The Elevated Village with Phiona Durrant

The Elevated Village | Honest Conversations on Leadership, Community & Civic Engagement

Welcome to The Elevated Village with Phiona Durrant, where honest conversations inspire personal growth, stronger leadership, and meaningful change.

Before You Listen

This episode unfolded differently than we expected—in the best way.

Greg Smith and I didn't come in with a tight script or a narrow agenda. Instead, we opened the conversation and allowed it to unfold naturally. The result was an honest discussion that moved between leadership, civic engagement, disagreement, personal experiences, and what it really means to build stronger communities.

You'll hear different perspectives from us, local election candidates, and community members. While we reference real people, real decisions, and real events, our goal has never been to criticize individuals. Our hope is to encourage respectful dialogue, thoughtful disagreement, and meaningful conversations that help communities grow.

Honest conversations aren't always polished. Sometimes they're uncomfortable. Sometimes they're messy. But they're often where the greatest growth begins.

About This Episode

What happens when community members gather together with different experiences, different opinions, and one shared goal—to make their community better?

In this episode, Phiona Durrant and Greg Smith explore the importance of civic participation, authentic leadership, social media, municipal politics, Strong Mayor Powers, and why communities thrive when people are willing to listen as much as they speak.

Rather than debating who is right or wrong, this conversation encourages listeners to think critically, engage respectfully, and recognize that meaningful change starts long before election day.

Whether you're passionate about politics, leadership, community building, or simply becoming a more engaged citizen, this episode offers practical reflections that extend far beyond municipal government.

In This Episode

• Why we started this podcast

• Why municipal elections matter more than many people realize

• Building stronger communities through civic engagement

• Social media's impact on public trust and political conversations

• Leadership beyond titles and positions

• Strong Mayor Powers and democratic accountability

• Why respectful disagreement strengthens communities

• The importance of listening before reacting

• Turning frustration into meaningful community action

• What authentic leadership looks like in everyday life

Key Takeaways

• Healthy communities require participation, not just opinions.

• Leadership is measured by consistent action, not popularity.

• Respectful disagreement creates stronger conversations than personal attacks.

• Social media should support community—not replace it.

• Democracy depends on informed, engaged citizens willing to stay involved beyond election season.

Discussion Question

What role do you believe everyday residents should play in shaping stronger communities?

Connect with Phiona Durrant

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Thank you for being part of The Elevated Village.

If this episode encouraged you, challenged your thinking, or inspired a new perspective, please follow the podcast, leave a rating and review, and share it with someone who values meaningful conversations.

Every conversation helps strengthen our village.

Until next time, keep growing, keep leading, and keep building your village.

Host Phi speaks with Ivan Dawes about what it means to be the first in a role, the responsibility to bring others forward, and how visible leadership must translate into real change at the table.

They discuss practical strategies for holding leaders accountable with fairness and maturity, moving from resilience to brilliance, and building lasting community impact.

Join us for an authentic conversation with Ivan Dawes, the Political Director of IUPAT DC46 and a recipient of the Dr. Jean Augustine Community Builder Award. Ivan shares his journey from a drywall finisher to becoming the first Black business representative for his union in Canada. This episode dives deep into the difference between simply showing up and actually making a lasting change at the table. We explore how to handle the pressure of being a pioneer, the importance of bringing others along with you, and why true leadership requires a shift from resilience to brilliance.

If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe to the channel and share this video with someone who needs to hear it. Let us know in the comments what leadership means to you.

#Leadership #CommunityBuilding #IUPAT #PersonalGrowth #ElevatePodcast

Host Phiona “Phi” Durrant sits down with psychotherapist Kimberly Mullen to explore why leaders must heal before they serve, reframing counseling as a strength and offering simple steps for self-care, boundaries, and emotional regulation.

The episode addresses healing in the Black community, reconciliation versus cutoff culture, and includes practical tips and a youth perspective from Fiona’s son Jayden on confidence and not internalizing fear.

Phiona and psychotherapist Kimberly Mullen explore how healing shapes effective leadership and service. They discuss guarding the heart, reframing counseling, self-care, forgiveness, and practical steps to begin healing within families and community.

The episode includes real stories, strategies to avoid burnout and cutoff culture, and a youth perspective on raising children with hope and resilience.

In this solo episode of A Likkle of This and A Little of Dat, Fee breaks down what it really means to live authentically, speak your truth, and set boundaries without apology. From family tension to workplace challenges, she gets real about the risks and power of being true to yourself. Your voice matters—don’t shrink to fit in.

This episode is filled with vulnerable stories, practical reflections, and real answers to your biggest questions:

💬 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going! What does authenticity look like in your life? Have you ever had to choose between being liked and being real? DM Fee or leave a comment wherever you’re listening—we want to hear from you! If you found this episode meaningful, subscribe, leave a rating, and turn on notifications so you never miss a moment of real talk. Share it with someone who needs the reminder: You don’t have to shrink to fit in.

Connect with Me:

Thank you for tuning in. You’re one of a kind. Enough respect. Until next time—if you can’t be authentic, you’re not being YOU. 💕

Hey beautiful souls! It’s your girl Phi, bringing you another soul-feeding, heart-opening conversation on A Likkle of This & A Little A Dat! 

🕒 CHAPTERS

What You’ll Take Away:

💬 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

Connect with Me:

Thank you for tuning in. You’re one of a kind. Enough respect. Until next time—if you can’t be authentic, you’re not being YOU. 💕 

Welcome to another soul-stirring episode of A Likkle of This & A Little A Dat! Today, we’re tapping into the transformative power of art and how it speaks volumes—even when no words are spoken.

Join your girl Phi in a heartfelt conversation with special guest, ⁠Adubi “Dubi” Akinola⁠—a brilliant visual artist using his canvas to challenge, heal, and uplift. From social justice advocacy to artistic healing, this episode is all about using creativity as a tool for truth and transformation.

🕒 CHAPTERS

What You’ll Take Away:

💬 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

Connect with Me:

Thank you for tuning in. You’re one of a kind. Enough respect. Until next time—if you can’t be authentic, you’re not being YOU. 💕 

Hey, loves! It’s your girl, Phi, back with another soulful episode of A Likkle of This and A Little of Dat. Today, we’re diving deep into the questions YOU sent in — all about balancing career, family, and personal purpose in a way that’s real, honest, and rooted in love.

We explore what balance truly looks like (hint: it’s not equal time!), why boundaries matter, how to care for yourself without guilt, and how to stay grounded when family support is missing. Plus, I’m sharing what it means to serve the community without starving your home, and why your purpose is not up for a vote.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 – Intro & Family Role in Busy Life

Key Takeaways: ✨ Balance is about being intentional, not dividing hours equally

Closing Thoughts:

What’s one thing you’ll take away from this episode? Let’s keep the conversation going — comment, rate, and share A Likkle of This and A Little of Dat.

Until next time, it’s your girl, Phi. Enough respect. And remember: if you can’t be authentic, you’re not being you. 💕

Hey, loves! It’s your girl, Phi, back with another powerful episode of A Likkle of This and A Little of Dat. Today, I sit down with The Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine to talk about finding your voice, honoring our elders, and building a stronger community.

In part 2, we explore the importance of knowing our history, learning from those who paved the way, and continuing the fight for progress. Dr. Augustine shares wisdom on intergenerational learning, staying connected to our roots, and why true advocacy needs more than allies—it needs accomplices.

 [00:00] - Intro

🌱 Know your history—understanding the past helps us shape the future.

Every opportunity we have today exists because someone before us fought for it. Now, it’s our turn to continue the work, build community, and empower the next generation.

What’s one thing you’ll take from this conversation? Let’s keep the dialogue going! Rate, share, and follow A Likkle of This and A Little of Dat to stay connected.

Until next time, it’s your girl, Phi. Enough respect. And remember: if you can’t be authentic, you’re not being you. 💕

This week, on 'A Likkle of This & A Little A Dat', I’m beyond honoured to sit down with the legendary Dr. Jean Augustine—the first Black woman elected to the House of Commons in Canada. Dr. Augustine has been a fierce advocate for equity, representation, and amplifying Black voices, and today, she shares her incredible journey, the importance of speaking your truth, and why showing up authentically is essential for creating meaningful change.

Dr. Augustine’s wisdom is a masterclass in leadership, perseverance, and using your voice to create impact. Whether you’re an activist, entrepreneur, creative, or simply looking for inspiration, this conversation is for YOU.

00:00 - Intro

Dr. Augustine’s story is a powerful reminder that speaking up, showing up, and staying true to yourself can drive real change. What part of her journey resonated with you the most? Drop a comment below—we’re all about learning and growing together! 

👉 Don’t forget to hit that subscribe button, give this episode a thumbs up, and tag someone who needs to hear this!

📸 Instagram: @phionaspeaks

Remember, If you can’t be authentic, you’re not being YOU. Thanks for tuning in, and we’ll see you in the next episode! 💕