Mark Busse is a Canadian brand strategist, leadership coach, facilitator, and professional instigator who helps leaders turn purpose into performance. A flâneur at heart, he’s known for designing the conversations that build brands—blending strategy, facilitation, and coaching to align story, culture, and execution. As co-founder of Industrial Brand, Mark led AEC firms to differentiate beyond “prettymaking”; today he partners with founders, creative leads, and civic organisations to sharpen positioning, cultivate healthy team dynamics, and host the brave, useful conversations most groups avoid. A long-time community builder (CreativeMornings, cross-sector roundtables, mentoring), he believes generosity is a growth strategy and that better questions beat louder answers. Rooted in emotional intelligence and participatory leadership, his approach gives teams practical tools to find their pace when the path shifts underfoot. Mark lives in Vancouver and is happiest coaching leaders, facilitating strategy sprints, or—true to form—connecting good people who should know each other

Episode Highlights:

Explore Mark Busse's journey from a creative polymath to a strategic advisor and community builder.

1. Discover the pivotal moments that shaped Mark's career, including his transition from brand design to fostering meaningful conversations.
2. Learn about the importance of human connection and how Mark uses it as a catalyst for creativity and innovation.
3. Gain insights into Mark's leadership philosophy, emphasizing empowerment, authenticity, and the value of saying no.
4. Hear Mark's reflections on purpose, values, and the role of mentorship in personal and professional growth.

Website: https://www.pickmybrain.world/profiles/mark-busse/

Creative Mornings: https://creativemornings.com/cities/van

Article: https://industrialbrand.com/three-traits-of-successful-managers

https://www.chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot/category/art-of-hosting/

Mark Busse Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markbusse/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markbusse/?hl=en

Industrial Brand: https://industrialbrand.com/about

In this episode of "Pace & Purpose," host Kirstyn DeVries sits down with Drew Dugan, founder of DVLP Music, to explore his transformative journey from addiction to entrepreneurship.

Drew shares insights on personal development, the power of music, and the importance of embracing one's true self.

Tune in to discover how Drew's experiences have shaped his mission to inspire and educate others.

Drew Dugan is a music producer, educator, and founder of DVLP Academy, a cutting-edge music education hub based in Denver, Colorado.

His lifelong journey with music began at just three years old when he first picked up the drums - a spark that grew into a career blending technical mastery with creative vision.

Driven by the belief that true growth happens when skill is paired with mindset, adaptability, and personal evolution, Drew created DVLP Academy as more than just a music school.

It’s a space where artistry and personal development intersect. Through mentor-based training and immersive, real-world environments, students gain hands-on experience across every stage of modern music production - from songwriting and sound design to mixing and mastering - using industry-standard tools like Ableton Live and Pro Tools.

Drew’s own life embodies the philosophy of developing yourself: he is over nine years sober, has lost more than 100 pounds, and now runs marathons. For him, “The purpose of life is to develop it” isn’t just a statement - it’s truly a way of living.

At DVLP, students and artists are encouraged to embrace that same mindset, using creativity not just to build careers in music, but to fuel personal transformation, resilience, and lifelong growth.

I really enjoyed this conversation with Drew, about his journey from addiction to entrepreneurship and personal growth.

Instagram: @thedrewdugan

Instagram: @dvlpmusic

Website: https://dvlpacademy.com/

Kathy is a 2 time Olympian, competed at 21 world championships including a team bronze medal and several individual top 10 finishes. Kathy was a 5 x NCAA champion while competing at the University of Wisconsin and multiple time British and Canadian national champion.

Kathy had coached for over 25 years starting as a volunteer coach at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and then at Stanford University. She currently coaches post-collegiate athletes with Run Boulder Athletic Club in Boulder, Colorado, athletes all over the world online and high school cross country and track at Nederland High School.

In addition to her own coaching practice Kathy has served as a national team staff coach with Team USA six times including the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago Chile, NACAC Track and Field Championships in 2022 and 2025 and the World Cross Country Championships in 2024 and 2023.

Kathy is a USATF Coaching Education Instructor having taught all levels of their curriculum from Level 1 through 3 as well as specialist courses in the marathon. She is also a curriculum writer for USATF. Kathy also does public speaking on performance, coaching and elite lifestyle including traveling to China to speak at their National Coaching Convention.

Episode Description:

Join us as we explore the inspiring journey of Kathy Butler, a former Olympian who transitioned from a celebrated athlete to a dedicated coach. Discover how her experiences across continents and competitions have shaped her unique coaching philosophy.

From Athlete to Coach: Kathy shares her evolution from a high school athlete to a professional runner, and eventually, a coach.

International Representation: Learn about Kathy's experiences competing for both Canada and the UK, and how these shaped her perspective.

Overcoming Challenges: Hear about the setbacks Kathy faced, including injuries and missed opportunities, and how she bounced back stronger.

Coaching Philosophy: Kathy discusses her approach to coaching, emphasizing personal development and athlete well-being.

Future Aspirations: Discover Kathy's current projects and her vision for the future, including her passion for coaching education and personal growth.

Tune in to hear Kathy's story of resilience, passion, and dedication to the world of athletics.

Instagram - Kathy Butler: @chutler

Instagram- Run Boulder: @runboulderac

Instagram- Coaching: @kathybutlercoaching

Website: www.kathy-butler.com

Run Boulder Athletic Club: http://www.runboulder.org/meettheteam.html