Happily Ever Understood

iListen proudly honors Women's History Month by celebrating the strength and resilience of women like Janet Letendre, the heart behind Gramma Bear’s Cakery. Janet’s journey is one of survival, courage, and transformation.

Having grown up with significant trauma before making the brave decision to break free and reclaim her life. She discovered her true passion in baking—a craft that not only provided her with healing but also a path to independence.

Through Gramma Bear’s Cakery, Janet has turned her love for baking into a thriving business, creating delicious treats that bring joy to others. Her talents have also taken her to national television, where she showcased her skills on The Food Network's Holiday Baking Championship and The Big Bake: Holiday Season 2. Competing on these prestigious platforms not only validated her expertise but also served as an inspiration to others who dream of turning their passions into a new beginning.

This Women’s History Month, iListen celebrates Janet and all women who have overcome adversity to create a brighter future.

*Note: Portions of this audio version have been edited to respect some of our listeners. Every effort has been made to ensure the speaker’s story remain authentic.

iListen honors Black History Month by sharing Sherol Leslie's powerful journey. Her autoimmune condition didn’t just test her—it transformed her. It deepened her commitment to showing up for others, creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and celebrated. Whether building community or organizing fashion shows that amplify marginalized voices, Sherol turns adversity into empowerment. Her mission is not just to thrive but to uplift others, ensuring they do too.

Stepping out of the month-long break for a short moment for iListen to support an entrepreneur making a meaningful impact in her community through advocacy for accessibility. Accessibility 4 Every Body, founded by Diana Dimmock and based in Sherwood Park, Alberta, is a size-inclusive consulting firm dedicated to educating, advocating, and fostering inclusivity for individuals of all body sizes and abilities. The firm is committed to challenging the marginalization of people in larger bodies and creating a world where everyone is valued and included.

Join us as we sit down with Cora Gladue, founder of Gladue Collections, to discuss her journey of rediscovering her Indigenous roots and how it has shaped her path as an entrepreneur.

In honor of Truth and Reconciliation Day on September 30, Cora shares her powerful story of reconnecting with her culture and how it inspired the creation of her fashion brand, Gladue Collections. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about identity, resilience, and the importance of honoring Truth and Reconciliation in both life and business.

We kick off Season 3 of the Happily Ever Understood Podcast with Cheryl Wang, a community engagement specialist and cultural lover, is deeply rooted in traditional Chinese culture. Recently, she received funding from the Edmonton Arts Council to further her studies in Chinese storytelling drumsong.

She shares this love for ancient art with her five-year-old son, Hanson Yi, and together, they perform at community events.

Through these performances, Cheryl invites us to explore the rich emotions and stories within traditional Chinese music, where every note resonates with the harmony of nature and the earth.

Cheryl's five-year-old son, Hanson Yi, is a little culture lover who has embraced traditional Chinese art forms. Hanson performed two pieces that showcase his growing talents. In addition to Chinese folk art, Hanson is also passionate about learning the language through calligraphy. Chinese calligraphy, with its various styles like 楷书 (Standard Script) and 行书 (Running Script), is an art that blends beauty, discipline, and expression, and through these kinds of expressive art forms, our little culture lover Hanson is taking his first steps in expressing his love of art & culture, to share with our listeners.

To celebrate Pride Month, we proudly present the Dragging Youth Shows—monthly, all-ages drag performances that create a safe and welcoming space for everyone. Thanks to the dedication of Kim Pizzey, Dragging Youth Shows have flourished since their inception in 2016. Kim established a space where individuals of all races, genders, ages, and sexual orientations can showcase their talents and be their true selves.

Dragging Youth Shows aim to provide a supportive environment where youth can explore, gain confidence, and express themselves through the art of performance. Support these shows by attending and encouraging the talented performers, especially the younger individuals discovering their voices. Your presence and encouragement make a significant impact! Funds raised support non-profit organizations focused on LGBTQ2S+ youth initiatives, such as St. Albert Outloud and Queer Youth Prom.

iListen was thrilled to have Joan Jack join us for our Indigenous History Month podcast. Joan is a Lawyer and Activist from the Berens River First Nation who earned her law degree from the University of British Columbia. Her practice includes aboriginal law, treaty rights, court involvement in the Indian Residential School and day school. She also has an impressive resume that also includes education, health and politics.

Joan's activism includes participating in the Treaty Freedom Rides and The Medicine Wheel Ride to bring awareness to legalized racism and misogynistic genocide.

With her husband, Watsait Bryan Jack, she founded Nakina CALL (Centre for Aboriginal Living and Learning), offering programs that teach survival skills, teamwork, and traditional food preparation.

Last but not least Joan hosts the Brave Indigenous Conversations podcast that provides a platform to talk about indigenous issues.

Joan resides in Atlin, B.C., in Tlingit Country, with her husband and family. She remains active in her community and with Nakina CALL.

iListen is celebrating Filipino Heritage Month with a special feature on Flipside BBQ, a beloved food truck run by Rez and Zahra. This dynamic duo shares their compelling story, delving into their roots in the Philippines and the inspiring journey that led them to start their successful food truck business.

Their path to launching Flipside BBQ was filled with challenges and triumphs. Rez and Zahra discuss the initial spark that ignited their dream, the hard work and dedication required to bring it to life, and the joy they find in sharing their authentic Filipino cuisine with the community. Their story is a testament to the power of preserving cultural heritage through food and the importance of following one’s dreams.

When you hear Bryan's story, you might reconsider what constitutes a bad day. Imagine arriving in a foreign country, alone, with all your belongings in a suitcase. This was Bryan's reality when he landed in Canada from Uganda shortly before the COVID pandemic began. The temperature was -40 degrees, a level of cold he had never encountered before. To make matters more challenging, he no place to call home. With nowhere else to turn, he found refuge in a shelter, where he spent the next few months navigating an uncertain and difficult chapter of his life.

Bryan's journey is a testament to the remarkable resilience of the human spirit. Despite the numerous obstacles he faced, Bryan's determination never wavered. Today, Bryan channels his experiences into supporting and advocating for those experiencing homelessness. His story illustrates that even in the darkest times, finding a sense of purpose can lead to extraordinary personal growth and a profound impact on the lives of others.

This Asian Heritage Month, we explore the journey of William Chow, the owner of Le Special Malaysian cuisine. William immigrated to Canada from Malaysia and initially worked as a mechanical engineer. However, his passion for food eventually led him to start his own food business during the COVID pandemic—a significant risk at the time. Thanks to the popularity of his food offerings, he remained in demand and has since expanded his product line. William's story is a great inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs willing to take a leap of faith.