JS is a venture capitalist and entrepreneur. He’s the co-founder of Real Ventures and Montreal Startups. Both are early-stage venture capital firms that backs entrepreneurs and build the ecosystems in which they thrive. JS has primarily worked with entrepreneurs who are using AI, blockchain technologies, AR/VR and synthetic biology to improve happiness, human creativity, and communication — and transform or disrupt the pillars of our society.

In 2018 he had a profound experience that shifted his perspective of himself, his relationships and the world around him. While he’s loved his work, JS is now taking a slightly different role in the company he founded.

Season 4, Episode 47: Finding Our Voice

Stefan de Villiers is a son, brother, husband and fur daddy to two dogs, Lola and Lucy. He has a masters degree in clinical social work and he’s a podcaster.

He was born in Canada to Afrikaans parents. Growing up, his family moved back and forth between Canada and South Africa four times which caused a first layer of tension around his identity. He related to being Canadian more than South African. His parents were proudly South African and expected him to embrace that identity. His time in South Africa left him feeling unsafe and the regular moves meant he was always the new kid trying to fit in.

Growing up his father suffered from a lot of health issues. They lived under constant fear that his father would die. Stefan looked up to him but feared his temper. Maybe his behaviour would be the cause of his death. Stefan was an anxious, high energy child. He tried not to be ‘too much’.

Season 1, Episode 15: Accepting uncertainty

Pamela Mala Sinha is an accomplished actor, multi award-winning playwright, writer, screenwriter and classically trained Indian dancer.