In this inspiring episode of How to Make it in Toronto, we sit down with Coach Kevin Brewer—a military veteran turned mindset and weight loss coach. Coach Kevin shares his incredible journey from serving in the military to overcoming severe injuries and illness, ultimately transforming his life and pushing his limits through Spartan races.

He dives deep into the power of a relentless, never-give-up mindset, offering insights on how to shift your perspective, rewire your thinking, and take control of your lifestyle. Whether you’re facing personal struggles, fitness challenges, or mindset roadblocks, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you break through barriers.

Tune in for another insightful conversation that will leave you feeling motivated and ready to take on any challenge! 🎙️💪

For more insights, follow Coach Kevin here: @coachkevinbrewer

In this episode of How to Make It in Toronto, we sit down with Suriel Arellano—an author, speaker, inventor, and executive mentor with over two decades of experience in digital transformation, AI leadership, and organizational development.

We dive into Suriel’s journey to success, how he transitioned into executive coaching, and what it takes to be a great CEO in today’s rapidly evolving business world. Then, we explore the impact of AI on organizations and the future of work, uncovering key insights for leaders navigating digital transformation. Finally, we discuss his latest book, Leading in the Age of AI, and how businesses can adapt to the changing landscape.

Tune in for an engaging and insightful conversation on business, leadership, and AI!

📖 Learn more about Suriel and his work at tec4digital.com

🎧 Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all streaming platforms!

In this episode of How to Make it in Toronto, I sit down with Thomas Beattie, Co-Founder and CEO of Eli Report. Eli Technologies Corp. is a Vancouver-based real estate technology company transforming the residential and commercial real estate industry with innovative software solutions.

Eli Report, the company’s flagship product, is an AI-powered condo document review platform designed for real estate professionals. It streamlines the due diligence process by extracting critical building issues from years’ worth of documentation in just minutes, empowering realtors and prospective buyers with the insights they need.

Thomas takes us through his inspiring journey, from investment banking to scaling and leading companies as a CEO. He shares valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, insights into building and growing a business, and how Eli Report is revolutionizing the real estate market with cutting-edge technology.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, real estate professional, or someone looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with actionable insights and innovative ideas. Don’t miss it!

🔗 Learn more about Eli Report

Tune in now on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts!

Meta is planning to reduce fact-checking and moderation on its platforms, all in the name of free speech and expression. Now, while this might sound great on the surface, there are some serious implications—both good and bad—that you need to know about.

Let’s break it down.

NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES

1️⃣ More Disinformation – With less fact-checking, we could see a rise in misleading news, deepfakes, and conspiracy theories, making it harder than ever to separate truth from fiction.

2️⃣ Increase in Hate Speech & Toxic Content – X has already shown that when you dial back moderation, hate speech, harassment, and harmful content go up. This could create a more hostile online environment.

3️⃣ Brand Safety Risks – For businesses, influencers, and content creators, this lack of moderation might mean your ads or content could be placed next to controversial or offensive material, damaging your reputation.

POSITIVE CONSEQUENCES

1️⃣ More Free Speech & Expression – Users will have fewer restrictions on what they can post, which means more diverse perspectives and less censorship from centralized fact-checkers.

2️⃣ More Engagement & Debate – With fewer content limitations, conversations might become more dynamic, allowing users to engage in open discussions—even on controversial topics.

3️⃣ Less Shadowbanning & Algorithmic Suppression – If you’ve ever felt like your content wasn’t reaching people because of hidden moderation rules, this change could mean a fairer playing field for creators.

HOW TO MAKE SURE YOUR CONTENT REACHES THE RIGHT AUDIENCE & HAS A POSITIVE IMPACT

1️⃣ Verify Before You Share – With fact-checking being reduced, it’s on us to make sure what we post is accurate and credible. Always check multiple sources before spreading information.

2️⃣ Engage in Positive Conversations – With a potential rise in hate speech, stand out by leading meaningful discussions. Avoid toxic debates and focus on building a community around your content.

3️⃣ Adapt Your Strategy for Visibility – The algorithms may shift, so experiment with different types of content (video, carousels, text posts) to see what resonates best. Also, keep an eye on Meta’s updates to stay ahead of the changes.

At the end of the day, these changes are coming, whether we like them or not. What matters is how we use these platforms to create impact, build brands, and share valuable ideas.

What do you think? Will these changes make Meta better or worse? Let me know in the comments! And don’t forget to follow How to Make it in Toronto for more insights.

1. Create the Right Environment for Creativity

- Step 1: Remove Distractions

Designate a dedicated, clutter-free space where you can focus. Turn off notifications and minimize interruptions to let your mind roam freely.

Insight: Creativity thrives when your mind has space to wander without being bombarded by outside stimuli.

- Step 2: Incorporate Stimuli That Inspire You

Surround yourself with things that spark curiosity—books, art, music, or even nature. These serve as catalysts for new ideas.

Example: Steve Jobs often cited nature walks as critical to his creative process.

- Step 3: Encourage Collaboration

Invite diverse thinkers into brainstorming sessions. Different perspectives can ignite unique solutions.

Actionable Tip: Organize “idea jam sessions” with your network.

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2. Practice Divergent Thinking

- Step 1: Ask Open-Ended Questions

Shift your mindset from “What is?” to “What if?” or “How might we?” to explore untapped possibilities.

Example: Instead of asking “How do I grow my business?” ask, “What unconventional ways can I connect with my audience?”

- Step 2: Freewrite or Mind Map

Dedicate time to write or visually map out ideas without judgment. Allow the ideas to flow without editing.

Actionable Tip: Use apps like Miro or pen and paper for a digital detox brainstorming session.

- Step 3: Explore Analogies and Metaphors

Relating one idea to another can lead to breakthrough moments.

Insight: Think of an unrelated field—how might a chef’s approach to creativity inform your content creation?

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3. Cultivate a Growth-Oriented Mindset

- Step 1: Embrace Failure as Feedback

Understand that every idea doesn’t need to be perfect. Each misstep provides insights that refine your creative process.

Example: Thomas Edison’s countless failed attempts at creating the lightbulb were stepping stones to success.

- Step 2: Commit to Lifelong Learning

Constantly expose yourself to new knowledge through books, courses, or conversations. The more inputs you have, the more connections your brain can make.

Actionable Tip: Dedicate 20 minutes a day to learning something outside your field.

- Step 3: Take Breaks and Recharge

Creativity often emerges during periods of rest. Incorporate regular breaks into your workflow to avoid burnout.

Example: Many great ideas come while showering or during a walk because the brain has time to process subconsciously.

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Podcast challenge:

A practical challenge for our listeners:

- “This week, dedicate 15 minutes a day to one of these techniques. Share your most creative idea with us on social media using #HTMITCreativity. We might feature your story in an upcoming episode!”

This week, we’re thrilled to sit down with Ryan Rigterink, CEO of Leaders Ops. Ryan brings a wealth of experience working with leaders across industries to tackle some of the biggest challenges in business today—recruitment, employee retention, reducing turnover, and fostering productivity.

In this insightful episode, Ryan dives deep into:

✅ Strategies to attract top-tier talent.
✅ Building and sustaining a culture of growth.
✅ Boosting engagement and improving employee retention.
✅ Practical tips for maximizing team performance and results.

Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, a business leader, or just starting your journey, Ryan’s expertise offers actionable insights to help you elevate your leadership game and achieve more with your team.

Don't miss this knowledge-packed conversation—tune in now and transform the way you lead! 🌟

Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. Subscribe today!

Join us for an inspiring conversation with John Bromley, the visionary founder of Charitable Impact!

In this episode, John shares his journey of building one of Canada’s leading philanthropic platforms, offering a deep dive into:

💡 How a Donor-Advised Fund works and its benefits

💪 His unique methodology for overcoming obstacles

🎉 What makes him most proud in his incredible career

Get ready for an engaging and insightful episode filled with actionable advice, personal stories, and a lot of fun. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a leader changing how people think about giving back.

📲 Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube!

Success Story of Elon Musk

We’re diving into the extraordinary story of Elon Musk—a name synonymous with innovation, resilience, and bold ambition. From his beginnings in South Africa to becoming the world’s richest man, Musk’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. We’ll explore how he built PayPal, Tesla, and SpaceX, the obstacles he faced along the way, and what makes him stand out as a visionary entrepreneur.

But this episode isn’t just about Elon Musk’s achievements—it’s about the lessons you can learn from his journey

For more information check out our YouTube channel 📺

The Tools Behind the Success

Books: From The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy to physics textbooks, Musk’s love of reading has been a cornerstone of his self-education.

Mentors: Collaborators like Peter Thiel and other Silicon Valley pioneers provided guidance and resources.

Networks: Musk leveraged Silicon Valley’s vibrant ecosystem of investors, engineers, and innovators.

Relentless

Curiosity: Whether teaching himself coding as a child or mastering rocket science as an adult, Musk’s willingness to learn has been his greatest asset.

Hopefully this provides some valuable insights. Share your thoughts below.

Thanks for listening.

Take it ease ✌🏾