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Career Buzz

What do you like about your career? What happened that brought you this point? Did you plan on this career? Or did it just happen? These are the kind of questions we've been exploring for the past year on Career Buzz, Canada's unique radio show that explores real career stories with none of the secret twists and turns left out.

Hosted by Mark Franklin, Leigh Anne Saxe and Louisa Jewell on CIUT 89.5 FM,  Friday mornings at 11-12 (ET).  We talk to career experts and invite you to ask questions, by emailing us at mark@careercycles.com  Listen online at www.ciut.fm or Star Choice channel 826 if you’re outside 75 km radius around T.O.

Listen to an mp3 of interviews - right click to download mp3 files

CareerBuzz Guests & Listeners speak...

In a world that's constantly telling us we don't have enough and how we ought to prepare for the worst, Career Buzz reminds us that the answers are found within ourselves and any thing is possible if we dare to think it and do it. Mark, Leigh Anne, and Louisa, are sensitive to the needs and interests of the listeners, and I'm always inspired by the insights and amazing experiences of their guests. Keep up the positive vibe! --Adam Cheung

I love your radio show! I've got a pretty steady job now, but before I did, I used to listen to your program every week, no joke. It was really inspiring to hear other people's career stories and made me
feel more upbeat and positive when I was looking for meaningful employment. --Tovi Heilbronn

I'm a big fan of Career Buzz and would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for all your great work as a radio show host! I'm also very appreciative of your guests and two other hosts. --Jennifer Kelly

Thanks, that was a lovely experience. Could have gone on for ages, thanks to your great questions and your talent for listening and allowing people to speak!  - Toby Yull

Thanks so much for having me on Career Buzz yesterday. It was great to meet you and Frankie and I really enjoyed being part of your radio program. It was fun! -Brent Garell, The Cook-a-Palooza Experience

Thank you for your soothing energy that enhanced this amazing experience to its fullest. One more HUGE reason to say thank you tonight for an amazing day!! I had a blast!!! -Daniela Torres

Thanks for letting me be part of your "Career Buzz" show - you are a good interviewer and I can see how the program will help people who are experiencing some career indecision." -Prof. Norman Amundson, Counselling Psychology / Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia

I was so moved [by Career Buzz guest, Phil David], he was fantastic. Everything he said I was interested in. I was really moved by his honesty. There was something incredibly drawing towards him. Well done. You did an excellent job as well! -Kevin Shortt

It was a great experience - you did a great job. -Stephen Armstrong

Thank you for the opportunity to do the interview, I enjoyed it... I will be sure to listen to your show from now on. -Krista Ross

It was really fun once I got over my nerves. You are a lovely host. -Andrée Sales

Thank you so much for welcoming us to your show. We loved being a part of it! -Charity Agamata & Jennifer Harris

What a great show this morning.....I loved listening and I was glad that I told a few people to tune in! -Aileen Crowne

I made a point of listening to the show this morning. You were great! Wonderful combination of guests to confirm the key reasons. -Kristina Vohma

As a guest on Mark's show, I was immediately comfortable and relaxed. Mark has a very inviting way of relating and a wonderful ability to attune to the guest and excavate the most relevant details of their story. It is obvious from the way he prepares and conducts his interviews that he has found his calling! I enjoyed my time on his show immensely and really appreciated the depth of the interaction.  -Jeff Brown, author of... Soulshaping: Adventures in Self-Creation

You probably don't get enough feedback that what you are doing is extremely valuable, to help people realize they can do anything they want, if they really put their minds and their efforts towards it. -Bruce Small

Great show today! I am really grateful for the way you are working in the world. It is important and meaningful. -Aysa September

I was listening to your show today and found it to be very interesting. I'm going to be a regular listener. I think the content that you have is relevant to many people as many are scared to leap out of a secure job and into something they enjoy doing. Great show. -Sahitya Sehgal, M.Eng, P.Eng, PMP, MBA(C)

Congratulations on a really good show today. I found it interesting and informative. Louisa: I love the stats you’ve gathered. -Karen F.

I was able to catch your show today. Fascinating stuff. -Robert Cote, P.Eng.

You have a wonderful way of getting to the heart of an issue or a learning moment. I wish I'd had the chance to spend some time with you twenty years ago - it might have saved a lot of frustration! -Sharon Quarrington (guest Jan. 25, 2008)

I found both the guests on your December 28th show extremely interesting.and enjoyed hearing the law of attraction expressed so articulately. I loved hearing your first guest express the flow and ease that characterized her choices when motivated by what satisfied her heart. This is so different from the old idea that one must force oneself into a pre-existing structure whether or not it fits. I don't always have the chance to listen to your show, but on the occasions I've heard it, your guests have been invariably intriguing and enjoyable. Although I'm not seeking another career myself, for me the stories of how people end up doing what they do are fascinating and I applaud the educational intent behind the show. I would like to have had such a show to listen to when I was first making my career choices! -Karen Alison

Always like to hear what you have to say and love your e-mails. They are in tune with what the baby boomers are interested in. -Don White

I really enjoyed the interview experience. Your questions were engaging and had superb insight... as a regular CBC Radio listener, I felt that your questions were on par with those guys. -Sushee Perumal C.E.O., Jet Direct Canada

I just listened to the show and thought Helene was fantastic! Congratulations, I just thought it was terrific. I enjoyed it completely. -Linda Laufer

Wonderful. I loved it! -Stephen Armstrong, AMGI Management Group

Great show today! Practice firms, wow, what a wonderful concept that is... good show! - Al F.

Very interesting - great guest and great questions from you - really drew out interesting stories. -Cathy Keates, Career Centre, YORK UNIVERSITY

Great show, Mark! I have to say: you’re doing a really good job with this. I’ve really noticed how much you’ve improved on the air since the earlier show or two I caught. I’m proud of you! -Paul Eisen, Principal User Experience Architect, TandemSeven

I had an opportunity to listen to your show on Friday and found it very enlightening and informative. -Katerina Salto, Career Services,  Ontario Society of Professional Engineers

Tremendous job. Good program. -Elmo Sheppard, former Director, Human Resources, Toronto

Just wanted to thank you for asking me to be on your show. That was a really fun chat! You asked great questions! -Laurie Gough, guest March 9, 2007

Listened to career buzz today... I really enjoyed it – felt like you scripted it for me – career transition, volunteer management, parents taking turns between work and home, teaching stuff, remembering to put job search up front (ahead of laundry), volunteering – these all resonated. Great stuff! It’s little gems like this that keep the momentum up, and remind me that I’m on track. -Don C., Halifax, NS

Fantastic show! It was really good. Mary was really interesting, and very stimulating. The interaction between her and Debbie was quite good. I really liked it! -Kevin S., Toronto

First let me say thanks for the wonderful experience of being a guest on your show. Your are so cool in that role. Maybe that is your next move on a broader scale. You are real smooth at it and a natural talent. I observed how well you handled it all and can’t say enough about thrilled I was to be part of it. -Mark Venning of Change Rangers, guest Feb. 23, 2007

Interesting guests! Fantastic show! I love the way you stopped them and put the whole thing into a universal perspective, while encapsulating what they said. It was really good. -Judy F., Toronto

Good show today......that Brill guy really should be on radio! -Karen F.

What I liked about that particular interview [finance/ financial services with David Brill] was that it provided a kind of insider view of the industry, one that is not readily obtainable in some of the career resources. -Gerry N.

We really enjoyed your show today (May25). It was great! The butchers were fantastically interesting, as was Richard. It was a very good show--well done! -Kevin S., Toronto

Career conversations in the workplace? Lee Butterfield, Vivian Lalande, Bill Borgen | Be inspired

mp3 of the episode: Friday, February 12, 2010

A funny thing happens when you talk about facilitating career conversations in the workplace. Many have an immediate reaction, ‘If you help people manage their careers, they’ll leave!’ This reaction has a built-in assumption that all Canadian employees want to leave but somehow don’t know how or where.

Friday’s Career Buzz guests are at the forefront of an evidence-based revolution, focusing on the benefits and positive outcomes of career conversations in the workplace. They say: “In many ways, organizations are in the business of supporting individual career development within the organization, however, this could be done more systematically and effectively to the benefit of both the organization and the employee.”

Tune in on Friday to three Canadian career development leaders who are members and associates of the Canadian Research Working Group for Evidence-Based Practice in Career Development. Lee Butterfield is Program Director & Core Faculty, Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, Adler School of Professional Psychology in Vancouver. Bill Borgen is Professor and Head, Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education, Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia. Vivian Lalande is Associate Professor Emeritus, University of Calgary.

mp3 of the episode: Friday, February 5, 2010

Wade Davis is a bestelling author and an award winning anthropologist, ethnobotanist, filmmaker, and photographer. His writing and photos have been published in The Globe and Mail, Macleans, Newsweek, National Geographic, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post. His recent book, The Wayfinders: Why Ancient Wisdom Matters in the Modern World, comprises the 2009 CBC Massey Lectures. Davis currently holds the post of National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, and divides his time between Washington DC and northern British Columbia.

Peter Bowerman is a veteran commercial freelance writer and business coach. He’s the self-published author of the award-winning book The Well-Fed Writer. It’s a how-to guide to lucrative commercial freelance writing for businesses. Bowerman built a commercial freelancing business from fantasy to full-time in less than four months.

What moments spark those endings? How do life altering moments of epiphanies change our lives?

Dean Dwyer author of the Quit Bit blog began to quit shit and discovered that his life has taken an amazing turn for the better as a result. At the end of 2008 he quit his job because he realized he no longer liked anything about it. What happened? Life began to unfold as it should. Ideas started to come his way and he began attracting more of what he wanted.

Chris Jarvis’ journey began on the streets of Toronto. He was working alongside scores of at-risk youth. There he was confronted with harsh realities including prostitution, drugs, and homelessness. And there, he experienced a life-altering moment of epiphany. That moment enabled him, to begin to receive vital gifts held out to him by the hands of those often deemed “needy.” He entered into the cycle of brokenness and wholeness offered by this community, and embarked on his own journey of transformation. Now, Chris’ mission is to invite others to these moments of epiphany. In part Chris does this through his company, called Realized Worth, cofounded with his partner Angela Parker. Their expertise is in designing and implementing Employee Volunteer Programs.

Marketer-turned-aNIthing is possible recruiter. Networking authority. Be inspired.

mp3 of the episode: Friday, January 8 2010

Over a 17 year marketing / communications career, Nicol Kalman gained first-hand agency and client-side experience working at FCB, Coca-Cola Ltd., and at a mid-sized integrated agency. Now Ni runs recruiting firm aNIthing is possible. Nicol unveils the twists and turns in her story, and gives you tips for working with recruiters in 2010.
 

The Chicago Tribune calls her a “networking expert, Lillian Bjorseth is author of Breakthrough Networking: Building Relationships That Last. She shares her career story, and face-to-face networking and communication tips to enrich your career and life in the new year.

Backline tech. Career Engineer. Lawyer turned managing editor. Be inspired.

mp3 of the episode: Friday, Dec. 11

Jean Cumming went to law school practiced for a while though never intended to continue. She liked business and ideas, but not practice. Her interest was in writing so she freelanced and wrote about culture, and law. Without knowing it, her career and life choices brought her to a career she loves, immersed in business law and the business of law as Editor in Chief of Lexpert magazine.

Jason Prack wanted to be a luthier so he went to Montreal to start luthier school. He found out it’d be a three year wait to get in. So he left and got a job on a live music crew and he now has a career he enjoys as a backline tech for Nelly Furtado and others.

A friend called Francina Harrison The Career Engineer and the name stuck. Francina worked for other people for years, in social work, until she started working for herself. Her approach: ‘We’re all about the mind. If we re-engineer the mind, the behind the will follow.’

Returned monk, quiet mind leader, yogini and career engineer

mp3 of the episode: November 27, 2009

Stephen Schettini left a predictable life in Montreal to travel the world. He became a Tibetan monk for eight years, then came back and wrote The Novice: Why I became a monk, why I left and what I learned. Stephen is joined by his wife and business partner Caroline Courey, and both co-founded Quiet Mind (QM) Seminars, with Caroline as its associate director.

Tracey and Keith take raw fish and lemons and make grilled perfection and lemonade

mp3 of the episode: November 13, 2009

Tracey Erin Smith, award winning performer of The Burning Bush, disliked auditioning with a passion. She returned to acting when she realized she could do it the way she wanted to, taking creative control for producing her own shows. Now she has a career she loves, performing, and teaching others to tell their stories in a compelling way. Tracey said she loves helping people develop their stories so they go from ‘raw fish’ to ‘grilled to perfection.’

Keith Tsau put all his positive energy into a retail job after university even though it wasn’t at all what he wanted to be doing. By approaching work in this way he attracted one success after another, ultimately leading him to a career he loves, running his own recruiting business, www.rpigroup.ca and continuing to build on entrepreneurial opportunities like job site www.jobbeam.com and location-based app at www.cellflare.com Keith said, as an committed entrepreneur, he ‘just can’t hit the stop button.’

CareerCycles asks: What if the question isn’t ‘where’s my perfect career?’ but rather, ‘How can I ‘perfect’ my own thoughts and self-talk, to be as close to the perfect me as possible?’ Positive psychology researcher Barbara Fredrickson has discovered the positivity ratio of positive thoughts to negative ones is 3:1. Once people surpass that threshold, flourishing happens. What if, as research is showing, happiness causes success and not vice versa?

Where's the entrepreneurial spirit for today's youth?

mp3 of the episode: October 30, 2009

CHRISTINE LU is Director of Communications for Impact Entrepreneurship Group impact.org Impact is Canada's largest non-profit, student-run organization all about encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit of youth in Canada. Since 2004, Impact’s programs have reach over 100 000 young people each year.

YUE LIU is a member of the Communications team for the Impact Entrepreneurship Group. Yue was a leader of one of the participating teams of the 2009 Impact Microcredit Competition when she was in high school earlier this year.

ADITYA SHAH, is Impact Alumnus and co-founder of a startup software company called EightyTwenty Group www.eightytwentygroup.com, He’s already gained work experience consulting at Deloitte, and product management positions at Bell Canada and Research in Motion, He is an engineering grad of the University of Waterloo, and was actively involved in Impact Group.

mp3 of the episode: October 23, 2009 (CareerBuzz starts at 2:40)

Founder of InViVo Communications and Spongelab Interactive, Andrea Bielecki leads teams in developing innovative interactive educational tools in the Serious Games/Games for Health industry. Dr. Jeremy Friedberg loves teaching complex concepts. Realizing that play is a great way to teach, Jeremy began developing immersive learning experiences for his university students. Through serendipity they met and teamed up to found Spongelab, designer of educational games including award-winning Genomics Digital Lab biology games.

1.Career Buzz goes to Cairo . Fri. Oct. 9th

mp3 of the episode: October 9, 2009

Ruba Nadda is a critically and internationally acclaimed Canadian filmmaker and director of Cairo Time (2009), which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival as a Special Presentation, and opens on screens around Toronto tonight! She studied English as an undergraduate and film production in New York . Her films have been shown over 500 times in film festivals around the world. Ruba introduces Cairo Time Oct. 9 & 10, 7 pm at Varsity Cinema in Toronto.

After graduating from law school, Daniel Iron was legal counsel at Telefilm Canada for five years. He joined and eventually became a partner at Rhombus Media where he co-produced the Oscar-winning The Red Violin. In January 2004, Daniel left Rhombus to create his own production company, Foundry Films Inc. which has produced Manufactured Landscapes, Away From Her, and Cairo Time.

Career Buzz digs into archaeology, and shamanic healing.

mp3 of the episode: September 25, 2009

 
Martin Cooper is Partner and Senior Archaeologist at Archaeological Services, and he’s Vice President, Lands and Traditional Use, at Pele Mountain Resources. Dial in Martin’s kaleidoscopic career story, including accomplished wilderness guide and student of traditional travel, having journeyed by canoe and snowshoe throughout much of northern Ontario.

Reisa Prock had no idea she was going to be a shamanic healer. She studied French, taught meditation, sold business equipment and houses before her healing career picked her. Tune in for the story!

CareerBuzz goes to Career Fairs with Video Resumes

mp3 of the episode: September 11, 2009

Tune in to hear guests Rita Persaud from www.nappcanada.com about Career Fairs. Should you go? And Kelvin Edmonson of www.jobbeam.com where candidates submit video resumes. Should you?

CareerBuzz gets ROI: Return on Imagination

mp3 of the episode: August 21, 2009

Not every company has it’s own historian. Rogers does. And Ian Anthony is IT. He created his corporate historian position from scratch building on a long relationship with Edward rogers whom Ian met when they were both in residence at the U of Western Ont. We heard all about the twists and turns in Ian’ s career before he landed the corporate historian gig.

Peter Widdis is a marketing innovation practitioner who connects insights into ideas that “build for the better”. He’s Senior Consultant at Boston, based Stratovation Inc. as well as Professor at George Brown College here in Toronto. Peter’s 15 years of marketing and advertising experience spans positions at Marc Anthony Cosmetics, Campbell Soup Company, Cadbury Adams, CIM and Satchii and Satchii, GREY Advertising. Peter introduced the Cadbury Mr. Big Vince Carter promotion. We heard about Peter’s client side/agency side/education side career.

CareerBuzz looks at life after pro sports

mp3 of the episode: July 24, 2009

Orlondo Steinauer completed 12 seasons in the Canadian Football & National Football Leagues, (1996-2008), and was a 3-time CFL All-Canadian and a 2-time Grey Cup Champion. What happens when an athlete like Orlondo ‘retires’ from pro sports? He transfers his skills to the role of ‘Corporate Athlete’ / Entrepreneur, Community Leader and Mentor. Tune in to hear Orlondo’s career journey, and his new ventures including the formation of his own non-profit foundation, the ‘O ZONE’ for single mothers and disadvantaged children to enhance lives, illuminate spirits, and remove self-imposed barriers.

Joe Jackman merged his personal experience as an athlete with his sales and marketing strengths and brands himself as a corporate athlete. Joe founded the “Life after hockey” program used the NHL Players Association, and is partner in RemBrand Lifestyle, helping financial planners evolve to life planners. Plus, Joe has worked as Orlondo’s coach. Tune in for the whole story.

CareerCycles encourages you to sidestep typical negative reactions to bad news in your career and life, and instead probe it. What door does it open? What’s possible outside of the area of your bad news?

mp3 of the episode: July 10, 2009

Herky put a new spin on bad news. He said receiving bad news was “the best thing that even happened.” He’d been selling commercial real estate when a prospective buyer told he was a terrible salesman. Rather than getting defensive, Herky got curious. The man told him he was too nice and wanted to help too much. The man took Herky to a social service agency where Herky found a workplace he’d fit in. The bad news was a catalyst to a career Herky loves, helping people.

CareerBuzz Bakes and Shakes!

mp3 of the episode: June 26, 2009

When Bill MacNeil was growing up in rural Nova Scotia, every flat surface had a mound of dough on it. His love of baking led him finally, at age 45, to a baking job he loves at 24 Carrots Bakery in Halifax. The long road to career happiness—“I’m damn close to being the happiest person in the world”—took Bill from a job on the railway, to a drug addiction, to addiction counsellor roles and more. Knead your dial to 89.5 FM and breathe in the delicious aroma of an inspiring career story.

Marc Belaiche’s career path followed a respectable if traditional trajectory: B.Comm., reputable accounting firm, CA, reputable insurance company. Things started to shift when he took jobs in recruiting. Tired of his existing roles and entering his 40s, Marc asked, what now? He learned about some I.T. guys who had a website company and were looking for someone to take it to the next level. That’s when Marc become an internet entrepreneur and since 2005 has been making TorontoJobs.ca an employment success story. Call-in for giveaway of tix to their Career Day on July 22.

Career Buzz goes to Nicaragua, Part 2
mp3 of the episode Fri.June 12, 2009
 

· What’s life like when your career and life choices are constrained because you live in the city dump? Yamileth will tell you. Yamileth Perez, Director of the Artisan Program of Esperanza en Accion, speaks poignantly about having lived alongside hundreds of others in the Managua dump, La Chureca
· What’s life like when your circumstances demand you start working at age 10? David, the miller, will tell you. David Lopez, a 28 year old miller, started his career 18 years ago at age 10.
· What’s life like when you dedicate it to saying ‘never again,’ after your neighbour’s baby dies of starvation due to poverty? Angela will tell you. Dona Angela, leads Palacio Esmeralda, a feeding program for 150 kids in Managua, in a space smaller than your kitchen.
· What’s life like when professionals like you earn $275-$550 per month? Forget about national unemployment rate in single digits, what’s it like to live in a country where 80% of the working population is unemployed or underemployed? Dalena will tell you. Dalena Taylor Pondler is 25 year old coordinator with Casa Canadiense, and logistics director of Compañeros
Tune in and get perspective.
PLUS, Crystal Campbell, a certified professional coach, joins us off the top to tell listeners about The International Coach Federation-GTA Coaches “Coaching Conversations for Power and Possibility” to help combat the recession and support United Way Toronto.

People talk about career as a journey, but what models do we have for that journey? And what can we learn from the timeless myths and metaphors from human history that can help us navigate the complex world of work we find ourselves in these days?

mp3 of the episode: May 22, 2009

Michelle Tocher has a unique understanding of the archetypal journey and the healing power of storytelling, metaphor and myth. She is author of five books, and co-author of Brave Work: The Hero’s Journey at Work. Tune in to hear how Michelle’s work illustrates how every person can invoke the mythic imagination as a source of hope and wellness.

Charismatic, talented, warm, humourous. This is how Andy Frank was described when he was Senior Producer and Host of CIUT’s daily current-affairs show, Take5. Andy came to radio after experiences in the restaurant business eventually owning his own restaurant. But his commitment to radio took its toll, leading him to a Storytelling Journey workshop led by Michelle, today’s other guest. Hear how Andy found his way, empowered his career, and redeployed his passion for broadcasting and music into a new venture called Frankcasting.

Are you for sale? I mean in your job search if you’re conducting one now, of if you have conducted one in the past, were you “selling yourself”? You know, where you’re the product, employers are the market, and you talk about your features and benefits? How does it feel to use that metaphor? 

mp3 of the episode: May 8, 2009

Cathy Keates has coached students, new grads and job seekers of all ages. Presently working at Queen's University, formerly Cathy was the Associate Director of the Career Centre at York University. Cathy writes and presents about transforming job search. Her latest book is NOT FOR SALE, Why we need a new job search mindset. Tune in and find out what an integrity mindset is all about.

Anju Sohal had a great career in marketing, communications and sales for 15 years, back in Vancouver. Then, she decided to move to Toronto and landed right at the beginning of the recession. So it’s been a long search. Described as an “ambitious go-getter with a fearless attitude,” how does Anju stay positive while waiting for the results of her intentional exploration efforts to materialize?

Career Buzz goes to Nicaragua, 6 inspiring stories plus CIDA’s Head of Aid live from Managua

mp3 of the episode: April 24, 2009

Last month, I (and my digital recorder) traveled to Nicaragua on an ‘enriching lives and careers’ experience. I came back with six inspiring interviews for Career Buzz listeners.

1. Yamileth Perez, Director of the Artisan Program of Esperanza en Accion, who speaks poignantly about having lived alongside hundreds of others in the Managua dump, La Chureca
2. Emily Hewes, formerly of Maine, now based in Managua who’s passionate about social justice and her work as Executive Director of fair trade organization, Esperanza en Accion
3. David Lopez, a 28 year old miller, who started his career 18 years ago at age 10
4. Dona Angela, leader of Palacio Esmeralda, a feeding program for 150 kids in Managua, in a space smaller than your kitchen
5. Dalena Taylor Pondler, 25 year old coordinator with Casa Canadiense, and logistics director of Compañeros
6. Special guest, live from Managua, Kerry Max, Head of Aid for the Canadian International Development Agency in Nicaragua, and 3rd-time new father having just adopted a Nicaraguan daughter.

¡Por favor, escuche y estar inspirado! (=please tune in, and be inspired!)

mp3 of the episode: April 10, 2009

Stuart Knight is an entrepreneur like no other. After graduating with a business degree in1996, he immediately started the company KnightFlight Productions. Since that time, Stuart has written, produced and starred in the motivational extravaganza A Whole New Perspective and then launched his follow-up show entitled I DECIDE which has played to sold out crowds for the past three and a half years. Stuart is workshop leader for The Art of Powerful Conversation, recording artist of slam poems and songs, and co-host Guy Talk on CFRB.

mp3 of the episode: March 27, 2009

Karen Shopsowitz always wanted to make films, though first went into journalism because she loved the Mary Tyler Moore show. Years later, she changed careers, and now is an award winning film-maker whose work has been shown nationally and internationally. She was Series Producer/Director and an Editor on Canada’s War in Colour, and director/editor/writer on My Father's Camera, a National Film Board of Canada documentary about the historical and cultural context of home movies. Tune in as we spotlight Karen’s career story.

Randi Chapnik Myers left her law career behind when she enrolled in a memoir class at Harvard University. That led to a career change as a freelance writer for publications including Today’s Parent and The Globe and Mail. She writes web content, helps clients write books, and wrote an essay for a book called Between Interruptions: 30 Women Tell the Truth About Motherhood. Randi is mother to three kids, ages 12, 10 and 6. During her spare time, she teaches mothers of all ages how to write their personal stories as part of The Momoir Project

mp3 of the episode: March 13, 2009

Jeff Bagg, President of The Bagg Group, said “I learned more from my mistakes than from what went right.” CareerCycles asks: What do you consider a “mistake” in your career? Ask yourself: specifically, what’s one thing I didn’t like about the so-called mistake, e.g. didn’t like the lack of control. Then ask yourself: what do I now know I really want in my career? E.g. more control over clients I work with? Is it a mistake if you learned an important desire?

Lynn Sadlowski, Educational Sales Consultant at careercruising.com, said that a comment from a high school teacher about Lynn not being “university material” contributed to her not attending university. Until she was 36, when she earned a BA, BEd, and is now working on a master’s degree. CareerCycles asks: What limitations are you choosing, based on other people’s opinions of your capabilities?

mp3 of the episode: February 27, 2009

After ten years as a Dean’s List litigation lawyer, Tsufit left law for the limelight, performing comedy on television and gaining international attention for her debut music CD. Tsufit now coaches entrepreneurs, CEOs, professionals, authors and speakers to be stars on the business stage. Tune in as we Step into the Spotlight with Tsufit.

After an undergrad in psychology, Wendy McDonnell was going to do a B.Ed. but needed a break. She landed a job as education director at an after-school centre, almost bought a franchise, had kids instead, got active in La Leche League and loved it. Drawing on this and her own experience growing up with violence and abuse, Wendy moved her career into conflict resolution. Tune in to hear Wendy’s journey toward her career as a Certified Family Communications Coach working in collaborative divorce.

mp3 of the episode: February 13, 2009

As a fast-tracked young executive at pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson, Lisa Mattam had it all. She had an MBA, a respected job, a nice company car. But she began wondering whether what she was doing aligned with who she was. After re-evaluation, Lisa reinvented herself and began a consulting firm, The Mattam Group, drawing on her strengths in leadership development.

Gene Hayden grew up criss-crossing Europe. She went to 23 schools in 12 countries. Her mother kept on the move in search of the ‘perfect scenario’ that would allow her to bring her latest idea to life. She never found it… But Gene found her cause. After careers first as a journalist and editor, then in public relations, Gene re-invented herself as a business coach, speaker and author of the book, The Follow-Through Factor.

mp3 of the episode: January 30, 2009

PAUL EISEN is lucky enough to have found a career where he can pursue his lifelong passion for making complex things make sense. He’s a user-experience architect, chosen by US News as one of the top 30 careers of 2009. Dial us in for an inspiring top 30 listener-experience.

DICK PETERS is a senior level executive with a 25 year track record of success in Canadian management and leadership positions. His career story has multiple chapters spearheading organizational turnarounds. How do you become a change agent and catalyst to enable organizations to succeed despite market conditions? Find out, tune in, be inspired.

mp3 of the episode: January 23, 2009

In 2005 Leslie Bridger’s life changed forever after a bicycle accident in which she received a traumatic brain injury. For days, doctors were uncertain whether she would live or die. What they didn’t know was the work Leslie does and how it would affect her healing. As a Wellness Innovator, after the accident Leslie had to live what she teaches about health and wellness. Tune in to hear how Leslie arrived at this career from years in business and marketing, how she recovered and thrived, and all secret twists and turns along the way.

Wouldn’t it be great to be intentional about what you really want? Linda Hochstetler wanted to return to her love of travel, create space for a long meditation retreat, spend time with family, and get away from all her responsibilities. So she planned a sabbatical from her position as Clinical Manager at Family Services EAP. With her sabbatical just a couple weeks away, we’ll check in with Linda about this desirable career turn.

mp3 of the episode: January 9, 2009

What’s it like to work toward making the world a better place in some of the highest conflict zones in the world? Dr. Annette Ittig (PhD, University of Oxford) is an evaluation and livelihoods specialist working in emergency response and international development. She has undertaken missions in Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia, with the UN, CIDA, World Bank, and more.

What’s it like to work toward making the world a better place one home at a time? Toby Yull’s sweet spot is the place where interior design and living consciously collide. As owner of an interior design firm, Toby has helped hundreds of clients design their dream homes from the ground up. Since 1990, Toby’s been a regular columnist with The Hamilton Spectator where she shares her thoughts on design and life. Dial up Career Buzz for Toby’s career design.

mp3 of the episode: December 12, 2008

Mike Cullen knew he wanted to own his own restaurant since he was 15, but what kind of establishment? Fine dining? Artisan pizza? Mike wasn’t sure, so after a diploma in hotel and restaurant management, he tried everything and worked everywhere. From prep cook, to front of house roles, and from Victoria BC, to the Cayman Islands, to Australia and Asia, to Italy where he discovered… coffee. “I ordered an espresso, never had one before, and was blown away.” Back in Toronto, Mike renovated a former porn shop and brewed up an entrepreneurial venture in the form of Broadview Espresso. He told us about how these days he is lovin’ those lattes.
 

Michelle (Mitch) Nadon is a senior media professional. Of the media industry, Mitch says, “I know it, and love it!” As President & CEO of mediaINTELLIGENCE.ca, Mitch and her company do recruitment, training and career management for the cultural and media employment markets. Mitch's career trajectory spans managing policy and regulatory compliance with Bell Globemedia, serving as General Manager in commercial and post-production, five years in production with TVOntario, and work with industry leader Nelvana on animated series. We heard about Mitch’s dual career track in media, and her other love, animal welfare advocacy.

mp3 of the episode: November 28, 2008
Frankie Castro loves her job designing residential bathrooms and kitchens. “It’s like putting together a huge jigsaw puzzle.” In a career with some of Canada’s most prominent retailers, Frankie had her ups and downs, from a position as General Manager all the way to a layoff situation. The magic in Frankie’s story, as it may be in so many of the people who are experiencing layoffs in these tumultuous times, is that she figured out how to transfer her skills. Frankie started her own kitchen and bathroom design/build business called Square Footage and loves it.

Brent Garell is all about cooking that'll move, groove & inspire you! His career story is about making the scary yet rewarding leap from corporate professional to cookbook author. As a former Human Resources professional Brent can attest that higher pay alone rarely increase a person’s job satisfaction. However when a person’s passionate about what they do, opportunities, including money, usually follow. Hear Brent dish out his Cookapalooza cookbook writing career story.

mp3 of the episode: November 14, 2008

With special guest host Leigh Anne Saxe of livinginthemoment.ca announcing the new expansion of CareerBuzz.  Mark interviews Christina Aquin of Gunpowder Business and Leigh Anne interviews Coach, Teacher and author of 'Excuse Me, Your Life is Now', Doreen Banaszak.

mp3 of the episode: October 24th, 2008

Gonzalo Duarte has 25 years of service learning experience on four continents. As the founder and director of Compañeros Inc., Gonzalo facilitates meaningful and ethical service learning experiences in Latin America. Earlier, feeling confined by classroom teaching, Gonzalo’s career flowed through chaplaincy, student services, and entrepreneurship. Tune in and travel with Gonzalo as he shares his career story rooted, as so many of our stories are, in childhood experience.

Born in Argentina to Ukrainian parents and speaking four languages, Daniela Torres immigrated to Canada in her late 20s and started work at a smoke shop at Pearson airport. Inspired to learn, at the age of 38 she earned a degree in Computer Engineering but after two layoffs asked, ‘what do I love to do?’ The answer was math and teaching, and her passion for life poured into a successful tutoring business that has been thriving ever since.

mp3 of the episode: coming soon

Sharon Howarth is Green Party candidate for member of parliament for Toronto Danforth. Sharon’s been active in community work in Riverdale for 25 years starting with the school her two daughters attended. She was nominated as a finalist for the Green Toronto Awards as a member of the Toronto Bay Initiative working on the Spadina Quay Wetland. Tune in and find out what seeds Sharon wants to plant as she runs for MP.
 

After chapters in Richard Derham’s career story of advising others, first as a lawyer in London and Paris, then as a management consultant, Richard wanted to stop advising and start doing something on his own. He wondered about starting a company that had a social agenda as a distinctive factor behind the business. In 2002 he took a risk and founded TurnAround Couriers -- a socially responsible bicycle courier service that recruits only at-risk youth. Hear Richard's career cycle!

mp3 of the episode: Sept. 26, 2008

Psychological DNA – that’s our unique pattern of likes and dislikes that defines who we are. What we desire in our careers and in our lives is the positive side of our psychological DNA. Dislikes? They demonstrate how we’ll react when our positive side is interrupted. Psychological DNA is, of course, a metaphor and this week’s Career Buzz guest, Dr. Norman Amundson, is an expert in the use of metaphor to help people make sense of their careers and lives. Dr. Amundson is Full Professor in Counselling Psychology / Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia, winner of 2008 International Leadership Award from the National Career Development Association among many other honours.

mp3 of the episode: September 12, 2008

Sept. 12, 2008. In his 20s, Peter MacDonald had a blast living and working all over the world including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Greece. Now, based in the UK as Tour Director for the QS World Grad School Tour, he brings the best masters and PhD programs, from accounting to zoology, to 46 cities across 4 continents. Tune in and tour all the stops along Peter's itinerant career, and find out about the tour's upcoming Toronto visit.

In May, 2007, on his last day of successful treatment for colon cancer, Phil David was fired from his Marketing Director job of an adventure travel company and immediately started up his own marketing consulting company, Brand Champions. In parallel, Phil has been coaching hockey--his passion--in Canada and Europe. How does he do that? Listen in on Friday to Phil's game.

mp3 of the episode: coming soon

Aug. 22, 2008. Author Marc Freedman coined the term, “encore career.” It’s a late-in-life career that combines personal meaning and social impact in areas such as the non profit sector, health care and education. Today's Career Buzz guests are both engaged in encore careers.

As a children's television writer/producer/director, Doug Williams worked on some of the most successful children's shows including Mr Dressup, Fraggle Rock, The Elephant Show. He’s also worked on TV movies, dramas and the award-winning documentary, Hitler's Canadians. In an encore career move, Doug has now taken the role of Acting Coordinator, Children's Entertainment Program at Centennial College. Listen in to Doug’s encore.

Michael O’Brien worked in production management, executive sales and marketing. Then he took a trip to Brazil, fell in love with photography, and changed careers. He says, “I feel liberated when working with a camera. I seem to be more alive, vital, and present in the moment.” Tune into to get a picture of Michael O’Brien’s career story.

mp3 of the episode: coming soon

July 25, 2008. Ryerson University’s website says, “You'll benefit from a real-world, relevant curriculum that lets you practice while you learn and that prepares you to hit the ground running when you graduate.” Today's Career Buzz guests are both Ryerson grads and we’ll check in with them about Ryerson’s claims as they unveil their career stories for us.

Lew Torok earned a mechanical engineering degree and worked in plant engineering roles until his CEO passed him in the hallway one day and casually said, ‘You’re in charge of all the engineering and maintenance for the facility.’ In his latest position, Lew had 40 people working for him. But in the last few years he felt the need for a change, without completely abandoning engineering which he still loves. He wanted new challenges, flexibility, and some kind ownership… sound familiar? Tune in to hear how Lew found what he was looking for.

Andrew McDonald has been working in the film industry for 12 years. After leaving Ryerson, he was scooped up by the booming late 90s Toronto film industry. He worked his way up to Director, first for music videos and commercials, and most recently directing documentary and lifestyle shows, such as the popular Ed’s Up. Listen in to find out what’s up in Andrew’ s career.

mp3s of interviews: July 11, 2008

Friday’s Career Buzz guests bring to life the challenging career questions that so many of us experience. What should I do when I become disillusioned by my career realities? Can I really do what I want? 

Krista Ross used to be in marketing. Whenever she visited a client all she was interested in was how they decorated their office. At 30, she used all her RSPs, went back to school, started a business in interior design. Now, she loves her job and finally gets the “emotional return on investment” she wants from her career. 

Stephen Armstrong apprenticed as an aeronautical engineer in Belfast, where he grew up. He completed an engineering degree in London before moving to Toronto and moving his career into management consulting. Stephen helped transform businesses including deHavilland, Hughes Helicopters and Boeing. Then after close to 20 years consulting, he grew disillusioned, stepped back, and began asking deep questions. He enrolled in a graduate program in history and philosophy. Now he’s exploring how to move his career from business transformation to world transformation.

mp3 of the episode: June 27, 2008.

Andrée Sales’s part-time retail job in high school eventually led to the top of the fashion world, as VP Sales and Marketing for designer Linda Lundtröm. Meanwhile, business was blooming at Flowers and Margot since 1978 when Andree’s mother first opened the doors of her florist business. In 2001 and at a crossroads in her life, Andrée caught the proverbial business bouquet and made a career and life choice to take over the business.    After multiple unsatisfying stints in the corporate world, Michelle Johnston was feeling low and went to a wellness clinic. Clue 1: She got well. Clue 2: The clinic director offered her a job. Putting the clues together, Michelle chose to move her career into wellness and opened The Working Well, a consulting firm that brings wellness programs to the workplace.

mp3 of the episode: June 13 2008

June 13, 2008   Louisa Jewell and Tracy Griffin, co-founders of WhyDidYouGo.com  shared research findings from their surveys about happiness in the workplace. To bring the research to life, we were joined by Starbucks barista, Charity Agamata, and her manager, Jennifer Harris. Every day, customers at their Eglinton & Holly location (just east of Yonge) are greeted by a highly engaged Starbucks team. Charity--with her warm smile and engaging conversation--stands out. She remembers your name, your order and makes you feel great. What makes Charity so happy at work? Plus, we asked Jennifer about her role in fostering a happy workplace, and the business results that show whether it’s worth it. (Hint: it is!) Charity and Jennifer shared their career stories and secrets to their happiness.

CAREER BUZZ SHOWS

May 9, 2008. Courage confirmed, for two people who stepped out of the boat. In 1998, Julie Palmer left the big city, and moved permanently to rural Nova Scotia where she teaches yoga in her own company, Yoga For All. She also gets to enjoy the outdoors, bird watch, cycle, canoe trip and generally enjoy the life and lifestyle that a move away from the big city offers. Tune in and hear Julie’s career and life journey. Michelle Cooper is a Registered Nurse, whose passion is to restore health in the health care system. In 1998, after working in and with health care organizations for more than 20 years in clinical, education, consulting and management positions, Michelle chose to step out on her own. She formed her own company--now called Integral Visions Consulting--to help clients achieve effectiveness and health.  Michelle contributed a chapter to Taking Control for Your Nursing Career by Mary Wheeler and Gail Donner.   “…when we finally step out of the boat / toward them, we find / everything holds / us, and confirms / our courage…” from The Truelove by David Whyte

April 25, 2008  Sanjay Burman has spent his life going against the grain. At 32, he’s president of Burman Books, Executive Producer of the Inner Power Series, Master Hypnotherapist and author of the Art of Persistence.         What happens when you ask individuals apparently at random about their career and life choices? That’s what I did after a breakfast meeting, with patrons at Johnny G’s in downtown Toronto. I met Nestor Gaetan who discovered he was clairvoyant at age 7 now a researcher for documentary films, Dennis Battler gave up a regular job to create meaningful art featuring documentary film, and Dan Edelberg is studying something he’s always loved--documentary film! Random? No way...it's the likely result of Intentional Exploration! Tune in to hear ordinary people’s extraordinary stories.       

April 11, 2008    Aileen Crowne, certified Personal Achievement and Career Management Coach and partner in the firm CrowneHolt. Prior to establishing her own business, Aileen’s experience included social work and being a Director of Client Services in the behavioural health care field.

March 28, 2008. Anat Sade discovered she liked guiding people during her Israeli military service, and returned to travel guiding in Israel after exploring life and work in Germany. Hear her story from downtown Tel Aviv. Elias Jamil Ezu returned to his native Jordan to guide travelers after exploring life and work in Italy. Catch Elias’ story as told on a donkey ride out of Petra!    With 15 years in the Toronto music scene overlapping with 10 years in corporate Canada, Robin Mason was a career story-in-progress. Until an opportunity to take a package from his corporate job freed him to pursue his dream. Tune in to hear the drummer of The Brown Hornets share the beat of his journey toward his own music school, Downbeat Drum Studio.

March 14, 2008. Mariel Camilleri Saringer, Host and Director of Mysthaven Country Retreat & Spa      Michelle DeMello, Artist - www.michelledemello.com    Music by Aynsley Saxe, Singer/Songwriter www.myspace.com/aynsleysaxe  Guest host: Leigh Anne Saxe.

February 22, 2008. In 2004, Carolyn Wilman took the love of her hobby entering contests and combined it with her extensive marketing background. The result is her career choice as a professional contester. In addition to entering, and winning, contests, Carolyn has written a book, “You Can’t Win If You Don’t Enter,” launched a website, www.contestqueen.com and runs workshops to teach others how to have fun, and attract luck. Tune in, just for the fun of it!        Canadian guitarist and singer Stan Endersby has played with musical friends he’s made over the years including members of bands like the Kinks and Steppenwolf. Over three decades Endersby did solo work, spent time as a top session player for other artists, and moved between countries and bands, including Mapleoak, Buckwheat Noodle, Heaven and Earth, Diamond Back, Tripp. In parallel to his music career, Stan has worked in music stores, and more recently as a video editor, and says his career is bigger than it’s ever been.

February 8, 2008. Guests: Nancy Ranalli can be reached at 905-726-8895. Judy Dahm   www.reflectionsconsulting.com  
Music by Aynsley Saxe, Singer/Songwriter  www.myspace.com/aynsleysaxe
Guest host: Leigh Anne Saxe leighannesaxe@hotmail.com

January 25, 2008.    Sharon Quarrington combined her love of horses and skills as a "horse whisperer" with her experience as a management consultant and trainer, into a unique "equine facilitated" leadership training program, called Horse Sense. Tune in for a great story of taking two wildly different strengths and combining them into a completely new career.   Ann McLaughlin spent 20 years as a psychotherapist before mastering the skills in that career and then wanted change and challenge. Wishing to explore the world, she worked abroad. When she got back home, people asked, “how did you get that job?” At that point Ann realized people's hunger for international service. She founded NGO Abroad, with the dream and goal of helping people help solve the problems of our time.

January 11, 2008.  Father and son share career stories: Dad takes half-century career detour.   Son goes from talent to talent agent.  Irving Liberman, the father, graduated from high school in 1933 in the midst of the Great Depression. There were no jobs in teaching, which was his area of interest. So he became a pharmacist. And stayed for 55 years. When he retired at the age of 78, Irving returned to his interests and is now, at 91, one of the oldest students at the University of Toronto.     From a young age, Carl Liberman, one of Irving’s sons, had a love for acting and theatre. He studied theatre at York University, acted and wrote plays, before moving into the advertising industry. Returning from travels in Asia, a chance opportunity opened up in a talent agency as a literary agent, a career he loves. 

December 28, 2007. How can we become intentional with our thoughts and feelings to magnetize what we want in our careers? How does the law of attraction apply to becoming empowered in career and life choices?  Leigh Anne Saxe is a Career Counsellor at York University's Career Centre, whose career adventures include marketing for Disney and a psychotherapy practice. Leigh Anne talks about the role of thoughts and feelings and the law of attraction in her work.     Kristen Schiener was a New York actor who liked the creativity but disliked the uncertainty. Wondering what next, she realized her entire bookcase was filled with books on healing. Kristen is now a Registered Nutritionist and Licensed Health Practitioner.  Kristen's passion is promoting optimal health through nutrition.

December 14, 2007.  Like many moms, at the end of her maternity leave, Jennifer Torres struggled with the thought of returning to full-time work. One day a friend suggested combining a passion for Latin dance with her desire to be home with her daughter. Shortly after, Salsa Babies was born. Hear how the York University and Humber College grad danced her way from jobs she didn’t like to a life she loves.      Jill Hannan reinvents men, one bachelor at a time. My Girlfriend is her business that helps single men win over a women’s heart by taking care of the details that men typically loathe but women look for. My Girlfriend helps men by being the ‘girlfriend’ behind the man who desperately wants one. Jill is the brains behind My Girlfriend, and she’ll share her story with Career Buzz listeners. Check the CBC coverage.

November 23, 2007    Could job loss be a blessing in disguise? That’s the question Professor Jelena Zikic has been researching at York University. Tune in to hear Professor Zikic talk about her recently published article, Unlocking the Careers of Business Professionals Following Job Loss: Sensemaking and Career Exploration of Older Workers.    Philip Blackford is Vice President & National Executive Transition Service Practice Leader at Right Management, where he serves executive clients following job loss. Hear Philip’s own career trajectory including counselling at a children’s health centre, and then at Canadian Outward Bound Wilderness School where he was a leader then Executive Director for eight years before transitioning to career services.      Julie Cachia has twenty years’ experience as an Human Resources Professional. Hear Julie’s career story that includes progressively senior HR roles, a Diploma in Ministry, and her present “intentional exploration” in the area of career management and working with individuals through workplace change.

November 9, 2007.  Amanda Sussman wanted to change the world... but was she a radical, or reformer? Should she work from the inside, or out? Author of the just-published book, The Art of the Possible (a handbook for political activism) Amanda’s career exploration includes advocacy work with Human Rights Watch and Greenpeace, and she has been Policy Adviser to Canada’s Ministers of Foreign Affairs, and Citizenship & Immigration.

October 26, 2007.   Melissa Kluger is Publisher and Editor of recently launched magazine, Precedent, aimed at young lawyers. No stranger to publishing, Melissa launched Ultra Violet as an undergrad at Queens to showcase student writing. At U of T law school she launched Ultra Vires to give students a voice. Then she began her law career in earnest, spanning stints on Bay Street, in New York, in criminal law and then media law when she noticed there weren’t any magazines for young lawyers. So she started one herself!             In May this year there was a reorganization at pharma giant GlaxoSmithKline, and Kathryn Simpson, a Director at the time, explored career options within GSK globally. There was not a good fit and since August when she left GSK on good terms she has been exploring her future direction with the support of career transition services through Right Management. In September she obtained a consulting contract and has started her own business. Hear Kathryn’s career arc from chemist to packaging manager to management consultant to internal consultant to her time in career transition.

October 12, 2007.   Could getting an airplane be as easy as calling a cab? That’s a question Sushee Perumal is answering as CEO at Jet Direct Canada. Find out how Sushee got over his “quarterlife crisis” by combining a commercial pilot licence with an engineering degree and an MBA into a brand new airline.    For Helene Borts, dealing with life and death crises, issues of withdrawing life support and urgent questions about organ donation are part of her daily work. Tune in to hear Helene’s life and career journey from teacher to stay at home mother, to medical office management to her present role as Multifaith Chaplain at Trillium Health Centre.

September 14, 2007.  Two women whose careers couldn’t be more different:  One in the world of visual art and the other in financial services. Yet both feel incredibly lucky to have arrived at points in their careers where they’re enjoying doing what they want.    From Chicoutimi, Quebec, Joanne Corno is a successful New York based artist, who has exhibited all over North America and Europe, and has collectors worldwide. “With her pulsating energy and unapologetic brushwork, Joanne Corno’s mighty torsos, swollen lips and buttocks threaten to break from their canvases.” Hear how Corno left teaching to pursue her passion.            Amy Stein joined Social Capital Partners in 2006 as Director of Investments. Her company invests in social enterprises that employ people outside the economic mainstream in Canada. Listen in to find out how Amy found her groove after oscillating between corporate and non profit roles.

July 27, 2007. THEMES. Human Resources. Career Books. Winning the Rat Race at Work, and 100 Ways to Get on the Wrong Side of your Boss are two among 40 titles penned by career expert and author, Peter Garber. Tune in and find out about Peter’s career as author and human resources professional. Then, we’ll tap Peter’s expertise on building a career road map, and playing nice with your boss.

June 22, 2007. THEMES. Secret service. Paramedic. Michael Ross, recently seen on CBC’s The Hour, worked as an undercover agent--a classic spy--with the Israeli Secret Service, Mossad. In his book, The Volunteer, he describes his role in missions to foil attempts by Syria, Libya, and Iran to acquire advanced weapons technology. Hear the career story that took Michael Ross, from his home in safe Canada, into the world of counterterrorism, and back again. Also, Geoff Macbride shares his inspiring career story from Chef to Public Relations specialist to Paramedic with Toronto Emergency Medical Services, where he loves his job.

June 8, 2007. THEMES. Not-for-profit. Executive Directors. Environment. Conservation. Karen Sun says her volunteer Board experience--with Toronto Bay Initiative and others--was key to landing her present position as Executive Director of Chinese Canadian National Council Toronto Chapter. Tune in and hear how this finalist in the 2006 City Idol competition created a satisfying career in environmental and social activism.       After a long career in marketing, Bill McMartin decided to study birds. With a PhD in Avian Ecology tucked under his wing, this marketing specialist turned conservation ecologist has worked on conservation-focused consulting contracts, most recently as Executive Director of Toronto Bay Initiative while also serving as Stewardship Chair for the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust. Find out how Bill has followed his passions for conservation and loving his work!

MARCH 9, 2007. THEMES: Travel, travel writing. Withdrawing from a PhD, non-academic job search. GUESTS: Lauded by Time magazine as “one of the new generation of intrepid young female travel writers,” Laurie Gough is author of Kiss the Sunset Pig, and Kite Strings of the Southern Cross: A Woman’s Travel Odyssey. Twenty years ago Laurie crawled into a cave on the edge of the Pacific and sketched out a career plan including travelling, teaching and writing. Tune in and find out how Laurie has actually lived out her career plan! Laura Mansueti completed one year of doctoral studies in Psychology before deciding to withdraw from the program in order to pursue full-time employment. Tune in and find out how Laura’s new position gives her the chance to use the research and data analysis skills she gained through her educational training. Plus, Debbie Beam is back to check in on her teaching ESL job search.

FEB. 23, 2007 THEMES: Financial services. Career longevity. International career trends. GUESTS: He’s been a money market and bond salesman. He’s traded treasury bills and bonds and was a bond broker. From accounting to wealth management to research analyst, David Brill has moved around in the world of finance, and shares his experiences with listeners. Career expert, Mark Venning of Change Rangers, tells us about later life career options, “career longevity,” and his globetrotting experiences as International President for the Association of Career Professionals International.  Plus, Debbie Beam is back today, having taken one more ride on the emotional roller coaster intrinsic to job search.

JAN. 26, 2007 THEMES: Being who you are. Recent grads. International Development. Teaching. Yoga. GUESTS: Alison Ellwood, teacher, adventurer, mastermind behind Herstory. Sandra Callender, yoga instructor and yoga therapist, Director of Breathprint.

JAN. 12, 2007  THEMES: Career-sensitive organizations, career resiliency, job search. GUESTS: Mary Wheeler's expertise is in organization and human resource development. She is an independent consultant, certified coach and a Partner in donnerwheeler, a consulting firm providing a wide range of programs and services to enable health care organizations to build career sensitive cultures and health professionals to become career resilient. Debbie Beam is back to share her return-to-the-work-world job search adventure.   

DEC. 22, 2006  THEMES: Canadian Forces. Career change due to injury. Psychotherapy. Return to work. GUESTS: Master Corporal Paul Franklin joined the Canadian Armed Forces late in life. After soul searching through various jobs he made a decision to try something new and different and joined the Reserve Force Medic Company and liked it so much he decided to join the regular army full time. On January 15, 2006, days short of coming home from a tour in Kandahar City, Afghanistan, Paul was in a vehicle hit by a suicide bomber. The diplomat, Glyn Berry, died on the scene. Paul survived and is now a double amputee, making remarkable progress. He is back in Edmonton spearheading the Northern Alberta Amputee Program. Hear Paul’s story on Career Buzz.  Alena Smith shares her career twists and turns from doctoral graduate studies and work in theatre, to professional marketing, to psychotherapy. Debbie Beam is back to share her return-to-the-work-world job search adventure.   

DEC. 8, 2006 THEMES: Adventure careers. Work-life balance. Massage therapy. Return to work. GUESTS: Julie Wafaei is the first and only woman to row across the Atlantic Ocean. During the worst hurricane season in history, she spent 5 months rowing unsupported across 10,000 km of unforgiving seas, reaching shore in 2006 and completing her dream. Find out how Julie transformed her career from molecular biologist (she has two undergrad degrees and a graduate degree) to adventurer, writer, and filmmaker.    Kevin Shortt described his unique work-life balance, spending time in his massage practice, strawbale house construction and novel writing. Debbie Beam shared her return-to-the-work-world job search adventure.

NOV. 24, 2006   THEMES: HIV/AIDS. Return to work. Assocation of Career Professionals International. GUESTS: Scott Simpson’s personal life/work transformation that led him to help people with HIV/AIDS. Debbie Beam’s return-to-the-work-world job search. Plus, career expert Kristina Vohma, Canada President of Association of Career Professionals International.

NOV. 10, 2006 THEMES: Return to work. Personal branding. GUESTS: What happened in Debbie Beam’s return-to-the-work-world job search since last installment of Reality Radio on Career Buzz? She didn’t get an interview for the first job she applied to. But she did figure out how to explain her last five years as a stay-at-home-parent on her resume. Hear how Debbie wrote up her position as Household Manager. Plus, we’ll talk to personal branding expert Louisa Jewell, who will help listeners understand how to use the ideas of branding in your own careers.

FRIDAY, OCT. 27, 2006  THEMES: Career change for doctoral students. Careers in ministry. Volunteer management. Career exploration via volunteering. Re-entering the world of work. GUESTS: Krista Taves, Unitarian Universalist minister. Lori Gottlieb, Manager of Volunteer Development and Events for Family Service Association of Toronto. Debbie Beam, REALITY RADIO guest, re-entering the world of work after years as a stay-at-home mom.

FRIDAY, OCT. 13, 2006  THEMES: Careers in music. Balancing music and making money. Career changes within music. Coaching services. GUESTS: Rick Levine, Icebox Music and Fridgemagnets. John Findlay, musician extraordinaire. Cari, Career Coach.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 22, 2006  THEMES: Small business ownership; mentorship; sensual fitness; franchising; coaching programs. GUESTS: Alishia Sala, Aradia Fitness Uptown Toronto franchise owner. Alishia's advice is to act on your curiosity, get out there, and talk to people while you're out there. Elizabeth Verwey, owner of Small Office Mentors. Elizabeth's advice is to create a business plan if you're going to start a small business.

FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2006  Miguel Hahn, Library Coordinator, University of Toronto Career Centre. Aysa September, Research Assistant at Globescan.

FRIDAY, JULY 14, 2006  GUESTS: Tom Allen, host of Music and Company, CBC Radio Two. Dale Danforth, reporter and anchor, Daily Male Naked News.

FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2006  GUESTS: dancingsisters Melanie & Cathy Steiner. THEME: There is a life outside of Bay Street if the experience of Cathy and Melanie Steiner is any indication. The two -- Cathy is a former investment banker with CIBC World Markets while Melanie is a former litigation lawyer-turned-environmental activist -- have formed dancingsisters, a company they describe as being about women for women. Dancingsisters plans to offer products that meet the "portable fashion" label -- a term that covers accessories a so-called modern woman can't live without. (from National Post article, June 15, 2006) Hear Cathy and Melanie’s career stories by tuning into Career Buzz on Fri. June 23, 11 am.

FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 2006  GUESTS: BEST SELLING AUTHOR, DEREK LUNDY, & kt misener “EMPRESS FOR LIFE”

“I was in my forties the first time I enjoyed my work,” says Derek Lundy, author of five books and regular contributor to National Post, the Globe and Mail and others. Lundy’s Godforsaken Sea: Racing the World’s Most Dangerous Waters (Knopf Canada, 1998) was a best seller in Canada and the US and has been translated into eight languages. Before getting in the writing groove in his forties, Lundy was a long-distance truck driver, factory worker, labourer, lawyer, editor, and sailor (he took a two-year voyage from Lake Ontario to South America). What else would one do with a Masters degree in English? Go into law, of course. But law was no picnic so Lundy wrote for legal publications, and much to his surprise, he enjoyed it! Hear Derek Lundy’s serendipitous journey from his self-described “neurotic life” to career harmony.

EMPRESS-FOR-LIFE is kt misener’s job title on her business card, as owner of Bloomfield Bicycle Co. But earlier she was enrolled at U of Toronto and headed for a career in medicine. Now, kt is an entrepreneur living her dream. She works seven months a year as the EMPRESS-FOR-LIFE (with her loving, devoted partner) in Bloomfield, Ontario, at their small, thriving bike shop and travels five months a year in the southern US, riding her bicycle on the awesome trails in southwest Texas, hiking in the desert and canoeing the canyons of the Rio Grande. Hear kt’s astonishing career trajectory from pre-med to theatre school to software developer to nutritionist to bike mechanic to Empress.

FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2006  THEME: People who help people as their work. GUESTS: Julie Banting, Career Counsellor, Queen's University; Jeff Richardson, Life Coach

FRIDAY, MAY 12, 2006  Guest: Career expert Barbara Moses, author of What Next and Dish

FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2006  Unplanned events--chance occurrences--more often determine life and career choices than all the careful planning we do. Hear John Krumboltz, Stanford University career expert and author of “Luck is No Accident” talking about making the most of happenstance in your life and career.

FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 2006  Guest: Steve Zikman author of The Power of Travel, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Traveler's Soul, and Founder, The Next Fork  Also: Heather Chetwynd, Fiona Han and Herman Guo, talking about English for Employment.

FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2006  Special membership drive edition. Thanks to guests: Marg Lacy, Elena Pizzamiglio, Chris Garbutt, Tim Snazel of the University of Toronto Career Centre.

FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 2006  Guest: Career expert Phil Jarvis shared his vision of the new career self-management paradigm.

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2006  Guest: Andrew Hall talking about finally finding his mission as founder of Downtown Jam.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2006  Guest: Andrew Morton talking about career development leading to his position at ergonomics firm, HumanSystems. Also, career expert Kaitlin Eckler.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2006  CareerBuzz launches with guest, Janelle Warren, plus short career interview with Salsa instructor, Sarita.