Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas - the Rainforest podcast

Brigitte and Zac talk about all things community! Particularly, how Zac got into Community, the benefits of being community led, where community is in the Alberta tech ecosystem and their new events series called the Business of community. 

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host: Brigitte Legault is a community and strategy consultant currently working with Rainforest Alberta, TuskHub Inc., and Village Wealth. She is driven by community-led strategies that drive business results and empower its members. Connecting people and resources is her super power!

Guest: Zachary Novak is the founder of FML Studios, a community studio that helps technology companies and organizations build thriving communities.

As part of FML Studios, is Careers in Technology and Innovation a community dedicated to helping mid career professionals break into tech. 

Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show.

Show Links:

• Episode 107 of the LIBI Podcast with Zac Novak
• Careers In Technology and Innovation (CITI)
• Zac and Brigitte Community Case Study: Spontivly
• FML Studios
  
  

Show Quotes:

"I've also seen some people that are in community get promoted into brand or marketing, which makes me a little bit sad."

"The flip to community is when the members or the users or your customers get just as much value from each other as they get from what you're doing."

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

Hamid Rafiei was one of those kids that loved to take things apart, figure out how they worked, and sometimes successfully put them back together with some new features that didn't exist before. This lead him to a career working with manufacturing and automation where he currently holds the role of VP Manufacturing for CoolIT Systems. Learn about implementing robots to automate a production line and the benefits of onshore manufacturing in this episode.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host: Al Del Degan I have been involved in software development for more than 25 years. I have started companies, lead companies and worked for companies - doing many different things. I am honored to be considered a leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem, and I give back as much, and often as I can. When I am not working or podcasting, you will find me pursuing my passions of photography, crypto investing, and wood working along with the occasional round of golf.

Guest: Hamid Rafiei Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Electrical and Computer Engineering 
As the Vice President of Manufacturing, Hamid drives production and manufacturing engineering teams for new product, process introductions, and integrated automation ensuring a smooth and efficient transition from design engineering to manufacturing production. His valuable leadership to his team guides the efficient development and implementation of product and process improvements of new and existing DLC products.

Hamid is focused on a continuous improvement mindset. He firmly believes in measuring the effectiveness of processes, studying trends, and improving the manufacturing process for the journey towards zero defects & perfect on-time performance.

Hamid is focused on a continuous improvement mindset. He firmly believes in measuring the effectiveness of processes, studying trends, and improving the manufacturing process for the journey towards zero defects & perfect on-time performance.

Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show.

Show Links:

• Episode 30 of the LIBI Podcast with Brydon Gierl
• CoolIT Systems

Show Quotes:

"Seeing how fast things move. That was the first learning point for me coming from a very large  multibillion dollar company and seeing how the business is running there, joining a smaller company who's growing increasingly fast."

"There were some funny moments during that implementation and we finally find out that some of the things you can make it easier by just going to something as simple as a gravity conveyor instead of a robot that you would be able to place a component, have it travel from point a to point B"

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

Innovation Forecasting: A structured approach to predicting future innovations and business improvements

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host: Val McCarty is in the business of helping organizations visualize, communicate, and execute strategy in real time. Her studies were acquired at both University of Alberta and Grant MacEwan University, and encompassed Management, Education, and Human Services, with an aim to continue learning. Her previous experience includes the Financial Sector, Fitness Sector, and Early Childhood Education.  When Val is not at work you can find her outside with her grandkids, or looking forward to the next live jam.

Guest: With a Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Shannon Phillips thinks like a scientist to better understand human behaviour and decision making. He’s your go-to for innovation management, organizational change management and organizational behaviour strategic planning, and innovation. He’s also trained in different psychology concepts, such as behavioural psychology, emotional intelligence, and personality psychology. Shannon loves thinking outside the box and challenging others to do so. He’s people-focused and is always trying to understand why people do what they do.

Guest: Tristan Ham has a background in human services, mainly in child protection. He did this both in Australia and in Canada. Throughout this work, Tristan worked with adult learners with frameworks from Crisis intervention to Change management. He later worked in the tech industry with recruitment and for the last few years has been working in program delivery with Startup Edmonton. His main roles with Unbounded Thinking are Business development and program delivery. You can always find this Sci-Fi nerd arguing what is and isn’t canon in the Star Wars universe! 

Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show.

Links:

• Unbounded Thinking
• Episode 161 of the LIBI Podcast with Shannon and Tristan

Show Quotes:

"[innovation forecasting] it's a way for businesses to predict or simulate their future by using that structured approach. It's kind of bringing that futurist thinking into businesses"

"Every business needs to have that survival tactic of how do I adapt. How do I become resilient? Otherwise another company is gonna come along and knock you off."

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

When you get to that point where you are highly productive, and you feel like you can do anything, that is the state called "Flow". Jeremy Jensen has been studying flow for years and his passion is helping people lead authentic and intentional lives, rich with experiences that make them feel alive.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host: Peter Beaudoin Peter manages strategy and partnerships for an innovative alliance of energy companies committed to reducing environmental impacts through collaborative R&D efforts. Peter worked for more than 20 years in Asia building and investing in a variety of businesses. His most recent role outside of Canada was with the World Wildlife Fund, where he was the Chief Executive Officer of WWF China, based in Beijing. Prior to that, Peter lived in Hong Kong for 15 years working in the technology industry.

Guest: Jeremy Jensen is an entrepreneur, speaker, and mountain sports athlete - passionate about helping people lead authentic and intentional lives, rich with experiences that make them feel alive! His interests lie at the intersection of flow science, lifestyle design, and action/adventure sports.

He is the founder of Crux Academy, an online learning platform where you can learn from and engage with the world's best topic experts in the adventure community.

He is also the co-founder of Outwild, a community and event series that brings together outdoor and adventure-minded individuals to share ideas, optimize their lifestyles, create businesses, build meaningful connections, and play hard outside. 

Jeremy is also the creator of the Adventurepreneur Podcast, where he shares the stories of problem solvers, change makers, athletes, and outside the box thinkers - who have built their passion for adventure, travel, and the outdoors into businesses, projects, or fulfilling lifestyles.

His main priorities are to always be growing, helping other people, building and maintaining meaningful relationships, experiencing new things, and chasing flow states.

Jeremy holds an MBA and MA in Social Entrepreneurship from the American University, a BA in Spanish from the University of Utah, and is a certified flow lecturer/coach - studying under the world’s foremost authority and thought leader on flow and optimal performance - Steven Kotler.

Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show.

Show Links:

• Crux Academy (https://www.crux.academy/)
• Adventurepreneur Podcast (https://www.jeremyrjensen.com/podcast)
• Author: Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi(https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/66354.Flow)
• Author: Cal Newport (https://www.amazon.ca/Cal-Newport/e/B001IGNR0U)
• Author: Steven Kotler (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50209348-the-art-of-impossible)
• Dr. Huberman at Stanford (https://profiles.stanford.edu/andrew-huberman)

Show Quotes:

"Think about a good movie, a great conversation, playing with your kids. The moment where you're just shining in a meeting or with a colleague. Those are flow moments."

"Executives in flow are 500% more productive than not in flow. So, if you can imagine the implications over time, if you can systematize that, make it consistent. Yeah, pretty big implications."

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

Over the years there has been a lot of businesses that have grown from the Rainforest, and long-time Rainforester, Heiko Peters, remembers the early days and how they lead to him wanting to give back to the community. Alethea Medical grew from that effort, and now helps so many people receive help from medical specialists in a fraction of the time it used to take.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host: Al Del Degan I have been involved in software development for more than 25 years. I have started companies, lead companies and worked for companies - doing many different things. I am honored to be considered a leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem, and I give back as much, and often as I can. When I am not working or podcasting, you will find me pursuing my passions of photography, crypto investing, and wood working along with the occasional round of golf.

Guest: Heiko Peters has been involved in all aspects of the project and software development lifecycle for 20+ years as a Developer, Technical Lead, Project Manager, Management Consultant, Executive, and Entrepreneur. 

Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show.

Show Links:

• Alethea Medical

Show Quotes:

"So 66 is the year that that Fortran came out, Right? So we're dealing with a language now older than me. So that was interesting. And actually it was so old that it still thought it used punch cards. It actually had this C wrapper around it that took the text file and converted it back into the punch card format that the simulator was expecting."

"I start pushing transformation. It runs contrary to what they're comfortable with. Now, what they're comfortable with is what got them to where they are right now. But anyways, so eventually they get tired of me. And so I got tired of arguing with people to make them successful despite themselves and decided I was gonna make myself successful despite myself."

"So what's really weird is that the environment here is actually, I think people don't realize, it's actually much bigger than most people realize. I don't even think we even know the number. I remember Zumwalt saying it's like somewhere between 300 and 700 small companies."

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

With the growth of the innovation sector in Alberta, many people are pivoting their careers into tech. Ryan and Siri are two learners in the InceptionU Full Stack Developer program who believe that life long learning is key to success in life, business, and in community. Join Jen as she explores their decision to pivot into tech and how they have been able to navigate the ups and downs of learning something new.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host: Jennifer Morrison is InceptionU’s learner champion. She has over 11 years of experience as an educator and received her Masters of Educational Leadership from High Tech High Graduate School of Education in San Diego, CA. Jen possesses extensive experience in project-based and experiential learning and design thinking. 

Jen spent many years teaching middle and high school students which provided her with a foundational love of learning and passion for exploration and personal growth. Following her natural curiosity and growth mindset, she honed her leadership skills and dove deep into project based learning during her time at High Tech High.

As the Learning Catalyst and Lead Program Designer with InceptionU, Jen provides valued leadership, guidance, meaningful connections and an engaging learning environment. She is deeply dedicated to each of the learners and their success. As Simon Sinek says in The Infinite Game, “what good is it having a belly if there's no fire in it? Wake up, drink your passion, light a match and get to work.” 

Guest: Shirisha (Siri) Lakku is a GIS Data Analyst pivoting her career into Tech as a Full Stack Developer with a passion for learning and problem solving.

Guest: Ryan Caruth was born and raised in Calgary. He comes from a Geographic Information Systems background and plans to transition into the Geospatial tech industry. 

Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show.

Show Links:

• InceptionU 

Show Quotes:

"To have a better chance of going somewhere where you want to go is to talk with people and network. So I've been really, really pushing myself to go to as many meetups as I can, chat with all the industry people. Build my confidence and communication skills."

"When we build a app, we know that users are from different backgrounds or different users use some application differently. So since I had the chance to work with people who are from different backgrounds, I got to learn how they think, how they use something."

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

AJ Robles set out with intention to find a place to work that aligned with his values, and where he could bring his genuine self every day. Having found his place at Helcim, he now shares some great advice for others who are on their job search journey.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host: Al Del Degan I have been involved in software development for more than 25 years. I have started companies, lead companies and worked for companies - doing many different things. I am honored to be considered a leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem, and I give back as much, and often as I can. When I am not working or podcasting, you will find me pursuing my passions of photography, crypto investing, and wood working along with the occasional round of golf.

Guest: AJ Robles AJ Robles works at Calgary based startup, Helcim - Whose mission is to be the most loved payments company. Now working as the People & Culture Partner, he's been with Helcim for just over 5 1/2 yrs and started on their customer service team. His journey is not uncommon these days sharing the story of transitioning from another industry and finding his place in an exciting tech company. 5 1/2 yrs later and he's still feeling right at home with Helcim.

Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show.

Show Links:

• Helcim
• Helcim Founder Nic Beique on the LIBI Podcast

Show Quotes:

"if I really want to find a place that really aligns with who I am and my own values, I have to make that intentional instead of applying for another job."

"It is competitive and you're competing with people who have taken programs or gone through their traditional schooling, but haven't really had any work experience. But you do, you know how that works. You know how to communicate well and you can bring that to the table."

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

Supporting small business and startups. The struggle is real, Stephen has resources, resources, resources!

For the transcription of this episode please visit: https://www.rainforestab.ca/yyc-blog/podcast-episode-176-transcription

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host: Val McCarty is in the business of helping organizations visualize, communicate, and execute strategy in real time. Her studies were acquired at both University of Alberta and Grant MacEwan University, and encompassed Management, Education, and Human Services, with an aim to continue learning. Her previous experience includes the Financial Sector, Fitness Sector, and Early Childhood Education.  When Val is not at work you can find her outside with her grandkids, or looking forward to the next live jam.

Guest:  Stephen Leber
Has been selling tech for over 30 yrs. He got involved in start ups and realized that a lot of them need help with resources. Stephen teamed up with the businesses that provide the best value, and he passes along those services to help start ups and small businesses.

Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show.

Show Links:

• Pocketed (https://hellopocketed.io/)
• Boast (https://boast.ai/)
• Thin Air Labs (https://www.thinairlabs.ca/)
• Kudosee (https://kudosee.com/)
• Ownr (https://www.ownr.co/)

Show Quotes:

"I'll just throw a couple of statistics out there. 20% of businesses go broke in the first year. 60% of businesses fail in three years and there's 7,000 businesses that go bankrupt each year in this country. A lot of that could have been avoided if they had the right resources."

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

Brains. We all have one. Yet, many of us have never had the chance to explore how our own unique brains work, function, and learn/interact with the world. Join Jen and Sam as they dive into all things brains, learning, entrepreneurship, team, family, loss, and hope. Buckle up for this one!

For the transcription of this episode please visit: https://www.rainforestab.ca/yyc-blog/podcast-episode-175-transcription

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host: Jennifer Morrison is InceptionU’s learner champion. She has over 11 years of experience as an educator and received her Masters of Educational Leadership from High Tech High Graduate School of Education in San Diego, CA. Jen possesses extensive experience in project-based and experiential learning and design thinking. 

Jen spent many years teaching middle and high school students which provided her with a foundational love of learning and passion for exploration and personal growth. Following her natural curiosity and growth mindset, she honed her leadership skills and dove deep into project based learning during her time at High Tech High.

As the Learning Catalyst and Lead Program Designer with InceptionU, Jen provides valued leadership, guidance, meaningful connections and an engaging learning environment. She is deeply dedicated to each of the learners and their success. As Simon Sinek says in The Infinite Game, “what good is it having a belly if there's no fire in it? Wake up, drink your passion, light a match and get to work.” 

Guest: Samantha Woods thrives on helping people be better at work, school and life. For the past two and a half decades, Samantha Woods has served as an inspiring leader to children and adults across the country. She has explored the far reaches of the educational spectrum - teacher to administrator to executive skills coach & now Founder and Director of Kaizen Education Services.

Utilizing her experiences and nerdy obsession with neuroscience, learning and the brain, Samantha has become a recognized and well-respected authority on executive functioning skills. She has created a comprehensive curriculum in conjunction with a specific style of executive skills coaching and is excited to collaborate with corporations to help their adult learners manage their learning and lives. 

Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show.

Show Links:

• Kaizen Education Services (http://www.kaizeneduc.com)
• Dana Kerford (http://www.seriouslybadasswomen.com/dana-kerford)
• Dr. Aaron Goodarzi (https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/departments/bmb/profiles/dr-aaron-goodarzi)
• Dr. Ross Greene (https://drrossgreene.com/)

Show Quotes:

"We are all just walking brains, and we all have different ways. Our brains are functioning in different ways. And it's up to us to understand that. And so IQ can't be a measure of, and I know a lot of people will disagree with me about that, but after 20 something years of working with brains of all ages, it just doesn't matter. It's what you know about yourself and your potential."

"[Regarding Entrepreneurship being like surfing] like I couldn't get up on the board and then I'm face planting and I can't even find my bathing suit at one point. Like where, where did that go? Right.  I was like, what happened to the birds chirping and the, and the sunset and the like I'm covered in sand and grazes. And I think maybe that is a great analogy for, you know, you have this vision of what it's all going to be like, and then, you know, you have this experience and you're like, that was not what I had planned on."

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

Val and Ken have a discussion about measuring the intangible and how A.I. can be used to determine how you really feel compared to how you answered quesions in a survey.

For the transcription of this episode please visit: https://www.rainforestab.ca/yyc-blog/podcast-episode-174-transcription

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host: Val McCarty is in the business of helping organizations visualize, communicate, and execute strategy in real time. Her studies were acquired at both University of Alberta and Grant MacEwan University, and encompassed Management, Education, and Human Services, with an aim to continue learning. Her previous experience includes the Financial Sector, Fitness Sector, and Early Childhood Education.  When Val is not at work you can find her outside with her grandkids, or looking forward to the next live jam.

Guest: Ken King is the Founder and CEO of Boost Innovation, which he pivoted to after running the Boost Institute for culture training and development. Prior to this he worked with diversity and inclusion consulting company AMPED2Play in Cochrane, AB, Canada. Previous to this he spent 8 years as a collegiate basketball coach and instructor. 

Ken’s formal education is in Physical and Health Education (BPhEd) and Performance Psychology (MPsych) as well as multiple certificates in organizational culture, structure, analysis, and more. Informally, Ken has spent extended time teaching himself various methods of software development, business development, and marketing. 

Ken was originally born in Cobourg, Ontario, Canada and grew up in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. He attended undergraduate school there and where he also began working as a high performance basketball coach at a young age with Ontario/Canada Basketball. Upon becoming a full time college instructor and coach the idea of organizational culture improvement captivated him and he began to build various models that would assist post secondary culture. Through his role there, he was invited to consult with external organizations that were looking to find unique ways to build their culture. This is how he began to look at the various ways that data is collected and applied in these settings and why it is such a key focus for him today.

Ken lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with his Fiancé, two dogs, and their horse. He enjoys staying active in his spare time, watching his favourite teams (Dallas Cowboys, Toronto Raptors/Leafs/Blue Jays), and playing his drums. In the Spring/Summer he also enjoys supporting his Fiancé in her barrel racing career. 

Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show.

Show Links:

• Boost Innovation

Show Quotes:

"Doing better, being better, being real. These are all kind of things that probably come back to my dad a little bit, come back to people who've influenced me and come back to really what I think leads to success."

"if it's a human experiencing something, we are trying to create novel ways to measure that using tech."

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan