The Honest Talk

It's easy to put pressure on ourselves to do well at work, show up for our families and still find time for the people and things we love. But life doesn't always go to plan, and sometimes our idea of success has to change along the way.

On this episode of The Honest Talk, we're joined by Amy Childs, Vice President, Small Business & Partnerships at RBC. Amy shares how she found her way into financial services, the people who opened doors for her, and why she's learned to be a little less hard on herself as her career and family life have evolved.

We talk about motherhood, setting boundaries, paying it forward and figuring out what works for you in the season of life you're in, without feeling like you have to get everything right.

Women running for elected office is an important conversation. But what about the women who wield political power without ever appearing on a ballot?

Katie Telford spent nearly a decade at the centre of Canadian politics as chief of staff to former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, helping steer the government through election victories, cabinet changes, a global pandemic and economic uncertainty. Now, looking back on those years, she’s reflecting on leadership, public service, growing political polarization and what it means to navigate power as a woman.

Jen and Catherine sit down with Telford to talk about life behind the scenes of the highest levels of government, the pressures of political leadership and what a decade in the thick of it taught her.

Trying to have a baby is deeply personal, but when you enter the world of fertility treatment, it can also become a complicated business – one involving enormous amounts of money, medical decisions, hope, and, sometimes, heartbreak.

Our guest today knows that world from both sides. Kathryn Blaze Baum is an investigative reporter with the Globe and Mail, and her new book, Infertility: The Story of a Miracle and the Big Business Behind It, began with her own years-long struggle to have another child.

What started as a very personal journey led Kathryn to start asking bigger questions about the fertility industry itself, like how it works, what patients are told, what it costs, and what happens when hope collides with a system that isn't as straightforward as it seems.

An economist, mother, policy advocate and now wife of Canada’s Prime Minister, Diana Fox Carney has worn many titles throughout her life. But there’s so much more to her story.

In this episode of The Honest Talk podcast, she joins Jen and Catherine for a candid, engaging conversation about growing up in Britain, her time on the hockey rink, the global issues that have shaped her own career, and what it’s like to suddenly find herself firmly in the public eye.

We also learn more about her passion for the arts, her talent for running (incredibly fast!), and the books she’s been loving this year!

There’s a lot more to talk about when it comes to perimenopause and menopause. In part two of our conversation with Dr. Sarah Shaw, co-founder and Chief Medical Officer with Lume Women + Health, we get into weight gain, sex, contraception and the longer-term health changes women need to know about – plus why advocating for yourself can make such a difference.

Today we’re getting into a topic that affects every woman, but somehow, there’s still so much we don’t know about it: perimenopause and menopause.

What’s actually happening to our bodies? Which symptoms are part of the transition – and which ones shouldn’t be ignored? And why does it still feel so hard to get clear answers?

We’re joined by Dr. Sarah Shaw, co-founder and chief medical officer of Lume Women + Health, to get into all of it – from the myths and misconceptions to what women should know, expect and ask about as they navigate this stage of life.

This is episode 1 in a 2 part series, so make sure to come back for part 2!

Women are often told to work harder, do more and never let an opportunity pass them by. But what if some of the most important career lessons come from learning your limits?

In this episode of The Honest Talk Podcast, Michelle Waite reflects on a 25-year career at RBC and the lessons that shaped her along the way – from finding her voice in leadership to letting go of perfectionism, building confidence and making sure your money is working as hard as you are.

GLP-1 medications have become one of the biggest conversations in women’s health – but with all the headlines, social media debates and opinions, it can be hard to know what’s actually true.

In this episode of The Honest Talk, we’re joined by Dr. Sasha High, a physician specializing in weight loss and metabolic health, for a deeper look at what’s behind the GLP-1 conversation.

We talk about why weight loss is about more than willpower, how these medications work, who they may help, the potential risks and side effects, and why strength, nutrition and overall health matter along the way.

Miscarriage is something so many women experience, yet it's still one of the conversations we struggle to have out loud.

In this episode of The Honest Talk podcast, we sit down with Dr. Sunita Lal to answer the questions so many women have but don't always know who to ask.

We talk about what actually causes a miscarriage, the signs that shouldn't be ignored, what recovery can look like, and why the emotional impact is often so much greater than people realize.

We also explore the myths that continue to surround pregnancy loss, why so many women still blame themselves, and how we can start changing the conversation so no one has to grieve in silence.

We’re heading courtside with Reetu Gupta for this episode! She is an entrepreneur, hospitality leader, and part owner of the brand new Toronto Tempo, one of the newest teams in the WNBA, the world’s premier professional women’s basketball league.

In this conversation, we get into her career journey, what it’s really been like building across hospitality and community, and why she decided to step into women’s sports at such a pivotal moment. We also talk about what this moment says about the future of women’s leadership, visibility, and opportunity – on and off the court.