Beyond Your Best

In this episode of Beyond Your Best, I sit down with HR leader and leadership strategist Candace Giesbrecht to explore what strong leadership looks like today. We discuss how leadership starts with self-awareness—understanding how I’m wired and how I show up—and grows through practices like leading out loud, setting clear expectations, and naming what success looks like. A key theme is the power of two-way feedback: not just giving it, but asking, “How am I doing, and what do you need from me?” We also reflect on how everyday civility, trust, and small moments of accountability can transform workplace culture and help teams thrive.🎧 Tune in for insights that will help you strengthen your business and get ready to go Beyond Your Best. ABOUT BEYOND YOUR BESTCourageous Conversations. Conscious Leadership. Better Business.A podcast to empower business owners, leaders, and their teams to navigate uncertainty, optimize performance, and build values-driven organizations ready to meet the moment, one courageous conversation and decision at a time.Leaders today are being stretched — and the old playbook just isn’t cutting it. That’s why I created Beyond Your Best, a podcast for bold conversations, conscious leadership, and resilient strategy. Let’s lead through uncertainty — together.https://www.betteryourbest.ca/beyond-your-best-podcast/

In this episode of Beyond Your Best, Carolyn De Voest sits down with Trevor Stokes—teacher, coach, father, and relentless community builder at Vancouver’s Streetfront Alternative Program 💛🏃‍♂️. Together, they unpack what it really means to raise the bar for youth navigating poverty, instability, and a fragile sense of belonging—and how belief is built through integrity, micro-connections, and the courage to try when it would be easier not to.Trevor shares Streetfront’s powerful model of high expectations paired with deep support 💪🤝, where physical challenges like running and sport become lived evidence that students do belong—and can do hard things. You’ll hear the unforgettable story of Curtis Doolin’s transformation 🌱, and learn how the Strachan Hartley Legacy Foundation has helped expand opportunity far beyond 22 students to impact hundreds across the Britannia community each year.If you’ve ever wondered how to build self-belief in a student, a team, your kids—or yourself—this conversation is an invitation ✨ to stop settling, follow through, and raise your own bar.As mentioned in the episode, if you wish to support the Strachan Hartley Run and the work of the Strachan Hartley Legacy Foundation, you can do so here: 👉 https://www.shlf.caABOUT BEYOND YOUR BESTCourageous Conversations. Conscious Leadership. Better Business.A podcast to empower business owners, leaders, and their teams to navigate uncertainty, optimize performance, and build values-driven organizations ready to meet the moment, one courageous conversation and decision at a time.Leaders today are being stretched — and the old playbook just isn’t cutting it. That’s why I created Beyond Your Best, a podcast for bold conversations, conscious leadership, and resilient strategy. Let’s lead through uncertainty — together.https://www.betteryourbest.ca/beyond-your-best-podcast/

In this episode of Beyond Your Best, Carolyn sits down with Ian Robertson—wealth manager, Oxford PhD, Masters swimmer, and founder of Oxprox—to explore how discipline, curiosity, and consistency shape a meaningful life. 🏊‍♂️📚 From early mornings in the pool to an eight-year PhD to building a transparency-focused social venture, Ian shares how focusing on the process over the podium has guided every chapter of his journey. He breaks down the real impact of responsible investing, the power of strong teams, and why coaching helps even top performers stay aligned with what matters. 💡🌱 If you’re navigating big goals, big trade-offs, or a busy life, this conversation is packed with grounded wisdom and quiet drive. 🚀ABOUT BEYOND YOUR BESTCourageous Conversations. Conscious Leadership. Better Business.A podcast to empower business owners, leaders, and their teams to navigate uncertainty, optimize performance, and build values-driven organizations ready to meet the moment, one courageous conversation and decision at a time.Leaders today are being stretched — and the old playbook just isn’t cutting it. That’s why I created Beyond Your Best, a podcast for bold conversations, conscious leadership, and resilient strategy. Let’s lead through uncertainty — together.https://www.betteryourbest.ca/beyond-your-best-podcast/

What does it really take to build a high-performing team? In this episode, Carolyn De Voest and Alison Caldwell Johnson dive into the habits that separate good teams from great ones—getting aligned on the real problem, creating a culture of trust and accountability, and spending intentional “time on the ball.” They also explore how courageous conversations and even AI can elevate teamwork. Before you jump back into your next meeting, take the High Performing Teams Self-Assessment (linked below) to see where your team’s thriving—and where it’s time to level up.TAKE THE ASSESSMENT HERE!ABOUT BEYOND YOUR BESTCourageous Conversations. Conscious Leadership. Better Business.A podcast to empower business owners, leaders, and their teams to navigate uncertainty, optimize performance, and build values-driven organizations ready to meet the moment, one courageous conversation and decision at a time.Leaders today are being stretched — and the old playbook just isn’t cutting it. That’s why I created Beyond Your Best, a podcast for bold conversations, conscious leadership, and resilient strategy. Let’s lead through uncertainty — together.https://www.betteryourbest.ca/beyond-your-best-podcast/

Thinking about the future of your business? On this episode of Beyond Your Best, Mark Stephenson, co-founder of Cube Business Media, talks about what it really takes to prepare for a successful business transition. From culture and courageous conversations to financial prep and leadership growth, Mark shares hard-won lessons from selling a company and building the Business Transitions Forum into Canada’s leading event on growth and exits.Tune in for insights that will help you strengthen your business today—and maximize its value tomorrow.ABOUT BEYOND YOUR BESTCourageous Conversations. Conscious Leadership. Better Business.A podcast to empower business owners, leaders, and their teams to navigate uncertainty, optimize performance, and build values-driven organizations ready to meet the moment, one courageous conversation and decision at a time.Leaders today are being stretched — and the old playbook just isn’t cutting it. That’s why I created Beyond Your Best, a podcast for bold conversations, conscious leadership, and resilient strategy. Let’s lead through uncertainty — together.https://www.betteryourbest.ca/beyond-your-best-podcast/

Ever catch yourself reacting in the heat of the moment… and wishing you could rewind?In Beyond Your Best Ep. 4, Fyfe shares how “mental fitness” helps you pause, reset, and respond with clarity — in just 10 seconds.🎧 A must-listen for leaders, teams, and anyone navigating stress.TAKE THE SABOTEUR ASSESSMENT: https://assessment.positiveintelligence.com/saboteur/overviewABOUT BEYOND YOUR BESTCourageous Conversations. Conscious Leadership. Better Business.A podcast to empower business owners, leaders, and their teams to navigate uncertainty, optimize performance, and build values-driven organizations ready to meet the moment, one courageous conversation and decision at a time.Leaders today are being stretched — and the old playbook just isn’t cutting it. That’s why I created Beyond Your Best, a podcast for bold conversations, conscious leadership, and resilient strategy. Let’s lead through uncertainty — together.https://www.betteryourbest.ca/beyond-your-best-podcast/

What does it take to lead with impact — not just in business, but in life?Meet Wayne and Erin Holm: a powerhouse couple who built restaurant empires, transformed leadership culture, and stayed grounded in love, humility, and purpose, through all the many seasons of life.🏉 From CFL football fields to co-founding Milestones and Romer’s Burger Bar,👩‍🍳 From celebrity chef to cookbook author and wellness advocate,Wayne and Erin’s story is one of partnership, courage, and continuous growth.In this deeply human conversation, we explore:✔️ Lifelong learning and humble leadership✔️ The power of trust, feedback, and courageous conversations in leadership to enables businesses to grow✔️ Building legacy as a couple — in business and beyond🎙️ Listen now on Beyond Your Best — wherever you get your podcasts.Visit the WebsiteABOUT BEYOND YOUR BESTCourageous Conversations. Conscious Leadership. Better Business.A podcast to empower business owners, leaders, and their teams to navigate uncertainty, optimize performance, and build values-driven organizations ready to meet the moment, one courageous conversation and decision at a time.Leaders today are being stretched — and the old playbook just isn’t cutting it. That’s why I created Beyond Your Best, a podcast for bold conversations, conscious leadership, and resilient strategy. Let’s lead through uncertainty — together.https://www.betteryourbest.ca/beyond-your-best-podcast/

In Episode 2, Carolyn sits down with Dorothy Bootle, VP of Operations at Oxygen8, to talk about leading through that often-overlooked phase of growth we call the messy middle — where business is booming, but systems, communication, and team alignment are struggling to keep pace.In this episode, we dive into:✅ How to create clarity during chaos✅ Empowering new leaders through coaching✅ Turning operational bottlenecks into breakthroughs✅ The power of courageous conversations✅ Building a culture of trust, learning & innovationIf you’re a leader navigating fast growth, or a team member trying to find your footing in complexity — this one’s for you.ABOUT BEYOND YOUR BESTCourageous Conversations. Conscious Leadership. Better Business.A podcast to empower business owners, leaders, and their teams to navigate uncertainty, optimize performance, and build values-driven organizations ready to meet the moment, one courageous conversation and decision at a time.Leaders today are being stretched — and the old playbook just isn’t cutting it. That’s why I created Beyond Your Best, a podcast for bold conversations, conscious leadership, and resilient strategy. Let’s lead through uncertainty — together.https://www.betteryourbest.ca/beyond-your-best-podcast/

EPISODE 1: 🎉 It’s here! Welcome to *Beyond Your Best* — the podcast for courageous, conscious leadership. In our launch episode, we explore Strategies for Leaders and Their Businesses to Play the Long Game Through Times of Uncertainty. Tune in, and let’s play the long game together.Listen to BYB veteran executive coach Molly and Carolyn explore what it looks like to play the long game through uncertainty. Together, they discuss the evolving landscape of leadership, emphasizing the importance of adopting a learner's mindset, playing the long game, and aligning personal and organizational values. They share strategies for building a learning culture, protecting leadership capacity, and the necessity of being human in leadership roles, especially through these uncertain times. The dialogue highlights the significance of self-reflection, curiosity, and intentionality in fostering effective leadership amidst uncertainty.ABOUT BEYOND YOUR BESTCourageous Conversations. Conscious Leadership. Better Business.A podcast to empower business owners, leaders, and their teams to navigate uncertainty, optimize performance, and build values-driven organizations ready to meet the moment, one courageous conversation and decision at a time.Leaders today are being stretched — and the old playbook just isn’t cutting it. That’s why I created Beyond Your Best, a podcast for bold conversations, conscious leadership, and resilient strategy. Let’s lead through uncertainty — together.https://www.betteryourbest.ca/beyond-your-best-podcast/