Linda Ockwell-Jenner interviews David Kuhn, who discusses his work advocating for students and promoting accessibility in the Waterloo region. David emphasizes that advocacy is crucial for improving life for everyone, not just people with disabilities. He shares his personal journey, noting that accessibility is common sense and that embracing one’s disability is not a barrier to leading a fulfilling life. Through their talk, David stresses the importance of continuous self-advocacy and speaking up for positive change. Taken from discussion with David Kuhn as part of my Conversations video series.

Mike Morrice, Deputy Leader of the Green Party of Canada, discusses his path to politics, starting with a focus on local environmental issues and community engagement. He emphasizes the importance of holding elected officials accountable through active participation and informed feedback, highlighting the need for a more collaborative and less divisive approach to Canadian democracy. Morrice advocates for proportional representation as a system that encourages cooperation and prioritizes community needs, urging listeners to engage with their elected officials beyond election cycles. Taken from discussion with Mike Morrice as part of my Conversations video series.

This compelling interview with Eldon Sprickerhoff reveals a profound philosophy for entrepreneurship centered around authenticity and generosity – his core message is simply, “be a nice person.” Drawing on a remarkably long and diverse career, he emphasizes the importance of proactive help, shared knowledge, and a realistic acceptance of uncontrollable circumstances. More than just offering advice, Eldon’s story highlights the value of a humble, adaptable mindset, recognizing that true success stems not from ruthless ambition, but from a genuine commitment to supporting and mentoring others, ultimately framing business as a collaborative endeavor rather than a purely competitive one. Taken from discussion with Eldon Sprickerhoff from Caledon Ventures as part of my Conversations video series.

Philip Mills powerfully argues that the housing crisis is a significantly larger, evolving issue than many realize, drawing parallels to post-war Britain’s rapid housing construction. He advocates for urgent community action, primarily through engaging with local government to demand systemic solutions. Mills emphasizes the need to rethink “affordable housing” and highlights the widespread impact – even among those with full-time jobs. Central to his message is the call for broad awareness and proactive advocacy, stressing Habitat for Humanity’s website (habitatwr.ca) as the key resource for involvement and support. Taken from discussion with Philip Mills of Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region as part of my Conversations video series.

Linda Ockwell-Jenner discusses a recent phishing scam attempt she received disguised as an email from Best Buy’s Geek Squad. The email requested money, a tactic common in phishing scams that use urgent language and fake logos. She emphasizes the importance of verifying email senders, avoiding suspicious links, and not clicking on anything that seems off. She highlights the tendency for people to dismiss these warnings, and advocates for increased awareness and careful scrutiny of incoming emails, particularly those with unusual requests or sender addresses. Ultimately, she urges listeners to prioritize security by checking email sources and avoiding potential financial harm.

This podcast episode addresses inspiration and resilience amid today’s overwhelming global challenges—war, natural disasters, homelessness, and violence. The host argues that constant exposure to negative news harms our mental health and encourages listeners to become agents of change rather than feeling powerless. Drawing from personal experience as an immigrant from England to Canada who overcame financial hardship and discrimination while raising four children, the host emphasizes that individual action matters. One person’s desire to make a difference can start as a whisper and grow into a powerful movement. The key message: have strength, compassion, and the genuine desire to be the change you want to see.

Linda Ockwell-Jenner was nominated for the Rogers Oktoberfest Woman of the Year award – at the 50th anniversary of the event. This was a tremendous honour, but recognizes not just me, but all the nominees who devote themselves to helping people in our community. Thank you to the Canadian Western Bank (CWB) for the nomination!

During slow times, don’t give up, instead build strong foundations and be ready for when things pick up again.

Linda is joined by David Peduto, Senior Manager Public Sector Intelligence Services at leading intelligence company Recorded Future. David shares his fascinating journey, inspired by a tragic event, that led him to learn about new cultures and perspectives. Taken from discussion with David Peduto of Recorded Future as part of my Conversations video series.

Linda Ockwell-Jenner is joined by Richard LaTulip, Field CISO of Recorded Future, the leading threat intelligence cloud platform. Richard is a past serving member of the United Stated Secret Service and shares some of this back story in today’s engaging conversation. We’ll hear how Richard’s career in the US Secret Service has enabled him to help companies around the world defend themselves against cyber threats. Taken from my recent discussion with Dr. Lacey Pitre as part of my Conversations video series.