The Profit or Pivot Podcast

Melissa Lantsman on the Downfall of Canada, the 2025 Election Loss & the Meteoric Rise of Anti-Semitism

🇨🇦 Canada is not the country it once was.

Economic stagnation, failing institutions, rising crime, a massive brain drain, a housing crisis, and a political class unwilling to confront the growing divisions and hatred. In this episode of The Profit or Pivot Podcast, I sit down with Melissa Lantsman, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, to discuss what’s gone wrong in Canada and what it will take to fix it.

Melissa offers a candid look at the erosion of Canadian values, the failure of leadership, and how antisemitism has become normalized in our streets, schools, and political discourse.

We dive into:

•  
• Why Canadians are losing faith in their institutions
• Why the Conservative Party lost the 2025 elections & lessons learned
• Trump's role in the election, tariffs & thoughts on him as POTUS
• The failing economy, rising crime, housing crisis & other issues, & how to fix it
• The surge of antisemitism and how politicians enable it
• The culture of fear that stops people from speaking the truth
• What it will take to rebuild national confidence and unity

This episode is an unfiltered look at a country in decline, and a call for courage, moral clarity, and leadership before it’s too late.

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About Melissa Lantsman

Melissa is the Member of Parliament for Thornhill and Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. Elected in 2021, she previously served as the Shadow Minister for Transport and as a Senior Advisor to leading Canadian political figures.

Melissa believes in breaking the mold and in bringing new ideas and energy to Ottawa. She represents the next generation in Canadian politics. Born and raised in the community she now serves, Melissa was taught by her immigrant parents to work hard and to stand up for what’s right. Those are values that have guided her in all points of her life and career.

Melissa is an award-winning communicator and was amongst Canada’s most sought-after public affairs executives. She has served on various boards of directors, was a regular TV commentator and hosted her own radio show. Her writing has been featured in Canada’s largest circulation publications. Melissa is not afraid to speak out for the things that matter, and she doesn't back down from holding the government to account.

Instagram / Facebook / X / YouTube: @MelissaLantsman

Substack 

Website 

How AI is Breaking VC, Why Most Startups Will Become Obsolete, & Why Israel is Winning in Startups | Sion Balass of The Group Ventures

How do you build a venture capital firm in a market that isn’t mature? And what does it mean to be an entrepreneur shaped by experiences in Iran, Israel, and Canada?

In this episode of The Profit or Pivot Podcast, I sit down with Sion (Zion) Balass, co-founder and Managing Partner of The Group Ventures, a Toronto-based VC firm. Sion shares his remarkable journey, born in Iran to Iraqi Jewish parents, moving to Israel after the revolution, building a startup in computational drug discovery (AI before “AI” was cool), and eventually co-founding one of Canada’s most concentrated and hands-on venture funds.

We dive into:

• The unique challenges of building a venture fund in Canada
• Why Israel’s startup ecosystem vastly outperforms Canada’s
• His “every company counts” approach to venture investing
• The role of government in entrepreneurship and where it fails
• A candid conversation on the rise of antisemitism in Canada since October 7, 2023

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or simply curious about the intersection of business, resilience, and identity, this episode offers an unfiltered look at the realities of venture capital and leadership today.

 Subscribe for more candid conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders who share their Profit or Pivot stories.

Watch the video version on YouTube 

About Sion Balass

As Founder and Managing Partner of The Group Ventures, Sion Balass leverages two decades of global tech leadership to scale early-stage companies into market leaders. From the fund's base in Toronto, and originally from Israel, Sion applies his international experience from the US, Germany, the UK, and Canada to guide founders on their path to global expansion. His hands-on support spans the entire company lifecycle, including architecting go-to-market strategies, securing funding, and navigating complex M&A transactions. Sion provides critical guidance through active board roles and as a trusted advisor, with a deep focus on digital health and AI.

 

Connect with Sion

Learn more about The Group Ventures 

250 Years of Business Wisdom in 21 Min | Powerful Advice Compilation

Are you an entrepreneur feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or questioning if you should keep going? You’re not alone. In this 21-minute compilation, we've pulled together the most powerful insights from guests of The Profit or Pivot Podcast, founders, investors, and business leaders who have faced struggles just like you.

This episode is packed with real talk and actionable strategies to help you:

• Push through doubt and failure
• Build resilience in tough times
• Find mentorship and guidance
• Stay focused on what really matters

Whether you’re in the early grind of a startup, running a small business, or chasing your next big idea, this collection of wisdom will give you the clarity and encouragement you need to keep moving forward.

👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insights on startups, venture capital, and entrepreneurship.

Watch the YouTube video here.

Reviving My Failed Startup & Becoming Top 10 on the App Store | Jonathan Shiff of PAPR

Jonathan built a successful news app that reached the top 10 on Apple's app store and decided to let the startup fail. In this video, Jonathan and I discuss his winding journey as a startup founder, the challenges he faced, why he let his startup fail, and why and how he ultimately revived it.

Also, we discuss how he made a lot of money trading stocks, why he is bullish on crypto and why he thinks Ethereum is the future of money. And unlike most of my guests, he is a family office investor with insights into how he and his family are approaching investing in this tumultuous time for VCs, startups and businesses in general.

I rarely speak with someone like Jonathan who has eclectic experiences and has found a lot of success very early in his career. If you're an entrepreneur, stock trader, crypto enthusiast or venture capital investor, you don't want to miss this discussion!

Connect with Jonathan:

LinkedIn 

Family Office 

Religion, Faith, Making Money & Finding Purpose | Rabbi Josh Kaller

How can ancient Jewish wisdom guide the way we live, work, and build businesses today?

In this episode of the Profit or Pivot Podcast, I sit down with R. Josh Kaller who is an entrepreneur, attorney, real estate investor, and community leader, to explore the intersection of Judaism, spirituality, and business. In addition to being a real estate attorney and investor, Rabbi Kaller is building a nonprofit like a business, where he can impact the community in a sustainable way.

Josh shares how his Jewish values shape his approach to leadership, decision-making, and self-improvement, and why success in business is about more than profit, it’s about purpose, community, and growth.

We also don't shy away from controversial and difficult topics like why should someone accept Judaism as a valid way to live life, is religion nonsense, and what to do when ethics comes against your financial interests. 

What You’ll Learn:

• How Jewish teachings influence business ethics and leadership
• Why faith and spirituality can guide smarter business decisions
• The role of self-improvement in entrepreneurship
• Balancing profit, purpose, and personal values
• Lessons from Josh’s own journey as a Jewish entrepreneur

If you’ve ever wondered how to bring faith, meaning, and values into your professional life, this episode is packed with wisdom and inspiration.

YouTube video version

About Rabbi Josh Kaller

Rabbi Kaller is the Managing Director of Olami Toronto where he leads a team of 10 in the mission of educating young Jews to engage with their Jewish heritage and become great leaders. He is also an executive coach to some of the most successful entrepreneurs in Toronto.

He maintains his boutique real estate development shop focused on South East Florida and is practicing law in Florida as well, mainly for the family business.

Connect with R. Kaller

LinkedIn 

Learn more about Olami and its programs here

Explore Judaism

R. Dovid Gottlieb (referenced in the show)

Timing is Everything & Other Lessons From a Billion $ Exit | Michael Durance

Timing is everything when building a startup. It can make the difference between a billion dollar exit and utter failure. Its why one of the most important questions a venture capital investor will ask startups is "why now". What changed about the market that allows you to create significant value and build a hyperscale business NOW.

Michael Durance of xiVentures joins me to discuss his successful career in big tech, building successful startups, and VC investor. A theme that runs through our discussion is how market timing impacted his decisions, and how it made building a successful business relatively easy. And how poor timing almost destroyed another.

In 1 case, good timing resulted in a +$1 billion exit. And in another case, poor timing resulted in disaster.

Michael shares important lessons in how to manage some of the market forces, developments in tech external to your business, and macro conditions are outside our control BUT have a substantial impact on our business. We also discuss his decision to become a VC, how he invests as a former operator, and his investment criteria.

This is a truly special episode with a lot of learnings for aspiring entrepreneurs. You won't want to miss it!

Michael's LinkedIn

xiVentures 

Advising $23 Billion in Assets | Mo Lidsky of Prime Quadrant

How do billionaires really manage their money? What’s the difference between creating wealth and actually preserving it across generations?

In this episode of The Profit or Pivot Podcast, I sit down with Mo Lidsky, a serial entrepreneur, author of five books, and co-founder & CEO of Prime Quadrant, a leading family office advisory firm serving over 250 ultra-high-net-worth families with more than $23B in assets under advisement.

Mo’s entrepreneurial journey started at just 17 years old, when he launched his first business by accident and sold it two years later for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Since then, he’s built and exited multiple companies, and today helps some of the wealthiest families in the world navigate wealth management, investing, and legacy planning.

In this episode, we cover:

• Mo’s entrepreneurial journey and lessons from multiple exits
• How family offices work and why billionaires use them
• The biggest mistakes wealthy families make when managing wealth
• Insights into the venture capital and private equity landscape
• The mindset and ingredients behind building a successful business

If you’re an entrepreneur building your first startup or preparing for an exit, an investor curious about how the ultra-wealthy think, or simply interested in the world of family offices and generational wealth, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

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About Mo Lisdky

Mo Lidsky is the Chairman and CEO of Prime Quadrant, advising over 250 ultra-high-net-worth families representing more than $23B in assets. A serial entrepreneur, he has built, bought, and sold companies across sectors from education and e-commerce to auto restoration and microfinance.

Passionate about philanthropy, Mo chairs the Prime Quadrant Foundation and has served on the boards of leading hospitals and universities in Canada and Israel.

He is also the author of five books on wealth, investing, philanthropy, and relationships, and a frequent speaker on issues affecting affluent families.

Mo holds multiple degrees from Yeshiva University, an MBA from the University of Toronto, and a PhD from Apsley Business School. Above all, he is most proud of his role as husband and father to five children.

Mo's books:

Selling Snake Oil

Partners in Preservation

The Philanthropic Mind

In Search of the Prime Quadrant

Learn more about Prime Quadrant 

How to WIN Against 30,000 Competitors | Mark Halpern of WEALTHinsurance.com

Entrepreneurs focus on how to create wealth but most DON'T think about the day after exit. How do they use their wealth, plan for the future, protect their legacy, and invest in their community. Mark Halpern, the Founder of WEALTHinsurance.com, became the most famous insurance broker in Canada by focusing on answering these questions for Canada's most successful business leaders.

In this episode, we dive into Mark's journey from aspiring journalist, middling insurance broker at a large agency, to one of Canada's top life insurance providers (and its most famous). Today, his clients include successful business owners, professionals and ultra wealthy families. Mark helps them preserve their wealth and pay less tax using "strategic philanthropy" by converting taxes to charitable gifts.

For example, he shares a great story how he helped his client book a $1 million donation to a hospital immediately by ONLY paying a few thousand every year for life insurance. This was a win for his client's business because his peers, customers and colleagues saw him as incredibly charitable (which he is). Surprised something like this is possible. So was I!

Mark shares insight into how he found his niche that enabled him to stand out in a crowd of 30,000 insurance brokers who nominally offer similar services. And, after finding his niche, how he bucked traditional sales and marketing tactics to become the most well known life insurance broker in Canada. And even more important, he discusses how to live a well balance, meaningful life, without compromising his financial and business ambitions.

Mark's opinions and insights are frequently published on TV, radio, podcasts and written media. His expertise as a keynote speaker is sought after for conferences and conventions, earning him at least $10,000 per engagement, all of which are donated to charity. His insights, advice, and perspective is valuable for any aspiring entrepreneur and successful entrepreneur. You don't want to miss this episode!

 

Connect with Mark & learn more about his services:

Mark is a thought leader in Canada’s Life Insurance, Estate Planning and Philanthropy communities. He has mentored dozens of insurance advisors and developed a one-of-a-kind mentoring/coaching program.

Website 

LinkedIn 

Coaching & Mentoring Program 

“The New Philanthropy” Mark’s Ted Talk 

Mark’s Sizzle Reel that explains what he does 

 

DISCLAIMER: This is not paid promotion. I've known Mark for over 15 years and consider him a mentor. I think he is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the "boring" business category in Canada and believe my audience can benefit tremendously from listening to his perspectives and considering using his services.