Show Notes
Vinny Veksler is the owner and chef of The Better Baker and hospitality consultant, who pairs a purist approach to food with a no-nonsense perspective on the hospitality industry. Drawing deep inspiration from pre-industrial baking methods and classic sourdough craft, where technique and water substitute for reliance on commercial yeast, Vinny grounds his kitchen philosophy in rigorous, time-tested traditions. Outside the kitchen, his leadership is guided by an uncompromising moral compass inspired by 19th-century abolitionist Cassius Marcellus Clay. As an outspoken operator in Edmonton, Vinny pulls no punches regarding the harsh realities facing independent business owners: navigating bureaucratic delays, surviving early growth without a paycheck, confronting street-level social issues directly outside storefronts, and rejecting industrialized food supply chains by hand-sourcing ingredients each week to adjust to market costs. Now consulting for fellow restaurateurs, he brings this unapologetic, practical realism to an industry he believes has outgrown its broken legacy standards.
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Cole Bennett, widely known online as @cole.notcole, has carved out a distinct path as an independent Canadian political pundit, newsfluencer, and digital journalist. Before building a large audience on TikTok, Instagram, and Substack focused primarily on Canadian and Alberta-centric politics alongside broader world news, his journey started far away from media boardrooms. He never initially planned on entering political commentary and spent time doing other jobs such as taking care of horses and more.
Kelsey Lyseng is a registered nurse and human rights advocate who uses civic engagement, direct action, and digital media to shed light on and challenge ongoing global complicity in Palestine, fight for the safety and visibility of marginalized intersections within the queer community, and critically examine the shortcomings of modern feminism through grassroots solidarity.
Sam Slauenwhite is a wealth advisor who believes that financial guidance should combine analytical rigor with a human touch. A University of Alberta Bachelor of Commerce in Finance graduate and CFA Level II candidate working toward his charter, he brings a solid foundation in investment analysis and portfolio support from his previous background as a financial analyst at a commercial real estate investment firm. Early in his own career, Sam connects naturally with younger professionals and next-generation families by relating directly to the challenges of building a future, managing career risk, and navigating market noise. Outside of the office and his writing for the Early Reflections blog, he can frequently be found cycling through the river valley or playing a round of golf.