Beyond Your Best

EPISODE 9: Lead Outloud - Why the Best Leaders Practice Regular Two Way Feedback

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 BEST COURAGEOUS 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/ [https://www.betteryourbest.ca/beyond-your-best-podcast/]

EPISODE 8: Proof You Belong: Building Belief Through Effort and Integrity

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.ca [https://www.shlf.ca/] ABOUT BEYOND YOUR BEST COURAGEOUS 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/ [https://www.betteryourbest.ca/beyond-your-best-podcast/]

EPISODE 7: Process Over Podium - Building a Life of Discipline

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 BEST COURAGEOUS 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/ [https://www.betteryourbest.ca/beyond-your-best-podcast/]

EPISODE 6: Time on the Ball: Building High-Performing Teams

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! [https://forms.gle/esMUNs2pKZn6KdyP9] ABOUT BEYOND YOUR BEST COURAGEOUS 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/ [https://www.betteryourbest.ca/beyond-your-best-podcast/]

EPISODE 5: Exit Ready Every Day - The Case for Starting Tomorrow

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 BEST COURAGEOUS 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/ [https://www.betteryourbest.ca/beyond-your-best-podcast/]