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.

• 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.

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.

• 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.

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.

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.

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.

• 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

What happens when influence isn’t just about followers—but about power, ownership, and rewriting the rules of an entire industry?

In this episode of Mission Critical, Lance chats with Susan Yara—content creator turned beauty entrepreneur, and the co-founder of Naturium, one of the fastest-growing skincare brands in the business.

She started in front of the camera. Built trust. Built community. And then she flipped the script, turning her influence into infrastructure. Naturium scaled fast, stood out in a crowded market, and was acquired by e.l.f. Beauty for a reported $355 million. But behind the success story is a woman who’s navigated every tension: between personal brand and product brand, between representation and responsibility, between being taken seriously and staying true to where she came from.

In this conversation, Lance and Susan talk about what it really means to have influence that lasts—not just in beauty, but in business.

Episode highlights and takeaways:

• Why legacy brands are watching: Susan shares how indie beauty brands like Naturium are driving innovation and forcing legacy players to catch up.

• Representation done right: Susan talks about the responsibility (and strategy) of creating an inclusive brand without tokenism — and how her multicultural background shaped her vision.

• From startup to acquisition: What it really takes to scale fast, keep your soul, and partner with a company like e.l.f. to go global without losing your original mission.

• The power of analytics: She reveals how understanding her audience through content data gave her a roadmap for product development, retail strategy, and growth.

• Creating vs. scaling: The difference between building a personal brand and building a business—and why separating the two is essential if you want to exit.

What does it mean to create something grounded in community, but built to reach the world? In this episode of Mission Critical, Lance sits down with Stacey Aglok MacDonald and Alethea Arnaquq-Baril—the visionary creators and showrunners behind North of North, the first-ever Inuit-led scripted drama produced by CBC and APTN and getting ready for its global Netflix debut.

Set against the vast and icy landscape of the Arctic, North of North radiates warmth through its humor, its characters, and its unapologetic point of view—it’s a cultural response to a much bigger conversation. As governments and industries set their sights on Arctic development, North of North reminds us that the people who have always called the North home must have a seat at the table—and a voice in the narrative.

In a world where media often gets Indigenous stories wrong, Stacey and Alethea are leading a new wave of filmmaking: deeply rooted in Inuit identity, brimming with universal themes, and ready to be embraced on the world stage. This is a conversation about storytelling as resistance, the power of laughter in the face of hardship, and why the future of cinema might just be found in the farthest corners of the North.

• Why “North of North” had to be shot in Nunavut—and how the land became a character in itself.

• Balancing local authenticity with global resonance: telling stories for Inuit communities and the world.

• The warmth of the Arctic: reframing stereotypes about northern life through humor, fashion, and human connection.

• Reclaiming Arctic narratives: how the show mirrors real-life debates around land use, research, and Indigenous sovereignty.

• The future of Indigenous-led film: breaking through systemic barriers and carving out new creative pathways.

• Comedy as a cultural tool: how laughter helps unpack trauma and build connection across communities.

• What global distribution through Netflix means for Inuit visibility and storytelling on the world stage.

• Advice for emerging Indigenous storytellers on staying grounded while dreaming big.

Department stores are disappearing—Nordstrom pulled out of Canada, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman were swallowed up into Saks Global, Hudson's Bay is liquidating, and direct-to-consumer brands are reshaping the retail landscape. But Holt Renfrew (you know them, that Canadian luxury destination with the iconic magenta shopping bags) continues to stand strong. It's an impressive feat considering the brand's almost 200-year history. So, what does it take to not just survive, but thrive in today’s evolving luxury market?

In this episode of Mission Critical, Lance sits down with Sebastian Picardo, President and CEO of Holt Renfrew, to explore the evolving definition of luxury and the future of multi-brand retail. From his first brush with luxury in Argentina to navigating Holt Renfrew through a rapidly changing landscape, Sebastian shares personal insights, leadership philosophies, and the strategic vision that keeps Holt Renfrew at the forefront of the industry.

They discuss:

• The emotional and experiential aspects of luxury in 2025.
• How Holt Renfrew stays relevant in an era where brands are going direct-to-consumer.
• The crucial role of relationships in luxury retail.
• Balancing heritage with innovation.

Key Takeaways:

• Luxury is more than price—it’s about emotion, purpose, and connection.
• Multi-brand retailers must define their own identity beyond the brands they carry.
• Personal service and relationships are the true product in luxury retail.
• Sustainability and heritage can coexist with innovation.
• Navigating uncertainty requires a long-term vision and a strong company culture.

If you’re curious about the future of fashion, retail, and what it takes to lead a legacy brand in a rapidly changing industry, this is the episode for you. Let's get into it.