Renegade Conversations

Join guest Cynthia Kinnunen and host and creator Meryl Cook for this wide ranging and insightful conversation about women in midlife, and the role of music in forming a new identity and sense of purpose at this life stage. Discover how Cynthia's life is like a birch tree and hear her advice for women wanting to embrace more of their inner wild selves.

Juanita Peters is an actor, film and stage director, playwright and more. And host Meryl Cook admits to having a bit of a fan girl crush on her for being one of the directors of the award-winning series Diggstown.

Rosmarie Lohnes is an Ecological Landscape Designer, Speaker, Consultant and Educator and she is trying to flip the landscaping world upside down!

Tia Upshaw is an author, serial entrepreneur, mentor, motivational speaker and more. We recently sat down to have a Renegade Conversation that was heart warming, inspiring, fun and authentic.

Maddie Kertay is the BadAss Quilter, outspoken advocate for making the quilting space a diverse and welcoming space for all.  When she is not caring for critical care neonatal kittens, or rebuilding old houses herself you can find her online or at local shows and trade events fostering community for liberal quilters, sewists and crafts people.  Maddie is the mother of 6, grandmother of 1, owner of a VERY spicy vocabulary and married to a very understanding husband.

Nancy Regan is a professional communicator whose dynamic career includes TV and Podcast hosting, MCing, and Presentation Coaching. She recently released her first book From Showing Off to Showing Up, an open and vulnerable account of her experience with Impostor Syndrome and perfectionism, and her journey to a life of authenticity.

Jenn Salib Huber is a trail blazer! Her social media posts often begin with "Now this may be an unpopular opinion ...". She's not afraid to speak out, to question the status quo and to be a leader and innovator.

Join host Meryl Cook and guest Jenn Salib Huber for this Renegade Conversation about body positivity in midlife and beyond, and ditching the diet culture and more. You won't be disappointed.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

April DeConick is an award-winning textile artist and professor of the study of religion at Rice University (Houston, Texas).  After decades of writing about mysticism and gnosticism, she has found that words often are inadequate to communicate the deepest aspects of reality.

Jennifer Gillivan is a delight. In this wide-ranging and truly insightful conversation, Jennifer shares her perspective on midlife and beyond women (we are just getting started), her passion for improving the health of women through better, unbiased research, how to be a renegade and more. Her advice to midlife women and beyond? "This is our best time (like uncorking a fine wine), so don't retire. Instead, rewire, change, reimagine. The world needs us."

Jennifer Gillivan is President and CEO of the IWK Foundation. The Foundation is the primary fundraising and outreach partner of IWK Health, which provides critical and specialized care to women, children, youth, and families throughout the Maritimes. Jennifer is very passionate about the rights of women and children in our society. Additionally, Jennifer was instrumental in the creation of Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundations (CCHF), a national organization dedicated to improving healthcare for Canadian children. Jennifer continues to be a national advocate for better healthcare for children across Canada. Jennifer continues to be passionate about improving research for women’s health care in Canada and is working towards changing the system for all women through more focused research.

 Jennifer has an extensive background in philanthropy, partnerships, public speaking, strategy, marketing, and leadership. Born and educated in Dublin, Ireland, Jennifer immigrated to Canada in 1982. 

Jennifer has received many awards, including her most recent (2023) award from Warerstone Human Capital for Most Admired CEO in Non-profit, Social Sector in Canada.

Jennifer's drink: Jennifer is drinking Barry's Tea from The Great British Shop.

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

– Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez

- Embracing your authentic self: Jennifer Gillivan at TEDx, MSVU Women

Connect with us: 

Jennifer Gillivan

LinkedIn

Email

Website

Meryl Cook, host and creator of Renegade Conversations

Website 
Email
Instagram
YouTube

Editor Hamza Latif

Stephanie didn't think she was a Renegade initially, but when it comes to speaking out and going for what you want and know is right, she fits the bill. She tells the story of her harrowing escape with her family from Laos at the age of four and her career as a specialist in Asian peace and conflict studies. Find out why Stephanie says all refugees are renegades in this inspiring and eye opening conversation.