"Everybody's journey is unique, and we have the power to write our own story. We need to stop giving other people the pen." Calissa Ngozi

Calissa Ngozi's life is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the choice to rise above. Born into hardship, labelled by a doctor as a child who would "never amount to anything," and adopted into a world that didn't mirror her reflection, Calissa faced sexual abuse, family mental illness, and later in life, the unimaginable loss of her twin sons. Yet at every turn, she refused to surrender her story.

Now a mental health educator, community leader, mother, and creator of The Oxygen Mask Mindset, Calissa teaches others how to breathe again, how to care for themselves before they care for others. Her voice is unfiltered and full of grace, reminding us that healing begins when we reclaim our power.

Andrea Barrack, RBC's Senior Vice President of Sustainability and Impact, reveals how RBC's leadership in mental health is giving more Canadians the care, hope, and community they deserve.

Perry Miele is someone I have admired since the first day we met many decades ago. Perry shares his remarkable journey from growing up in Thunder Bay as the son of Italian immigrants to becoming a serial entrepreneur, investor, and mentor to many. Perry's story is about resilience, optimism, and the enduring lessons that come with having both grit and grace.

In this episode, Perry reflects on politics, entrepreneurship, and pursuing the Canadian Dream as individuals and as a country.

Alan Depencier from RBC joins to share how small business owners are the engine of our economy and all RBC does to fuel their dreams.

A show about positivity and possibility and all things Perry Miele.

Many people dream of owning their own business and being their own boss, especially today when careers can be suddenly disrupted by tariffs or technology. I would encourage those who dream to also do.

Judy Lewis is my guest this week, and she doesn't follow paths; she creates them. An inductee into the Marketing Hall of Legends and co-founder of Strategic Objectives alongside her sister Deborah Weinstein, they have redefined what it means to build with purpose.

Their campaigns have received every PR honour, as well as recognition from the United Nations for promoting social change.

Judy shares her story and how vision, grit, and a simple "What if?" mindset enabled her to leave the corporate world and establish one of the world's most respected public relations agencies. Stay tuned for my three key takeaways, and then ask yourself, What if I applied Judy's lessons in life to my own life?

To find out more about RBC's Women of Influence Awards: https://www.womenofinfluence.ca/rbc-cwea/