This wrap-up episode pulls together the moments that changed us this year, inside the classroom and out. Tiffany shares how somatic work opened a new way of coaching, and Paul talks about the power that comes from actually knowing yourself, not just talking about it. We chat about the real stuff we all wrestle with: finding buffer when life gets loud, stretching without snapping, and learning to care less about imagined judgment while still showing up with intention. We also get into what’s shifting in careers, why AI literacy matters more than people think, and where we see students needing to grow next. If you like hearing people think out loud about work, growth, and being human, you’ll enjoy this one
Career educator and EMBA grad Michelle Height joins us to unpack what three decades in career development have taught her about helping business students land, and thrive in, roles that fit. She shares how her Executive MBA started as a “check the box” exercise but then ended up reshaping her confidence, skills, and path. The conversation zooms out to the bigger picture of branding, communication, and how AI and ATS tools are changing the first rung of the career ladder, while human skills and genuine connection still do the heavy lifting.
MBA student Deen Ajayi joins us for a conversation about emotional intelligence that goes way past empathy. Deen shares how his thinking of EQ has recently shifted as pays attention to things like self-expression, decision making, and how others read you. And he tells a story about his car being towed after a long day and responding in a way neither of us saw coming. It’s an honest, grounded look at regulation, presence, and the quiet impact those skills can have on how you study, lead, and move through the program.
MBA student and Registered Nurse Frans Hanna joins us as we shift from knowing your talents to using them together. In week two of Strengths, we explore how the four domains connect and how self-awareness becomes a team advantage. Frans shares what it’s like to land in the Influencing corner, how trust goes deeper than first impressions, and why honesty and transparency help teams do their best work. We also look at common tensions like speed versus deliberation and head versus heart, and how naming them early helps teams work smarter and with more care.
In this solo episode, host Paul Taylor sits down with MBA student Hajira Malik to explore how understanding your natural talents can transform your career trajectory. Hajira shares her unique journey from government work to nursing to pursuing her MBA, driven by a desire for new challenges and growth. Through the lens of the Gallup CliftonStrengths assessment, they dive deep into Hajira's top five talents—empathy, positivity, connectedness, futuristic, and harmony—and how these strengths show up in her daily MBA experience. The conversation reveals the power of leaning into what you're naturally good at rather than trying to be well-rounded, explores how positivity helps Hajira navigate the pressures of grades and deadlines, and discusses the importance of building genuine relationships in business school. With candid insights about the "groan moments" when strengths can work against us and practical advice for leveraging talents in group projects, this episode offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to maximize their impact by understanding and embracing their unique strengths.
MD/MBA student Muhammad Israr-Ul-Haq joins us to explore what happens when you slow down and define what truly matters. Through a class exercise that helped him narrow in on a few core values, he shares the unexpected mix of clarity and discomfort that comes with naming them—and how that awareness is shaping how he studies, leads, and prepares for the next stage of his medical journey. It’s a grounded, thoughtful conversation about self-knowledge, purpose, and the power of aligning what you do with what you believe.
Fast-track MBA student Jasmeen Dhah joins us to unpack an exercise where classmates reflect your brand while you stay silent. No justifying, no explaining, just listening. Jasmeen shares the nerves of going in, the surprise of how much peers could pick up from simple images, and the possible tensions it revealed between her career ambitions and her need for quiet space. She also reflects on feedback as a gift, learning to stretch into extroverted moments without abandoning her introverted strengths, and how those insights shape the way she thinks about her future
First-year MBA student Joshua Eszczuk joins us to unpack what it actually looks like to manage energy instead of time. He points out it’s not about how many hours you spend, but the quality of energy you bring. From recognizing his current “half tank” energy level, to noticing what “sharpens or dulls his shovel”, Josh shares how small shifts in awareness change the way you work, rest, and say no. Along the way, he reflects on why nobody really has their ducks in a row, how discomfort fuels growth, and why managing your own capacity might be the most important MBA lesson of all
We’re joined by MBA Alumni Suraj Wadhwani (‘25) to break down what case competitions really are and why they matter for more than just aspiring consultants. Picture a Shark Tank-style challenge with tight timelines, new teammates, and a real business problem to solve. Suraj shares how competing sharpened his problem-solving, teamwork, and storytelling skills, why clarity beats complexity every time, and how leaning into discomfort can be the biggest growth driver. If you’ve ever wondered whether case comps are worth it, this episode makes the case for saying yes.
We’re joined by returning guest Priyanka Singh, now a second-year International MBA student, to talk about BUS 501: a foundational course that, if approached with openness, can shift the entire MBA experience. From uncovering core values and strengths to exploring unspoken brand, empathy, and energy management, Priyanka shares how self-awareness has shaped her journey. She reflects on taking initiative in projects, leaning into improv, and why understanding yourself is the foundation for growth.
Meet first-year MBA student Majid Nikouee (PhD, Educational Psychology) as he walks us through orientation week: what surprised him, what settled the nerves, and what actually helps on day one. We talk about reviewing materials without overdoing it, owning your unique story, asking for help early, and finding small recharge habits that kept him steady. Majid explains why the personal branding session and the negotiation exercise stood out, and how staying curious with your cohort makes the week manageable. Great info and advice for anyone approaching a multi-day learning experience like orientation.
We’re kicking off Season 3 with two international 2nd year MBA students, Fabliha Mahmood and Arthur Benitez, who share what it was really like to land in Canada, face the nerves of orientation, and start building a brand-new life. From getting lost on the way to campus to assembling furniture and finding their people, they talk candidly about what helped, what they wish they’d done differently, and how new students can ease into the whirlwind. If you’re about to start your MBA (or any big new chapter), you’ll see yourself in their stories.
In our season finale, we sit down with Ange McCabe, CEO of Intuity Performance, certified coach, and fellow “recovering HR professional”—to explore what it really means to lead with your whole self. Ange shares why leadership transformation is often quieter than we expect, how coaching can bridge the gap between technical skill and human connection, and why we can't separate who we are at work from who we are everywhere else. A grounded take on leadership, coaching, and why the small shifts often matter most.
Trying something a little different this episode as we talk with (instead of ‘to’) part-time MBA student Curtis Middleton all about the fear that gets in each of our ways. Curtis with the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), Tiffany with the Fear of People’s Opinions (FOPO), and Paul with the Fear of Joining In (FOJI). We each share our own experiences with these fears, where they show up, how they can actually help us, and how we use others to help balance us. If you subscribe to any of these fears, know you’re not alone. We struggle with them too!
Talking with Katie O’Malley, owner of (en)Courage Coaching and self proclaimed “Career Nomad” about how her (really interesting and squiggly) career has been guided by both but, and yes-and. She gives us great advice on how to find your career non-negotiables while at the same time understanding that no experience is a waste. Katie is a true demonstration of the true alignment and fulfillment that can be found when you lean into self-awareness, intuition, and hard work. If you’re trying to figure out how to honor yourself in your career, and find what truly fits, this is a must listen.
Talking to Jenna Dahl, Manager, Student Wellness Services with MacEwan University - who also happens to be Paul’s previous colleague - about how she harmonizes her role, being a mom of 2, business owner, and competitive Pole dancer. Jenna quickly notes that it’s not about work/life balance, but rather it’s work/life harmony that adjusts through the ebbs and flows of life. Finding her own harmony hasn’t always been easy, and she offers some great tips and experience how to navigate life in a way that truly allows you to do it all.
Talking with recent MBA grad Guoxu Li about the mindset needed to truly find success. Known as someone highly skilled in the world of finance and economics, what makes Guoxu truly stand out isn’t (just) his technical skill, but more so his approach to mindset, relationships, and life in general. A conversation so powerful and inspiring, it sparked the first tears we’ve seen in 60 episodes (from Tiffany). He starts reminding us that ‘growth is more about mindset than academics’ and the wisdom continues the entire episode. Truly a must watch/listen.
Talking with Griffin Mumby, MD/MBA student as he wraps up his MBA journey and shares how impactful it has been, but how it was also born from a setback. If you had asked Griffin a few years ago, an MBA wasn’t his plan. But life sometimes has other plans, and it’s up to us to either lean in, embrace the suck, and focus on what we can control - or lean out. Griffin is a prime example of what can happen when you choose the former. Experiencing a set-back? Not sure what to do when life doesn’t go according to plan? Give this a listen.
Talking with Vivika Sharma, one of our team’s stellar interns, about how her year-long internship in CWIL has helped shape her and her personal brand. Vivika is very much ‘ahead of the curve’ when it comes to what she knows about herself, how she’s grown, and her confidence in her ability to thrive ‘wherever the wind takes her’. There are just some students that you know are going to make big differences, and Vivika is one!
Talking with 2nd year MBA student Shida Liu about what it is that has led to a truly successful MBA journey. As someone who is always authentic, and focused on treasuring every experience and building strong relationships, it’s easy to see why Shida is well respected AND why he’s had a successful MBA journey. He’s a brilliant demonstration of why you should never say never, and always be open to what possibilities might show up.