Happy New Year to our Vita Talks Listeners. Starting 2026 off with our first episode, host Gianna Ricciardi sits down with Cristelle Sary, lawyer and managing partner at Messier Sary & Consultants. With over 15 years of experience in pension, benefits, and employment law, and registration with both the Quebec and Ontario bars, Cristelle brings a legal lens to one of the fastest-growing realities in today's workforce: employees working past age 65.

Cristelle explains how longer life expectancy, financial pressure, and shifting retirement norms are colliding with benefit and pension systems that were designed decades ago. Drawing from recent case law, she highlights where employers may face legal risk, where flexibility is possible, and why age-based employee benefit cutoffs are being increasingly scrutinized.

• Employers & Business Leaders managing employees who work past age 65
• HR & Benefits Professionals navigating age-related plan design and compliance
• Pension & Benefits Advisors supporting aging or multigenerational workforces
• Legal & Policy-Minded Professionals interested in employment, benefits, and human rights law

Mentioned Links:

Cristelle's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristelle-sary-7192b1102/?originalSubdomain=ca

Stay Connected to Vita Assure: Insurance and Workplace Benefits

Vita Talks Podcast | https://www.vitaassure.com/podcast/
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/vita-assure/
Website | https://www.vitaassure.com/

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In this episode of Vita Talks, host Gianna Ricciardi sits down with Cory Brewer, Founder of Beyond Landscaping and Co-Founder of Market Hill Agency. Cory shares how he grew his North Vancouver landscaping company while tackling one of today's biggest business challenges: finding and keeping strong people.

He discusses the turning point that led him to rethink how his office operated, ultimately building a fully virtual back-office team overseas. Cory also opens up about how Beyond Landscaping keeps field staff engaged through culture, year-round work opportunities, and better structure. His experience eventually inspired a second business supporting entrepreneurs with trained remote executive assistants.

Whether you manage field teams, hybrid teams, or a growing small business, this episode offers practical ideas for building a more resilient and efficient workforce—without giving everything away.

• Entrepreneurs & Small Business Owners – especially in trades, construction, or services, struggling with hiring and retention.

• Operations & HR Leaders – looking for real-world examples of hybrid teams (field + fully remote office) that actually work.

• People Managers in High-Turnover Industries – interested in building a stronger culture and engagement with frontline teams.

• Founders Feeling Overworked – who want to understand how remote executive assistants can help them reclaim time and focus.

Mentioned Links:

• Connect with Cory on LinkedIn
  https://www.linkedin.com/in/corybrewer/?originalSubdomain=ca

• Connect with Cory on Instagram
  https://www.instagram.com/corybrew/?hl=en

Stay Connected to Vita Assure; Insurance and Workplace Benefits

• Vita Talks Podcast
• LinkedIn
• Website

💡 Share this episode with colleagues and leaders in your network
⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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In this episode, Gianna sits down with Scott Dedels, Co-CEO of Block Rewards, to explore how Canadian employers are incorporating Bitcoin into compensation and benefits programs.

Scott shares how Block Rewards helps organizations diversify their savings offerings by giving employees the option to invest in Bitcoin alongside traditional group RRSPs. He discusses the evolution of Bitcoin sentiment in the workplace, how one Alberta-based green energy company saw extraordinary returns, and why this new approach appeals to today's multigenerational workforce.

Whether you're curious about digital assets, employee benefits innovation, or the future of workplace compensation, this conversation offers valuable insight into a fast-evolving space.

• Benefits Advisors & Brokers – looking to bring fresh, modern options to employer benefit portfolios.
• HR Leaders & Business Owners – curious about integrating Bitcoin or alternative assets into compensation packages.
• Finance & Payroll Professionals – interested in understanding how Bitcoin savings programs function alongside traditional group RRSPs.
• Forward-Thinking Employers – eager to attract and retain talent through innovative, tech-forward employee perks.

Mentioned Links:

• Scott Dedels LinkedIn
  https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdedels/

• Block Rewards Website
  https://blockrewards.ca/

Stay Connected to Vita Assure: Insurance and Workplace Benefits

• Vita Talks Podcast
• LinkedIn
• Group Employee Benefits

💡 Share this episode with colleagues and leaders in your network
⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
🔔 Subscribe for future conversations about benefits, leadership, and workplace wellness