What do you think of when you hear the word “entrepreneur”? For a lot of people, the same kind of image comes to mind: a founder, usually a man, who finds a gap in the market, builds something to fill it, and becomes incredibly wealthy—like Steve Jobs or Jeff Bezos. In this episode, we challenge that prototype and the idea that entrepreneurship is only about risk, innovation, and profit. Because for many people, especially those from marginalized communities, entrepreneurship is about much more than making money. It’s about community, liberation, autonomy, and survival. We’re going to explore the concept of emancipatory entrepreneurship, and what it can teach us about who entrepreneurship is really for, and what can happen when it becomes more inclusive.

This episode was made possible thanks to funding from Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce’s 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub, with backing from the Government of Canada. GATE’s Busted podcast is also made possible by generous support from BMO.

Featured guests:

Mick Elliott, PhD Candidate, Haskayne School of Business, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, University of Calgary

Dr. Micah Rajunov, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Alberta

Resources:

Pick, B. and Ravanera, C. (2026). Rainbows Ahead: Pathways for 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Research, Policy, and Practice. Institute for Gender and the Economy. https://www.rotman.utoronto.ca/faculty-and-research/research-centres/gender-economy/insights/reports/2026/rainbows-ahead/

Rainbow Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub: https://www.rekh.ca/

Produced by: Carmina Ravanera and Dr. Sonia Kang

Edited by: Ian Gormely

Indigenous entrepreneurship has existed across Turtle Island long before settler colonization. But today, there are still so many myths about Indigenous businesses — including the idea that Indigenous people aren’t entrepreneurs, that they rely on government handouts, and that they need to be taught how to build successful businesses. None of that is true. In fact, Indigenous entrepreneurship is thriving — and it’s rooted in long-standing traditions of innovation, sustainability, and community care. In this episode, we bust those myths and explore how Indigenous ways of doing business can challenge — and improve — how we all think about entrepreneurship.

GATE’s Busted podcast is made possible by generous support from BMO.

Featured guests:

Dr. Jordyn Hrenyk, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Institute for Gender and the Economy, Rotman School of Management

Sara Wolfe, Executive-in-Residence, Rotman School of Management and Institute for Gender and the Economy; Senior Fellow, Massey College; External Director, Wilson College for Leadership and Civic Engagement, McMaster University

Produced by: Carmina Ravanera and Dr. Sonia Kang

Edited by: Ian Gormely

When most people think about philanthropy, they picture rich, often white, men, writing huge cheques for whatever cause they decide to get behind. And billionaire philanthropy has faced growing criticism: is it really philanthropy, or is it just a sneaky way for the wealthy to avoid taxes and reinforce inequality? But this perspective leaves out a much broader, richer history – one where women, members of racialized communities, LGBTQ+ folks, and others have long used the power of voluntary giving to contribute to the public good and drive important social change. In this episode, we speak to researchers who are challenging the dominant narrative, expanding our understanding of who gives, why they give, and how philanthropy has always belonged to more than just a select few.

Further research:

Ackerman, J., Han, X., and Osili, U. (2024) Women Give 2024. Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. https://scholarworks.indianapolis.iu.edu/items/b1a60723-37d9-41da-9556-4505270d9c8f

Dale, E.J., Ackerman, J., Mesch, D.J., Osili, U.O. and Garcia, S. (2017). Giving to Women and Girls: An Emerging Area of Philanthropy. https://doi.org/10.1177/0899764017744674

Rumble, T. and Numata, Y. (2023). Prioritizing restitution, Indigenous leadership, and the future with ‘restorative philanthropy’. The Philanthropist Journal. https://thephilanthropist.ca/2025/03/prioritizing-restitution-indigenous-leadership-and-the-future-with-restorative-philanthropy/

GATE’s Busted podcast is made possible by generous support from BMO.

Featured Guests:

Jacqueline Ackerman, Director, Women's Philanthropy Institute, Indiana University Indianapolis

Dr. Elizabeth J. Dale, Frey Foundation Chair for Family Philanthropy, Grand Valley State University

Produced by: Carmina Ravanera and Dr. Sonia Kang

Edited by: Ian Gormely