Alpha Woman Podcast

Maia Knight is a Carleton University, Journalism and Political Science student who will be progressing to her third year in the fall. Maia is a longtime climate activist which is probably what sparked her initial interest in politics. Ever since she learned about climate change when she was 8, she knew that she had to have a part in finding the solution. Since then, she attended a three-day conference with the Climate Reality Project, founded by Al Gore, to learn how to effectively communicate the climate crisis. She then went on to become the President of her high school’s Eco Council as well as serve as the Eco Representative on the Student Council. Most notably, Maia ran in the last federal election in the Ajax riding as the Candidate for the Green Party of Canada as one of the youngest candidates in the country. Maia continues her work with the party and is currently serving as the Youth Chair on the Ottawa-Centre riding association.

Timestamps:
Start of interview (1:06)
How did you get interested in politics? (2:54)
How can people become more environmentally conscious? (7:39)
About the Green Party and campaigning (12;03)
The biggest issue young women face today (23:30)
Advice for young aspiring politicians (29:20)
Who is your inspirational Alpha Woman? (37:17)

We’re excited to announce that we have podcast sponsorship opportunities available to help you reach this fantastic audience. Please reach out to [email protected] for more information. 

Podcast researcher Anvi Sethi

Sign up to Alpha Woman Co at: https://alphawomanco.com

Follow us on social media @alphawomanco

Dr. Desta Meghoo is our guest on the Alpha Woman podcast this week. Dr. Meghoo was born in Jamaica and migrated to the USA in the 1970s with her family, where she began her journey into cultural activism.

Throughout the 1980s, she was immersed in the Pan African and Rastafari Movement in New York, as well as the Reggae industry, managing music icons Augustus Pablo, Rita Marley and Judy Mowatt, amongst others. Influenced by leading Rastafari Elders, she promoted Rastafari gatherings and cultural events and, by the 1990s, embarked on promotion and management in Africa with Nigeria’s world music icon, Sonny Okosuns.

Mentored by Pan African jurist and diplomat, Ambassador “Baba” Dudley Thompson, she completed her Juris Doctorate at the University of Florida and was immediately offered the post as Director for the Center for Race Relations at UF Levin College of Law by 2001. She is now taking her significant life and professional experience to help shape the African cannabis industry through her collaboration with AphriHelios Global 

A mother of 10 children, a grandmother, an international activist, a highly educated woman who completed her doctorate while pregnant with twins, Dr. Meghoo is pure inspiration. Listen to the podcast today to find yours.

Timestamps:
Mama Desta on cannabis and her early life (7;34)
Feminism in Africa (15:12)
Cannabis laws in Ethiopia (23:46)
AphriHelios (29:45)
Becoming an author (34:59)
How her cannabis use has changed over time (38:13)

We’re excited to announce that we have Alpha Woman merch available! Now you can show your Alpha Woman-ness to the world, just go on over to Alphawomanco.com and shop away to your hearts content. We also have podcast sponsorship opportunities available to help you reach this fantastic audience.

Podcast researcher Anvi Sethi

Sign up to Alpha Woman Co at: https://alphawomanco.com

Sponsorship enquiries email: [email protected]

Nancy Duitch is a leader and entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the consumer packaged goods industry with a passion for wellness. Her hunger for success was sparked by the tragedy of losing two of her siblings suddenly to hereditary heart disease in their 20s. She saw just how short and fragile life could be and started her own non-profit to raise awareness for the condition. She raised millions of dollars that were put to discovering the cause of the disease and getting treatments to people and this success gave her the confidence to found other successful companies including her latest venture Sera Labs. 

Over the past two years she has generated eight figures in revenue, sold her company to become a subsidiary of a large pharmaceutical company, stayed on as CEO and brought on Nicole Kidman as a strategic partner. Nancy and her team have built a network of buyers, retailers, and more than 140,000 customers and 500,000 customer databases to date.

Timestamps:
Start of interview (1:57)
Nancy's experience founding a publicly-traded company (8:36)
Techniques for building an effective team (11:58)
All about Sera Labs (16:55)
Availability in Canada (25:25)

Notes:
Podcast researcher Anvi Sethi

Sign up to Alpha Woman Co at: https://alphawomanco.com

Sponsorship enquiries email: [email protected]

Follow us on social media @alphawomanco

To kick off Pride Month at Alpha Woman, I sat down with the amazing Young Alpha, Makayla Walker! Makayla is an eighteen-year-old Black trans woman with an impressive career as a Drag Queen. She showcased brilliant insights into the world of drag during our podcast. And shared her experience of successfully transitioning from live, in-person events to virtual shows.

While Drag Queens are often seen as exclusively men dressing "like women", to Makayla, the art form is so much more open. The drag art form has evolved to include high fashion, androgyny, goth, and so much more! She describes drag as a part of her everyday life. Makayla's drag persona and confidence always shine through. Whether she's putting on a work uniform to performing in fancy gowns! This Young Alpha embodies her Queerness without compromise and wears her confidence everywhere she goes.

"I don't remember a time where I didn't feel the way I feel now. I definitely came out of the womb with a pride flag and stilettos!" - Makayla Walker

I had the chance to hear about her coming out story. She shared her personal challenges and triumphs

and exemplified the difficulties of living as a Queer person. Especially as a Black woman. Her openness was particularly inspiring during this Pride Month. The month of June is an opportunity to remind us of the importance of pride. And Makayla embodies this beautifully.

She named Marsha P. Johnson as her inspirational Alpha Woman. A Drag Queen notorious for her work for gay rights during the Stonewall Riots. Johnson inspired Makayla to be authentically herself, pay little attention to labels, and create a Queer-friendly future. Now, Makayla plans on dominating Pride Month with a new set of virtual events and shows.

Click here to follow Makayla on Instagram!

TIMESTAMPS

What is drag? (2:30)
How old were you when you first learned about drag? (10:20)
Gender-neutral bathrooms in highschool (16:12)
Makayla's personal journey (22:25)
Growing up without a support system (27:18)
Advice you would give to your younger self? (29:05)
Reaching out to people during the pandemic (41:28)
An inspirational Alpha Woman - Marsha P. Johnson (43:35)

NOTES:

Podcast researcher Anvi Sethi

Sign up to Alpha Woman Co at: https://alphawomanco.com

Sponsorship enquiries email: [email protected]

Follow us on social media @alphawomanco

Today I’m interviewing Larissa Nicole. Larissa is a Toronto-based personal trainer and wellness coach. She believes in a balanced, sustainable approach to health & fitness – no diets, no “fit teas”, no short-term fixes. 

Having lost over 60lbs and overcome traumas related to cardiovascular health, extreme bullying, and body dysmorphia over the course of her own fitness journey, Larissa Nicole uses her transformation story as a way to teach women struggling with their weight how to become a stronger, healthier & happier version of themselves and that absolutely anything is possible with the right mindset. 

Larissa’s business - Larissa Nicole Fitness- caters to a growing, highly engaged community of busy, independent women who are struggling with their weight and/or body image and looking for ways to break out of the cycle of “diet culture” and into a more sustainable, healthy lifestyle. 

Timestamps:
Inspirational Alpha Woman - Meg Boggs (1:50)
Start of interview (7:33)
Larissa's personal wellness journey (12:58)  
Her educational background (25:44)
What her clients can expect (33:45)
Her biggest challenges as an entrepreneur (37;30)
Healthy habits and mindset (47:32)

Notes:

Podcast researcher Anvi Sethi

Sign up to Alpha Woman Co at: https://alphawomanco.com

Sponsorship enquiries email: [email protected]

Follow us on social media @alphawomanco

Today,  I am pleased to present the very first episode of the Young Alpha Series, which aims to bring you the stories of young women, their successes and failures, and their unique perspective on the current status quo. What better way to kick off the series than talk to the people who were instrumental in its creation? Join me as I have an insightful conversation with the Alphawoman interns, Trisha, Gabby and Anvi.

Anvi Sethi is interning with Alpha Woman as Podcast Researcher and Production Assistant. She is a second-year student studying International Economics at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. She hopes to work full-time in the field of Advertising and Marketing after her post-secondary studies. With her experience working in Market Research, Social Media Strategy, and Content Creation, Anvi is actively bringing her skills and creativity to the table. She is passionate about exchanging experiences with other people in the hope of learning from their narratives and inspiring others with her own. Her hobbies include listening to music and podcasts, journaling, and trying out new cuisines.

Gabrielle Samson is interning with Alpha Woman for PR and Content, along with Social Media Marketing. Gabrielle is a Ryerson student in the Creative Industries program with a passion for diverse media and women empowerment. As a young, Queer, Woman of Color, Gabrielle is passionate about contributing to the Young Alpha series from a lens of intersectionality. She is also a fitness instructor and personal trainer eager to advocate for physical and mental health for young women.

Trisha is a 2nd year Advertising and Marketing Communications Management Student at Centennial College and is interning with Alpha Woman for Social Media and SEO. Trisha combines her client-facing experience with skills obtained from school such as learning the ins and outs of Consumer Research, campaign planning, Digital Communications, and Advertising through various social media platforms. Trisha has been part of an international dance team for over 8+ years and also actively volunteers. Her passion stems from being able to integrate teamwork and outreach to consumers to solve their wants and needs, whether it be digitally or on a personal level.

Timestamps:
About Trisha (3:54)
About Gabby (5:24)
About Anvi (9:33)
The top 3 problems young women are facing today (22:19)
What does being a Young Alpha mean to you? (36:01)
What most excites you when you think about the future? (46:06)

Notes:

Podcast researcher Anvi Sethi

Sign up to Alpha Woman Co at: https://alphawomanco.com

Follow us on social media @alphawomanco

Today we interview Niambe McIntosh, the youngest child of Peter Tosh who has stepped up to the mantle to carry on her father’s message and legacy. A renaissance woman, an Alpha Woman, she serves many roles including Executive Director of the Peter Tosh Legacy & Brand; Managing Member of Tosh Holdings LLC; Board Chairperson for the Peter Tosh Foundation Ltd.; and President of PT Capital LLC.

Niambe was instrumental in the planning and development of the Peter Tosh Museum which opened in 2016 and is a national landmark edifice in Kingston, Jamaica dedicated to the preservation of her father’s legacy. Additionally, Mcintosh and her family founded the Peter Tosh Foundation in 2017 to serve as the vehicle for the realization of her father’s dream.

Niambe’s fire for advocacy also stems from a family crisis in February of 2017 in which her brother Jawara McIntosh – musician and cannabis activist – was brutally attacked while incarcerated for cannabis possession in Bergen County Jail in New Jersey. Jawara later succumbed to his injuries in 2020 which compelled Niambe to raise awareness of the dire conditions faced by prisoners, the need for prison reform, and the necessity for legalization of cannabis nationwide.

Newly motivated, Niambe formed partnerships and alliances to strategically address these issues. Understanding that pressure must be brought to bear on those who actively and passively maintain our current system, Niambe organized and participated in protests; gave lectures; and lobbied congress; McIntosh also serves on the Board of Directors for the non-profit cannabis advocacy organization, Minorities For Medical Marijuana (M4MM), and serves on the advisory board for the Last Prisoner Project, an organization geared towards cannabis criminal justice reform.

Timestamps:
Growing up in both Boston and Jamaica as a child (4:48)
How her father's music influenced her (6:53)
The Peter Tosh Museum (10:30)
Her brother Jawara McIntosh (16:12)
The injustice of prison labour (32:17)
Legalization in Massachusetts (37:55)
Seen by Peter Tosh (41:32)
Interesting facts about Rastafari (44:46)

Podcast researcher Anvi Sethi

Sign up to Alpha Woman Co at: https://alphawomanco.com

Last Prisoner Project

Minorities For Medical Marijuana (M4MM)

Peter Tosh Foundation

Podcast sponsorship enquiries email: [email protected]

Follow us on social media @alphawomanco

Today I’m interviewing Dr. Toni Rinow, Chief Financial and Global Operating Officer at Neptune Wellness Solutions.

 Dr. Rinow is well known for accelerating revenue streams through acquisitions, corporate development, sales and marketing, and financings in the global healthcare and consumer product markets. Her professional career has included leadership roles in both public and private pharmaceutical and consumer product organizations, where she spearheaded acquisitions across Canada, Latin America, and India.

Toni has successfully facilitated the negotiation of international corporate alliances valued over $100M and overseen a life science investment portfolio with $400M under management. She held the position of General Manager of Jubilant DraxImage, a global leader in nuclear medicine with over $250M in sales in over 22 countries.

Timestamps:
Inspirational Alpha Woman: Marie Curie (1:57)
Beginning of interview (7:29)
About Neptune Wellness Solutions (9:49)
Toni's academic background (14:33)
Quebec's Cannabis laws (22:00)
The impact of the pandemic (27:20)
Advice for fellow women on building a successful career (29:04)
Toni's self-care routine (34:27)

Notes:

Podcast researcher Anvi Sethi

Sign up to Alpha Woman Co at: https://alphawomanco.com

Sponsorship enquiries email: [email protected]

Follow us on social media @alphawomanco

Today we have a special edition of the Alpha Woman podcast as we're interviewing Joyce Gerber, creator of the CannaMom show, and Reverend Kelly Addison, Founder and Managing Director of Kelly’s Green Lounge. 

Joyce Gerber is an attorney, advocate and writer. She is the creator and host of The Canna Mom Show where she is using her unique voice to change the narrative around cannabis and caregiving. When not advocating for cannabis normalization, Joyce is active with many community and civic organizations in Cambridge, Massachusetts, some of them being managing a rock band and running for a local political office

Reverend Kelly Addison truly embodies what she does as the founder and Managing Director of Kelly’s Green Lounge (KGL), a cannabis-friendly establishment quickly gaining notoriety within the cannabis community, and within its local community of Orono, ON. Rev. Kelly brings a wealth of experience as an educator, counsellor, and builder of community to her work in founding KGL. She is a Certified Reiki Master Practitioner, and is studying plant medicines and other healing modes to add to her skill set. Motivated by the spiritual aspects of the plant, Reverend Kelly was ordained as a Minister in 2020, and holds “The Cannabis Church of KGL” as a celebration of unity, community, and respect for the cannabis plant and her divine properties. The Church is in the process of being recognized with Vital Statistics Canada, making “Cannabis” a spiritual designation in the country. 

 
Timestamps:

Episode intro (1:30)

The origins of the CannaMom show (6:30)
How Kelly got involved with cannabis (13:20)
The woman that inspires you the most (19:12)
The new cannabis banking bill in the United States (31:51)
Problems on the Canadian side of the border (35:14)
Talking to your kids about cannabis (40:47)
What does it mean to you to be an Alpha Woman? (45:45)

Podcast researcher Anvi Sethi

Sign up to Alpha Woman Co at: https://alphawomanco.com

Sponsorship enquiries email: [email protected]

Follow us on social media @alphawomanco

Today on the podcast we're interviewing Theresa Robert, Vice President Finance and major investor in Mariwell which is a licensed producer of boutique, sungrown cannabis located on the banks of Lake Erie in Southern Ontario. Mariwell’s farm benefits from some of the richest soil in Canada and the location affords the cannabis grower a longer season than most, achieving multiple higher yielding harvests in a single year. This is a challenge in a country well-known for harsh winters; listen to the interview to hear how Mariwell achieves more than one outdoor crop per year. 

Theresa recently pivoted her career from owning and managing a transport company to leadership at Mariwell, leveraging her many years experience as an entrepreneur and business leader to build Mariwell. Learn about Clara Hughes, Theresa's Inspirational Alpha Woman!

Time Stamps:
Inspirational Alpha Woman: Clara Hughes (2:10)
Beginning of interview (6:00)
Her experience in the transportation industry (9:06)
How she got started with Mariwell (16:30)
Mariwell's growing process (24:06)
The challenges that the pandemic has presented (31:21)
Theresa's self-care routine (36:15)
The launch of Mariwell to retail (39:30)

Podcast researcher Anvi Sethi

Sign up to Alpha Woman Co at: https://alphawomanco.com

For podcast sponsorship enquiries email: [email protected]

Follow us on social media @alphawomanco