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Sim Seera - Heartache to Hope

Chatter that Matters

Release Date: 12/19/2024

Curt Vossen and Kristjan Hebert - Food Means the World To All of Us show art Curt Vossen and Kristjan Hebert - Food Means the World To All of Us

Chatter that Matters

What if Canada could become a global food superpower—from farm to fork, from field to plate? In this live-recorded episode taped at Farm Credit Canada's Future of Food Conference, I sat down with two titens transforming Canada's agricultural landscape: Curt Vossen, the visionary CEO of Richardson International, and Kristjan Hebert, a farmer who manages his tens of thousands of acress of land with intelligence, passion, and pursuit. Together, they tackle the future of food—from battling inefficiencies in our supply chains to seizing untapped global markets. They speak with brutal...

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Canadian Tourism -Sightseeing to Soul Seeking show art Canadian Tourism -Sightseeing to Soul Seeking

Chatter that Matters

Have you ever stood in a place that felt like more than just a location? Where the air carried stories, the land echoed memory, and you walked away with more than a photo, or even a memory that will last a lifetime, you walked away different? Two weeks ago on Chatter that Matters I interviewed Ben Cowan-Dewar who built Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs on Cape Breton Island.  Two golf courses that have captured the attention of golfers all over the world and brought energy and vitallity to one of the most beautiful places in the world. Last week, my guest was Zita Cobb, who was a force of...

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Zita Cobb - The Miracle of Fogo Island show art Zita Cobb - The Miracle of Fogo Island

Chatter that Matters

Zita Cobb’s story isn’t just worth hearing—it’s worth hugging.  In this episode of Chatter That Matters, you’ll meet a woman who helped to transform Fogo Island, one of the most remote and rugged places in Canada, into a beacon that attracts the world. Zita's perspective on hospitality, community, and the miracles of reimagining a place will change how you view tourism, shifting from merely visiting to truly experiencing Mother Nature and Human Nature. Zita speaks with wisdom carved from the rocks of a small fishing village in Newfoundland and Labrador, where everything her...

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Ben Cowan-Dewar - Build It and They Will Come show art Ben Cowan-Dewar - Build It and They Will Come

Chatter that Matters

"Tourism advances our Cabot brand and provides people and communities with an incredible opportunity to escape inequality.” – Ben Cowan-Dewar. Welcome to Chatter That Matters, where we share inspiring stories of human journeys, extraordinary dreams, and transformative ideas. The timing couldn't be more perfect for this episode—today marks the beginning of The Masters, one of the most celebrated sporting events of the year. It's also a pivotal moment as we explore ways to create a more self-reliant economy that attracts foreign investment, generates employment, and brings positivity and...

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Tony Chapman - How Canada can survive and thrive. show art Tony Chapman - How Canada can survive and thrive.

Chatter that Matters

I am breaking format to share my conversation with Ben Mulroney this morning on his national radio show on the Corus network.  I offer six transformative ideas for  Canada on how we can thrive in the next decade. Forget the partisan debates and dive deep into bold ideas that transcend politics and policy. Here's a sneak peek at what you'll hear: 1)Unlocking Canada's Tourism Potential: From a place to visit to the place to be.  2)Old and New": Powering the Future with Resources and Innovation: Can Canada responsibly harness its natural resources while simultaneously building a...

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Marcel Bregstein - A Character with Immense Character show art Marcel Bregstein - A Character with Immense Character

Chatter that Matters

  “We’re not in the hospitality business. I create experiences. I create moments. I create memories.” – Marcel Bregstein What does turning a dining room into a stage and service into soul-stirring theatre take? In this week’s 'Taped Live' - Chatter That Matters, I sit down, glass in hand and mic on—with Marcel Bregstein: sommelier, showman, and the heart behind The Toronto Hunt, one of Canada’s most extraordinary clubs. His story is a cinematic sweep—from privilege in Costa Rica, to hardship in Canada, to cruise ships, heartbreak, fine wine, and a calling. Marcel doesn’t...

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Gina Livy - Earned, Not Given show art Gina Livy - Earned, Not Given

Chatter that Matters

“I just have an idea. I’m motivated. I figure out how to do it, and away I go.”  I usually avoid experts who offer lifestyle advice since so many podcasts already cover that territory. However, I was at a loss for words when I learned more about Gina Livy's unique journey.  Gina’s story isn’t about lost pounds but about purpose reclaimed. From a university experience that saw her gain 100 pounds and a new perspective to becoming a fierce entrepreneur who leads with instinct, Gina didn’t just overcome the odds—she rewrote them.  What makes this conversation matter...

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Jennie Coleman - One Amazing Banana show art Jennie Coleman - One Amazing Banana

Chatter that Matters

What if the challenges life throws at you aren’t roadblocks but stepping stones to something greater? Born almost blind, Jennie Coleman never saw the world like others until a miraculous surgery at 13 changed everything. But that was just the beginning. She built a trailblazing career at Bombardier, specializing in corporate strategy and travelling between Montreal, Zurich, Berlin, and Beijing. Then, life threw her another challenge: her daughter Laura, born with an ultra-rare genetic mutation, forever needed care. Jennie could have retreated, but instead, she redefined success. Jennie left...

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Dr. Anmol Kapoor - Be the CEO of your Health show art Dr. Anmol Kapoor - Be the CEO of your Health

Chatter that Matters

I encourage everyone to listen to this interview.  Why? It's about your longevity. Yes, adding years to your life—and more importantly bringing life to your years.  It’s about taking control of your health instead of leaving it to chance. I know this firsthand. After undergoing extensive advanced medical testing, I feel empowered. I now understand the changes I must make to enhance my longevity while living my best life. My guest is a visionary cardiologist and entrepreneur, Dr. Anmol Kapoor, founder of BioAro Inc., a Calgary-based firm transforming health care worldwide....

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Marion Thénault - Fly Like an Eagle show art Marion Thénault - Fly Like an Eagle

Chatter that Matters

For my International Women’s Day episode, I chose Marion Thénault—a Canadian who flies like an eagle on the global stage.  After realizing that gymnastics wouldn’t take her to the Olympics, Marion felt lost. On a promise to her Mom, she went to RBC Training Ground, where her trampoline skills caught the attention of a scout. She was asked if she had ever tried those flips on skis. As it turned out, she had only been on skis a handful of times. Marion leaped into Freestyle Aerial Skiing, and in short order became a World Cup champion and Olympic Medallist. Her biggest...

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I was sitting in the green room of a Canadian television station when Sim Seera walked in. She has such positive energy. Since we were both early for our appearances, we used the time to talk and get to know each other. I liked her immediately, and when she told me her story, I knew I had to share it on Chatter That Matters.

I also wanted to share her energy with an audience, so I taped the interview in front of a packed house at the Convenience Industry Council of Canada's annual summit. This unexpected twist added a new and wonderful dimension to our conversation.

This is Sim's story, an immigrant who came to Canada at a young age after losing her parents in a horrific accident. Tragedy will strike again, but it is through the people she meets along the way, both family and strangers, that guide and help her get to where she is today.

As Sim says in the podcast: "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear."