The Honest Talk

Fitness advice is everywhere, but for women juggling careers, families, caregiving responsibilities, and everything else life throws their way, knowing where to start – or how to keep going – can feel overwhelming.

That's why we're excited to have Kim Lavender, Vice President of Group Experiences at GoodLife Fitness, joining us on the podcast. With more than two decades at GoodLife, Kim has spent her career helping Canadians build healthier, more active lives. She's passionate about helping women feel confident and supported in their health and fitness journeys, without the pressure of perfection.

In this conversation, Kim shares practical approaches to wellness, ones that are rooted in sustainable habits, strength, and showing ourselves a little more grace. From navigating fitness through motherhood, perimenopause, and menopause, to overcoming gym intimidation and finding movement that actually fits into a busy life, Kim offers advice that women can put into practice right away. 

In this episode, we’re sitting down with Amanda Lindhout – a Canadian journalist whose life story is as gripping as it is inspiring.

Amanda has always been driven by a deep curiosity about the world, and that curiosity took her to some of the most volatile places on earth. But in 2008, while working in Somalia, her life changed completely when she was kidnapped and held captive for 460 days.

What’s remarkable about Amanda isn’t only what she survived, but how she’s chosen to move forward since then. Instead of letting that experience define her, she’s turned it into a message about empathy, forgiveness, healing, and hope.

In this conversation, Amanda opens up about what survival really looked like, how she rebuilt her life piece by piece, and what she’s learned about finding light after unimaginable darkness.

Ahead of Mother’s Day, Jen and Catherine sit down with two of the most important women in their lives for a very special conversation – their moms!

Both trailblazing lawyers, Maureen McTeer and Jane Wilson make their podcast debut to share candid reflections on motherhood, career ambition, and what it was really like raising kids while building groundbreaking careers – including a few stories about what Jen and Catherine were really like as kids. You won’t want to miss this!

From the very beginning of The Honest Talk, Air Canada has been more than a partner; they’ve helped us reach new heights. In this episode, Jen and Catherine sit down with a woman who is helping shape the future of that company from the inside.

Christianna Scott, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, joins us to talk about leading with empathy, driving meaningful change at scale, and why redefining success isn’t just personal – it’s necessary in the world we’re now working in.

Today on the podcast, we’re chatting with Tania Yan, the founder of Olive & Piper! You may know the jewellery brand, but what you might not know is the story behind it – the risks, the long nights, the creative decisions… and yes, the boiled cabbage (we’ll explain!).

Tania built Olive & Piper with an eye for design, but also with patience, discipline, and a deep understanding of her customers. She’s grounded, refreshingly honest, and generous with what growth really looks like. 

Tune in to the episode to hear how a passion project turned into a successful Canadian jewellery brand!

This week on The Honest Talk podcast: Jessica Holmes! Comedian, entertainer, and powerhouse of honesty, resilience, and self-acceptance. She’s opened for legends like Ellen DeGeneres, Jerry Seinfeld, Oprah, and Russell Peters – and brought down the house at our 2025 Women’s Summit with her wit, warmth, and yes…her singing chops (and cheerleading pom-poms).

Jessica blends laughter with real life, sharing her journey through mental health, motherhood, and personal growth. She also proves that vulnerability isn’t weakness, and that humour can be a lifeline. 

Today on The Honest Talk, we’re joined by a woman whose leadership carries real weight, not just in title, but in responsibility. General Jennie Carignan is Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff, the first woman to ever hold the role. She now leads the Canadian Armed Forces at a moment of global instability, shifting alliances, and growing expectations about Canada’s role in the world – both at home and abroad.

But this conversation isn’t just about defence strategy or military command. It’s about leadership under pressure. It’s about making decisions when the stakes are incredibly high, building trust and accountability, and leading people when certainty is in short supply.

General Carignan has spent decades navigating complexity, command, and consequence. Today, she brings that perspective to The Honest Talk for a conversation about service, resilience, and the very human side of leadership.

On this episode, we sit down with Mandy Gull-Masty, Canada’s Federal Minister of Indigenous Services – and a leader whose approach to politics is deeply rooted in community, tradition, and opening doors for the next generation.

We get into the realities of being a woman in politics, and how those challenges can be even more intense for Indigenous and diverse women. It’s an honest conversation about scrutiny, resilience, and what it really takes to lead when you’re not just representing a riding, but entire communities who see themselves in you.

But we also go beyond the title. Mandy shares the personal moments that shaped her path, the opportunities she chose to step into (even when they felt daunting), and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

From championing women’s voices to shaping strategic growth at one of Canada’s largest financial institutions, RBC senior executive Sue Noble joins The Honest Talk for a powerful conversation about leadership, resilience, and purpose.

Sue shares how she built her career in finance by trusting her voice, advocating for women in business, and staying grounded in vision – offering real insight for anyone navigating their own path to leadership.

Feeling intimidated by money? You’re not alone. Today, we’re talking with Melissa Leong, a financial expert, author, and media personality who’s on a mission to help people talk about money without fear, judgment, or shame. Melissa breaks down complex financial conversations, challenges outdated ideas, and shows us that financial confidence isn’t about perfection – it’s about understanding your choices and owning them.