Kevin McShan (Let’s Have This Conversation podcast)

Kevin McShan is a motivational speaker and host of the Let’s Have This Conversation podcast. 

Born in Windsor, Ontario, a Canadian city located right across the river from Detroit, McShan grew up rooting for Detroit sports teams. 

Whether it was the dynastic Red Wings of the 2000s, or the perpetually lowly Lions, McShan embraced all the city of Detroit offered to sports fans. 

“My family was a sports family,” McShan says, “but being from Windsor, I had a unique opportunity to experience both American and Canadian culture.”

In high school, McShan’s warm smile and friendly disposition attracted classmates.

“It was hard to miss me,” he says, not only because of his positive attitude, but also because McShan moved around the school in his wheelchair, a seat he has forever been confined to while living with cerebral palsy.

Not that the Windsor native has let his physical disability stifle his ambitions in any way. 

“My nickname in high school was K-Money because everyone thought that I was rich; not only financially, but also because of my personality and approach to life,” McShan mentions.  

“I’m definitely not wealthy,” he says with a laugh, “but I view life as an opportunity to make a difference.”

McShan’s optimistic viewpoint is impressive. 

In many ways, it would be easy for him to be jaded, to feel like the universe foisted a lifestyle on him that few would ever choose, but after a few minutes of speaking with McShan, it’s evident that his mentality isn’t normal.

As the kids like to say:

He’s different. 

“I was born three months premature, and I wasn’t supposed to live past three years old, but here I am, and that’s why I’m an ardent believer that life truly is an opportunity,” he explains. 

It should then come as no surprise that after high school, McShan went to college to study sports journalism.

He graduated in 2010, and like many aspiring scribes, he wanted to work in a mainstream newsroom, ideally covering the Matthew Stafford-Calvin Johnson aerial attack of yesteryear. 

It was at that point though that he encountered resistance. 

“All ten companies I went to rejected me,” McShan details. 

“They viewed my disability as a liability.” 

Again, McShan could have folded, but like any great entrepreneur, he refused to see his dreams go unrealized, so for the next four years he worked for a local news station, without ever collecting a paycheck. 

The numbers in his bank account may not have drastically risen, but, in partnership with the Ontario government, McShan started a pilot program to show companies the benefits of hiring people with disabilities. 

“And through that I was able to become a regional ambassador for an organization that facilitated these types of hires,” McShan says. 

From there, McShan just kept progressing. 

He later got into motivational speaking, leveraging his experiences to showcase how those living with disabilities don’t just survive, but thrive. 

Then, in May 2020, with COVID still impacting the everyday lives of people around the world, McShan made another quantum leap, this time starting a podcast aimed at uniting a society that arguably had become fractured and incapable of listening to opposing perspectives. 

“I thought that there was more that could be done to bring people together instead of tear them apart,” McShan lists as the basis for the genesis of Let’s Have This Conversation. 

“Fortunately, the platform has evolved to become a space to have meaningful conversations and move the needle of progress forward.” 

In fact, the podcast has flourished to the extent that it now has over 10,000 subscribers and nearly 500,000 views, which is no small feat for a channel that operates without a big budget. 

Beyond the statistics and international impact his content provides, McShan has given light to what was previously dark, highlighting the individuals who have been overshadowed by more enticing clickbait material that ironically affords very little in the way of tangible value to listeners. 

“Everyone has a story that deserves to be told,” says McShan.  

“I have been able to give people the chance to be heard, respected, and valued. As a result, I have learned that people can prosper and grow when they have a chance to share their ideas, and that’s been a huge part of the growth of my platform.” 

With over 950 videos readily available on his YouTube channel, McShan’s database is rife with conversations with a variety of industry professionals. 

In the coming years, his reach and guest list will only increase.

Among others, McShan hopes to one day interview current Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell.  

“I value his authenticity and style of leadership,” McShan says. 

“I also want to continue to promote the idea of diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

Additionally, McShan would one day like to see the podcast become internationally syndicated so that his message of hard work and hope can reach more people. 

If successful, a large podcast following would also create more opportunities for him to speak at various events. 

“For the next several years I’ll be continuing to carve out my niche in the podcasting sphere,” McShan confirms, while simultaneously ending our interview with a sentiment that often gets overlooked in the frenetic trenches of each day. 

“Life is a constant game of networking, and if I can continue to give people a voice, especially those who might otherwise not be granted one, then I think good things will happen, not only for me and my brand, but for people from all walks of life.” QS

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