What if the life you're building isn't truly yours? My guest today, Aaron Scott, built a career most people only dream of—a multi-strategy hedge fund, 20 years on Wall Street—and chose to leave it all behind.

He calls the world of success we strive for a "program," an illusion created by systems of capitalism, education, and media. In this episode, he gives us the tools to uninstall that programming.

Join us for a deep and transformative conversation where we discuss:

•The internal conflict that led him to abandon a lucrative career.

•How to identify the "inherited beliefs" that are holding you back.

•The difference between societal success and true, personal meaning.

•Practical steps to deprogram your mind and reclaim your sovereignty.

This isn't just a story; it's a guide to personal and collective awakening from someone who has been on the inside of the machine.

Watch the full video interview for this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jaLXnljjQTE

Find more from Aaron Scott:

•Website: theaaronscott.com

•Book: "Before We Forget"

Connect with The Weird Canadian:

•Follow on X: @Weird_Canadian

•Subscribe on YouTube: @The_Weird_Canadian

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What if the very things that make us feel "different" are the keys to unlocking our greatest potential? In this powerful episode, Cody sits down with Tracy King (they/them ), the CEO of InspirEd and a leading voice in neuroinclusion. As a late-diagnosed autistic entrepreneur and parent to four neurodivergent kids, Tracy offers a deeply personal and professional perspective on the future of work.

Together, they deconstruct the myth of "normalcy" and explore why the systems we've built often fail our brightest minds. Tracy shares their journey of leaving the corporate world to build a business that aligns with their neurotype, the hard-won lessons from navigating autistic burnout, and why they believe neurodivergent individuals are uniquely equipped to lead in the age of AI.

This conversation is a masterclass in turning perceived weaknesses into strategic advantages and a hopeful look at a future where work is designed for everyone.

**In this episode, you'll learn:**

* [02:57] Tracy's journey to a late autism diagnosis and its impact.

* [08:15] The critical differences between stress and autistic burnout.

* [12:40] How to reframe "ableism" as a systemic issue, not a personal failing.

* [23:50] Why AI is a revolutionary empowerment tool for neurodivergent professionals.

* [29:15] Practical steps for building a truly neuroinclusive workplace.

**Mentioned in this episode:**

* Watch the full video interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KgGy7IUlozE

* Connect with Tracy King: https://www.inspired-ed.com/

* Follow The Weird Canadian on X: https://x.com/Weird_Canadian

* Book a consultation with Cody: https://stan.store/The_Weird_Canadian

Support The Weird Canadian by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-weird-canadian

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It’s the comparison that has dominated Canadian political discourse: is Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre simply Canada’s version of Donald Trump? In this deep-dive analysis, we go beyond the surface-level similarities to reveal the crucial, often-overlooked differences in their political playbooks.

This episode explores the origins of the “Maple MAGA” narrative, from Poilievre’s support for the trucker convoy to his viral media strategy. We then pivot to a critical examination of the analogy, focusing on the fundamental divergences in policy, respect for democratic institutions, and rhetorical style.

Key topics covered:

•The Insider vs. The Outsider: How Poilievre’s career in Parliament makes him a master of the system, not a rejector of it.

•The Policy Wonk vs. The Generalist: A look at Poilievre’s data-driven arguments versus Trump’s vague promises.

•The Competence Paradox: Is a competent populist more effective—and therefore more concerning—than a chaotic one?

This analysis challenges the simplistic narrative and provides a more nuanced understanding of the current political landscape in Canada.

To see the full visual analysis, watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QurdkU3RChA

Support The Weird Canadian by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-weird-canadian

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Just weeks after scientists confirmed the world has crossed its first catastrophic climate tipping point with the die-off of coral reefs, we sit down with the woman leading Canada's charge to build a new, sustainable ocean economy.

Kendra Macdonald is the CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, an ambitious national project with a goal to grow our "blue economy" fivefold to $220 billion by 2035. A former top global executive at Deloitte, Kendra bet her career on this mission. In this episode, she discusses the immense risks our oceans face, the incredible economic opportunity they present, and how Canadian innovators are developing the technology—from AI and drones to autonomous vessels—to navigate both.

This isn't just a conversation about the ocean; it's about Canada's moment to lead on the global stage. We ask the tough questions:

•Is the $220 billion goal realistic or just marketing?

•How do you ensure sustainable growth without "greenwashing" industry?

•Is the technology designed to save the Arctic inadvertently accelerating its exploitation?

This is a story of crisis, innovation, and evidence-based hope for Canada's future.

Find out more:

•Ocean Supercluster: https://oceansupercluster.ca/

•Watch the full video interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/FQXEv9PA3RY

Support The Weird Canadian by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-weird-canadian

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For decades, Canadians have been told a story of sacrifice for the planet. We’ve paid the carbon taxes, embraced new rules, and been promised a greener future. But as the deadlines for climate targets loom, a frustrating question remains: where are the results?

In this episode of The Weird Canadian Podcast, I take you on an investigative journey deep into Canada's Net Zero strategy. We follow the money—over $160 billion in commitments—to uncover a system plagued by bureaucratic delays, misaligned priorities, and a startling lack of tangible outcomes.

Join me as we explore:

•The Great Canadian Paradox: How Canada can have an 82% clean electricity grid but still have per-capita emissions 3X higher than Denmark.

•The 20-Month Bottleneck: Why it takes nearly two years for a climate project to even get its funding approved, according to the Auditor General.

•Corporate Subsidies vs. Community Action: We break down how billions are flowing to multinational corporations while community-level projects wait.

•A Legacy of Failure: A look back at Canada's 20-year history of setting and missing every single major climate target.

This isn't just about numbers; it's about the story of a nation with world-class potential being held back by a system that's better at making announcements than it is at building a future.

If you're tired of the political spin and want an honest, data-driven look at what's really happening with our climate dollars, this episode is for you.

Watch the full video investigation on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NDCmkwy0LU

Key Topics:

•Canadian Climate Policy

•Net Zero Spending

•Government Accountability

•Carbon Tax

•Green Energy Transition

•Auditor General's Report

#CanadaClimate #NetZero #ClimateChange #CanadianPolitics #TheWeirdCanadian #Investigative #cdnpoli

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Why do we promote our best engineers into leadership roles they are unprepared for, only to see them burn out? The skills that make a great individual contributor are often the opposite of what’s needed to be a great leader. This is the technical leadership crisis, and it’s costing companies their best talent.

In this episode, Cody sits down with Andrew Hinkelman, a former CTO with over 25 years of experience in the tech industry at companies like LinkedIn, Stripe, and Sony. After experiencing severe burnout in his own career, Andrew founded Priority-1 Group to coach technical leaders on how to avoid the same fate.

Together, they dissect the root causes of this widespread problem and provide a new framework for success.

In this episode, you will learn:

•Why the transition from engineer to manager is so challenging.

•The three definitive signs of burnout you can’t afford to ignore.

•What "human-centered leadership" is and why it’s the counterbalance to a tech-obsessed industry.

•Actionable tools you can use this week to become a more effective leader.

This is a raw and honest conversation for every CTO, engineering manager, and aspiring tech leader who has ever felt like they are great at the tech but struggling with the people.

Guest Information:

•Andrew Hinkelman: Founder of Priority-1 Group, Executive Coach, former CTO

•Website: https://www.pri-1.com/

•LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewhinkelman

Watch the full video experience on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7sIJGF6Hz08

Follow The Weird Canadian:

•Twitter: https://x.com/Weird_Canadian

•Website: theweirdcanadian.ca

Support The Weird Canadian by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-weird-canadian

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In this urgent and revealing episode, we unpack two of the most consequential pieces of legislation affecting Canadian digital rights: Bills C-11 and C-18. While government officials frame these laws as consumer protection measures, the reality is far more complex—and concerning.

Digital rights advocate Miriam Rachel Burr joins us to explain exactly what these bills do, why major tech companies like Meta have abandoned the Canadian market, and how these laws are already affecting everyday Canadians. She shares concrete examples: Amber Alerts that didn't reach people because Meta blocked news sharing, wildfires where critical evacuation information spread only through word-of-mouth, and the chilling effect on entrepreneurs and creators who now face impossible compliance burdens.

But this isn't just a story about government overreach. It's about the future of innovation, competition, and free expression in Canada. The government now has the power to decide which content is "discoverable" online—a level of control that fundamentally changes how digital markets operate. For entrepreneurs, creators, and business leaders, this has direct implications for how you reach customers and operate your business.

Miriam has launched an official House of Commons petition (E6994 ) to repeal these bills. With just 500 signatures, this petition can trigger a parliamentary review and force a conversation at the highest levels of government about whether these laws serve Canadian interests or stifle innovation and freedom.

This episode is essential listening for anyone who cares about the future of digital freedom in Canada, the health of our digital economy, and the principle that government should not control what information citizens can access online.

Watch the Full Video Interview: https://youtu.be/J8pvpVxGziU

Sign Petition E6994: https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-6994

Connect with Miriam Rachel Burr:

•Twitter/X: https://x.com/miriamrachel75

•LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miriamrachel/

Follow The Weird Canadian:

•YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The_Weird_Canadian

Key Topics Covered:

•What Bill C-11 and C-18 actually do (explained in plain language )

•Real-world impacts: Amber Alerts, news blackouts, and missed emergency information

•Why Meta walked away from Canada

•The compliance burden on small businesses and creators

•Government control over content discoverability

•How petition E6994 can trigger a parliamentary review

•Why this matters for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and everyday Canadians

#BillC11 #BillC18 #CanadianPolitics #FreedomOfSpeech #DigitalRights #DigitalPolicy #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #CdnPoli #TheWeirdCanadian

Support The Weird Canadian by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-weird-canadian

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We have more customer service technology than ever before—chatbots, AI assistants, and complex CRM systems. So why does it feel like customer experience is getting worse?

In this episode, I sit down with Abisola Fagbiye, a UK-based Customer Experience (CX) Strategist who has worked with organizations ranging from small startups to the United Nations. She argues that the obsession with technology is causing businesses to lose the one thing that truly matters: the human touch.

Abisola shares her revolutionary philosophy that customer experience is everyone’s job, not just a single department. We discuss why small businesses are uniquely positioned to win by leveraging empathy, building community, and “killing the script.”

If you’re a business owner feeling overwhelmed by the tech race, this conversation will give you a new perspective on how to build a loyal customer base and a brand that people trust.

Key Topics Covered:

•The real reason customer experience is broken.

•Why being a small business is your secret weapon.

•The power of “killing the script” and empowering your team.

•How to build trust, the true currency of the future.

•The role of AI in enhancing, not replacing, human connection.

Watch the full video interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uc6ievOxVU8

#CustomerExperience #Business #AI #CX #Entrepreneurship

Support The Weird Canadian by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-weird-canadian

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