Coffee With Convery

Welcome back to Coffee with Convery, where we caffeinate your curiosity with bold stories, actionable insights, and fresh takes on how we define and design success. Today’s guest Aidan Brannigan is not your typical founder, not your typical marketer, and definitely not your typical career story. He is the creative force behind No Boring Brands, the agency making memes and skits forsome of the biggest B2B brands in the world, generating over 1 million organic views a day! Aidan has built a career that mixes comedy, content, and a little bit of chaos. He’s spoken at SXSW about memes, helped grow The Marketing Millennials to a million-plus followers, run campaigns for brands like Palo Alto Networks,ClickUp, Semrush, and even Gillette—and somewhere along the way, he lost $500k in crypto, lost a spam-eating contest to Joey Chestnut in front of 14,000 people, and got doxxed for launching a fake software called LayoffBot that actually turned into a lead magnet. But here’s the kicker—Aidan’s story is one of making your own lane. He’s proof that you don’t have to wait for the perfect job posting, the perfect timing, or the perfect title to make a name for yourself. Whether you’re a student, a newgrad, or a job seeker wondering how to stand out, this episode is packed with lessons on creativity, resilience, and building a career that doesn’t just pay the bills—but gets people talking.

Welcome back to Coffee with Convery, where wecaffeinate your curiosity with bold stories, actionable insights, and fresh takes on how we define and design success.Today’s guest is known as The Food Professor — aglobal authority on food distribution, policy, and supply chains. Please welcome Dr. Sylvain Charlebois Senior Director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, professor, award-winning researcher, and trusted voice in thefuture of food systems.For over nine years, Sylvain has been advancing foodtraceability, security, and sustainability through research that doesn’t just stay in the lab — it influences policy, empowers industry, and helps consumers make better choices. He’s been recognized with international awards, advised oncritical challenges in food systems, and continues to mentor the next generation of leaders in the food and agriculture sectors.Whether you’re a student wondering where food innovationcareers are headed, a professional curious about how analytics and policy shape what ends up on our plates, or just someone fascinated by the future of food, this episode has something for you.

Welcome back to Coffee with Convery, where wecaffeinate your curiosity with bold stories, actionable insights, and fresh takes on how we define and design success.Today’s guest is a dynamic legal mind, mentor, andaward-winning thought leader in appellate and judicial review litigation. Please welcome Marco Falco — Partner at Torkin Manes LLP, distinguished University of Toronto alumnus, and champion for diversity and mentorship in thelegal field.Marco is more than a lawyer — he’s a storyteller whotranslates complex legal battles into compelling narratives that resonate inside and outside the courtroom. As Chief Editor of Torkin Manes LegalWatch, his insights have shaped conversations on civil and appellate litigation nationwide. Recognized as a Lexology Legal Influencer multiple times and winner of the Mondaq Thought Leadership Award in Public Law, Marco’s influence extends far beyond his cases.Equally important is his dedication to the next generation. Through his mentorship roles at the University of Toronto and his leadership in diversity and inclusion initiatives, he is opening doors for students, emerging professionals, and underrepresented voices in law to thrive.Whether you’re a student exploring law, a young professional navigating your early career, or someone curious about the impact of appellate advocacy, this conversation promises to inspire and inform.

Welcome back to Coffee with Convery, where wecaffeinate your curiosity with bold stories, actionable insights, and fresh takes on how we define and design success.Today’s guest is a talent acquisition powerhouse, diversitychampion, and connector of people and possibilities. Please welcome Jessie Penman—Talent Acquisition Advisor at BDC, passionate advocate for inclusive hiring, and living proof that empathy can be a competitive advantage.Jessie doesn’t just fill roles—she builds futures. With acareer spanning financial services, business development, and recruitment at some of Canada’s most recognized organizations, Jessie has made it her mission to create safe spaces where every candidate feels valued, respected, and free from judgment. And as someone living with an invisible physical disability, she brings a personal perspective to breaking down barriers and driving change.If you’ve ever wondered how empathy, transparency, and asharp eye for talent can transform careers and companies—this episode is for you.

Hey everyone! Welcome back to Coffee with Convery—your go-to podcast for real talk, bold ideas, and human-first career stories that inspire the next generation of talent.Today’s episode is going to blow your mind—literally. Joining me is someone who’s made it his mission to help people understand how we think, how we decide, and how we unlearn bias in the workplace and beyond. He’s a social scientist, a trainer, a speaker, a former EMT, and an all-around force for good. He’s facilitated workshops for over 60,000 people around the globe, hosted one of the most thought-provoking radio shows on work culture,and is currently studying Cognitive Neuroscience at George Mason University—all while leading Electric Cow, his company that delivers science-backed workshops to make workplaces more inclusive, equitable, and psychologically safe. But before all that, before the research, the radio waves, and the radical change work—he and I actually walked the same halls at the University of Hartford. So this conversation is not just exciting for me as a host, but personal.

Welcome back to Coffee with Convery, where we caffeinate your curiosity with bold stories, actionable insights, and fresh takes on how we define and design success.Today’s guest is an international business strategist, persuasion expert, and brain science trailblazer. Please welcome Dr. Thomas Trautmann—founder of HappyBrains, certified business coach, and creator of the “Make Me Great” system.Thomas doesn’t just help companies sell more—he helps leaders connect at the deepest, most decision-driven levels. Whether he’s guiding executives with his EthicalPersuader System or helping couples through his NeuroCouple method, Thomas proves one thing: when you speak the brain’s language, you unlock real, lastingimpact.If you’ve ever wondered how neuroscience can improve your relationships, your brand, and your bottom line—this episode is for you.

Welcome back to another caffeinated convo on Coffee withConvery, where career clarity meets personal purpose—and success isn’t just defined by titles, but by trailblazing, tinkering, and tenacity.Today, we’re about to pour a double shot of inspirationwith someone who is part strategist, part disruptor, and ALL in on helping diverse voices get funded, seen, and heard. Meet Laura Scarlett Martin—Top 0.1% LinkedIn Influencer, Venture Partner, Fractional CMO, Global Finance ThoughtLeader, and yes… stand-up comic. She’s coached hundreds of founders, scaled startups from sketchpad to seed round, and is on a mission to make VC more inclusive and tech more human.From boardrooms to the comedy stage, Laura is redefiningwhat leadership looks like—and helping Gen Z and Millennial dreamers define their own version of success in work and life.Whether you’re a student founder, a tech-savvy creative,or someone still figuring it all out, this episode is for you.

Welcome back to Coffee with Convery, where we explore the journeys of students, professionals, and changemakers navigating life, learning, and leadership. Each episode brings you a new perspective, a new voice, and a new story that just might shift your own path forward.Today’s guest is someone whose energy, authenticity, and leadership shine through in everything she does. I’m thrilled to welcome Bianca Barrager, a bright and inspiring student leader currently attending Elon University in North Carolina.Bianca’s journey takes us from her hometown roots in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to the vibrant community at Elon—where she’s not just adjusting to university life, but actively shaping it. Whether she’s advocating for others, stepping up in leadership roles, or simply being a source of encouragement to her peers, Bianca is already leaving a mark and paving her own purposeful path. Her story is one of heart, resilience, and bold ambition—especially as a young woman finding her voice and using it to uplift others.Bianca shares everything from her high school-to-university transition, to what leadership and identity mean to her, and the advice she has for students who are still figuring it all out.

Welcome back to another episode of Coffee with Convery — where we bring you conversations with trailblazers shaping the future of work, education, and leadership.  Today, I’m thrilled to welcome someone whose name is synonymous with impact in the cybersecurity world - Heather Ricciuto. With over 35 years at IBM, Heather is not only a seasonedtechnology and project management expert but also a tireless advocate for closing the cybersecurity gender gap. She’s the force behind the global CyberDay4Girls program, has led IBM’s Women in Security Excelling group, andwas named one of Canada’s Top 20 Women in Cybersecurity. From classrooms to boardrooms, from mentoring future leaders to transforming global cybersecurity outreach - Heather is a powerhouse of passion, purpose, and progress.

Welcome to Coffee with Convery, where we dive into inspiring stories, uncover life-changing strategies, and explore how individuals define and achieve their own success.Today, I’m pumped to introduce someone who truly lives and breathes entrepreneurship, leadership, and growth—Max Notis. Max is the Founder and President of CoMission, a company he built to transform how sales teams perform and grow. With years of experience in sales leadership, Max has coached high-performing teams, written winning playbooks, and now helps companies unlock sustainable revenue with scalable strategies. Max knows what it takes to close deals—but more importantly, he knows how to build people and culturesthat thrive. So whether you’re a student just starting out, someone in your first big job, or you’ve been thinking about making a bold move in your career—Max’s journey has gems for you.