The Sixth Suite

Nikki Stone
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  • Entrepreneurship

The Sixth Suite is Toronto's podcast on leadership, innovation and disruption. Host Nikki Stone and co-host Clare Ravenstreet sit down with founders, executives and change-makers to deconstruct how they actually rebuild systems from the inside out — from culture and resilience to high-stakes strategy. New full episodes monthly. 🌐 thesixthsuitepodcast.com 📖 Architecting Resilience, the new book by Nikki Stone: thesixthsuitepodcast.com/architect-resilience 📩 Business inquiries: hello@thinkyq.com The Sixth Suite is brought to you by YQ Advisory — thinkyq.com

  1. Oct 29

    Why We Chose to Be Smaller (and Grew Faster) | Scott Lanaway of Titan One | Ep 9

    Titan One said no to a good-revenue client, and grew faster. Keke Palmer walked away from the traditional Hollywood path to build her own company. In Episode 9 of The Sixth Suite, Nikki Stone and Clare Ravenstreet unpack the most counterintuitive growth move there is: subtracting. Scott Lanaway, co-founder of Titan One, on the day his team decided it was okay to say no: "We would rather not only not grow, but be smaller." Scott and Mark said no to revenue that didn't fit their values, then went and got B Corp certified. Disclosure: Nikki serves on Titan One's advisory board. 🎙️ Hosted by Nikki Stone, co-hosted by Clare Ravenstreet. ⭐ Enjoying the show? Follow and rate The Sixth Suite. #TheSixthSuite #TitanOne #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #BCorp #Founders

  2. Oct 5 ·  Video

    How to Scale Without Losing Your Culture | Saad Uddin of Native Touch | Ep 8

    What happens when the company you built grows beyond what you can personally control? In Episode 8 of The Sixth Suite, Nikki Stone and Clare Ravenstreet sit down with Saad Uddin, Co-Founder and CEO of Native Touch, to unpack what it actually takes to scale a business — from knowing when to let go, to building a culture that can grow without you. Saad shares the evolution of Native Touch from a mobile ad network into a broader advertising technology business, how acquisitions have forced him to rethink leadership and delegation, and why respect has become one of the foundations of the culture they've built. He also gets candid about building the company alongside his wife, learning to trust experts in areas he doesn't fully understand, creating a culture where failure can actually lead to better work, and one early mistake that nearly caused the business to cease to exist: not bringing in the right financial expertise soon enough. Before the interview, Nikki and Clare dig into the bigger forces reshaping business today — from AI-driven restructuring and the challenge of measuring real AI efficiency, to Shopify's long-term approach to growth, talent and its distinctive “trust battery” philosophy. And Saad leaves the Sixers with one simple piece of advice: “Be original.” Don’t be afraid to do things differently. Don’t let everyone else's perspective define yours. Because, as Saad puts it, nobody has it figured out. 🎙️ Hosted by Nikki Stone & Clare Ravenstreet #TheSixthSuite #NativeTouch #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #CompanyCulture #AdTech

  3. Sep 28 ·  Bonus Video

    Building Black-Owned Businesses in STEM | Malcolm Wright of Nobellum | iDREAM

    What does it take to turn a mission into measurable impact? In this special iDREAM episode of The Sixth Suite, Nikki Stone and Clare Ravenstreet sit down with Malcolm Wright, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Nobellum, to talk about entrepreneurship, access, community, and what happens when founders are given the resources they need to grow. Nobellum began with a mandate to help launch 100 Black-owned businesses in STEM. Malcolm shares how that mission has grown to 121 businesses, $75 million in revenue, $10 million in investment, and 250 jobs created — along with partnerships designed to provide founders with funding, mentorship and support at different stages of their journey. The conversation also explores what it looks like to scale an organization while growing as a leader yourself. Malcolm opens up about maintaining Nobellum’s mission through “organized chaos,” giving your team grace, surrounding yourself with the right support system, and learning from the challenges that come with building something bigger than you originally imagined. Malcolm also reflects on what receiving the iDREAM Award has meant for Nobellum, particularly the visibility and credibility it has created for the organization and the entrepreneurs it supports. And to close, Malcolm leaves us with a simple perspective on gratitude and growth: “My biggest problems last year are my smallest problems this year — and that signifies growth.” Hosted by Nikki Stone and Clare Ravenstreet. #TheSixthSuite #iDREAM #Nobellum #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #BlackEntrepreneurs #BusinessGrowth

  4. Sep 21 ·  Video

    The Algorithm Bait | Malcolm Wright of Nobellum | Ep 7

    Are we creating content for people — or are we creating it for the algorithm? In Episode 7 of The Sixth Suite, Nikki Stone sits down with Malcolm Wright for a wide-ranging conversation about marketing, culture, leadership, and what it takes to genuinely connect with an audience in a world increasingly shaped by algorithms. As brands compete for attention, it can be tempting to chase whatever the platforms appear to reward. But views, engagement and reach don't necessarily mean you've created something meaningful. Malcolm joins Nikki to unpack the tension between building for the algorithm and building for real people, why authenticity matters more than ever, and how marketers can avoid getting caught in the endless pursuit of the next trend. The conversation explores how brands can participate in culture without forcing themselves into it, why understanding your audience has to go deeper than performance metrics, and what happens when the pressure to generate engagement starts influencing the work itself. Because ultimately, the algorithm might help people discover you — but it’s the idea, the story and the human connection that gives them a reason to stay. In this episode we talk: The problem with chasing algorithms and engagement Creating content for people rather than platforms What actually makes an idea resonate Authenticity in modern marketing How brands can participate in culture Balancing performance with meaningful creative Where marketing and social content are heading next   The Sixth Suite — Episode 7: The Algorithm Bait Guest: Malcolm Wright Co-hosts: Nikki Stone & Clare Ravenstreet If you enjoyed the conversation, subscribe to The Sixth Suite for more candid conversations with the people shaping business, marketing, leadership and culture.

  5. Aug 15 ·  Bonus

    Sleep Country x Drake: A Full Campaign in 12 Hours | Nuno Bamberg | Cannes Lions 2026

    Drake dropped an album wearing a coat with the Sleep Country logo — and 12 hours later, Sleep Country had a full campaign live: two contests, radio, and out-of-home. Live from Cannes Lions 2026, Nikki Stone and Clare Ravenstreet sit down with Nuno Bamberg, SVP of Brand & Marketing at Sleep Country (strategy magazine's 2025 Brand of the Year), on what reacting at the speed of culture actually takes.   Inside this episode: the midnight "Don't let it drop" text and the machine behind the moment (remove the blockers, know the line, trust the team), why great creative environments come from leadership and ideas deserve backing before the numbers arrive, why every point of connection must become a point of conversion when your hero product sells every 8–10 years, marketing as pro sports, clarity vs. certainty — and the life advice that made the whole room gasp: say the hard thing out loud.   🏠 Recorded at the DIVE house during Cannes Lions 2026.   🇨🇦 This Cannes series supports NABS Canada — the only Canadian charity dedicated to media, marketing and communications professionals, through financial assistance and mental wellness support. Thank you Perion for this week's $1,000 donation to the Cannes Awareness Campaign. Donate: https://nabs.org   Chapters (spot-check against final cut): (00:00) Welcome: Nuno Bamberg + the Sleep Country portfolio (02:10) Why we're at Cannes: NABS (+ thank you, Perion) (03:00) Creative environments come from leadership (06:45) The Drake drop: a full campaign in 12 hours (11:00) Every connection is a conversion (13:00) Planning for spontaneity: the operational rails (15:30) Clarity, not certainty + say the hard thing out loud   Guest: Nuno Bamberg — SVP, Brand & Marketing, Sleep Country · https://linkedin.com/in/nuno-bamberg · https://sleepcountry.ca Hosts: Nikki Stone — Founder, YQ Advisory · https://thinkyq.com · Clare Ravenstreet   Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSixthSuite Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5oBGB4Ig2dzaZOVfurpQTc?si=f29b72e11bbe4cc3 All episodes: https://thesixthsuitepodcast.com Follow: IG/TikTok @thesixthsuite · LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/the-sixth-suite   ⭐ Follow the show on Podbean, rate it, and share it with three people you want in your six — and if this one hit, donate to NABS Canada → https://nabs.org

  6. Aug 8 ·  Bonus

    Inside TikTok's Out of Phone | Dan Page of TikTok | Cannes Lions 2026 | Sponsored by DIVE

    TikTok's Out of Phone is putting real TikToks on billboards in Times Square — and this is the story from the man behind it. Live from Cannes Lions 2026 and presented by DIVE (TikTok's Canadian Out of Phone partner), Nikki Stone sits down with Dan Page, Global Head of Partnerships, New Screens at TikTok, on the mandate that started it all: two billion screens outside of mobile phones — get TikTok on all of them.   Inside this episode: why "Don't make ads, make TikToks" is the whole playbook, the partnership with Canada's DIVE, interactive campaigns that can put any TikTok user on a billboard, and the billboards built entirely out of the comments section — with brands like Lowe's and McDonald's jumping in themselves. Plus Dan's life advice for the Sixers: kill the FOMO. Find good people, have meaningful conversations, follow your passion.   🤝 Presented by DIVE — Canadian social-to-DOOH specialists: https://divebillboards.com   💛 The honorary 6er hats in this episode support NABS Canada — the only Canadian charity dedicated to media, marketing and communications professionals, through financial assistance and mental wellness support. Donate: https://nabs.org   Chapters: (00:00) A unicorn entrance + the 6er hat for NABS (01:20) How Cannes has changed (02:30) Out of Phone: the two-billion-screen mandate (04:00) "Don't make ads, make TikToks" + DIVE (05:00) Times Square, creators & fans on billboards (06:45) Comments-section billboards (08:10) Life advice: kill the FOMO   Guest: Dan Page — Global Head of Partnerships, New Screens, TikTok · https://linkedin.com/in/therealdanpage Sponsor: DIVE · https://divebillboards.com Hosts: Nikki Stone — Founder, YQ Advisory · https://thinkyq.com · Clare Ravenstreet   Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thesixthsuite?si=VH1Z2wHxYzEds1P6 Listen on Spotify: [SPOTIFY EPISODE LINK] All episodes: https://thesixthsuitepodcast.com Follow: IG/TikTok @thesixthsuite · LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/the-sixth-suite   ⭐ Follow the show on Podbean, rate it, and share it with three people you want in your six. 💛 Donate to NABS Canada → https://nabs.org

  7. Jul 22 ·  Bonus

    Q-Series | Aaron Reitkopf of DAWN | Cannes Lions 2026

    The Sixth Suite Q-Series kicks off live from Cannes Lions 2026 with Aaron Reitkopf, CEO of DAWN. Recorded from Cannes, this conversation explores creativity, leadership, storytelling, independence, and how the future of marketing is evolving as brands, agencies, and creators rethink the way they connect with audiences. Aaron shares his perspective on navigating change, building meaningful businesses, and why strong ideas and authentic storytelling continue to matter in an increasingly complex media landscape. This Q-Series is also part of The Sixth Suite’s campaign to raise awareness for NABS Canada, a charity supporting professionals across Canada’s media, marketing, advertising, and communications industries through financial assistance, career support, and mental wellness resources. A huge thank you to our sponsors for helping make this campaign possible: Locala Vertical Impression DIVE Silverpush YQ – A Business Advisory Firm 🎧 Follow The Sixth Suite for more Q-Series conversations recorded live from Cannes Lions 2026. 💬 Enjoyed the conversation? Share this episode with someone working in media, marketing, advertising, or business. #CannesLions2026 #TheSixthSuite #QSeries #NABSCanada #AaronReitkopf

    Q-Series | Aaron Reitkopf of DAWN | Cannes Lions 2026

  8. Jul 22 ·  Bonus

    Q-Series | Nicolette Leonardis of Vertical Impression | Cannes Lions 2026

    🎙️ Q-Series at Cannes Lions 2026: Vertical Impression In this Q-Series episode of The Sixth Suite, recorded live at Cannes Lions 2026, Nikki Stone and Clare Ravenstreet sit down with Nicolette from Vertical Impression for a sharp conversation about attention, contextual relevance, media innovation, and the power of ideas. What is really shaping the future of advertising and media? Nicolette shares her biggest takeaways from Cannes, exploring stronger systems, smarter strategy, emotionally resonant campaigns, and technology designed to create better experiences for both brands and consumers. The conversation dives into why ideas are a form of currency, why winning is never a solo sport, how IR Code is changing live and immersive experiences, and why protecting your mornings may be some of the most valuable life advice you can follow. 💡 In this episode: • Ideas as a currency • The evolving attention economy • Contextual relevance in advertising • Smarter media and marketing strategy • IR Code and immersive brand experiences • Emotional resonance in campaigns • DV360, passion, and purpose • Why protecting your mornings matters 💙 Supporting NABS This Q-Series is dedicated to raising awareness for NABS — the National Advertising Benevolent Society — supporting Canadian media, marketing, and advertising professionals through financial assistance, career support, and mental wellness resources. If this conversation gives you a new perspective, share it with someone working in media, marketing, advertising, technology, or business who needs to hear it. Follow and subscribe to The Sixth Suite for more Q-Series conversations from Cannes Lions 2026, industry insights, bold ideas, and life advice worth sharing. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to the Q-Series from Cannes 01:18 – Nicolette from Vertical Impression joins The Sixth Suite 02:25 – Cannes insights: systems, strategy, and smarter campaigns 03:38 – Ideas as a currency and the power of contextual relevance 06:44 – IR Code, emotional resonance, and immersive brand experiences 09:40 – DV360, passion, and finding what fuels your soul 11:24 – Life advice: protect your mornings 🔎 Topics Cannes Lions 2026, The Sixth Suite, Q-Series, Vertical Impression, Nicolette, attention economy, media innovation, advertising, marketing, contextual intelligence, attention-based media, NABS Canada, brand experience, IR Code, DV360, marketing strategy. #CannesLions #TheSixthSuite #QSeries #MediaInnovation #NABS

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About

The Sixth Suite is Toronto's podcast on leadership, innovation and disruption. Host Nikki Stone and co-host Clare Ravenstreet sit down with founders, executives and change-makers to deconstruct how they actually rebuild systems from the inside out — from culture and resilience to high-stakes strategy. New full episodes monthly. 🌐 thesixthsuitepodcast.com 📖 Architecting Resilience, the new book by Nikki Stone: thesixthsuitepodcast.com/architect-resilience 📩 Business inquiries: hello@thinkyq.com The Sixth Suite is brought to you by YQ Advisory — thinkyq.com

Information

  • Creator
    Nikki Stone
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Unconventional Thinker Ltd.
  • Show Website
    The Sixth Suite