Society & Culture Episodes

Welcome back to Coffee With Convery, today’s conversationasks us to slow down, lean in, and really listen. Because sometimes, the most important work happening inthe world isn’t loud, it’s deep. It’s thoughtful. And it’s rooted in truth. In a time where we talk a lot about innovation,disruption, and the future of work… We don’t always talk enough about the human stories thatshape who we are and who we become. Today’s guest lives at that intersection where researchmeets lived experience, wher...

Welcome to Coffee With Convery, the podcast that’s your launchpad for career inspiration. Today’s guest is someone who proves that passion isn’t just something you love, it’s something you build with. Vasili Palantzas is a musician, educator, and leader whose career has been shaped not by shortcuts, but by discipline, curiosity, and a deep respect for craft. From early practice rooms to leading ensembles, mentoring young musicians, and shaping the next generation of creative talent, Vasili’s ...

Welcome back to Coffee with Convery, where we caffeinateyour curiosity with bold stories, actionable insights, and fresh takes on how we define and design success. Today’s guest is a leader in AI innovation, a keynotespeaker, and an advocate for mental health and resilience. Please welcome TJ Walia — creator of the PWR-AI Framework, former Microsoft leader, and passionate mentor helping professionals and entrepreneurs thrive withoutburning out. TJ’s journey is one many can relate to — after 15...

Welcome back to Coffee with Convery, where wecaffeinate your curiosity with bold stories, actionable insights, and fresh takes on how we define and design success. Today’s guest Steve Jaffe is a seasoned advertisingand marketing executive, author, and resilience advocate. Steve’s book The Layoff Journey: From Dismissal to Discovery is reshaping how we think about job loss, recovery, and renewal. Steve’s professional career spans decades in advertising,media, and marketing leadership. But behi...

Welcome to Coffee with Convery ☕️, the podcast where we sit down with industry leaders, and outstanding individuals making a difference. Today, I have the pleasure of introducing our esteemed guest, David Levangie. 🎙 David is a Partner-Litigation at Fogler Rubinoff LLP in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. With an impressive 16 years of experience in the legal field, David has become a leading figure in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group at Fogler Rubinoff. ⚖️ David's practice focuses on compl...

Welcome to Coffee with Convery, where we dive into the stories of changemakers, thought leaders, and trailblazers shaping the future of business and leadership. Today, I’m joined by Dr. Steve Yacovelli, also known as “The Gay Leadership Dude®”—a best-selling author, keynote speaker, and leadership development expert who has dedicated his career to fostering inclusive, resilient, and purpose-driven leadership. With a background spanning The Walt Disney Company, IBM, and Tupperware Brands, Steve...

What's up, hustlers and dream-chasers! 🚀💪 Welcome to another high-energy episode of Coffee With Convery🎙️💥 Today we're about to crank the volume up to 11! 🔊🔥 We've got a real estate rockstar 🏠🎸 Cody Galloway-Braman in the house. He's flipping the script on how we think about buying and selling homes. He's a 3x franchise owner 🏆🏆🏆, a community builder 🤝🌟, and an athlete who's still crushing it in the gym 💪🏋️‍♂️. Let's dive into this no-holds-barred conversation that's guaranteed to leave you ...

🎙️ Welcome to a special episode of Coffee with Convery! Today, I have the pleasure of introducing you to a remarkable individual who is making waves both on and off the ice. Meet Carson Gates, a dedicated student at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who's not just chasing pucks 🏒 as the goalie on the Men’s Hockey Team but also pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism 📰. Carson currently holds the role of Editor in Chief at "The Communiqué," where he has been shaping narratives a...

Welcome to Coffee with Convery ☕️, where each conversation embarks on a journey of discovery and inspiration. Today, as we commemorate International Transgender Day of Visibility, observed annually on March 31st, we stand in solidarity with transgender individuals worldwide. This day is a poignant reminder to celebrate their identities, shed light on the discrimination they endure, and honor their invaluable contributions to society. 🏳️‍⚧️ On this significant occasion, we are honored to host R...

Welcome to Coffee with Convery, the podcast where we brew up insightful conversations with fascinating guests from various industries. 🌈 Happy Pride! 🌈 Today, we're celebrating diversity and diving into the world of culinary creativity, community, and entrepreneurship with a truly unique duo. Chih Lin and Michael Dorsey have taken a leap of faith from corporate America into the vibrant culinary scene of Houston, Texas. They've built a one-of-a-kind dumpling-making experience that you simply hav...

Welcome to Coffee with Convery! ☕️ Today, we have a remarkable guest whose journey encapsulates resilience, faith, and the power of inclusion. Meet Andrew Fitisemanu, a dynamic individual who not only shines on the rugby field but also advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion in both sports and corporate environments. 🏉🌈 Andrew’s story is one of evolution and empowerment. Growing up as a Catholic in New Zealand, Andrew found solace and strength in his faith. However, his path took a trans...

Welcome back to Coffee with Convery, where we dive into the journeys, insights, and innovations shaping the future of business, leadership, and community. Today, we’re spotlighting an incredible student organization making waves at the Schulich School of Business—Schulich Pride Alliance. Schulich Pride Alliance has been a beacon of inclusivity, fostering a welcoming space for 2SLGBTQ+ students to connect, learn, and thrive. Through community-building, education, professional development, and m...

🐢Happy World Turtle Day 2025! 🐢 Today, we’re celebrating a true champion of both innovation and conservation — Ken Andrews, a standout guest from Coffee With Convery in 2023. A proud Michigan native, Ken is an outdoorsman, entrepreneur, and certified pilot who’s been launching ventures since he was just 10 years old. As the Founder and President of Millennium Digital Technologies, he brings a rare blend of electrical engineering and computer science expertise to build end-to-end tech systems th...

Welcome to another episode of Coffee with Convery, where we delve into the diverse journeys of professionals across various industries. Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with Stina Borth, Founder and CEO of Keymaker Services, an organization dedicated to elevating workforce productivity and youthdevelopment. Stina is an award-winning educator, neurodiversity specialist, and passionate advocate for inclusive, high-performance environments. With a Master's in Education and a wealth of exper...

Welcome back to another episode of Coffee withConvery, where we bring you inspiring stories of career journeys, personal growth, and professional insights. Today, I’m thrilled to introduce a dynamic leader andchangemaker—Francis Syms. Francis is a globally experienced executive,certified coach, and currently the Associate Dean in the Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology at Humber Polytechnic. He’s also the Founder and CEO of The Joule Group Inc, dedicated to leadership development, career e...

Welcome to Coffee with Convery, where we explore stories, insights, and careers that inspire. In this special edition / bonus track of Legacy in Motion: Black History Month, I sit down with Diallo Farquharson—an innovative entrepreneur tackling housing inequality and sustainable urban development. As the Co-Founder of TurnKey Developers Inc., Diallo is on a mission to revolutionize housing solutions by making backyard suites more accessible, helping homeownersmaximize their property value whil...

Welcome to Coffee with Convery, where we explore stories, insights, and careers that inspire. In this special edition of Legacy in Motion: Black History Month, I sit down with Reggie Waterman—a visionary leader in marketing, mentorship and professional development. With over 15 years of experience driving strategy in Canada’s largest communications and technology companies, Reggie has built a career at the intersection of innovation and leadership. As the Founder of NEXT TEN and Easy Apply Inc...

Welcome to another inspiring episode of Coffee with Convery, where we continue our Legacy in Motion series in honor of Black History Month. Today, we are privileged to sit down with an extraordinary leader who is shaping the future of work and opportunity—Mo Ekujumi. Mo is the Co-Founder and CEO of SkillHat, a transformative global tech company dedicated to launching people of color, women, and newcomers in North America into thriving tech careers. With a deep passion for education and empowerm...

Welcome to Coffee with Convery, where we explore stories, insights, and careers that inspire the next generation. In this special edition of Legacy in Motion: Black History Month, we sit down with Dr. Camisha Sibblis - an influential leader in Social Justice, Mental Health, and Black Scholars. A 2024 honoree of 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women and one of Canada’s Top 100 Black Women to Watch 2022, Dr. Sibblis is an Assistant Professor and the Director ofthe Black Scholars Institute at the...

Welcome to Coffee with Convery, where we explore stories, insights, and careers that inspire the next generation. In this special edition of Legacy in Motion: Black History Month, we sit down with Dr. Patience Adamu—an influential leader in equity, diversity, and inclusion. With a wealth of experience in social impact, policy, and education, she is dedicated to empowering historically underrepresented communities. Whether you're navigating your first job, looking to make a meaningful career s...

Welcome back to another inspiring episode of Coffee with Convery. This Black History Month, we introduce our Legacy in Motion series with a powerful conversation featuring Manny Almonte—a visionary leader dedicated to empowering men of color and fostering community transformation. Manny is the founder of Mastermind Connect, a dynamic men’s collective, and the Young Masterminds Initiative, a nonprofit creating transformative experiences that help men of color connect with their passions, inner s...

In an era where the challenges facing at-risk youth are more complex than ever, Coffee with Convery continues its Legacy in Motion series with a conversation on justice, mentorship, and systemic change. Joining us is Demetrius Watson-Williamson, a rising voice in criminology, to discuss the critical importance of intervention and support. Currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Criminology after completing his BA at the University of Windsor, Demetrius brings a unique perspective shaped by b...

Welcome back to Coffee with Convery. As part of our Legacy in Motion: Black History Month series, I’m honored to welcome Chris Studer to the show. Chris is a visionary leader, advocate, and changemaker dedicated to fostering inclusivity and creating positive social impact. Chris is the Executive Director and co-founder of The Get REAL Movement, a nonprofit tackling homophobia and promoting inclusivity since 2011. Through authentic conversations and impactful campaigns—like the To My Grade 7 Se...

Join us on Coffee With Convery as we sit down with Alexander De Ridder, a visionary entrepreneur and AI innovator revolutionizing enterprise efficiency. From his early days as a 13-year-old coding prodigy in Bruges, Belgium, to founding cutting-edge AI companies like SmythOS and INK, Alexander's journey is a testament to the power of passion and innovation. We'll explore his insights on the future of AI, how collaborative AI systems are transforming businesses, and the valuable lessons he's le...