“We’re not in the hospitality business. I create experiences. I create moments. I create memories.” – Marcel Bregstein

What does turning a dining room into a stage and service into soul-stirring theatre take? In this week’s 'Taped Live' - Chatter That Matters, I sit down—glass in hand and mic on—with Marcel Bregstein: sommelier, showman, and the heart behind The Toronto Hunt, one of Canada’s most extraordinary clubs. His story is a cinematic sweep—from privilege in Costa Rica, to hardship in Canada, to cruise ships, heartbreak, fine wine, a television show and finally, a calling. Marcel doesn’t just serve food or wine. He serves memory. Meaning. Magic. And along the way, he reminds us that what truly matters is how you make people feel.

Listen to this episode to discover how a busboy turned maître d’ became a knighted sommelier, how a bottle of ’47 Lafite taught more than taste, and how great service is never about the table—but the story you take home from it.

And as a bonus? Special appearances were made by three Canadian icons—wine entrepreneur extraordinaire Elayne Bassett, one of Canada’s most celebrated musicians, John Lennard, and celebrated chef Jamie Kennedy, who shared their reflections on what makes Marcel a character of immense character.

This is a great listen for anyone who loves a good rags-to-riches-to-emotional riches story and those who want to matter more by creating experiences that linger long after the lights go out.

 

Many years ago, Marcel was a newcomer to Canada.  To learn more about RBC and how they support those who come here to chase the Canadian dream.  https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/en-ca/new-to-canada/newcomers/

 

 

“I just have an idea. I’m motivated. I figure out how to do it, and away I go.” 

I usually avoid experts who offer lifestyle advice since so many podcasts already cover that territory. However, I was at a loss for words when I learned more about Gina Livy's unique journey. 

Gina’s story isn’t about lost pounds but about purpose reclaimed. From a university experience that saw her gain 100 pounds and a new perspective to becoming a fierce entrepreneur who leads with instinct, Gina didn’t just overcome the odds—she rewrote them. 

What makes this conversation matter is what Gina stands for. She’s built a massive community not through perfection, but presence. She shows up—through grief, doubt, and real life—and gives others the courage to do the same. If you’ve ever questioned your path, purpose, or whether you belong in the room, or the dent you want to make in the universe, Gina’s story reminds you that the answer isn’t out there. It’s already in you.

 

To learn about the Livy Method:  https://www.ginalivy.com/

 

 

What if the challenges life throws at you aren’t roadblocks but stepping stones to something greater?

Born almost blind, Jennie Coleman never saw the world like others until a miraculous surgery at 13 changed everything. But that was just the beginning. She built a trailblazing career at Bombardier, specializing in corporate strategy and travelling between Montreal, Zurich, Berlin, and Beijing. Then, life threw her another challenge: her daughter Laura, born with an ultra-rare genetic mutation, forever needed care. Jennie could have retreated, but instead, she redefined success.

Jennie left the corporate world, took a leap of faith, and bought a business she knew nothing about—Equifruit, a Fairtrade banana company. And with the same resilience that carried her through every chapter of her life, she turned it into a force for good, fighting for fair wages, sustainability, and ethical trade. 

Jennie's journey—from corporate warrior to purpose-driven entrepreneur—earned her the title of RBC Momentum Award Winner. The Harvard Business School has published a case on her accomplishments, and Jennie has been named Canada's Most Admired CEO by Waterson Human Capital. 

But her story isn’t just about business. It’s about family, and humanity, and someone who sees beyond profit to a higher purpose.

 

To learn more about Equifruit,  https://equifruit.com/en/

 

I encourage everyone to listen to this interview.  Why? It's about your longevity. Yes, adding years to your life—and more importantly bringing life to your years.

 It’s about taking control of your health instead of leaving it to chance. I know this firsthand. After undergoing extensive advanced medical testing, I feel empowered. I now understand the changes I must make to enhance my longevity while living my best life.

My guest is a visionary cardiologist and entrepreneur, Dr. Anmol Kapoor, founder of BioAro Inc., a Calgary-based firm transforming health care worldwide. Dr. Kapoor believes the key to fixing Canada’s fragile health care system is shifting from a Disease-Care System, where resources focus on detecting and treating illness, to a Preventative Care System that identifies potential diseases before they even start.

Through cutting-edge AI, genomics, and precision health care, BioAro is pioneering methods to detect mental and physical diseases before they manifest, align the right medications with your DNA, and put your health back in your hands.

BioAro’s technology is gaining global traction—but will Canada embrace it? If so, we could revolutionize health care, turning it into a system of choice, not chance, while saving taxpayers billions.

I’m also joined by Mike Scott from RBC Wealth, who will share how RBC is taking bold steps to help clients protect and grow their wealth and health.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone eager to understand the future of health care and the actions they can take today to ensure a healthier tomorrow. Stay tuned until the end, when Dr. Kapoor shares his thoughts on how you can add years to your life by becoming the CEO of your health.

Don’t miss it—your future self will thank you.

To find out more about BioAro: Precision Health:  http://bioaro.com

To find out more about RBC Wealth Management: https://www.rbcwealthmanagement.com/en-ca/

 

 

For my International Women’s Day episode, I chose Marion Thénault—a Canadian who flies like an eagle on the global stage. 

After realizing that gymnastics wouldn’t take her to the Olympics, Marion felt lost. On a promise to her Mom, she went to RBC Training Ground, where her trampoline skills caught the attention of a scout. She was asked if she had ever tried those flips on skis. As it turned out, she had only been on skis a handful of times.

Marion leaped into Freestyle Aerial Skiing, and in short order became a World Cup champion and Olympic Medallist. Her biggest accomplishment is something only a handful of female athletes have done— executing three backflips with multiple twists while reaching heights of over 12 meters (40 feet) in the air.

A serious injury when trying that jump nearly ended her career, but Marion found the courage and determination to return. In a stunning comeback, she landed the same triple that had caused her crash, proving her resilience and grit.

Jacquie Ryan, the CEO of the Canadian Olympic Foundation and another Canadian woman of international stature, joins the show to talk about Marion's accomplishments and how RBC Training Ground is helping Canada’s next generation of Olympians soar like eagles.

 

To learn more about Marion,  https://freestylecanada.ski/team/marion-thenault/

To learn more about RBC Training Ground, https://rbctrainingground.ca

 

 

We all judge books by their covers—but what happens when the cover tells one story, and the pages inside reveal another? This week on Chatter That Matters, I sit down with Mike Power, a testament to resilience. Mike appeared to have it all together: a top strategist, a two-time Boston Marathon runner, and a sharp conversationalist with wicked humour. But beneath that polished exterior was a battle with addiction, a journey to rock bottom, and a burning desire for reinvention. Mike shares his deeply personal story of losing control to alcohol and drugs, facing a devastating cancer diagnosis, and rebuilding trust with those who had lost faith in him. This is a raw, honest conversation about struggle, survival, and transformation.

But Mike’s story isn’t just about overcoming darkness—but unlocking potential. Now, with his book Flow, he’s guiding others to find their path to possibility, using a mix of deep reflection, mindset shifts, and practical steps to turn dreams into reality. We dive into his philosophy on manifesting a life you truly want, the energy state that allows us to break free from limitations, and why so many of us are more powerful than we realize. Whether facing obstacles or simply looking to improve your circumstances, this episode will enlighten you and challenge you to rethink what’s possible. Don’t miss it!

 

To learn more about Mike Power, his book and the workshop. https://www.flow-manifest.com/mikepowerflow

A split second is all it took to change Dr. Matthew Galati’s life forever. A promising second-year medical student with a passion for soccer, music, and a strong social network, Matthew had everything going for him—until a freak encounter with black ice led to a horrific car accident and a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Rushed to the hospital and placed on life support, he spent three days in a coma, emerging into a world where his ability to think, speak, and move had been shattered.]Doctors warned his family that recovery was unlikely and that returning to medical school appeared impossible.

Yet Matthew refused to accept this fate. What he learned about his brain can impact yours as you age.

Matthew's story is one of resilience and determination. He defied medical odds and rewired his brain through neuroplasticity. With support from an innovative research study, a structured rehabilitation plan, and a dedicated mindset, he restored his cognitive abilities, returned to medical school, and became a licensed physician.

As the founder of the Brain Changes Initiative, Dr. Matthew Galati works to transform the standard of care for TBI survivors and educate everyone about the brain’s capacity to heal itself. 

Key Takeaway: Your brain is not fixed. Neuroplasticity allows for healing, growth, and transformation, even in adversity. 

In addition, Tony Maiorino from RBC Wealth joins the show to share his personal story about his mother's dementia and what his organization is doing to connect the dots between wealth and health.

 

Visit BrainChanges.org to learn more about Matthew’s initiative and their upcoming Brain Changes Summit.  https://www.brainchanges.org

Visit RBC Wealth to learn more about their investment in helping us age well: https://www.rbcwealthmanagement.com/en-ca/campaign/aging-well

 

Many of us carry dark memories—moments so painful and profound that we tuck them away in the deepest corners of our minds. We convince ourselves they’re forgotten, but are they? What if you possessed the key to unlock them?

Would you shine a light to illuminate your past, hoping that by doing so, you might finally understand who you are, why your life unfolded the way it did, and what you can change? Or would you keep them hidden in the shadows?

This week, I’m pleased to welcome Melissa Osorio, author of Hidden Memories, to Chatter that Matters. Hidden Memories is a powerful story about overcoming one's past to conquer one's future.

As a young girl, Melissa lost her older brother to cancer. At 16, her father was murdered. She left Venezuela for the United States but never escaped her pain until she made a life-altering decision to confront her past and face the memories she had long suppressed and how she found light amid darkness.

Georgia Balinsky from RBC joins me to discuss the power of ideas—and how RBC’s latest campaign inspires people to bring their ideas to life.

 

To purchase Melissa's Book, Hidden Memories:  https://www.amazon.ca/Hidden-Memories-Discover-Whats-Blocking-ebook/dp/B0CLK1B4PS

To watch RBC's Ideas Happen Here Campaign: 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cxmd0w9Y1xY&feature=youtu.be

Imagine stepping into a world where your very existence is questioned—where just being yourself is a battle. Now imagine finding the strength, the voice, and the courage to not only survive but to stand up, speak out, and inspire a generation.

This week on Chatter that Matters, my guest is George M. Johnson. We dive into the remarkable journey of an award-winning author, journalist, and activist who turned childhood trauma into a global conversation. All Boys Aren’t Blue isn’t just a book—it’s a lifeline, a revolution, and a powerful act of defiance against those who seek to erase stories like George’s.

As we walk in George's shoes we will learn:

What It’s Like to Feel Like an Outsider – From childhood bullying to violent attacks, George opens up about the pain of growing up Black and Queer in a world that wasn’t always kind.

The Strength of Family & Finding a Place to Belong – A grandmother’s wisdom, a younger brother’s unwavering love, and the importance of having people who simply sees you for who you are.

The Power of Writing to Heal & Inspire – How storytelling became George’s weapon against ignorance and a beacon of hope for others who feel unseen.

Fighting Book Bans & Changing the Narrative – Why All Boys Aren’t Blue is one of the most banned books in America—and why that only fuels George’s mission to ensure that queer Black voices are heard, celebrated, and never erased.

Strength in Numbers & The Future of the Fight – From books to film, podcasts to activism, George isn’t stopping. This isn’t just about personal triumph; it’s about creating a world where no child feels alone in their identity.

George M. Johnson is living proof that when you embrace who you are, the world takes notice.

 

This is a special four-minute edition of Chatter That Matters. Canada's economy and sovereignty are under threat—not from weapons but from tariffs. This isn’t the moment for political grandstanding, showboating, posturing, or scoring points.

It's time for extraordinary.

RBC sponsors my podcast, and this weekend, I had the honour of reading a note from their President and CEO, David McKay, that was sent to all of their employees.

RBC didn't ask me to do this, and they are not compensating me.

I am reading his letter to you, hoping you will listen to his words, and intent.

This is the kind of leadership our country requires. 

Positivity, possibility and making Canada's destiny a matter of choice, not chance.

Please listen to it and share it. David McKay's remarks and others of similar tone deserve a much broader audience, spanning our private and public sectors without geographic or partisan boundaries or biases. 

Canada. It's time for extraordinary.

         

In this week's Chatter that Matters titled "Truth Seeker," we delve into the vital and fascinating realm of investigative journalism through the perspective of Robert Cribb. Rob has received both national and international reporting awards for his investigations into offshore tax evasion, child exploitation, human trafficking, dangerous doctors, environmental hazards, and public safety. He was part of the international reporting team that produced the Pulitzer Prize-winning Panama Papers investigation in 2017. 

 

Can democracy survive without reporters like Rob, who are willing to search within the shadows for the truth? 

 

You will also gain insight into the emotional toll of 24/7 journalism, which often lasts for months, and the risks those who expose what others deliberately conceal in the shadows face. 

 

Rob Cribb is also the founder and director of the Investigative Journalism Bureau, an impact-driven newsroom based at the University of Toronto that unites senior journalists, academics, students, and media organizations to share thoroughly reported stories in the public interest. The bureau is built on a decade of experimenting with a model that uncovers powerful new truths while training the next generation of investigative reporters. This pioneering work has resulted in dozens of significant investigations published on newspaper front pages, television screens, and podcast streams that have enlightened, informed, and influenced public policy. 

 

To learn more about the Investigative Journalism Bureau, visit https://ijb.utoronto.ca