"In the end, we are all stories — so let’s make it a good one."

In this special solo season finale, I open up about the journey that shaped me: from immigrating to Canada, to navigating a childhood where I never felt I belonged, to breaking generational cycles as a mother, to walking away from a 16-year career to launch Catalais Consulting and the Tune Up Your Warrior podcast.

🎧 What you won’t hear: perfection, watered-down lip service, platitudes, or empty buzzwords.💡 What you will hear: truth, vulnerability, and the story of a warrior who found her voice — and chose to use it.

This is not a story about pain — it’s about the spark that inspires change.

I share why I believe respecting people as human beings is the foundation of every thriving business, why leaders need to evolve with the world we live in today, and the powerful lessons I’ve learned from my Season One guests.

Whether you’re a leader, a changemaker, or someone navigating your own transformation, I hope this episode sparks something in you.

Season 2 drops September 10.Thank you for being here.This podcast is as much yours as it is mine.

🎙 Hosted by Jenny Chen

🌐 Learn more: ⁠catalais.com⁠

📩 Consulting inquiries: jenny@catalais.com

On this episode of Tune Up Your Warrior, Jenny sits down with her friend, longtime journalist and community builder Sam Laprade for a raw and courageous conversation about emotional abuse, reclaiming your identity, and what it takes to rebuild a life on your own terms.

Sam opens up about the disconnect between who she was publicly and the pain she endured privately—and how finding her voice changed everything.

This episode is about more than leaving a difficult chapter. It’s about rediscovering yourself, leading with authenticity, and inspiring change from a place of truth.

Released on International Forgiveness Day, this story is a powerful reminder: forgiveness isn’t always about others. Sometimes, it’s the first step in setting yourself free.

For more information about Sam Laprade, visit https://samlaprade.com/

What does it really take to be an inclusive leader in today’s world—especially when conversations around equity and belonging are being challenged, politicized, or dismissed?

In this episode, Jenny sits down with Silvio Stroescu—President of BMO InvestorLine and Head of Digital-First Wealth Management at BMO, transformational executive, and one of her greatest career mentors—to explore the core of leadership grounded in purpose.

Silvio was the one who taught Jenny the Three Cs of Inclusive Leadership: Curiosity, Courage, and Collaboration. And this conversation reveals why those values aren’t just principles—they’re a way forward.

Together, they talk about: ✔️ The difference between mentorship and sponsorship—and why performance unlocks both ✔️ How storytelling can shape identity and career agency ✔️ What it means to lead with fortitude when the world pushes back ✔️ Why inclusion isn’t about noise—it’s about intentionality

This is a conversation for anyone leading a team, a mission, or their own path forward.

📍Because real leadership isn’t loud. It’s thoughtful. And it’s earned.

In this episode of Tune Up Your Warrior, host Jenny Chen sits down with Aki Temiseva, President and CEO of the United Nations Association in Canada, to explore the global talent crisis—through a systems lens, not a diversity checkbox.

With over two decades of leadership experience spanning four continents and organizations like World Vision and Right To Play, Aki brings a powerful global perspective on workforce development, inclusion, and international collaboration. Born in Finland and raised in Zambia, he now champions equity and peacebuilding through Canadian diplomacy and global partnerships.

Together, they unpack why outdated systems—not a lack of talent—are the real crisis, how global models are leading where North America is lagging, and why allyship means using privilege to open doors for others.

This conversation is a masterclass in quiet, grounded leadership—and a powerful call to reimagine what inclusive, sustainable systems could look like for the next generation.

To find out more about Aki and the United Nations Association of Canada, visit www.unac.org.

Stage-four cancer, chronic illness, blended-family life—Jenny and her husband Dan MacMillan have seen every side of what happens when there’s no plan in place. In this candid conversation they unpack:• Why naming an executor or Power-of-Attorney is a burden, not a badge of honour• The five starter questions that kick-off any solid estate plan — no lawyer required • Lived lessons from navigating diagnosis, divorce, and raising kids while paperwork lagged behind

If you think “I’m too young” or “it’ll all go to my spouse,” this episode is your wake-up call. It’s not legal advice—it’s the real-life playbook that could spare your loved ones heartbreak (and a mountain of paperwork). Tune in, take notes, and plan while you can.

This week, we’re breaking the rules and letting a Nepo Husband have the mic. (It’s his birthday week — we’re letting him cook.)

Dan MacMillan — or as he’s known in the industry, Danny Mac — is a top-ranking wealth advisor, cancer survivor, loving dad and dog dad, and the person I admire more than anyone I’ve ever worked with. Oh, and my husband. ❤️

In this episode, we unpack:

• What true sales leadership looks like when it's grounded in values
• Why your word still matters — even in high-stakes, high-pressure environments
• The difference between character that’s built vs. revealed
• And how resilience, humility, and quiet strength have shaped a legacy of trust
• Oh and he also makes me CRY.

We also talk about the tribunal moment that changed how I saw integrity in this business forever, and why Dan’s version of success was never about flashy wins — but about consistent character.

This one’s for the sales professionals and leaders-not just in finance but across sectors, the mentors, the next generation of sales leaders trying to navigate pressure without losing themselves… and for anyone wondering if they can succeed without selling their soul.

Spoiler: You can. Just ask Danny Mac.

In this episode, Jenny sits down with one of the most interesting people she’s ever met—Tony Garcia, Director of Academic Operations at George Brown College’s Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts. With a career spanning over 80 countries, Tony’s insights into the future of hospitality, innovation, and inclusive leadership are not to be missed.

From prestigious kitchens in New York to wine panels, the White House lawn, and now the classroom, Tony’s journey is a masterclass in how to honour tradition while driving transformation.

But this episode is more than professional—it’s deeply personal. Tony is Jenny’s best friend’s husband, the father of her godson Rafael, and the person she calls anytime she needs to know where to eat—anywhere in the world. He’s grounded, global, deeply kind, and someone who makes everyone feel seen.

Fittingly, this episode airs while Jenny and Tony are in Spain together, celebrating Rafael’s baptism in the small northern town Tony grew up in—Celanova, where he’s known as something between the mayor and a crown prince.

Tony once shared a quote that’s never left Jenny:
“When you want what you’ve never had, you have to do what you’ve never done.”

Whether you're in hospitality, leading change in your own industry, or passionate about food and culture—you’ll want to hear what Tony has to say.

To learn more about Tony and his work through Northern Hospitality, visit https://northernhospitality.ca/.

At Linebox Studio, design is just the beginning.

Founded in 2007 with a mission to approach architecture differently, Linebox has grown into one of Canada’s most respected boutique design studios. Today, COO Melissa Reeves is helping lead the firm into its next chapter—infusing equity, purpose, and people-first values into how they build, lead, and evolve.

In this episode, Melissa shares her journey from finance to design, how she’s helping challenge outdated industry norms, and why staying boutique is a strategic decision—not a limitation.

We also explore why architecture is often misunderstood, undervalued, or treated as optional—and what’s at stake when we fail to recognize its cultural and structural impact.

This isn’t just a story about buildings. It’s about redefining success, reimagining leadership, and building a future that reflects the world we live in.

To find out more about Linebox Studios, visit their website: https://linebox.ca/