Tiny Books, Big Ideas!

What happens when someone keeps telling you no? Five times Tyler Bentley applied for leadership roles… and five times he was rejected. Most people would give up. Tyler did the opposite. He stepped back, studied human behaviour under pressure, and began designing a completely different way for teams to work together — a concept he now calls Soul Certified. This week on On Another Track, we talk about leadership, clarity, ownership, and why sometimes the person with the “quirky ideas nobody understands” might actually be the one seeing the future first. “Just a quick heads-up — Tyler Bentley is a deep thinker. You’ll hear a few longer pauses as he works through his ideas. Hang in there… the insights that follow are worth it.”   LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tylerbentley   Phone: +1 780 977 0989   Email: [email protected]  

What happens when you hit rock bottom and decide to build the ladder out yourself? This week On Another Track, I speak with Michelle Frechette, founder of The Connected Kitchen here in Edmonton. She’s on a mission to create generational change, through food. From running a Latin-inspired food truck to building a social enterprise in downtown Edmonton’s French Quarter, Michelle’s story is one of grit, purpose, and redefining what it means to feed a community. If you’ve ever wondered how to blend purpose with profit. Or why the kitchen is the perfect place to start - this one’s for you.   LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michelle-frechette   Web: https://www.tckp.ca/   Email: [email protected]  

This week, I finally got the chance to sit down with one of the true legends of British pop — Peter Noone, the unmistakable voice of Herman’s Hermits.   From singing “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter” to dominating the American charts in the British Invasion era, Peter shares a stunning backstage view of the 1960s — the pubs, the record shops, the lunchtime Cavern Club sets, and the camaraderie with bands like The Kinks, The Birds, and The Beatles.   But this isn’t just a nostalgia trip. Peter reveals how a chance encounter at a youth club led to an impromptu performance, why every band needed to be unique, and why the world felt just a bit safer back then — even when your stage suits were flattened by 100 lorries on the M62.   Get ready for laughs, rock history, and pure storytelling gold.   Website: https://peternoone.com   Email: https://peternoone.com/pages/contact   Listen to On Another Track: https://www.podpage.com/on-another-track/  

What if digital marketing isn’t about selling at all - but about solving a puzzle?   This week on On Another Track, I’m joined by Elizabeth “Ellie” Fleming, founder of Designed Life, who believes marketing is a never‑ending puzzle - one where trust is the first piece you must put in place.   Ellie knows we’re all trying to buy back more time. But she’s clear: if people don’t trust you, nothing else matters. From video hooks that actually stop the scroll, to the good, the bad, and the dangerous misuse of AI, Ellie challenges the idea that louder marketing works better. Her approach? Stop selling. Start offering.   “Scared sh*tless” isn’t a weakness in this conversation - it’s a signal you’re breaking away from the mould and building a future that’s truly your own.   If you’re tired of hype-driven funnels, robotic AI content, and marketing that feels hollow, this episode will change how you think about connection, courage, and creativity.   Website: https://designedlife.ca   Email: [email protected]   Listen to On Another Track: https://bit.ly/3tOATPCAST

What if the recipe for mental wellness starts with a loaf of bread?   Meet Stephanie Markakas-Plouffe, founder of Entrepreneur Connection Edmonton, mental health coach, and former owner of a baking business serving 18 retail stores.   After years of navigating burnout, chaos, and emotional trauma in the food industry, Stephanie stepped back, stepped into her kitchen — and found her next chapter.   Now she teaches entrepreneurs how to mix dough, process trauma, and reconnect with their inner peace… one baking session at a time.   Hear how her new movement, Bake Club for Entrepreneurs is turning bread making into a mental health intervention.   LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stephanie-markakis-plouffe-506938339   Email: [email protected]   Website https://www.entrepreneurconnectionedm.com   Listen to On Another Track: https://bit.ly/3tOATPCAST

When Pretty Girls Poured Tea… and Boys Wanted to Be Builders   That was the world Ladybird Books helped paint, but were they quietly reflecting Britain’s postwar values… or subtly reinforcing them?   We get Helen Day, the UK’s leading Ladybird book historian to unpack it all. From nostalgic collector to curator, Helen’s encyclopedic knowledge has kept the stories and artwork of Ladybird Books alive for generations.   Through exhibitions, articles, and her vibrant online community, she celebrates the artists, writers, and hidden history behind these iconic children’s books.   Website: https://ladybirdflyawayhome.com   Email: [email protected]   David Wilson, BritCan Productions: https://bit.ly/3tOATPCAST   +++++++++++++++++++   Featured Company: Commercial Food Service: https://cfsfood.ca  

What happens when a man decides to fight depression with play?   You get Robert Manolson, founder of Powerful Play Experiences, and one of Canada’s most inspiring advocates for mental wellness in the workplace. His sessions spark joy, ease the spirit, and reconnect teams with their inner child — the one we often leave behind.   After years of battling anxiety and depression, Robert discovered that play wasn’t just child’s work — it was healing work. Now, he helps others move from a place of unhappy… to a place of happy.   LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robertmanolson   Email: [email protected]   Company Web Link: https://powerfulplay.ca   David Wilson, BritCan Productions: https://bit.ly/3tOATPCAST   +++++++++++++++++++   Featured Company: Commercial Food Service: https://cfsfood.ca

What happens when a man from the oil industry decides to build a playground?   You get Mike McDermott, founder of PlayEnvy, and one of the most passionate community builders in Canada. His first playground project earned him heartfelt thanks from every child at the school — and sparked a mission to design spaces that inspire play for years to come.   He’s proof that when you get comfortable being uncomfortable and surround yourself with the right people, great things happen.   LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/mike-mcdermott-91a56217   Email: [email protected]   Company Web Link: https://playenvy.ca   David Wilson, BritCan Productions: https://bit.ly/3tOATPCAST   +++++++++++++++++++ Featured Company: Commercial Food Service: https://cfsfood.ca/  

When Russia invaded Ukraine, Will Blackburn was selling software in Poland. Within 24 hours, refugees were arriving in his town — and his life was changed forever.   Trading his sales kit for his old Army Reserve gear, Will began sourcing medical supplies and driving convoys into the Donbas. Now, in his book The War Next Door: My Journeys into Ukraine, he shares what it’s like to risk your life to help strangers, and to carry the voices of Ukrainians living under fire.   ⚠️ This episode contains descriptions of war and trauma. Listener discretion advised.   LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/will-blackburn-61653718   Email: [email protected]   Book Link: https://bit.ly/WarNextDoor   David Wilson, BritCan Productions: https://bit.ly/3tOATPCAST   +++++++++++++++++++ Featured Company: Commercial Food Service: https://cfsfood.ca/  

Think you’ve heard it all? Mike Francis will make you think again.   From a brutal childhood marked by abuse and survival, to becoming a husband, father, and respected tattoo artist, Mike’s story is raw, unfiltered, and unforgettable. Today, through his work at MFT Tattoos, he uncovers the myths, humour, and deep truths behind body modification — and why people still line up for the pain.   ⚠️ Warning: this episode dives into graphic themes — from intimate tattoos to past trauma. If you’re squeamish, prepare for a rollercoaster.   This is not just about ink — it’s about resilience, transformation, and getting yourself On Another Track.   Book here: https://book.heygoldie.com/mft-tattoo/checkout   Email [email protected]   Company Links MFT Tattoos https://book.heygoldie.com/mft-tattoo     David Wilson, BritCan Productions https://www.podpage.com/on-another-track/s2e77   +++++++++++++++++++ Featured Company: Commercial Food Service: https://cfsfood.ca/