.png)
The Ampersand - Unplugged
The Ampersand - Unplugged is a podcast that explores issues of the day that impact our community, affect businesses large and small and explores issues that impact human capital and, more broadly, the human condition. As with our monthly Ampersand blog post, which is fast approach 170 editions over the past 15 years, the podcast promises to be thoughtful, provocative, informative and above all, authentic.
Episodes
53 episodes
Q School - The Ampersand November 2025
The Ampersand Unplugged brings you an audio version of our November 2025 edition of The Ampersand, read aloud by the author. This month’s piece reflects on mentorship, service, and the quiet wisdom of those who help carry the weight fo...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 5
•
18:37
.png)
Trust the Process - The Ampersand March 2026
The Ampersand Unplugged brings you an audio version of our March 2026 edition of The Ampersand, read aloud by the author. This month’s piece explores the value of patience, discipline, and the quiet work behind lasting results—from building a b...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 4
•
16:16
The More Things Change... - The Ampersand December 2025
The Ampersand Unplugged brings you an audio version of our December 2025 edition of The Ampersand, read aloud by the author. This month’s piece reflects on change, continuity, and the quiet ways our perspectives evolve over time in our...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 3
•
14:59
Welcome to Season 5: The Ampersand, Read Aloud
Welcome to Season 5 of The Ampersand Unplugged. This season, we’re doing something a little different. While Kiara Tyler—the creative force behind our first four seasons—is away on maternity leave, Adam Pekarsky will be bringing you au...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 1
•
11:11
The One That Got Away - The Ampersand February 2026
For those who prefer to listen, The Ampersand Unplugged brings you an audio version of our February 2026 edition of The Ampersand, read aloud by the author himself, Adam Pekarsky. This month’s piece reflects on decision-making, ...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 2
•
12:49
Reflections & Revelations: Wrapping Up Candidate Confessionals
As we bring Season 4 of The Ampersand - Unplugged to a close, it’s time to step back and reflect on the journey we’ve been on with Candidate Confessionals. In this final episode, we take an honest look at the highs and the low...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 11
•
24:40
Bridging Sports and Business with Max Dawson: From Varsity Athlete to Executive Recruiter
In this episode of The Ampersand - Unplugged, we sit down with Max Dawson, an expert in executive recruitment and a fellow Partner at the Humanis Edmonton office, Max has over a decade of experience navigating North America’s corporate...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 10
•
35:58
Leading with Passion: Alisha Reynolds on Hospitality, Family, and Calgary’s Tourism Future
In this episode of The Ampersand - Unplugged, we sit down with Alisha Reynolds, the new President and CEO of Tourism Calgary. Joining the organization in June 2024, Alisha brings a wealth of experience from her time at Northland Proper...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 9
•
1:00:11
From Engineering to Arts: Lucia Juliao's Journey to CIFF
In this episode of The Ampersand - Unplugged, we sit down with Lucia Juliao, the Partnerships Director at the Calgary International Film Festival. Lucia's path to the arts was anything but conventional. Growing up near Toronto, she pur...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 8
•
43:16
The Arete Advantage: Unlocking Your Potential Through ESG Principles
On this week’s episode of The Ampersand - Unplugged, co-hosts Kiara Marika and Adam Pekarsky sit down with Matt Mayer, Founder of the Arete Initiative and sessional instructor at the Haskayne School of Business. Pronounced ah-reh-tay, the term ...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 3
•
56:02
Building Bridges: Nicole Springer's Global Leadership Journey
In this episode of The Ampersand - Unplugged, we sit down with Nicole Springer, Managing Director at Xylem, who has transformed a local MNC subsidiary into a global powerhouse across Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Israel, and Greece. Ni...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 7
•
47:16
Navigating Crisis and Growth: A Deep Dive with Festival Leader, Steve Schroeder
In this episode of our podcast, we dive into the remarkable journey of revitalizing the Calgary International Film Festival with our guest, Steve Schroeder, a seasoned arts leader who took the helm during a financial crisis and steered the fest...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 6
•
1:09:17
From Tech to Community: The Cheryll Watson Story
Join us on this episode of "Transitions in Leadership" as we delve into the dynamic career of Cheryll Watson, the CEO of Junior Achievement Northern Alberta. Cheryll’s journey from supporting small businesses at Intuit to enhancing Edmonton's e...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 5
•
53:29
From Finance to Leadership: Diane Wheatley's Journey
Join us on this episode of The Ampersand - Unplugged as we welcome Diane Wheatley, a proven leader with over 30 years of experience. Diane, the Managing Partner of Humanis in Edmonton, shares her inspiring career transition from senior manageme...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 4
•
47:05
Charting Growth: Insights from Covalency Coaching with Chantel Butt
In this episode, we sit down with Chantel Butt, the driving force behind Covalency Coaching, to explore the transformative world of psychometric assessments and personal development. Join us as we delve into Chantel's journey, her passion for c...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 3
•
1:04:54
Navigating Career Paths: Insights from Raj Bhatti
In this episode, we sit down with Raj Bhatti, a Partner at Humanis Edmonton, to explore his impressive career journey and gather insights into the recruitment industry. Raj shares his experiences from over a decade in search-related roles, star...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 2
•
44:57
Candidate Confessionals: The Journey Begins!
Welcome back to The Ampersand: Unplugged! We're thrilled to be back after a hiatus, and let us tell you, these past few months have been quite the journey. In this episode, we're excited to finally reveal what we've been up to lately! This seas...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 1
•
1:07:54
Closing the ESG Chapter with Kiara & Adam
In this season finale episode, we take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we've had during Season 3, where we dove deep into the world of ESG and its profound importance in today's business landscape. From exploring sustainability in...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 13
•
27:04
Maneuvering the ESG Landscape: A Season Wrap-Up with Christy Elliott
As we draw the curtains on another enlightening season of The Ampersand: Unplugged, join us for a special wrap-up episode with Christy Elliott, SVP, Sustainability, External Affairs & General Counsel at Keyera. Together, Christy and our co-...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 12
•
39:14
Sustainable Horizons: Decoding ESG through Business Strategy with Matt Mayer
As we begin to close this season off, we have Matt Mayer, Founder of Arete Initiative, an organization whose mission is to help people and organizations live up to their highest potential through strategy, innovation and organizational excellen...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 11
•
56:02
Harmony in Transition: Indigenous Relations & the Energy Evolution in Alberta
In an era marked by the pressing need for sustainable practices and environmental stewardship, the significance of Indigenous relations in the realm of ESG cannot be overstated. Join us in this enlightening episode with the Vice Pr...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 10
•
45:22
Embracing EDI in ESG: Driving Positive Change in the Marketing World
In this eye-opening episode of our podcast, we delve deep into the realm of Environmental, Social, and Governance practices in the marketing world, with a special focus on the importance of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion within this framework...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 9
•
53:10
Bridging Borders: Achieving Equity and Inclusion for Foreign-Trained Lawyers in Canada
In this thought-provoking episode, our co-hosts delve into the captivating realm of the legal profession and explore the pressing issue of equity, diversity, and inclusion within the Canadian legal sphere with Dr. Kellinde Wrightson, Executive ...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 8
•
48:40
ESG in Tourism & Hospitality: Adapting to a Changing Landscape with Sol Zia
In this edition of The Ampersand: Unplugged, co-hosts Kiara Marika and Adam Pekarsky sit down with Sol Zia, the Executive Director of the Calgary Hotel Association. The discussion again focuses on our Season 3 topic of ESG, this time through th...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 7
•
39:48
The Business Lifeline: Exploring the Environmental & Governance Side of ESG
In this episode we embark on a journey into the heart of the ESG framework, shining a spotlight on the crucial environmental & governance aspects. Join us as we dive deep into the intricate web of sustainability, uncovering the pivotal role...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 6
•
37:44