In this must-see episode of On the Brink, we dive into the growing crisis facing British Columbia’s forestry industry, where mill closures and economic pressure are reshaping communities across the province. We discuss what’s driving the shutdown of lumber mills, the ripple effects on workers and local economies, and what this moment signals for the future of the industry.

John speaks on resilience in uncertain times, highlighting the critical role of having a financial lending partner you can truly trust when markets turn and challenges arise.

This podcast episode also addresses a recent news article about our company, offering a clear response while setting the record straight.

Award-winning and bestselling author, speaker, panelist, workshop presenter and voice actor Aaron Ryan lives in Washington with his wife and two sons, along with Macy the dog, Winston the cat, and the finches Inky, Pinky, Blinky & Clyde.

He is the prolific author of the bestselling Dissonance 6-book alien invasion saga (one of which has been adapted for the screen and is actively being pitched to streaming networks!), the Christian dystopian fiction trilogy The End, the Talisman trilogy, the sci-fi thrillers Forecast, The Slide, and The Phoenix Experiment, the nonfiction books God Is Not Santa, You are my whole Earth: A Daddy's love for his Sons, You're Going Straight To Helen (In A Handbasket) and Aaron Ryan presents "A Lyrical Empirical Satirical Miracle," the children's picture books The Ring of Truth, The Sword of Joy and The Book of Power, the business reference books How to Successfully Self-Publish & Promote Your Self-Published Book and The Superhero Anomaly, 6 business books on voiceovers penned under his former stage name (Joshua Alexander), as well as a previous fictional novel, The Omega Room.

Jay Setchell lives by a simple but powerful philosophy: don’t ask why—ask why not. He believes life is shaped by the choices we make, and that at any moment, we have the ability to choose a different path forward. For Jay, purpose is not fixed—it evolves, and discovering it has the power to transform a life.

Born and raised on a working farm, Jay learned early that nothing of true value comes without effort. That foundation of hard work and accountability carried through every chapter of his life—from his time in the Marine Corps to his work as an entrepreneur and corporate professional. Across industries and experiences, one principle has remained constant: never quit.

Now in his mid-70s and living with significant physical limitations, Jay continues to defy expectations. Despite being mostly paralyzed, he remains actively involved in multiple ventures and has no intention of slowing down. His mindset is grounded in faith, resilience, and an unshakable belief in what is possible.

Ahmet Bozer is a renowned global leadership thought leader and former President of Coca-Cola International, dedicated to supporting individuals in their personal and professional growth journey.

Following his distinguished career spanning over 30 years and drawing on his global business leadership experience, he developed an innovative, actionable model to unlock human potential. On October 28, 2025, he will release his book, Soulgery, which introduces this model—a dynamic way of thinking about oneself and life to accelerate growth as a natural consequence of lived experiences. This transformative work helps readers harness their strengths, navigate challenges, and create a future rooted in purpose and meaning.

At just five years old, John Brink lived through the bombing of Rotterdam, the Nazi occupation, and the devastating Hunger Winter. In this must see podcast, John shares firsthand memories of what it was like to be a child during World War II in the Netherlands — the fear, the hunger, and the moment the Canadian soldiers arrived to liberate his country. It’s a raw, intimate account of survival, resilience, and hope which kickstarted John’s journey to Canada to live in the land of his heroes.

Kerisma Vere is a holistic wellness coach and author whose work is grounded in lived experience, professional training, and years of supporting others through change.

Her background includes navigating trauma, mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD, addiction, and significant life adversity.

John Brink shares an update to the real challenges he is facing dealing with institutions, revealing how financial roadblocks can slow down even the most determined entrepreneurs.

Jay Jacobson is a funeral director, entrepreneur, and leadership voice shaped by moments where pressure, grief, and responsibility collide.

Jay has testified before the United States Senate on funeral ethics and draws on decades of experience in disaster response, business ownership, and mentoring leaders to explore what leadership looks like when it actually matters.

He’s the author of Lead by Legendary Example, a story-driven book on integrity, presence, service, and legacy in real-world leadership.

He’s spent decades working at the intersection of grief, crisis, ethics, and responsibility; places where decisions carry moral weight, where words matter, and where presence is not optional.

As a funeral director, he served families at their most vulnerable. As a disaster responder, he worked in the aftermath of mass-casualty events that reshaped how the profession responds under pressure. As an entrepreneur, he’s built and led businesses where trust, reputation, and human judgment matter more than speed or scale.

That lived experience is why Jay was asked to testify before the United States Senate on funeral ethics. Not as a pundit, but as a practitioner who understood what happens when systems fail people, and what leadership looks like when it doesn’t.