True North Success Podcast

What does leadership look like when the stakes are high and lives are on the line? In this episode of the True North Success Podcast, Gary Mah sits down with Scott Williams to explore leadership, commitment, and decision-making from the world of air traffic control.
Scott Williams has spent more than 25 years with NAV Canada, beginning his career as an air traffic controller and working his way up to Director of the Edmonton Area Control Centre. He oversees some of the largest and most complex airspace in the world, covering Western and Northern Canada. In this conversation, Scott shares how he entered a career he never planned for, why commitment matters more than comfort, and how leaders can support people in high-pressure environments.
Scott explains what it takes to train air traffic controllers, how stress is managed in critical roles, and why perseverance and delayed gratification played a major role in his success. He also discusses the shift from hands-on technical work to people leadership, managing hundreds of professionals, and ensuring safety while maintaining morale.
Listeners will also hear Scott’s thoughts on taking smart risks, getting comfortable being uncomfortable, and why seeking expert help—especially in financial planning—can make a meaningful difference over the long term. The episode wraps with a look ahead at exciting innovations in air traffic control and what the future holds for aviation in Canada.
 
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What does real collaboration look like when the stakes are high and the deals are complex?
In this episode of the True North Success Podcast, Gary Mah sits down with Vivek Warrier, a senior energy lawyer based in Calgary, to explore why collaboration, consensus-building, and strong teams consistently deliver the best return on investment. With nearly 25 years of experience advising energy companies across Western Canada, Vivek shares practical insights from decades of navigating mergers, acquisitions, infrastructure projects, and the evolving energy transition.
Vivek explains how his approach to law is rooted in problem-solving rather than confrontation, and why adversarial tactics often slow progress instead of creating value. He discusses the importance of building trust both within legal teams and across the negotiating table, especially in cyclical industries like energy.
Listeners will also hear Vivek’s perspective on career longevity, managing the ups and downs of transactional work, and why emotional wellness matters just as much as technical expertise. He shares thoughtful advice for young professionals, including how mentorship, teamwork, and long-term thinking can shape a fulfilling career.
The conversation also touches on financial planning for professionals, diversification outside of active income, and exciting developments in Canadian energy, including renewable projects and partnerships with Indigenous communities.
 
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What does it really take to stand out in a crowded market? In this episode of the True North Success Podcast, Gary Mah sits down with Debbie Younker to explore how elite customer service can become a powerful competitive edge in business.
Debbie is the co-owner and Director of Client Experience at Nutritious Nosh, a family-run fruit delivery business serving corporate offices, schools, and organizations across Calgary and surrounding areas. With over 16 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, Debbie brings a deep understanding of project management, client relationships, and service excellence to her entrepreneurial journey.
In this conversation, Debbie shares how Nutritious Nosh was born from a simple gap she noticed while working in a corporate environment. Offices wanted healthier snack options, but no one was providing a fully managed fruit delivery solution. That insight led her and her husband to create a niche business built on wellness, consistency, and listening closely to customer needs.
Debbie also opens up about navigating major life transitions, including career loss, family challenges, and deciding to fully step into the business. She explains how strong communication, empathy, and reliability have helped her build trust with clients and grow the company through uncertain times.
 
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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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