Power Of Why With Naomi Haile

Learn from Kevin Bourne, a storyteller and media visionary building an empire that stands the test of time. Discover how to embrace pivots, build for longevity, and create more opportunities by building in public. “I've learned to analyze life and see the good in the bad moments. I’m willing to be inconvenienced temporarily if it means achieving something better in the long term. I’ve noticed that many people focus on short-term discomfort instead of realizing that if they push through it, something better is on the other side.” In this episode, Kevin Bourne and I explore the power of reinvention and embracing the in-between moments in life. Kevin shares how his journey—from shy kid to political staffer, media founder, and now film and TV producer—has been fueled by constant growth and a willingness to evolve. Kevin Bourne is a cultural visionary and powerhouse in Canada’s arts and media landscape. Kevin is a journalist, on-air personality, and branding and marketing strategist based in Toronto. As the CEO of

“Really good art is amazing to witness. It changes people, it changes culture. When you make a great film, a great song, a great painting, or a great poem, the world changes. But when it’s mediocre, it’s just forgettable, like mediocre pizza.” In this clip from The Power of Why, acting coach and studio owner Terry Knickerbocker and POW host Naomi Haile explore the power of consistent training in refining your craft. Terry emphasizes the importance of craft, comparing it to sports and painting, where success comes from “putting in the reps” and honing your skills over time. He also shares why quality in art leaves a lasting impact while mediocrity becomes forgettable. Tune in for valuable insights into building a body of work you can truly be proud of. Connect with Terry Website: terryknickerbockerstudio.com Instagram: @terryknickerbockerstudio   Connect with Naomi Website: www.naomihaile.com LinkedIn: Naomi Haile Instagram: @naomiahaile Twitter: @naomiathaile YouTube: Naomi Haile

In this clip from The Power of Why, Terry Knickerbocker, and POW host Naomi Haile unpack the internal barriers that often prevent people from embracing reinvention and unlocking their creative potential. Terry identifies fear as the primary obstacle to change and that it requires courage to take risks and embrace what you don’t know (yet). He talks about neuroplasticity and pushing beyond your comfort zone to expand creatively and personally. Connect with Terry Website: terryknickerbockerstudio.com Instagram: @terryknickerbockerstudio   Connect with Naomi Website: www.naomihaile.com LinkedIn: Naomi Haile Instagram: @naomiahaile Twitter: @naomiathaile YouTube: Naomi Haile

In this clip from The Power of Why, Terry Knickerbocker and POW host Naomi Haile discuss the importance of reconnecting with your fearless nature. Do you remember who you were when you were two years old? The creativity and freedom of childhood? Using examples like Robin Williams and Matthew McConaughey, Terry highlights how trusting your impulses and being willing to color outside the lines can lead to extraordinary artistic breakthroughs. He emphasizes that true courage in art comes from listening to your inner voice and honoring what feels authentic, even when it defies expectations—a powerful reminder for creatives to embrace freedom and follow their truth. Connect with Terry Website: terryknickerbockerstudio.com Instagram: @terryknickerbockerstudio   Connect with Naomi Website: www.naomihaile.com LinkedIn: Naomi Haile Instagram: @naomiahaile Twitter: @naomiathaile YouTube: Naomi Haile

“Really good art is amazing to witness. It changes people, it changes culture. When you make a great film, a great song, a great painting, or a great poem, the world changes. But when it’s mediocre, it’s just forgettable, like mediocre pizza.” ​​Meet Terry Knickerbocker, the renowned acting coach and founder of the Terry Knickerbocker Studio in Brooklyn. Terry discusses the transformative power of training, creative freedom, and the courage it takes to reinvent yourself. Terry brings 30 years of experience helping actors unlock their authentic voices, refine their craft, and find their purpose.  In this conversation, we explore how the Meisner technique nurtures freedom and authenticity, helping actors overcome the barriers of fear and self-doubt. Terry shares his philosophy on teaching as a collaborative and profound responsibility and his belief in guiding students to build technical skills and emotional depth. Terry is committed to learning and training. He is a graduate of NYU’s Experimental Theatre Wing

In this clip of The Power of Why, Nickie Shobeiry and I dive into her journey of building a communications business from the ground up. Starting out, Nickie hustled hard—taking on free gigs and creating websites for local cafés and galleries, just to get her work in front of people. She talks about the ups and downs, like moving to London with big dreams only to realize it wasn’t the right place at the time. After finding her way to Canada, she hit the ground running, networking in Ottawa and writing for Apartment 613 to build her reputation. Nickie shares how staying connected with her community and showing up consistently has fueled her growth—and how that grit and perseverance still pay off today. Connect with Nickie LinkedIn: Nickie Shobeiry Website: Nickie Shobeiry Instagram: Nickie Shobeiry Substack: Nickie Shobeiry Connect with Naomi Website: www.naomihaile.com LinkedIn: Naomi Haile Instagram: @naomiahaile Twitter: @naomiathaile YouTube: Naomi Haile

In this clip of The Power of Why, Nickie Shobeiry dives into her process of pitching and producing a project for CBC’s Creator Network. After returning from Turkey with fresh ideas, Nickie explains her approach to crafting a compelling pitch: building relationships with producers, understanding their needs, and tailoring her ideas to match. She breaks down her six-month process, including creating a pitch deck with key elements like a logline, visual style, and marketing plan, as well as why having a director’s statement can make or break a project. For aspiring creators, Nickie offers a blueprint for pitching projects and building lasting connections. Connect with Nickie LinkedIn: Nickie Shobeiry Website: Nickie Shobeiry Instagram: Nickie Shobeiry Substack: Nickie Shobeiry Connect with Naomi Website: www.naomihaile.com LinkedIn: Naomi Haile Instagram: @naomiahaile Twitter: @naomiathaile YouTube: Naomi Haile

In this clip of The Power of Why, Nickie Shobeiry shares with me her two biggest investments in growing her creative and writing skills. For her communications business, Nickie emphasizes the value of hiring support so she can step back from daily tasks and make space for creative work. She also credits journalism with teaching her to push past ‘white page syndrome’ by tackling tight deadlines—even on boring topics. Nickie explains that consistent practice and overcoming the blank page have been essential to honing her craft and staying focused on storytelling. Connect with Nickie LinkedIn: Nickie Shobeiry Website: Nickie Shobeiry Instagram: Nickie Shobeiry Substack: Nickie Shobeiry Connect with Naomi Website: www.naomihaile.com LinkedIn: Naomi Haile Instagram: @naomiahaile Twitter: @naomiathaile YouTube: Naomi Haile

In this clip of The Power of Why, Nickie Shobeiry and I discuss the power of creating ‘door stopper’ moments—projects that open doors and create opportunities. Nickie shares how producing a short film allowed her to connect with agents, public figures, and the Iranian community in a whole new way, leading to speaking gigs on Farsi-language radio, roles at major Iranian festivals, and more. She describes this film as a way of saying, ‘I’m here; this is my voice. Let’s work together.’ It’s a powerful reminder to rally around your community, create your own opportunities, and leverage your work to build lasting connections. Connect with Nickie LinkedIn: Nickie Shobeiry Website: Nickie Shobeiry Instagram: Nickie Shobeiry Substack: Nickie Shobeiry Connect with Naomi Website: www.naomihaile.com LinkedIn: Naomi Haile Instagram: @naomiahaile Twitter: @naomiathaile YouTube: Naomi Haile

“A door stopper is like shoving your leg in the door before it can close on you. It's creating an asset and opportunity to capture people's attention and open a door or two.” In this episode, Nickie Shobeiry and I dive into the art of creating opportunities by boldly putting yourself out there. Imagine using a short film not just as a creative piece but as a powerful door stopper—a way to crack open opportunities before they slip away. Nickie shares how these projects have become calling cards that capture attention and forge connections with industry insiders and media moguls. It’s an unapologetic approach to saying, “This is me. This is my message. Let’s make something great together.” ​​Nickie Shobeiry uses storytelling excellence for good. A second-generation Iranian raised in the United Kingdom and now living in Canada, she shares stories of the joy and resilience of her culture through film, audio, and journalism. This year, Nickie produced Good Nose, her first short film about cosmetic surgery trends i

Todd Corley's childhood joy revolved around his family and community. Growing up in a close-knit family in Queen’s New York, surrounded by love and the values of giving back, Todd learned early that the strength of the community was far greater than individual success. These values have shaped his career and life's work. From being the first Chief Diversity Officer at Abercrombie & Fitch to his current role as Senior Vice President of Inclusion, Sustainability, and Community at Carhartt, Todd's leadership has always been about more than checking boxes — it's about creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and empowered to succeed. Whether he was working in retail at Abercrombie, with Black farmers through his work with the USDA, or in hospitality at a multinational hotel brand building brands "betting right" for Todd meant understanding that the work was bigger than him—it was about the societal connectedness that he wanted to be part of. In many spaces that Todd was in, he

In this clip of The Power of Why, Thomas Cumberbatch (guest) and Naomi Haile (POW host) discuss how asking questions and UNDERSTANDING led to unearthing Thomas' real business. When someone hired him to create, shoot a campaign, or shoot a brand film, he always said, "I needed ingredients to develop a concept!!" So, he would ask his clients questions. And he would often hear: "Those questions were better than the questions our agency asked us," "Thomas, do you know that the questions you just asked solved some of our corporate issues right there in that meeting?", "Did you know, Thomas, those questions you asked unearthed stories from my business partner that I've known for 20 years that I never knew?" Connect with Thomas LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠ Thomas Cumberbatch⁠⁠⁠ Godzspeed Communications Website:⁠⁠⁠ godzspeed.com/⁠⁠⁠  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ @godzspeedcommunications⁠⁠ Studio 20/20 Website:⁠⁠⁠ Studio 20/20⁠⁠⁠ Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ @stu.dio2020⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Naomi Website:⁠⁠

In this clip of The Power of Why, Thomas Cumberbatch (guest) and Naomi Haile (POW host) discuss how creating real bonds with people starts with how we connect to ourselves. When we can get to the soul of who we are, this translates to how we show up in any conversation, interaction, or situation, enabling us to build real bonds. Connect with Thomas LinkedIn:⁠⁠ Thomas Cumberbatch⁠⁠ Godzspeed Communications Website:⁠⁠ godzspeed.com/⁠⁠  Instagram:⁠⁠ @godzspeedcommunications⁠ Studio 20/20 Website:⁠⁠ Studio 20/20⁠⁠ Instagram:⁠⁠ @stu.dio2020⁠⁠ Connect with Naomi Website:⁠⁠ naomihaile.com⁠⁠ LinkedIn:⁠⁠ Naomi Haile⁠⁠ Instagram:⁠⁠ @naomiahaile⁠⁠ Twitter:⁠⁠ @naomiathaile⁠

“What I believe should define every human being is their SOUL." We’re looking at a beautiful set: a light curtain backdrop with a microphone peering through– the one you may have noticed on the esteemed NPR Tiny desk music sessions– two comfy cream chairs, a white plush carpet, and three cameras ready for their mark. Meet Thomas Cumberbatch. The brilliant CEO of GodzSpeed Communications and the chairperson and founder of Studio 20/20. In 10+ years of business, his team is laser-focused on uncovering a brand’s soul through its Soul Guide Process. This episode is for you if: You want to unearth and illuminate your soul. You’re a creative professional who wants to use meaningful questions to drive results. You desire personal growth and authenticity but struggle to connect deeply with others. You’re going from a solo founder to building a team to achieve your big dreams. Are you curious about how the soul impacts creation? Or how do you get to know your clients deeply so that design and strategy

In this clip of The Power of Why, Anne-Marie Mulumba (guest) and POW host Naomi Haile discuss possibilities that exist for our we work, monetize our skills, and maximize our time using AI in our work. Anne-Marie acknowledges that it may be scary thinking about the gravity of technology and the changes coming, but emphasizes how critical seeking information and knowledge are for preparing yourself for the future. Connect with Anne-Marie LinkedIn: Anne-Marie Mulumba Website: Wabala Studios Instagram: Wabala Studio Twitter: Anne-Marie Mulumba Connect with Naomi Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠naomihaile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@naomiahaile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@naomiathaile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Naomi Haile⁠

In this clip of The Power of Why, Anne-Marie Mulumba (guest) and POW host Naomi Haile discuss how what it can look like to build a business that aligns with your lifestyle, values, and priorities? Anne-Marie talks about what retirement means to her and how she plans to work backwards to get there. Connect with Anne-Marie LinkedIn: Anne-Marie Mulumba Website: Wabala Studios Instagram: Wabala Studio Twitter: Anne-Marie Mulumba Connect with Naomi Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠naomihaile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@naomiahaile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@naomiathaile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Naomi Haile⁠

In this clip of The Power of Why, Anne-Marie Mulumba (guest) and POW host Naomi Haile discuss how Anne-Marie created a business that leveraged her unique-ness as someone who is East African, has a design background, has worked in research and service design, and is really interested in culture. Anne-Marie asked how she can create a business that benefits others using the different perspectives that live within her. Anne-Marie also shares why she develops frameworks and finds ways to share information in a digestible way that help people think better. Connect with Anne-Marie LinkedIn: Anne-Marie Mulumba Website: Wabala Studios Instagram: Wabala Studio Twitter: Anne-Marie Mulumba Connect with Naomi Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠naomihaile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@naomiahaile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@naomiathaile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Naomi Haile⁠

⁠Anne-Marie Mulumba⁠ created a business that leveraged her uniqueness as an East African with a design background, experience in research and service design, and passion for cultures.  She is consistently asking: How can we design technology that brings value to people’s lives and makes them better? Will this thing we’re building save people time or money so they can focus on more important matters?  Does it help people think differently and upgrade their thinking patterns, habits, and discipline? Today, Anne-Marie is a creative entrepreneur, the founder, and CEO of ⁠Wabala Studio⁠. This product-led service company aids technology startups in enhancing their customer service through design. Their approach? By boosting user engagement and achieving product market fit. She is focused on equipping the next generation of changemakers with the tools they need to empower themselves. She leads workshops on interactive design thinking across Canadian universities and innovation hubs and serves as a board director at

In this clip of Power of Why, Stephanie Harrison (guest) and POW host Naomi Haile, discuss the epidemic of depression, anxiety and loneliness. Research conducted by OnePoll on behalf of BetterHelp show that 1 in 4 Americans say they don't have somebody to confide in. Stephanie talks about the impacts of individualism being a core part of Western culture and the opportunity lies in asking: Can I use who I am to contribute to the world? Remember to subscribe to The Power of Why for more in-depth conversations uncovering how hundreds of leaders worldwide live abundant lives, build businesses that create economic opportunities, and serve the world using their God-given gifts. Connect with Stephanie Pre-order Book: ⁠⁠The New Happy⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠The New Happy⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠The New Happy⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Stephanie Harrison⁠⁠ Connect with Naomi Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠naomihaile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@naomiahaile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@naomiathaile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Naomi Haile

In this clip of Power of Why, Stephanie Harrison (guest) and POW host Naomi Haile discuss the journey of The New Happy. Initially, it was a newsletter with just 17 subscribers, which grew into a thriving community of over 1 million humans worldwide. Stephanie talks about the importance of consistently showing up, even when it’s messy and imperfect. Remember to subscribe to The Power of Why for more in-depth conversations uncovering how hundreds of leaders worldwide live abundant lives, build businesses that create economic opportunities, and serve the world using their God-given gifts. Connect with Stephanie Pre-order Book: ⁠⁠The New Happy⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠The New Happy⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠The New Happy⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Stephanie Harrison⁠⁠ Connect with Naomi Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠naomihaile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@naomiahaile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@naomiathaile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Naomi Haile