What's ACTUALLY going on? You'd be amazed by how you think differently, feel differently and act differently when you peel away the layers and ask that one question. What's ACTUALLY going on? Your awareness is most of the battle when it comes to work and life. Understanding what's beneath the superficial surface helps you navigate emotion, expectat…

Motivation is a scam (how's that for a clickbait headline?). If you've ever seen something that makes you feel like you can take on the world, only to watch it fizzle out an hour later...this is the show for you. Things are tough out there right now, and it can be nearly impossible to keep your head up and move forward with confidence. Here's my Pl…

Pitching is about people. Yes, yes, you've got a great product...and service...and value proposition. But f you try to bring it to the people by telling everyone how great you are...you're not pitching. You're gambling. Don't gamble. Looking to land a job, a client, a second date? Remember these four things... Segment 01 – Remember that it's not a …

You got the job. Congratulations? Now what? Do you get out there and start making waves in your new gig, or sit back and take it in? What you need...is a plan, and this week's episode gives you the exact plan you need to succeed in any new engagement... Segment 01 – Get off of autopilot. Win with four specific, and helpful skills. Segment 02 – Your…

Job interviews are harder than they should be. And a big reason for that is that we don't step back and think about what it takes to succeed with a job interview. Instead...we hyper focus on individual questions, and try to think about what they mean. There is a better way, one that starts with not getting into the cattle call challenge for a job i…

Resumes suck. Not ALL of them, but way, way too many of them. As someone who has worked as a professional CV writer in the past, I have a hunch as to why: We don't actually THINK about our resume. We just sort of follow a template of telling people about us. But here's the thing – many people don't care about us. They care about what we can do for …

“Exactly what to do.” I’ve noticed a problem with too much of LinkedIn’s content. It tends to sit in the broader “strategic” layer of thinking. We give advice like “Go out there and network” and “Take care of your mental health.” But the devil’s in the details. What do you actually do to network (stand where people hang out) and take care of your m…

Everything you need to know about presentations in 46 minutes. When The Playbook first began, the goal was to get past the “strategic layer” of thinking, and down to the very specific things you can do to succeed. That’s what this BRAND NEW SEASON is all about. I’m calling it “Exactly What To Do.” Every week, I’m tackling one real world topic – How…

There’s this great idea that just about anything can be transformed from a challenge into a gift and opportunity. For Joleigh Sherwood, it’s not just an idea…it’s a way to attack and create every day. It’s how she overcame tragedy. It’s how she started her own national Nanny-matching business, and it’s her ceaseless piece of advice for just about e…

Leanne Velky’s LinkedIn profile reads “I build reg sites.” But it should probably read, “I give great advice to anyone in transition.” A couple of years back, Leanne decided to make some changes in her life, including taking the leap into a brand new business (for those of you in events, her colleagues call her “The Reg Queen.”). If you’re starting…

My pal Jen Febel just published a new book — it’s called: “How to set boundaries (without feeling like a dick).” Awesome topic, great twist. Jen joins The Playbook recently for one of the best conversations ever. Here’s what you’ll learn to apply to your own career: Segment 01 — My Coach “Coaching” is “how.” “Therapy” is “why.” Jen describes what a…

Possibly the most touching, most harrowing, most inspiring episode we have ever done. I hit the floor at a massive conference in October, and go the chance to talk with two incredible leaders in the event space. Both Debbie Garcia and Nelia Nunes brought a showstopper insight for your career and your life. Here’s what we learned: Segment 01 — Debbi…

Imagine you get the chance to install software on Prince’s laptop — Prince, as in the greatest musician of all time Prince. In a situation like that you have to wonder, “how on earth did I get HERE?” Marc Stevenson has the answer to that question — and more than a few stories about the world’s best musicians. This week, he shares his four Gamechang…

It's finally happening! If you know the name Cynthia Richards, you know this is going to an Oprah-level episode (seriously, she gives me so many glow ups, it's nutty). Cynthia is a powerhouse of inspiration, who co-founded the events agency Event Spectrum (Hi Zora!). Here, she shows how some of the indelible ideas of connection are STILL essential …

Julie Gropp is my energy doppelgänger, so you know that's going to be trouble. Be sure to turn your radio down a tick or two to capture all the super insight of someone who knows who to practically de-escalate and break into the brains of those she works with. If you like real world mental health, this is your episode. Segment 01 - Mental Clutter O…

Every time I talk to Brandy Ryan, our 15 minute scheduled call turns into 90...and we have to force ourselves to stop talking to one another. She's just that engaging, interesting and empathetic. Brandy Ryan is a Creative Director who really really really takes the care and time to understand audiences. On this show, she shares great ideas on how s…

Straight up - this is a powerful and emotional episode. I met Beth at an event in San Diego earlier this year. She was a standout panelist, and I asked her if she'd like to hang out on the show. What she shares in this episode is intensely personal. From a must-read book (even if you don't work in events) to a wonderful relationship with her dad, y…

Wendy Porter sees opportunity just about everywhere. And she seems to have a knack for converting those opportunities into special things – events, businesses and one-of-a-kind of experiences. Get a front row seat on HOW she does that in this week's Gamechanger edition of The Playbook: Segment 01 – First Event "You can put on an event, right?" A ha…

"Oh, there's a lot of opportunities, if you know when to take them, you know?" What do the Pet Shop Boys and really pretty journals have in common? The answer is event planner and creative explorer Micki Lubek. Micki is one of the most interesting writers I’ve personally come across over the past couple of years. And now…I find out what makes her s…

You know that one person in your industry who decided to push the limits, and became a superstar around the world? In my industry, that's Christian Chenier. He went from doing great work in Toronto, to doing great work with The Blue Man Group, NBC/Universal and the recent Luna Luna installation in L.A. (not to mention stops with Broadway shows and …

Health advice...that feels different. I've interviewed Dr. Heather Denniston three times over the past few months, and each time I have...I've learned something completely unexpected. Want to build a better life for yourself? This is an eye opening episode, where Heather shares the four things that changed her game. Segment 01 - Forced independence…

It was 29 years ago this week that I first heard the name David Brandy. It was in a voicemail. He was offering me an interview, which turned out to be my first full time writing gig. David is a writer, Creative Director and "lens based artist," and he's got some intriguing ways he's built that life portfolio. Segment 01 – Learning how to be an adul…

What happens when you get two professional speakers together? This is what happens – 46 intriguing moments on how Michael Barris build a brilliant career as a jazz guitarist, journalist, teacher and coach. Listen up...and steal steal steal some big ideas. Segment 01 – Broken strings A live concert that is not going well, until Michael breaks a stri…

Funny story. I was leaving a keynote session last week and bumped into this guy before I headed to my car. "This guy" turned out to be Canada's Got Talent magician, mentalist and hypnotist Savio Joseph. And does he ever have some interesting Gamechangers. Segmen 01 - YouTube Yep. THAT YouTube. How Savio uses it to learn, and how he's becoming an in…

What does a comms pro, ESPN poker writer and Magic the Gathering HoFer (seriously) do for inspiration? Find out in this edition of The Playbook Game Changers, as we bring Gary Wise into the studio. This season is all about the things that change our professional games – and how we use those skills, insights and media to inspire great careers and gr…

The Playbook is just passing YEAR THREE of shows – and we’re celebrating with a Brand. New. Season. Season 08 is called “Gamechanger” – where we talk to a whole bunch of smart people about the things that have changed their professional and personal lives. Books. Podcasts. Advice. TikTok Videos. You name it. To kick the season off, you get me talki…

You may have heard the term "neurodiversity" in your recent travels, and wondered "what does that mean?" It's all part of a path to understand how to get the most out of people. Event specialist Hannah Whitaker is on the show this week to talk about how that happens... Segment 01 - The Problem I’m joining a committee at work to deal with things lik…

You want to change someone's mind about something. You know the skills of persuasion. How do you do it in a way that doesn't leave everyone feel icky and weird? This week on the 100th episode of the show, we have Marsha Shandur to talk about that exact thing. It's called ethical persuasion, and here is how it works. Segment 01 - The Problem "Our co…

Chris Elkerton had a brain aneurysm in the middle of a meeting. 16 months later, he's back at work. It's an incredible journey from which anyone can learn. How Chris made the Comeback...this week on The Playbook. Segment 01 - The Challenge "I am returning to work after a heart incident...what do I need to know?" On a regular day, in a regular meeti…

Ooo - this is a gooooood episode. The super tense film Sway is about to have its Toronto premiere this weekend. We've got producers, actors, directors and writers galore - because the story BEHIND the making of the film is also super fascinating. Segment 01 - The Problem You have a big idea. You have great passion. You have extraordinary skills. No…

Podcasts. Masterclasses. Learning Management Systems. Infographics. Linkedin. Community College Classes. Holy crumb...there is a LOT of choice when it comes to what we want to learn and where we should be learning it. Where do we even start? Intel's Elaine Mah has answers. In this episode, we ideate how to learn, what to learn and where to look. Se…

Segment 01 – The Problem Here’s the problem… I just helped my company launch a brand new marketing campaign – advertising, social media, PR, the whole thing. The numbers are trending really well. But something feels off, and I can’t quite place it. Any thoughts? Segment 02 – Secrets How do engagement and attention actually work? Ben’s got a few sur…

Jason has a presentation to give at the super awesome GO WEST event in Edmonton. And he has 11 days to get it together. On this episode, we follow Jason as he considers his content and begins to build towards his rehearsal. He vacillates. He stumbles. He comes up with new ways to do things. It's messy -- the way a real brainstorm should be. Segment…

Sometimes – you can’t solve your problem in real time. Sometimes, you just need to know when to sit with something, or to accept and move on. This week, super author Annie Meehan helps you sort this out for your career and your life. Segment 01 - Introduction Here’s the problem… I just got news from a really big client that they’re not going to ren…

From neurodivergent through mental health, our workforce continues to fragment and diversify. 20 years ago, hiring someone who was disabled was an occasional though for most businesses. As we understand more, we learn to unlock the potential of all employees. This week, superstar Rebecca Summerfield stops by to show how you can build a business tha…

This edition of The Playbook is going to resound BIG TIME with so many of you. In our hyperconnected world, people are feeling more lonely than ever before. Luckily, my friend Joelle Parent-Proulx has been doing a LOT of thinking about loneliness and solitude. Want to feel more connected and be a-ok with your solitude? Listen up to this week’s epis…

If you struggle with your mental fitness and mental health (or work with someone who does), you want to listen to Leslie Bennett on this week’s show. Every time I have a conversation with Leslie, I walk away with so many new ideas, strategies and insights. This show is no different, and I don’t think the term “self care” comes up even ONE TIME. Pra…

Want to instantly confuse someone? Ask them the question, "how do I REALLY embrace the idea of sustainability?" We talk about building more sustainable lives. The question is – how do we LIVE those lives. This week on The Playbook, we Brainstorm that idea with Chance Thompson. Segment 01 – The Problem I know sustainability is important – apparently…

I’m not going to sugarcoat it – your presentation is probably bad. Selfish. Boring. And dear goodness, that PowerPoint. Luckily, you have two passionate (and mildly angry) people to help out. On this week’s Playbook, McGill’s Andy Churbill and I are fixing your presentation! Segment 01 – The Problem I’ve been tapped to give a presentation at an upc…

Warning – Some NSFW language is unbeeped in this episode. When Ellyn Winters was diagnosed with breaded cancer, she stood up in some wholly unexpected ways. She refused reconstructive surgery, she wrote a book, she created an AI version of herself and she away a lot of the mystery and shame associated with the disease. On today's episode – how you …

Here’s a secret you won’t believe – I’m an introvert. Yeah, yeah, I know. You see me all chatty, all the time. But the next time you’re at an event where I’m present, watch me. I tend to circle the room and duck out early so that I can reclaim all my energy. That’s why this week’s episode is so special for me. Speaker agency superstar Tami Adams co…

Have you been branded with the Scarlett Letter? On this week’s show, we connect with Devon Montgomery Pasha as she talks about labels in life and the workplace – and how you can shuck those labels to be your best self. It’s one of the most intriguing hours of radio that I’ve ever had the chance to curate. Segment 01 – The Problem “I was at a corpor…

Do you feel stuck in your career or life? This week, we’re giving you the tools and skills to unstick yourself! Segment 01 – Introduction I feel like I’m having a mid life crisis at work – and I’m only 35! I work for a large financial services company, and I Just. Feel. Stuck, I haven’t been promoted in more than three years, and I don’t know what …

I haaaaaaaate meetings – because too many of our meetings really shouldn’t be meetings at all. And the worst of them has to be the “WEEKLY STATUS UPDATE.” On this week’s Brainstorm edition of The Playbook, we welcome Anthea Rowe to talk about how to make those awful hours of your life into something better. Segment 01 – Introduction Here’s the prob…

So…you wanna be a thought leader… I get a lot of clients asking me about “how” they get to be a thought leader. On today’s Playbook, we bring in real world Association Thought Leader Tommy Goodwin to share his own super awesome playbook. Segment 01 – The Problem Here’s the problem… I’ve been meeting with a business coach over the last couple of mon…

Get ready to predict the future. Knowing “what’s next” and how to make smart decisions can come down to building a process and a track record. Which is why we’re bringing in a heavy hitter from the future on this week’s edition of The Playbook: Brainstorm. Dean West is some sort of genius sent from the future, ready to share how to ask better quest…

It’s a whole new season of the Playbook, where we get the smartest people in business to solve a real world problem in real time. We’re kicking things off big this time around with David Allison from The Valuegraphics Project as he and I bounce around like giddy kids to address this: Segment 01 – The Problem “I’m a sales and marketing manager at an…

Jenn and Jason consume a LOT of media. Here are their very favourite books, podcasts and experiences.By Jenn Glynn and Jason Thomson

Are you transforming ANY situation into a positive gift for yourself? Yeah, at first glance that sounded all superfluous and wishful thinking. But the "operating system" Positive Intelligence is something different, and we have coaches Vimari Roman and Rochelle Stone along for the ride to talk about how you can make every moment of every day into s…

Ooo this is a BIG episode, chock full of the intangibles. What are the skills that nobody talks about...11 skills you need for your career. Coachability Optimism Kindness Analysis Decision Making Attention to Detail Curiosity Work Ethic Integrity Follow Up Self ConfidenceBy Jenn Glynn and Jason Thomson