Confidence isn’t always what it looks like on the outside. In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, host Belinda Waites sits down with local Okotoks confidence coach Wendy Halloway to explore the difference between performative confidence and authentic self-confidence—and what it truly takes to reclaim joy after years of survival mode.

Belinda shares a vulnerable story from her childhood that shaped how she learned to show up in the world, even when it meant hiding parts of herself to feel safe. 
Together, they unpack how early experiences, bullying, self-talk, and subconscious patterns influence who we become—and how we can gently unlearn what no longer serves us.
This episode is a reminder that confidence is a skill, authenticity is a practice, and joy often lives in the quiet moments we’ve been taught to ignore.
Call to Action: If this conversation resonates, like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who might
need to hear it. And if you’re curious about doing the work for yourself, explore Wendy’s Fearful to Fearless program linked below.

Host: Belinda Waites Website: https://hearrightcanada.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belindawaites 

Guest: Wendy Halloway – The Confidence Coach Website: https://www.theconfidencecoach4u.com 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheConfidenceCoach4u

#ConfidenceJourney #AuthenticLiving #HealingWork #FearfulToFearless #PersonalGrowth #SelfDiscovery #WomenSupportingWomen #MentalWellness #JoyfulLiving #OkotoksAlberta
YOUTUBE 

00:00 Introduction 
02:10 Why confidence isn’t the whole story 
06:05 A childhood experience that shaped confidence 
12:45 Losing authenticity to survive 
18:30 Searching for joy beyond motherhood
 24:20 Rewriting self-talk and subconscious patterns

In this episode of The Karas Wright Show, host Karas Wright sits down with Dennis Agbegha, Director at RBCx, for a powerful conversation about business growth, community, leadership, and navigating uncertainty as a founder.
Dennis shares his journey from growing up in Nigeria to building a career in Canadian banking, and how his lived experience shaped his belief in inclusion, belonging, and giving back. 
Together, Karas and Dennis unpack why community is one of the most overlooked assets for entrepreneurs — and how isolation, ego, and lack of planning can hold founders back.
They dive into real-world challenges founders face, including overwhelm, leaving corporate roles, financial uncertainty, and the pressure to “do it all alone.” 
Dennis offers practical insights on why being coachable, planning for contingencies, and learning to pivot are critical for long-term success. Karas adds perspective on strategic planning, clarity, and why having the right support team can change everything.

If you’re a business owner, leader, or aspiring entrepreneur feeling stuck, scattered, or unsure of your next step, this episode will help you reset, refocus, and move forward with confidence.

00:00 – From Nigeria to Canada: Dennis’ Journey into Banking and Community
● 03:35 – Why Community Is a Non-Negotiable for Business Growth
● 13:25 – Transitioning from Traditional Banking to RBCx and the Tech Ecosystem
● 19:00 – Top 3 Things Every Founder Needs to Succeed
● 29:24 – Audience Question: Feeling Overwhelmed — Where Do I Start?
● 35:33 – Leaving Corporate: Fear, Planning, and Taking the Leap

Host: Karas Wright — Business & Leadership Coach (Wright Step Coaching) Website: https://www.wrightstepcoaching.com/ I
nstagram: @wrightstepcoaching
The Clarity Path is a practical leadership and business reset for experienced leaders and business owners whose thinking has become crowded, slower, or heavier under pressure even though performance hasn’t stopped
www.wrightstepcoaching.com/clarity-path
Guest: Dennis Agbegha — Director, RBCx Instagram: @dennis_agbegha
 #Entrepreneurship #BusinessLeadership #CommunityInBusiness #StartupGrowth #WomenInLeadership #BusinessCoaching #RBCx #Founders #StrategicPlanning #CareerPivot

What happens when you stop ignoring your body and start listening?

In this episode of In The Spotlight, host Meagan Fettes sits down with Siera, founder of Drift Simply Natural, for an honest and grounding conversation about healing, motherhood, wellness, and building a business rooted in lived experience. Diagnosed with MS at 19 and later navigating infertility, PCOS, and thyroid challenges, Siera shares how her health journey led her to rethink everything—from what she put in and on her body to how she defined self-care.

This episode explores the intersection of proactive health, natural products, mental well-being, and entrepreneurship. Siera opens up about the moment that changed everything, why she believes our bodies are always communicating with us, and how small, intentional changes can create massive long-term impact—for ourselves and for our children.

This is a powerful conversation about listening, learning, and choosing alignment over convenience.
00:00 Introduction
02:14 Why listening to your body matters
06:48 Siera’s health journey and diagnosis
12:35 Toxins, mental health, and modern life
18:22 Stillness, breathwork, and nervous system regulation
25:10 Motherhood as the catalyst for change

Thank you to Mainstreet Market for sponsoring this episode and supporting local businesses in our community! Home to over 250 local makers across Okotoks, Mahogany, and Strathmore.
📍 Visit: www.mainstreetmarket.ca

Host: Meagan Fettes — Instagram: @meaganfettes
Watch full episode on YouTube: @puremediapodcast

Guest: Siera of Drift Simply Natural — Instagram: @driftsimplynatural
#NaturalWellness
#HolisticHealth
#WomenInBusiness
#AutoimmuneHealing
#MindBodyConnection
#MotherhoodJourney
#ShopLocalCanada
#OkotoksBusiness
#HealthFromWithin
#InTheSpotlightPodcast

Welcome back to Hear Me Out With Belinda! In this episode, Belinda sits down with Lorie Anne Schultz from the Foothills Community Coalition to talk about the growing need for an integrated youth services hub in the Foothills region. 

Lorie explains what a “one-stop” youth hub could look like for ages 11–24—a safe place where young people can access mental health supports, social services, health care, and employment resources without getting lost in the system. Together, they unpack why youth mental health challenges can look different in small towns (couch surfing, hidden homelessness, long travel to Calgary), and how COVID, social media, and anxiety have amplified the pressure on kids and families. 

This conversation is a reminder that prevention matters—and that communities can rally to create safer, more connected support systems for youth. 

#youthmentalhealth #Okotoks #Foothills #mentalhealthsupports #communitywellness #parenting #AlbertamentaIhealth #youthhub 

Host Belinda Waites | 🌐 hearrightcanada.ca Guest: Lorie Anne Schultz | [email protected] 

Welcome to The Ritual Pantry, a new podcast hosted by longtime friends Heather Wurz and Stephanie Stefan, where real conversations, personal growth, and everyday rituals come together. 

In this very first episode, Heather and Stephanie pull back the curtain on how this show came to life — from years of shared conversations in the kitchen to finally hitting record and inviting others into their world. They dive into powerful topics like intention, meditation, energy, and what it really means to “do the work,” even when life feels full, messy, and overwhelming. 

Heather shares her experience attending a Dr. Joe Dispenza retreat and how deep meditation, breathwork, and energy awareness shifted her perspective on healing and connection. 

Together, they explore why we often hide parts of ourselves, how comparison creeps in through social media, and why small daily rituals can be just as powerful as big spiritual moments. 

In this episode of The Karas Wright Show, Karas sits down with Stephanie Gross, CEO & Founder of Bumby Wool, to explore what it really takes to build a sustainable business — and a fulfilling life — over the long haul. 

Stephanie shares her 18-year journey from starting a business at her kitchen table to growing a thriving Alberta-based brand rooted in sustainability, intention, and purpose. Together, they unpack the realities of entrepreneurship: navigating pivots, building systems that work without burning out, and learning when to step back so your business can move forward. 

This conversation dives into leadership, long-term vision, strategic planning, and why success isn’t just about growth — it’s about alignment. From surviving uncertainty to designing a business that supports your life (not consumes it), this episode offers real-world insight for founders, creatives, and business owners at any stage. 

🔗 Learn more about Stephanie & Bumby Wool: Instagram: @bumbywool 

🔗 Connect with Karas Wright: www.wrightstepcoaching.com @wrightstepcoaching 

The Clarity Path is a practical leadership and business reset for experienced leaders and business owners whose thinking has become crowded, slower, or heavier under pressure even though performance hasn’t stopped 

www.wrightstepcoaching.com/clarity-path 

#businesspodcast #entrepreneurship #leadership #womeninbusiness #smallbusinessowner #sustainablebusiness #mindsetmatters 

Welcome back to Hear Me Out With Belinda — where better hearing starts with listening. In this episode, Belinda sits down with Ernie Bird of Emerging Balance Reflexology (https://ebreflexology.com/) to talk about reflexology, healing, and why more people (especially men) need to take self-care seriously.
Ernie shares his powerful story: after 35 years as a heavy duty mechanic, a motorcycle accident in 2022 left him dealing with soft tissue damage, numbness, and frustration after getting little direction from specialists. That’s when he tried reflexology — and experienced a breakthrough that felt like “water pouring down my legs.” That moment changed his life, eventually leading him to become a registered Canadian reflexology therapist and shift into this work full-time.
They also dig into how reflexology supports the body, why holistic options deserve more awareness, and what it looks like to truly listen to your body again.
 
Host: Belinda Waites — 🌐 hearrightcanada.ca Guest: 
Ernie Bird — 🌐 https://ebreflexology.com/
#reflexologymassage  #holistichealing #selfcare #wellness #healingjourney #calgarywellness #alberta
3) 

00;00;36;25 – Ernie’s story begins: 35 years as a mechanic + the accident
 00;01;40;20 – “I was frustrated”… then reflexology enters the picture
 00;02;03;11 – The breakthrough: “water pouring down my legs”
00;03;03;19 – Career pivot: training, certification, and “shouting it from the rooftops”
00;07;40;12 – Men & self-care: “the persona of ‘I’m fine’”
 
00;20;38;24 – Reflexology worldwide: Athens conference + hospitals prescribing it

 In this episode of The Karas Wright Show, Karas sits down with Robin Mitchell of RAM Accounting for a powerful, honest conversation about what it really takes to build a business that lasts — and one that actually holds value. 

Robin shares insights from decades of experience working with business owners who started out passionate and capable but often got stuck in the “doing” instead of building something sustainable. Together, they explore the difference between being a technician and being a true business owner, why so many entrepreneurs don’t realize their business is sellable, and how small strategic changes can dramatically impact long-term success. 

They also dive into real-world examples of succession planning, cash flow challenges, exit strategies, and why many business owners unintentionally limit their growth by not thinking ahead. From billing structures to leadership mindset, this episode is packed with practical insight for entrepreneurs at every stage. 

If you’re a business owner thinking about growth, sustainability, or eventual exit — or if you simply want to lead with more clarity and intention — this episode is a must-listen. 

Watch now and learn how to build a business that works for you — not the other way around. 

Host: Karas Wright — Business & Leadership Coach (Wright Step Coaching) 🌐 https://www.wrightstepcoaching.com/ 📸 Instagram: @wrightstepcoaching 

Guest: Robin Mitchell 📸 Instagram: @ramaccounting 🌐 https://www.ramaccounting.ca 

 #BusinessLeadership #EntrepreneurMindset #SuccessionPlanning #SmallBusinessCanada #WomenInBusiness #LeadershipDevelopment #BusinessCoaching #EntrepreneurLife #TheKarasWrightShow 

Welcome back to In The Spotlight — I’m Meagan Fettes, and today I’m sitting down with Liz MacRae of Village Wellth, a hybrid tech + service company that helps people buy established businesses across Canada (and now expanding into the U.S.).

We talk about why “entrepreneurship through acquisition” can be a smarter path than starting from scratch, what Liz calls the succession tsunami (and how it’s going to impact small towns and rural communities), and how buying a business can support long-term stability — not just financially, but personally and within your family life too.

Liz also shares her own entrepreneurial journey, the lessons learned from a tough franchise experience, and why getting the right advice (lawyers, accountants, advisors) can save you from expensive mistakes. If you’ve been thinking about entrepreneurship but don’t have a “startup idea,” this episode will open your eyes to a whole new option.

#InTheSpotlight #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #BusinessAcquisition #Okotoks #AlbertaBusiness #WomenInBusiness

00:00 – Welcome + sponsor shoutout to Mainstreet Market
01:10 – Rapid fire + the value of feedback and being challenged
04:00 – Underestimating yourself + building confidence like a muscle
15:45 – What is Village Wellth and how they help people buy businesses
17:35 – The “succession tsunami” + what happens when businesses can’t transition
21:00 – Franchise lessons, due diligence, and why the numbers don’t lie

Thank you to Mainstreet Market for sponsoring this episode and supporting local businesses in our community — home to over 250 local makers across Okotoks, Mahogany, and Strathmore.
📍 Visit: www.mainstreetmarket.ca

Host: Meagan Fettes | @meaganfettes
🎥 Watch full episode on YouTube: @puremediapodcast

Guest: Liz MacRae (Village Wellth)
🌐 Website: https://www.villagewellth.com/

 Welcome back to Hear Me Out With Belinda — where we learn to hear above the noise. In this episode, Belinda sits down with Melissa Swain, co-owner of GTFO (Get The F Outside), to talk about mental health, community, and why a bold message can open the door to honest conversations. 

Melissa shares how GTFO started as an apparel idea, but quickly became something deeper — especially through COVID and watching someone close to them struggle with anxiety and depression. Together, Belinda and Melissa explore how getting outside (even in small ways) can reduce stress, boost mood, and help us feel less alone. They also talk about why it’s so hard to be vulnerable, how men often struggle quietly, and why support resources matter more than we think. 

If you’ve ever felt “fine on paper” but empty inside — this one’s for you. 

#mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #community #okotoks #alberta #wellness #getoutside #anxiety #depression #selfcompassion #gtfo