In this episode, hear from Brian McLennan, co-founder and CEO of Link, a Calgary-based fintech reimagining how workplace savings are built, accessed, and delivered. Unlike most financial services startups, Link doesn’t chase consumer attention—it powers the infrastructure behind banks, credit unions, and employers, enabling smarter, more inclusive savings plans for Canadians across all sectors. Brian shares the story behind Link’s nearly decade-long journey, from its early ambitions to offer a full suite of financial tools to its strategic focus on one big problem: the inaccessibility of workplace retirement savings for millions of Canadians. The conversation covers the hidden economics of employer-matched contributions, the role of fintech in enabling policy goals, and why platforms—not products—may hold the key to equitable financial futures. This episode is essential listening for anyone building in fintech, leading teams, or thinking deeply about long-term impact.

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In this special episode, Tyler welcomes Josh Rainbow, founder of Future Summit, for an energizing conversation about the people, power, and purpose behind one of Canada’s most ambitious innovation events. With nearly a decade of event-building experience and a relentless drive to connect old-guard industry leaders with new-wave innovators, Josh shares the origin story and guiding ethos behind Future Summit 2025. This isn't your average tech conference—it's a curated, cross-sector experience designed to foster collaboration, inspire action, and spark the future from right here in Calgary. Whether you're an investor, policymaker, founder, or just someone curious about where Canada is headed, this conversation offers a candid, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a world-class event—plus insights into the bigger story Calgary is telling about itself.

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In this episode, Tyler Chisholm sits down with Jeff Couillard and Pablo Romero, co-CEOs of The Ally Co, to explore what they call “leaderful teams”—environments where power is shared, trust is intentional, and leadership is a practice, not a title. Jeff and Pablo work with clients across sectors—from startups to global energy firms—to help organizations shift from hierarchical control to relational accountability. Their conversation with Tyler goes beyond theory, digging into the messy, human realities of organizational change. From the courage it takes to confront power dynamics, to the deep work of building psychological safety, they offer a roadmap for leaders ready to evolve. Whether you're a founder, manager, or change agent inside a complex system, this episode will help you rethink what leadership can be.

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In this episode, Tyler Chisholm sits down with Rob Ohlson, President of Maillot Homes, for a behind-the-scenes look at the art and business of building custom homes in Calgary. With 70 years of legacy and two decades of leadership under his belt, Rob brings a refreshing blend of humility, curiosity, and hard-earned perspective to the conversation. Together, they explore how design, technology, and market forces intersect in the city’s evolving housing landscape. From geothermal systems and solar panels to client psychology and political red tape, Rob offers stories and strategies that illuminate the full complexity of custom homebuilding. It’s a candid conversation about risk, stewardship, and why thoughtful simplicity often outperforms flash. Whether you're a homeowner, entrepreneur, or simply curious about the future of Calgary’s communities, this episode delivers insight from the ground up.

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In this episode, Tyler Chisholm welcomes Barry Po, CEO of Brilliant and a veteran of mCloud and HSBC, for a candid conversation on the true nature of digital transformation. With decades of experience at the intersection of technology and leadership, Barry brings a refreshingly human lens to a topic often dominated by hype. Together, they unpack why AI is less about flashy tools and more about strategic courage—why complexity kills innovation, and why organizations need to rethink how they implement change. For leaders in Western Canada and beyond, this is a powerful guide to building organizations where AI isn't just added on—it's woven in. Whether you're stuck in pilot purgatory or on the edge of a major transformation, Barry offers clear-eyed insights into how to move forward with purpose, pragmatism, and just enough boldness to make it work.

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In this episode, Tyler Chisholm sits down with Anthony D. Almeida, CEO and Chairman of The Unbankers, to explore why access to financing is becoming a strategic pain point for Canadian and American small and mid-sized companies. With over 25 years in corporate finance and deep operational know-how, Anthony shares how The Unbankers are stepping in to serve businesses too often ignored by major lenders. While they offer loans upwards of $100M, many traditional banks will prioritize larger deals which underscores UnBankers' role in filling such a crucial gap—especially for SMBs seeking sub-$10M loans. From acquisition financing to supporting companies in high-growth or turnaround situations, Anthony unpacks what it really means to be “finance-ready” and why planning for capital nine months in advance is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity. If you’re scaling up, buying a competitor, or simply trying to keep pace with your success, this episode offers a fresh look at how relationship-based lending can help you bridge the funding gap and build the business you envision.

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Crystal Phillips returns to Collisions YYC in a new role that perfectly aligns with her lifelong mission: harnessing resources to create impact. As the newly appointed Senior Director at the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF), Crystal offers an insider’s look at how Calgary is strategically investing in its own future—across sectors like life sciences, agtech, aerospace, creative industries, and more. Crystal unpacks her journey from elite athlete to venture capitalist to economic development leader, exploring how OCIF is helping turn Calgary into one of the most dynamic innovation ecosystems in North America. If you're curious about how funding decisions are made, what it means to create a sector “hub,” or how emotional intelligence and imposter syndrome play out in high-impact leadership, this is a must-listen conversation.

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In this episode, mayoral candidate Jeff Davison returns for a candid conversation on the complex, often frustrating state of Calgary’s municipal landscape. Since his last appearance in August, the city has continued to face seismic shifts—from inflation and economic uncertainty to growing tensions around public safety, affordability, and civic trust. Jeff offers a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges council faces today and shares his renewed vision for a Calgary that is safer, more collaborative, and economically vibrant. This episode is a deep dive into the real mechanics of city governance: how policy is made, how bureaucracy can either serve or stall progress, and what it will take to rebuild public confidence. Whether you're a voter, business leader, or civic-minded citizen, Jeff’s reflections offer clarity on what’s broken—and how he believes it can be fixed.

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In a thought-provoking shift from his usual entrepreneur interviews, Tyler Chisholm reconnects with acclaimed Calgary author and journalist Marcello Di Cintio to explore a hidden, yet essential pillar of the Canadian economy: migrant labour. As editor of Tyler’s own book on curiosity, Marcello returns to Collisions YYC not just as a friend of the show, but as a storyteller amplifying overlooked voices. His latest work, Precarious: The Lives of Migrant Workers, cuts through the policy fog surrounding Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program to reveal the human stories at its core. For business owners struggling to find and retain labour, this episode is a sobering reminder that the very people filling those gaps are often treated as disposable. It’s a conversation about economics, ethics, and the courage of those who hold up entire industries from the shadows.

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In this episode, Christa Hill, CEO of Tacit Edge and co-founder of AI North, joins Tyler to unpack how AI can (and should) empower teams without replacing them. Drawing from her work across startups, post-secondaries, and enterprise training, Christa explores the urgent need for Canada to step up its AI literacy while challenging outdated assumptions about leadership, risk, and who gets to innovate. From "greenhouse thinking" to leveraging LLMs to build capacity, her approach is rooted in empathy, clarity, and practical impact. This episode offers a refreshing take on how to lead with purpose in a rapidly changing world.

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In this episode of Collisions YYC, Tyler Chisholm sits down with James McInnes, founder of Prompty, a Calgary startup tackling the broken state of networking. A single forgotten business card sparked the idea for Prompty—a platform designed to help people remember not just names, but the stories, places, and moments behind their connections.

James explores why traditional tools like LinkedIn fall short, and how friction-free tech can make networking more inclusive for everyone, from introverts to seasoned veterans. He also shares insights on memory science, the psychology of trust, and why authentic connection is more valuable than ever in today’s transactional business landscape. Listeners will walk away rethinking their approach to networking, with practical ideas for building stronger, more human relationships in every setting.

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In this episode, returning guest Justin Caskey, now CEO of OpenCycle Technologies, joins Tyler Chisholm to unpack one of Alberta’s most compelling innovation pivots. Once known as Patching Associates, the company has rebranded, retooled, and reimagined itself—emerging as a platform-first, AI-powered solution for managing complex environmental emissions like dust, light, noise, and more. This episode is more than a rebrand story. It’s about challenging legacy thinking, building trust in data-driven ecosystems, and shifting from scarcity to abundance in how we view expertise. From stakeholder webs to global scalability, Justin shares how OpenCycle is turning real-world complexity into opportunity.

If you're building in Alberta’s innovation ecosystem—or wrestling with what real digital transformation looks like—this one’s for you.

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In this episode, John Hetherington returns to Collisions YYC nearly four years after his first appearance, this time with a sharp focus on one of the biggest pain points in mid-sized companies: helping finance teams close the books faster, smarter, and with less chaos.

With a consulting practice now dedicated to CFOs and controllers, John helps financial teams in companies with 100–500 employees and $50–100M in revenue navigate complexity with systems thinking and AI-powered automation. But this isn’t just about technology. It’s about trust, clarity, and engagement. From his “Absorb, Assemble, Align” framework to the pitfalls of skipping team buy-in, John explores how real transformation only happens when the people behind the numbers are brought along for the journey. If you lead or work in finance, this one’s for you.

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In this episode, hear from Rosa Twyman, a Calgary-based regulatory lawyer who isn’t afraid to get into the weeds—because that’s where real change happens. If you’ve ever wondered why energy projects stall, why renewables hit resistance, or what’s actually driving Alberta’s power market volatility, Rosa connects the dots. With over 20 years in the regulatory trenches, she brings a rare combination of legal insight, market literacy, and deep respect for what’s at stake as Canada tries to decarbonize without destabilizing. This is a must-listen for anyone navigating the energy transition. Founders building in clean tech, investors chasing ESG returns, or policy leaders trying to future-proof the grid. Rosa reminds us: ideology won’t power the future. Good design will.

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In this episode, go inside the accelerating world of AI, innovation, and digital transformation with Chris Foster. Returning to Collisions YYC, Chris shares what it’s like to move from being a Chief Innovation Officer in Calgary’s traditional energy sector to leading transformative projects across industries—everything from nuclear to health insurance and railroads. Chris unpacks what’s truly driving transformation in today’s businesses: not just technology, but people, process, and a relentless curiosity. From practical use cases like AI-powered clinical notes in healthcare to the critical importance of change management and “meeting people where they’re at,” this episode is packed with actionable insights for leaders, executives, and ambitious teams who want to thrive in the face of rapid disruption.

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In this episode, Tyler sits down with Jeff Davison, Calgary’s former city councillor and 2025 mayoral candidate, for a candid conversation about leadership, legacy, and the city’s next chapter. Jeff reflects on what he learned during his time at city hall, why he’s stepping back into the political arena, and how Calgary’s identity as a “city of builders” is at the heart of his platform. This isn’t campaign messaging. It’s a grounded, thoughtful take on what Calgary needs next and why it matters to think long-term. From housing policy to innovation ecosystems, Jeff makes the case for leadership that isn’t reactive but visionary, and rooted in the everyday lives of Calgarians.

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In this episode, explore the story of a founder reimagining what tech can do when it puts people first. Jenna didn’t set out to launch a software company. But after years of working hands-on in early childhood education and navigating her own mental health journey, she found herself creating Fledge: a platform designed not just to teach, but to connect. Built for educators, caregivers, and the kids they support, Fledge is rooted in research, driven by experience, and powered by something rare in tech: deep human empathy. This conversation traces Jenna’s path from pre-med dropout to multi-venture entrepreneur, and explores what it means to build something slowly, intentionally, and with a clear sense of purpose.

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In this episode, discover what it takes to build and scale in a legacy industry. Colleen Pound, Co-Founder of Proxure, recently spent time in San Francisco with a group of Canadian women founders, gaining perspective on investor expectations, founder mindset, and how Alberta’s ecosystem compares. If you’ve ever wrestled with how to innovate in a traditional sector—or just wondered what a Bay Area reality check might offer—this episode brings practical insight and a founder’s unfiltered view.

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