Today’s guest, Gwen Gardner is an absolute force of resilience and heart. She’s the Chief Chick, founder, and designer behind Simply Chickie Clothing — a brand born from a week that changed everything: a breast cancer diagnosis and the discovery she was pregnant… all in the same week.

What followed was a radical lifestyle shift, a commitment to clean living, and the creation of a company that blends humor, heart, and health-conscious values into adorable organic baby clothes.

We’re diving into Gwen’s story of healing, entrepreneurship, and what it really means to live with intention — for yourself, your family, and the future.

Let’s get into it.

What happens when your world turns upside down in a single week? For Gwen Gardner, founder of Simply Chicking Clothing, learning she was pregnant one day and diagnosed with breast cancer the next became the catalyst for complete transformation. Instead of surrendering to fear, Gwen made a powerful declaration: "There is no way I'm going to die while creating life."

This pivotal moment sparked a journey into clean living that changed everything. As Gwen researched ways to protect her health and her growing baby, she discovered the shocking truth about conventional cotton - that it's treated with seven carcinogenic chemicals originally developed as nerve agents during wartime. This revelation led her to create Simply Chicking Clothing, an organic baby clothing company featuring humorous, gender-neutral designs printed with eco-friendly inks on certified organic cotton.

Twenty years later, Gwen's products have become legendary for their longevity. Parents regularly share stories of passing these garments through multiple children or even saving them for grandchildren. While initially more expensive than conventional options, these heirloom-quality pieces prove economical over time while keeping textiles out of landfills.

Building a business as a single mother required incredible resilience and community support. Gwen shares practical wisdom about finding your tribe, maximizing productive hours (her "six to nine club" in the morning), and the power of asking for help. Her perspective on confidence - that it parallels vulnerability in recognizing our shared human struggles - offers comfort to anyone facing challenges.

Whether you're navigating a health crisis, considering entrepreneurship, or simply trying to make more conscious lifestyle choices, Gwen's story demonstrates how our greatest challenges can reveal our true purpose. Join us for this powerful conversation about resilience, clean living, and creating positive change through conscious business practices.

Website: www.simplychickieclothing.com    

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What happens when your world completely transforms in a single week? For Gwen Gardner, founder of Simply Chicking Clothing, that pivotal moment arrived over 20 years ago when she received news of both pregnancy and breast cancer within days of each other. Rather than surrendering to fear, Gwen made a powerful declaration: "There is no way that I'm going to die while I'm creating life."

This episode takes us deep into Gwen's remarkable journey of healing, transformation, and entrepreneurship. As she researched how to support her body through cancer treatment while nurturing a new life, Gwen discovered what she calls "the dirty secret" of conventional cotton - that it's treated with seven of the most carcinogenic chemicals known, many originally developed as war-time nerve agents. This revelation sparked a passion for creating truly clean, organic cotton baby clothes that would be safe for the most delicate skin while bringing humor and heart to eco-conscious parenting.

Gwen's practical wisdom shines throughout our conversation as she shares how she built a business as a single mother with limited resources. From creating childcare co-ops with friends to making the most of early morning hours (what she calls "the six o'clock club"), her strategies offer hope to anyone juggling multiple priorities while pursuing their passion. Most powerfully, she reveals how building community helped transform her natural shyness into confidence, joining multiple networking groups and creating connections that sustained both her business and spirit through challenging times. Whether you're facing health challenges, considering entrepreneurship, or simply trying to live more intentionally, Gwen's philosophy that "confidence parallels vulnerability" provides a refreshing framework for moving forward with courage, even when the path ahead feels uncertain.

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What happens when a woman decides to break free from generations of trauma and addiction? Bonnie Johnstone's transformation story isn't just inspiring—it's revolutionary.

Once living in shame and addiction starting at age 14, Bonnie faced an impossible choice after her parents separated due to her stepfather's sexual abuse. The path she chose led her through alcoholism, running away to join a carnival, and years of self-destructive behavior. "I never slept at night," she reveals, "I always slept during the day when people were awake."

Everything changed in August 2016 when her brother-in-law's overdose forced her to confront her own mortality. With remarkable clarity, Bonnie made a decision: "I'm done living wastefully." This wasn't just about getting sober—it meant confronting the abuse, cutting ties with her parents, and beginning the painful work of healing.

The results have been transformative. "I used to be just waiting for every day to end. Now I'm like the day can't end yet, I have so much to do," Bonnie shares with infectious enthusiasm. She's become an international bestselling co-author and speaker, developed workshops for trauma survivors, and most importantly, broken the cycle of intergenerational trauma that has plagued her Indigenous family for generations.

What makes Bonnie's story unique is her distinction between negative self-focus and positive self-care. "When it became about me, I was able to become a better friend, a better mother, a better everything to everybody else." This philosophy has allowed her to not just heal herself but to create ripples of healing that extend to her children and beyond.

For anyone feeling trapped by their circumstances, Bonnie offers this wisdom: "You always have choices... When you actually get to your why and start putting the how into effect, it just becomes second nature, because courage is contagious."

Ready to transform your own story? Listen now to discover how one woman's decision to heal is changing lives that haven't even been born yet.

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What happens when life shatters everything you thought you knew about yourself? Rosemary Barnes takes us on a remarkable journey from Ukrainian farm upbringing to becoming an international speaker, bestselling author, and confidence coach—navigating through unimaginable personal tragedy along the way.

Rosemary's story begins with her dual life: weekdays in the city attending school and lessons, weekends on the farm where her family instilled the values of hard work and responsibility. This foundation shaped her into someone others always saw as dependable, even during her brief rebellious phase. But it was through facing life's most devastating challenges that Rosemary discovered the true nature of resilience and reinvention.

With unflinching honesty, she shares the heartbreaking loss of her son to a fentanyl overdose and her daughter's earlier struggles with crystal meth addiction. These experiences forced her to confront painful questions about parental responsibility while weathering harsh judgments from others. Through this crucible of grief, Rosemary discovered a profound truth: "Being human means you make mistakes. Being human means you will be judged incorrectly." Her hard-won wisdom reminds us that self-forgiveness is essential when navigating life's darkest moments.

Today, through her company Confidence Stages, Rosemary helps others overcome their confidence barriers and find their authentic voice. Drawing on her background as a classically trained singer and educator, she specializes in helping people master public speaking—"If you can learn to conquer that great fear of speaking in public, what can you not take on?" Her approach transforms this common fear into a gateway for broader personal empowerment.

Rosemary's parting wisdom resonates with universal truth: "Nothing is permanent. The only thing you can count on throughout your entire life is that everything will change." Rather than resisting change, she encourages us to embrace it as "an opportunity for adventure"—a perspective that doesn't diminish our suffering but offers a path forward when one seems impossible to find.

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What separates those who achieve their dreams from those who don't? According to Uchechi Asuikwe, it's not talent or luck—it's persistence and a willingness to start small.

Uchechi takes us through her remarkable journey from opening a wellness center during the 2008 recession to becoming an author, coach, TV host, and creator of the Dream Life Designer planner. Her story isn't one of overnight success, but rather of calculated evolution as her life circumstances and priorities changed. When motherhood made running a physical wellness center challenging, she didn't abandon her entrepreneurial spirit—she adapted it.

The cornerstone of Uchechi's philosophy is what she calls the "crawl, walk, run" approach. Too many aspiring entrepreneurs want to sprint before they've learned to stand, leading to frustration and burnout. Instead, Uchechi advocates for starting where you are, mastering each phase before moving to the next, and using the revenue from each stage to fund growth into the next. This approach allowed her to gradually build multiple income streams while maintaining balance in her personal life.

Perhaps most compelling is Uchechi's passion for sharing the struggles behind success stories. Through her TV show, she interviews accomplished individuals to reveal that everyone—even those who appear to have it all figured out—faced significant obstacles on their journey. She recounts the famous "three feet from gold" story, reminding us that breakthroughs often come right after our most challenging moments.

Ready to bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be? Visit myempoweredliving.com to discover how Uchechi's coaching, books, and planners can help you create your own empowered life, one intentional step at a time.

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"Finding your sanctuary in the city that never sleeps" is Ellen’s promise to all her clients. Whether her clients are seeking that perfect space or selling a prized property, she is 100% dedicated to meeting her clients’ needs and protecting their best interests in the unique and vibrant New York City market. Ellen approaches every client interaction as a partnership, emphasizing clear communication and hard work to achieve common goals.

She has worked in real estate since 2016 after a seasoned career as a Wall Street analyst. Her excellent financial and analytical skills, command of the digital space and organized and detail-oriented processes help her navigate all facets of real estate transactions. Born and raised in Manhattan, she went to Trinity School prep school, then graduated from Carnegie-Mellon University with a BS in Business Administration and Mathematics and also received an MBA from Zicklin School of Business.

Ellen has experienced living in New York City as a renter, buyer, seller and therefore understands the ebbs and flows of the market and the diverse neighborhoods of Manhattan. Ellen has earned the coveted Certified Buyer Representative and Master Certified Negotiation Expert designations. In addition, her keen eye for interior design and staging, and up-to-date insights into new condominium developments bring greater value to her clients. Ellen serves both local New York City clients and international investors from Spain, Portugal, France, Israel, Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam.

 What does it really take to navigate the complex world of New York City real estate? Ellen Silverman pulls back the curtain on one of the world's most misunderstood property markets, sharing wisdom gained from her remarkable journey from Wall Street analyst to successful Manhattan real estate agent.

Growing up in downtown Manhattan, Ellen developed an early appreciation for diverse living spaces by visiting friends in various neighborhoods—from Greenwich Village apartments to Upper East Side townhouses. This curiosity, coupled with her mother's constant redecorating projects, planted the seeds for her future career. Despite spending three decades in finance, Ellen maintained her passion for properties, purchasing her first apartment in 1995 for just $50,000 in an area others considered questionable. This bold move exemplifies her talent for recognizing value before neighborhoods become trendy.

The conversation shatters common misconceptions about New York real estate. While TV shows portray only ultra-luxury properties with glamorous agents, Ellen reveals there's a "whole gradation of how you can live here." She enthusiastically highlights emerging areas like Astoria and Long Island City in Queens, where buyers can find modern condos with Manhattan skyline views at significantly lower prices. "When I say Queens, people are horrified," she laughs, "but it's literally two subway stops to Manhattan. You have amazing skyline views, huge space that's affordable...and believe me, Whole Foods and Trader Joe's are coming."

For those considering a real estate career, Ellen offers practical guidance based on experience. She recommends joining established brokerages with strong training programs and emphasizes that success comes from learning by doing—particularly by assisting experienced teams. Perhaps most surprisingly, she notes that many major NYC brokerage firms are led by women, who often excel thanks to superior multitasking abilities and intuitive skills. Her parting wisdom resonates beyond real estate: "If there's something you want to do as a self-employed entrepreneur, definitely pursue it. Don't doubt yourself. Life is really short, and it's better to try and fail than not to try at all."

Ready to discover more about NYC's diverse neighborhoods or considering a career change? Listen

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What begins as tragedy can sometimes forge an unexpected path to healing and purpose. For Lydia Cecilia, losing her father to a sudden heart attack while he danced with her mother on Valentine's Day became the first step in a profound journey toward holistic wellness and self-discovery.

Lydia's story is remarkable not just for its challenges—surviving two different cancer diagnoses within a year—but for the wisdom she extracted from these experiences. At 24, she faced Hodgkin's lymphoma, followed by AML leukemia exactly one year after completing her first cancer treatment. These back-to-back health crises opened her eyes to the intimate connection between emotional and physical wellbeing. "I believe that the emotional hurts that we carry through life, that we bury, that we suppress, that we deny, eventually find a way of coming to the surface," Lydia explains, noting how her unresolved grief manifested in her physical body.

What makes Lydia's approach uniquely powerful is her balanced perspective. She embraces conventional medicine while incorporating complementary practices like reflexology, Reiki, and yoga—a combination that addresses both symptoms and root causes. Her yoga instruction focuses not on physical achievement but on self-acceptance: "I can't even touch my toes without bending my knees, and I've been a yoga instructor since 2011," she shares with disarming honesty. For Lydia, yoga creates "a sacred space where you make time for you," grounding practitioners in their authentic selves rather than external judgments.

Now a certified health and wellness coach, Lydia helps others bridge what she calls "the gap between knowing better and doing better," empowering them to take proactive steps toward holistic wellbeing before crisis forces their hand. Her message resonates with profound simplicity: "Just love yourself... once you have self-love, you don't have to attach your worth to anything outside of you." Connect with Lydia at www.lydiacecilia.ca to learn more about her global coaching services or look for her complete story in the upcoming Business Divas that Care book releasing this fall.

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What happens when women finally stop settling for what's left over at the end of the day? Jo Dibblee, breakthrough expert and eternal optimist, takes us on a powerful journey of self-discovery in this transformative conversation about unleashing your true purpose.

From her own remarkable path—growing up without food, running water or electricity to becoming an award-winning author and global change catalyst—Jo reveals why so many women struggle to identify and embrace their unique gifts. "Women in particular are taught community first and self-service last," she explains, highlighting how this conditioning leads us to believe that prioritizing ourselves is somehow selfish.

The contrast between generations becomes strikingly clear as both Jo and host Teresa Sims reflect on their delayed "coming of age" in their fifties, while acknowledging how younger women seem more comfortable prioritizing self-care earlier. This generational shift opens fascinating possibilities for mutual learning and growth across age groups.

Perhaps most powerful is Jo's transformative concept of "standing on your story instead of in it"—a distinction that has helped countless women turn painful experiences into platforms for positive change. As Teresa shares, this simple perspective shift helped her process trauma and speak openly about difficult experiences without being controlled by them.

The conversation offers practical wisdom too, including why your "sum of five" closest associates should challenge rather than merely support you, and why relying on family for business guidance often backfires. Jo's insights on building effective mastermind communities provide a roadmap for anyone seeking accountability and growth.

Whether you're just beginning your entrepreneurial journey or looking to expand your impact, this episode delivers the rare combination of deep wisdom and practical guidance. Connect with Jo through the links in our show notes and discover how you might be the key that opens the door for others waiting to hear exactly what you have to share.

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What does it truly take to build a successful global business? On this enlightening episode of Love Talks Radio, host Candace welcomes back her mentor and mother, Pat Anderson – the "original diva" who has inspired not just her daughter but countless women entrepreneurs worldwide.

Pat takes us on her remarkable journey from facing major health challenges at a young age to building an international network marketing organization spanning multiple continents. Her candid insights reveal how becoming truly coachable transformed her business trajectory. "When it really started to grow in my business is when I became coachable," Pat shares, explaining how surrounding herself with mentors and like-minded individuals created a foundation for sustainable success.

Despite already achieving significant success, Pat demonstrates why continuous learning remains essential at any age. At 61, she's tackling new social media marketing strategies, working with mentors to expand her digital presence across platforms like LinkedIn. Her powerful message resonates with entrepreneurs at every stage: "Times are changing so fast that if you don't grasp it and don't get with the plan, you're going to miss out." This commitment to evolution keeps her business thriving in an increasingly digital marketplace.

Pat closes with perhaps her most valuable advice – the importance of setting realistic expectations based on your actual commitment level. Too many aspiring entrepreneurs want enormous success without understanding the work required to achieve it. By aligning goals with genuine effort, business owners experience the satisfaction of meaningful progress rather than constant disappointment. From embracing the inevitable business "roller coaster" to finding the right mentor through careful research, Pat's wisdom offers a roadmap for women looking to build businesses that stand the test of time. Subscribe now to hear more conversations with inspiring women who are making a difference through entrepreneurship on the Divas that Care Network.

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Angela Bradford's journey from homeschooled farm girl to financial industry leader reveals how unconventional paths can lead to extraordinary success. Growing up with horses in Alberta, Angela developed the independence that would later fuel her entrepreneurial spirit before transitioning from long-haul trucking to financial services—a dramatic shift that required her to develop entirely new interpersonal skills.

What makes Angela's approach unique is her commitment to financial education and accessibility. Frustrated by the lack of practical money management skills taught in traditional education, she actively brings financial literacy to high schools and works with clients of all ages and income levels. Her message that "it's never too late" to take control of your financial future particularly resonates with women facing transitions like divorce or career changes. Rather than requiring minimum investments that exclude many potential clients, Angela creates an inclusive practice that serves women who might otherwise feel intimidated by financial institutions.

Beyond building her business with offices in Edmonton and Red Deer, Angela shares her vision for establishing ranches where horses can help women heal from emotional trauma. This holistic approach to empowerment recognizes that financial stability is just one component of a fulfilled life. Her practical advice—start saving even just $10 monthly, understand different financial tools, and don't be embarrassed to seek professional help—makes financial planning accessible to everyone. Angela's story demonstrates that women can create success on their own terms while building others up alongside themselves, representing a compassionate new model of leadership in the financial sector.

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