Power of Why with Naomi Haile

Naomi Haile

The Power of Why podcast is here to help you strategically advance your mission in the world. Hosted by talent and business strategist Naomi Haile, each episode delves into the minds of leaders who are building purposeful organizations, creating employment opportunities, and using their gifts for good. Featuring a diverse lineup of guests, from the Chief Human Resources Officer at Netflix to actors and artists, tech founders and business owners, and champions of local movements, the Power of Why is here to help you live according to your purpose.

  1. Stop Underselling Your Story & How To Strengthen Your Visibility Online with Chanel Cathey

    05/29/2025

    Stop Underselling Your Story & How To Strengthen Your Visibility Online with Chanel Cathey

    Chanel Cathey is the founder and CEO of CJC Insights, a strategic communications and public relations agency headquartered in New York City. Since launching the firm in 2018 with her savings and a bold mission, Chanel has built a powerhouse agency that partners with global companies, high-growth startups, mission-driven nonprofits, and private equity teams to craft narratives that resonate, build trust, and drive real impact. Looking for a specific gem? 00:00 Introducing Chanel 01:47 Editing newspapers at age 4 03:42 How growing up in a house of educators shaped her 04:54 Creating a goal list with her mom and grandma 05:22 Goal lists > checklists 05:56 Learning to read and phonetics changed her life trajectory (she went from not reading to reading in just one summer) 07:40 Why she switched from business to communications 08:20 Her first networking event and homemade sunflower business card 09:24 The bold ask that got her an internship at ABC News 13:41 What it was really like interning at a political news show 11:37 Discovering PR was her calling 16:05 Starting CJC Insights without a master plan 17:55 Why she was naïve about starting her business —and grateful for it 24:33 The realities of entrepreneurship that no one talks about 19:22 How she built her first client base without even realizing it 19:44 Defining her zone of genius (hint: it’s not social media) 21:54 Why most people undervalue their own stories 24:14 How she uncovers a founder’s “IT” factor 26:30 What confidence has to do with your brand strategy 27:44 I tell people and brands the same thing: Write it down. 28:48 Not everything is newsworthy. Take time to invest in messaging and strategy 29:10 When brands start to lose their way… 30:00 Reputation and trust are really hard to restore 33:52 Getting more funding into the hands of founders  40:46 How therapy helped her rebuild confidence 42:20 Why she hired a financial consultant for sanity and scale 43:35 Her advice for founders who feel overwhelmed 46:00 Final thoughts + where to connect with Chanel online Connect with Chanel LinkedIn: Chanel CatheyWebsite: cjcinsights.comCJC Instagram: @cjcinsightsBoard Member: Wellness in the SchoolsConnect with Naomi Website: www.naomihaile.comLinkedIn: Naomi HaileInstagram: @naomiahaileTwitter: @naomiathaileYouTube: Naomi Haile

    47 min
  2. Build a Brand That Never Goes Out of Style—Because It’s YOU with Sigute Zitikyte

    05/08/2025

    Build a Brand That Never Goes Out of Style—Because It’s YOU with Sigute Zitikyte

    Sigute Zitikyte is a personal brand strategist, writer, and business coach leading the Multi-Passionate movement—a platform created for high-achieving women who are done choosing between their creativity, ambition, and authenticity. She’s helped hundreds of women stop playing small, embrace the full spectrum of who they are, and confidently build brands that reflect who they are, not just their résumés. From breaking cycles of people-pleasing to owning their voice and vision, Sigute teaches you how to build with clarity, consistency, and courage. 00:00 Introducing Sigute 02:26 Where Sigute's Story Begins 03:40 Why Identity Shaped Her Brand Voice 05:00 Does Your Environment Give You the Nourishment You Need? 07:11 Split Identity or Secret Superpower? 08:40 The Moment It All Clicked in Malaysia 10:00 How Her Parents Inspired Her Reading & Writing 13:12 Why Sigute Always Had 3 Jobs 13:41 Planting Seeds In Your Career 17:55 Applying to Mindvalley with 24 Hours’ Notice 21:57 How Mindvalley Shaped Her View of Work 23:58 Starting Her First Blog in Kuala Lumpur 29:10 Getting Her Dream Job at Shopify 31:14 Starting Her Fractional Consulting Business 33:12 The Truth About Long-Term Brand Building 34:30 The Value of a Resonant Audience 37:33 How Sigute Avoids Getting Trapped in Her Business 39:30 How to Sell to a High-Caliber Audience 42:13 Her Long-Term Vision: A Villa in France 44:08 A Morning Routine Rooted in Joy 58:30 Pouring Love into the Everyday Connect with Sigute LinkedIn: Sigute ZitikyteBook: Multi-Passionate: How to Claim Your Identity and Radiate as a Multi-Passionate in a Linear World Website: sigutezitikyte.comInstagram: Sigute ZitikyteThought Leader SocietyConnect with Naomi Website: www.naomihaile.comLinkedIn: Naomi HaileInstagram: @naomiahaileTwitter: @naomiathaileYouTube: Naomi Haile

    50 min
  3. The Biggest Economic Opportunity of Our Generation (Agriculture): Justine Hendricks on Why Showing Up As You Is Your Best Bet

    03/27/2025

    The Biggest Economic Opportunity of Our Generation (Agriculture): Justine Hendricks on Why Showing Up As You Is Your Best Bet

    “I promised myself I’d get this job the Justine way. I wasn’t going to follow someone else’s script—I was going to show up as me.” Justine Hendricks, sits as Farm Credit Canada’s President and CEO after 17 years with Export Development Canada (EDC) and 7 years with Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). Throughout her career, she has championed Canadian businesses across agriculture, agri-food, and other critical industries—helping them access the capital, risk management solutions, and strategic support they need to grow and thrive. But what sets Justine apart isn’t just her impressive track record—it’s how she leads. Whether spearheading EDC’s $9B Insurance and Working Capital Solutions portfolio, being appointed and becoming its first Chief Sustainability Officer, or aligning corporate strategy with evolving environmental and human rights standards, Justine is redefining what it means to lead with integrity, vision, and action. Connect with Justine LinkedIn: Justine Hendricks    Farm Credit Canada Website: Farm Credit CanadaConnect with Naomi Website: www.naomihaile.comLinkedIn: Naomi HaileInstagram: @naomiahaileTwitter: @naomiathaileYouTube: Naomi Haile

    49 min
  4. It’s Not Just About Cosmetics—It’s About Economic Sustainability for Us All: Denyse Nadon on Building a Movement for Healing and Generational Impact

    03/25/2025

    It’s Not Just About Cosmetics—It’s About Economic Sustainability for Us All: Denyse Nadon on Building a Movement for Healing and Generational Impact

    "This is what true grassroots entrepreneurship looks like. It’s relational. It’s reciprocal. It’s sacred." Denyse Nadon is the Founder and CEO of Tribalure, a grassroots cosmetics and skincare brand rooted in Ancestral knowledge, ceremony, and community healing honoring the Seven Sacred Teachings of wisdom, love, respect, bravery, honesty, humility, and truth.. An Algonquin woman from the Apitipi Anicinapek Nation, a proud matriarch, Denyse isn’t just redefining beauty—she’s reclaiming it. Denyse leads Bear Vision Consulting & Training, a 100% Indigenous woman-owned business specializing in cross-cultural education, truth and reconciliation training, and leadership development. With 25 years of experience as an Indigenous adult educator and trainer, she has empowered countless communities through culturally grounded workshops, and keynote addresses. We’ll be diving into what it means to build a business that’s rooted in identity and storytelling, the power of matriarchal leadership, and why beauty—when done with intention—can be a form of resistance, connection, and self-love. If you're curious about what it truly means to lead with purpose and build in a way that honours the past, present, and future—this conversation is for you. Connect with Denyse LinkedIn: Denyse NadonTribalure Website: tribalure.comTribalure Instagram: @Tribalure_CosmeticsTribalure LinkedIn Tribalure Cosmetics Connect with Naomi Website: www.naomihaile.comLinkedIn: Naomi HaileInstagram: @naomiahaileTwitter: @naomiathaileYouTube: Naomi Haile

    58 min
  5. Unconstrained Thinking, Shaping the Future of Aerospace & Defence, and Leading High-Performing Teams with France Hébert

    03/18/2025

    Unconstrained Thinking, Shaping the Future of Aerospace & Defence, and Leading High-Performing Teams with France Hébert

    "The biggest limitations we have are in our own brains. My job is to unconstrain my team’s thinking, create a culture of trust, and allow innovation to thrive." For  France Hébert, the biggest barriers aren’t external—they exist in our own minds. As VP & General Manager at CAE and President of SkyAlyne, she’s leading the future of aviation training and defense innovation, leveraging AI, simulation, and emerging tech to push boundaries. A former officer in the Canadian Armed Forces, France’s career has been built on strategic thinking, execution, and leadership under pressure. She thrives on removing self-imposed limitations, empowering teams, and creating a culture where bold ideas can thrive. A Professional Engineer and champion for women in STEM, she’s proving that the future of aerospace isn’t just about technology—it’s about the people who have the courage to shape it. Connect with France LinkedIn: France HerbertCAE Website: www.cae.comSkyAlyne Website: www.skyalyne.ca  Connect with Naomi Website: www.naomihaile.comLinkedIn: Naomi HaileInstagram: @naomiahaileTwitter: @naomiathaileYouTube: Naomi Haile

    37 min
  6. Building a Startup While in Medical School: Yoobin Lee on Innovation, AI, and Time Mastery

    03/11/2025

    Building a Startup While in Medical School: Yoobin Lee on Innovation, AI, and Time Mastery

    Building a startup while in medical school sounds impossible. But Yoobin Lee, founder of Quip Medical, is making it work—not by working harder, but by working smarter. Growing up across Vancouver, Seoul, and California, she saw different cultures, different expectations, and the idea that success meant choosing just one path. Then, in medical school, she saw something she couldn’t ignore: Doctors losing thousands in unbilled work—because the system was outdated, complex, and broken. So she started building. ✅ Validated the idea through market research.✅ Brought on a technical co-founder.✅ Landed her first customer and refined the platform with real-time feedback. That idea became a pitch. That pitch became Quip Medical—helping physicians spend less time on admin and more time with patients. She didn’t wait for permission. She didn’t tell herself, I’m just a med student. She asked for help. Found the right people. Built the product. Today, Quip Medical is working with real physicians, solving a real problem, and making sure doctors actually get paid for the care they provide. Connect with Yoobin LinkedIn: Yoobin Lee (yoobin@quipmedical.org)Website: Quip MedicalConnect with Naomi Website: www.naomihaile.comLinkedIn: Naomi HaileInstagram: @naomiahaileTwitter: @naomiathaile YouTube: Naomi Haile

    44 min
  7. How AI-Powered Training Helps Companies Scale Faster, Grow Their Revenue, and Retain Top Talent with Sarah Sedgman

    02/27/2025

    How AI-Powered Training Helps Companies Scale Faster, Grow Their Revenue, and Retain Top Talent with Sarah Sedgman

    For as long as she can remember, Sarah Sedgman has been fascinated by the intersection of learning, creativity, and innovation. Growing up in the countryside—where she and her brother would invent and build things just for fun—she was surrounded by a family of educators and entrepreneurs who encouraged her to think differently. That curiosity shaped her career path, leading her from instructional design to the C-suite, where she spent years driving global learning strategies for some of the largest technology companies in the world—Cognos, IBM, PTC, and Kinaxis. No matter where she went, one challenge remained: Training programs were slow to develop, costly to execute, and struggled to keep pace with business needs. Instead of waiting for a solution, Sarah built one. As Founder & CEO of LearnExperts AI, she is transforming how organizations create training by automating the instructional design process, cutting development time by 67% and unlocking knowledge at scale. With LearnExperts’ LEAi platform, companies can instantly convert raw content (presentations, documents, videos) into structured, high-quality learning materials for eLearning, microlearning, instructor-led training, and more. This episode is for you if: You're committed to building a meaningful life by blending art, entrepreneurship, and wellness. You’re looking for inspiration to tackle fear, overcome challenges, and commit to your craft. You’re fascinated by how culture and heritage shape creativity and resilience. Connect with Sarah LinkedIn: Sarah Sedgman LearnExperts Website:https://learnexperts.ai/ Connect with Naomi Website: ⁠www.naomihaile.com⁠LinkedIn: ⁠Naomi Haile⁠Instagram: ⁠@naomiahaile⁠Twitter: ⁠@naomiathaile⁠YouTube: ⁠Naomi Haile⁠

    42 min

  8. 02/06/2025 · BONUS

    Doing Things That Scare You - Moment #1 ft. Catherine Bell

    "I liked doing things that scared me. I always knew if you did something that terrified you, you’d be less scared of it at the end." In this clip, she shares how an acting class at UCLA helped her overcome painful shyness at 18. Despite her fear, stepping into the unknown sparked a deep love for acting that changed the course of her life. She reflects on battling thyroid cancer at 21—a wake-up call that pushed her to take her acting career seriously. From voice lessons to intense acting scenes, she committed to her craft, building discipline and resilience along the way. Hear how her dedication paid off, from landing guest roles on Friends to eventually starring in JAG. This clip is a testament to the power of courage, focus, and pursuing what truly excites you.

    2 min
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5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

The Power of Why podcast is here to help you strategically advance your mission in the world. Hosted by talent and business strategist Naomi Haile, each episode delves into the minds of leaders who are building purposeful organizations, creating employment opportunities, and using their gifts for good. Featuring a diverse lineup of guests, from the Chief Human Resources Officer at Netflix to actors and artists, tech founders and business owners, and champions of local movements, the Power of Why is here to help you live according to your purpose.

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