Chatter that Matters

How do I follow up on last week's interview with Malcolm Gladwell? Joining me today is best-selling author and world-renowned speaker Joe Roberts. Joe shares his moving and incredible journey from homelessness and addiction to becoming an entrepreneur, CEO, and, today, an influential advocate for youth. Joe lives to inspire change and offers actionable steps for overcoming challenges, fostering resilience, and reclaiming dreams.

Andrea Barrack from RBC returns to the show to discuss their Purpose Framework and why investing $2 billion across three key pillars matters to you, to me, and to RBC.

After growing up amidst the worst of humanity, Dr. Emmanuel Taban models the best of humanity.

My guest today is Emmanuel Taban. He was born in Sudan, one of the most impoverished countries in the world. He had little and lost it all before overcoming his circumstances and changing his world and ours for the better. Listen generously as his accent differs from yours, but his message is universal, powerful and inspiring.

Emmanuel Taban was among five children raised by a single mother in an environment of abject poverty and a country at civil war. A gifted student denied an education, captured, and tortured at age 14, escapes and makes his way, often on foot. His perilous odyssey took him through Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, arriving in South Africa just short of his 18th birthday. He had no passport or money.

Drawing strength from a nurse's comment when he was seven years old that he would one day become a famous doctor, Emmanuel Taban finished high school. Then he spent twelve years earning three medical degrees, including specializing as a pulmonologist. Dr. Taban has become one of Africa's most influential doctors and is renowned for challenging Western norms with his ground-breaking treatment for COVID-19. He is also very involved in improving his birth country's literacy level.

Dr. Emmanuel Taban, who wrote the book The Boy Who Never Gave Up, was awarded Africa's person of the year in 2021.

An epic and moving tale that will lift your spirits.

Amy Deacon, the Founder and CEO of Toronto Wellness Counselling, returns to Chatter that Matters to talk mind over matter and the importance of having people who believe in you.

To purchase Dr. Taban's book: https://www.amazon.com/Boy-Who-Never-Gave-Up-ebook/dp/B08YM4CKRP

A sold-out event at the Toronto Hunt Club, ending with a loud and sustained standing ovation for my guest Steve Paikin, the anchor of the flagship current affairs program, The Agenda. I was so happy with this interview that I brought it to Chatter that Matters.

Steve Paikin is a recipient of the Order of Canada, an author, a documentary producer, and one of Canada’s most admired journalists. We cover so much ground and with so much laughter. We learn about Steve’s upbringing, the values he learned from his parents and mentors, and what led him to journalism.

I found Steve fearless but surprisingly modest and humble for someone who has accomplished so much. Steve shares several behind-the-scenes stories, including his interview with Mikhail Gorbachev, the eighth and final leader of the Soviet Union. That alone is worth your time. And wait to hear what guest ripped his microphone off and walked off the set while the cameras were still running.

Steve and I discuss the State of Media and whether Democracy can survive the divide-to-conquer mentality seeping into politics and the media. Steve's answer. It must. Steve talks about the intersection between journalism and democracy and what matters most.

We then discuss Steve's new book John Turner, an intimate biography of Canada's 17th Prime Minister, and Steve's award-winning documentary - Return to the Warsaw Ghetto.

Tanis Feasby, the Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications at RBC, joins the show. I asked Tanis the same question I asked Steve Paikin - what must we do to preserve the truth and democracy? Tanis shares her thoughts and talks about the role Leaders of organizations must play to contribute to a narrative of possibility and positivity.

Put this show on your agenda.

To buy Steve's book on John Turner: https://www.amazon.com/John-Turner-Intimate-Biography-Minister/dp/1989555837

To learn more about Steve's documentary - Return to the Warsaw Ghetto https://www.worldcat.org/title/return-to-the-warsaw-ghetto/oclc/80599269

The story begins when Mark Ferrier's father robs a bank, is arrested, and, in his sxites is put in Millhaven Maximum Security Prison to serve a five-year term. For decades, Mark buries this reality and wraps himself in a veneer, masking his insecurities and imposter syndrome with a persona of confidence and swagger.

Mark gets married, raises two beautiful daughters, and is wildly successful as an entrepreneur. His path led him to the Young President's Organization and to Harvard where he earned his Executive MBA at Harvard University. In a moment of sharing with his classmates, Mark reveals the truth about his dad, and instead of encountering shame or judgment, he discovers the magic of humanity.

Mark realizes that wrapped inside his stigma was a gift to understand acceptance and the distinction between mistakes and failure.

Mark shares many more lessons from his life, unpacks some powerful thoughts on what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur, and what he is doing with his latest endeavour &Capital.

We also discuss what Canada needs to do to compete and stay relevant.

From Mark, you will hear many powerful insights on life and livelihood and overcoming circumstances to free yourself from the past to own your present and pursue your future.

I then invite Deenah Patel, Senior Director of Merchant Experience & Loyalty, to share her insights on successful entrepreneurs' attributes. She talks about how RBC works hard to support owners with intellectual, emotional, and financial Capital.

Time Codes

00:02:30 Mark shares his childhood - white picket fences might have framed the neighbourhood, but what was inside was something very different.

00:04:44 Dad: successful car dealer, struggled emotionally/mentally.

00:08:34 World changes for Mark at age 25, when he learns from his Mom, that his Father has robbed a bank, and is in jail. 00:13:27 After fighting the charges for years, at age 68, Dad goes into a Maximum Security Prison. prison 00:16:23 Dad finds purpose and joy with his grandchildren but is diagnosed with a brain tumour 00:22:02 Mark - understanding who you are as a son requires understanding your father's story.

00:22:46 Sharing experience, fostering connection and confidence. 00:27:43 @Capital-Mark's latest entrepreneurial business 00:32:02 Attributes for future entrepreneurs: humility, non-traditional structure. 00:34:12 Believe, support, lead, rewrite. The economy needs alignment. 00:37:21 Tony's Takeaways 00:39:23 Mark: "You need a soul to succeed in life." 00:42:35 Deenah. Various ways to help entrepreneurs start businesses.

I wanted to tackle loneliness for my holiday special this year as not all of us are surrounded by family and friends. The World Health Organization has declared loneliness a global health threat — as bad for your health as smoking fifteen cigarettes a day. Loneliness is the most significant preventable risk factor for depression, addiction, and suicidality. It increases the chance of early death by 30%, more significant than the risk of obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and excessive drinking.

Loneliness also increases the risk of heart disease, dementia, and diabetes.

My guest this week is Pete Bombaci. Pete aims to make the world happier and healthier by eradicating loneliness. Our show was taped in front of a live audience of Managers from the City of Barrie, the Town of Innisfil and the County of Simcoe.

Pete talked about the GenWell Project, Canada's Human Connection Movement. Pete shares why social connection is the most significant contributor to happiness, empathy, compassion, and resilience, yet our world is more disconnected than ever.

Pete offers simple ideas to make connections more intentional.

Amy Deacon, the Founder and CEO of Toronto Wellness Counselling, joins me to explain why our multi-screening and multi-tasking youth are so lonely and what we need to do to encourage face-to-face connections.

Moments that Matter.

00:00 Tony Chapman’s opening – a growing sense of impossibility

02:43 Introduce Pete Bombaci

04:37 Family life – a sister disabled, and the need to make time for others

05:48 Pete’s Dad dies and how that impacted his life.

08:49 Working at a bar offered two key insights.

11:32 The great blackout changed Pete forever.

14:40 Major career shift to not-for-profit raised $42M in 3 years.

17:42 Gen World Project: Canada's movement for human connection.

20:43 Research emphasizes the benefits of human connection.

23:25 Shift from reactive to proactive employee support.

26:32 Encouraging team and organization activities for growth.

31:08 Encouraging more in-person interactions for youth.

32:56 What can we do for our kids, our elderly parents, ourselves

35:35 Irony – Pete feels alone trying to create the GenWell Project

36:37 Global health expert outlines the dangers of Loneliness

37:32 Tony shares a story about a lone hiker

40:30 What Leaders can do - Authenticity and consistency are key

42:28 Loneliness and AI

44:20 Navigating post-pandemic challenges requires careful consideration.

45:32 My three takeaways

47:20 Amy Deacon, Founder of Toronto Wellness Counselling, joins the show

48:00 Amy explains why loneliness is so prevalent in the younger generation

49:14 What parents can do to help their children

50:26 Why parents are also part of the problem