Shows
DisruptorsAlberta’s Next Energy MixWith industrial power demand rising, can small modular reactors help anchor a cleaner, always‑on system that will support the incoming AI Data Centre boom? In this bonus episode of Disruptors, recorded live in Edmonton, host John Stackhouse speaks with Premier Danielle Smith about a practical path: SMRs alongside abated natural gas, hydro, and stronger interties—with Indigenous equity built in from day one. They dig into reliability needs, near‑term “bring‑your‑own‑power” models, how to finance nuclear in an energy‑only market, and what collaboration between provinces could unlock. Recorded live in Edmonton, Alberta, a...
2025-12-3024 min
DisruptorsBuilding Canada: A new generation takes chargeCanada’s future won’t be decided in PDF strategies — it will be decided by what we actually build: trade corridors, clean power, AI datacentres, agtech and northern connectivity that can stand up in a more volatile world.In this episode of Disruptors: The Canada Project, John Stackhouse speaks with Daniel Debow, Chair of the Board at Build Canada, and Lucy Hargreaves, the organization’s CEO, about how a new builder mindset is taking shape across the country — and why sovereignty and competitiveness now depend on turning ideas into infrastructure at speed and scale.As global tra...
2025-12-1628 min
DisruptorsPower to Compute: How Alberta Is Powering the AI AgeEnergy planners used to talk about a “trilemma”: reliability, affordability and sustainability.As AI reshapes the global economy and data centres demand thousands of megawatts of new load, Alberta is adding a fourth leg to the stool — velocity — turning it into an energy quadlema.At the edge of Wabamun Lake west of Edmonton, the Keephills and Sundance power sites are being reimagined from coal-era workhorses into “AI-ready” power hubs. TransAlta is converting units to natural gas, opening up land for data centres and using existing transmission and cooling infrastructure to shorten the path from project to power.
2025-12-0926 min
DisruptorsThe Trust Advantage: How OpenText is Securing Canada’s Information LayerThe world is investing billions in data centres and compute. Canada’s edge isn’t bigger boxes—it’s Trust: rules enforced at home, private information secured under Canadian jurisdiction, and a clear path for enterprise data handling in the age of AI.That’s how “Canadian trust” becomes a competitive advantage.This week on Disruptors: The Canada Project, John Stackhouse takes us to Waterloo to map how policy as code, Canadian residency, and lineage + audit turn trust into a speed advantage. Guests: Tom Jenkins & Shannon Bell (OpenText), with Janice Stein (Munk School).Build it here—...
2025-12-0236 min
DisruptorsBeyond the Battery: Inside Quebec’s Mine-to-Refine TransformationAs the world electrifies—from cars and buses to datacentres and defence—demand for battery materials is exploding. Today, China refines more than 90% of the world’s graphite into the material used in virtually all EV battery anodes—that level of concentration is a strategic vulnerability Canada, and its allies, can’t ignore.But Canada is starting to respond. The federal Major Projects Office has just referred Nouveau Monde Graphite’s Phase-2 Matawinie Mine as a “Major Project of National Interest”—a move aimed at helping Quebec and Canada shift from exporting ore to building a full mine-to-refine gra...
2025-11-2529 min
DisruptorsPowering the North: How the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link Will Build A Stronger CanadaAcross Nunavut’s Kivalliq region, communities and mine sites still rely on imported diesel for electricity and satellite links for basic connectivity. It’s expensive, carbon-intensive, and leaves a strategically vital part of Canada dependent on infrastructure we don’t fully control.In this episode of Disruptors: The Canada Project with John Stackhouse, we travel to Nunavut to explore the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link (KHFL) — a 1,200-kilometre, Inuit-led project that would connect Manitoba’s renewable grid and Canada-based broadband backbone to five Kivalliq communities and future mining projects. Led by Nukik Corporation under 100% Inuit ownership, KHFL is designed to deliver...
2025-11-1821 min
DisruptorsFeeding the Future: How Saskatchewan is Seeding Canada's Ag-Tech RevolutionSaskatchewan, long known for feeding the world, is now leading a revolution in ag-tech. With automation, machine learning, and AI-powered quality control, the province is redefining how food moves from field to port. Agriculture is more than Canada’s heritage -it’s our future advantage. In this episode of Disruptors: The Canada Project, John Stackhouse speaks with Kyle Folk, founder and CEO of Ground Truth Ag, whose technology automates grain grading — a process that once took hours, now done in minutes. He’s joined by Murad Al-Katib, CEO of AGT Food and Ingredients. It’s a story about...
2025-11-1119 min
DisruptorsLink to the World: How Manitoba Is Rebuilding a Northern Trade RouteAt the edge of Hudson Bay, the Port of Churchill is being revitalized — reconnecting the Prairies to global markets and strengthening Canada’s northern gateway to the world.In this episode of Disruptors: The Canada Project, John Stackhouse speaks with Premier Wab Kinew, Chris Avery of Arctic Gateway Group, and Grant Barkman of Decision Works about how Indigenous ownership, modern rail infrastructure, and drone-powered innovation are reconnecting the Prairies to global markets.As climate shifts open new Arctic passages and global trade routes are redefined, Manitoba is positioning itself as a northern link between the Prai...
2025-11-0424 min
DisruptorsREBOOT: AgriFood and Food Security: Can Canada Feed the World?With a growing global population and climate challenges reshaping food production, Canada has a golden opportunity to lead the ag-tech revolution. But are we ready? In this episode of Disruptors x CDL, John Stackhouse and Sonia Sennik take a deep dive into the future of farming with industry experts Evan Fraser (Director, Arrell Food Institute) and Alison Sunstrum (CEO, CNSRV-X Inc.), exploring the innovations that could transform agriculture as we know it.They discuss how AI, robotics, and precision farming are reshaping the food system—from predictive agriculture to climate-resilient crops. With Canada slipping in global agri-food ra...
2025-08-1229 min
DisruptorsREBOOT: Powering Canada: Electricity and Data CentresWhat does it take to power the intelligence economy of the future? In this episode of Disruptors x CDL: The Innovation Era, hosts John Stackhouse and Sonia Sennik dive into the surging energy demands of AI and data centers, exploring how Canada can seize this pivotal moment to lead the way in sustainable innovation.Alberta’s Minister of Technology and Innovation, Nate Glubish, shares how the province is positioning itself as a global hub for data infrastructure through initiatives like the Wonder Valley project, which aims to build the largest data center installation on the planet. Doug Be...
2025-07-2930 min
DisruptorsREBOOT: AI in Canada: Leading Innovation, Lagging AdoptionIn this episode of Disruptors x CDL: The Innovation Era, hosts John Stackhouse, Senior VP of RBC, and Sonia Sennik, CEO of Creative Destruction Lab, dive into one of the most transformative technologies of our time: Artificial Intelligence. With the potential to revolutionize industries from healthcare to energy, AI is reshaping the global economy — and Canada is both a leader in research and a laggard in adoption.This week, Geoffrey Hinton, Professor at the University of Toronto, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his research in artificial intelligence that began in 1987.Join John an...
2025-07-1529 min
DisruptorsAgriFood and Food Security: Can Canada Feed the World?With a growing global population and climate challenges reshaping food production, Canada has a golden opportunity to lead the ag-tech revolution. But are we ready? In this episode of Disruptors x CDL, John Stackhouse and Sonia Sennik take a deep dive into the future of farming with industry experts Evan Fraser (Director, Arrell Food Institute) and Alison Sunstrum (CEO, CNSRV-X Inc.), exploring the innovations that could transform agriculture as we know it.They discuss how AI, robotics, and precision farming are reshaping the food system—from predictive agriculture to climate-resilient crops. With Canada slipping in global agri-food ra...
2025-02-1129 min
DisruptorsInside the WEF: AI, Geopolitics, and Canada's Place in the Future EconomyWhat happens in Davos doesn’t stay in Davos, it shapes the future of business, technology, and global markets. In this episode of Disruptors x CDL: The Innovation Era, John Stackhouse joins co-host Sonia Sennik from Davos to break down the biggest conversations at the World Economic Forum. From Donald Trump's controversial speech and its implications for Canada to the surging confidence in AI, energy, and innovation, this episode unpacks the global trends shaping the economy.John shares insights on the U.S.’s bullish outlook, the future of AI in business and defense, the growing space econ...
2025-01-3029 min
DisruptorsPowering Canada: Electricity and Data CentresWhat does it take to power the intelligence economy of the future? In this episode of Disruptors x CDL: The Innovation Era, hosts John Stackhouse and Sonia Sennik dive into the surging energy demands of AI and data centers, exploring how Canada can seize this pivotal moment to lead the way in sustainable innovation.Alberta’s Minister of Technology and Innovation, Nate Glubish, shares how the province is positioning itself as a global hub for data infrastructure through initiatives like the Wonder Valley project, which aims to build the largest data center installation on the planet. Doug Be...
2025-01-1430 min
DisruptorsFrom AI to the Final Frontier: Tech Trends Shaping 2025In this year-end episode of Disruptors x CDL: The Innovation Era, hosts John Stackhouse and Sonia Sennik take a look back at 2024’s groundbreaking tech stories and gaze ahead to what 2025 might bring. Joined by Sean Silcoff, technology reporter for The Globe and Mail for 12 years, they explore the rise of AI, the space economy, Canada’s evolving tech ecosystem, and the influence of political shifts on innovation.Sean sheds light on the evolving tech ecosystem, from Canadian companies like Wealthsimple and D2L bouncing back with renewed valuations, to the challenges posed by brain drain, capital gain...
2024-12-2427 min
DisruptorsOn the Move: Canada’s EV RevolutionIn this episode of Disruptors x CDL: The Innovation Era, John Stackhouse and Sonia Sennik dive into the rapidly advancing world of electric vehicles (EVs) and the ecosystem needed to support their success.Kristian Aquilina, President and Managing Director of GM Canada, shares insights on the BrightDrop electric delivery vans produced at GM’s CAMI plant—the country’s first full-scale EV manufacturing facility—and how local supply chains and infrastructure can accelerate Canada’s EV adoption. Paul Soubry, CEO of New Flyer Industries, discusses the evolution of zero-emission buses and the logistical and manufacturing innovations required to meet su...
2024-12-1029 min
DisruptorsCommercializing Space (Part 2): From Frontier to MarketplacePart two of Disruptors x CDL: The Innovation Era continues with a focus on how space technology is transitioning from exploration to commercial viability.John Stackhouse and Sonia Sennik are joined by aerospace leaders Christine Tovee, former CTO of Airbus Group North America, and Mina Mitry, CEO of Kepler Communications. The episode examines the pioneering role of Canadian companies in transforming space technologies into practical industries, such as satellite communications and Earth observation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for...
2024-11-2127 min
DisruptorsSpace Economy (Part 1): Opportunities and ChallengesIn part one of this two-part series on Disruptors x CDL: The Innovation Era, John Stackhouse and Sonia Sennik discuss the unfolding potential of the space economy.Joined by Chris Hadfield, former Commander of the International Space Station and acclaimed astronaut, they delve into the evolving landscape of space access, driven by technological breakthroughs and cost reductions exemplified by the significant drop in cost of delivering assets to low Earth orbit. The conversation highlights how these advancements could democratize space exploration, unlock new business ventures, and inspire global innovation.Whether you’re intrigued by satellite te...
2024-11-1929 min
DisruptorsEducating for the Future: Post-Secondary InnovationIn this episode of Disruptors x CDL: The Innovation Era, hosts John Stackhouse and Sonia Sennik explore the dynamic role of generative AI in education and its far-reaching implications. As AI technology continues to evolve, it’s transforming classrooms and curriculum, influencing how students learn, and prompting schools to rethink traditional teaching methods. The hosts are joined by two distinguished guests: Janice Stein, founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs, and John Baker, founder of D2L, a global ed-tech pioneer.Janice shares her expertise on the ethical considerations and challenges of integrating AI into ed...
2024-11-0528 min
DisruptorsBiotech Boom: Canada’s Life Sciences RevolutionIn this episode of Disruptors x CDL: The Innovation Era, hosts John Stackhouse and Sonia Sennik dive into the rapidly evolving world of life sciences, exploring how Canada can leverage its strengths to lead in global drug discovery and healthcare innovation.The pandemic accelerated scientific breakthroughs, such as AI-assisted vaccine development, but what will it take for Canada to continue leading into the 2030s? With special guests Anne Woods (Managing Director, Life Sciences, RBCx), Sue Paish (CEO, Digital), and Dr. Christine Allen (CEO, Intrepid Labs), this episode delves into how AI, data, and interdisciplinary collaboration are driving...
2024-10-2228 min
DisruptorsAI in Canada: Leading Innovation, Lagging AdoptionIn this episode of Disruptors x CDL: The Innovation Era, hosts John Stackhouse, Senior VP of RBC, and Sonia Sennik, CEO of Creative Destruction Lab, dive into one of the most transformative technologies of our time: Artificial Intelligence. With the potential to revolutionize industries from healthcare to energy, AI is reshaping the global economy — and Canada is both a leader in research and a laggard in adoption.This week, Geoffrey Hinton, Professor at the University of Toronto, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his research in artificial intelligence that began in 1987.Join John an...
2024-10-1028 min
DisruptorsDisruptors x CDL: Canada’s Innovation JourneyWelcome to the first episode of Disruptors x CDL - The Innovation Era, where host John Stackhouse teams up with Sonia Sennik, CEO of Creative Destruction Lab (CDL), to explore how cutting-edge technologies are transforming Canadian industries. Over the next eight episodes, they'll dive deep into the disruptive power of innovations like generative AI, quantum computing, and 5G, examining their potential to reshape sectors from entertainment to transportation.In this premiere, John and Sonia discuss Canada’s economic challenges and how embracing technological advances is crucial for future growth. They also shine a spotlight on CDL, an ob...
2024-09-2423 min
DisruptorsDisruptors x CDL: The Innovation EraDisruptors x CDL: The Innovation Era is a limited podcast series exploring the innovators and technologies reshaping Canada’s economy. Hosted by John Stackhouse, Senior Vice-President at RBC, and Sonia Sennik, CEO of Creative Destruction Lab, this series dives into solutions for navigating unprecedented global change. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
2024-09-1701 min
DisruptorsREBOOT: Mechanical Minds: Exploring the World of AI RobotsThe global race to apply AI to robotics in a way that can make society better is on — offering unprecedented efficiency, precision and enhancing productivity to relieve humans from mundane tasks.
Though there are concerns regarding ethical dilemmas and potential job displacement — fueling fears about the societal impact of these advancements. Striking a balance between the benefits and addressing these apprehensions will be key to unlocking a harmonious integration into our daily lives.
On this episode of Disruptors, John Stackhouse visits Sanctuary AI — a Canadian company recognized on TIME’s Best Inventions of 2023 — to explore the cutting-edge future of humanoid robotics a...
2024-08-0630 min
ARC ENERGY IDEASIs Canada Spending Enough on Clean Energy? John Stackhouse from RBC DisruptorsThis week, John Stackhouse, Senior Vice President, Office of the CEO at RBC joins the podcast. John is also the host of the Disruptors podcast. This episode is a joint podcast that is being made available on both the ARC Energy Ideas and Disruptors podcast channels. John, Jackie, and Peter discuss sustainable finance and Canada’s dearth of capital spending on energy transition and decarbonization. Questions covered during the podcast: Is the lack of a national taxonomy that defines what projects count as clean, green, and sustainable slowing investment? Should decarbonization projects, including reducing emissions from...
2024-03-1236 min
DisruptorsClimate Crossroads: Unpacking the Dialogue in the Desert at COP28Amid the backdrop of an increasingly polarized geopolitical landscape, growing socio-economic
challenges and intensifying climate conditions, the 2023 United Nations Climate Change
Conference (COP28) hosted its largest ever summit in Dubai with 100,000 attendees.
Each COP provides a global stage for nations to collectively address urgent climate issues and
foster international cooperation — with the outcomes intended to shape national policies,
commitments, and strategies to secure a sustainable future for generations to come. And while
these climate talks are critical, what matters most is how countries turn diplomacy into tangible
climate action to ensure climate ambitions don't get left in the sand.
On th...
2023-12-1518 min
DisruptorsMechanical Minds: Exploring the World of AI RobotsThe global race to apply AI to robotics in a way that can make society better is on — offering unprecedented efficiency, precision and enhancing productivity to relieve humans from mundane tasks.
Though there are concerns regarding ethical dilemmas and potential job displacement — fueling fears about the societal impact of these advancements. Striking a balance between the benefits and addressing these apprehensions will be key to unlocking a harmonious integration into our daily lives.
On this episode of Disruptors, John Stackhouse visits Sanctuary AI — a Canadian company recognized on TIME’s Best Inventions of 2023 — to explore the cutting-edge future of humanoid robotics a...
2023-11-1430 min
DisruptorsReboot of “Disruptors LIVE: In Conversation with Applyboard’s Martin BasiriIt’s no secret that Canada’s labour market is facing significant challenges, but heading into another school year, there’s hope that a series of regulatory changes enacted by the Federal Government could help get more international students into the workforce.That’s why we’re highlighting an episode from the past season of Disruptors, an RBC Podcast, featuring a conversation between host John Stackhouse and tech entrepreneur Martin Basiri. Basiri is the co-founder and CEO of Kitchener, Ontario’s ApplyBoard, an AI-enabled software platform that lets students from around the world quickly identify and apply for post-sec...
2023-08-2927 min
DisruptorsReboot of “The Growing Challenge: Part 3: The Hidden Threat of Food Spoilage and Waste”Summer bounties are hitting our dinner, picnic and BBQ tables, and farmers are busy gearing up for another fall harvest season. But have you ever considered how much of the food we produce in Canada never even makes it to your plate? Or how much goes into the green bin?This year on Disruptors, an RBC Podcast, we tackled the challenge of food waste in a special series called “The Growing Challenge: How Canada Can Lead the Next Green Revolution in Agriculture.” We’re showing good progress on limiting food spoilage and waste, but we can – and need to d...
2023-08-1535 min
Chatter that MattersManrique Prada / John Stackhouse - Two Conversations, One Mother Nature Biologist Dr. Manrique Prada and thought leader John Stackhouse joined me this week in an episode I titled two conversations with Mother Nature. Dr. Manrique Prada, a Ph.D. in biological science, stands as one of South America's most esteemed environmentalists. In his new book Voices of Mother Earth, Manrique shares his experiences living among the Xavante people—an indigenous tribe who lives off the land and in harmony with Mother Nature. Manrique imparts their wisdom of attentively listening to the forest, making decisions guided by dreams, and being part of the ecosystem versus trying to control it. The Xa...
2023-08-0432 min
DisruptorsReboot of “Investing in Climate Action: What Canada Can Learn from the US”As another wildfire season blankets Canada and the U.S. with smoke, air quality is worsening, and the summers are only getting hotter. Some of Canada’s most populous cities even topped the rankings when it comes to the worst air quality on the planet. That’s why we’re highlighting an important episode of Disruptors, an RBC Podcast, focused on spending on climate action. August 16th marks exactly one year since President Joe Biden signed into law the almost $370-billion Inflation Reduction Act — America’’s largest ever investment in green technology. But how and where can that money be...
2023-08-0135 min
DisruptorsReboot of “AI Helped Produce This Episode"Few things have been more disruptive and hotly debated this year than AI as 2023 marked the potential tipping point in its mass adoption thanks to the public release of generative AI platforms like ChatGPT. From healthcare, to cybersecurity, to journalism and, now, Hollywood, AI is sending shockwaves through virtually every sector of our economy. So, it’s a perfect time to highlight an episode of Disruptors, an RBC Podcast, where host John Stackhouse talks with one of Canada’s preeminent AI voices, Professor Ajay Agrawal. Ajay is a professor at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Manag...
2023-07-1831 min
DisruptorsOlivier Desmarais: How Canada Can Win In A Net Zero WorldWhen it comes to the energy transition, we're going to need to literally rewire our economy.On the season finale of Disruptors, an RBC Podcast, host John Stackhouse sits down with Olivier Desmarais, the CEO of Power Sustainable, one of Canada’s most significant and global enterprises. The firm is a sustainable investment manager that invests in companies and projects that contribute to decarbonization, social progress and growth. Listen as they discuss where Canada fits in the global Net Zero transition, investment strategies, and the country’s biggest opportunities to win. Links:
2023-07-0430 min
DisruptorsHow Indigenous Business Can Accelerate Canada’s Net Zero TransitionIf Canada is going to transition to clean energy, we’ve got to involve and engage our Indigenous communities for economic development and reconciliation.On this episode of Disruptors, an RBC Podcast, host John Stackhouse speaks to two leaders working to make a meaningful partnership happen: Annette Verschuren, CEO of NRStor and Matthew Jamieson, the CEO and President of Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation. Listen as John and guests dissect the makings behind the recently-announced Oneida Energy Storage project, a 50/50 private and public partnership with Six Nations of the Grand River. The pro...
2023-06-2729 min
DisruptorsBuilding Green Part 2: Harnessing High-Tech To Lower EmissionsIt all starts with the envelope—a building’s envelope, that is, to create more sustainable, comfortable homes and offices. Then the power of innovative materials and software comes together to create Net Zero buildings. In Part 2 of a special two-part series of Disruptors, an RBC Podcast, focused on greening Canada’s build sector, host John Stackhouse chats with three experts dedicated to building Canada’s next generation of sustainable buildings: Brad Carr, CEO of Mattamy Homes; Carol Philips, Design Leader and Partner, Moriyama Teshima Architects; and Sam Ramadori, CEO of BrainBox AI. Find out how buildings m...
2023-06-1330 min
DisruptorsBuilding Green: Fixing Canada’s Leaky HomesCanada is a nation of builders—but buildings are our third biggest source of greenhouse gases and release some 90 million tonnes of C02 annually.On Part 1 of a special two-part series of Disruptors, an RBC Podcast, focused on greening Canada’s built sector, host John Stackhouse chats with three experts committed to decarbonizing our buildings. Together, they explore the question, “how can retrofitting old buildings help get us to Net Zero?” We hear from Kent Peterson, owner at engineering services firm P2S and Chair of the ASHRAE Task Force for Building Decarbonization . We then chat with Jody Bec...
2023-05-3029 min
DisruptorsInnovation Nation: 3 Canadians Share Their SecretsHave you ever wondered what qualities make up a true innovator? How do they approach problems and create new solutions? Is it nature or nurture?On this episode of Disruptors, an RBC Podcast, host John Stackhouse goes inside the minds of three Canadian innovators, all recipients of this year’s Governor General Innovation Awards: Gary Agnew, Co-founder and CEO, Ideon Technologies; Paulette Senior, CEO and President, Canadian Women’s Foundation; and Dr. Mark Stradiotto, Professor of Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry at Dalhousie University. Innovation requires pushing the envelope until the end goal is reach...
2023-05-1628 min
DisruptorsFrom Ship to Shelf: Vancouver’s Port of the FutureThe COVID-19 pandemic, extreme weather events and record e-commerce demand have shone a spotlight on the world’s supply chains. The journey of how we receive “stuff” is quite complicated—and fragile. Luckily, the power of technologies such as automation, renewable energy and data are helping to both streamline and “green” Canada’s supply chains.Goods valued at more than $275 billion pass through the Port of Vancouver every year, making it the fourth largest logistics hub in North America and a key anchor for the supply chains Canadians tend to take for granted.On this episode of Dis...
2023-05-0224 min
DisruptorsTen Questions on Climate for Earth DayOn this episode of Disruptors, an RBC podcast, host John Stackhouse is joined by a special guest co-host: Lindsay Patrick, Head of Strategic Initiatives & ESG at RBC Capital Markets, where she leads the Sustainable Finance Group.As the world marks Earth Day on April 22, John and Lindsay explore various questions on climate and call on a cross-section of Canadian experts to help answer them.Listen in to find out what exactly is a nuclear Small Modular Reactor (SMR), and whether electric vehicles ramp up will “blow up the grid?” We promise you will learn something new...
2023-04-1822 min
DisruptorsSoil: An Unexpected Climate Change ChampionSoil. We have a lot of it here in Canada, with the 12th largest agricultural land holding in the world. Our vast land presents a large opportunity to help combat climate change with sequestering carbon, as well as helping farmers’ bottom lines. Traditionally, agriculture has been all about yield: the more bushels, the better. But there’s a growing push to pay farmers for what they produce and what they preserve.Canada’s soil can help grow food for an increasingly hungry world, but is also a powerful tool in the fight against climate change, because it has an...
2023-04-0429 min
DisruptorsCyber Wars: A Good Offense Is the Best DefenseCyber threats have been around as long as the Internet, but attacks have ramped up in the last few years, with the pandemic dramatically shifting more of our work—and our lives—online. Organizations also moved more of their operations to the cloud, creating a new potential liability. Recent high-profile security breaches have crippled some of Canada’s largest companies such as Empire Foods, Indigo, and Maple Leaf Foods, with costly impacts to the tune of tens of millions of dollars. Organized crime and some nation states are getting better and better at breaching existing security. It’s up to C...
2023-03-2131 min
DisruptorsViews from the Valley: Is The Worst Over for Tech?It’s no secret that 2023 hasn’t exactly started on a high note for the tech sector. With more than 100,000 workers laid off already this year, looking in from the outside, the industry seems to have lost some of its momentum. But what are insiders saying?In the short term, large scale layoffs may not be over, but they’re slowing. And a look back in time offers insights into the kind of mega companies that got their start during economic downturns.On this special, on-location episode of Disruptors, an RBC Podcast, host John Stackhouse speaks...
2023-03-0728 min
DisruptorsSemiconductor Showdown: Canada Enters the Chip RaceIs the hustle to build a reliable, domestic supply of semiconductors the new space race?Semiconductors are small computer chips the size of a fingerprint that contain hundreds of millions, if not billions, of tiny transistors. And they’re essential for today’s electronics—from coffee machines to data centres that run the Internet. The world needs a lot of them to function.But the world is a complicated place, filled with even more complicated supply chains. Nations worldwide are announcing semiconductor strategies to either onshore their production or at the very least make sure they a...
2023-02-2127 min
DisruptorsCanada’s Quest for Quantum DominanceImagine a mathematical problem so complex, it would take today’s most sophisticated supercomputer 9,000 years to solve. Now, imagine a new type of computer that could solve the very same problem in just a fraction of a second. That’s the promise of quantum computing—and it turns out, Canada is well on its way to becoming a global force in the research, development, and implementation of that cutting-edge technology.On this episode of Disruptors, an RBC podcast, host John Stackhouse is joined by the CEO of Toronto-based Xanadu Quantum Technologies Inc, Christian Weedbrook. Just last year, Xanadu...
2023-02-0728 min
DisruptorsInvesting in Climate Action: What Canada Can Learn from the USAs we begin a new year, we’re creeping ever closer to the point of no return in the fight against climate change. Sea levels are rising, the earth is warming, we’ve seen thawing permafrost and large scale die-offs in coral reefs, and parts of the Amazon are experiencing increased instances of drought and deforestation. Thankfully, the world is taking notice and more money than ever before is on the table.The U.S. is making its largest investment ever in green technology in the form of the Inflation Reduction Act or I.R.A., a...
2023-01-1335 min
DisruptorsBiodiversity 3.0: How to Leverage Nature as an AssetWTF: where’s the finance? It was a hot topic at COP27, the UN Climate Conference in Egypt in November, and it continues to be a source of debate at the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) of the Convention on Biological Diversity, which is just wrapping up in Montreal.In 2011, 20 targets were set at the Convention on Biological Diversity. A study done nine years later showed that the world had failed to fully achieve a single one. This is not an opportunity we can afford to waste again. But in order to bridge the $700 billion biodiversity fi...
2022-12-1526 min
DisruptorsAI Helped Produce This EpisodeAI was expected to revolutionize the way we do just about everything, but the changes that were promised haven’t materialized as quickly as expected. What’s holding AI back?On this episode of Disruptors, an RBC podcast, host John Stackhouse sits down with Ajay Agrawal to dig into this question and more. Ajay is a professor at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management; he was named to The Order of Canada this year for his contributions to enhance Canada's productivity, competitiveness, and prosperity through innovation and entrepreneurship, and he’s the founder of the Crea...
2022-12-0630 min
DisruptorsCOP27: Turning Talk into Action?Amidst a backdrop of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, rapidly rising inflation, ever-lingering COVID, and near constant political convulsions, this year’s COP27 took on an unprecedented weight. In this episode, let John Stackhouse walk you through the recently wrapped COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. With his special guest co-host Naomi Powell, Managing Editor of RBC Economics and Thought Leadership, get John’s front row seat perspective on the United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as the Conference of the Parties (COP27)Hear from some of the world’s top leaders and thinkers, including talking to clim...
2022-11-1928 min
DisruptorsThe Growing Challenge Part 3: The Hidden Threat of Food Spoilage and WasteIt’s an issue that’s estimated to cost Canada more than $21 billion per year -- nevermind the environmental impacts. But how much thought have you really given to the problem of food waste and spoilage, and how it could be hampering our country’s effort to reduce emissions? Whenever wasted or spoiled food ends up buried in a landfill instead of decomposing while exposed to air, it generates methane — a potent greenhouse gas with 86 times the warming power of carbon dioxide. And it just so happens that Canada is one of the worst countries on the planet when it comes...
2022-11-1534 min
DisruptorsThe Growing Challenge Part 2: Beef, biogas, dairy, and data.When people are asked to name the most innovative industries in North America, Canada’s beef and dairy sectors probably aren’t the first ones to come to mind. But it turns out the agrifood business in our country has been undergoing a rapid and dramatic evolution for a number of years now -- and it’s going to need to keep on innovating if it’s going to meet one of the most pressing challenges of our time; climate change. Because while the beef and dairy industries contribute more than $40 billion to the economy, they’re also a key source...
2022-11-0833 min
DisruptorsThe Growing Challenge: How Canada Can Lead the Next Green Revolution in AgricultureExtreme weather and geopolitical turmoil have placed the world’s food systems under tremendous stress.At the same time, climate change is slowing agricultural productivity among major producing nations, there’s a growing need for more food: globally, over 800 million people are food insecure — meaning that they don’t have access to enough safe and nutritious food to meet their daily needs. In Canada, one-in-six people are food insecure. As a top agricultural exporter, Canada has both a responsibility and an opportunity to help. But agriculture is also one of the biggest contributors to our carbon footprint: by one e...
2022-11-0134 min
DisruptorsThe Growing Challenge (Trailer)It may not be top of mind for most Canadians -- or the top issue in most public opinion polls -- but it’s one of the greatest challenges our world has ever faced; climate change. And did you know that 10% of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions can be traced back to the very food we eat?This fall on Disruptors, an RBC podcast, hosts John Stackhouse and Theresa Do will tackle a critical question for the 2020’s -- how can Canada feed its growing population, and potentially the world, while simultaneously reducing our carbon footprint in order...
2022-10-1801 min
DisruptorsDisruptors LIVE: In Conversation with ApplyBoard’s Martin BasiriDespite the economic storm clouds on the horizon, there is little doubt that Canada’s labour market is in desperate need of talent — and will be for many years to come.In this special LIVE episode of Disruptors, an RBC podcast, host John Stackhouse speaks with tech entrepreneur Martin Basiri about immigrant and employment — specifically, how Canada can build a pathway to citizenship for immigrants, and how companies can do a better job of attracting and retaining this global talent. Basiri is the co-founder and CEO of Kitchener, Ontario’s ApplyBoard. ApplyBoard has an AI-enabled software p...
2022-10-1126 min
DisruptorsDisruptors LIVE at ELEVATE Festival: In Conversation with John RuffoloInspiration is something that fuels every entrepreneur’s journey — and few stories are as inspiring as John Ruffolo’s.In this special LIVE episode of Disruptors, an RBC podcast, host John Stackhouse speaks with Canadian tech investing legend John Ruffolo at the ELEVATE Festival in downtown Toronto — the largest gathering of creative thought leaders in Canada. Ruffolo is the founder and managing partner of Maverix Private Equity and previously founded OMERS Ventures, where he made several winning bets on Canadian tech powerhouses, including Hootsuite, Wattpad and Shopify. The two talk about Ruffolo’s amazing investing journey, as...
2022-09-2724 min
DisruptorsNew School Rules: How International Students Could Ease Our Labour CrunchDespite economic turmoil in 2022, Canada continues to experience a very tight labour market. And in many professions — from healthcare to engineering — jobs continue to go unfilled. The answer to this challenge, according to many: Strengthen the pathways from classrooms to citizenship, and leverage the growing presence of international students — now totalling some 600,000 — to meet Canada’s pressing labour needs.In this episode of Disruptors, an RBC podcast, hosts John Stackhouse and Trinh Theresa Do speak with two women leading the charge to foster and retain top international talent. In the first half of the show, they speak to Larissa...
2022-09-1328 min
DisruptorsDisruptors Revisited: Indigenous Leadership and Canada’s Energy FutureFrom the invasion of Russia to soaring inflation, the rising cost of energy has forced many countries to delay or scale back their climate ambitions. Suddenly, many are also looking to Canada — and its abundance of energy — for desperately needed supply.But in the wake of yet another summer of record heat and forest fires, the need to balance climate and energy security has never been more apparent. That sort of balance — a more holistic approach to energy development — is something that Canada’s Indigenous leaders have been stressing for decades. In this special “Best Of” episode o...
2022-07-2630 min
DisruptorsDisruptors Revisited: The Travel Sector’s Long-Anticipated ComebackAre you planning to take a trip this summer? After two long years of COVID-related complications, Canadians are finally traveling freely again. The cruise sector is back in business, outdoor festivals and other big public events have returned, and of course, air travel is booming, leading to long lines at Canadian airports, thanks to all the pent-up demand from people forced to spend most of the pandemic on the ground. Thankfully, there are technological solutions to some of the headaches associated with booking a trip.On this encore episode of Disruptors, an RBC podcast, hosts John Stackhouse...
2022-07-0526 min
DisruptorsThe 10-Minute Take: The Pressure Is On for Canadian Farm Crops and CommoditiesIn this edition of Disruptors: The 10-Minute Take, co-hosts John Stackhouse and Trinh Theresa Do explore how uncertain weather conditions and economic challenges are affecting the 2022 growing season, and what solutions are available to support Canadian farmers. How can agriculture technology, or agtech help increase yields? They’re joined by Wade Barnes, founder and former CEO of Farmers Edge (and a farmer himself), to offer some insights.EPISODE NOTES:Read the latest Provincial Report from RBC Economics, Western provincial economies shining more brightly in 2022, at RBC Economics.Disruptors wants to hear from you! Ple...
2022-06-1410 min
DisruptorsThe 10-Minute Take: Can Canada’s Travel Industry Keep Up With the Post-Pandemic Boom?In this edition of Disruptors: The 10-Minute Take, co-hosts John Stackhouse and Trinh Theresa Do explore the travel industry’s powerful post-crisis rebound. Can the industry keep up with pent-up demand given current labour shortages and record inflation? They’re joined by Claire Fan, Economist at RBC Economics, who breaks down what Canadians’ spending habits reveal.EPISODE NOTES:Read Claire’s new, RBC Proof Point, Canadians are scratching the travel itch again, but can the industry meet demand?, at RBC Thought Leadership.Disruptors wants to hear from you! Please fill out our quick 5-minute l...
2022-06-0710 min
DisruptorsReinventing Innovation: How Canada Can Prosper in Turbulent TimesInnovation is key to lasting prosperity and meaningful improvements to our quality of life. But what does innovation really mean? Is it enough to just “invent things”—or should we be aiming higher, and seeking out ways to improve all corners of the economy? And how do we actually achieve innovation—in a world where people are working remotely, and global forces are challenging the notion of specialization and collaboration? In this episode of Disruptors, an RBC podcast, co-hosts John Stackhouse and Trinh Theresa Do tackle innovation—and explore how Canada can play a leading role in the innovat...
2022-05-3132 min
DisruptorsRock On: Blockchain’s Promise to Empower MusiciansThe past 30 years have been among the most disruptive in music. Starting with peer-to-peer file sharing services such as Napster and Limewire, musicians saw a sudden drop in the money received from each recording—as more and more listeners found ways to get music for free. Eventually, Big Tech would get involved and launch subscription streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music. But still, artists receive just a fraction of a penny for every song streamed.In this episode of Disruptors, an RBC podcast, co-hosts John Stackhouse and Trinh Theresa Do explore the latest technological disruption to...
2022-05-1728 min
DisruptorsThe 10-Minute Take: Is Canada Poised for a Cashless Future?In this edition of Disruptors: The 10-Minute Take, host John Stackhouse and co-host Trinh Theresa Do examine why demand for cash in Canada is at its highest level in 60 years. They’re joined by Josh Nye, Senior Economist at RBC Economics, who shares insights on what this means for Canada’s future with digital currencies.EPISODE NOTES:To read Josh’s new report, “Proof Point: Canadians can't kick cash,” visit RBC Thought Leadership.Disruptors wants to hear from you! Please fill out our quick 5-minute listener survey and you’ll be entered into a draw to wi...
2022-05-1011 min
DisruptorsThe Climate Conversations: How Indigenous Leadership Can Drive Canada’s Energy TransitionThe race to reduce our carbon emissions is on—and many Canadian clean-tech companies and energy producers are working hard to get us there. While seemingly at odds with each other, energy security and climate security are now both possible.But we can't talk about the importance of achieving our climate and energy goals without first acknowledging the failings of our collective past when it comes to Canada's First Nations. And we can’t plan our clean-energy transition without including Canada’s Indigenous people—and embracing their leadership and ownership of energy projects.In this episode...
2022-05-0333 min
DisruptorsThe Climate Conversations: Can Clean Tech Rise to the Challenge?As Canada and the world search for solutions on how to bring down global emissions, many are looking with hope to the technology sector. And in the world of technology, the Greater Vancouver Area—home to 25 percent of Canada’s clean-tech companies—represents a beacon of hope. In this second episode of a special three-part “Climate Conversations” series on Disruptors, an RBC podcast, host John Stackhouse travels through the heart of B.C.’s Clean Tech Valley and meets several innovators working to decarbonize Canada’s economy.The first stop on the road trip takes John to carbon...
2022-04-2636 min
DisruptorsThe Climate Conversations: How to Achieve Energy Security in a Low-Carbon WorldCanada and the world have experienced a dramatic series of events in recent years. Unprecedented heatwaves. Once-in-a-generation floods and forest fires. And in 2022, geopolitical upheaval in Europe that’s driving energy prices to record heights. It’s a confluence of crises: At the same time as the world is grappling with how to bring down global emissions, we’re struggling with a shortage of affordable energy—and fighting over the path to a Net Zero future. In this episode of Disruptors, an RBC podcast, host John Stackhouse launches a special three-part series, looking at Canada’s various paths to en...
2022-04-1932 min
DisruptorsThe 10-Minute Take: Food Inflation & AgtechIn this edition of Disruptors: The 10-Minute Take, host John Stackhouse and co-host Trinh Theresa Do discuss the rising cost of food, and how agtech innovation could hold the key to sustainable, and cost-effective food chains. They’re joined by guest Dave Dinesen, CEO of BC-based CubicFarm Systems, and learn why the company’s vertical farming technologies offer a promising solution.EPISODE NOTES:For more information on CubicFarms’ indoor farming technologies, please visit their website.Disruptors wants to hear from you! Please fill out our quick 5-minute listener survey and you’ll be entered...
2022-04-1210 min
DisruptorsThe 10-Minute Take: The Great Nickel Rush of 2022In this edition of Disruptors: The 10-Minute Take, host John Stackhouse and co-host Trinh Theresa Do explore the crisis happening in today’s global nickel market with guest Sam Crittenden, mining analyst at RBC Capital Markets. What impact will shortages have on tech innovators such as EV manufacturers who rely on this base metal?Disruptors wants to hear from you! Please fill out our quick 5-minute listener survey and you’ll be entered into a draw to win a pair of Apple AirPods Pros. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for...
2022-03-2909 min
DisruptorsIntroducing: The Climate Conversations (Trailer)After an unprecedented, deadly summer of wildfire, drought, flooding, and other extreme weather events, Disruptors host John Stackhouse and co-host Trinh Theresa Do cast a critical eye on Canada’s journey toward net-zero emissions, backed by research from RBC’s world-class thought leadership team.
Listeners will hear from an array of experts, including Mark Carney, the U.N.’s special envoy on climate action and finance; Katherine Hayhoe, a world-renowned climate scientist; Mark Little, CEO of Suncor Energy; Michael McCain, president and CEO of Maple Leaf Foods; and many more.
“The Climate Conversations,” a special miniseries on Canada’s path to Net Zero...
2021-10-1201 min
DisruptorsDisruptors Revisited: Youth Mental Health in the Age of CovidTo learn more about the organizations mentioned in this episode, and the important work they’re doing, you can visit their websites: The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Homewood Research Institute, Frayme: Youth Mental Health Resources. You can also check out these three articles from RBC’s nine-part Resilience 101 series that profile youth mental health leaders and organizations from across the country: How Going Virtual Helps You Access Services and Support, Creating New Life Lines for Youth in Rural Communities, and Taking a Small Town Approach to Youth Mental Health in B...
2021-08-3133 min
DisruptorsDiversity In/Action: Improving Inclusivity in the Tech SectorIt’s something that has the power to enable both empathy and exclusion; to provide us with new perspectives while simultaneously silencing other voices that deserve to be heard: technology.And while the tech platforms we interact with every day demonstrated their value in the lead-up to and during last year’s BLM protests, the companies and culture that created them have long-standing issues with diversity and inclusion. In this Black History Month episode of Disruptors, an RBC podcast, John Stackhouse is pleased to welcome as co-host Michael Carter, the Global Head of Technology Investment Banki...
2021-02-1636 min
DisruptorsThe Business of Benevolence: How Technology is Changing Charitable Giving in CanadaIt’s something that’s always been a part of the Canadian identity, but has taken on a new urgency over the past twelve months: our tendency to support charities, non-profits, and community organizations. In 2018, Canada’s charitable sector was the second largest on the planet, and we also had one of the highest rates of volunteerism in the world, trailing only the United States, New Zealand, and Norway. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic.On this episode of Disruptors, an RBC Podcast, host John Stackhouse is joined by Kelly Schmitt, the incoming CEO of Benevity, in her first ma...
2021-01-2635 min
Disruptors2021, Year of the Gamer: How Video Game Culture is Conquering Canada and the WorldDid anyone in your household wake up to find a new video game, virtual reality headset, or console under the tree over the holidays? Do your kids spend hours on end online, watching their favourite gamers on Twitch, Tik-Tok, or YouTube? Is your business struggling to connect with young people, those elusive members of Gen-Z who don’t watch TV, listen to radio, or read newspapers? If your answer to any of those questions is ‘yes’, this podcast is definitely for you.On this episode of Disruptors, an RBC podcast, it’s ‘game on’, as host John Stackhouse di...
2021-01-1237 min
DisruptorsPandemics, Pivots, and Predictions: Looking Back on 2020 and Ahead to 2021Extraordinary. Unprecedented. Devastating. There’s no shortage of words that have been used to describe everything Canadians have endured over the past 12 months. COVID-19 has fundamentally disrupted our daily lives to such a degree that -- even though a vaccine is now being rolled out -- the ripple effects will be felt for years to come. But what will this “new normal” look like for businesses? Which changes will stick around, and which ones will disappear along with the pandemic? And how will the needs of consumers continue to evolve as we turn another page on our calendars?On t...
2020-12-1537 min
DisruptorsImpersonal Information: Data and Privacy Protection in 2020 and BeyondWhat do digital privacy and COVID-19 have in common with climate change, Kompromat, counter-espionage hackers, and the new Netflix movie “The Social Dilemma”? They’re just a few of the many topics that come up in a timely and compelling conversation with Canada’s so-called “Hacker King”, on the latest episode of Disruptors, an RBC podcast.On the heels of new federal privacy legislation, host John Stackhouse sits down with Ron Deibert, founder of the Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, and author of Reset: Reclaiming the Internet for Ci...
2020-12-0835 min
DisruptorsThe Intangibles Economy: How to Make Canada an IP PowerhouseIt’s a term that’s been front and centre this fall, as the federal government considers ways to shepherd Canada out of the economic downturn caused by COVID: intellectual property. But what exactly is IP -- and how could it be central to the recovery?On this episode of Disruptors, an RBC podcast, host John Stackhouse sits down for a no-holds-barred conversation with one of Canada’s most outspoken tech and innovation advocates: Jim Balsillie, a businessman, philanthropist, former co-CEO of Research in Motion, and Chair of Council of Canadian Innovators. Balsillie believes there’s simply too much...
2020-11-2432 min
DisruptorsFrom Connected Cows to Smart Cities: Enabling the 5G EconomyThere’s been no shortage of hype. Now, after years of headlines heralding it as a transformative technology, an evolution in wireless service, even a “game changer for humanity,” 5G is finally being rolled out across Canada by the big three telecom providers. But are we ready to make the most of it? And what does 5G’s arrival really mean for consumers and businesses? The possibilities are legitimately exciting.On this episode of Disruptors, an RBC podcast, host John Stackhouse examines the true potential of this next-generation of wireless networks, as well as the apps and devices...
2020-11-1033 min
Bright FutureEp. 17: John Stackhouse on the potential of Canadian expatsAs a journalist in the ‘90s, John Stackhouse spent many years living overseas meeting and interviewing interesting people. Many of them were his fellow Canadians. He discovered that expats are keen to help their home country. When he returned, however, he found people were concerned over the number of people leaving the country—the perceived “brain drain.” John says that’s the wrong way to think about it. Canada’s diaspora is not a brain drain, it’s brain circulation. As people wear their maple leaves around the world, they’re building networks of insight and goodwill for Canada. But C...
2020-10-2040 min
DisruptorsCan an Algorithm Be Racist? The Growing Push for Ethical AIFrom facial recognition software that fails to recognize women and people of colour, to Twitter algorithms which seem to prefer white faces in photo previews, there’s been no shortage of negative headlines about artificial intelligence over the past few months. But whether we like it or not, AI is at work all around us, all the time, and there’s a growing movement to make sure it’s being used in an ethical way.A new survey from RBC’s world-class artificial intelligence research center, Borealis AI, reveals that most businesses in Canada believe it’s important...
2020-10-2028 min
DisruptorsApps, Anxiety, and Adolescence: Youth Mental Health in the Age of CovidIt was already a challenge, even before the pandemic: helping young people and their families navigate Canada’s complex, fragmented mental health system. But experts say COVID could also serve as a catalyst for much-needed change, an opportunity to make meaningful improvements. Just like the rest of us, young people are spending more time than ever in front of screens; up to 7.5 hours per day, in the case of high school students. But those same apps and social media sites that are taking up more of our days could also be a force for good, as long as we us...
2020-10-1335 min
DisruptorsThe SheEO Model: How Female Entrepreneurs Can Lead the RecoveryCanadian women entrepreneurs are a dynamic and powerful economic force. After all, women own and operate almost one-third of all firms in Canada, and they start businesses one-and-a-half times more often than men, driving more than 117-billion dollars of economic activity per year. In other words -- if we want full economic recovery, we need to make sure female entrepreneurs are being given the tools they need. In this episode of Disruptors, powered by RBC, John Stackhouse speaks with Vicki Saunders -- founder of SheEO, an organization of "women supporting women-led Ventures working on the world’s to-do list,” abou...
2020-10-0635 min
Disruptors8 Ways COVID is Still Disrupting the EconomyThe past eight months have been an unprecedented time of disruption in Canada. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everything from how we work, learn, and shop to how we travel, entertain ourselves, and obviously, take care of ourselves when we get sick. Businesses have been forced to adapt almost overnight or close. Entire industries have been forced to pivot, and supply chains around the world have been strained or severed completely.It’s against that backdrop that the RBC Thought Leadership Team released a document back in May called “8 Ways COVID Will Disrupt the Economy and Transform Ever...
2020-09-2936 min
DisruptorsHow the NEXT Generation of Entrepreneurs Could Kickstart a Wave of ChangeWhen others see obstacles, entrepreneurs see opportunities. Nowhere is that more true than the up-and-coming generation of business minds, many fostered through NEXT Canada. The organization gives entrepreneurs a boost through education, mentorship, funding, and access to a strong entrepreneurial network.In this episode of RBC Disruptors, host John Stackhouse speaks with three members of NEXT’s Class of 2020, who have bold goals for reshaping economic and social systems and the environment - which could have wide-ranging impacts for Canada and the world as a whole. They speak confidently, clearly, and urgently about the imperative for better so...
2020-09-2235 min
DisruptorsCancon and Beyond - How Wattpad Is Becoming a Global Content Destination and DistributorCOVID lockdown restrictions have boosted the desire to consume creative content higher than ever. What’s new about this era is where the content is coming from -- a diversity of voices from around the globe, not originally directly linked to traditional publishing firms, production companies, or movie studios. We explore this phenomenon in this episode of RBC Disruptors by looking into the origin story of Wattpad. As co-founder and CEO Allen Lau tells host John Stackhouse, the company was inspired by the desire for a good app for reading on mobile phones. Now, it’s turne...
2020-09-1530 min
DisruptorsGenomics and the Bio-Revolution: A roadmap for Canada's economic recovery.It's a branch of molecular biology that humans have been harnessing for centuries, but has come to carry a negative connotation for many Canadians due to concerns about genetically modified organisms: Genomics.A recent report from the McKinsey Global Institute suggests that as much as 60% of the physical inputs to the global economy could be produced biologically, with potential savings of up to 4 TRILLION dollars per year. And as Canada works to recover from the COVID crisis, bio-manufacturing is also being billed as a massive opportunity to address issues like the supply chain vulnerabilities revealed by pandemic...
2020-09-0836 min
DisruptorsDisruptors Revisited: The Next Generation of EntrepreneurshipFollowing last week’s International Youth Day, Canadian youth might feel like they have few things to celebrate. As one of the hardest-hit groups in the COVID-induced economic decline, they’re faced with a staggering 30% unemployment rate and potential long-term career setbacks. Youth need support more than ever, and the economy needs them. To rebuild, we need to tap into the energy and creativity of young people to reimagine what’s possible. In this episode, we revisit an RBC Disruptors conversation from September, 2019 with Julia Kirouac and Braden Ream, two 20-something founders who decided to start their own ventures. They share...
2020-08-1841 min
DisruptorsBeyond Silicon Valley: Why We Need a Global Playbook For InnovationNearly 10 years ago, venture capitalist Marc Andreessen famously claimed that “software is eating the world.” But today, a new crop of “frontier innovators” are straying away from disrupting existing industries with software in favour of building new industries, improving current innovation models, and addressing market gaps that Silicon Valley ignored. In his new book, Out-Innovate: How Global Entrepreneurs--from Delhi to Detroit--Are Rewriting the Rules of Silicon Valley, Alex Lazarow interviews more than 200 entrepreneurs from around the world about their challenges, success stories, and what he calls the "frontier," the growing constellation of startup ecosystems, outside of the Valley. On this epi...
2020-08-0427 min
DisruptorsDisruptors Revisited: Data is Bigger than OilTo succeed in the post-COVID economy, businesses will need more than just a pivot to digital – they’ll need to lean into and harness data to gain an advantage. As the COVID crisis disrupts traditional business models, it’s more important than ever for companies to understand how to leverage data on user behaviour, sales trends, and other variables to re-position themselves for the future. In this episode, we revisit an earlier RBC Disruptors conversation from February, 2020 with Sam Sebastian, CEO of Pelmorex Corp, which owns The Weather Network, on how firms can capitalize on data to gain an edge and gr...
2020-07-2836 min
DisruptorsDisruptors Revisited: Rewiring the Brain (June 2019)The COVID pandemic has brought everyday life online and made us more reliant on technology than ever. Many of us are working from home and glued to our screens all day, and then Zooming with friends or streaming movies in the evenings. Not to mention our shift to online shopping and ordering food. What effect is all this technology having on us? In this episode, we revisit an earlier but still incredibly relevant RBC Disruptors conversation from June 2019 with Dr. Murali Doraiswamy, a physician and brain scientist at Duke University, on how technology is changing the brain and mind.
2020-07-1436 min
DisruptorsBeyond the Cart: How Grocery Commerce is TransformingIn the midst of a global crisis, getting food from farm to fork has never been more important, and in some ways, more challenging. Nothing has been more essential than keeping Canadians fed and supplied. At the forefront of this is Loblaw, a fourth-generation Canadian company and the largest non-government employer in the country. Through their COVID pivots they are leading the charge on enhancing customer convenience and keeping Canadians safe and stocked up. Instacart is the North American leader in online grocery – they have the largest grocery delivery network in America with more than 500,000 active full-service shoppers. On th...
2020-07-0729 min
DisruptorsGlobal Canadians: The Tech Sector's Secret WeaponOver the last 153 years, millions of Canadians have spread to every corner of the world. We have been part of major global movements from the birth of Hollywood to the strategy behind modern day peacekeeping. We know that Canadians are going to play a key role in rebuilding the global economy as we look beyond the pandemic. Laura Buhler, Executive Director of the C100, an association of Canadian expats in the Valley that has helped build Canada's tech ecosystem, and Andre Charoo, General Partner of Maple VC and co-chair of the C100, join John Stackhouse on RBC Disruptors to...
2020-06-3027 min
DisruptorsThe New Mall: Digital, Data and DeliveryRetail is a massive originator of data, generating 40 terabytes per hour globally. As the industry continues to undergo unprecedented disruption, to survive and continue to thrive in today’s environment, winning retailers are using that data to understand their customers, empower their employees, create intelligent supply chains, and reinvent their business models. Jose Ribau, Executive Vice President, Digital & Innovation at Cadillac Fairview, and four guests join John Stackhouse on RBC Disruptors to explore the future of retail and how malls can compete in a post-pandemic environment.Key Takeaways:The mall of the future will be built on...
2020-06-2328 min
DisruptorsA Digital Cure for HealthcareOn this episode of RBC Disruptors, John Stackhouse is joined by Valerie Pisano, CEO of MILA in Montreal, and Abhinav Sharma of McGill University to discuss Canadian innovations in AI and machine learning for healthcare delivery, progress in the development of digital contact tracing applications, and the importance of healthcare professionals working hand in hand with technology.Key Takeaways:What will the patient experience look like in 2030?Technology is going to increasingly shape healthcare. But without the human adoption of technology, we'll never see its potentialHow do we navigate data and privacy concerns, while understanding the...
2020-06-1632 min
DisruptorsHow the COVID-19 Crisis will Transform Higher EducationIn March of 2020, Canada’s post-secondary institutions moved over 2 million students to online learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the urgency of crisis measures fade to operating in the “new normal”, we are likely to see students demand more from digital-based learning to give them greater flexibility in where, when and how they learn. This collective moment of mass disruption can be seized to move higher education to the digital age. In this episode of RBC Disruptors, John Stackhouse is joined by John Baker, President and CEO of D2L, Charlotte Yates, Provost and Vice Presiden...
2020-06-0131 min
DisruptorsHow to Build a Strong Tech Workforce in a Post-COVID EconomyCanada has always had a place for talent from all over the world, but post-crisis, will our approach to acquiring global talent need to change? How do we ensure Canadian businesses and workforces are set up for success as the landscape of work has evolved? Innovation and design-centric thinking are key, and for companies of any size, so is building proactive, adaptive and agile teams. On this episode of RBC Disruptors, John Stackhouse is joined by Sheetal Jaitly, Founder and CEO of TribalScale and Eman Faiz, senior product designer at TribalScale to discuss:How do we approach talent...
2020-05-2625 min
DisruptorsHow Is “Photography 3.0” Helping Us Experience the World in a Post COVID Society?Art has always acted as a mirror to society. Our art changes as things like technology, globalization, and now, a global pandemic drastically alter the way we live our lives. Canada is a hub for creative digital technologies and the arts. In this episode of RBC Disruptors, John Stackhouse is joined by iconic Canadian photographer Ed Burtynsky and his business partner and gaming expert, Vikas Gupta. Together at AVARA Media, they are pushing the boundaries of photography using augmented reality, virtual reality and photogrammetry to create immersive, three-dimensional visual experiences. With people across the globe adjusting to a widely...
2020-05-1930 min
DisruptorsCan Alberta Tech Transform Global Energy?Alberta’s economy will shrink by billions of dollars in 2020 and the unemployment rate is set to exceed 20%. Starting the year with a price war launched by foreign countries, combined with a global pandemic, demand has been decimated and Alberta’s economy is in crisis.In this episode of RBC Disruptors, John Stackhouse is joined by Alice Reimer, Co-Founder of the51 and Site Lead for Creative Destruction Lab and Marty Reed, CEO of Evok Innovations, to discuss the challenges facing Alberta’s energy sector and the steps Alberta needs to take to ensure our energy sector is a crit...
2020-05-0520 min
DisruptorsRBC Disruptors: Season Two TrailerRBC Disruptors is an ongoing podcast series hosted by SVP John Stackhouse about reimagining Canada’s economy in a time of unprecedented change. It features thought-provoking conversations with Canadian business and innovation leaders about planting the seeds of a new economy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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2020-04-2002 min
DisruptorsIs Data Bigger than Oil?The data economy in Canada is worth more than $200 billion. Over the past two years, more data has been created than ever before. And, while Canadian companies invest $40 billion a year in data, many believe that Canada is falling behind its peers when it comes to collecting and leveraging data. So what’s holding us back?
On RBC Disruptors, meet former Google exec Sam Sebastian, CEO of Pelmorex, the Canadian data giant behind The Weather Network that connects with 60M users globally each month. Sebastian and John Stackhouse discuss:
- How Pelmorex is using AI and ma...
2020-02-2836 min
DisruptorsWhy Are There so Few Black Entrepreneurs in the Digital Economy?Today on RBC Disruptors, John Stackhouse sits down with two Torontonians who are working to ensure black entrepreneurs have access to more opportunities in the city’s thriving tech sector. They discuss the challenges unique to Canadian black entrepreneurs, the barriers they face getting their ideas off the ground, and why companies that invest in diversity and inclusion tend to be more successful.
Isaac Olowolafe Jr., who heads a Toronto-based asset management firm, is the founder of Dream Maker Ventures – a venture capital fund that invests in diverse founders from marginalized communities. He’s joined by Abdullah Snobar...
2020-02-2135 min
DisruptorsHow a Canadian Company Used AI to Detect the CoronavirusOn New Year’s Eve, BlueDot—a Toronto technology company aiming to fight epidemics using AI—saw something concerning. By the next day, BlueDot had alerted its clients of the possible outbreak of a novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China—days before the World Health Organization.
On RBC Disruptors, meet Dr. Kamran Khan, a Canadian physician and entrepreneur using AI and Big Data to create an early-warning system for infectious diseases. Khan and John Stackhouse discuss:
How BlueDot’s early warning system detected the 2020 coronavirus ahead of everyone else
Why Canada is a challenging environment for healthcare innovation...
2020-02-1439 min