The Dare to Declare Podcast

On this episode of the Dare to Declare Podcast, Debbi Sluys sits down with Debbie Bairos, a leader, speaker and advocate for self-worth and recognition.

With more than 20 years of leading projects, driving organizational change and creating recognition programs that reach thousands of employees, Debbie has seen what happens when people feel truly seen and valued.Her path wasn’t traditional. She went from hairstylist and skincare specialist to a 20-plus year corporate career with no degree, just honesty, courage and a promise that she was a hard worker and a fast learner. Debbi and Debbie talk about why recognition doesn’t cost a thing, the daily habit that makes strangers feel seen, how different generations want to be celebrated at work, and what it took for Debbie to step onto the Speaker Slam stage.If you’ve ever felt like you had to earn your worth, this conversation is your reminder: You don’t have to become more worthy. You have to remember that you already are.Press play, and remember to Dare to Declare.Connect with Debbie Bairos on Instagramhttps://debbisluys.com/

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In this episode of the Dare to Declare Podcast, Debbi Sluys interviews Dr. Elayna Fernandez, bestselling author, trauma researcher, five-time TEDx speaker, and Certified Canfield Trainer who grew up in poverty in the Dominican Republic and built a life-changing vision board out of a magazine she found in a landfill at age 7.That little girl pasted the picture into her notebook and decided: that is my life. That is who I am becoming.

What followed was not a smooth path.

At 19, Elayna survived a kidnapping and brutal assault. Six months later, a car accident left her trapped under a vehicle, revived after her heart stopped, and in a coma for eight days with two brain injuries and nineteen broken bones.

She eventually came to Michigan through a Work and Travel program and never left, building a life and a career grounded in the belief that the bravest thing any of us can do is stay alive.

Debbi and Elayna talk about trauma-informed communication, why well-meaning words can cause harm, and what being in a coma taught her about purpose and presence. They also talk about her four daughters, including Eliana, who turned 13 the day this episode was recorded and has already done three TEDx talks.This is an episode about declaring something better for yourself before you have any evidence that it is possible, and staying alive long enough to live it.Learn More About Dr. Elayna Fernandez Here: https://www.thepositivemom.com/ef

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What does it actually take to build a business that funds your life instead of consuming it?

In this episode of the Dare to Declare Podcast, Debbi speaks with Mike Pietrzak, a business mentor who helps coaches and entrepreneurs grow revenue without burnout.

Mike shares his journey from working in Ontario politics to building (and burning out from) multiple businesses at once, including a solar energy venture in Africa, before rebuilding his life and career around what he now calls "Profit & Peace."

Together, they explore childhood conditioning and the beliefs we unknowingly carry into adulthood, the difference between hope and knowing when it comes to manifesting, and why unlearning old patterns is just as important as learning new ones.

Mike also opens up about hitting rock bottom before turning his life around, and shares real examples of manifestation in action, from covering an unexpected $2,500 repair bill to rebuilding his family's financial life from the ground up.

This candid conversation challenges listeners to stop chasing hustle-culture success and start building a business, and a life, rooted in clarity, intention, and genuine peace.

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Learn More About Mike Here: https://www.mikepietrzak.com/

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What does it take to create a workplace where neurodivergent employees can truly thrive?

In this episode of the Dare to Declare Podcast, Debbi speaks with Karina Gaudier, founder and CEO of Autism Workforce Solutions and author of A Practical Guide to Autism in the Workplace.

Karina shares her journey from being a nonverbal autistic child to becoming an accomplished author, speaker, and advocate for neuro-inclusion.

Together, they explore autism in the workplace, inclusive leadership, practical accommodations, and the devastating effects of workplace discrimination and autistic burnout.

Karina also reveals how one supportive manager recognized her strengths and created an environment where she could excel.

This powerful conversation challenges organizations to move beyond autism awareness and create practical, inclusive workplace structures that allow every employee to succeed.

Learn more about Karina Gaudier and her work by visiting https://autismworkforcesolutions.com/

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What if the very thing you thought would destroy you turned out to be the wake-up call that saved your life?In this raw and honest conversation on The Dare to Declare Podcast, Debbi Sluys sits down with former television director turned breathwork facilitator and brand strategist Meg Pearson to talk about addiction, toxic relationships, grief, and reinvention.

Meg opens up about twenty years of functional alcoholism hidden behind a thriving TV career, the abusive relationship that nearly broke her, and how her father's death became the catalyst for starting over, from yoga teacher training to building a new life in Costa Rica. She also shares how she now helps coaches and entrepreneurs step into visibility through breathwork, branding, and business strategy.Meg Pearson is a former live television director turned speaker, breathwork facilitator, and leadership and visibility coach. She spent over a decade directing live television for major Canadian networks including CTV, Citytv, and CBC before transitioning into wellness, where she has since built a career at the intersection of media, entrepreneurship, and personal transformation. She is the founder of Rebel Soul Media, a web design and branding company for purpose-driven entrepreneurs, and has guided thousands of people through breathwork since 2017.This episode is a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is a version of us waiting on the other side.
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What if reinventing yourself was never about starting over, but finally becoming who you were always meant to be?

In this inspiring conversation on The Dare to Declare Podcast, Debbi Sluys sits down with award winning photographer and empowerment advocate Rita Zietsma to explore career reinvention, personal branding, self-worth, and what it truly means to be seen.

Rita's journey is anything but linear, from high school teacher to graphic designer to 10 years running a full-time photography business, her life is a masterclass in following curiosity over convention. She shares how traveling to over 35 countries shaped her perspective, what it takes to build a brand that truly connects, and the deeply moving story behind her Beautiful Beyond 40 empowerment project, a celebration of women over 40 that leaves every participant saying the same thing: every woman needs to experience this.

Rita Zietsma is an award winning Burlington-based photographer who helps entrepreneurs attract their ideal clients through compelling, empowering personal brand images. She has also created portraits for hundreds of people that have transformed the way they see themselves.

This episode is a reminder that it is never too late to reinvent yourself and show up, fully and unapologetically, in front of the camera and in life.

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What if your appearance is communicating more than you realize?

In this fascinating conversation on the Dare to Declare Podcast, Debbi Sluys sits down with personal stylist, image consultant, and creator of the Beauty Codes Method, Anna Pataman, to explore how the way we show up visually impacts first impressions, confidence, relationships, and even business success.

Born in Ukraine and influenced by generations of strong, accomplished women, Anna shares her journey of immigrating to Canada, navigating personal loss, rebuilding her life, and discovering the importance of staying true to herself. She opens up about a pivotal season in her marriage, a transformative 10-day silent meditation retreat, and the powerful lessons she learned about listening to her heart instead of outside expectations.

Together, Debbi and Anna discuss the hidden messages behind colours, patterns, and personal style, and why confidence isn't about following trends but aligning your outer image with who you truly are.

Whether you're building a business, navigating a life transition, or simply curious about what your appearance says before you speak, this episode will leave you thinking differently about the image you present to the world.

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What happens when you stop performing success…and start trusting yourself instead?

In this powerful conversation on The Dare to Declare Podcast, Debbi Sluys sits down with speaker and mentor Vanessa Ortali to explore intuition, self-awareness, emotional healing, female friendships, motherhood, and the pressure high-performing women often place on themselves.

Together, they unpack the difference between fear and intuition, why so many women second guess themselves, and how true alignment comes from within, not from constantly searching for external answers.

Vanessa also shares the deeply personal experiences that shaped her perspective, including losing her mother at a young age, building a global women’s community by following a simple inner nudge, navigating an $80,000 business loss, and redefining success through motherhood and embodiment.

Vanessa Ortali is a speaker and mentor who challenges the way high performers define success. She’s built a global community of over 140,000 women, created sold-out events and programs, and has been featured in Forbes and on television. She’s known for quickly identifying the gap between how someone is operating and what’s actually required to perform and lead at a higher level, helping people cut through the noise and make clearer, more aligned decisions.

This episode is a reminder that the answers you’re searching for may already exist within you.

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What if you’re not stuck…you’ve simply outgrown the life you built?

In this episode of the Dare to Declare Podcast, Debbi Sluys sits down with subconscious strategist and energy mentor Brenda Johnson for a powerful conversation about why success can start to feel flat, and what it’s really trying to tell you.

Brenda shares her journey from corporate success to inner misalignment, and how that led her to rebuild her life and business from the inside out using subconscious work, energy, and human design.

But this conversation goes deeper than feeling stuck.

Debbi and Brenda explore why high-achieving women hit invisible ceilings, how subconscious beliefs and nervous system patterns keep you plateaued, and what it really means to be leaking energy. They also dive into aligned messaging and why your energy is speaking long before you do.

Because the truth is…you’re not broken and you're not stuck. You may have simply outgrown who you were.

And when that happens, it’s not a sign to push harder. It’s an invitation to expand, realign, and declare what’s next.

Sometimes the breakthrough isn’t about doing more, it’s about becoming someone new.

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Voice by Design Guide

4.5 min Daily energy management audio

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What if the life you’re building, was one you didn’t feel the need to escape from?

In this powerful and deeply refreshing conversation on the Dare to Declare Podcast, Debbi Sluys sits down with Jennifer Szpigiel, Founder of Becoming Iconic® and Editor in Chief of Iconic Magazine®, to explore what it really takes to create a life and business that feels as good as it looks.

This isn’t about doing more.

It’s about becoming the woman who can hold more.

Together, they unpack the truth about burnout, alignment, identity, and what it actually means to live fully expressed.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re working toward a life you can finally enjoy “one day”, this episode will shift everything.

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