Paper Napkin Wisdom - Podcast And Blog For Entrepreneurs, Leaders And Difference-makers

When Simone Kelly first began helping families navigate the complexities of senior care, she didn’t just build a company—she built a movement. As the founder and CEO of Seniornicity, Simone’s mission is rooted in empathy, connection, and empowerment. Her company bridges the gap between older adults, families, and trusted care providers, making it easier for people to age well, together.  But the napkin she brought to Paper Napkin Wisdom goes deeper than business strategy—it’s about protecting your passion and preserving your peace.  “Build a business that you love, but not your hobby. Because when you need to shut your brain off to your work, you won’t have your hobby to turn to.”  Simone’s insight is simple, but it carries the kind of wisdom that only comes from lived experience. Entrepreneurs often start businesses around something they’re passionate about. But as Simone points out, when that passion becomes your full-time pursuit, it can consume everything—including the joy it once brought you.  She shares

Sometimes, the smallest words hold the biggest weight. In this episode of Edge of the Napkin, Govindh Jayaraman dives deep into one of the most overused — and misunderstood — words in leadership: “How.”  We use it constantly. We think it’s helpful.  But as Govindh reveals, how can be both the key to progress — and the invisible wall that keeps us from growing.  We say things like:  “That’s not how it’s done.” “That’s not how we do things here.” “Let me show you how I want that done.” “We tried that how before — it didn’t work.”  Every one of those sentences feels logical on the surface… but underneath, each one tightens the box around creativity, ownership, and freedom.  That’s the danger of the old how — it limits. And that’s the invitation of the future how — it liberates.    The Freedom of How  The napkin for this episode says it all. Two circles.  On the left, Old How — arrows pointing inward, closing in, trapping ideas. On the right, Future How — arrows bursting outward, full of energy,

When you meet Nancy Johnston, you can immediately sense the combination of depth and purpose behind everything she touches. She’s the founder and CEO of Truuce, a company built around reimagining human connection, well-being, and design in the modern world. Her leadership bridges the emotional and the practical — weaving care, creativity, and clarity into every solution she creates.  In this episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Nancy shares a simple but transformative philosophy written on her napkin:  “Solve a real problem. Make it beautiful. Care like hell.”  It’s a mantra that feels like the soul of great leadership — and as our conversation unfolded, it became clear that each line represents a pillar for building something that truly matters.  Solve a Real Problem  Nancy begins with a truth that too many entrepreneurs overlook: success starts with serving, not selling. “If you’re not solving something real,” she says, “you’re just creating noise.”  Her journey with Truuce began by observing what people tru

When you meet Dr. Malik Muhammad, you immediately feel the depth of his compassion paired with the weight of his conviction. He has built a global reputation for helping communities, leaders, and organizations transform through a unique blend of restorative practices, social-emotional learning, and courageous conversations. Dr. Muhammad is the founder of Transforming Lives Inc. and also works closely with Akoben LLC, both of which are devoted to empowering leaders and communities through equity, restorative leadership, and personal transformation.  In this episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Dr. Malik shares a deceptively simple yet profoundly powerful formula scribbled on his napkin:  Connection + Challenge = Change  It’s the kind of wisdom that takes a lifetime of practice and reflection to fully appreciate. As our conversation unfolded, it became clear that this formula is not just a leadership principle — it’s a human one.    Why Connection First?  Dr. Malik explains that transformation cannot ha

Somewhere in the middle of a weekly call with fellow entrepreneurs, the conversation unexpectedly turned to Valentine’s Day. Instead of the usual talk about scaling, strategy, and execution, we found ourselves reflecting on love, relationships, and why so many of us don’t really celebrate the Hallmark version of Valentine’s Day.  That sparked a memory for me. Years ago, my daughter asked why our family didn’t go all-in on Valentine’s Day. Yes, my wife does something sweet for the kids—a little basket of goodies—but when it comes to the roses, chocolates, and candlelit dinners, we don’t do it.  I told her: I don’t need to Hallmark Moments.  I don’t need a card company to tell me when to celebrate the people I love. I don’t need a calendar to dictate when to tell my wife she’s special, or when to tell my daughter I’m proud of her, or when to acknowledge the people who matter to me.    Beyond Hallmark: The Principle  Here’s what I told my daughter that day: there’s no limit on the number of times I

In this second half of our powerful conversation with Chris Thomson, we dive deeper into the mindset, discipline, and leadership lessons that have guided him through decades of transforming students into high-performing entrepreneurs. Chris is the Head Coach of the Student Works Management Program, a business that has trained thousands of young leaders across Canada. His story is one of building people, systems, and a culture that thrives on ownership and accountability.  His wife, Helen Thomson, is his business partner and CEO of the Student Works Management Program and together they are among the most dynamic pairs of entrepreneurs in the country. Their program has likely help forge more Canadian entrepreneurs than any other program.   He is also the host of the very popular Leaders of Tomorrow podcast where he features young and dedicated entrepreneurs on their journey to forge their own path in the world.  Chris’ napkin for this episode reminds us that leadership is not about the title or the authority

Introduction  In this very personal and powerful episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, I sit down with one of my oldest friends, Chris Thomson, Head Coach of the . Chris has spent decades shaping young leaders, building more entrepreneurs in Canada than perhaps anyone else. His story has always been one of creating opportunity and pushing boundaries—but today, his napkin is not about business.  His wife, Helen Thomson, is his business partner and CEO of the Student Works Management Program and together they are among the most dynamic pairs of entrepreneurs in the country. Their program has likely help forge more Canadian entrepreneurs than any other program.   He is also the host of the very popular Leaders of Tomorrow podcast where he features young and dedicated entrepreneurs on their journey to forge their own path in the world.  Chris brings forward a message that is raw, human, and deeply resonant: “Cancer is a journey.” After being diagnosed three years ago, Chris has learned to see this experience no

Episode 300 is a milestone — and fittingly, it circles back to the single most important lesson Govindh Jayaraman has learned over the past decade. This Edge of the Napkin moment distills years of hard-earned wisdom into a deceptively simple sketch: a mountain path labeled Focus, Align, Act.  At first glance, it looks like a winding road up a peak. But listen closely and you’ll hear it’s really a life framework. This napkin isn’t about theory — it’s about how Govindh has lived, stumbled, re-centered, and climbed.  Focus: See It Clearly  The summit begins with clarity. As Govindh recalls sitting at breakfast with his wife Stacey and Sam Horn in Athens back in 2014, he realized the trap of drifting without a sharp lens. Focus means naming the mountain you’re climbing — not “a mountain,” but your mountain.  When you see it clearly, distractions fall away. The right actions and right people come into view. Without this clarity, every detour feels like progress but takes you off-course.  Align: Re-Cente

When you meet Kevin Barnicle, you immediately sense his energy for challenging convention. He’s a seasoned entrepreneur, author, and business leader who has lived the entrepreneurial rollercoaster—leaving the security of corporate life, building companies from scratch, navigating competition with giants like Microsoft, and eventually selling his business. Along the way, Kevin built not just financial results but also a reputation for going against the grain.  His napkin is simple, direct, and deeply subversive:  “Look at what everyone else is doing, and do the opposite.”  That contrarian mindset has been Kevin’s compass since the beginning. While peers at his first job stayed put, clinging to the “safe” path, Kevin leaned into uncertainty. Everyone around him said don’t leave, yet he did—choosing risk, learning, and growth over predictability. That decision shaped his entrepreneurial DNA and continues to shape how he builds, leads, and invests today.    Why Doing the Opposite Works  Kevin’s wisdo

On this episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, I sat down with Juan DeAngulo, a veteran investor, entrepreneur, and systems thinker whose work bridges discipline and heart. Juan has scaled billion-dollar investment platforms, co-founded Inselligence—a fast-growing tech startup—and, just as importantly, learned to balance leadership with wellness after battling through years of personal struggle.  But his napkin is deceptively simple:  “I am true to myself and I release the outcome.”  Written on December 21, 2023, this phrase captures the essence of a leader who has lived both the cost and the gift of authenticity.    The Power of Truth to Self  Juan shares in the conversation that too often, leaders bend themselves to fit expectations—investors, clients, even their own self-imposed standards. The napkin reminds us that real clarity starts with aligning choices to who we are, not who we think others want us to be.  When you’re true to yourself, decisions become less about approval and more about alignm

This is an uncomfortable conversation.  Every single day, we make choices — most of them so routine that we barely notice. How do you like your steak cooked — rare, medium, or well-done? At Thanksgiving, do you reach for the light meat or the dark? Keto or paleo? Lean muscle or bulk? Strong coffee or a lighter roast?  They’re little decisions about taste, texture, preference. About comfort.  But it doesn’t stop there. We choose friends who do what we do. We find partners who share our interests. We build identities around playlists, sports teams, and streaming choices. And in leadership? We double down.  We read Start With Why. We define core values. We tell ourselves we’ll only hire people who “fit.” That isn’t wrong — but it’s dangerously easy to confuse alignment with values for simple agreement with me.  And that’s where the trap lies: we like what feels like us. We choose sameness. We surround ourselves with comfort.  Comfort feels good. Comfort feels safe.  But here’s the uncomfortable tru

    Every once in a while, a Paper Napkin Wisdom napkin shows up that makes you laugh, makes you think, and ultimately stays with you long after the conversation is over. Episode 296 with Jimmy Park is one of those. This episode was recorded in 2017 but never released—until now, as we approach our 300th milestone. Pulling it out of the archives feels especially timely, because Jimmy’s message is universal, evergreen, and deeply practical.  Jimmy Park is a longtime New York business connector and member of Gotham Networking. He has spent years helping entrepreneurs and professionals build stronger relationships and find opportunity in unexpected places. True to his work and his life, Jimmy’s napkin is not polished or corporate—it’s raw, funny, and real:  “Stay happy when you step in dogshit.”  Turning Life’s Messes into Lessons  At first glance, Jimmy’s napkin might sound like a joke. But as he explained, it’s anything but. Every entrepreneur and leader will eventually step into their own version of “

Paper Napkin Wisdom Episode 295: Adam Hudson — Timeless Lessons on Building Freedom Through Business  Sometimes, the most powerful wisdom waits patiently for the right moment. Episode 295 of Paper Napkin Wisdom is one of those moments. This conversation with Adam Hudson, entrepreneur, investor, and founder of and host of Discover Your Talent, was recorded back in 2017. For a variety of reasons, it never made it out into the world—until now.  As we march toward our 300th episode milestone, it feels fitting to dust off gems like this from the archives. Why? Because the truths Adam shares on his napkin are timeless. They resonate as much today as they did eight years ago, maybe even more so.  Adam’s entrepreneurial journey has spanned multiple continents, industries, and markets. He has built and sold businesses, mentored founders, and consistently pursued freedom—not just financial, but freedom of time, energy, and purpose. His napkin from this conversation distilled that pursuit into something simple, s

Some episodes of Paper Napkin Wisdom are easy to listen to, packed with energizing insights and clear strategies for growth. Others are heavier — not because they lack value, but because the wisdom forces us to pause, reflect, and wrestle with the uncomfortable. Episode 294 is one of those conversations.  This week, Govindh sits down with three little letters we all know: RIP. We’ve all said them. We’ve read them on tombstones, typed them in comments, whispered them at funerals. But how often do we really consider what they mean? And what happens when they appear in the midst of public controversy, where the conversation around death is anything but peaceful?  On his napkin for this episode, Govindh wrote three concentric circles:  Rest at the center.  In in the middle.  Peace as the outer ring.  It looks simple, but like so many Paper Napkin Wisdom sketches, it carries weight. It challenges us to expand our understanding of what it means when we say, “Rest in Peace.”    Why This

When you sit down with someone like Steven Rothberg, Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of College Recruiter, you expect to hear insights about hiring, technology, and the future of work. What you might not expect is a napkin that sums up decades of wisdom in a sentence so straightforward it almost sounds too simple:  “If a customer wants to give you more money, find a way of making that happen. $$$”  At first glance, it feels like sales advice. But during our conversation, it became clear that Steven’s napkin is less about sales tactics and more about mindset. It’s about curiosity, listening, and the courage to grow your business in partnership with your customers instead of in isolation from them.    The Origins of the Napkin  Steven explained that this napkin wisdom didn’t come from a single “aha” moment but from years of conversations with clients. Over time, he noticed a pattern: customers would ask for things that weren’t on the official menu. Sometimes they wanted a slightly different featu

Partnership is one of the most powerful words in leadership and in life. We spend years searching for the right business partner, co-founder, or even life partner. But here’s the twist on this week’s Paper Napkin Wisdom: the greatest, most important partnership you’ll ever have is not with someone else—it’s with yourself.  The napkin for Episode 292 asks the provocative question: “Who’s the best partner you ever had?” And then delivers the unexpected truth: (Secret)… it’s you.  In this episode, Govindh dives deep into the nature of the partnership between the conscious and unconscious mind. He unpacks why most of us misunderstand this relationship, how to reframe it, and why learning to work in alignment with ourselves may be the single greatest leadership unlock we have at our disposal.    The Silent Partner You Already Have  So much of our life is spent looking outward for validation, recognition, and collaboration. Yet every leader has a silent partner operating in the background: the unconscious mind.  F

Jennifer McKenna, founder of JMac Consulting, is an accomplished business strategist, executive coach, and creator of The JMac Method. With decades of experience guiding leaders and organizations through transformation, Jennifer has built her reputation on blending practical business strategy with a deep commitment to values, authenticity, and growth. She has coached Fortune 500 executives, entrepreneurs, and visionaries to align who they are with what they do.  On Paper Napkin Wisdom, Jennifer shares her Prosperity Formula — a deceptively simple but powerful framework to help leaders and entrepreneurs move from what is familiar into a space of true fulfillment.    The Prosperity Formula  At first glance, Jennifer’s napkin sketch looks straightforward:  Familiar → Faith → Fulfillment  But the wisdom beneath it is transformative.  Jennifer explains that many of us stay trapped in the Familiar. It’s comfortable, predictable, and safe — but it’s also where growth stalls. Leaders often cling to fam

In Episode 290 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Andrew Safnauer, a seasoned leader and executive with a wealth of experience in management, strategy, and innovation. Andrew has held leadership roles across diverse industries and today brings his insights into resilience, adaptability, and persistence. His wisdom is captured on a single napkin:  “Find your way over the wall.”  At first glance, it’s a simple metaphor. But as Andrew shares, this idea has been a recurring theme throughout his life and career, one that continues to guide him and those around him.    The Napkin: Find Your Way Over the Wall  Andrew explains that in the arc of his journey, obstacles and challenges have never been reasons to turn back. Instead, they have been invitations to problem-solve creatively.  “When you get to a problem, when I get to a problem, it doesn’t turn me around. It’s really about finding my way over, around, or through the wall.”  Walls, in Andrew’s story, are not barrier

In Episode 289 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, host Govindh Jayaraman takes us deeper into the next evolution of his work: The Edge of the Napkin. This isn’t just about wisdom captured in simple strokes anymore — it’s about stepping into the tension between friction and flow, and understanding the rhythms of creativity and growth.  The napkin for this episode sets the stage: a stick figure caught between jagged lines of friction and the upward curve of flow, alongside two key modes — Seminal (Spark) and Gestational (Build). At its heart, the question posed is simple but powerful: Are you in Spark mode or Build mode?    The Tension Between Friction and Flow  Every leader, entrepreneur, and creator knows what it feels like to get stuck in friction — the drag, the obstacles, the resistance that makes progress feel like walking through mud. Yet, on the other side of that resistance lies flow — the state where energy aligns, momentum builds, and forward motion feels effortless.  Flow isn’t luck. It’s the resu

  When Katy Spada sat down with me on Paper Napkin Wisdom, she brought a napkin that was more than just words — it was a challenge:  “Build the world you wish existed for your younger self, and for those who come next.”  Katy isn’t just an entrepreneur. She’s a mother of two (ages 7 and 4), a storyteller, and the founder of Arya + Maan, a lifestyle and apparel company that’s grounded in values of creativity, heritage, and intentional living. What makes her story remarkable is how deeply personal it is. As she says, she never set out to be an entrepreneur — she calls herself an “accidental entrepreneur.” Yet, what started with a desire to create something meaningful for her family has grown into a mission-driven brand with a powerful message for anyone willing to listen.    Reclaiming Childhood Dreams  In the episode, Katy reflects on being a daydreamer as a child — someone who created fantastical worlds on paper. As an adult, she’s learned that those childhood imaginings were not flights of fancy b