In this episode, Leah Sarich returns to the show to reflect on her five-year journey at Thin Air Labs and the evolution of Calgary’s innovation ecosystem. As Head of Story and host of The Founder Mindset podcast, Leah shares how her background in journalism has shaped her approach to storytelling, founder support, and ecosystem building. She explores the emotional realities of entrepreneurship, the critical importance of founder-first values, and why Calgary continues to stand out as a truly collaborative place to build. Whether you're building a startup, supporting founders, or simply curious about how the human side of innovation drives impact, Leah offers an honest and heartfelt perspective on what it really takes.

In this episode, Jeremy McCrea, Managing Director of Equity Research at BMO Capital Markets, returns to the show to share what it really takes to be a better energy investor in today’s volatile market. With over 20 years in the sector, Jeremy offers insight into why Canadian energy companies are quietly outperforming expectations—and why the market still isn’t paying attention. From the impact of looming tariffs to the rise of lesser-known plays like the Clearwater, Jeremy breaks down how innovation, balance sheet discipline, and overlooked data points are creating upside opportunities for those willing to look beyond the headlines.

In this episode, Arielle Land, Director of Operations at Movement51, clarifies female founders’ challenges and why they are statistically overlooked in the funding landscape. Despite constituting 51% of the population, female founders receive less than 5% of venture capital. Arielle shares her journey and passion for bridging the educational gaps in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, emphasizing the real-world impact of Movement51's programs. She discusses how the initiative empowers female entrepreneurs at a critical stage of their journey—those with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and traction, poised for fundraising. Movement51 doesn’t just cater to founders; it equally supports budding and seasoned investors. Through their innovative programs, they teach individuals the nuances of early-stage investing, fostering an inclusive approach to become adept "sharks" or "dragons."

In this episode, get a behind-the-scenes look at one of Calgary’s most valuable institutions: the Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre Society with its dynamic CEO, Sandra Clarkson. Sandra provides a detailed look into the Centre's mission and operations, highlighting its vital role as a beacon of hope and a pivotal engine driving change for individuals experiencing homelessness in Calgary. The discussion provides a nuanced understanding of homelessness, challenging common misconceptions and shedding light on the often overlooked complexities that accompany this social issue. She also emphasizes the importance of the Centre's holistic approach, which includes health care, addiction services, and community reintegration efforts, reinforcing the idea that homelessness is not one-dimensional, and neither should be the solutions.

In this episode, you’ll be reminded of the importance of resilience, adaptability, and innovation in navigating uncertain economic climates with Wajax’s CEO, Iggy Domagalski. Iggy’s unwavering bullishness for Canada's future shines through as he advocates for the removal of interprovincial trade barriers and a renewed focus on leveraging the nation's abundant natural resources. He also provides insights into Wajax's strategic responses to these challenges, noting how they affect their customers across steel, aluminum, and oil and gas sectors.

In this episode, explore the exciting world of digital entertainment, including Esports, with Ryan Coutts, Digital Entertainment Accelerator Lead at Bow Valley College. Ryan explores Calgary's supportive startup ecosystem and the cultural nuances that make this city a thriving hub for innovation. Ryan sheds light on the program's unique structure, the importance of building a strong portfolio, and how collaboration with industries drives significant economic impact. Whether you're an aspiring game developer, a seasoned filmmaker, or someone passionate about the future of digital entertainment, this episode provides an enriching perspective on the dynamic interplay of creativity and entrepreneurship unfolding in Alberta.

In this episode, Adam Geiger and Chelsea Galloway, co-founders of AlchemistOne, share why they chose to move their business to Calgary—and why they believe it’s the best place to build their vision. After a successful exit in the software space, Adam and Chelsea set out to create AlchemistOne, a mobile app designed to support individuals struggling with addiction, anxiety, and depression. But beyond their innovative product, they had another big decision to make: Where to grow their company. From securing investment to navigating grants and tapping into Calgary’s rapidly growing tech scene, this episode is packed with insights for any entrepreneur looking to find the right ecosystem for their startup’s success.

In this episode, discover what makes Stack Modular a standout in the industry with its President, Jim Dunn. Known for its innovative approach, Stack Modular constructs modular buildings in China and transports them worldwide with efficiency and precision akin to building with giant LEGO blocks. Jim sheds light on the systemic challenges that have kept the industry stagnant for decades, drawing comparisons to advancements seen in other sectors like textiles and technology. He candidly discusses the uphill battle of debunking myths around modular construction and battling the stereotypes about Chinese manufacturing, emphasizing China’s high-quality outputs and strategic advantages.

In this episode, get clarity on the economic forces shaping Alberta and Canada with Charles St-Arnaud, Chief Economist at Alberta Central. With a background in global finance and policy analysis, Charles provides a data-driven yet refreshingly candid perspective on why Canada struggles with productivity, why uncertainty is the real economic killer, and how Alberta’s economic transformation is playing out in real-time. From the oil sector’s shift toward stability to the hidden impact of tariffs and Canada’s chronic underinvestment in innovation, Charles challenges conventional wisdom and offers a clear-eyed look at what lies ahead.

In this episode, discover the innovative world of indoor vertical farming with Shondell Sabad, Co-Founder of Prairie Vertical Farms. Shondell explores how this transformative approach can address pressing issues such as food security and sustainability, especially in the dry heartland of Alberta. Explore why Prairie Vertical Farms is starting with romaine lettuce and other leafy greens, as it aims to replace the long-distance supply chains that currently bring produce from places like California and Mexico. By producing locally, Prairie Vertical Farms offers fresher, more consistent, and higher-quality products and contributes to the local economy by creating jobs and keeping the economic benefits within Alberta.

In this episode, discover the power of something as tiny as a mustard seed with Philip Calvert, Chief Development Officer at The Mustard Seed. This Calgary institution recently celebrated 40 years of service, expanding its reach across seven cities and addressing our most vulnerable citizens’ immediate and long-term needs. Philip has been instrumental in their mission with innovative approaches to fundraising, including the transition to digital fundraising and integrated marketing approaches. These innovative decisions were partly driven by necessity, such as the postal strike, that impacted non-profits’ ability to reach donors. Philip shares his connection to The Mustard Seed’s mission and how he transitioned from international to local nonprofit work.

In this episode, Hafiz Mitha shares his journey of taking over his family’s business, Airways Krown, transforming a longstanding local shop into a thriving and scalable operation. He opens up about the challenges of stepping into a legacy, modernizing processes, and shifting mindsets—especially when the previous owner is also your parent. With aging business owners across Canada looking to exit, Hafiz’s story highlights how family businesses can be the perfect launchpad for the next generation of entrepreneurs. Whether you’re eyeing a transition in your family’s business or considering acquiring an established company, this episode is packed with insights on navigating ownership, driving change, and creating long-term success.

In this episode, learn why startups don’t just need capital—they need strategic partners who understand the unique challenges of scaling a business. Rehan Ahmad, Director of Banking at RBCx, shares how RBCx is redefining banking for Canada’s most innovative founders. Rehan helps you understand the "how" of RBCx—how they provide tailored financial solutions, strategic guidance, and a deep ecosystem of support to help entrepreneurs build and scale their companies. From pre-seed startups to Series A and beyond, learn how RBCx supports founders every step of the way.

Explore why Western Canada is an increasingly attractive place for venture-backed businesses, how local founders can access game-changing resources, and why relationships—not just funding—are the key to long-term success.

In this episode, discover what it takes to build a resilient, bootstrapped company with William Richards, Founder and CEO of Urllo. He joins the podcast to share how he has navigated the challenges of rebranding, scaling an enterprise sales strategy, and staying ahead of market changes. William unpacks the highs and lows of leading a company through internal and external transformation. From a decade-long journey of bootstrapping to overcoming the hurdles of selling into enterprise organizations, he shares hard-earned insights on what it really takes to build a lasting business.

In this episode, discover what it really takes to scale a business in an industry rooted in tradition. Joshua Weinberger, COO and General Counsel at Goodlawyer, takes us inside their journey of growing a legal tech startup that’s challenging the status quo. From early struggles with product-market fit to strategic pivots that reshaped their entire approach, Joshua shares how Goodlawyer adapted, listened, and evolved to meet the needs of their clients. Through candid reflections, Joshua discusses the hard lessons learned in scaling a startup—embracing feedback, making bold shifts, and building a resilient team culture in the face of uncertainty. Joshua offers a raw and relatable look at the highs and lows of startup life.

In this episode, hear from Jil Macdonald, COO of Walnut Insurance, a company reshaping how insurance integrates into our daily lives. Jil sheds light on how Walnut innovates the insurance industry by seamlessly embedding services into customer journeys, such as mortgages and loans, eliminating friction and improving user experience. She shares her journey of embracing new challenges across industries, from AI to insurance tech, and emphasizes the importance of building technology with human connection and intention. This conversation offers a unique perspective on leadership, innovation, and transforming legacy systems into agile solutions for the future.