Heard @ The Barre

What happens when you record in the afternoon instead of the morning? Courtney and Kristy quickly realize it completely shifts their dynamic — different energy, different vibe, and maybe fewer (or more?) unfiltered moments.

The conversation heats up with Heated Rivalry and how the series impacted both of them in very different ways. They dive into the NHL’s stance on Pride tape versus the approval of this series, and the mixed messages that can send.

From there, the girls talk books — how seeing a show adaptation can change how you picture characters, influence your emotional connection to the story, and sometimes even reshape how you feel about the original book.

Sports, storytelling, shifting perspectives… and a whole new time-of-day energy.

This episode kicks off with Kristy being completely thrown off when Podcastle suddenly switches to Async (because why wouldn’t the tech change again?). The chaos settles with a big shoutout to the Western girls who show up for a private class with Courtney three times a week — commitment we love to see.

Courtney admits she finally told her kids she talked about them on the last episode… and unsurprisingly, neither of them cared. Kristy isn’t even sure if her girls listen at all. From there, the conversation turns to visibility — YouTube views are up, and seeing herself on screen officially freaks Kristy out.

Courtney shares how TikTok’s algorithm now fully understands her life, feeding her teen-related content and important Ontario updates — including new mammogram guidelines for women 40+. That opens a real talk about dense breasts, the importance of getting checked, and the unspoken requirement of needing Pilates-level strength just to hold the pose during a mammogram.

Things take a turn into awkward territory with a discussion about “dildo cam,” whether yearly doctor visits are even still a thing, and Courtney recalling her son’s physical at 13 — an experience so uncomfortable it left everyone slightly traumatized.

It’s equal parts informative, uncomfortable, hilarious, and exactly the kind of candid conversation you’ve come to expect from Heard @ The Barre.

What could be more Canadian than starting a conversation with the weather? Courtney and Kristy do just that — and naturally, it leads to a deeper discussion about post-secondary education and the pressure placed on teens to figure out their futures far too early.

Courtney shares insight from her years working at Western, breaking down today’s university and college options and how different the application process feels compared to the 1990s. They talk about the anxiety of applying, waiting for offers of admission, and how the paths to success have evolved over time.

The conversation turns to high school streaming and the expectation for students to choose between university and college as early as Grade 9. Courtney and Kristy question why education can’t stay more general for longer, allowing young people time to discover their strengths before specializing. They also explore the tension between not wanting kids to fail — yet often failing to equip them with real-life survival skills.

They wrap up with the value of working “bad” jobs and how those experiences help you appreciate the good ones when they finally come along. Courtney also brings up the recent CHL rule change allowing players to move on to the NCAA, opening up new possibilities for young athletes navigating education and sport.

Thoughtful, relatable, and unmistakably Canadian — another honest conversation from Heard @ The Barre.

Courtney and Kristy welcome a very special guest to the studio, author Danielle Frank, creator of A Wine Lover’s Guide to Parenting. The satirical book is written in the style of classic children’s bedtime stories, but with a grown-up twist: 11 wine-inspired “parenting lessons” that are equal parts hilarious and educational, teaching both parenting truths and essential wine terminology.

The episode kicks off with a few technical hiccups (Kristy vs. her brand-new MacBook), but true Gen X fashion, she figures it out quickly and carries on. Inspired by Danielle, Kristy even admits this is the first time she’s ever prepared in advance for a podcast episode.

Danielle shares her career journey from working in PR in her 20s to transitioning into the spirits and wine world at Moët Hennessy, and the three chat about their favourite chapters from the book. Danielle treats listeners to a live reading so everyone can get a taste of the humour and charm firsthand.

They also tease Danielle’s next book, and in a surprise twist, Oliver the studio pup makes his own audition for a role.

It’s witty, cozy, and full of laughs, a perfect blend of wine, words, and real life on Heard @ The Barre.

In this episode, Courtney and Kristy start off with a surreal moment — their faces were recommended for someone to watch. Naturally, Kristy briefly felt famous. ✨

From there, the conversation turns to aging, appearance, and the complicated relationship we have with our faces and bodies over time. They dive into plastic surgery and aesthetic treatments — would they do it? Courtney is a firm no (she’s never even had a facial, a massage outside of dance recovery, or been to a spa), while Kristy shares her experience with facial needles to soften fine lines and how that journey evolved once her youngest daughter started aesthetician school.

They talk honestly about what they’ve noticed changing as they age, run through the different generational labels, and explore how identity and femininity shift over time. Courtney shares how cutting her hair short led her to nails and lash extensions as a way to feel feminine, while Kristy explains how a bad haircut can completely affect your confidence. Their takeaway: if something makes you feel good — do it.

There’s plenty of nostalgia too, with banana clips, claw clips, and all things 90s hair making an appearance. The episode wraps with a candid conversation about fueling a 51-year-old body versus a 17-year-old one, Courtney’s feelings about looking more skeletal post-hysterectomy, what eating well actually means at this stage of life, and a thoughtful chat about hormone replacement, sleepy-time tea, and the elusive art of staying asleep.

Honest, reflective, and reassuring — this episode is all about redefining what feeling good looks like now.

This episode almost didn’t make it to air. Kristy and Courtney had an upload denied for being not kid friendly — which sparked a real conversation about the parental truths that sometimes need to be said, just not within earshot of little ones.

From there, the conversation turns to how the holidays really looked this year. Kristy opens up about Christmas feeling different as she navigates life after separating from her husband (and apologizes in advance to the neighbours for the new karaoke machine). Courtney shares what it was like hosting a full house, including having Maks home in London and welcoming his best friend Egor from Russia after his Miami plans fell through.

Courtney talks about watching Maks’ first big OHL fight (his mom worrying about his hand), hosting the boys for Christmas, and driving Egor to the Toronto airport in freezing rain on Boxing Day. That drive leads into a series of very Canadian winter driving stories, including Courtney watching a car accident happen both in front of her and behind her on the same trip home.

Naturally, there are shout outs galore: Honda Pilot’s snow mode, Young Drivers of Canada, and a nostalgic trip down memory lane to car safety (or lack thereof) in the 70s, 80s, and 90s — think Chevy Celebrities, Chevettes, and riding in the back without a seatbelt.

It’s reflective, chaotic, heartfelt, and unmistakably Canadian — classic Heard @ The Barre.

In this episode, Courtney and Kristy kick things off with their ongoing tech struggles and the possibility of recruiting a student over the holidays to help keep them organized. The debate of the day: Should they start a swear jar for Kristy? (The verdict is… still pending.)

From there, the conversation moves into the magic of girls’ weekends. Kristy shares how she met an amazing group of women through her husband’s hockey friends—because in Canada, hockey really is the link to everything. Over the years, their little weekends away have grown into full five-day escapes, and Kristy explains how her most recent trip gave her the reset she desperately needed. Courtney even admits Kristy came back far less grumpy and way more productive.

They also talk about how even Courtney’s daughter and her friends love the “getting ready” part more than actually going out. It’s the chatting, bonding, and life-talk moments that matter most. Cue a debate about a Honda Pilot vs. a CR-V—strictly for the ability to fit more friends for future road trips.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Heard @ The Barre episode without a little hockey. The girls dive into hockey superstitions, including whether Starbucks cake pops are secretly powering the London Knights and Maks. At this point… should they rename the podcast Heard @ The Barre (and Hockey)?

They wrap up by sharing ideas for listeners who don’t have a built-in group for girls’ getaways—like joining a wellness retreat, including one Kristy recently experienced.

A cozy, chatty episode full of friendship, rituals, and the joy of taking time for yourself.

In this warm and candid episode, Courtney and Kristy dive into the everyday realities of parenting teens, surviving the early sunsets, and navigating life’s quirks as adults who definitely do not function well after 8pm.

Courtney shares how a favourite song can instantly turn her entire day around, while Kristy admits she’s inexplicably grumpy and trying to figure out why. Courtney tells sweet stories about Oliver “encouraging” her through life—bringing her shoes when it’s time to leave podcast taping and handing her slippers when it’s time to settle in at the studio.

With the time change making evenings feel impossibly long and dark, the two debate late-night responsibilities: Kristy thinks Niamh should drive herself to her late soccer games, while Courtney insists on showing up because she’s deeply involved in watching her kids’ sports and supporting them emotionally afterwards. Courtney breaks down the unique dynamics of competitive soccer parenting—the highs, the tensions, and the big feelings that come home with you.

This episode offers an honest, funny, and relatable look at parenting teenagers, juggling schedules, managing emotions, and accepting the fact that life after sunset just hits differently once you’re an adult.

This week, Courtney and Kristy kick things off by admitting they might need makeup… and maybe an editorial team… for this podcasting adventure. With Courtney teaching for 1.5 years and Kristy for 15, they dive into how Pilates has changed over the years, what’s trending now, and why everyone keeps asking, “So what is Pilates, anyway?”

They unpack common Pilates myths, chat about the differences between Yoga vs. Pilates, and explore how the practice has grown alongside social media. Courtney shares why she adds hand weights to her classes when she’s teaching three mat sessions in one day, and they break down the core of the method: controlled movement + breath.

They also touch on cross-training for athletes (hint: Yoga and Pilates belong in the mix) and how Courtney’s dance career might’ve looked different if she’d known more about injury prevention back then.

It’s movement wisdom, teacher talk, and lots of laughs — classic Heard @ The Barre.

#HeardAtTheBarre #Season2 #PilatesMyths #YogaVsPilates #MovementMatters #PilatesTeachers #PodcastLife

This week, we’re diving deep into Gen X nostalgia and asking the important questions… like were Block Parents actually a Canadian thing, or did we all collectively imagine that? That conversation spirals (in the best way) into talk of Swatch watches, Tretorns, Beaver Canoe, and the iconic childhood moments that shaped us. Courtney even shares how neighbours used to “pass the call for supper” through the subdivision so she’d make it home on time — peak 80s vibes.

Meanwhile, Kristy is entering her reality TV era, starting with The Simple Life and a trip to Toronto to see a Real Housewife of New York perform — complete with her honest review. Courtney jumps in with tales from the studio where Dancing With the Stars is the latest obsession… even though her dance background makes ballroom a no-go.

It’s nostalgia, pop culture, Canadian quirks, and the usual midlife chaos — exactly what you expect from Heard @ The Barre.

#HeardAtTheBarre #Season2 #GenXKids #BlockParents #RealityTV #PodcastLife #StudioStories