Paper Napkin Wisdom - Podcast And Blog For Entrepreneurs, Leaders And Difference-makers

Heads up: this is a live recording, and the audio has some echo due to a tech glitch. Still, John’s wisdom shines through—and we think it’s worth it. Hope you agree. This episode marks the second chapter in a three-part journey through the life and legacy of John Sleeman, the iconic Canadian entrepreneur behind Sleeman Breweries. And in this moment, we move from the grind of building a business to something deeper—something almost mythic: a legacy rediscovered.  John’s story picks up with a surprise visit from his Aunt Florian. After a decade of no contact, she shows up with a gift she had been holding onto for 51 years: a handwritten recipe book from John’s grandfather—the original Sleeman brewer—and a vintage Sleeman beer bottle from the late 1800s.  “I’ve been waiting 51 years to give this to someone in the family who’s got an aptitude or an interest in the beer business... You’re the only one.”  That book didn’t just contain recipes—it held stories, history, and a call to action. And that moment became Jo