Loading… 0:00 0:00 KISC My Health Radio show with The King of Cranberries Stephen Lukawski as he interviews the Head of SGS Nutrasource Josh Baisley with Peter Mingils. This is a really great personal interview of Josh Baisley on KISC My Health Radio with Captain Cran Man Stephen Lukawski and Peter Mingils. Key Influencers, Super Champions, and the Art of "Making It Happen”: A Deep Dive into KISC My Health Radio In the bustling world of natural health products, dietary supplements, and nutraceuticals, relationships are the currency of success. This sentiment is the beating heart of KISC My Health Radio, a broadcast series on the Building Fortunes Radio Network. Hosted by the universally recognized "Cranberry King,” Stephen Lukawski (known affectionately as "Captain Cran Man”), and the veteran broadcaster Peter Mingils, the show is more than just industry chatter; it is a platform dedicated to the human stories behind the science and sales. In a recent episode that exemplifies the show's mission, the hosts sat down with Josh Baisley, the newly promoted Head of SGS Nutrasource. This broadcast was not merely a corporate announcement; it was a masterclass in resilience, mentorship, and the "can-do” spirit that defines the natural product industry. The Origins of KISC: A Legacy of Friendship To understand the depth of these interviews, one must understand the foundation of the show itself. Peter Mingils opens the broadcast by reflecting on the emotional origins of the program. The radio network's journey began over a decade ago with Jim Turner, a renowned attorney and consumer advocate who passed away in 2022,. Following this loss, Mingils was introduced to James Gormley, a publisher and President of Citizens for Health. It was Gormley who first introduced Mingils to Stephen Lukawski. However, tragedy struck again in August 2024 when Gormley suddenly passed away. In their shared grief and desire to honor Gormley's memory, Mingils and Lukawski decided to launch a show that would celebrate the people making a difference. Thus, KISC was born. While for Mingils, KISC stands for the "Keep It Simple Circle,” for Lukawski, it represents Key Influencers and Super Champions (and occasionally "Super Canadians”),. As Lukawski notes, the show is "not about products or services. It's about people… who have made a difference in our lives”. The "Top Gun Canadian Maverick”: Josh Baisley The centerpiece of this episode was the interview with Josh Baisley. Lukawski introduced Baisley with high praise, describing him as a "North Star” and a "Top Gun Canadian Maverick” who has climbed the mountain of success through sheer grit and integrity. Baisley's recent promotion to Head of SGS Nutrasource is the culmination of over 20 years of experience in clinical research, regulatory strategy, and quality systems. However, the interview quickly pivoted from his resume to his roots, revealing the character traits that propelled him to the top. Roots of Resilience: The Brantford Connection Baisley was born in Kitchener, Ontario, but raised in Brantford by his paternal grandparents. This revelation sparked an immediate connection with host Stephen Lukawski, who also grew up in Brantford during the Wayne Gretzky era,. Baisley described his upbringing as having the "best of both worlds,” raised by seasoned parents (his grandparents) who offered a balance of freedom and guidance. A defining aspect of his childhood was spending summers in New Brunswick at a cottage with no running water or electricity. If he wanted a bath, he had to boil water on the stove or heat it in the sun. "It gave us tools to know kind of how to survive,” Baisley explained. "We didn't have a lot but had what we needed and learned how to do without things”. This upbringing instilled a profound work ethic. Baisley recalled his first summer job picking raspberries. Despite being told he might not be hired because his older brother had been a slow worker, Baisley insisted on being given a chance. He ended up being the second-fastest berry picker on the farm, outworking his peers who were busy throwing berries at each other,. Financial Responsibility and the "Lottery” Mindset One of the most telling anecdotes of the interview occurred when Baisley revealed he had actually won a lottery in the past—a substantial amount, though not enough to retire on. Instead of blowing the windfall on a sports car, he immediately paid off his student loans and debts,. "I still drive a Toyota Camry,” Baisley laughed, highlighting his practical nature. This led to a humorous exchange with Lukawski, who reminisced about driving a French car in his youth that his neighbors nicknamed "S-Car-Go”. The takeaway was clear: Baisley values earned success over instant gratification. The Career Climb: Pattern Recognition and Problem Solving Baisley's academic journey was marked by acceleration—skipping kindergarten and finishing high school early—and a pivot from pure microbiology to the business of science,. After a failed attempt to break into the pharma industry in Montreal, which left him without a paycheck for months, he returned home and took a job at Cedar Lane Laboratories. There, he advanced quickly, taking over a leadership role when his supervisor went on maternity leave. His transition to SGS Nutrasource is a lesson in proactive career management. Roughly 12 years ago, Baisley identified the company as a place he wanted to work. Rather than waiting for a recruiter, he deciphered the email format of the company, found the email address of President William Rowe, and sent a cold email asking for an opportunity. Rowe called him back the same day. Lukawski highlighted this as a critical lesson for listeners: "You actually made it happen… instead of the head hunter pathway, you wanted to reach out and introduce yourself”. Leadership Philosophy: "Own It” Now serving as Head of SGS Nutrasource, Baisley's leadership style is defined by trust and accountability. He credits mentors like William Rowe and Brad Wallace for teaching him the value of letting employees run with their ideas. "It's okay that they make mistakes because that's how they're going to learn,” Baisley stated. However, he emphasized one non-negotiable rule: Integrity. "If you do make a mistake, own it… You don't want to hide that. You don't want to bury it because that tells me something about people's character”. He also spoke candidly about overcoming shyness. Despite being the "shiest kid in school,” he forced himself to tackle public speaking, including a stressful week at SupplySide West where he had to deliver three different presentations. Through preparation and pattern recognition, he built the confidence to become the industry leader he is today. The Role of Corporate Sponsorship and Community Throughout the broadcast, Lukawski and Mingils took time to acknowledge the corporate sponsors that make the non-profit show possible. They highlighted: • RFI Ingredients: A vertically integrated manufacturer of premium natural nutrition and "field-to-fork” solutions. • Step Change Innovations: Led by Joe Bradley, this company helps science-backed ingredients navigate the "valley of death” to reach retail shelves. • Whole Foods Magazine: Represented by Heather Wayer. Lukawski emphasized that these sponsors are supporting a platform designed to "change the world” by archiving the oral history of the industry. The hosts also teased an upcoming project: a book compiling 100 stories of natural product leaders, intended as a keepsake for families and a source of inspiration for future generations. Future Horizons: Animals and Innovation As the interview concluded, Peter Mingils noted an interesting detail: Baisley's background in pre-clinical trials involved animal models, and he touched upon the importance of animal health. Mingils pointed out that this was the first time in 80 shows the word "animal” was used in this context, suggesting a future deep dive into pet nutrition and the bond between humans and their animal companions,. Conclusion: The "Can-Do Star” Mentality The episode wrapped up with a powerful message for aspiring professionals. Baisley's advice was simple but demanding: "Don't wait to be handed things. Just make it happen. If you see a gap that needs to be filled, step up, fill the gap”. Stephen Lukawski summarized the interview as a "happy ending story but with new beginnings.” He noted that Baisley's rise wasn't a result of a "silver spoon,” but rather the result of a man who is "young and he's still hungry and excited and passionate, but he can walk his talk”. KISC My Health Radio continues to stand out as a unique voice in the industry. By focusing on the personal struggles, the childhood memories, and the mentorship that shapes leaders, Lukawski and Mingils are building more than a radio show—they are building a legacy. As Lukawski signed off, he reminded the audience of the show's core philosophy: "If we all are kind and help one another, this world's a better place”. For those in the industry, or anyone looking for a dose of inspiration, the story of Josh Baisley—the berry-picking, lottery-winning, cold-calling Head of SGS Nutrasource—serves as a testament to the power of hard work and the importance of being a "Super Champion.” ——————————————————————————– To listen to previous epis
