In this episode, Brenda shares with us how she made the decision to leave home and move to Qatar. Before telling her husband of her plans, she had already weighed what she was willing to lose. With that, the decision might not have been an easy one but it was necessary. Her experience as a co-founder of the Living Library reaffirmed the importance of connecting to humanity in a personal and intimate way. It is exciting to note that soon Brenda will be launching her own podcast based on these interviews called 'Breaking Bread'. Here is an introduction from Brenda herself.

I was born with the name Brenda Biekx, but I also answer to the names: Carina, Crappy, and Miranda depending on when and where you met me.

What I do for a living does not define who I am. What do I do? I teach. I have taught formally from JK to high school. I have taught in highly specialized, segregated schools, and in alternative, wonderfully integrated schools. I have taught French, Science, Math, Reading, English, Yoga, and Sign Language. I have been a teacher for behaviourally exceptional students, for gifted students, and for Deaf students, for kids with Autism, and the myriad kids that come to school and are special just because they are who they are. I have taught in Ontario, in Qatar, and in Pakistan, and I have loved every single student I worked with, and they loved me back. It’s the most rewarding work I’ve had the pleasure to ‘do’. I am ever grateful to free public education.

But who am I?

I am a seeker, even at the level of my soul. I am a seeker of knowledge, of Truth, of adventure, of novelty, of justice, and of connection.

I am a lover. I am a lover of people, of trees, of animals, of spiders and snakes, of water, and of air. I am a lover of travel, of grammar, and of prose and poetry.

I am a student. I learn languages, philosophies, viewpoints, theories, and lifestyles.

I am a live-er. I live my life, and I let you live yours. I live wherever I am. I live in many places and in many hearts. And they live in me.

I am afraid, I am timid, I am intrepid, I am sassy, I am a coward, I am brave, I am loud, I am broken, I am whole.

I am That.

I am.

In this episode, we chat with Ricardo McRae and he shares with us intimate details about his life journey through trauma to trailblazer. The poignant lessons from his experiences are what he used to propel himself forward no matter the challenge. Today he shares some of those lessons with us and in the end provides and "a ha moment" when he recommends that we all consider the "Decision Matrix" of our life and how we need to tune it up if we want to change up our life!  

Ricardo McRae is a licensed Financial Brokerage that specializes in helping families and entrepreneurs grow and save money. Before his foray into financial services, Ricardo was the award-winning entrepreneur behind the boutique consultancy, Wedge15. He appears frequently in the media, is a highly sought-after speaker and is the host of The Framing Podcast Podcast. Ricardo is well known for both his TEDx talk and as the Founder of BlackInCanada.com. His website is Canada’s leading source on Black Excellence reaching over 1M people in 100 countries, with 30K+ fans and followers on social.   

It all started while studying Fine Arts and Business at the University of Windsor and OCAD (Ontario College of Art and Design). However, he is most proud of his 5-yr old son that keeps him on his toes and cherishes his family time with his incredible wife of 8 years Gloria.  

PODCAST TheFramingPodcast.com

ITUNES http://apple.co/2lIq46EWEBSITE RicardoMcRae.com  

TWITTER @RicardoMcRae  

LINKEDIN LinkedIn.com/in/RicardoMcRae   

INSTAGRAM @RicardoMcRae  

FACEBOOK FaceBook.com/RicardoMcRae 

YOUTUBE YouTube.com/RicardoMcRae

VIMEO Vimeo.com/album/3593079

Candice and Chivonne are dynamic agents of change driven to Inspire, Educate and Motivate remarkable individuals on a global level. 

Their intention is rooted in a desire to connect and align others to their higher purpose, thereby creating a potential ripple effect on humanity. ​  Together they focus on being Real. Raw and Resilient and believe in embracing life with Vulnerability, Compassion and Courage while remaining firmly Grounded in Grace.  

In this conversation, Candice and Chivonne introduce us to their year  long challenge to surrender and say yes to what comes their way even if it takes them out of their comfort zone and to audaciously ask for what they desire without apology or hesitation.   

They talk about not only how to deal with but challenge the stressors we face and provide 4 valuable tips on how changing our perspective can change our lives!  

#candidconversations #stress #mentalhealth #chaos2calm #transformationandalignment #gratitude

Today we are joined by the multi-faceted Selam Debs. She shares with us her anti-racism course outline...a 6 module, 12 week, self-led, online program for individuals, schools and business to become aware of and empowered to abolish the implicit bias and systemic racism pervasive across our country.   

Selam and I get emotional talking about being mothers to our young Black sons and Chivonne asks how she can contribute as an active ally. Here is a message from Selam.   

To my Black and Brown Sisters and Brothers, Daughters and Sons, I dedicate my work to you. I created my Antiracism Course with one purpose in mind - To create an equitable world for us, for our families. I live and breathe the hope of community where we are seen, heard, savoured, nourished and uplifted.   

To my white allies and accomplices, I honour your willingness and readiness to unlearn, unravel, and dismantle systems of privilege from which you benefit, but which leave so many of us, disenfranchised and fighting to thrive. I created my Antiracism Course for you - to re-learn the histories of our Black, Indigenous, Communities of Colour, that were erased from our education systems. I am grateful to be walking on this journey with you. 

I am an antiracism educator, an anti-oppression coach, a social justice advocate, a specialist in dismantling anti-Black racism, an accomplice in dismantling anti-Indigenous racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia and a believer in Intersectional and LGBTQ2S+ rights.   

I am the founder of Juici Yoga, a yoga and meditation instructor, a restorative yoga teacher trainer, a holistic life coach, a reiki master, and a Lululemon Ambassador.   

I AM, first and foremost, A MOTHER. 

I am a singer and a songwriter, a poet and a practitioner of self-acceptance, self- love, and radical compassion.   

My Antiracism work is rooted in the understanding that we must acknowledge and identify the insidiousness of white supremacy before we can dismantle colonial belief systems. The process of undoing, unlearning and re-educating is necessary for white communities to embark on, to support the healing journey for our racialized families.   

My personal yoga and meditation practice is deeply connected to my experience that racism and daily oppression tears apart Black bodies and imparts havoc on our nervous systems. We carry these fear responses through generations and without healing, pass our systems of high-alert survival through our DNA. While racism may seem like theory and concepts for white folx, it is experienced in the bodies of Black people, in a deeply ingrained way.

Today we are joined by the fearless Christine Dainard. 

She shares with us how she left her corporate job on a whim to start her own business because she felt that she should let go, believe and jump in. Christine reminds us that we need to acknowledge how we feel in the work that we are doing because if it doesn't feed your soul then maybe your "why" for staying isn't strong enough.  

Christine Dainard is the owner and operator of Buzz Tour Company, a personalized wine & beer tour service that takes private groups from the Waterloo Region to Norfolk County for food and drink experiences!   She is a passionate single mom of one who chose to leave the corporate world and risk it all for a life of enjoyment and happiness of doing what she loves – and she encourages others to follow their dreams. 

Christine believes her purpose is to help others enjoy life’s moments, find joy, seek out the good, live a life of authenticity and create opportunities for people to tap into the best of who they are.  Since the pandemic hit, Christine has been finding ways to bring people together virtually to explore food, drink and experiences from where they are. 

You can find her creating cocktails every Friday night - live on Instagram. She is also working with local food, drink and experience makers to provide virtual parties that include music bingo, live DJ, cocktail making, local food and prizes from local small businesses.   

Find out more by visiting buzztourcompany.ca   You can follow her business through Instagram and Facebook at @buzztourco or her blogging journey at @lifeofchristined

Today we are joined by Marsha Vanwynsberghe who is a Life Adversity Coach, Speaker and Author. 

In this episode we delve into the challenges she faced as a mother of two teen boys battling substance abuse and the difficult decisions she had to make in order to keep moving forward.   

Her book, “When She Stopped Asking Why: A Mother's Journey Through Teen Substance Abuse and the Loving Path to Finding her Clarity, Courage and Purpose" is an Amazon Bestseller in 6 different categories. 

Marsha is also a co-author of another book called "Owning Your Choices: Stories of Courage from 8 Inspirational Women Around the World" which is a beautiful collaboration of stories of courage from women who have overcome incredible life challenges.  

Through her programs, coaching, podcast, and live events for women, Marsha teaches the power of Radical Responsibility and Owning Your Choices in your own life.  

She empowers women how to own their stories and build platform businesses to impact, serve and support others.  

Here's how you can connect with Marsha!  

Email: [email protected]  

When She Stopped Asking Why Book: https://www.marshavanw.com/book   

Owning Your Choices Book: https://amzn.to/3mLsX1x 

Website: https://www.marshavanw.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marshavanw/ 

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/marsha.vanwynsberghe 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshavanwynsberghe/?originalSubdomain=ca 

Podcast Link: Podcast Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/own-your-choices-own-your-life/id1445904739

Today we are joined by Coach B Michele who is a brilliant branding coach in San Antonio, Texas! 

Coach B Michele shares with us her pivot from teaching to event planning, to comedy production and then to corporate branding. She gets to the point when she outlines essential tips for entrepreneurs and she does so with humour and a hell of a lot of wisdom!  

B Michele is a Brand Coach/Consultant who helps solopreneurs, small businesses and organizations grow their personal and professional brand, through events, print and coaching.   

After spending a decade and half as an Elementary Teacher and Education Coordinator for public schools in The United States and United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi), B Michele decided to follow her dreams and start her own event planning company called B Michele Events which she launched in 2013 with the help of a few friends. 

After launching B Michele Events, Michele moved to San Antonio, Texas where she boldly made her presence known and began branding her company with the Laugh Out Loud Comedy Show. Since then she has planned, marketed and produced over 20 shows in San Antonio and around the country over the past four years as well as multitude of events for a variety of clients.  

As the CEO of The B Michele Branding Agency, Coach B Michele now uses her knowledge of creative marketing, promotion, branding and building professional relationships with the media, businesses and local influencers to help entrepreneurs grow and brand their business.  

Coach B Michele knows what truly drives conversions, business growth, and branding—and it’s not mastering the marketing flavor of the week. It’s how well you connect with people you’re trying to help and empower.  Michele has landed coverage in print and broadcast outlets in San Antonio including Black Focus Magazine, Tha1 Radio, KROVFM.com and Engaged Podcast. She has a reoccurring guest spot on the 'I am Refocused Radio Show' which also airs on iHeart Radio. 

In addition to her extensive event planning and marketing experience, Michele also serves as a mentor to new entrepreneurs.  Michele holds a BSW and MSW in Social Work from Tarleton State University and the University of Houston.  #ambitiousandsingle #brandingcoach

Today we chatted with Caitlyn Lloyd who is a Reiki master who specializes in energy exchange with animals she is also the creator of beautiful crystal pendants created especially for pets and their owners to bring calm, connection and peace.   

In this Candid Conversation we chat with Caitlyn about how she came to be an animal Reiki specialist, how we can connect to our pets in an energetic way and why it is so important to getting to know and understand the creatures we love. 

We finish off the conversation with how energy is all around us and as a previous paranormal investigator, Caitlyn shares how Reiki can be used with "ghosts".  

For more information about Caitlyn you can reach her via her Etsy shop or by email.  

Etsy - crystalsbytheroots 

Email - [email protected]

Today we are joined by educator and innovator extraordinaire. Amina Abdulle came to Canada from her homeland of Somalia when she was 8 years old. Her early days of public education are shocking to hear about yet she persevered and became the teacher we all wish we had.   

Her passion is create empathy and awareness about BIPOC through the process of decolonizing not only our bookshelf but also ourselves. This conversation is enlightening and thought provoking but it is her poem about home that caused an ache in our heart and a stir in our soul.

Today we are joined by Ariana Novak all the way from Costa Rica! 

She is a Transformation Coach, Yoga Instructor and Lululemon Ambassador and in essence is a person who is TRANSFORMATIVE, MAGICAL and EMPOWERING! Ariana shares how she went from accounting to hot yoga and over time came to know herself and began to live her life as she moved from uncomfortable to awakening.  

Ariana takes us through her 3 things that can make you feel proud plus a bonus piece of advice.  

1) The power's in your mind 

2) Feel the feelings all the way 

3) You get to choose how you show up 

4) Get to know your values and how you are living them  

You can learn more about Ariana on her website:  https://www.ariananovak.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariana.novak/