High Agency Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Moninder Singh, a Canadian-born Sikh activist who has spent his life operating at the intersection of leadership, risk, and conscience. From growing up in a small town in British Columbia shaped by both community and racism, to becoming a global voice for Sikh human rights, Moninder reflects on the experiences that forged his sense of justice and moral clarity. As the director of Sikh Federation Canada, he shares what it means to balance an executive career with unapologetic activism, even in the face of credible assassination threats from a foreign government. This is a grounded conversation about courage, identity, and choosing principle when silence is safer, exploring diaspora politics, transnational repression, and why ethical leadership demands action, regardless of the cost. Featuring Moninder SinghDirectorSikh Federation Canada Moninder Singh is a seasoned health and safety leader. He holds a Master of Arts in Leadership Studies from the University of Guelph's Lang School of Business and Economics and an Associate's Degree in Occupational Health & Safety from BCIT. Specializing in workplace safety, conflict resolution, and disability management, he champions organizational culture as the cornerstone of effective wellness strategies. A lifelong Sikh activist, Moninder serves as Director of Sikh Federation Canada, advocating for Sikh rights, justice, and self-determination.  Hosted byMo DhaliwalCEOSkyrocket Digital Software engineer turned marketer, Mo is an entrepreneur, cultural curator and technologist. In his role as founder and CEO of Skyrocket Digital, he helps clients with business, brand and technology to launch new ideas and grow their businesses.  — High Agency: Conversations that Drive Growth and Transformation⁠ Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/highagencypodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/high-agency-podX: https://x.com/highagencypodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@highagencypod — Presented by Skyrocket Digital Skyrocket is the digital agency for ambitious leaders. Our capabilities empower business and marketing leaders with the confidence to launch new initiatives, grow their brands, and undergo the transformation necessary to achieve breakthrough results.

In this episode of High Agency, we sit down with Amanda Burrows, Executive Director of First United Church Community Ministry Society and a leader working at the intersection of culture, care, and civic power. From her early work in arts and philanthropy to leading one of Vancouver’s oldest frontline institutions, Amanda offers a rare perspective on what happens when fundraising galas meet overdose response, and when culture is treated not as a luxury, but as infrastructure. We explore dignity as a non-negotiable, the difference between placemaking and placekeeping, and what it means to design systems that give communities real power—not just a seat at the table. A wide-ranging conversation on leadership, accountability, and why the future of cities depends on how we care for the people most impacted by our decisions. FeaturingAmanda BurrowsExecutive DirectorFirst United Amanda Burrows, MA CFRE, is the Executive Director of First United in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, bringing over 15 years of non-profit experience to her role. With credentials from Harvard Kennedy School, the University of Toronto, and the University of Victoria, she specializes in capacity building and creating equitable communities. Amanda co-created DTES Response during the COVID-19 pandemic and serves on the Vancouver Opera Board of Directors and the Ken Lyotier Fund Advisory Committee. Her career includes leadership positions at NYU Langone Medical Center and Asia Society, reflecting her dedication to dignity, belonging, and justice. Hosted byMo DhaliwalCEOSkyrocket Digital Software engineer turned marketer, Mo is an entrepreneur, cultural curator and technologist. In his role as founder and CEO of Skyrocket Digital, he helps clients with business, brand and technology to launch new ideas and grow their businesses. —High Agency: Conversations that Drive Growth and Transformation⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highagencypodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/high-agency-pod/X: https://x.com/highagencypodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@highagencypod—Presented by Skyrocket DigitalSkyrocket is the digital agency for ambitious leaders. Our capabilities empower business and marketing leaders with the confidence to launch new initiatives, grow their brands, and undergo the transformation necessary to achieve breakthrough results.

In this episode of High Agency, we sit down with Prabh Heer, COO of Mobio Brands, an operator who’s helped scale service businesses in some of the most unforgiving, low-margin environments. From his evolution as an individual contributor to a builder of systems, teams, and communities, Prabh shares how operational discipline, humility, and relentless curiosity became his competitive edge. A candid conversation on ego death, franchise thinking, and why real leadership isn’t about control, but about designing environments where people, and businesses, can compound. FeaturingPrabh HeerChief Operating Officer Mobio Brands Prabh directs day-to-day operations across Mobio's brand companies, ensuring consistent standards, operational efficiency, and superior customer experiences. His expertise in business coaching and leadership development has been instrumental in optimizing operations and supporting franchise growth. Prabh's strategic vision continues to enhance value across the organization while driving sustainable business success. Hosted byMo DhaliwalCEOSkyrocket DigitalSoftware engineer turned marketer, Mo is an entrepreneur, cultural curator and technologist. In his role as founder and CEO of Skyrocket Digital, he helps clients with business, brand and technology to launch new ideas and grow their businesses. —High Agency: Conversations that Drive Growth and Transformation⁠Instagram:/ highagencypod  LinkedIn:   / high-agency-pod  X: https://x.com/highagencypodTikTok:  / highagencypod  —Presented by Skyrocket DigitalSkyrocket is the digital agency for ambitious leaders. Our capabilities empower business and marketing leaders with the confidence to launch new initiatives, grow their brands, and undergo the transformation necessary to achieve breakthrough results.

In this episode of High Agency, we sit down with Frank Palmer, the legendary Canadian ad man who reshaped the country’s creative landscape. From his humble beginnings in Vancouver to building Palmer Jarvis into Canada’s most creatively acclaimed agency, Frank’s 50-year career is a masterclass in vision, grit, and unapologetic originality. As the architect behind the merger that formed DDB Canada, he transformed a local shop into a national creative powerhouse known for the country’s most talked-about and award-winning campaigns. FeaturingFrank PalmerFormer CEODDB Canada  Frank Palmer is a legendary Canadian advertising pioneer with over 50 years of experience in the industry. He built Palmer Jarvis, Canada's most creatively acclaimed marketing communications agency. As the architect behind the merger with DDB Worldwide, Frank established DDB Canada, creating a powerhouse network renowned for producing the country's most talked-about and award-winning campaigns. A visionary leader who transformed Canadian advertising, Frank continues to shape the industry through innovative brand strategies and his unwavering commitment to creative excellence. Hosted byMo DhaliwalCEOSkyrocket Digital Software engineer turned marketer, Mo is an entrepreneur, cultural curator and technologist. In his role as founder and CEO of Skyrocket Digital, he helps clients with business, brand and technology to launch new ideas and grow their businesses. —High Agency: Conversations that Drive Growth and Transformation⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highagencypodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/high-agency-pod/X: https://x.com/highagencypodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@highagencypod—Presented by Skyrocket Digital Skyrocket is the digital agency for ambitious leaders. Our capabilities empower business and marketing leaders with the confidence to launch new initiatives, grow their brands, and undergo the transformation necessary to achieve breakthrough results.

In this episode of High Agency, we sit down with Ngaio Davis, founder of KORU Cremation, whose Māori heritage and unconventional path from carpenter to funeral director are reshaping modern deathcare. Ngaio brings compassion, cultural wisdom, and environmental intention to an industry long dominated by sterile convention. We explore natural deathcare, green burial, and the transformative power of facing mortality with clarity, community, and courage. FeaturingNgaio DavisFounderKORU Cremations  Ngaio Davis is the founder and principal owner of KORU Cremation, a pioneering deathcare practice transforming end-of-life services. Drawing from her Māori heritage and unconventional background as a red seal carpenter, Ngaio has brought authenticity and innovation to the deathcare industry. After years in corporate funeral services, Ngaio established KORU to foster meaningful conversations around death and dying. Her practice combines traditional wisdom with modern approaches, offering compassionate, personalized ceremonies that honour life's final transition. She champions courageous dialogue about mortality while creating space for healing and connection. Hosted byMo DhaliwalCEOSkyrocket Digital Software engineer turned marketer, Mo is an entrepreneur, cultural curator and technologist. In his role as founder and CEO of Skyrocket Digital, he helps clients with business, brand and technology to launch new ideas and grow their businesses. —High Agency: Conversations that Drive Growth and Transformation⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highagencypod LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/high-agency-pod/ X: https://x.com/highagencypod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@highagencypod—Presented by Skyrocket Digital Skyrocket is the digital agency for ambitious leaders. Our capabilities empower business and marketing leaders with the confidence to launch new initiatives, grow their brands, and undergo the transformation necessary to achieve breakthrough results.

In this episode of High Agency, we sit down with Chris Neumann, a four-time founder, investor, and global startup mentor, to explore how venture capital is being reshaped from the inside out. After building and selling both venture-backed and bootstrapped companies, Chris transitioned into investing, bringing with him the perspective of someone who has coded into the night, battled runway anxiety, and carried the weight of payroll on his shoulders. That founder-first lens has given him a unique view on what’s broken in startup funding and what’s possible when investors have lived the founder reality. In this conversation, we dig into the shifting VC landscape post-2021, the myth of Silicon Valley gatekeeping, and why knowledge, not just capital, remains the most valuable currency in entrepreneurship. FeaturingChris NeumannFounder and Venture Capitalist  Chris Neumann is a seasoned venture capitalist and four-time founder who brings a unique multi-dimensional perspective to the startup ecosystem. Having successfully built and sold venture-backed and bootstrapped companies, he leverages his hands-on experience in coding, product development, and delivering returns, to guide entrepreneurs globally. Chris has partnered with founders across Silicon Valley and more than 20 countries, championing accessible venture capital knowledge. He's dedicated to demystifying the VC landscape, helping founders worldwide navigate fundraising challenges while building successful companies, regardless of where they're located. Hosted byMo DhaliwalCEOSkyrocket Digital Software engineer turned marketer, Mo is an entrepreneur, cultural curator and technologist. In his role as founder and CEO of Skyrocket Digital, he helps clients with business, brand and technology to launch new ideas and grow their businesses. — High Agency: Conversations that Drive Growth and Transformation⁠ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highagencypodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/high-agency-pod/X: https://x.com/highagencypodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@highagencypod — Presented by Skyrocket Digital Skyrocket is the digital agency for ambitious leaders. Our capabilities empower business and marketing leaders with the confidence to launch new initiatives, grow their brands, and undergo the transformation necessary to achieve breakthrough results.

In this episode of High Agency, we sit down with Shawn Johnston, founder of Forge & Smith and Refoundry, to talk about how neurodivergence can become a superpower in leadership and entrepreneurship. After 13 years running Forge & Smith, Shawn learned the hard way that burning out developers and perpetuating broken processes wasn't sustainable. But the real breakthrough came when he understood why. Uncovering his ADHD and autism diagnoses revealed patterns that had shaped his entire career. In this episode we get into the messy reality of building a business while navigating sensory overload, alexithymia (the inability to identify emotions in real time), and what Shawn calls "high masking," which is the exhausting art of creating personas just to survive. This conversation challenges the corporate culture rooted in what Shawn calls "colonial patriarchal mindsets" and shows why psychological safety isn't just a nice-to-have; it's the foundation of effective teams. If you've ever felt like the world wasn't built for how your brain works, this episode will resonate deeply. FeaturingShawn JohnstonFounderForge & Smith and Refoundry Shawn Johnston is the Founder of Refoundry, a revolutionary low-code site builder for WordPress agencies. After 13+ years running Forge and Smith, he transformed hard-won lessons about burnout and broken processes into a game-changing solution. His platform empowers agencies to cut build times by up to 70% while maintaining quality. As a neurodivergent entrepreneur, Shawn champions systems that eliminate bottlenecks and chaos, helping creative teams scale sustainably. He's passionate about revolutionizing how agencies deliver web projects without burning out developers or compromising client expectations. Hosted byMo DhaliwalCEOSkyrocket Digital Software engineer turned marketer, Mo is an entrepreneur, cultural curator and technologist. In his role as founder and CEO of Skyrocket Digital, he helps clients with business, brand and technology to launch new ideas and grow their businesses. — High Agency: Conversations that Drive Growth and Transformation⁠ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highagencypodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/high-agency-pod/X: https://x.com/highagencypodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@highagencypod —Presented by Skyrocket Digital Skyrocket is the digital agency for ambitious leaders. Our capabilities empower business and marketing leaders with the confidence to launch new initiatives, grow their brands, and undergo the transformation necessary to achieve breakthrough results.

In this episode of High Agency, we sit down with Harv Nagra, Head of Brand Comms at Scoro and host of The Handbook Operations podcast, to learn how the right systems can transform agency chaos into strategic advantage. From growing up in Vancouver's Maple Ridge to spending 13 years leading operations in London's agency world, Harv reveals why business maturity has nothing to do with years in business or revenue and everything to do with how you actually run. We get into the painful reality of agencies drowning in distractions, managing work across messy spreadsheets, and why creative teams often resist the very processes that could save them. Harv shares his lessons about implementing change when everyone's dug in and how the trillion-dollar advertising industry is still struggling to measure what actually matters. This conversation challenges the myth that process kills creativity and shows what it really takes to build agencies that don't just survive, but thrive. FeaturingHarv NagraHead of Brand CommsScoro Harv Nagra is Head of Brand at Scoro, the work management platform, where he combines his extensive operations expertise with strategic storytelling. Previously Group Operations Director at a pan-European marketing consultancy, he brings structure and clarity to scaling businesses. A Vancouver native now based in London, Harv hosts The Handbook: The Operations Podcast, interviewing industry leaders about business maturity and sustainable growth. His mission is transforming operations from support function to strategic advantage, helping creative and professional services businesses achieve operational excellence through innovative frameworks and authentic brand narratives. Hosted byMo DhaliwalCEOSkyrocket Digital Software engineer turned marketer, Mo is an entrepreneur, cultural curator and technologist. In his role as founder and CEO of Skyrocket Digital, he helps clients with business, brand and technology to launch new ideas and grow their businesses. — High Agency: Conversations that Drive Growth and Transformation⁠ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highagencypodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/high-agency-pod/X: https://x.com/highagencypodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@highagencypod—Presented by Skyrocket DigitalSkyrocket is the digital agency for ambitious leaders. Our capabilities empower business and marketing leaders with the confidence to launch new initiatives, grow their brands, and undergo the transformation necessary to achieve breakthrough results.

Featuring Jay Giraud Co-founder, Damon MotorcyclesIn this episode of High Agency, we sit down with serial entrepreneur and inventor Jay Giraud to trace a journey that spans from dropping out of high school and chasing dreams as a pro snowboarder, to raising nearly $200 million and taking companies public. Jay is best known as the co-founder of Damon Motorcycles, but his story is about much more than building revolutionary electric bikes. It’s about how failure, injury, and near-bankruptcy shaped his resilience; why most startups collapse by solving the wrong problem; and what it takes to spot opportunity where others only see obstacles. Jay’s path defies convention and reveals what it really means to live with high agency.⁠⁠https://www.jaygiraud.ca/⁠⁠ Hosted by Mo DhaliwalCEO Skyrocket Digital Software engineer turned marketer, Mo is an entrepreneur, cultural curator and technologist. In his role as founder and CEO of Skyrocket Digital, he helps clients with business, brand and technology to launch new ideas and grow their businesses. — High Agency: Conversations that Drive Growth and Transformation⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/highagencypod⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/high-agency-pod/⁠⁠X: ⁠⁠https://x.com/highagencypod⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@highagencypod⁠⁠ — Presented by Skyrocket Digital ⁠https://skyrockdigital.com/⁠⁠Skyrocket is the digital agency for ambitious leaders. Our capabilities empower business and marketing leaders with the confidence to launch new initiatives, grow their brands, and undergo the transformation necessary to achieve breakthrough results.

Tanis Jorge, a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of the billion-dollar identity verification company Trulioo, shares her insights on what makes co-founder relationships thrive. She discusses the importance of navigating conflicts with intention and trust, balancing ambitious pursuits with family life, and the dynamic roles within co-founding teams. Tanis emphasizes the need for open communication and vulnerability, drawing from her experiences to illustrate how effective partnerships can lead to sustainable success in the tech startup landscape.