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Paper Napkin Wisdom

Govindh Jayaraman

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Paper Napkin Wisdom with Govindh Jayaraman The biggest breakthroughs don’t always come from boardrooms, textbooks, or endless strategy decks. More often, they’re sparked in simple moments—captured on the back of a napkin. That’s the heart of Paper Napkin Wisdom. Each week, host Govindh Jayaraman sits down with entrepreneurs, leaders, athletes, artists, and difference-makers who distill their most powerful insight into one napkin-sized idea. These aren’t abstract theories. They’re lived lesso ...
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Play Your Position

Mary Lou Kayser

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Many of us receive the call to leadership at some point in our lives. It can happen when we are young, and it can happen later. Sometimes it happens more than once. Regardless of its timing, saying yes to that call fundamentally changes us and the direction of our lives. The Play Your Position Podcast explores what happens when we answer the call -- and why it matters.
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The Destined to Achieve Podcast is designed for those striving to unlock a greater version of themselves. Host Jared Mace and his wide range of guests discuss mindset, overcoming obstacles, business, leadership, sales, and how to achieve success in every area of life. Personal experiences and evidence-based strategies will leave you inspired, providing tools that you can implement right away. An exciting variety of perspectives and insights will help you achieve more, faster! Join us, new ep ...
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Award winning Broadcaster Tony Rice with interesting, successful guests. They chew the fat on life, the achievement mentality and those issues of the day. All in an entertaining and engaging style, the style only possible around the fire. The mission of the show is to get into the challenges and choices we face as we all seek growth and development, but we are not here to lecture you. This is a fun show and we will not shy away from considering weighty topics in that engaging way. But you ha ...
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show series
 
When Simone Kelly first began helping families navigate the complexities of senior care, she didn’t just build a company—she built a movement. As the founder and CEO of Seniornicity, Simone’s mission is rooted in empathy, connection, and empowerment. Her company bridges the gap between older adults, families, and trusted care providers, making it e…
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Sometimes, the smallest words hold the biggest weight. In this episode of Edge of the Napkin, Govindh Jayaraman dives deep into one of the most overused — and misunderstood — words in leadership: “How.” We use it constantly. We think it’s helpful. But as Govindh reveals, how can be both the key to progress — and the invisible wall that keeps us fro…
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When you meet Nancy Johnston, you can immediately sense the combination of depth and purpose behind everything she touches. She’s the founder and CEO of Truuce, a company built around reimagining human connection, well-being, and design in the modern world. Her leadership bridges the emotional and the practical — weaving care, creativity, and clari…
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Somewhere in the middle of a weekly call with fellow entrepreneurs, the conversation unexpectedly turned to Valentine’s Day. Instead of the usual talk about scaling, strategy, and execution, we found ourselves reflecting on love, relationships, and why so many of us don’t really celebrate the Hallmark version of Valentine’s Day. That sparked a memo…
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In this second half of our powerful conversation with Chris Thomson, we dive deeper into the mindset, discipline, and leadership lessons that have guided him through decades of transforming students into high-performing entrepreneurs. Chris is the Head Coach of the Student Works Management Program, a business that has trained thousands of young lea…
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Introduction In this very personal and powerful episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, I sit down with one of my oldest friends, Chris Thomson, Head Coach of the Student Works Management Program. Chris has spent decades shaping young leaders, building more entrepreneurs in Canada than perhaps anyone else. His story has always been one of creating opportun…
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Episode 300 is a milestone — and fittingly, it circles back to the single most important lesson Govindh Jayaraman has learned over the past decade. This Edge of the Napkin moment distills years of hard-earned wisdom into a deceptively simple sketch: a mountain path labeled Focus, Align, Act. At first glance, it looks like a winding road up a peak. …
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When you meet Kevin Barnicle, you immediately sense his energy for challenging convention. He’s a seasoned entrepreneur, author, and business leader who has lived the entrepreneurial rollercoaster—leaving the security of corporate life, building companies from scratch, navigating competition with giants like Microsoft, and eventually selling his bu…
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On this episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, I sat down with Juan DeAngulo, a veteran investor, entrepreneur, and systems thinker whose work bridges discipline and heart. Juan has scaled billion-dollar investment platforms, co-founded Inselligence—a fast-growing tech startup—and, just as importantly, learned to balance leadership with wellness after bat…
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This is an uncomfortable conversation. Every single day, we make choices — most of them so routine that we barely notice. How do you like your steak cooked — rare, medium, or well-done? At Thanksgiving, do you reach for the light meat or the dark? Keto or paleo? Lean muscle or bulk? Strong coffee or a lighter roast? They’re little decisions about t…
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Every once in a while, a Paper Napkin Wisdom napkin shows up that makes you laugh, makes you think, and ultimately stays with you long after the conversation is over. Episode 296 with Jimmy Park is one of those. This episode was recorded in 2017 but never released—until now, as we approach our 300th milestone. Pulling it out of the archives feels e…
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Paper Napkin Wisdom Episode 295: Adam Hudson — Timeless Lessons on Building Freedom Through Business Sometimes, the most powerful wisdom waits patiently for the right moment. Episode 295 of Paper Napkin Wisdom is one of those moments. This conversation with Adam Hudson, entrepreneur, investor, and founder of Unemployable and host of Discover Your T…
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Some episodes of Paper Napkin Wisdom are easy to listen to, packed with energizing insights and clear strategies for growth. Others are heavier — not because they lack value, but because the wisdom forces us to pause, reflect, and wrestle with the uncomfortable. Episode 294 is one of those conversations. This week, Govindh sits down with three litt…
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When you sit down with someone like Steven Rothberg, Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of College Recruiter, you expect to hear insights about hiring, technology, and the future of work. What you might not expect is a napkin that sums up decades of wisdom in a sentence so straightforward it almost sounds too simple: “If a customer wants to give y…
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Partnership is one of the most powerful words in leadership and in life. We spend years searching for the right business partner, co-founder, or even life partner. But here’s the twist on this week’s Paper Napkin Wisdom: the greatest, most important partnership you’ll ever have is not with someone else—it’s with yourself. The napkin for Episode 292…
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Jennifer McKenna, founder of JMac Consulting, is an accomplished business strategist, executive coach, and creator of The JMac Method. With decades of experience guiding leaders and organizations through transformation, Jennifer has built her reputation on blending practical business strategy with a deep commitment to values, authenticity, and grow…
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In Episode 290 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Andrew Safnauer, a seasoned leader and executive with a wealth of experience in management, strategy, and innovation. Andrew has held leadership roles across diverse industries and today brings his insights into resilience, adaptability, and persistence. His wisdom is ca…
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In Episode 289 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, host Govindh Jayaraman takes us deeper into the next evolution of his work: The Edge of the Napkin. This isn’t just about wisdom captured in simple strokes anymore — it’s about stepping into the tension between friction and flow, and understanding the rhythms of creativity and growth. The napkin for this episo…
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When Katy Spada sat down with me on Paper Napkin Wisdom, she brought a napkin that was more than just words — it was a challenge: “Build the world you wish existed for your younger self, and for those who come next.” Katy isn’t just an entrepreneur. She’s a mother of two (ages 7 and 4), a storyteller, and the founder of Arya + Maan, a lifestyle and…
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In this episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Govindh Jayaraman welcomes Sam Toles, a digital media pioneer and storyteller with decades of experience building audiences, brands, and communities. Sam is the CEO and co-founder of CiviSocial, a platform designed to transform civic engagement by helping communities and governments create stronger, more tran…
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In this special episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, I (Govindh Jayaraman) take a step back to reflect on the journey we’ve been on together — over 280 episodes filled with wisdom, stories, and lessons from incredible leaders, entrepreneurs, and difference makers. The napkin for this episode reads: “Introducing the Edge of the Napkin.” It’s a phrase tha…
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Careers aren’t meant to be lived on repeat. In this episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, we sit down with Kendra MacDonald, CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, a leader who has spent her career helping organizations innovate, adapt, and push boundaries. Kendra has been recognized for her work in transformation and leadership across industries, and she b…
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Introduction: A Journey Comes Full Circle Over the course of sixteen episodes, Michael Walsh has taken us on an extraordinary journey through what he calls the Freedom Framework. This framework has become a cornerstone for entrepreneurs who want to build businesses that don’t just survive but thrive – organizations that create value, empower people…
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In Episode 283 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Michael Walsh returns for part fifteen of the Freedom Series. Michael, founder of Walsh Business Growth, has been guiding us through the “hidden danger zones” leaders face as their organizations scale from $1M to $20M and beyond. Each conversation builds on the Freedom Framework—a practical guide for achieving…
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If you’ve ever felt like you’re climbing hard but not getting any closer to the peak that actually matters, this conversation is for you. In Episode 282 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, I sit down with Saahil Mehta—global entrepreneur, leadership coach, bestselling author of Break Free, and a passionate mountaineer who translates hard-won lessons from high …
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If you’ve ever stared down a crowded market and thought, “How on earth do I stand out—ethically, profitably, and sustainably?”, Pete Olander’s story is going to land. Pete is the founder behind multiple wellness and cannabis-adjacent consumer brands, including Happie (a better-for-you cannabis seltzer brand) and Natural Recovery Greens (an early CB…
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If you’ve been following our ongoing Freedom by Design series with business growth strategist Michael Walsh, you’ve noticed a theme: the farther you grow, the more your results depend on people—not just your personal effort. In Episode 280, Part 14, Michael brings a crisp napkin that says it all: “Develop Leaders.” The sketch shows two paths to res…
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Napkin: “We are designed for rest.” If you’ve ever worn exhaustion like a badge of honor, Episode 279 is a friendly intervention. Steven Langer—international keynote speaker and workplace wellness strategist—joins me to challenge a deeply ingrained belief: that rest is something we “earn” only after the work is done. Steven’s life’s work is helping…
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“Growth doesn’t come from what we know, but from how we apply what we learn.” — Rhett Power, Paper Napkin Wisdom If you’ve ever felt “over-read and under-done,” this one’s for you. In Episode 278, entrepreneur, executive coach, and Forbes columnist Rhett Power sits down with Paper Napkin Wisdom to remind us that ideas don’t create results—implement…
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On today’s napkin, Michael sketches a deceptively simple truth: a manager who works through people generates far bigger results than a talented individual contributor working alone. The drawing shows two paths: Manager → People → (big) Results versus Individual → (smaller) Results. It’s not a knock on personal excellence; it’s a reminder that leade…
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Introduction Courtney Ramsey, CSP, CPTD, MBA, has spent more than two decades helping overwhelmed managers transform into confident, people-first leaders. After training tens of thousands of supervisors on the front lines of corporate America, she noticed a pattern: even the smartest leaders “hit snooze” on the very conversations and decisions that…
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When Jeff Wetzler scribbled his napkin wisdom — “The answers you most need are hidden in plain sight… They reside in the hearts and minds of the people right around you. You just need to know how to ask in the right ways.” — he distilled 25 years of leadership, education-innovation, and curiosity-driven research into one deceptively simple thought.…
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Meet the guest. Michael Walsh is a Vancouver-based business strategist, author of Business Growth by Design, and founder of Walsh Business Growth Institute, the international consultancy he’s run since 1995 to help owners scale sustainably and earn the “freedom dividend” they started their companies for. In Part 12 of our ongoing Freedom by Design …
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When Jessica Fabus Cheng first stepped into an operating room as a certified surgical technologist and later as a registered nurse, she believed her purpose was to advocate for patients who could not speak for themselves. Then came a rare thyroid-cancer diagnosis, two vocal-cord surgeries, and the terrifying warning that she might never speak again…
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When Dominican-born engineer-entrepreneur Rainier Mallol walked into Singularity University in 2015, he carried a single, under-lined word on the napkin he would eventually share with Paper Napkin Wisdom: Decision. That decision—to harness artificial intelligence against mosquito-borne diseases—launched AIME (Artificial Intelligence in Medical Epid…
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I’m excited about my guest today. A mutual connection and PYP MVP introduced us which goes to show how powerful and essential building relationships is to moving forward today. His name is Joel Goldberg, and he not only embodies the fundamental principles of this podcast, but he’s also an exceptional human who values depth over hot takes and authen…
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For nearly three decades, Michael Walsh has helped owners of $2-$100 M companies escape the “growth trap” and win back their freedom. As founder of Walsh Business Growth Institute and author, the Vancouver-based adviser has guided leaders across North America and Europe to scale profitably without sacrificing culture or lifestyle. A former competit…
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David Umansky is the CEO and co-founder of Civic Builders, a nonprofit organization that designs, finances, and builds public charter schools in underserved communities across the United States. Since its inception in 2002, Civic Builders has helped create over 65 schools serving more than 30,000 students. But David’s impact goes far beyond buildin…
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In this powerful return to Paper Napkin Wisdom, the bestselling author of Networking Is Not Working and the new book Let’s Retire Retirement dives into a game-changing mindset shift: what if retirement was never the goal? Derek is a financial advisor, entrepreneur, community builder, and father. With decades of experience advising high-performing i…
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In Episode 268 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, we continue the Freedom by Design series with leadership expert and business growth strategist Michael Walsh. Michael has helped countless organizations align leadership and team development with sustainable growth—and in this tenth installment, he delivers a crucial message for anyone leading people: Develop …
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Marc Dann is no stranger to high-stakes leadership. As a former Ohio Attorney General and now a tireless advocate for consumer rights, Marc brings a seasoned perspective on accountability, resilience, and purpose. In Episode 267 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, he shares a deceptively simple, yet profoundly powerful mantra that has anchored his professional…
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Darren Hickman has spent decades navigating the complex terrain of branding, marketing, and emotional engagement. A former Disney executive and seasoned marketing strategist, Darren brings an uncanny ability to see how the unseen emotional levers drive business outcomes. In this episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Darren shares a deceptively simple tru…
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Michael Walsh returns for Part 9 in the Freedom by Design series to continue building out a powerful framework for leaders seeking lasting impact — not just in their businesses, but through them. In this edition, we dive deep into the core of high-performance organizations: people development as the engine of profit and customer value. Michael Wals…
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What if the key to unlocking your business's true potential lies in understanding a language most entrepreneurs never learn? Today I’m talking with Jason Kruger, a financial expert who has navigated the complex world of business ownership, accounting, and strategic growth. Jason shares his journey from building and selling a successful analytics fi…
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In his return to Paper Napkin Wisdom, Todd Palmer—renowned executive coach, keynote speaker, and founder of Extraordinary Advisors—brings with him a powerful reframe that resonates deeply with anyone navigating tough leadership terrain: "Everything happens 4 me, NOT 2 me." Todd isn’t new to turning adversity into opportunity. As a CEO who once face…
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David Herle, a political strategist, pollster, and principal at The Gandalf Group, has spent decades helping shape public opinion and advising leaders in the highest circles of Canadian politics. From managing campaigns for Prime Minister Paul Martin to shaping the narrative through his influential podcast The Herle Burly, David knows what it means…
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Michael Walsh is back with another profound insight in episode 262 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, continuing our “Freedom by Design” series. As the founder of Walsh Business Growth, Michael brings decades of experience helping companies build freedom within their businesses by designing scalable, people-first systems. In this episode, he shares a deceptiv…
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When Ross Albers found himself fired just two weeks before his wedding, most people would have panicked. Instead, Ross did something remarkable: he founded his own law firm. What started as a necessity quickly became a proving ground for building a business with intention—and more importantly, with vision. In this episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Ro…
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In Episode 260 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, we sit down with Toni Harrison, the powerhouse CEO of Etched Communication, a nationally recognized communications firm. Toni brings not only decades of experience in high-stakes PR and crisis management, but also a deeply personal and refreshingly honest take on what it means to be resilient in business and l…
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