PODCAST · business
Smart Growth Rocket
by Francesca Cadhit
Education, Entrepreneurship, and Success | Real-life success case studies | Gain valuable insights from impact-making professionals and entrepreneurs to elevate your game.
Episodes
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The “Hardware vs. Software” Problem in Education... and Why It Changes Everything | Dwayne Matthews
What if the thing you’re optimizing for (credentials → “good job”) is becoming less reliable... fast? In this episode of Smart Growth Rocket, your host, Francesca Cadhit, is joined by Dwayne Matthews (O.C.T.), Future Strategist, Innovation Evangelist, and founder of TomorrowNow Learning Labs, to...
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How to Learn in the Age of AI (and Why Memorization Isn’t Enough) | Paul Gries
What does it really mean to be future-ready in school when AI can generate answers instantly? In this episode of Smart Growth Rocket, host Francesca Cadhit sits down with Paul Gries, Professor of Computer Science at the University of Toronto and recipient of the U of T President’s Teaching Award,...
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You Don’t Need a 10-Year Plan: Lifelong Learning and Growth in Medicine | Dr. Zizo Al-Daqqaq
What if you didn’t need a five- or ten-year plan to succeed, just momentum? In this episode of Smart Growth Rocket, host Francesca Cadhit sits down with Dr. Zizo Al-Daqqaq, a Urology Resident at the University of Ottawa, to explore how lifelong learning, reflection, and resilience shape a...
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How This MD De-Influencer Breaks Bad Debt, Turning Frugality Into Equity
Many assume doctors only focus on clinical medicine. But what happens when a physician tackles financial literacy head-on? In this episode of Smart Growth Rocket, host Francesca Cadhit is joined by Dr. Steph Zhou, Clinical Director of Addictions Medicine, Department Lead in EDI & Social...
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Future-Ready Skills: How An Entrepreneurial Mindset Unlocks Opportunities
What skills really prepare students for success beyond grades? In this episode of Smart Growth Rocket, host Francesca Cadhit is joined by Judy Wong, professor at Seneca Polytechnic and Co-founder of the YSpace Food and Beverage Accelerator. Judy shares her inspiring journey from her family’s shop...
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What Students Really Need for the Future (Hint: It’s More Than Just Good Grades)
Good grades open doors, but they’re only part of the equation. In today’s rapidly changing world, students also need to demonstrate adaptability, critical thinking, and the confidence to innovate. In this episode of Smart Growth Rocket, Francesca Cadhit chats with Jason Lay, Head of Business at...
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What Most People Get Wrong About Their Eyes and Their Eyewear | Monica So of Zoom Optical
Eyewear is more than just functional. It’s personal, emotional, and transformative. In this episode of the Smart Growth Rocket, host Francesca Cadhit sits down with Monica So, a licensed optician, entrepreneur, and founder of Zoom Optical, a warm and stylish optical boutique redefining the…
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Inside the Memory Lab: Why We Forget and How We Remember | U of T PhD Candidate Matthew Dougherty
Ever wonder why you forget the oat milk at the grocery store, even though you were thinking about it all day? In this episode of the Smart Growth Rocket Podcast, host Francesca Cadhit sits down with Matthew Dougherty, a PhD Candidate in Psychology (Perception, Cognition, & Cognitive Neuroscience)...
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AI, Automation, and the Myth of “Doing It All” | Melodie Moore of Business Tech Ninjas
What Most Business Owners Get Wrong About Tech (and How to Fix It) In this episode of Smart Growth Rocket, Francesca Cadhit sits down with Melodie Moore, Founder and CEO of Business Tech Ninjas, to talk about what really holds small businesses back from scaling, and why the answer isn’t just…
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Against All Odds: An IMG’s Journey to Becoming a Doctor in Canada | Family Medicine Resident Dr. Nooshin Sarreshtehdari
Getting into residency in Canada is hard enough, but imagine being an international medical graduate (IMG) on top of it all. For Dr. Nooshin Sarreshtehdari, giving up was never an option. In this deeply inspiring episode, Francesca Cadhit sits down with Nooshin, an incoming PGY1 Family Medicine...
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Curiosity, Coding, and the Future of Education | Ramy Ghattas of Logics Academy
What does it take to future-proof the next generation? In this episode, I sit down with Ramy Ghattas, founder of Logics Academy, to talk about digital literacy, AI in the classroom, and why curiosity is the root of innovation. From engineering to education, Ramy shares his journey and how Logics...
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So You Want to Be a Pilot? Start Here.
Think being a pilot is all about cool uniforms and exotic destinations? Think again. This episode is a bit of a departure from the usual Smart Growth Rocket programming, but in the best way possible. Every once in a while, we dive into less conventional journeys. And today? It's all about…
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Building Future Innovators: Tech, Teaching, and Taking Risks | Brendan Miller of Swift Kids
What if the path to success isn’t a straight line? In this episode of Smart Growth Rocket, Francesca Cadhit from TopClassEdge.com sits down with Brendan Miller, founder of Swift Kids. Brendan shares his unconventional journey from a childhood love of video games to building one of Canada’s…
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From Ideas to Impact: Teaching Students to Solve Real Problems (Before They Graduate) | Lucas Chang of Y2 Entrepreneurship Labs
What if the most important skills your child could learn in school had nothing to do with textbooks? In this episode of Smart Growth Rocket, Francesca Cadhit from TopClassEdge.com sits down with Lucas Chang, Founder and Director of Y2 Entrepreneurship Labs, to explore how problem-based learning…
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How To Prepare Students For The Future Of Tech And Innovation | Jack Zhou of Wiz Robotics
Can Your Kid Out-Code AI? Jack Zhou on the Future of Learning Tech In this episode of Smart Growth Rocket, host Francesca Cadhit of TopClassEdge.com speaks with Jack Zhou, Co-founder and CEO of Wiz Robotics, a STEM education company based in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Jack shares how his journey…
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How An Educator-Turned-Entrepreneur Builds a Winning Mindset for Success | Judy Stewart of Trèsolz
Mindset for Success: Lessons from Athlete, Educator & Entrepreneur Judy Stewart (Founder and CEO of Trèsolz) What do education, athletics, and entrepreneurship have in common? More than you may realize. In this episode of Smart Growth Rocket, Francesca Cadhit sits down with the inspiring Judy...
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How An Award-Winning Artist Helps Students Thrive And Succeed Through Art | Sylvia Chan of Creative Genius Academy
The Power of Art: How Creativity Fuels Resilience & Success Art is more than just a creative outlet (although this is already a crucial benefit.) It’s also about resilience, passion, and finding your purpose. In this episode of Smart Growth Rocket, host Francesca Cadhit interviews award-winning...
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Lessons in Medicine, Mentorship, and Microbiomes with Dr. Nicholas Talley
Transforming Medical Education: An Interview with Dr. Nicholas Talley In this episode of Smart Growth Rocket, host Francesca Cadhit interviews distinguished neurogastroenterologist Dr. Nicholas Talley. They discuss the importance of good mentorship, the journey from general medicine to...
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Lessons in Choosing a University with Corey Formica
Meet Corey Formica, Senior Development Officer at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC). Corey is a UTSC alumna who graduated from the Co-op Arts Management Program. During her time at UTSC, she was actively involved in many student clubs and activities. This ultimately led to a career in...
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Lessons in Medical School, Overcoming Rejection, and Research With Dr. Chris Lozano (PGY4 Neurosurgery Resident)
Meet Dr. Chris Lozano, Neurosurgery Resident and PhD Candidate at the University of Toronto. His research interests lie in spine surgery, with a focus on traumatic neck injuries and their unique impact on elderly people. Beyond that, he enjoys powerlifting, travelling, and trying out new food...
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Building a Successful Future: Lessons from Josh Broun’s Impact Kitchen
In today’s podcast, Francesca Cadhit interviews Josh Broun, Co-founder of Impact Kitchen, about his inspiring entrepreneurial journey. From his background as a fitness trainer to establishing a successful fast-casual food business in Toronto, Josh discusses the importance of passion, resilience,...
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The Future of Canadian Education and Entrepreneurship: Minister Rechie Valdez Speaks
In today’s podcast, Francesca Cadhit interviews Canadian Minister of Small Business Richie Valdez about Education and Entrepreneurship in Canada. Minister Valdez is a Canadian entrepreneur, television personality, and community advocate. She is the first Filipino-Canadian woman elected as a…
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From CEO to MD: Lessons on Healthcare and Entrepreneurship with Shiv Gaglani
In today’s podcast, Francesca Cadhit interviews Shiv Gaglani, the Co-founder & CEO of Osmosis.org, a leading health and medical education platform, which was acquired by Elsevier. Shiv is passionate about creating scalable solutions in healthcare and education. He completed his undergraduate…
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Sweat, Sacrifice, Success: Secrets to Winning in Sports and Business with Jeremy Choi
In this episode, Francesca Cadhit interviews Jeremy Choi, CEO of LPS Athletic, about the parallels between elite athletic training, life, career, and entrepreneurship. Jeremy shares his journey and insights about what future athletes and entrepreneurs need to know for peak performance. 🎧 ▶Tune…
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Education in the AI Era: An Interview with a High School Teacher
In this episode, Francesca Cadhit interviews Ms. Michelle, a passionate and experienced high school teacher. From supporting education to prevent societal problems to exploring the impact of AI on students to common misconceptions about education, Ms. Michelle shares her unique journey into...
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Engineering to Entrepreneurship: Insights from Mona Datt, CEO of Loom Analytics
This episode features Mona Datt, CEO and Founder of Loom Analytics, who shares her journey from an engineering background to leading a tech company specializing in AI-driven automation for legal, insurance, and medical sectors. With nearly 19 years of experience running companies, Mona discusses...
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Tech Entrepreneurship and Digital Security with Meyer Mechanic from Vaultie
Today’s episode explores Tech Entrepreneurship and Digital Identity with Meyer Mechanic from Vaultie. Meyer Mechanic, CEO and Founder of Vaultie, discusses the complexities of digital signatures, the importance of cybersecurity, and the journey of creating and scaling a tech startup. Vaultie uses...
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Diving into AI for Scientific Research with Eshan Agarwal
This episode features Eshan Agarwal, Co-founder and CEO of Epsilon, to discuss AI in scientific research and education. Eshan shares his journey from being interested in science and entrepreneurship to creating Epsilon, an AI search engine that aims to enhance the accessibility of academic...
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Tales (and Tails) from the Veterinary World: Dr. Cliff's Insights
This episode features Cliff Redford, owner and operator of Wellington Veterinary Hospital, experienced veterinarian, media personality, and animal rights advocate. Known simply as Dr. Cliff to his clients, he shares his journey from graduating from veterinary college to becoming a clinic owner.…
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Lessons in Tech Innovation, Real Estate, and Entrepreneurship: A Conversation with Ankita Sharma
This episode features Ankita Sharma, CEO of Philer AI. Ankita shares her journey as an immigrant entrepreneur, her passions for technology, real estate, and personal well-being, and how her challenging experiences buying a home in Canada led to the creation of Philer AI. She discusses the...
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Exploring Careers: Pharmacy Pathways and Entrepreneurship with Lydia Patel
Today’s episode explores Entrepreneurship and a career in Pharmacy with Lydia Patel. Lydia shares her insights on the diverse career paths within the Pharmacy field and emphasizes the importance of pursuing interests and opportunities beyond traditional roles. Lydia shares her journey from being...
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Empowering Financial Literacy in Youth: Insights from Robin Taub | Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA), Keynote Speaker, and Bestselling Author
Today’s episode explores Financial Literacy with Robin Taub. Robin Taub is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA), keynote speaker, and bestselling author. Her latest award-winning book, The Wisest Investment: Teaching Your Kids to Be Responsible, Independent and Money-Smart for Life…
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The Future of AI: Insights from Vladimir Ilinov
Today's episode features Vladimir Ilinov and examines the impact of AI on businesses, jobs, and education. After building a seven-figure startup straight out of university, Vladimir is now building a new AI venture at Antler, a global early-stage venture capital firm "backing the world's most...
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Lessons in Law and Tech Entrepreneurship with Josh Schachnow from Visto.ai
Dive into Law, Tech, and Entrepreneurship with Josh Schachnow, CEO and Co-founder of Visto.ai. Josh is a Toronto-based immigration lawyer and tech cofounder. After spending 2+ years growing his own law firm and helping hundreds of immigrants and companies navigate Canadian immigration, he…
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Lessons in Landing A Software Engineering Internship with Aman Manazir
Today's episode dives into what aspiring software engineers should know about breaking into the industry with Aman Manazir, a computer science graduate based in Madison, Wisconsin, who went into software engineering after graduating. Aman has successfully landed internships at Shopify, Amazon…
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What You Need To Know About Money: Financial Feminism And Financial Education With Janine Rogan, CPA | Speaker | Bestselling Author
Today's episode explores financial education and financial feminism with Janine Rogan, award-winning CPA and author of The Pink Tax. With over a decade of experience in the personal finance world, five years in tech consulting, and two of the big four accounting firms on her resume, Janine is...
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How To Unlock Your Career Potential with Luki Danukarjanto
Meet Luki Danukarjanto, a management consultant turned career coach who started in the corporate world in one of the Big 4 in the tech-business sphere. Luki now shares SIWIKE "Stuff I Wish I Knew Earlier" to help you find meaning and purpose in your career and help elevate your confidence to have…
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Lessons in Medical School, Research, and Winning Mindsets With Dr. Kevin Wu
Meet Kevin Wu, MD, DMD. Kevin is an Ophthalmology Resident at l’Université de Sherbrooke. Dr. Kevin’s research has been published in journals such as Pharmaceutics. He has also won awards such as the Canadian Medical Association’s 150th Anniversary Award. Beyond that, he’s a cellist with 2…
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Lessons in Entrepreneurship: From Kitchen To National Grocers
Meet Chelsie Hodge, Founder & CEO of Blender Bites, a food entrepreneur. In this interview, your host, Francesca Cadhit, dives into entrepreneurship and business tips with Chelsie Hodge, who is making a splash in the freezer aisle. This food entrepreneur went from her kitchen to national grocers...
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Lessons in Engineering School and Breaking Into Tech With Michelle Zeng
In this episode, I interview Michelle Zeng, McMaster Engineering Graduate turned Data Analyst and YouTube Creator. Beyond sharing career tips and life updates, Michelle creates content on her YouTube channel dedicated to her love of travel, food, and cats. ⯈ In this episode, you'll learn: -...
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Lessons In Getting Into Medical School And Becoming A Doctor With Dr. Darren Chai
In this episode, I interview Dr. Darren Chai, a Resident Doctor in Canada and NSERC Undergraduate Student Award Recipient. Beyond his genuine care for patients and unwavering commitment to their well-being, Darren is also passionate about helping undergraduate students with their pre-medical...
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Lessons in Entrepreneurship and Making Chocolate Healthier with Suzie Yorke, CEO and Co-Founder of The Better Chocolate
In this episode, I interview Suzie Yorke, 2023 Top 25 Women of Influence® Award Recipient, about what you should know for your entrepreneurial journey, the importance of women in entrepreneurship, and making chocolates healthier with The Better Chocolate. Suzie Yorke is on a mission to make the...
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What You Need To Know About Money with CPA Canada's Doretta Thompson
Francesca Cadhit chats with CPA Canada's Doretta Thompson. We discuss various topics, including mindset and money, financial literacy, and common mistakes to avoid when it comes to personal finance. Doretta is CPA Canada’s financial literacy leader and director of Social Impact. She’s responsible...
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Being A Lawyer and The Justice Issue Explained With Lawyer Joseph Colangelo
On today’s episode, Francesca Cadhit sits down with Joseph Colangelo to get his insights on being a lawyer and Canada's justice crisis. Many have said that the middle class has been shut out of justice and that this will continue to get worse until “something breaks.” Joseph explains his take on…
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Entrepreneurship, Real Estate, and Driving Positive Change with Mission-Driven Real Estate Broker Wasim Jarrah
What does it mean to be successful in business, real estate, and life? In today's episode, Francesca Cadhit interviews Wasim Jarrah, Real Estate Broker, Director with the Ontario Real Estate Association, Chair of the Government Relations Committee, and recipient of the Toronto Real Estate Board…
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Grade Inflation And Improving Education In Schools With Suzanne Gluchy
Suzanne Gluchy is a dedicated teacher with almost 30 years in Education. In this episode, Francesca Cadhit interviews Suzanne Gluchy and picks her brain about grade inflation, student stress, and ways to improve education in schools. Are you interested in education, issues that today's students...
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AI and The Past, Present, and Future of Education with Dr. Nicholas Maes
Dr. Nicholas Maes is a novelist with a Ph.D. in classical studies and a high school teacher who also teaches Classics at the University of Waterloo. Maes' love for fiction led him to publish a number of books. His previous novels for young people include "Crescent Star", "Locksmith", and...
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How This Rhodes Scholar Reacted When She Got A Life-Changing Call and What She Says About Pursuing Her Dreams (With Iako Patton)
Iakoiehwahtha (Iako) Patton is the latest Canadian recipient of the Rhodes Scholarship, the world’s oldest and most prestigious international graduate scholarship programme. Born and raised in the First Nations community of Kahnawake, her identity as an Indigenous woman shaped her perspective and...
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What You Need to Know Before Starting Engineering (with Genevieve Aguigwo, Mechanical Engineering Student at the University of Toronto)
Genevieve Aguigwo is a mechanical engineering student at the University of Toronto, specializing in Mechatronics and Manufacturing. As the current National Society of Black Engineers University of Toronto President, Genevieve stands by the mission of increasing the number of culturally…
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A Purposeful Education To Thrive in Adulthood with Jay Gosselin, Founder and Program Director of Discover Year
Life is hardly “one-size-fits-all”; why should education be any different? In this episode, Francesca Cadhit interviews Jay Gosselin, Founder and Program Director of Discover Year, about helping young adults build essential skills for their careers and lives. If you know or are a young person on…
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Smart Growth Rocket have?
Smart Growth Rocket currently has 69 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Smart Growth Rocket about?
Education, Entrepreneurship, and Success | Real-life success case studies | Gain valuable insights from impact-making professionals and entrepreneurs to elevate your game.
How often does Smart Growth Rocket release new episodes?
Smart Growth Rocket has 69 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Smart Growth Rocket?
You can listen to Smart Growth Rocket on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Smart Growth Rocket?
Smart Growth Rocket is created and hosted by Francesca Cadhit.
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