The 5% Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

What if the patterns quietly running your life were never actually yours to begin with? Trina Parnell (TP Coaching) is an Alignment Strategist who became obsessed with that question after her own long mental health battle — and built a coaching practice around helping people see what's really going on beneath the noise. Jude and Tom dig into why fear is a signal not a direction, why micromanagement is just fear in a suit, the BDC stat that 90% of entrepreneurs are quietly struggling, and the wildly creative "Donna GPT" Trina built using a Suits character to reconnect to her own sense of self.

What happens when a bunch of school bus-sized humpback whales break the surface together, mouths wide open, herring jumping everywhere — and you forget to press the shutter button? Kevin Smith (Maple Leaf Adventures) has spent 25 years captaining expedition cruises through BC's Great Bear Rainforest, and his stories of "charismatic megafauna," COVID-era coastal cleanups, and why 40 million Canadians can't all see this coast will make you rethink what adventure tourism actually means.

This episode is brought to you by Vern and the team at Fischer Financial — trusted advisors who help founders build financial clarity and confidence. If you’re looking for expert guidance delivered with real integrity, connect with them at fischerfinancial.ca.

Today we’re sitting down with Nick Banks — a leadership coach and culture strategist who helps organizations align people, purpose, and performance. Nick digs into what he’s learned from real comeback stories, why setbacks can sharpen your focus, and how teams rebuild with intention. It’s a sharp, grounded conversation about resilience, culture, and designing your next chapter.

Today’s guest is Karen Fishwick, founder and head of Atlassian operations at Highway Three Solutions. With over 25 years in the IT industry, Karen has become a go-to expert in helping organizations modernize their systems of work, from complex Jira migrations to large-scale digital platforms. She’s known for her technical depth, steady leadership, and a long track record of delivering solutions that actually move businesses forward. Excited to have her with us today.

Jude and Tom spend time chatting to Paul Nursey who is the Chief Executive Officer of Destination Greater Victoria, where he leads tourism marketing, strategy, and branding efforts for the region.

The Entrepreneurs Organization is a global community of 20,000 business owners dedicated to peer-to-peer learning. Learn more about the Vancouver Island chapter here https://eovancouverisland.com/

Jude and Tom have a chat with Tessa Mcloughlin the CEO and founder of Club Kwench Co working space in Victoria. Learn about how she fosters the ideas of community and inclusiveness in her unique space.

The Entrepreneurs Organization is a global community of 20,000 business owners dedicated to peer-to-peer learning. Learn more about the Vancouver Island chapter here https://eovancouverisland.com/

The owner of Gladiator Drywall Blue Vasseur is EOVI's newest member. Blue tells us about the discipline he learned in the Alberta oil patch and how that has lead to his success in the construction industry and in his family life.The Entrepreneurs Organization is a global community of 20,000 business owners dedicated to peer-to-peer learning. Learn more about the Vancouver Island chapter here https://eovancouverisland.com/

Co-founder of Berlin Eaton and Associates, Shelly has been a fixture of the BC management consulting community for three decades. Listen to how she has changed the industry and weathered the storms over 29 years at the helm.The Entrepreneurs Organization is a global community of 20,000 business owners dedicated to peer-to-peer learning. Learn more about the Vancouver Island chapter here https://eovancouverisland.com/

Founder of Full On Lighting, First Light and CEO at Xlynx Materials. Find out how this Esquimalt native specializes in imbedded logic to pioneer world-class products and the mental resilience he has unlocked along the way.The Entrepreneurs Organization is a global community of 20,000 business owners dedicated to peer-to-peer learning. Learn more about the Vancouver Island chapter here https://eovancouverisland.com/

Our EO Vancouver Island Board President, Rich Van Leeuwen shares his plan and insights with us today and helps us to catch up on events local and far flung. The Entrepreneurs Organization is a global community of 20,000 business owners dedicated to peer-to-peer learning. Learn more about the Vancouver Island chapter here https://eovancouverisland.com/