The Business Development Podcast

Episode 291 is a raw, honest, and deeply human exploration of what it means to trust the journey when life throws you curveballs. Kelly opens up about one of the wildest days of his entrepreneurial year — a morning that began with a gut-punch message from a major client and immediately shifted into two of the biggest interviews of 2025 with Jake Gold and Douglas Conant. Instead of spiraling, he leaned into faith, asked for guidance, and watched the entire day unfold in ways that reminded him that the universe, God, fate — whatever you believe — often steps in right when you need it mos...

What would you do if you sold your company and had every opportunity to step back, but instead chose to build a vision aimed at changing the future of how communities thrive? In Episode 290, Kelly sits down with returning guest Jim Gale to explore his mission to transform the way families, schools, neighborhoods, and even nations think about food and long-term resilience. Jim shares how he turned barren land into a fully off-grid, self-sustaining ecosystem and why regenerative design is becoming essential as the cost of living climbs and global systems show increasing strain. His perspective blends entrepreneurship, sustainability...

In this powerful Remembrance Day episode, Kelly Kennedy reflects on the legacy of his grandfather, a man shaped by courage, humility, and service, and explores the timeless truths that still define human connection today. Through the lens of personal history and Dale Carnegie’s century-old wisdom, Kelly reminds us that while our tools have evolved from typewriters to smartphones, from face-to-face meetings to AI, the fundamentals of who we are have not. Our desire for understanding, empathy, belonging, and trust remains unchanged, and those who remember how to connect on a deeply human level will always lead the way.

Episode 288 of The Business Development Podcast features an inspiring conversation with Nathan Plumb, Managing Director of Fabled Solutions, an award-winning technology company transforming how businesses approach software development. Nathan shares his incredible journey from teaching across Europe and Asia to leading a fast-growing tech firm in Edmonton. His background in education built the foundation for strong leadership, adaptability, and global perspective—skills that have fueled his success in tech and entrepreneurship. Together, Kelly and Nathan explore how servant leadership, creative problem-solving, and an openness to opportunity can redefine what it means to build and scale in the modern business wo...

This episode of The Business Development Podcast dives deep into the power of focus and intentional action through Kelly Kennedy’s proven weekly framework, Move the Needle. Kelly reveals how most people spend their weeks reacting to chaos instead of directing their energy toward what truly matters. Drawing from the Pareto Principle and Dr. Gail Matthews’ goal-setting research, he shows how writing down just five to ten high-impact priorities each Monday can double your effectiveness and eliminate wasted effort. Through personal stories and practical tools, Kelly explains how consistent focus on the right 20 percent of tasks creates exponential results — not by...

In Episode 286 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy sits down with transformational coach and finance expert Jenn Bieri, founder of The Practice Space, to explore what it truly means to redefine success without losing yourself. Jenn shares her powerful journey from scaling a global tech startup from 40 to 400 employees and leading $20 million in capital raises, to realizing that achievement without alignment comes at a cost. Her story is one of courage, clarity, and transformation—showing what happens when you trade burnout for balance and ambition for authenticity.

Together, Kelly and Jenn unpack the real challenges leaders fa...

In this Halloween Special of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy sits down with the legendary Jim Harold — the original paranormal podcaster and host of Jim Harold’s Campfire. With over 20 years in the business and millions of listeners worldwide, Jim shares how a lifelong fascination with the unexplained became one of the most successful independent podcasting careers in history. Together, they explore what it means to believe, the power of storytelling, and why people from every corner of the world are still drawn to share their mysterious, unexplainable experiences.

From ghosts and cryptids to UFOs and the...

In Episode 284 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy sits down with Adam Kimmel, an engineer with 12 global patents who made the leap from technical leadership to business development strategist. Together, they explore why so many technical professionals struggle to thrive in business development—and how to turn analytical precision into authentic human connection. Adam shares his journey from engineering to entrepreneurship, unpacking the mindset shifts that allow technical experts to succeed in client-facing roles while maintaining integrity, clarity, and depth in their communication.

The conversation dives into the intersection of engineering, marketing, and trust-building in an AI...

In Episode 283 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy breaks down one of the toughest truths in business: why free almost always fails. Drawing on lessons from early mentor Kevin Pydde and his own entrepreneurial journey, Kelly explores how undercharging and giving too much away can quietly destroy your business. He shares the mindset and pricing framework that helped him build Capital Business Development and The Business Development Podcast from the ground up, teaching that consistent, predictable revenue, not commissions or goodwill, sustains long-term success.

Kelly also exposes the hidden cost of free, showing why clients who...

Episode 282 of The Business Development Podcast, “What AI Can’t Replace in Marketing with Jamie Moffat,” dives deep into the evolution of marketing from its radio roots to today’s AI-driven landscape. Jamie Moffat, a 30-year advertising veteran and digital marketing consultant with LocalIQ, shares his journey from selling vacuum cleaners and radio ads in the 90s to leading data-informed, AI-powered campaigns. He and Kelly unpack how modern technology has transformed how we reach customers—yet reveal that the fundamentals of trust, listening, and human connection remain unchanged.

Together, they explore what truly drives marketing success in 2025: speed of r...

In Episode 281, Kelly Kennedy delivers a powerful reminder that in a world moving faster than ever, adaptability isn’t optional—it’s the skill that defines whether we thrive or fade. He shares how resisting change once held him back, from pushing against early CRM systems to realizing that fear of new ideas only slows progress for everyone involved. Using Apple as a case study in self-disruption, Kelly shows how the most successful leaders and companies evolve intentionally—choosing to innovate before they’re forced to.

Kelly challenges listeners to stop fearing change and start seeking it, revealing...

In Episode 280 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy sits down with Jason Michaud, founder and CEO of Stardust Technologies, to explore the coming Space Boom of 2036—a defining moment that could reshape global economies, industries, and human potential. Jason shares his mission to make space accessible for everyone while warning that Canada and much of the world are not prepared for what’s coming. From helping pioneer the world’s first Indigenous space agency to collaborating on THEIA, a lunar analog habitat designed to simulate life beyond Earth, Jason and his team at Stardust are leading a bold vision...

Episode 279 of The Business Development Podcast, The 10 Unspoken Laws of Trust, dives deep into the unseen foundation behind every successful relationship, deal, and opportunity: trust. Kelly explores how trust shapes human behavior, why it’s not automatic despite being essential to society, and the ten unspoken laws that quietly govern how we build and maintain it. From honesty and reciprocity to fairness, accountability, and transparency, this episode uncovers the hidden social and biological frameworks that make trust the cornerstone of business and life.

In the second half, Kelly breaks down how to intentionally build trust in business de...

Episode 278 of The Business Development Podcast dives into the explosive rise of Startup TNT with co-founder Tim Lynn, a financial strategist and serial entrepreneur who has helped reshape Western Canada’s startup ecosystem. Tim shares his journey from investment banking to building a community-driven angel investing platform that has mobilized millions in capital, empowered new investors, and opened doors for founders across the Prairies. With a unique blend of expertise as a CPA, CFA, and CBV, Tim explains how Startup TNT is lowering barriers to entry for angel investing and creating real momentum for entrepreneurs.

In this co...

In Episode 277 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy takes you inside a true David vs. Goliath battle as he fights for the 2025 Signal Awards in the Business category. As the only Canadian and the only independent finalist up against billion dollar networks like Wondery, iHeart, and Amazon, Kelly reveals how underdogs can rally support and compete with giants. He shares the exact playbook he is using: creating awareness through posts, driving action with direct outreach, scaling with email, amplifying through media, and most importantly trusting community to carry the fight. Along the way you will learn the pitfalls...

Episode 276 of The Business Development Podcast welcomes Garry Ridge, the legendary former CEO of WD-40 and author of Any Dumbass Can Do It. Garry takes us inside the culture transformation that turned WD-40 into a global icon, showing how “learning moments” and servant leadership created an environment where people belonged, felt valued, and performed at their best. His story proves that lasting success doesn’t come from fear or control but from building workplaces where people love to show up and contribute.

In this conversation, Garry shares the lessons he now brings to his coaching and speaking, from r...

Episode 275 of The Business Development Podcast flips the script on imposter syndrome, showing why it isn’t a red flag but a clear indicator that you’re leveling up. Kelly Kennedy unpacks why this feeling shows up right before your biggest breakthroughs and why it’s actually a compass pointing you toward growth and success.

In this episode, you’ll uncover 10 powerful indicators that prove you’re on the right path, plus practical strategies to reframe self-doubt into fuel. From anchoring in your wins to shifting your focus toward service and taking action anyway, this conversation will help you e...

Episode 274 of The Business Development Podcast brings the inspiring journey of Dr. Juan Salinas, a food scientist, entrepreneur, and natural bodybuilder who defied the odds to create P-nuff Crunch, a plant-based protein snack that won the attention of Mark Cuban on Shark Tank. From his humble beginnings in Honduras to earning a PhD in food science from Rutgers and leading product innovations at Nestlé and Kraft, Dr. Salinas combined scientific expertise with his passion for health to revolutionize the snacking industry. His story highlights the grit, sacrifice, and relentless vision required to bring an innovative idea to life, even w...

In Episode 273, we bring the Podcast Playbook to a close with Part 11: Mastering the Mindset — Final Tips to Stay Consistent and Thrive. This final chapter shifts the focus from tools and strategies to the mental game required to keep your podcast alive long term. We explore why most podcasters fade out after just a few episodes, how to set realistic expectations for slow and steady growth, and the importance of building habits that keep you consistent even when results don’t come overnight.

You’ll also learn practical tips to avoid burnout, handle setbacks like equipment failures or lac...

In Episode 272 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly sits down with Robert Price, Founder & CEO of Bōde, the peer-to-peer real estate platform that has already facilitated over $1 billion in property transactions. Robert shares how his entrepreneurial roots, experience at Axia NetMedia, and first-hand frustrations with the traditional real estate model led him to launch Bōde. Listeners will hear how the platform empowers buyers and sellers to cut out unnecessary middlemen, save thousands in fees, and take back control of one of life’s biggest financial decisions.

This episode dives deep into the structural problems of real...

In Episode 271, we dive into one of the most critical parts of the Podcast Playbook: monetization. Podcasting is one of the most powerful tools for business development, but it comes with real costs — hardware, software, editing, your time, and even promotion. That’s why monetization is not optional if you want your show to survive and thrive long term. In this episode, I walk you through why monetization matters, how to set yourself up for success early, and the five main revenue streams available to you as a podcaster: sponsorships, dynamic ad insertion, affiliate marketing, products and services, and paid...

In episode 270, Kelly Kennedy welcomes Laura Gabor — co-founder and COO of Ecologicca, founder of What in the Tech, angel investor, and one of The Peak’s Emerging Leaders in Tech for 2024. Laura shares her journey from her immigrant roots to becoming a leader in the Canadian tech ecosystem, highlighting the pivotal experiences that shaped her as an entrepreneur and investor. From early lessons in resilience to her first angel investments, she offers a candid perspective on the challenges of building companies, raising capital, and staying true to your vision.

Throughout the conversation, Laura unpacks the realities of fund...

Episode 269 of The Business Development Podcast takes us into Part 9 of the Podcast Playbook, where Kelly Kennedy breaks down the truth about marketing and growing a podcast. Launching a show is only the beginning — real growth comes from leveraging guests, showing up consistently on social media, using audiograms and clips to spark curiosity, repurposing content, building community, collaborating with other creators, and when the time is right, investing carefully in advertising where people are already listening. Kelly shares lessons learned firsthand, from early group-sharing strategies on LinkedIn to the difference between social media followers and true podcast listeners, offering pr...

In Episode 268 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly sits down with Lise Birikundavyi, CFA, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of BKR Capital, Canada’s first Black-led, institutionally backed venture capital fund. Lise shares her incredible journey from her roots in Burundi to becoming one of the most influential voices in impact investing and inclusive finance. With a career spanning hedge funds, global impact strategies, and leadership roles across Africa, Asia, and North America, she brings a rare global perspective on how venture capital can fuel innovation and create lasting societal change.

This episode dives deep into the world of...

Part 8 of the Podcast Playbook is all about launch day—the moment your podcast moves from planning to reality. In this episode, Kelly Kennedy stresses that first impressions matter more than almost anything else. He breaks down the steps every podcaster should take before hitting publish, including running a final quality check, ensuring audio is clean and professional, confirming metadata, and carefully selecting evergreen topics that will hold up long term. Kelly also shares his personal experience with equipment setbacks and lessons learned, underscoring that podcasting is an ongoing journey of problem-solving and adaptation.

From there, the fo...

In Episode 266 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy sits down with Damien Benveniste, former Meta machine learning lead and founder of The AI Edge, to unravel the truth about artificial intelligence. Damien breaks down what AI and machine learning actually are, why they’ve quietly powered our lives for decades, and how the hype around ChatGPT has blurred the line between perception and reality. From spam filters and Netflix recommendations to ad engines driving billions in revenue, Damien explains how the real story of AI is far more practical—and far more powerful—than most people realize.

This...

In Part 2 of Why You Should Buy a Business Instead of Starting One with Jory Evans, we move past the mechanics of deal-making and into the high-stakes world of execution. Jory Evans, CEO of Evans Trucking, explains why acquisitions succeed or fail not in the negotiation room, but in how leaders handle the transition afterward. He highlights the importance of logistics, leadership depth, and cultural alignment, drawing from his own experiences of scaling Evans Trucking through multiple acquisitions. Jory breaks down how leadership voids, communication breakdowns, and rushed software or process changes can destabilize both the company being purchased...

In episode 264 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy sits down with New York Times bestselling author and disruption expert Charlene Li to unpack what it truly means to lead in the age of generative AI. Drawing on more than three decades of experience helping global companies navigate internet revolutions, social media shifts, and now AI, Charlene shares how the biggest obstacle to transformation isn’t the technology—it’s imagination. This conversation explores how leaders can reframe disruption as an opportunity, thrive in uncertainty, and create clarity when everything feels chaotic.

Together, Kelly and Charlene dive into t...

Episode 263 of The Business Development Podcast takes you deep into the editing stage of podcast production, where a raw recording transforms into a polished, professional show. In Part 7 of the Podcast Playbook series, Kelly Kennedy shares his complete start-to-finish editing workflow, honed over hundreds of episodes. From understanding your DAW workspace to identifying and fixing common audio problems, he covers the why and how behind every step, always keeping the listener’s experience front and center. Kelly also breaks down his go-to plugins, explains their real-world use cases, and offers detailed guidance on creating a consistent, clean sound that ke...

In this episode of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy welcomes Jodi Scarlett, CEO of EcoClaim, for a deep dive into how the insurance industry — and the businesses in its supply chain — can transform the climate crisis into a powerful business advantage. Drawing on over two decades of leadership in restoration and insurance, Jodi shares how EcoClaim is pioneering solutions to measure, reduce, and report Scope 3 emissions while cutting costs and meeting emerging regulatory demands. She breaks down complex sustainability concepts into practical, actionable steps, showing how the low-carbon way is often the low-cost way.

From industry-shaping init...

Episode 261 of The Business Development Podcast features Tim Truax, CEO of PodSummit YYC, longtime host of The Nerd Room, and a true pioneer in Canadian podcasting. With nearly 500 episodes under his belt, Tim shares the unfiltered reality of what it takes to build a show that lasts—without chasing trends or downloads. From late-night basement recordings to leading Canada’s premier podcasting summit, his story is a testament to passion, consistency, and the power of building community one episode at a time.

Positioned at the core of the Podcast Playbook series, this episode is a crucial mid-series rese...

In Episode 260 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy sits down with Shawn Neels, the resilient and inspiring founder of Plains Equipment Rentals. At just 26, Shawn has built a successful business grounded in grit, values, and relentless personal growth. This episode dives deep into his journey—from overcoming life-altering trauma and confronting mental health through therapy and fitness, to discovering the power of 75 Hard, faith, and routine. Shawn opens up about introversion, entrepreneurship, building his company from a single machine, and learning to lead with purpose. His story is a reminder that even the hardest paths can lead to in...

Episode 259 of The Business Development Podcast is Part 6 of the Podcast Playbook series, and it’s the game-changer. In this episode, Kelly Kennedy walks listeners through the pivotal moment that separates aspiring podcasters from real ones—recording your first episode. He covers everything from crafting a flexible show plan to choosing a topic you're genuinely excited about, setting up your mic for clean pro-level sound, and building a pre-recording ritual to overcome self-doubt and imposter syndrome. Kelly emphasizes that perfection isn’t the goal—authenticity is—and encourages listeners to embrace the mess and just press record.

This episo...

Episode 258 of The Business Development Podcast features the incomparable Chester Elton, globally known as The Apostle of Appreciation. In this electrifying and heartfelt conversation, Chester dives deep into the transformative power of gratitude in leadership, sharing wisdom from his 15 bestselling books, including The Carrot Principle and Leading with Gratitude. He opens up about his personal journey, the core values that shaped his leadership philosophy, and how simple acts of appreciation can shift entire workplace cultures. Chester's storytelling mastery, genuine energy, and practical advice make this a can't-miss episode for anyone serious about leading with impact.

Listeners are...

In Episode 257 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy delivers Part 5 of the Podcast Playbook series, focused on choosing the right hosting and recording tools to launch, grow, and monetize your podcast. He breaks down the often-confusing world of podcast technology, sharing hard-earned insights from producing over 250 episodes. Kelly offers a detailed, no-fluff comparison of the top hosting platforms—including Captivate, Buzzsprout, and Libsyn—emphasizing the importance of selecting a tool that fits both your current needs and long-term growth. He also highlights why a proper hosting platform is the backbone of your show, how AI tools are reshaping the...

In Episode 256 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly welcomes back mindset and performance coach Ben Spangl for a powerful conversation about redefining success and reclaiming freedom now—not someday. Together, they dive deep into the entrepreneurial rollercoaster, unpacking the burnout, emotional resistance, and false beliefs that keep high performers stuck in overdrive. Ben shares how he rebuilt his life after burning out, why the “sacrifice now, live later” mindset is broken, and how business owners can start designing a joyful life today without slowing their growth.

From learning to delegate and use your time more effectively, to recogn...

In Episode 255 of The Business Development Podcast, we bring you Part 4 of the Podcast Playbook series, diving deep into the strategy behind building a podcast that lasts. This episode is all about locking in your release schedule, choosing a format that fits your energy and goals, and creating a 50-episode content plan that keeps you consistent and confident. Whether you're going solo, interviewing guests, or co-hosting, you’ll learn how to structure your show for long-term sustainability—without burning out or losing momentum.

From mastering episode length to understanding how algorithms reward consistency, Part 4 arms you with the...

In Episode 254 of The Business Development Podcast, we sit down with Kapil Kalra, the passionate force behind Naturemary and a powerhouse in the world of natural wellness. Kapil opens up about his early days working in his family’s grocery store in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, and how those humble beginnings shaped his unshakable work ethic. From selling electronics to launching a national wellness brand, Kapil’s journey is packed with gritty determination, unfiltered lessons, and the relentless belief that heart and hustle can take you anywhere.

This episode dives deep into the emotional and entrepreneurial rollercoaster of buil...

In Episode 253 of The Business Development Podcast, we dive into Part 3 of the Podcast Playbook and walk you through how to build a podcast brand that captures attention and drives growth. From naming your show with clarity and SEO in mind to designing high-impact cover art and creating intros and outros that set the tone, this episode is packed with tactical advice to help you stand out. Kelly Kennedy shares how getting the name right from day one can make or break discoverability, why securing your domain early is critical, and how to align your podcast’s visuals and to...

In Episode 252, Kelly is joined by Ben Wise and Darren Chiu—two senior leaders at Google and co-founders of Captivate—for a raw and insightful breakdown of what truly drives persuasion in today’s world. They reveal why facts alone don’t move people, and how emotional strategy, trust, and authenticity are the real keys to influence. From sales calls to boardrooms, they show how mastering emotional connection will radically transform how you pitch, sell, and lead.

Packed with powerful concepts like the Pratfall Effect and the Maya Principle, this conversation digs into how the best communicators choose t...