Homegirl Nation

Today, I’m sitting down with Mary Deacon, the woman behind Bell Let’s Talk.

Before Bell Let’s Talk became one of the biggest mental health movements in Canada, it took three no's for Mary to finally find her yes. But what makes her story so powerful isn't just what she built, it's what shaped her long before Bell Let's Talk ever existed.

We talk about growing up at a time when mental health wasn't part of the vocabulary, when people didn't always have the words for depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, addiction, or suicide. And because they didn't have the words, a lot of people suffered quietly.

We also talk about the personal losses that shaped Mary’s life, and how she continues to dedicate her life to changing the way Canadians think and talk about mental health. Mary is also a member of RALLY’s advisory board, and it’s been such a gift to learn from and work alongside her.

Before we begin, a gentle note that this episode includes conversations about depression, suicide, and addiction. If this brings anything up for you, support is available by calling or texting 9-8-8 in Canada.

I’m so grateful you’re here. Let’s hangout!

Today’s conversation feels like a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and what it really means to show up for yourself.

We have a snowflake of a woman and it's award winning journalist Nam Kiwanuka!  In this hangout, we talk about what it really means to step into your voice especially when the world has told you, time and time again, that you don’t quite belong. From Nam’s early days at MuchMusic to the powerful work she’s doing now with TVO and (MIS)Treated - a podcast that exposes how the healthcare system has long overlooked women, Nam reflects on the courage it takes to be seen, the lessons shaped by her upbringing, and how she’s learning to trust herself in a whole new way.

Get ready for a very gratifying conversation about change, being your own biggest supporter, and finding power not in what you can control, but in how you respond.

I have personally been a big fan of Nam’s since she gave us RAP CITY - if you know you know!  

Let’s hang out, homegirls!

What would you do with 15 dollars, a laptop, and a spot in a women’s shelter? For some, this would be a survival story. For Brandi Leifso, it was the boardroom for a multi-million dollar beauty empire. 

Today, we have a really inspiring homegirl hangout with the founder of Evio Beauty on why she used a bootlegged version of Photoshop to stage a retail protest, how she survived 136 'No’s' from investors, and why she believes your greatest power lies in the 35,000 choices you'll make before tomorrow.

Her book, Fearless Choices: Make a Decision, Change Your Life, is out now and it’s the ultimate guide to moving away from 'hustle culture' and toward radical self-agency. Whether you’re feeling burnt out or just looking for the courage to make that next big pivot, I hope you stay a little while. This one’s for you.

Let’s hang out!

This week's guest is a legendary broadcaster, a master storyteller, and a true veteran of the Canadian media landscape. Oh and this brilliant woman also knows a lot about courage. She’s the incredibly dynamic, Teri Hart!

After 30 years as a 'company girl' in major media, Teri stepped out to launch her own freelance career and new podcast, The Heart of It All. This podcast wasn’t just a career move - it was born out of a deeply personal season of caregiving for her late father. We recently caught up and discussed everything from that chapter in her life to the hustle trap, starting over at 55, and betting on yourself like you would your best friend. Teri is warm, she is candid, and she is a full on masterclass in how to 'create space' for what matters most. 

Let's hang out!

What does it really take to build a career when there’s no blueprint for someone like you? Today we’re hanging out with Allegiance star Supinder Wraich, and we’re talking about what it means to succeed in a space that was never built with you in mind.

Less than a year ago, the Indian Canadian actor picked up her first Canadian Screen Award for the Best Lead Performer in a Drama Series after 2 very successful seasons starring as police officer Sabrina Sohal. It was such a powerful moment. A few weeks ago, Supinder and I connected just before the release of Season 3 to talk about the success and the quiet perseverance behind it, you know the moments no one sees?  It became a really great conversation centred around trusting yourself when the path isn’t clear, and choosing to stay in the work anyway.

Let’s hang out!

Today’s Homegirl hangout is about the kind of joy that unfolds when women come together and gab about menopause.

My guests, Jennifer Whalen and Meredith MacNeill, are the creators behind Small Achievable Goals, a show that’s struck a deep chord with audiences by making space for honest conversations about menopause, womanhood, and everything we’re usually taught to whisper about.

Jennifer and Meredith are no strangers to comedic collaborations.  You might remember them slaying us in Baroness Von Sketch and This Hour Has 22 Minutes but it’s clear this partnership and project is on a much more personal level, and it shows! As Jennifer and Meredith step into season 2 of their hit CBC show, they open up about exploring more raw territory in mental health, relationships, and the commercialization of menopause while reminding us women of the power in advocating for ourselves and sharing our stories.

Let’s hang out! 

Okay so we kind of have the hangouts of all hangouts today because Kate Hudson and Kaia Gerber are joining us!  These two beautiful, talented and SPUNKY homegirls are the stars of Shell - a film that’s equal parts thriller, social commentary, and a wild ride into the future of beauty.

Shell asks a chilling question: if you could restore your youth and guarantee longevity with just a few treatments, would you? Elisabeth Moss plays Samantha, an actress who takes the plunge and is transformed but soon discovers the glossy world of Shell isn’t what it seems. At the center of it all is Zoe, the glamorous CEO played by Kate Hudson, and Chloe, a young woman played by Kaia Gerber, whose mysterious disappearance raises even bigger questions.

Directed by Max Minghella, Shell is a stylish thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat while also making us reflect on the extreme value we place on beauty.

Let's talk role models, beauty standards, personal boundaries and those botox appointments. 

Let's hang out!

From her unforgettable turn as Alma in The Handmaid’s Tale to her latest role in Out Standing, Nina Kiri continues to bring women’s stories of strength and resilience to the screen.

The film is based on the life of Sandra Perron, Canada’s first female infantry officer, who not only broke barriers in the military but also faced immense challenges, from gruelling physical demands to deep-rooted institutional sexism. Out Standing doesn’t shy away from those realities, and Nina brings Sandra’s resilience, vulnerability, and strength to the screen in such a compelling way, you can’t help but be gripped from start to finish.

In our homegirl hangout, we dive into the film's latest TIFF world premiere, to the physical and mental prep behind her demanding role, to bigger themes of resilience, sexism, and what it means to portray women navigating systems stacked against them.  

Let’s hang out!

Joining us this week is celebrated fashion stylist from right here in Toronto, Julianne Costigan, who’s the founder of COSTIGAN, a newly rebranded personal branding studio helping ambitious women define their style and lead with clarity and confidence.

Julianne’s team recently shared stats that stopped me in my tracks:

- 93% of women leaders say their appearance directly affects how others perceive their confidence.
- Nearly half have missed out on opportunities because of their image.
- 92% say that when they feel good about how they show up, they perform better.

So today, we’re diving into the power of intentional style: What does personal brand mean in 2025? How can you align your image with your inner strength?
And how do you avoid the trap of trends and actually build a wardrobe that’s real and authentic to you?

Let’s hang out!

Today’s guest has spent over two decades dancing on one of the most demanding stages in the world. Heather Ogden is the Toronto-born, Principal Dancer with The National Ballet of Canada, and she has lived inside the iconic role of Odette/Odile in Swan Lake since 2003. Just weeks after her final bow, Heather is joining us, not just as a celebrated ballerina but as a woman stepping into something new.  We’ve all been there; it’s exciting, nerve wracking, and you either lean into the unknowns or you let them stall you.  Girl is leaning in! 

Heather’s story is one of grit beneath all the grace, it’s a story of pushing through physical and mental limits, and of evolving alongside her art. If you’ve ever stood at the edge of change, wondering what’s next then this conversation is for you.

Let’s talk about identity, discipline, reinvention, and what it takes to leave something you love, ready to meet the next version of yourself.

Let's hang out!