High Agency
A podcast exploring the strategies and mental models that help people shape their environment, overcome adversity, and achieve extraordinary goals.
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Trying not to boil the ocean
Lasse Gustavson is the President and CEO of Ocean Wise, leading global efforts to protect and preserve marine ecosystems. With decades of environmental leadership at organizations like Oceana, WWF International, and Greenpeace International, Lasse has driven marine protection and climate action through policy advocacy, scientific expeditions, and strategic partnerships. A pioneer in ocean conservation, he combines expertise in International Relations and Human Ecology with a passion for bold leadership to address the critical challenges facing our oceans today.
Lasse Gustavson is the President and CEO of Ocean Wise, leading global efforts to protect and preserve marine ecosystems. With decades of environmental leadership at organizations like Oceana, WWF International, and Greenpeace International, Lasse has driven marine protection and climate action through policy advocacy, scientific expeditions, and strategic partnerships. A pioneer in ocean conservation, he combines expertise in International Relations and Human Ecology with a passion for bold leadership to address the critical challenges facing our oceans today.
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When purpose becomes a broken record
Peter Wrinch, founder of Uncommon Partners, is a dynamic leader in the social impact sector with a commitment to purpose and transformation. With a background as CEO of Hollyhock Leadership Institute and Executive Director of Pivot Legal Society, Peter has been at the forefront of change, championing legal advocacy, community development, and organizational renewal. Today, he guides social purpose organizations through strategic and purpose-driven journeys, helping them thrive in an era of rapid change.
Peter Wrinch, founder of Uncommon Partners, is a dynamic leader in the social impact sector with a commitment to purpose and transformation. With a background as CEO of Hollyhock Leadership Institute and Executive Director of Pivot Legal Society, Peter has been at the forefront of change, championing legal advocacy, community development, and organizational renewal. Today, he guides social purpose organizations through strategic and purpose-driven journeys, helping them thrive in an era of rapid change.
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Startups are a multiplayer game
Joanna Li is the COO and co-founder of Switchboard, where she helps small businesses leverage automation and AI to boost efficiency. With over a decade of experience in project management and user-centric design, Joanna combines her tech savvy and operational expertise to streamline processes for growing companies. A Vancouver native with a global perspective, she's passionate about using technology to solve real-world business challenges and empower teams to work smarter.
Joanna Li is the COO and co-founder of Switchboard, where she helps small businesses leverage automation and AI to boost efficiency. With over a decade of experience in project management and user-centric design, Joanna combines her tech savvy and operational expertise to streamline processes for growing companies. A Vancouver native with a global perspective, she's passionate about using technology to solve real-world business challenges and empower teams to work smarter.
Psychedelics, stigma, science and startups
Payton Nyquvest, founder and CEO of Numinus, is a trailblazer in psychedelic-assisted therapy, pioneering mental health solutions that bridge ancient wisdom and modern science. Driven by his own journey of healing from chronic pain and mental health challenges, Payton established Numinus to offer safe, research-backed psychedelic therapies. Under his leadership, Numinus has become a leading force in Canada’s emerging psychedelic industry, advancing treatments that promise transformative impacts on mental wellness.
Payton Nyquvest, founder and CEO of Numinus, is a trailblazer in psychedelic-assisted therapy, pioneering mental health solutions that bridge ancient wisdom and modern science. Driven by his own journey of healing from chronic pain and mental health challenges, Payton established Numinus to offer safe, research-backed psychedelic therapies. Under his leadership, Numinus has become a leading force in Canada’s emerging psychedelic industry, advancing treatments that promise transformative impacts on mental wellness.
Paradoxes of peace and performance
Amrita Ahuja is a visionary leader and the creative mind behind Groundwork, a pioneering framework designed for high-performing executives and founders facing intense stress and burnout. With a background that spans Silicon Valley, Qatar, and the Pacific Northwest, Amrita has channeled her diverse entrepreneurial experience in design, health, and marketing into creating holistic solutions for today’s leaders. Through Groundwork’s coaching, workshops, and courses, she empowers CEOs to tackle overwhelm, restore balance, and boost productivity. Amrita’s unique approach is transforming how leaders thrive in high-pressure roles, proving that success and well-being can go hand in hand.
Amrita Ahuja is a visionary leader and the creative mind behind Groundwork, a pioneering framework designed for high-performing executives and founders facing intense stress and burnout. With a background that spans Silicon Valley, Qatar, and the Pacific Northwest, Amrita has channeled her diverse entrepreneurial experience in design, health, and marketing into creating holistic solutions for today’s leaders. Through Groundwork’s coaching, workshops, and courses, she empowers CEOs to tackle overwhelm, restore balance, and boost productivity. Amrita’s unique approach is transforming how leaders thrive in high-pressure roles, proving that success and well-being can go hand in hand.
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Driving growth at breakneck speeds
In this episode, we explore the dynamic world of electric motorcycles and meet the visionary behind Damon Motorcycles’ game-changing success Amber Spencer. As CMO, Amber’s innovative strategies have driven $88M in orders, positioning Damon HyperSport as a market leader in EV motorbikes. With a decade of experience scaling startups, Amber shares insights on leading with agility, the power of adaptability in tech, and the importance of resilience in high-growth industries. Her story is one of balancing bold leadership with a commitment to personal fitness, making this a conversation you don’t want to miss!
In this episode, we explore the dynamic world of electric motorcycles and meet the visionary behind Damon Motorcycles’ game-changing success Amber Spencer. As CMO, Amber’s innovative strategies have driven $88M in orders, positioning Damon HyperSport as a market leader in EV motorbikes. With a decade of experience scaling startups, Amber shares insights on leading with agility, the power of adaptability in tech, and the importance of resilience in high-growth industries. Her story is one of balancing bold leadership with a commitment to personal fitness, making this a conversation you don’t want to miss!
Bridging business and technology
Join Dr. Mehrsa Raeiszadeh, one of Canada’s most inspiring entrepreneurs, as she shares her path to success. After being recognized as 2022 Woman of the Year by Bay Street Bull, Mehrsa continues to make waves in the tech world. As the Co-Founder of MintList, she led the company to impressive milestones, raising $10M and securing $1M in ARR before its launch. Mehrsa’s story of resilience includes completing her Ph.D. at Georgia Tech in three years, overcoming ADHD, and setting national swimming records. Now, as a mentor and Entrepreneur in Residence, she’s helping the next generation of startups thrive. Don't miss this insightful conversation!
Join Dr. Mehrsa Raeiszadeh, one of Canada’s most inspiring entrepreneurs, as she shares her path to success. After being recognized as 2022 Woman of the Year by Bay Street Bull, Mehrsa continues to make waves in the tech world. As the Co-Founder of MintList, she led the company to impressive milestones, raising $10M and securing $1M in ARR before its launch. Mehrsa’s story of resilience includes completing her Ph.D. at Georgia Tech in three years, overcoming ADHD, and setting national swimming records. Now, as a mentor and Entrepreneur in Residence, she’s helping the next generation of startups thrive. Don't miss this insightful conversation!
Innovation is a team sport
In this episode of High Agency, Mo Dhaliwal and Marc Low dive into the complexities of navigating organizational change and innovation. With a focus on digital transformation, Marc, Director of Innovation, Growth, and Emerging Tech at KPMG Canada, shares his experiences helping companies integrate cutting-edge technology while managing the human side of change. The discussion covers the challenges businesses face when adopting AI and the delicate balance between technological advances and the human effort required to make them effective. Marc offers insights into how to build buy-in for new ideas and foster a culture of innovation that embraces change. This conversation is a must-listen for those grappling with the intersection of technology and human-centric leadership.
In this episode of High Agency, Mo Dhaliwal and Marc Low dive into the complexities of navigating organizational change and innovation. With a focus on digital transformation, Marc, Director of Innovation, Growth, and Emerging Tech at KPMG Canada, shares his experiences helping companies integrate cutting-edge technology while managing the human side of change. The discussion covers the challenges businesses face when adopting AI and the delicate balance between technological advances and the human effort required to make them effective. Marc offers insights into how to build buy-in for new ideas and foster a culture of innovation that embraces change. This conversation is a must-listen for those grappling with the intersection of technology and human-centric leadership.
Accounting for change
In this episode, John Fong, founder of F28, explores the evolving role of CFOs and financial leadership in today’s fast-paced business landscape. He discusses how the CFO role has become increasingly strategic and impactful over the past decade, with 81% of CFOs recognizing this shift. Additionally, John highlights the growing trend of fractional CFOs, whose demand has surged by 103% in the past two years.
In this episode, John Fong, founder of F28, explores the evolving role of CFOs and financial leadership in today’s fast-paced business landscape. He discusses how the CFO role has become increasingly strategic and impactful over the past decade, with 81% of CFOs recognizing this shift. Additionally, John highlights the growing trend of fractional CFOs, whose demand has surged by 103% in the past two years.
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Marketing a piece of yourself
In this episode, Christine Pilkington, CEO of Crisp Media, discusses the transformative shifts in marketing over the past two decades, from the explosion of digital ad spending to the rise of data-driven strategies. She shares insights on the evolving role of marketing leaders and the growing importance of fractional CMOs in navigating today's complex business environment.
In this episode, Christine Pilkington, CEO of Crisp Media, discusses the transformative shifts in marketing over the past two decades, from the explosion of digital ad spending to the rise of data-driven strategies. She shares insights on the evolving role of marketing leaders and the growing importance of fractional CMOs in navigating today's complex business environment.
Building community is a technology
This episode of High Agency dives into the crucial questions we should all be asking about technology today. Our guest Boris Mann explores the hidden aspects of cloud computing, AI, and the platforms we rely on daily. From understanding who controls the software we use to the risks of losing agency in a tech-dominated world, this conversation highlights why it’s more important than ever to stay informed. We also discuss the complexities of AI and its impact on open-source communities and community building.
This episode of High Agency dives into the crucial questions we should all be asking about technology today. Our guest Boris Mann explores the hidden aspects of cloud computing, AI, and the platforms we rely on daily. From understanding who controls the software we use to the risks of losing agency in a tech-dominated world, this conversation highlights why it’s more important than ever to stay informed. We also discuss the complexities of AI and its impact on open-source communities and community building.
Seeds of servant leadership
In this episode, the discussion centers on leadership's role in both daily life and large-scale societal change. Featuring Jagmeet Singh, leader of Canada's New Democratic Party (NDP), the conversation delves into his approach to balancing grassroots activism with strategic political vision. The conversation highlights the challenges of balancing immediate community needs with long-term objectives and the role of leadership in driving lasting change within a rapidly evolving socio-political landscape.
In this episode, the discussion centers on leadership's role in both daily life and large-scale societal change. Featuring Jagmeet Singh, leader of Canada's New Democratic Party (NDP), the conversation delves into his approach to balancing grassroots activism with strategic political vision. The conversation highlights the challenges of balancing immediate community needs with long-term objectives and the role of leadership in driving lasting change within a rapidly evolving socio-political landscape.
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Quitting your way to startups
Businesses at every stage of life have different objectives — but they’re all some variation on growth. Startups are establishing product-market fit, while series A or B scale-ups exist to maximize market share. Today, we’re diving into the world of new ventures and the intricate dance of growth and challenges they face.
Businesses at every stage of life have different objectives — but they’re all some variation on growth. Startups are establishing product-market fit, while series A or B scale-ups exist to maximize market share. Today, we’re diving into the world of new ventures and the intricate dance of growth and challenges they face.
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Empathy and the next sprint
Everything we see in thought leadership around business is about driving growth, breaking into new markets or launching new products or companies. However, we don’t spend enough time talking about the role that delivers all of this — those thankless operators that make things happen. That’s why today we’re talking about project management.
Everything we see in thought leadership around business is about driving growth, breaking into new markets or launching new products or companies. However, we don’t spend enough time talking about the role that delivers all of this — those thankless operators that make things happen. That’s why today we’re talking about project management.
Digital transformation for humans
In this episode we’re going to talk about transformation — digital transformation in particular. What is it? What do companies think it means? And what does it really mean. It’s a term that has been growing in popularity over the past 4 or 5 years especially. Awareness of digital transformation was especially driven up during the onset of COVID as many traditional businesses and industries scrambled to quickly reinvent their online presence and engage everyone from their own team members to their customers in an entirely remote, digital-first world.
In this episode we’re going to talk about transformation — digital transformation in particular. What is it? What do companies think it means? And what does it really mean. It’s a term that has been growing in popularity over the past 4 or 5 years especially. Awareness of digital transformation was especially driven up during the onset of COVID as many traditional businesses and industries scrambled to quickly reinvent their online presence and engage everyone from their own team members to their customers in an entirely remote, digital-first world.
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How to think about thinking
In this episode we’re going to talk about… thinking. How to think about things when faced with challenges or opportunities, and some of the tools at our disposal to distill clarity, generate creativity, and explore divergent and breakthrough thinking. Most situations we encounter in our personal and professional lives we find ourselves somewhere between two modes: we might be exploring ideas and approaches, which is divergent thinking; we might be needing to curate and distill our ideas and approaches into a singular path forward, which is convergent thinking.
In this episode we’re going to talk about… thinking. How to think about things when faced with challenges or opportunities, and some of the tools at our disposal to distill clarity, generate creativity, and explore divergent and breakthrough thinking. Most situations we encounter in our personal and professional lives we find ourselves somewhere between two modes: we might be exploring ideas and approaches, which is divergent thinking; we might be needing to curate and distill our ideas and approaches into a singular path forward, which is convergent thinking.
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