Mission Critical with Lance Chung

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Mission Critical with Lance Chung

Behind every great company, every groundbreaking idea, and every game-changing innovation, there’s a leader on a mission. Welcome to Mission Critical with Lance Chung—the show where we break down the blueprints, the bold moves, and the battle-tested playbooks of today’s most impactful leaders. From CEOs and founders to artists, designers, and athletes, we’re talking to the visionaries who build, innovate, and lead.

  1. Latoya Nugent (Head of Engagement, Rainbow Railroad): Fighting for the Future of Queer Refugees

    6D AGO

    Latoya Nugent (Head of Engagement, Rainbow Railroad): Fighting for the Future of Queer Refugees

    Pride is more than a celebration—it’s a call to action. And in a world where LGBTQ+ lives are still under threat, that call has never been more urgent. In this powerful episode, Lance sits down with Latoya Nugent, Head of Engagement at Rainbow Railroad, an international organization helping LGBTQI+ individuals escape state-sponsored violence and persecution. Latoya speaks not only as a leader, but as a survivor—she was forced to flee Jamaica after being targeted for her identity, and found safety in Canada through Rainbow Railroad’s life-saving work. Now, she’s building programs that center refugee leadership, amplify queer voices, and push for global systems change. We discuss how displacement shaped her path, why Pride must remain political, and what it means to fight for your rights when the system is not built to protect you. Key Takeaways:The roots of Pride in protest, resistance, and political organizing.Why queer and trans refugees face unique dangers worldwide.How Rainbow Railroad helps LGBTQ+ individuals escape persecution and find safety.Latoya's personal story of forced displacement and transformation into a leader.Common myths and harmful narratives about refugees—and how to dismantle them.The failures of resettlement systems to protect queer lives.The role of refugee-led leadership and the power of lived experience.How to build true global solidarity with queer and trans communities at risk.What allyship actually looks like beyond social media support.Why Pride must remain a force for radical, collective liberation. Links:Rainbow Railroad: https://www.rainbowrailroad.org/Donate Now: https://www.rainbowrailroad.org/donate

    1h 16m
  2. Jonathan Van Ness (Queer Eye): Queer Joy as Resistance

    JUN 4

    Jonathan Van Ness (Queer Eye): Queer Joy as Resistance

    Happy Pride Month, everyone. Pride is many things—celebration, visibility, love—but it’s also resistance. It began as a protest, led by queer and trans people who demanded to be seen, safe, and free. And while we celebrate today, that original spirit feels more urgent than ever. Across the world, queer and trans communities are facing renewed backlash—their rights questioned, their bodies debated, their joy politicized. And yet, joy persists. In today’s episode, Lance is joined by someone who embodies that very dynamic—and that resilience. Joining him, and making a return to the Mission Critical podcast, is Jonathan Van Ness—a voice many know for their humour, beauty, and boldness. Over the past year, Jonathan has navigated intense public attention, scrutiny, and personal transformation. But what’s equally true is that it was also a year of tremendous support and success: their podcast Getting Better grew, their book became a New York Times bestseller, and Queer Eye continues to thrive. Despite the challenges that 2024 brought, they chose to reawaken, to return to joy—not as escape, but as power. This conversation is about what it means to lead with joy—especially when the world insists on something else. It's about resistance, intention, recalibration and building something lasting from the most authentic parts of who you are. This is Mission Critical. Let's get into it. Key Takeaways & Highlights: Why joy, for queer people, is both survival and strategy. The business decisions and emotional clarity that helped Jonathan rebuild in 2024. What it means to build a media and beauty empire rooted in queer identity. Honest reflections on public scrutiny. The role of activism in brand-building—and when to say no. How Jonathan defines success, leadership, and purpose after a year of transformation.

    48 min
  3. David & Kavi Moltz (Co-founders, D.S. & DURGA): Building a Cult Fragrance Brand Through Scent, Storytelling, and Scrappiness.

    MAY 29

    David & Kavi Moltz (Co-founders, D.S. & DURGA): Building a Cult Fragrance Brand Through Scent, Storytelling, and Scrappiness.

    In this episode of Mission Critical, Lance catches up with David and Kavi Moltz, the husband-and-wife duo behind the cult fragrance brand D.S. & DURGA. You might recognize their minimalist, design-forward bottles on the shelves of your favorite department store—clean fonts, matte black caps, and labels that evoke poetry, punk, and place in equal measure. But what you won’t see on the shelf is the wild, unconventional journey behind the brand: starting from scratch in a Brooklyn apartment, hand-labeling bottles, learning perfumery without formal training, and scaling their business with zero investors for the first decade. David and Kavi share how they built one of the most distinctive indie fragrance brands in the world—not by chasing trends, but by trusting their instincts, telling great stories, and growing slowly and intentionally. Key Takeaways: Why creative integrity is a long game—and why it's worth it.Lessons in DIY brand-building without a business plan.How to stay independent while navigating growth and investment.Why "brand" and "business" don’t have to kill artistry.The value of trusting your weird ideas—and turning them into product.

    50 min
  4. Carinne Chambers-Saini (CEO, Diva): Menstruation, Censorship, and the Fight for Women’s Health

    MAY 21

    Carinne Chambers-Saini (CEO, Diva): Menstruation, Censorship, and the Fight for Women’s Health

    Today’s guest knows what it means to disrupt the status quo. Carinne Chambers-Saini is the co-founder and CEO of Diva, the Canadian company that put menstrual cups on the map long before the fem-care space was even a thing—they created an entire business category. While most brands steered clear of the stigma around menstruation, Carinne leaned in, using her platform to advocate for body autonomy, women’s health, and sustainable solutions—way before it was fashionable to do so. Now, more than two decades later, Carinne is still challenging the status quo. With Diva’s latest product line expanding into vulvar health, she’s bringing the same relentless focus on science, accessibility, and cultural change to a category that remains under-discussed, underfunded, and censored. And she’s doing it in a time when women’s bodies have become political battlegrounds—where words like “vulva” and “menopause” are still treated as provocative, even as access to basic healthcare is being rolled back. Today, Lance and Carinne dive into what it takes to lead in a category you had to invent from scratch, the exhausting work of advocating for research and respect in women’s health, and what happens when business collides with a culture that still thinks your body is a political statement. Key Highlights & Takeaways: Inventing a Category: How Carinne and her mother built Diva from the ground up, created a new market, and challenged industry norms with conviction and grit. The Politics of Women’s Bodies: A candid conversation about the ongoing weaponization of healthcare, the lack of research in women’s health, and how companies can—and must—show up as advocates. Breaking the “Ick” Factor: Educating not just consumers, but also medical professionals, buyers, and gatekeepers in a system still uncomfortable with women’s anatomy. A New Chapter in Vulvar Wellness: Why Diva’s expansion into vulvar care is timely, necessary, and rooted in the brand’s legacy of clean, effective, science-backed solutions. Menstrual Leave as Culture Shift: How Diva walks its talk internally, offering paid menstrual and menopause leave to create space for real well-being. Redefining What’s ‘Normal’: The importance of tracking, quantifying, and understanding the menstrual experience as a way to validate women’s pain and experiences—especially in diagnosing conditions like endometriosis. Legacy & Leadership: Carinne’s reflections on leading with values, staying true to the mission, and the responsibility that comes with being a pioneer.

    42 min
  5. Anna Lambe (Actor, North of North): From Nunavut to Netflix, Meet TV's New North Star

    MAY 14

    Anna Lambe (Actor, North of North): From Nunavut to Netflix, Meet TV's New North Star

    What does it mean to be a ‘modern Inuk woman’—and who gets to define that? That’s one of the many bold questions North of North poses. It’s the first large-scale TV series shot in Nunavut, co-produced by CBC and Netflix, and presented by APTN, with over 500 locals cast as background actors and a $23 million impact on the Canadian economy. But beyond the numbers, it’s a groundbreaking show that shatters stereotypes about the North, showcasing Inuit life as vibrant, joyful, and deeply layered. At the center of it all is Anna Lambe—an actor, advocate, and rising star who’s just getting started. From challenging the white saviour narrative to celebrating the complexities of being a young Inuk woman, Anna brings humour, heart, and unapologetic authenticity to the screen. And with a new project alongside Brad Pitt on the horizon, her influence is only growing. Today, Anna joins Lance to talk about the power of storytelling, the radical act of centering joy in Indigenous narratives, and why North of North is more than just a TV show—it’s a cultural moment. This is Mission Critical. Let’s get into it. Key Highlights and Takeaways: Redefining Inuit Identity: Anna discusses what it means to be a “modern Inuk woman” and how North of North pushes back against outdated narratives about the Arctic and its people. Joy as Resistance: Why centering Indigenous joy is a radical act — and how the series uses humor and warmth to tell complex stories. Cultural Fashion as Storytelling: The intentional use of Inuit fashion, from vibrant parkas to traditional fur, and how it connects to both personal identity and cultural survival. Economic and Cultural Impact: The show’s $23M impact on the Canadian economy and the 500+ local roles created in Iqaluit — a game-changing moment for Nunavut’s film industry. White Saviour Complex: Anna unpacks how the character of Helen embodies the complexities of well-intentioned “helpers” in Indigenous communities, and why the show avoids easy answers. Global Reach and Representation: With Netflix as a distribution partner, North of North is bringing Inuit stories to a global audience — and changing the narrative about what Indigenous storytelling can look like.

    43 min
  6. Ben Barry (Dean, Parsons School of Design): How Fashion Shapes (and Shifts) Masculinity, Power, and Politics

    MAY 9

    Ben Barry (Dean, Parsons School of Design): How Fashion Shapes (and Shifts) Masculinity, Power, and Politics

    The Met Gala is fashion’s grandest stage — a place where style, celebrity, and cultural commentary collide in a single, glittering red carpet. But even amid the extravagance and fantasy, some things remain untouched. Why do so many men still cling to the sartorial safety net of conservative suiting and restraint? And what does it reveal about the ways we continue to police masculinity, even in spaces supposedly built for self-expression? In this episode of Mission Critical, host Lance Chung sits down with Dr. Ben Barry, Dean of Fashion at Parsons School of Design and a leading advocate for inclusive, equity-driven fashion education. Together, they unpack how fashion operates as both a performance of power and a vehicle for cultural critique — whether it’s on the Met Gala steps, in political arenas, or in everyday life. From his groundbreaking work at Parsons to his research on how men navigate masculinity through clothing, Barry brings fresh insights into the complex intersection of style, identity, and power. In a world where what we wear can both liberate and confine, Barry challenges us to rethink what masculinity looks like — and who gets to define it. Key Takeaways and Highlights: Masculinity as a Performance: How men strategically use clothing to “shore up” masculinity, adapting their style to conform or disrupt depending on context — whether it’s the Met Gala red carpet or a corporate boardroom. The Politics of Power Dressing: The connection between style and authority in politics, from Obama’s infamous tan suit to Zelenskyy’s military green tee to Donald Trump's red tie — and why men who stray from traditional masculine dress codes often face backlash. Cripping Masculinity: Barry’s research on how disabled, fat, and queer men challenge conventional masculinity through clothing, reframing garments as tools for resistance and self-expression. Expanding Fashion’s Reach: The Parsons Disabled Fashion Student Program and how Barry is redefining fashion education to prioritize access, equity, and radical visibility for marginalized bodies. Soft Masculinity vs. Strategic Dressing: The rise of “soft boy” aesthetics — nail polish, pearls, florals — and how fashion is both embracing and co-opting traditionally feminine codes as a new form of hegemonic masculinity. Fashion as a Tool for Liberation: How fashion can function as a site of cultural resistance, allowing marginalized bodies to reclaim space and assert visibility against a backdrop of systemic erasure.

    50 min
  7. Chau Lui (Co-owner, Paris Jewellers): From Immigrant Roots to a Canadian Jewelry Empire

    MAY 1

    Chau Lui (Co-owner, Paris Jewellers): From Immigrant Roots to a Canadian Jewelry Empire

    As the co-owner of Paris Jewellers Canada, a family-run business started by her Vietnamese immigrant parents in 1987, Chau Lui has turned heritage into a mission. With over 23 stores across the country, the brand is known not just for its sparkle, but for its story—a story that began with her mother, who didn’t speak English, relying on a Vietnamese-to-English dictionary to serve her first customers. Today, that same dictionary—a symbol of perseverance, identity, and the quiet strength behind every success story—is on display in the flagship showroom of her latest brand, CELI. CELI is a modern fine jewelry brand that marks the next chapter in her journey—rooted in heritage, elevated in design, and deeply personal. Where Paris Jewellers reflects her family’s immigrant beginnings, CELI represents a bold step forward: a brand built from the ground up by two sisters who have turned lived experience into lasting impact. It’s a reflection of Chau’s growth as a founder, her desire to create something lasting on her own terms, and her vision to shape the future of luxury through storytelling, cultural pride, and craftsmanship. In this episode, Lance and Chau talk about building a legacy from scratch, the emotional power of jewelry to connect generations, and her game-changing new partnership as the official ring designer for the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s first-ever championship rings. It’s a story of grit, grace, and generational impact—told through gold, gemstones, and an unwavering belief in the beauty of where you come from.

    45 min
  8. Jennifer Flanagan (CEO, Actua): The Culture War on Science—and How to Push Back

    APR 23

    Jennifer Flanagan (CEO, Actua): The Culture War on Science—and How to Push Back

    What happens when science itself becomes a battleground? In this Mission Critical live episode—recorded at Toronto’s Annex Hotel and presented in partnership with Veuve Clicquot—Lance sits down with Jennifer Flanagan, President and CEO of Actua, to unpack a critical question: What does it take to protect the future of science—and who gets to participate in building it? In an era marked by rising pseudoscience, political polarization, and the defunding of education, science is no longer seen as neutral ground. From misinformation about vaccines to the growing divide in who gets access to STEM education, the conversation around science has become urgent, complicated, and deeply human. Enter Jennifer Flanagan—a trailblazer who’s spent over 25 years on the front lines of youth engagement, tech equity, and national policy. As the most recent recipient of Veuve Clicquot’s Bold Woman Award, she’s part activist, part architect, and entirely devoted to changing who gets a seat at the lab bench. Key Takeaways & Highlights: The destabilization of science: How public trust in science is eroding—and what we can do about it. Pseudoscience and misinformation: Why STEM literacy is now a form of social armor. The urgency of youth empowerment: Jennifer explains why getting kids into STEM early—especially those from marginalized communities—isn’t just a good idea, it’s a national imperative. Equity in tech and education: Real-world strategies for making STEM more inclusive, and why Jennifer believes outreach isn’t enough—we need structural change. Building Actua: Behind the scenes of leading a national STEM organization that reaches over 400,000 young people annually. Links: Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Awards Nomination: https://www.boldopendatabase.com/en/bold-woman-award

    36 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Behind every great company, every groundbreaking idea, and every game-changing innovation, there’s a leader on a mission. Welcome to Mission Critical with Lance Chung—the show where we break down the blueprints, the bold moves, and the battle-tested playbooks of today’s most impactful leaders. From CEOs and founders to artists, designers, and athletes, we’re talking to the visionaries who build, innovate, and lead.

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