Paper Napkin Wisdom - Podcast And Blog For Entrepreneurs, Leaders And Difference-makers

Some stories begin with a business plan. Others begin with a feeling — a deep, lived truth that travel isn't just about going somewhere, but about finally being somewhere without fear. That's the story behind Toto Tours. When founder Dan Ware launched the company in 1990, LGBTQ+ travelers faced a world far less welcoming than it is today. Travel was often an act of courage. Safety wasn't guaranteed. Connection wasn't a given. And yet Dan believed something radical: that the world belonged to everyone, and that queer people deserved to explore it without shrinking, hiding, or apologizing. That early mission — to create safe, joyful, life-changing journeys — set the foundation for one of the longest-running LGBTQ+ tour companies in the world. Today, that legacy is being carried forward by Dan Perry and Michael Serapiglia, two leaders who bring heart, artistry, and intentional strategy to the next era of Toto Tours. Michael's background alone is a reminder that great careers rarely follow straight lines. A Broad

There are times in life when wisdom doesn't show up quietly. It doesn't whisper. It doesn't tap you gently on the shoulder. Sometimes it arrives like a jolt — like your heart recognizing something before your brain can process it. That's how this episode began. If you've been following along, you know it's been a hard season in our home. Stacey's father — my father-in-law — has been moving through the final stages of his cancer journey. And while there is an entire conversation to be had about the health, the living, and the complexity of that experience… this message isn't about that part. This one is about emotion. The kind that sits heavy and deep. The kind that reshapes you quietly. It started with a simple clip of Steve Harvey telling a story about his dad. In it, he said something that froze me in place: "Your father is the only man who truly wants you to be better than him. The only one who can say 'I'm proud of you' without competition." And as he said it, he broke — emotionally — because when his fat

There's a moment in every entrepreneur's life when the universe stops whispering and starts shouting. A moment where the next level isn't waiting behind brilliance or luck or timing — it's sitting directly behind the one thing we don't want to do. For Noah Ellis, founder of Ofland and a hospitality leader who's spent his life building concepts, teams, and experiences, that moment became a clarity-inducing mantra so important that he didn't just write it down… he tattooed on his body: Do the thing. Noah's wisdom is the kind that doesn't land with theory — it lands with truth. It's lived. It's earned. It's carved out one uncomfortable step at a time. Over the past decade, he's discovered a pattern that every leader secretly recognizes: everything you want is on the other side of something you'd rather avoid. That avoidance isn't the same for all of us. For some, "the thing" is the grind — doing operations, building processes, cleaning up details no one applauds. For others, it's stepping into conversations, mak

Every so often, a line in a movie sneaks past your defenses and lands directly in the center of your chest. Not because it's poetic. Not because it's profound. But because it is absolutely, undeniably true. That's exactly what happened the first time I heard John Candy say three simple words in Planes, Trains and Automobiles: "I like me." If you know the scene, you can probably feel it already. Steve Martin's character lashes out, attacks Candy's character—Del Griffith—on every level: his personality, his quirks, his energy, the way he moves through the world. It's the kind of attack you can only deliver when you're stressed, frustrated, disconnected, and trying to control everything except your own emotional state. Candy doesn't fight back. He doesn't crumble. He doesn't apologize for existing. He just breathes, feels the sting, and answers: "I like me. My wife likes me. My customers like me. Because I'm the real deal." And in that moment… the entire movie shifts. But something inside us shifts too. Because

Entrepreneurs often try to win alone. We push, grind, and carry the weight of the business on our shoulders. But every once in a while, someone shows up with a piece of wisdom that reframes the entire game. In Episode 315 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Brandon Bagley brings that shift in the simplest and most powerful way possible: a blue-ink message on a napkin that reads "WE > ME — Stronger Together." Brandon is a leader who has built people-centered cultures for years, especially through his work with AlphaGraphics Chandler, where collaboration is not a slogan — it's a system. His background in athletics, leadership, and now the world of print, design, and communication has given him a front-row seat to how teams transform when the focus shifts from individual achievement to collective strength. The napkin he brought is not a clever motto. It's a lived belief. And in this conversation, Brandon walks us through what it looks like when leaders commit to building a culture where we really does matter more than me —

There's a phrase we've all inherited without ever asking whether it serves us: "I'll believe it when I see it." It sounds reasonable. It sounds mature. It sounds like the responsible stance of someone who has been around long enough to be cautious. But anyone who has ever built something meaningful — a business, a team, a movement, or even a new version of themselves — knows the truth beneath that old saying: "Seeing" has never created belief. Belief is what creates the ability to see. That's the heart of today's napkin thought: Believing Is Seeing. And if you let it in, this shift can alter the way you make decisions, lead others, spot opportunities, and move toward the version of your life you're meant to live. Most of us were trained to trust what is visible. Data. Proof. Safety. Certainty. Security. We internalized the idea that confidence comes after evidence. That clarity arrives before commitment. That movement follows permission. But growth — real growth — never begins outside of us. It begins in what

In this episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Govindh Jayaraman sits down with Shivani Dhamija, founder of Shivani's Kitchen — a culinary brand rooted in authentic Indian flavors and fueled by a passion for empowering others through food. From her humble beginnings selling spice blends and sauces at local markets in Nova Scotia to building a thriving food-manufacturing business, Shivani's journey is as flavorful as her recipes. At the heart of her success lies a simple napkin message: "Listening & learning." Two small words that capture a massive truth about leadership, growth, and entrepreneurship. The Power of "Listening & Learning" When Shivani first began sharing her spice blends, she wasn't just selling a product — she was listening to people's stories. Every market conversation, every customer review, every "you should try this" became a lesson. She explains that listening isn't passive; it's an act of connection. And learning isn't about knowing everything — it's about staying humble enough to realiz

Edge of the Napkin #11 There's a feeling that sweeps through every era of innovation — that electrifying sense of this is it. The next big wave. The one that's going to change everything. In this episode of Edge of the Napkin, Govindh Jayaraman dives into what happens when high-expectation innovation collides with reality — when the future we bet on becomes today's proving ground. The AI boom, once the unstoppable tide lifting every boat in sight, is now pulling back. Markets are correcting. The water is getting choppy. And what's being revealed isn't failure — it's truth. Because in every correction, there's clarity. And clarity always comes back to one simple principle: Build for value — not for the hype. When the Rising Tide Turns A rising tide, they say, lifts all boats. But when the tide goes out, you see who built on sand. For years, AI was the tide. Money poured in. Startups ballooned overnight. Everyone rebranded themselves with a shiny "AI-powered" tagline, believing that being in the space was enoug

Today on Paper Napkin Wisdom, we welcome Dr. Jenny Hoffmann, a leader in health-tech innovation who currently serves as Executive Director at the New England Medical Innovation Center (NEMIC). With a rich background in healthcare strategy and technology deployment, Jenny has spent her career bridging clinical insight with entrepreneurial energy, helping organizations turn innovative ideas into meaningful patient-outcomes. In this episode, we dive deep into how leaders can lean into vulnerability, curiosity, empathy and connection — the key themes captured on her paper napkin: "Open Up! Be vulnerable enough to lead with curiosity, empathy, and connection." Story & Insight: The Napkin Unpacked Jenny's succinct message on the napkin resonates like a simplified leadership creed: "Open Up!" At first glance it's an invitation — but as Jenny unpacks in the conversation, it becomes a framework for how you show up in leading others. Vulnerability Jenny opens by reflecting on the myth of the infallible leader. She

Make Believe: The Stories Entrepreneurs Tell Themselves (Edge of the Napkin #10) Every entrepreneur lives inside a story — the question is, who's writing yours? If you've ever had a morning where nothing goes right — you stub your toe, drop your keys, spill coffee on your white shirt before 8 a.m. — you know the script that starts to play in your mind: "It's gonna be one of those days." And somehow, it is. Everything that follows seems to prove the story true. But the opposite happens too. You walk out the door feeling light, confident, certain something good is about to happen. Suddenly, you find a forgotten twenty in your pocket, get the short line at security, and the world seems to smile back. The truth is: the world didn't change. Your story did. The Invisible Script of Entrepreneurship As entrepreneurs, we tell ourselves stories all day long. About clients. About employees. About the market. About ourselves. "That customer doesn't like me." "My team's not ready yet." "This quarter's going to be brutal."

When you meet Jon Rosemberg, you immediately sense two things — depth and discipline. He’s a behavioral scientist, author, and executive coach who has spent years exploring how we, as humans, can move beyond mere survival into a state of thriving. His work combines neuroscience, psychology, and lived experience, and it’s reflected powerfully in his new book, A Guide to Thriving: The Science Behind Breaking Old Patterns, Reclaiming Your Agency, and Finding Meaning.  On his paper napkin, Jon wrote just seven words: “Survival is instinct, thriving is a choice.”  At first glance, it seems like a motivational quote — something you’d find on a coffee mug or a gym wall. But when you listen to Jon unpack it, it becomes clear that this idea cuts much deeper. It’s not about positive thinking or grinding harder; it’s about reclaiming agency. It’s about recognizing that while your biology may be wired to survive, your mindset and daily choices are what allow you to thrive.    From the Instinct to the Intention 

In a world where volatility has become the norm — prices swing, markets shake, politics polarize, and technology rewrites the rules daily — one question stands out for leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone simply trying to navigate life:  How do we hedge against uncertainty?  Not with gold.  Not with cash. Not with control.  But with flexibility.  That’s the essence of this week’s Edge of the Napkin. On my napkin, a single word runs across the center: RISK. Below it — Rigidity → Fragility. Above it — Flexibility → Resilience.   And an arrow curves between them, reminding us that the difference between collapse and adaptation isn’t conditions — it’s behavior.    The Human Side of Risk  Everyone understands risk now. You can feel it at the grocery store, at the gas pump, in the way your phone updates its own intelligence while you sleep.  When life gets uncertain, our instinct is to tighten our grip — to control. But control is an illusion. The tighter we hold on, the more fragile we become. The

When Simone Kelly first began helping families navigate the complexities of senior care, she didn’t just build a company—she built a movement. As the founder and CEO of Seniornicity, Simone’s mission is rooted in empathy, connection, and empowerment. Her company bridges the gap between older adults, families, and trusted care providers, making it easier for people to age well, together.  But the napkin she brought to Paper Napkin Wisdom goes deeper than business strategy—it’s about protecting your passion and preserving your peace.  “Build a business that you love, but not your hobby. Because when you need to shut your brain off to your work, you won’t have your hobby to turn to.”  Simone’s insight is simple, but it carries the kind of wisdom that only comes from lived experience. Entrepreneurs often start businesses around something they’re passionate about. But as Simone points out, when that passion becomes your full-time pursuit, it can consume everything—including the joy it once brought you.  She shares

Sometimes, the smallest words hold the biggest weight. In this episode of Edge of the Napkin, Govindh Jayaraman dives deep into one of the most overused — and misunderstood — words in leadership: “How.”  We use it constantly. We think it’s helpful.  But as Govindh reveals, how can be both the key to progress — and the invisible wall that keeps us from growing.  We say things like:  “That’s not how it’s done.” “That’s not how we do things here.” “Let me show you how I want that done.” “We tried that how before — it didn’t work.”  Every one of those sentences feels logical on the surface… but underneath, each one tightens the box around creativity, ownership, and freedom.  That’s the danger of the old how — it limits. And that’s the invitation of the future how — it liberates.    The Freedom of How  The napkin for this episode says it all. Two circles.  On the left, Old How — arrows pointing inward, closing in, trapping ideas. On the right, Future How — arrows bursting outward, full of energy,

When you meet Nancy Johnston, you can immediately sense the combination of depth and purpose behind everything she touches. She’s the founder and CEO of Truuce, a company built around reimagining human connection, well-being, and design in the modern world. Her leadership bridges the emotional and the practical — weaving care, creativity, and clarity into every solution she creates.  In this episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Nancy shares a simple but transformative philosophy written on her napkin:  “Solve a real problem. Make it beautiful. Care like hell.”  It’s a mantra that feels like the soul of great leadership — and as our conversation unfolded, it became clear that each line represents a pillar for building something that truly matters.  Solve a Real Problem  Nancy begins with a truth that too many entrepreneurs overlook: success starts with serving, not selling. “If you’re not solving something real,” she says, “you’re just creating noise.”  Her journey with Truuce began by observing what people tru

When you meet Dr. Malik Muhammad, you immediately feel the depth of his compassion paired with the weight of his conviction. He has built a global reputation for helping communities, leaders, and organizations transform through a unique blend of restorative practices, social-emotional learning, and courageous conversations. Dr. Muhammad is the founder of Transforming Lives Inc. and also works closely with Akoben LLC, both of which are devoted to empowering leaders and communities through equity, restorative leadership, and personal transformation.  In this episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Dr. Malik shares a deceptively simple yet profoundly powerful formula scribbled on his napkin:  Connection + Challenge = Change  It’s the kind of wisdom that takes a lifetime of practice and reflection to fully appreciate. As our conversation unfolded, it became clear that this formula is not just a leadership principle — it’s a human one.    Why Connection First?  Dr. Malik explains that transformation cannot ha

Somewhere in the middle of a weekly call with fellow entrepreneurs, the conversation unexpectedly turned to Valentine’s Day. Instead of the usual talk about scaling, strategy, and execution, we found ourselves reflecting on love, relationships, and why so many of us don’t really celebrate the Hallmark version of Valentine’s Day.  That sparked a memory for me. Years ago, my daughter asked why our family didn’t go all-in on Valentine’s Day. Yes, my wife does something sweet for the kids—a little basket of goodies—but when it comes to the roses, chocolates, and candlelit dinners, we don’t do it.  I told her: I don’t need to Hallmark Moments.  I don’t need a card company to tell me when to celebrate the people I love. I don’t need a calendar to dictate when to tell my wife she’s special, or when to tell my daughter I’m proud of her, or when to acknowledge the people who matter to me.    Beyond Hallmark: The Principle  Here’s what I told my daughter that day: there’s no limit on the number of times I

In this second half of our powerful conversation with Chris Thomson, we dive deeper into the mindset, discipline, and leadership lessons that have guided him through decades of transforming students into high-performing entrepreneurs. Chris is the Head Coach of the Student Works Management Program, a business that has trained thousands of young leaders across Canada. His story is one of building people, systems, and a culture that thrives on ownership and accountability.  His wife, Helen Thomson, is his business partner and CEO of the Student Works Management Program and together they are among the most dynamic pairs of entrepreneurs in the country. Their program has likely help forge more Canadian entrepreneurs than any other program.   He is also the host of the very popular Leaders of Tomorrow podcast where he features young and dedicated entrepreneurs on their journey to forge their own path in the world.  Chris’ napkin for this episode reminds us that leadership is not about the title or the authority

Introduction  In this very personal and powerful episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, I sit down with one of my oldest friends, Chris Thomson, Head Coach of the . Chris has spent decades shaping young leaders, building more entrepreneurs in Canada than perhaps anyone else. His story has always been one of creating opportunity and pushing boundaries—but today, his napkin is not about business.  His wife, Helen Thomson, is his business partner and CEO of the Student Works Management Program and together they are among the most dynamic pairs of entrepreneurs in the country. Their program has likely help forge more Canadian entrepreneurs than any other program.   He is also the host of the very popular Leaders of Tomorrow podcast where he features young and dedicated entrepreneurs on their journey to forge their own path in the world.  Chris brings forward a message that is raw, human, and deeply resonant: “Cancer is a journey.” After being diagnosed three years ago, Chris has learned to see this experience no

Episode 300 is a milestone — and fittingly, it circles back to the single most important lesson Govindh Jayaraman has learned over the past decade. This Edge of the Napkin moment distills years of hard-earned wisdom into a deceptively simple sketch: a mountain path labeled Focus, Align, Act.  At first glance, it looks like a winding road up a peak. But listen closely and you’ll hear it’s really a life framework. This napkin isn’t about theory — it’s about how Govindh has lived, stumbled, re-centered, and climbed.  Focus: See It Clearly  The summit begins with clarity. As Govindh recalls sitting at breakfast with his wife Stacey and Sam Horn in Athens back in 2014, he realized the trap of drifting without a sharp lens. Focus means naming the mountain you’re climbing — not “a mountain,” but your mountain.  When you see it clearly, distractions fall away. The right actions and right people come into view. Without this clarity, every detour feels like progress but takes you off-course.  Align: Re-Cente