The Founder Mindset Podcast

Host Leah Sarich, a veteran broadcaster, talks to founders across Canada asking them, "Why would you do this?" Hear authentic conversations about the human experience of being an entrepreneur.

Season 3 is brought to you by ATB with support from API, Artemis, and the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund.

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September 30, 2025

S03|02: Reimagining Healthcare Access: Joella Almeida’s Vision for Pharmacy-Led Clinics

Joella Almeida, Co-Founder and CEO of MedEssist, shares how she’s redefining pharmacy care by turning community pharmacies into pharmacist-led clinics. From startup scrappiness to life-saving innovation, this conversation is a deep dive into meaningful impact, Founder resilience, and healthcare transformation.

September 16, 2025

S03|01: 15 Hours to 15 Seconds: Transforming Tax Research with Benjamin Alarie

In this episode, we talk with Benjamin Alarie, Co-Founder and CEO of Blue J, about his journey from law professor to tech entrepreneur, and how Blue J’s AI platform is transforming tax research. He shares lessons on scaling a startup, embracing technological change in a traditional field, and building a company that empowers professionals to focus on human-centered client work.

September 9, 2025

S03 Trailer: The Founder Mindset

Season 3 of The Founder Mindset with Leah Sarich is here - and it goes beyond business. Leah sits down with visionary Founders and digs into the real impact of building a company: how it reshapes your identity, challenges your relationships, and demands resilience.

April 22, 2025

S02|14 Bonus Episode: Breaking Barriers in Fertility Insurance with Dr. Christy Lane

In this bonus episode, Leah sits down with Dr. Christy Lane, Co-Founder of Flora, an InsurTech company revolutionizing fertility insurance. Dr. Lane shares her entrepreneurial journey, from her early research in wearable technology at the University of Michigan to founding Vivametrica, a health data analytics company later acquired by TELUS. Inspired by her own experience with infertility, she launched Flora in 2021 to provide affordable insurance options for women aged 20-34 seeking fertility treatments.

April 8, 2025

S02|13 Bonus Episode: AI, Dentistry, and Passionate Entrepreneurial Resilience with Amreesh Khanna

Dr. Khanna opens up about the core values that drive his mission—Inspire, Influence, and Educate—and how these ideals shape both his business and community impact. Whether you’re a dental professional, entrepreneur, or tech enthusiast, this conversation is packed with insights on innovation, tenacity, and passion for making a meaningful impact in the world.

February 11, 2025

S02|12: Ecosystem Live with Terry Rock, Shelley Kuipers, Amreesh Khanna, and Martin Toner

In this season two finale, recorded for a live audience, host Leah Sarich dives into the critical role of ecosystem support in driving the success of tech startups, featuring insights from a panel of dynamic leaders in tech, finance, and entrepreneurial support. Each panelist explores the importance of collaboration, networking, and shared resources in fostering innovation in Alberta and beyond.

January 28, 2025

S02|11: Innovating Access: Transforming Healthcare for Underserved Communities with Amaan Banwait of PurposeMed

In this episode of The Founder Mindset, Amaan Banwait, Co-Founder and Chief Commercialization Officer at PurposeMed, takes us through his journey from a management consultant to a healthcare-focused leader with the Clinton Foundation to Co-Founder of PurposeMed where Amaan works to improve healthcare access for underserved communities.

January 14, 2025

S02|10: From Wrestling Rings to Financial Waves: Jeff Adamson on Building Canada’s Digital Banking Future with Neo Financial

Join host Leah Sarich as she talks with Jeff Adamson, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Neo Financial, about the journey from co-founding SkipTheDishes to creating Neo Financial, Canada’s first digital bank with a mission to revolutionize the financial industry. Jeff shares insights into entrepreneurship, resilience, and building a high-performance team while reflecting on how his past as an elite athlete shapes his approach to business and impact.

December 31, 2024

S02|09: Embracing Authenticity: The Journey of Chantelle Little, Founder and CEO of Tiller

In this episode of The Founder Mindset, host Leah Sarich sits down with Chantelle Little, the dynamic Founder and CEO of Tiller, a digital marketing agency specializing in B2B SaaS. Chantelle's story is a powerful testament to the importance of self-reflection, continuous learning, and embracing authenticity in leadership.

December 17, 2024

S02|08: Rebuilding from the Brink: Turning Crisis into Opportunity with David Lod

Taking the reins of a struggling tech company might seem daunting, but for David Lod, it was an opportunity to build something extraordinary from the ground up. As the CEO of VEERUM, David turned a company that was on the edge of failure into a successful leader in industrial asset management.

December 3, 2024

S02|07: Building Healthcare for Tomorrow with Dr. William Cherniak, Founder & CEO of Rocket Doctor

Join host Leah Sarich in this inspiring conversation with Dr. William Cherniak, Founder and CEO of Rocket Doctor. Dr. Cherniak dives deep into his entrepreneurial journey, from nonprofit global health work to creating a digital healthcare platform serving thousands of patients.

November 19, 2024

S02|06: Releasing Entrepreneurial Potential with Jenn Hunter

Jenn shares her entrepreneurial journey of building her company while building her family, the challenges of digitizing contractor management, and the impact of their innovative solutions on industry relationships. Discover actionable strategies for fostering a healthy work culture, the importance of impact, and staying motivated.

November 5, 2024

S02|05: Celebrating Small Wins to Maintain Motivation with Megan Leslie

Megan discusses her perfect synergy with her Co-Founder/business partner (also spouse) and the unique way they tackle challenges in the business together. One of Megan’s biggest takeaways is the importance of celebrating small wins to maintain motivation and morale, both as the Founder and for the benefit of your team.

October 22, 2024

S02|04: Creating & Protecting Balance Between Family and Business with Kyle Friedman

This episode of The Founder Mindset highlights Kyle Friedman's entrepreneurial journey as the Co-Founder of the payment platform Quickly and how he got there. Listeners will be inspired by Kyle’s resourcefulness, sheer audacity when it comes to following intuition, and fierce commitment to family.

October 8, 2024

S02|03: Building Resilient Care Networks with Chenny Xia

Join host Leah Sarich in an insightful conversation with Chenny Xia, Co-Founder and CEO of Gotcare. Discover how Chenny’s journey from a young accidental entrepreneur to a leader in personalized home care services showcases the power of innovation and resilience.

September 24, 2024

S02|02: Surviving the Entrepreneurial Roller Coaster with Nic Beique

Nic Beique, Founder and CEO of Helcim, takes us through his incredible journey, from being a teenager building websites to leading a payments company that's making a real difference for small businesses across North America.

September 10, 2024

S02|01: Unlocking Sustainable Solutions: A Journey with Nuha Siddiqui

Discover Nuha's inspiring journey from university student to successful entrepreneur, her creative problem-solving approach, and the importance of diversity in thought and collaboration.

September 3, 2024

S02 Trailer: The Founder Mindset

Welcome to Season Two of The Founder Mindset! Veteran broadcaster Leah Sarich hosts all-new intimate conversations with groundbreaking founders about the truths of entrepreneurship. This season Leah talks with Nuha Siddiqui of Erthos, Dr. William Cherniak of Rocket Doctor, Nic Beique of Helcim and more to find out why they do what they do.

October 10, 2023

Erik Westblom - Bonus Content

BONUS CONTENT Find out what led to James offering a rare investment on the spot into Provision. And learn more about why James says Erik is one of the most competitive founders in which he's invested.

October 3, 2023

Breanne Everett - Bonus Content

BONUS CONTENT Find out why it took James a little longer to invest in Orpyx, and why he's so glad he did. Learn more about how deeply he respects Breanne as a leader and her singular focus on creating massive human impact. 

September 26, 2023

Darcy Tuer - Bonus Content

BONUS CONTENT Learn how James shares Darcy's low risk tolerance and love of problem solving and hear about how James admires Darcy's motivation to create positive impact in the world with every business move he makes.

September 19, 2023

Nicole Janssen - Bonus Content

BONUS CONTENT Hear how James respects and admires Nicole's vision of the future and why he challenges other founders to learn from Nicole's work ethic, resilience and leadership role in her sector. 

September 12, 2023

Alex Todorovic - Bonus Content

BONUS CONTENT  Learn why investor James Lochrie says this is the episode to listen to if you want to know what he looks for in an entrepreneur. 

September 5, 2023

Alice Reimer - Bonus Content

BONUS CONTENT Learn why James Lochrie invested in Fillip and why he believes Alice has all the tools to be successful with this latest company.

September 5, 2023

James Lochrie 101

BONUS CONTENT An intimate conversation with James Lochrie on becoming a founder, investor then mentor. Find out what it feels like to learn the company you built is being acquired for half a billion dollars and learn why James wants more entrepreneurs to find that similar success.

September 5, 2023

Re-Release Trailer

BONUS CONTENT We explain in this trailer, why you'll want to revisit these Season 1 episodes. HINT: global fintech founder and Managing Partner of Thin Air Labs, James Lochrie.

August 1, 2023

Season One Wraps!

Season One is complete. Now you can binge the entire series! Also, in this Wrap Up episode find out how you can participate in Season Two and get insight into upcoming bonus content!

July 25, 2023

Erik Westblom

In this episode, Leah chats with Erik Westblom, Co-founder and CEO of Provision, a company that makes cloud software to easily capture and manage all food safety and quality data. 

July 11, 2023

Breanne Everett

In this episode, Leah chats with Dr. Breanne Everett, Founder and CEO of Orpyx, a digital therapeutics company extending the lifespan of people living with diabetes. 

June 27, 2023

Darcy Tuer

In this episode, Leah chats with Darcy Tuer, Co-founder and CEO of ZayZoon, a fintech company transforming how and when employees access their earned wages.

June 12, 2023

Nicole Janssen

In this episode, Leah chats with Nicole Janssen, Co-founder and Co-CEO, of AltaML, an AI company helping businesses transform data into action.

May 30, 2023

Alex Todorovic

In this episode, Leah chats with Alex Todorovic, Co-founder and CEO of Arbor, a platform that helps companies measure the sustainability of their products.

May 30, 2023

Alice Reimer

In this episode, Leah chats with Alice Reimer - serial entrepreneur, currently CEO of Fillip and mentor and advisor to many founders.

May 16, 2023

Teaser Trailer

The Founder Mindset is hosted by Leah Sarich, a former broadcaster now trying to understand technology and innovation.

The Founder Mindset is a Thin Air Labs podcast, in partnership with ATB, Sandstone Asset Management and OCIF. If you are a founder interested in appearing on the podcast—or for sponsorship inquiries—contact leah@thinairlabs.ca.

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Build what's next with us

Thin Air Labs is a venture capital and services firm based in Calgary, Alberta, supporting ventures across Canada and around the world. For media inquiries, contact leah@thinairlabs.ca.
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