture into the world of real estate.
HIT PLAY...
2022-05-2442 min
Smart Growth RocketIgniting the Fire and Bringing the Fitness Industry Together with Jonathan GoodmanWhen was the last time you interacted with an influencer, a company, or a figure of authority online where you felt like they actually cared about what you had to say?
This question stumped me.
I couldn't remember the last time, but today's guest has shaken things up. He has gone ahead and done something many struggle with... give actual value, get genuine engagement, and grow organic traffic.
And Francesca Cadhit, Founder of Top Class Edge, chats with Jonathan Goodman about how he does it.
Jonathan Goodman is bringing the fitness i...
2021-12-1337 min
Smart Growth RocketTravel-Based Business Owner Builds a Travel Gear Marketplace and Talks About Balancing Stability and FlexibilityThe pandemic changed the world in ways we didn't expect. Travel was restricted, people were stuck indoors, and students underwent massive shifts in their learning. We all had to get used to this new way of life.
Naturally, this was the best backdrop for Komal Faiz as she began her travel-based business, Wanderlite. A thrilling plot twist for the budding entrepreneur, I'm sure.
Komal shares the adventure of not only launching a business, but launching a travel-based business amidst lockdowns, shelter-in-place orders, and travel restrictions.
HIT PLAY to hear Author and Entrepreneur, Komal Fai...
2021-11-3027 min
Smart Growth RocketBuilding a 6-figure investment portfolio and making multiple income streams with a Canadian personal finance authorUnless you've been living under a rock, anyone who lives in Toronto is aware of how expensive living in the city can get. Savings dry up quickly when rent, groceries, and daily necessities take up most of your income. Forget about investing. By age 27, many consider themselves lucky to have a stable job that gives them just enough to pay the bills. Then there's Sandy Yong, who by age 27 successfully generated a 6-figure investment portfolio.
She went on to publish her award-winning book, "The Money Master: Inside Secrets On How To Make Your Money Grow and Stay Saf...
2021-11-1528 min
Smart Growth RocketThe 80/20 Rule and Building a Client-First Physiotherapy Practice with Amy Thieu of Pure Motion CentreStarting a business is like bungee jumping off the CN Tower. On one hand, there's excitement. It's a new adventure and your blood is pumping. You're in charge and finally doing things on your own terms. On the other hand, there's the sense of overwhelm. You don't know what you're doing. You're responsible for marketing, admin, bookkeeping, customer service, and the list goes on.
Amy Thieu, based in Toronto, Ontario, talks about meeting her "business soulmate" and learning to delegate to maximize the client experience, and her business' growth. She shares her 80/20 rule to leverage her staff's ta...
2021-10-1818 min
Smart Growth RocketGetting Crystal Clear Vision and Ditching Wall Street for Fitness with Nathan Stowe, Owner of Stowe Training SystemsWhat happens when a finance major on his way to Wall Street realizes he’s sick of spending weekends crunching numbers and is ready to make the leap from finance to fitness?
Nathan Stowe, based in Austin, Texas, shares valuable insights about getting crystal clear on his vision throughout his business journey as he goes from Wall Street hopeful, to car salesman, to big box gym management, to running the show as Leading Personal Trainer and Owner of Stowe Training Systems. Now, Nathan is living the dream, helping 55+ year-olds get fitter and healthier with cutting-edge coaching techniques....
2021-10-1241 min
Smart Growth RocketThe Future of Online Physiotherapy with Phyxable CEO, Dr. Jim FengDaily life is tough enough. Now try it with back pain, muscle soreness, or tightness. Simple tasks like sitting at a desk to work, carrying grocery bags, and getting daily exercise are that much more challenging.
HIT PLAY to join the conversation.
In this episode, Francesca Cadhit, Founder of Top Class Edge, interviews Registered Chiropractor and CEO of Phyxable, Dr. Jim Feng, about how he created and grew a convenient end-to-end pain and prevention platform. When he realized that he could impact more people beyond his clinics, this Toronto startup founder created a pl...
2021-09-1629 min
Smart Growth RocketLessons in Pivoting Your Business with Sanchari Sen Rai, Co-Founder and CEO of Education Consultants CanadaWhen disaster strikes, pivot! During the pandemic, we saw the demand for some industries, like travel, drop while for others, like e-commerce, it boomed. Good for Bezos, bad for a bunch of others.
It came as a complete surprise to learn that international student interest in coming to Canada increased during this time. But with lockdowns and stay-at-home orders looming over our heads, businesses had to pivot to survive, and even thrive, in the "new normal."
In this episode, Francesca Cadhit, Founder of Top Class Edge, interviews Co-Founder and C...
2021-09-0925 minSmart Growth RocketHow an author turned tech entrepreneur built a gratitude, vision board, and mentorship app that got downloads all over the globeHave you ever thought of writing a book? Sat in front of a blank document for hours, rubbing your temples as hours pass, trying to figure out where to start, what to cover, and how to convey your expertise to your audience so they’re actually interested? Now, try taking that book and turning it into an app.
HIT PLAY to hear how CEO and Founder of Joy+, John Robinson Jr., built an app that gives you a gratitude journal, vision board, and connects you with mentors, based on his book "Joy & Love". This aut...
2021-09-0227 minSmart Growth RocketHow this health care professional grew her practice doing what school didn’t teach herPicture completing your undergraduate program. Great! Now what? You’ve spent years poring over textbooks, memorizing terminology, and developing your technical skills, only to realize that you have no idea how to turn that degree into something that pays.
HIT PLAY to hear Francesca Cadhit, Founder of Top Class Edge, interview Registered Kinesiologist and CEO/Founder of First Line Education, Angela Pereira, about how she upskilled her kinesiology skills to find her best clients. When school didn’t teach her what she needed to know, she built her own education company!
First Line E...
2021-08-3120 min
Smart Growth RocketHow a part-time personal trainer built a 6-figure health and fitness businessGetting your first client is one of the most difficult challenges many early entrepreneurs face. Going from part-time side hustler to full-time, 6-figure business boss is another leap altogether!
HIT PLAY to hear Francesca Cadhit, Founder of Top Class Edge, interview Toronto Health and Fitness Expert, Author, and Personal Trainer, Igor Klibanov, share his secrets of how he turned his part-time health and fitness gig into a multi 6-figure business (and counting), from the ground up.
2021-07-3127 min