True North Success Podcast

What happens when psychology, faith, and culture are treated as essential parts of the healing process rather than side notes? In this episode of the True North Success Podcast, Gary Mah sits down with registered psychologist Joanne Ginter to explore how honoring a person’s full story can transform therapy, leadership, and life.
Joanne brings more than 40 years of clinical experience working with children, adults, families, and Indigenous communities. She shares how her early work in school psychology evolved into a deep commitment to cultural awareness, religious inclusion, and trauma-informed care. Joanne explains why she returned to university mid-career to study religious studies and how that decision reshaped her approach to psychology.
The conversation also dives into Joanne’s current focus on creative trauma-focused therapy. She explains how expressive arts, metaphor, and hypnotic techniques can help clients heal in powerful and meaningful ways. Joanne reflects on what truly sets professionals apart, the importance of knowing who you want to serve, and why creating spaces where people feel safe and at home matters so much.
 
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In this episode of the True North Success Podcast, Gary Mah sits down with Brian Hall, a seasoned entrepreneur with more than four decades of experience in energy information management. Brian shares the story behind GDM Inc. and how the company has grown into Canada’s largest repository of energy infrastructure data, serving oil and gas operators, midstream companies, refiners, and more.
Brian explains why raw data alone has limited value and why quality, structure, and analytics are what truly transform data into knowledge and predictive wisdom. He walks through how asset intelligence and integrity management help pipeline owners assess risk, ensure compliance, protect the environment, and make better long-term decisions.
The conversation also goes beyond technology. Brian offers thoughtful insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, and strategy, including the importance of developing an empowering mindset, having a clear long-term vision, and staying flexible as conditions change. He reflects on navigating political and regulatory shifts in the energy sector, building resilience as a leader, and why strategy must evolve as the world does.
Finally, Brian shares his perspective on personal wealth planning, the value of trusted advisors, and why casting a clear vision for your future helps guide both business and life decisions.
 
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What does it really take to build a successful, values-driven psychology practice while delivering exceptional care? In this episode of the True North Success Podcast, Gary Mah sits down with Dr. Cheryl Gilbert MacLeod, a registered psychologist with over 25 years of experience, to explore the power of specialization, collaboration, and mentorship in clinical practice.
Dr. MacLeod is one of the owners of The Family Psychology Place in Calgary, a multi-location clinic serving children, adolescents, adults, and families. She shares how growing a large, collaborative team has allowed clinicians to focus on their areas of expertise while supporting one another in what can often be a challenging and emotionally demanding profession.
Throughout the conversation, Dr. MacLeod explains why psychology can feel like a lonely career without the right environment and how having open doors, shared case discussions, and genuine collegial support makes all the difference. She also discusses her passion for supervision and mentorship, and why continuous learning across generations of clinicians strengthens both individuals and organizations.
Gary and Dr. MacLeod also dive into the business side of healthcare, including lessons learned from running a private practice, the importance of understanding finances, and planning ahead for long-term sustainability and retirement. Dr. MacLeod offers thoughtful advice for early-career professionals on finding mentors, building business skills, and asking for help.
 
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What does it really take to succeed in aviation—and in life—when the stakes are high? In this episode of the True North Success Podcast, Gary Mah sits down with Captain Randy Polak, a seasoned airline pilot with more than four decades of flying experience, to talk about perseverance, preparation, and staying calm under pressure.
Captain Randy shares how his journey began in a small oil town in northern Alberta and how one unexpected flight sparked a lifelong passion for aviation. He walks listeners through the commitment required to become a professional pilot, from the intense training and financial investment to the discipline needed to master a highly regulated industry.
One of the most powerful moments in the conversation is when Randy recounts a life-threatening in-flight emergency early in his career. He explains how clear thinking, focus, and respect for the aircraft helped him survive—and how that experience shaped his approach to flying and teaching others.
The conversation also explores the realities of modern aviation, including turbulence, safety, and how the industry has changed for young pilots today. As Randy looks toward retirement, he shares his desire to give back through teaching, mentoring, and even exploring new creative paths outside the cockpit.
 
 
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Navigating the International Path to a Successful Canadian Practice with Gayatri Kainth
Starting over in a new country can feel overwhelming, especially when your professional identity is on the line. In this episode of the True North Success Podcast, Gary Mah sits down with Gayatri Kainth, a registered psychologist, to talk about what it really takes to rebuild a successful practice in Canada as an internationally trained professional.
Gayatri shares her journey from practicing psychology for over a decade abroad to navigating the complex and often isolating registration process in Canada. She opens up about the emotional challenges of immigration, motherhood, and career uncertainty, and how perseverance played a critical role in her success.
During the conversation, Gayatri explains her current areas of focus, including couples therapy, step-family and blended family support, body-focused repetitive behaviors such as skin picking and hair pulling, and the use of hypnotherapy. She also talks about what truly sets her apart as a practitioner, highlighting empathy, deep listening, and a non-judgmental approach to care.
 
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What really drives growth and efficiency inside dental practices — without sacrificing culture or patient care? In this episode of the True North Success Podcast, Amy Kim sits down with Mimi Godin, a leader who has worked inside nearly 600 dental practices across Canada and brings a rare blend of clinical and business expertise.
Mimi shares her journey from dental hygienist to leading clinical development for a large dental service organization. Along the way, she explains how her non-linear career path helped her understand every layer of a dental practice — from patient experience and scheduling to leadership, workflows, and scalable systems.
This conversation dives into the real challenges dental practices face today, including inefficiencies in scheduling, balancing productivity with patient care, and navigating the shift from single-practice ownership to larger dental networks. Mimi explains why honoring each practice’s unique culture is essential, even within large organizations, and how thoughtful frameworks and on-site support can close operational gaps.
Listeners will also hear Mimi’s perspective on leadership, resilience, and why community impact has guided every step of her career. She shares practical advice for clinicians who are curious about moving beyond clinical roles and exploring opportunities in consulting, operations, and corporate dentistry.
 
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What if one therapy could support heart health, kidney health, metabolic health, and more? In this episode of the True North Success Podcast, Amy Kim sits down with James Papatzimas to explore how new GLP-1 therapies are changing the way cardiovascular and kidney disease are being approached.
James shares his journey from studying chemistry in Canada, to advanced research roles in California, and back home again in a medical science liaison role supporting physicians across Western Canada. He explains how his background in research and development gives him a unique perspective when working with healthcare providers and translating complex science into real-world patient impact.
The conversation dives into how GLP-1 receptor agonists have evolved beyond diabetes and weight management, showing promising benefits for cardiovascular and kidney health. James highlights why treating patients more holistically is becoming increasingly important, and how modern therapies are helping address unmet needs that traditional treatments cannot fully solve on their own.
James also opens up about the challenges of working in research, learning to grow from failure, navigating career uncertainty during the pandemic, and finding ways to bring global expertise back to Canada. He shares thoughtful insights on long-term career stability, consulting opportunities, and why finding meaningful work matters just as much as financial success.
 
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What happens when advanced pharmaceutical science meets the wisdom of plant-based medicine? In this episode, Amy Kim sits down with Nuzhat Tam-Zaman, a pharmaceutical scientist and founder of Sinoveda, to explore how artificial intelligence and nature are coming together to reshape the future of health.
Nuzhat shares her journey from growing up with traditional medicine in Bangladesh to earning her PhD in pharmaceutical sciences and building a global natural health company in Canada. She explains how her patented technology identifies the exact bioactive compounds in plants and ensures consistency, potency, and safety in every product. This approach bridges Eastern medicine with Western pharmaceutical precision.
The conversation dives into how AI is now accelerating drug discovery, including promising work using cannabis-derived compounds for liver cancer research. Nuzhat also discusses the challenges of innovating “against the grain,” especially in Western markets, and why Asia plays a key role in the future of natural and pharmaceutical health solutions.
Listeners will also learn about plant-based options for issues like inflammation, bone health, and long COVID symptoms, along with what to look for when choosing supplements. This episode offers a hopeful and science-backed look at how natural medicine, when done right, can improve lives on a global scale.
 
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What does it really take to get major energy and infrastructure projects built in Canada?
In this episode of the True North Success Podcast, Amy Kim sits down with Jeremy Barretto, a Calgary-based lawyer and strategic legal advisor who has spent over a decade helping companies navigate some of the most complex regulatory and approval processes in the country. With a unique background that spans both engineering and law, Jeremy brings a practical, solutions-focused approach to projects involving pipelines, mines, renewable energy, ports, and railways.
Jeremy shares how his early career as an environmental engineer led him to law school, and how that technical foundation continues to shape the way he solves problems today. He explains why collaboration, persistence, and clear recommendations are critical when working on long-term projects, including his 12-year involvement with the Trans Mountain Pipeline.
Throughout the conversation, Jeremy offers thoughtful advice for professionals who want to become better problem solvers, grow their careers, and stand out in service-based industries. He also discusses the importance of working with Indigenous nations, building trust, and addressing concerns in a meaningful way. Toward the end of the episode, Jeremy shares book recommendations that have influenced his leadership and management style, along with insights into the future of major projects in Canada.
 
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What does the energy transition really look like when you move beyond headlines and into real-world projects? In this episode of the True North Success Podcast, Gary Mah and Amy Kim sit down with Brad Hayes to explore the realities of energy development through the lens of data, science, and decades of hands-on experience.
Brad Hayes is the President of Petrel Robertson Consulting Ltd., a leading geoscience and energy advisory firm that has supported industry, governments, and regulators since 1972. With nearly 30 years at the firm, Brad brings deep expertise in petroleum development, carbon capture and storage, geothermal energy, helium and lithium exploration, and water resource management.
In this conversation, Brad explains why energy projects are far more complex than they often appear in public discussions. He shares how exploration doesn’t always lead to success, why uncertainty and risk are unavoidable, and how informed decision-making depends on solid geoscience and realistic expectations. Brad also discusses the challenges of working with investors, regulators, and communities, and why patience is critical when developing long-term energy solutions.
Listeners will gain a clearer understanding of why oil and gas will continue to play a role in the energy mix, why alternative energies must be developed thoughtfully, and how science—not hype—should guide the transition. This episode offers valuable insights for professionals in energy, government, investing, and anyone curious about what’s really happening beneath the surface.
 
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