What if your deepest secret was an addiction?
To the outside world, Shannon McKinnon seemed like the epitome of success: a loving husband, a thriving career in television, and two beautiful children. But behind closed doors, she was waging a silent war with heroin addiction. In this episode, Shannon shares her journey from battling chronic pain to slipping into addiction, losing her home, job, and marriage, and nearly her life. Listen as she reveals how she found the strength to rebuild and emerge more grateful than ever.

So last episode on home vs hospital births inspired a lot of heated conversations! Many of you expressed how surprising it was to hear close friends completely disagree with each other. With that in mind, we decided to try to unpack some of the reasons why it often feels like everyone is fighting these days (even with those who share the same views!). We also discuss how fear and trauma impacts our ability to listen deeply and why we should all start assuming the best instead of the worst of each other. 

More information about Daryl Davis: https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/documentaries/accidental-courtesy/

NYT ARTICLE: What if Instead of Calling People Out, We Called Them In?

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/19/style/loretta-ross-smith-college-cancel-culture.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=c-cb

We generally get along about most things. But once we had a discussion and realized that there is a topic we totally disagree on: where to give birth. We unpack our radically different birth stories and debate the pros and cons of home vs hospital births on this heated episode (proving you can still be friends with people you don’t always agree with!)

For more information on Hypnobirthing if you’re interested: https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/hypnobirthing#methods

For more information about Elaine Welteroth and her charity, follow @birthfund

Here’s also an article written by her on Black maternal health: https://time.com/6249274/elaine-welteroth-midwifery-care-maternal-health/

And if you’re interested, check out episode 5 of For The Culture, called “The Standard Of Care”: 

https://gem.cbc.ca/for-the-culture-with-amanda-parris

Lancet Article : Home birth—proceed with caution

Home Births Proceed With Caution

Psychologists are increasingly saying that focusing on yourself is more likely to lead to a happy life. So what if instead of trying to find your “other half” you instead decide to make yourself whole. In this episode we chat with Andrea Bain, author of Single Girl Problems: Why Being Single Isn’t A Problem To Be Solved about how to reframe and embrace solo living. 

To get a copy of Andrea’s book, click this link: https://www.amazon.ca/Single-Girl-Problems-Problem-Solved/dp/1459739094

If you are interested in Othership, the fine folks there have offered our listeners 11% off credit packages by using the Code: PLEASURE.  **This can only be used on credit packages & one time per person.  Just download the booking app https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/othership-booking-app/id1604297378

And if you can share your favourite podcasts with your network or community- we would be forever in your debt. And if you send us a nice note we will show it on social media! 

Aging is hard. It can feel sometimes like everything is falling apart: our faces, our bodies, our moods and our goals. But research shows that there are certain things we should all be focusing on in order to live the rest of our lives without any major regrets. From relationships to stress to speaking our unmentionables, this is your informal guide to aging well. 

Have a great unmentionable story? Or are you an expert and want to be a guest on our show: email us at [email protected]

If you have it in your heart to leave us a (positive) review on Apple, we would be so grateful. Here is the link: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/cynthia-and-josies-unmentionables/id1668439555

(go to the bottom and write a review)

Also, do you have an event coming up this summer that you would love to have us join? You can dm or email us anytime!

Why do so many women turn into Bridezillas? How much is too much to spend on “the dress”? What is it about weddings that make everyone so horny except for the bride and groom? In this episode we share our marital memories and unpack a whole bunch of unmentionables with Wedding planner extraordinaire Trevor Frankfort.

For more info on Trevor and how to book him for your next event: https://trevents.caTrevents — Wedding & Event PlanningTrevents — Wedding & Event Planningtrevents.ca

To write us with your unmentionable ideas: [email protected]

We asked you for your most unmentionable questions and boy, you did not disappoint. In this hilarious and heartfelt episode, we answer your queries and give advice on everything from what makes good lingerie to what can be done in a sexless marriages, from family planning regrets to adjusting to new jobs and everything in between.  

As always, we love hearing from you. Send us your thoughts and ideas for future podcast to [email protected].

Link to: Mindful Sex by Dr. Lori Brotto

https://www.amazon.ca/Better-Sex-through-Mindfulness-Cultivate/dp/1771642351

Many people argue that kids these days aren’t as strong because they all receive “participation” ribbons or trophies.  They say that if there isn’t a clear “winner”, kids will grow up weak and will be less inclined to work hard. In this episode we share some recent tough parenting moments that illuminate some of the problems with this argument.

Recently, Josie found herself at the non-off leash park near her house. When she kindly asked a man to leash his dog because her son was terrified, he adamantly refused. In a fit of anger, he hurled the label "Karen" at Josie.

In this episode, we delve into the origins, evolution, and lessons behind the term "Karen." Have you ever pondered where this name and its meaning originated? Have you ever wondered if you've accidentally channeled your inner Karen? And hey, what's a person named Karen to do in all this?

Join us as we unpack these questions and more with Refinery 29’s Kathleen Newman-Bremang. Together, we explore the complexities surrounding this term and the insights it offers into societal attitudes and behaviors.

Have you ever found yourself getting turned on by something strange? Things like gym equipment or giant nostrils? How about gardening noises or the arm hair on a stranger?  In this episode we share some of the beautifully bizarre things that people have found unexpectedly erotic..and our other halves even share theirs!