Advertise on podcast: Bright Lights: In Conversation with Leger-Element54

What does it take to grow a business without losing the culture that made it successful? In this episode of Bright Lights Podcast, Bernie Malinoff sits down with Jeff Schwartz, President and CEO of Go Lime, to discuss people-first leadership, business growth, and the importance of staying true to your values. Jeff shares how Go Lime has grown while keeping trust, transparency, and kindness at the centre of its culture. He reflects on learning to trust his leadership team, empowering others to make decisions, integrating new businesses, and staying connected to employees and customers as the company expands. The conversation also explores the personal side of leadership, including the pressure of making difficult decisions and why kindness and accountability can and should go hand in hand. Discover how leaders can build stronger teams, create better customer experiences, and grow a business without losing sight of the people who make it possible.

Can you build a successful company without losing sight of what makes us human? In this episode of Bright Lights, Bernie Malinoff sits down with Susan Griffin-Black, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of EO Products, for a thoughtful conversation about building a business rooted in kindness, purpose, and care. Susan reflects on more than 30 years of entrepreneurship and the lessons that came from navigating growth, difficult decisions, changing workplaces, and unexpected challenges. She shares why kindness and niceness are not the same thing, how she learned to trust her instincts, and why strong relationships can become one of a company's greatest assets. The conversation also explores the challenges of scaling without losing your culture, the importance of balancing mission with profitability, and why EO Products chose a different path by growing without the pressures of private equity. From hybrid work and mentorship to AI, leadership, resilience, and the people who shaped her career, Susan offers a deeply human perspective on what it means to build a company that lasts. At its heart, this episode asks a bigger question: What if business could be a force for good while still being good business?

What can business leaders learn from elite athletes? More than you might think. In this episode of Bright Lights, Bernie Malinoff sits down with Dustin Heise, CEO of Canada Snowboard, to explore the leadership lessons hidden beneath the podium finishes and highlight reels. Together, they discuss how to build trust in high-pressure environments, protect creativity while pursuing excellence, and create cultures where performance and purpose can thrive side by side. Dustin shares his journey from growing up in British Columbia's snowboarding culture to leading one of Canada's most successful national sport organizations. The conversation covers athlete development, the mental side of elite performance, the importance of community and mentorship, and why leaders should think of themselves as athletes when it comes to preparation and recovery. They also dive into entrepreneurship in a not-for-profit environment, balancing innovation with tradition, and Dustin's vision for the future of snowboarding in Canada as the sport adapts to changing environments and new generations of athletes. If you're interested in leadership, culture, resilience, sport, or building organizations that last, this conversation offers lessons that extend far beyond the mountain.

In this episode of Bright Lights Podcast, Bernie Malinoff sits down with Andrew Lockhead, CEO and Co-Founder of Stay22, to explore what it really takes to build, break, and rebuild a high-growth company. Andrew shares the unfiltered reality of entrepreneurship - from losing over 90% of revenue overnight during COVID to rebuilding stronger and scaling to over $1B in transactions. The conversation dives into the role of curiosity in leadership, building resilient teams, navigating uncertainty, and why great founders stay in “discovery mode.” They also unpack co-founder dynamics, the evolution from scrappy startup to scaling organization, and the mindset required to lead through chaos while staying grounded in culture and people. This is a candid conversation about resilience, ego, and the constant push to become a better version of yourself - as a founder and as a human.

In this episode of Bright Lights, Bernie Malinoff sits down with Greg Dermer, Director of Enterprise Brand Marketing at OLG, to explore what it really means to build one of Canada’s most visible and trusted brands. Greg shares how marketing goes far beyond ads and campaigns, describing it instead as problem solving at scale. They discuss balancing bold creativity with public responsibility, navigating a fragmented media landscape, and why trust is one of the most valuable assets any brand can own. Greg also reflects on his career journey across Canadian Tire, Colgate-Palmolive, Molson, and OLG, explaining how lateral moves and curiosity helped shape his leadership path. The conversation also dives into success, work-life balance, staying present for family, and how ambitious careers can coexist with meaningful personal lives. A thoughtful episode for marketers, leaders, and anyone interested in building brands that matter.

In this powerful and personal episode of Bright Lights, host Bernie Malinoff sits down with marketing veteran Randy Weyersberg for a conversation that spans four decades of brand building, leadership, innovation, and legacy. With 40+ years of experience across iconic organizations including IBM, Nike, Unilever, Mars, Bell, and OLG, Randy shares what he’s learned about the evolution of marketing - from creative instinct to advanced analytics, from medium mix modeling to AI-powered decision making. They explore: Why marketing’s value is often misunderstood in the C-suite How to build real trust between marketing and sales The power (and skepticism) behind marketing ROI and MMM How AI is reshaping predictive analytics Balancing creativity and data in modern brand building When to trust your gut over the numbers Leading with empathy and emotional intelligence Preparing thoughtfully for retirement after a 40-year career In an emotional and candid moment, Randy also announces his retirement and reflects on the legacy he hopes to leave behind - not just as a marketer, but as a leader who cared deeply about people. This episode is a masterclass in marketing leadership - and a heartfelt reflection on career, gratitude, and what comes next.

In this episode of Bright Lights, Bernie Malinoff sits down with Idan Driman, VP of Marketing at Pet Valu, to explore the rapidly evolving world of pet retail and what truly drives brand love in this deeply emotional category. Idan shares how early memories with his childhood dog shaped his marketing philosophy, why authenticity is non-negotiable for pet parents, and the mindset shifts that transformed Pet Valu’s team from a production function into strategic storytellers. He breaks down the award-winning Love Lives Here platform, how creativity and performance fuel each other, and the role of purpose-driven leadership in building high-performing teams. The conversation also shines a light on Companions for Change, Pet Valu’s nationwide commitment to animal welfare that has raised over $32M and helped more than 51,000 pets find forever homes. If you’re a marketer, a pet lover, or simply someone interested in how purpose and performance can coexist, this episode is full of thoughtful insights and inspiring lessons.

In this inspiring episode of Bright Lights, host Bernie Malinoff sits down with Jennifer La Forge, General Manager of Rakuten, to explore what it takes to lead with authenticity in today's rapidly changing business landscape. Jennifer shares how her upbringing on a farm shaped her approach to leadership, emphasizing the importance of grit, tenacity, and treating your team like family. From building psychologically safe workplaces to navigating uncertainty with transparency, Jennifer offers practical wisdom on creating cultures where both performance and morale thrive. The conversation also dives into Jennifer's commitment to giving back through her board work with Easter Seals, helping children with physical disabilities access life-changing camp experiences. She opens up about the personal habits that fuel her energy and success, including the transformative power of weightlifting and continuous learning. Whether you're an executive, aspiring leader, or simply someone who values purpose-driven work, Jennifer's story will leave you feeling energized to lead with more humanity and impact.

In this episode of Bright Lights in Conversation with Element54, Bernie Malinoff sits down with Joe Adamo, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Transat and President of Transat Distribution Canada, as he reflects on his remarkable career in aviation. From early lessons in curiosity and engagement to navigating the challenges of customer experience, analytics, and post-pandemic recovery, Joe shares what has driven Transat’s success and the culture he’s helped shape. As Joe prepares for semi-retirement, he also reveals insights into leadership, succession planning, and the exciting next chapter in his life.

Join Bernie Malinoff as he sits down with Jake Karls, the founder and emotional heartbeat behind Mid-Day Squares. In this conversation, Jake dives deep into what it means to lead with authenticity, vulnerability, and energy in both business and life. From pranking friends to building a CPG brand that resonates with millions, Jake shares the lessons he’s learned about emotional transparency, managing burnout, and the power of connecting with people through storytelling. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a leader, or someone looking for inspiration to bring more of your true self into your work, this episode is packed with insights on building community, fueling creativity, and staying unapologetically real.

BeaverTails CEO Pino Di Ioia joins host Bernie Malinoff to unpack a 38-year journey from summer job to franchisee to owner of an iconic Canadian brand. Pino shares formative lessons from his immigrant parents, the golf-course side hustle that revealed his entrepreneurial streak at 11, and how family, community, and service shaped his leadership. We get candid on setbacks (including a literal “lemonade” mishap), the art of flavor drops and innovation without losing your roots, and why supporting youth mental health through Jack.org aligns with BeaverTails’ purpose to “make happy happier.” The conversation closes with legacy, passion, and the emotions great hospitality creates.

With the upcoming global insights and analytics ESOMAR Congress in Toronto this September, we ask three questions to industry leaders, including what excites them most about the future of insights. In this episode, we speak with Jasmine Sachdeva, who leads the consumer, shopper, and analytics Centre of Excellence for Arterra Canada. Arterra owns and distributes 100+ wine brands in Canada, including Jackson-Triggs, Inniskillin, and Sandbanks.

With the upcoming global insights and analytics ESOMAR Congress in Toronto this September, we ask three questions to industry leaders, including what excites them most about the future of insights. Our first guest is Kristin Luck, President of ESOMAR, and founder of the consultancy, ScaleHouse, where she serves as an advisor and growth strategist to firms in the marketing services and technology space.

Learn about sustainability from two special guests from Equifruit: Jennie Coleman, Owner and President and Kim Chackal, Director of Sales and Marketing. Get insights into the supply chain of the fruit that is in over 90% of weekly Canadian grocery baskets, what each individual can do to help support sustainable practices, and why companies should be bold about what they're doing in this space.

In this interview with Michael Fazio, Director of Sales & Head of Sustainability at Conagra Brands, we explore his perspective on the main barriers to sustainability, the mindsets required to hold ourselves accountable, and how innovative solutions don't have to cost much money or any money at all.