Business Casual: The Stories We Tell, In and Outside of the Boardroom

Mihae Ahn
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Welcome to Business Casual! I am Mihae Ahn, your host and author of "The Stories We Tell" and "Perfectly Incomplete". Business Casual brings you unfiltered conversations with badass, inspiring, highly accomplished women who are changing the game. I am passionate about and believe in the power of sharing stories, our authentic, raw, and incomplete stories, getting beyond the polished LinkedIn profiles to the real humans behind the titles. Join me for honest talk with remarkable women who are willing to let down their guard and share the stories that truly matter—both in and outside of the boardroom. You will be inspired. More importantly, you will feel seen and heard.

  1. Apr 29

    #24. A Conversation with Linda about the Zigzag Path: Career, Balance, and Finding What Works

    My guest today is Linda Zink, President and Chief Commercial Officer at Wellness Natural, the company behind SimplyProtein. Linda brings decades of experience across some of the world’s most recognized brands, from Kellogg and Clorox to smaller, high-growth organizations. Her perspective on leadership and life is both grounded and practical, shaped by years of navigating change, building teams, and growing businesses in constantly evolving environments. I absolutely loved my conversation with Linda for so many reasons including how her stories are filled such practical gems. One that I liked the most is how Linda and her kids made breakfast sacred as opposed to making dinner sacred which was and still is what many try to do.  Other key takeaways among many include: Careers are rarely linear. Growth often comes through unexpected turns, pivots, and “zigzags” along the way.Balance is not about equal distribution. It shifts constantly depending on the season of our lives, and that is part of the process.Giving ourselves grace, especially during demanding periods, can change how we experience both work and life.Please enjoy this insightful and honest conversation with Linda about leadership, growth, and finding a way of working and living that fits you. Music: "Come Out Tonight" by Vicki Vox (via Epidemic Sound) Connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Visit my Website.

    36 min

  2. Apr 22

    #23. A conversation with Stachen about Living the Dream: Purpose, Persistence and the Path to Becoming

    My guest today is Stachen Lett-Frederick, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto. From a young age, Stachen knew she wanted to work with children and youth. What is remarkable is not just the clarity of her vision, but the intention and persistence with which she pursued it over time. Today, she is living her dream, while continuing to grow, adapt, and lead through both the rewards and the challenges that come with it. Today’s conversation explores what it means to pursue a dream and live it in reality. Stachen shares reflections on leadership, purpose, and the responsibility that comes with serving others. Some key takeaways from our discussion: Having a clear vision is powerful, but it requires persistence, courage, and the willingness to evolve along the way.Even when we achieve what we once dreamed of, challenges remain. Growth continues.Being vocal about our dreams and asking for support can open doors we never expected.Please enjoy this inspiring and meaningful conversation with Stachen about purpose, leadership, and the journey of building a life aligned with what truly matters. Music: "Come Out Tonight" by Vicki Vox (via Epidemic Sound) Connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Visit my Website.

    31 min

  3. Apr 15

    #22. Becoming Ourselves: A Conversation with Jina on Intuition, Family, and the Stories We Carry

    My guest today is Clara Jina Kim, co-founder and CEO of Cloré Beauty, a family business rooted in entrepreneurship, community, and care. Raised in an entrepreneurial family, Jina grew up immersed in the world of business, learning not just how to build something, but how to lead with trust, respect, and connection. What stood out to me about Jina is the depth of reflection she brings to her journey. It was refreshing to hear how she speaks about intuition, family, and the evolving stories we tell ourselves. Today’s conversation explores the intersection of family, identity, and leadership. Jina shares her experience of growing within a family business, becoming a mother, and navigating the balance between personal and professional life. Some key takeaways from our discussion: The stories we tell ourselves can shape our path, but they can also be rewritten as we grow.Intuition is often built through experience, space, and the freedom to make our own mistakes.Balancing life, family, and ambition is not about perfection, but about making intentional choices in each season.Please enjoy this heartfelt and reflective conversation with Jina about entrepreneurship, motherhood, and building a life rooted in purpose, connection, and self-awareness. Music: "Come Out Tonight" by Vicki Vox (via Epidemic Sound) Connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Visit my Website.

    23 min

  4. Apr 8

    #21. A Conversation with Susan Bisaillon about Building a Meaningful Career with Intention

    My guest today is Susan Bisaillon, President and CEO of Safehaven, a nonprofit organization supporting children, youth, and adults with medical complexity. Susan’s career spans decades in healthcare, from frontline critical care nursing to executive leadership in some of Canada’s largest hospital systems.  I respect Susan so much for many obvious reasons and one of them is her grounded wisdom and the intentional way she approaches both leadership and life. She brings a rare combination of compassion, clarity, and experience, shaped by years of leading in highly demanding environments and choosing, at a pivotal moment, to pursue work that is deeply purposeful. Today’s conversation explores what it means to build a meaningful career over time, and how our definition of success evolves as we grow. Some key takeaways from our discussion: Ambition and drive are powerful, but without intention and self-awareness, they can become self-destructive.Taking pauses is not a setback. It is often what allows us to move forward with greater clarity and effectiveness.A fulfilling career is not only about achievement, but about purpose and the impact we choose to make over the long run.Please enjoy this insightful and reflective conversation with Susan about leadership, purpose, and navigating a long and meaningful career with intention. Music: "Come Out Tonight" by Vicki Vox (via Epidemic Sound) Connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Visit my Website.

    22 min

  5. Apr 1

    #20. A Conversation with Jillian about Life in Chapters: Rethinking Career, Money, and Meaning

    My guest today is Jillian Kennedy, Chief Strategy Officer at the CAAT Pension Plan. Jillian has spent over 25 years in the pension and financial services industry, building a career grounded in problem-solving, relationships, and a deep desire to help people navigate complex systems.  What I appreciate most about Jillian is her thoughtful and human-centered approach to both leadership and life. She brings clarity to complex topics like financial wellbeing, while also speaking candidly about the emotional realities that often go unspoken, including our relationship with money, self-doubt, and the pressure many women carry throughout their careers.  Some key takeaways from our discussion: Our relationship with money is deeply emotional, and often shaped by experiences we do not openly talk about.Career journeys do not need to be linear. Thinking in “chapters” can create space for growth, reinvention, and self-compassion.The most meaningful moments in life are often not measurable, but they shape who we become and how we lead.Please enjoy this thoughtful and energizing conversation with Jillian about financial wellbeing, leadership, and navigating life’s many chapters with curiosity and intention. Music: "Come Out Tonight" by Vicki Vox (via Epidemic Sound) Connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Visit my Website.

    41 min

  6. Mar 25

    #19. The Power of Vision: Turning Possibility into Action with Rhea Stoddart

    My guest today is Rhea Stoddart, co-founder of 911 Nurses GTA, a healthcare staffing company. Rhea has this irresistible energy she carries with her. Throughout our conversation, I felt such strong, positive energy and a deep sense of possibility. I admire how clearly she sees the future she wants to build and how intentionally she works backward to figure out what steps will bring that vision to life. Some key takeaways from our discussion: Sometimes the biggest shift begins with a simple question: Why not me?Rapid growth can be exciting, yet periods of slowdown often create the space needed for deeper learning and stronger foundations.Having a clear vision can guide us through uncertainty, even when we do not yet know exactly how the path will unfold.Please enjoy this energizing conversation with Rhea about entrepreneurship, mindset, motherhood, and building a life aligned with both ambition and purpose. Music: "Come Out Tonight" by Vicki Vox (via Epidemic Sound) Connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Visit my Website.

    39 min

  7. Mar 18

    #18. Rethinking Success, Work, and Life: A Conversation with Shannon Talbot

    My guest today is Shannon Talbot, leadership coach, speaker, author, and Chair at McKay CEO Forums. Shannon spent 17 years in the corporate world, including leadership roles in banking and advertising, before making the courageous decision to leave and pursue the dreams she had set aside since childhood.  Today’s conversation explores the personal and professional turning points that lead us to redefine success and build lives that feel more aligned and meaningful. Shannon shares candid reflections on entrepreneurship, leadership, family, and the ongoing work of finding balance. Some key takeaways from our discussion: Redefining success requires questioning the cultural expectations that tie achievement solely to title, money, or status.Entrepreneurship can bring freedom and purpose, but it also introduces challenges such as loneliness and the need to continually believe in yourself.Awareness is the first step toward meaningful change, whether it is learning to set boundaries, manage stress, or be more present with the people who matter most.Please enjoy this thoughtful and heartfelt conversation with Shannon about redefining success, navigating major life transitions, and learning to live and lead with greater presence and intention. Music: "Come Out Tonight" by Vicki Vox (via Epidemic Sound) Connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Visit my Website.

    49 min

  8. Mar 11

    #17. The Power of an Unplanned Journey and Servant Leadership: A Conversation with Sharla Postic

    My guest today is Sharla Postic, Chief Administrative Officer at Securian Canada. Sharla’s career path is anything but linear. From beginning her university journey without a clear direction to earning a degree in nursing, navigating a challenging job market, and ultimately stepping into executive leadership, her story is a powerful example of courage, adaptability, and growth. What I appreciate most about Sharla is her grounded honesty about uncertainty, her willingness to say yes to opportunities, and her thoughtful reflections on leadership and life. Today’s conversation explores the unexpected turns that shape a meaningful career. Some key takeaways from our discussion: Career clarity is often discovered through exploration, not certainty at the start.Saying yes to opportunities, even when they feel outside your plan, can open doors you never anticipated.Servant leadership must be balanced with clear boundaries and accountability to build healthy, high-performing teams.Please enjoy this insightful and reflective conversation with Sharla about embracing uncertainty, navigating career transitions, and leading with both heart and responsibility. Music: "Come Out Tonight" by Vicki Vox (via Epidemic Sound) Connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Visit my Website.

    40 min
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About

Welcome to Business Casual! I am Mihae Ahn, your host and author of "The Stories We Tell" and "Perfectly Incomplete". Business Casual brings you unfiltered conversations with badass, inspiring, highly accomplished women who are changing the game. I am passionate about and believe in the power of sharing stories, our authentic, raw, and incomplete stories, getting beyond the polished LinkedIn profiles to the real humans behind the titles. Join me for honest talk with remarkable women who are willing to let down their guard and share the stories that truly matter—both in and outside of the boardroom. You will be inspired. More importantly, you will feel seen and heard.

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