Blog

When Simone Kelly founded Seniornicity, she set out to do more than create a business—she sparked a movement rooted in empathy, connection, and empowerment. Her mission bridges the gap between older adults, families, and care providers, making it easier for people to navigate senior care and age well, together.

In The Freedom of How, Govindh Jayaraman explores why one small word — how — can be both the key to growth and the wall that holds us back. True leadership, he says, lies in creating clarity so teams can discover their own way forward. The shift from the Old How to the Future How is the bridge from control to trust — and from repetition to innovation.

In Episode 305 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Nancy Johnston, CEO of Truuce, shares her three-line philosophy for meaningful leadership: 📝 “Solve a real problem. Make it beautiful. Care like hell.” A reminder that purpose, empathy, and design aren’t separate — they’re how great leaders build what lasts. #PaperNapkinWisdom #Leadership #Truuce

When connection meets challenge, transformation happens. In this episode of *Paper Napkin Wisdom*, Dr. Malik Muhammad shares his simple yet powerful formula — **Connection + Challenge = Change** — and explores how true leadership begins with empathy, courage, and co-creation.

We don’t need Hallmark Moments to celebrate love or leadership. Don’t wait for a date on the calendar to say thank you, to appreciate someone, or to show up for the people who matter. Presence is the real gift. Don’t wait. Don’t save it. Say it now. #PaperNapkinWisdom

In this second half of our conversation with Chris Thomson, Head Coach of the Student Works Management Program, we dive into the discipline, mindset, and leadership lessons that have shaped thousands of young entrepreneurs across Canada. Chris reminds us that leadership isn’t a title—it’s a daily choice to embrace growth, accountability, and consistency.

In this powerful Paper Napkin Wisdom episode, Chris Thomson—entrepreneur, coach, and host of Leaders of Tomorrow—shares the raw and deeply human lesson from his napkin: “Cancer is a journey.” After three years with cancer, Chris reflects on vulnerability, gratitude, and legacy, offering wisdom that will reshape how you see your own challenges. This is part one of a two-part conversation you won’t forget.

Episode 300 of Paper Napkin Wisdom marks a milestone with Govindh Jayaraman’s most important lesson: Focus–Align–Act. A simple napkin sketch of a mountain path becomes a life framework—see your mountain clearly, re-center daily, and take all-in action. Success isn’t a straight line, it’s a climb. What mountain are you climbing right now?

Kevin Barnicle’s napkin is simple: “Look at what everyone else is doing, and do the opposite.” From leaving corporate life to growing and selling his own company, Kevin has shown how contrarian thinking sparks innovation, resilience, and lasting impact. Episode 299 is a masterclass in risk, leadership, and daring to stand apart.

In this episode, Juan DeAngulo shares his napkin: “I am true to myself and I release the outcome.” He talks about scaling billion-dollar platforms, battling anxiety, and learning that real leadership comes from authenticity, presence, and human connection—freedom begins when we let go.

This week’s napkin draws a hard line: Growth or Comfort … Pick One. Comfort feels safe, but it keeps us stuck. Growth stretches us, demands friction, and challenges our preferences. Leaders must notice the trap, separate values from tastes, and invite dissent. Comfort preserves the present. Growth creates the future. Where are you choosing the armchair when you should be climbing the ladder?

Every once in a while, a Paper Napkin Wisdom napkin makes you laugh, think, and stay with you. Episode 296 with Jimmy Park is one of those. Recorded in 2017 but unreleased until now, it feels fitting to share as we near our 300th milestone. Jimmy’s message is timeless, practical, and more relevant than ever.

Episode 295 of Paper Napkin Wisdom brings back a 2017 conversation with Adam Hudson, entrepreneur and founder of Unemployable. His napkin reframes entrepreneurship: business is not the goal, but the tool for freedom, impact, and alignment with personal values. Adam warns against the busyness trap, urges simplicity, and insists value creation must come first. In 2025, his timeless wisdom is a reminder—true ROI isn’t revenue, it’s freedom.

Steven Rothberg, Founder of College Recruiter, distills decades of experience into one deceptively simple truth: “If a customer wants to give you more money, find a way of making that happen.” His wisdom isn’t just about sales—it’s about curiosity, listening, and building win-win partnerships. Growth often comes not from what we plan to sell, but from what customers are ready to buy.

Partnership isn’t just about co-founders or teammates—the most important one is with yourself. In Episode 292 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Govindh explores the conscious–unconscious relationship and why treating your inner mind as an equal partner unlocks flow, alignment, and leadership. The napkin asks: “Who’s the best partner you ever had?” The secret: it’s you.

On Paper Napkin Wisdom, Jennifer McKenna shares her *Prosperity Formula*: **Familiar → Faith → Fulfillment**. She explains that while the Familiar feels safe, it often traps us in comfort and stalls growth. The breakthrough comes with Faith — intentional trust in yourself and the process — which bridges the gap to Fulfillment, where success is measured in joy, purpose, and alignment. Prosperity, she reminds us, isn’t accidental; it’s a courageous choice to move forward.

In Episode 290 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Andrew Safnauer shares his guiding principle: *“Find your way over the wall.”* For Andrew, walls aren’t barriers — they’re opportunities to problem-solve with resilience and creativity. He reminds us that persistence, adaptability, and leadership are built through obstacles, not in their absence. Challenges don’t signal the end; they invite us to climb, reroute, or redefine the path forward.

In Episode 289 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Govindh Jayaraman explores The Edge of the Napkin—the tension between friction and flow. Friction signals growth, while flow emerges from alignment. The napkin illustrates two creative modes: Spark (inspiration) and Build (execution). Mastery comes from knowing which mode you’re in—and when to switch. Are you in Spark mode or Build mode today?

In Episode 286 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, host Govindh Jayaraman reflects on the journey so far and introduces “The Edge of the Napkin” — the space where wisdom meets action. The napkin has always captured powerful, simple ideas; now it’s about living them out, testing, and expanding them. This evolution takes Paper Napkin Wisdom from spark to execution, building clarity, community, and courage for leaders and entrepreneurs.

Episode 285 of Paper Napkin Wisdom features Kendra MacDonald, CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, who shares a powerful lesson: *“Make sure your career is 25 years, not 1 year 25 times. What will you learn this year?”* Her insight reframes success—not as time served, but as intentional growth, learning, and change. Each year should bring new skills and perspectives, ensuring careers evolve instead of repeat. #PaperNapkinWisdom