Alberta Episodes

A Story of Survival, Healing, and Purpose with Kris Marks

324

March 14, 2026

A Story of Survival, Healing, and Purpose with Kris Marks

In Episode 324 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy sits down with Kris Marks, CEO of VIV Mental Health, keynote speaker, and psychological health and safety advisor, for one of the most powerful conversations on the show to date. Kris shares his deeply personal journey from trauma, homelessness, and a suicide attempt to becoming a national voice for mental health leadership and psychological safety in workplaces and communities. His story is raw, honest, and deeply human, revealin...

Guest: Kristopher Marks

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Success Lives in the Moment Before You Go Over the Edge with Jemia & Tim Zagiel

318

Feb. 21, 2026

Success Lives in the Moment Before You Go Over the Edge with Jemia & Tim Zagiel

In Episode 318 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy sits down with Jemia and Tim Zagiel, Co-Founders of Pacific Ropes, to explore what it truly means to build a business in an environment where courage is not optional. What began as a small operation run from their living room grew into an industry-leading rope access company that helped modernize safety and training standards across Western Canada. Tim shares how his early experiences working on ropes without proper systems sparke...

Guests: Jemia Zagiel , Tim Zagiel

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What Alberta Strong Really Means with Mckinley Hyland

306

Jan. 10, 2026

What Alberta Strong Really Means with Mckinley Hyland

In Episode 306, Kelly Kennedy reconnects with Mckinley Hyland, founder of Maverick NDT Inspection Inc. and the very first guest in the history of The Business Development Podcast, for a raw and grounded conversation about Alberta, Oil and Gas, and the people who make the industry work. Mckinley shares the reality behind high-paying field work, from long rotations and time away from family to the quiet sacrifices that define life in Alberta’s energy sector. This episode isn’t about politics or co...

Guest: Mckinley Hyland

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Unlocking Canada’s Francophone Goldmine with Colin Fagnan

296

Dec. 6, 2025

Unlocking Canada’s Francophone Goldmine with Colin Fagnan

Episode 296 is a first for The Business Development Podcast – we finally dive deep into Canada’s French-speaking community and what most business leaders are missing. Kelly sits down with bilingual consultant Colin Fagnan, founder of Nyloc Consulting (and now Executive Director of the Fort Saskatchewan & Lamont County Regional Chamber of Commerce), to unpack how growing up Francophone in Alberta shaped his worldview, why French is actually on the rise in Western Canada, and how bilingualism boos...

Guest: Colin Fagnan

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From Teacher to Tech Visionary with Nathan Plumb

288

Nov. 8, 2025

From Teacher to Tech Visionary with Nathan Plumb

Episode 288 of The Business Development Podcast features an inspiring conversation with Nathan Plumb, Managing Director of Fabled Solutions, an award-winning technology company transforming how businesses approach software development. Nathan shares his incredible journey from teaching across Europe and Asia to leading a fast-growing tech firm in Edmonton. His background in education built the foundation for strong leadership, adaptability, and global perspective—skills that have fueled his succ...

Guest: Nathan Plumb

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Startup TNT Ignites Western Canada with Tim Lynn

278

Oct. 4, 2025

Startup TNT Ignites Western Canada with Tim Lynn

Episode 278 of The Business Development Podcast dives into the explosive rise of Startup TNT with co-founder Tim Lynn, a financial strategist and serial entrepreneur who has helped reshape Western Canada’s startup ecosystem. Tim shares his journey from investment banking to building a community-driven angel investing platform that has mobilized millions in capital, empowered new investors, and opened doors for founders across the Prairies. With a unique blend of expertise as a CPA, CFA, and CBV,...

Guest: Tim Lynn

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Trust, Sales and Storytelling with Ken Gee

248

June 21, 2025

Trust, Sales and Storytelling with Ken Gee

In Episode 248 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly reconnects with community builder and master storyteller Ken Gee to explore how authentic storytelling builds the trust and relationships that make business happen. Ken shares lessons from decades spent connecting people, growing communities, and using stories to showcase what makes businesses special. From his broadcasting roots to horse racing and AK Media, Ken shows how trust and genuine connection always outperform flashy marketing. ...

Guest: Ken Gee

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She Rebuilt from Rock Bottom to Blockchain Leader with Koleya Karringten

224

March 29, 2025

She Rebuilt from Rock Bottom to Blockchain Leader with Koleya Karringten

In Episode 224 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy sits down with Koleya Karringten — a tech visionary, clean energy innovator, and blockchain leader who has redefined resilience in the face of extreme adversity. From growing up in an entrepreneurial family to co-founding one of the cleanest combustion tech companies in the world, Koleya shares the highs and heartbreaking lows of her journey — including personal loss, business collapse, and the pressure of carrying a legacy. Her s...

Guest: Koleya Karringten

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Fixing the $530B Commuting Crisis with Malcolm Adams

210

Feb. 9, 2025

Fixing the $530B Commuting Crisis with Malcolm Adams

Commuting is broken—and it’s costing North Americans a staggering $530 billion per year in wasted fuel, parking, and vehicle expenses. In this episode, The Business Development Podcast welcomes Malcolm Adams, a former oil and gas executive turned mobility innovator, who is on a mission to fix this crisis. As the CEO and founder of COREO Commute, Malcolm is pioneering a choreographed carpooling solution that goes beyond traditional ridesharing, offering a smarter, cost-saving alternative for dail...

Guest: Malcolm Adams

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How to Stop Guessing and Start Winning in Business with Brad Warren

202

Jan. 12, 2025

How to Stop Guessing and Start Winning in Business with Brad Warren

In this episode of The Business Development Podcast, Brad Warren returns to break down the no-nonsense approach every entrepreneur needs to run a profitable business. Known for his operational expertise and relentless focus on numbers, Brad shares why most business owners unknowingly sabotage themselves by failing to track key financial metrics. From pricing strategies to hiring decisions, he explains how understanding your revenue, costs, and labor efficiency can mean the difference between gro...

Guest: Brad Warren

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PrairiesCan: Igniting Alberta’s Innovation with Derek Armstrong

162

Aug. 25, 2024

PrairiesCan: Igniting Alberta’s Innovation with Derek Armstrong

In this episode of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy sits down with Derek Armstrong, Director of Calgary Economic Development and former Manager of Innovation Ecosystems at Prairies Economic Development Canada. They dive deep into the role of PrairiesCan in driving economic growth and diversification across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Derek shares insights on how PrairiesCan is fueling innovation by investing in key sectors such as clean tech, ag tech, and life sciences, w...

Guest: Derek Armstrong

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