Rooted Here

What difference can one hour a week make in a young person’s life?

In this episode of Rooted Here, we sit down with Kim Megyesi, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Saskatoon and Area, to explore mentorship, belonging and what it means to lead with empathy.

Kim reflects on growing up in a small town in Washington State and moving to Saskatoon for a two-year volunteer placement. That experience introduced her to Big Brothers Big Sisters, a leader who became her mentor and a career in the nonprofit sector. After returning to the Un...

What does it take to grow a business while giving others room to lead?

In this episode of Rooted Here, we sit down with Mathew Cey, CEO of Morris Interactive, to explore the relationships, challenges and experiences that shaped his approach to leadership.

Mathew reflects on growing up in Wilkie, the work ethic he learned from his family and the unexpected lessons he gained while working as a waiter during university. He shares how learning to read a room, understand people and handle rejection helped him begin his career in sales and start a business...

What does it truly mean to live a good life?

In this episode of Rooted Here, we sit down with Michael Linklater, community leader, professional speaker and former national team athlete, to explore miyo-pimâtisiwin, a Cree teaching centred on living a good life through kindness, respect, love and balance.

Michael reflects on growing up connected to his culture and ceremony, and how those teachings became the foundation for his success. He shares how wearing his hair in a braid helped him find his voice as a child, even while facing bullying and m...

How does a career in sports journalism shape the way you lead?

In this episode of Rooted Here, we sit down with Nicole Betker, Director of Lottery and Communications at Sask Sport, to talk about the people, experiences and opportunities that shaped her path.

Nicole reflects on growing up in Regina, moving to Toronto to study journalism and beginning her career as a sports reporter. She shares what covering athletes and teams taught her about curiosity, resilience and finding your place in sport, even when you are not the one on the field.

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What does it take to turn a bold vision into lasting progress?

In this episode of Rooted Here, we sit down with Doug Richardson, a Saskatoon lawyer, community advocate and special counsel to the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), to explore a career shaped by leadership, relationships and a deep commitment to his city.

Doug reflects on growing up in a family grounded in community service and how his early interest in public speaking led him to a career in law. He shares how that career evolved from criminal and family law into development...

What if film became Saskatchewan’s fourth “F”—alongside food, fuel, and fertilizer?

In this episode of Rooted Here, we sit down with Robert Hardy, Executive Director of ScreenSask, to explore the vision of growing Saskatchewan’s film and television sector into a $500-million-a-year industry.

Robert’s career has taken him through government relations, public relations, broadcasting, writing, directing, producing, and television development. Despite the different roles, one thread has remained constant: helping people tell their stories.

That experience leads into a bigger conversation about the business behind the screen.

Robert explains how...

Before Keith Moen became a spokesperson for Saskatoon’s businesses, he spent years telling stories through freelance journalism and even ran his own publication for a time.

In this episode of Rooted Here, we sit down with Keith Moen, Executive Director of the North Saskatoon Business Association, to explore an unexpected path from a Saskatchewan farm to journalism, publishing, and ultimately, a role speaking up for Saskatoon’s business community.

Keith shares how an interest in sports and a talent for writing opened possibilities beyond the family farm. But finding his direction took time through univ...

Before real estate, construction, and decades of building Midwest Group, there were cars.

In this episode of Rooted Here, we sit down with Ken Achs to trace a journey that began with a fascination for speed in Saskatoon and eventually took him into the world of professional drag racing, where he competed in Top Fuel and Funny Car and raced alongside some of the biggest names of the era.

Ken shares what it was really like to race at that level — the adrenaline, the long drives, the mechanical failures, the losses, and the constant pursuit of...

In this episode of Rooted Here, we sit down with Danylo Puderak of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress of Saskatchewan to explore the history, leadership, and relationships that have helped Ukrainian culture remain deeply rooted in Saskatchewan for more than a century.

The conversation also looks at the role UCC Saskatchewan has played over the past 50 years, from supporting cultural organizations and advocating for Ukrainian education and heritage to helping newcomers find work, learn English, and build new lives in the province.

When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, that work changed dramatically. Danylo...

Leadership is often taught through strategies, frameworks, and management theory. But what if some of its most important lessons come from observing ecosystems, navigating uncertainty, accepting mistakes, and learning how people behave under pressure?

In this episode of Rooted Here, we sit down with Dale Botting, founder of Botting Leadership Inc., author, biologist by training, and former Saskatchewan deputy minister, to explore what decades in public service, business, policy, and executive coaching have taught him about leading people.

Dale shares how growing up in Prince Albert, spending time in Saskatchewan’s wilderness, and studying biology sh...

AI is making it possible to build faster, automate more, and create things that once required months of work and thousands of dollars. As the technology becomes more powerful, leaders face a bigger question: just because we can use AI, does that mean we always should?

In this episode of Rooted Here, we sit down with Katrina German, founder of Ethical Digital, to explore how businesses and individuals can embrace the possibilities of AI without losing sight of trust, responsibility, and human impact.

Katrina shares the entrepreneurial journey that took her from social media campaigns...

Opportunities can open doors, but what happens after you step through them is where the real learning begins. Saying yes can mean taking on unfamiliar challenges, making difficult decisions, and becoming responsible for more than your own success.

In this episode of Rooted Here, we sit down with Colton Wiegers, CEO of Wiegers Financial & Benefits, to explore the experiences that shaped how he approaches business, leadership, and community today.

Colton shares how his entrepreneurial journey began by selling snacks as a kid, evolved into building a painting and renovation company while attending university, and ultimately...

Business growth is often measured in sales, expansion, and new opportunities. Behind every transaction are real people navigating major decisions, emotional transitions, and moments that require far more than a standard business approach.

In this episode of Rooted Here, we sit down with Fredrick Bodnarus and Terri Patterson to explore the evolution of their auction and real estate business. They share how evolving client needs led them beyond traditional auctioneering, and how consistent follow-up and thoughtful diversification helped grow their business.

The conversation also explores reputation, trust, delegation, technology, and the responsibility that comes with...

Building a business often looks like growth, momentum, and more work coming in. Behind the scenes, it can also mean hard lessons, staffing challenges, burnout, and learning how to build systems that can carry the business forward.

In this episode of Rooted Here, we sit down with Paul Langlois of Langlois Electric to talk about his journey in the electrical trade, the realities of running a trades business, and the lessons that shaped how he leads. Paul shares how his business started with his truck and tools, how it evolved through different stages of growth, and why...

 Public service is often seen through meetings, decisions, and titles. The real work lies in the conversations, community connections, volunteer work, and everyday responsibility that happen far beyond City Hall.

In this episode of Rooted Here, we sit down with Bev Dubois, City Councillor for Ward 9, to talk about leadership, community involvement, and what it means to stay connected to the people you serve. Bev reflects on her early years in Saskatoon, the family values and mentors that shaped her, her path from volunteer boards to city council, and the lessons she h...

Most people think financial planning is just about watching a bank account balance grow. But true security isn't about numbers on a screen—it’s about having a concrete strategy to protect the people you love when life completely changes.

 In this episode of Rooted Here, we sit down with Darren Ulmer of White Owl Financial to break down the exact strategies wealthy, confident families use to build lasting peace of mind. Darren shares why relying on willpower to save fails, how to outsmart your own daily spending habits, and why an automated system is your best defen...

What happens when a family crisis inspires a completely new way to do business?

In Episode 06 of Rooted Here, we sit down with Leon Ferguson, the CEO of Stream Group. Leon went straight into the workforce after high school, but his entire perspective shifted during COVID-19 when his mom and sister were both diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Living at the hospital, he saw firsthand how overwhelmed families struggle to understand complicated medical care. He decided to use his business background to fix it.

This is a powerful conversation about building a business that...

Go behind the scenes at the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) with Vickie Drover, VP of Academics, to see how the institution is leading a high-tech revolution to support local communities and build the future workforce.

In this episode of Rooted Here, Vickie shares an insider’s look at the strategy, reality, and vision behind SIIT's innovative ecosystem:

Did you know that Saskatchewan’s extreme temperature swings actually make spirits taste better?

In Episode 03 of Rooted Here, we sit down with Barb Stefanyshyn-Cote, the owner of Black Fox Farm & Distillery.

Barb shares the fascinating reality of operating a distillery in Saskatchewan, explaining how their barrels interact with the dramatic prairie weather fluctuations to naturally enrich the flavor of their world-class spirits.

From cultivating the province's incredible soil to putting the true spirit of the prairies into every single bottle, Barb dives deep into what it takes to build an internationally acclaimed br...

In this episode, we sit down with SaskJazz Executive Director Shannon Josdal to discuss how a province-wide survey of 1,400 locals completely reshaped the vision for this year's festival.

🌐 Grab your tickets for this July here: https://www.saskjazz.com/

This episode is presented by The Bamboo Podcast Network.

What does it truly take to lead a city for 13 years? 

In this episode of Rooted Here, we sit down with Don Atchison, the longest-serving mayor in Saskatoon’s history. From his early days selling newspapers door-to-door to managing his family’s iconic menswear store, Don shares how a lifetime in retail prepared him for the highest office in the city.

Don opens up about the "swagger" he wanted to bring to Saskatoon and the bold vision required to move a city from "drifting" to thriving. We dive deep into the stories behind the city's most...

In this first episode of Rooted Here, we sit down with Kash Jassal to find out exactly why he chose the restaurant business. 

Kash has successfully scaled his OPA! of Greece footprint from a single store to four locations across Saskatoon, proving that a technical mindset and a community-first heart are a winning combination.

Kash pulls back the curtain on the "why" behind his career pivot. We discuss the transition from blueprints to business plans, and the reality of running multiple franchise sites.

This episode is presented by The Bamboo Podcast Network.