Show Notes:

Tonya Pomerantz (she/her/hers) | LinkedIn

https://www.tydac.ch/en/about-tydac/  (It's been a long time, but I still remember some of those folks!)

https://www.gilmoreglobal.com/

https://www.spicers.ca/ (the paper company which used to be Graphic Resources where I met Gary, my husband - yes, we are the original Jim and Pam from the Office :) )

https://ewc-rdc.ca/  (where I met Marg)

https://www.cve.ca/ (where I met Sue and Carol Ann, and the lady we bought our house from back in 2005)

https://www.calian.com/ (the job I got from a lead from the colleague whose house we bought - clearly a big part of my pivots)

https://www.cercottawa.ca/ (where I met Sue, Lisa, Diana, Adam, Breanna, and countless incredible people - both clients and colleagues)

https://www.marchofdimes.ca/en-ca (where I was working with Carol Ann again)

https://www.cegep-heritage.qc.ca/ (where I learned I wanted to go back to school and take the Teaching and Training Adult Learners program at Algonquin College)

https://ociso.org/ (where I worked for almost six years and have been a volunteer mentor in the career mentorship program since 2010 and where I met Fabrizio, Victoria, Ki Jung, Ben, Daphné (and then Ayo), Michael, Kristina, Joycelyn, Zein, Jayshal, Mahmoud, Leonard, Camille, Anamika (and then Dee), Rodrigo, Swami, Maryna,  Tatanisha, Alexis, Mona, Mohd Khalid, Zahra, Connie and other awesome people)

https://ottawa-worldskills.org/ (where I met Anu, Rocky, Joanne (although Breanna had introduced me to her back in 2021) 

I feel exceptionally grateful to have worked with the most amazing people throughout my career. 

And in between these workplaces, I was doing my own thing with Puddle Jump Coaching, writing my book and creating my podcast, and of course, dealing with my other pivots! 

Big thanks to Emilie Hart-Poliquin for joining us on the playground today! 

Here is the link to DAVE - another way to talk about ADHD https://www.facebook.com/reel/552477715748281

The school Em was talking about - https://t.ly/6BgRW

Em's beloved Peter Pan - Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie | Goodreads

Home - Ottawa Humane Society

Humane Society International (hsi.org)

Thank you so much for hanging out with the amazing Jocelyne and me today on the playground and thank you so much Jocelyne (also sometimes known as Mama J) for joining us on the playground today and sharing your story.

Jocelyne shared her career development story with us, and her love of all things politics. She talked about how she made her way to Canada, and how happy she is in Canada, her adopted home.

We learned about Jocelyne’s dedication to service, and I don’t know about you, but after hearing about Jocelyne’s near-death experience, I am even more focused on living in a state of perpetual gratitude.

She is a mom, a grandmother and a lifelong learner dedicated to continual self-improvement, and she sums up her attitude in the phrase -  I don’t believe in mistakes, I believe in lessons learned.

With such a positive attitude towards life and always seeing the good in people, Jocelyne is one of those fabulous people who really is making the world a better place.

Remember to check out Haiti Street Dog Project to learn how you too can make the world a better place for the street dogs of Haiti.

A special shout out to the international listeners in Ireland, India, Barbados, Puerto Rico, Finland, Nepal, the US and Russia – I love that we are here together! Please do follow me on Instagram at puddlejumpcoaching001, and please do join me again on next week’s episode with another fabulous mystery guest.

Until next week, I hope you too can see the lessons learned, and remember to be good to yourself, to others, to animals and the environment.

Looking forward to hanging out on the playground next time, when we will jump into the future together.

Show Notes:

Haiti

Haiti Street Dog Project

https://blackottawascene.com/in-conversation-with-jocelyne-constant/

https://blackottawascene.com/anti-racism-award-for-jocelyn-constant/

https://blackottawascene.com/jocelyn-constant-happy-150th-canada-but-where-do-we-fit-in/

https://www.uottawa.ca/en

Show Notes:

I found

this wonderful piece that was written about Carol Ann a few years ago and

wanted to share. 

#OttawaON

Meet Carol Ann Cameron from March Of Dimes Canada, Employment Services office in Ottawa. She is the driving force behind the Ottawa Employment Services Job Development Team. Carol Ann is a valuable and dedicated resource that offers ongoing support to the ES team.

As a Vocational Rehabilitation Professional, Carol Ann has spent 27 years of her career in Employment Services where she has secured hundreds of jobs for our clients and changed the lives of many for the better. Carol Ann is devoted to helping others succeed, and finds great joy in helping businesses find the right candidate for the job. Carol Ann is also heavily involved volunteering in her Church and playing sports in the community. Her warm smile and calming presence brings comfort to all around her. Carol Ann is a proactive member of the Ottawa EARN committee and she continues to advocate the benefits of hiring people with disabilities. Contact Carol Ann today to discuss your hiring needs!

#InclusiveEmployment

#MyOttawa

Carol Ann Cameron RRP | LinkedIn

March of Dimes Canada

Home - Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (ocdsb.ca)

Home - Ridgemont HS (ocdsb.ca)

Home - Centretown United Church

https://ccc-ccc.ca/

https://www.petsmart.ca/pet-adoption/

Music was my first love

Big thanks to Sue Turpin for joining me on the playground today! 

What an awesome way to celebrate 50 episodes! A chat full of joy, love, gratitude and well...magic. 

Remember to spay and neuter your pets, and please follow me on IG at puddlejumpcoaching001. 

Please join me and my next fabulous mystery guest on next week's episode. 

Thanks so much for hanging out with us today on the playground!

Links:

(17) Suzanne Turpin | LinkedIn

https://quotefancy.com/quote/26132/Leonardo-da-Vinci-Every-now-and-then-go-away-have-a-little-relaxation-for-when-you-come

Thank you so much for hanging out on the playground with me today Joanne Savoie Malone!

What a journey it has been – and continues to be! You made it your goal to leave the tiny Northern Ontario village of Earlton. You left behind your boyfriend and everything you knew so you could start a new life in Ottawa.

Your career journey was not necessarily a linear trajectory. You had a lot of different experiences which led you to where you are now. For you, working part-time selling advertising in a local newspaper is pure joy.

That young woman who wanted to be Nancy Drew or Peter Parker or Clark Kent has become her own super hero. It may not be the Daily Planet, but the newspaper environment she gets to work is affording her the opportunity to help others – something she finds extremely gratifying.

At 60 years old she is an inspiration to me. She lives a balanced life – listening to the clues the universe and her body are sending her.

Talking with a fellow career coach completely energized me and got me thinking about my own job description. What does it say? What does yours say?

As a woman in menopause, Joanne is embracing this new phase of her journey, and is eager to keep doing one thing a day that her future self will thank her for. She is creative, industrious, resourceful, dynamic and engaging. And in the spirt of the words of Marie Forleo, she is helping her clients with that special gift that only she has.

I am so excited about what she will be creating next and am looking forward to further collaborations.

So thank you once again Joanne. Merci beaucoup mon amie!

I am looking forward to next week’s fabulous mystery guest for a very special 50th episode celebration! Woo hoo!!

And remember to check out R.E.B.E.L Dog Rescue to see how these incredible women are sharing their unique gifts with the world – both human and canine. Thank you so much to all of you!

Until next time, remember to do something today that your future self with thank you for. Be good to yourself, to others, to animals and the environment.

See you on the playground next week, when we will jump into the future together!

Links:

(8) Joanne She/Her/Elle) Savoie Malone | LinkedIn

Empowering Career Transitions and Self-Discovery (powerplaycareer.com)

Marie Forleo | Host of MarieTV, Entrepreneur & Philanthropist

Rebel Dog Rescue

Thank you so much Jayshal for joining us on the playground today! I really appreciated the conversation, and learning more about your career – and life – journey.

Your dedication to learning, and working hard to make up for the time in your life where you were felt lacking in focus, is inspiring.

You spoke about your pivots. Your journey from India, to Canada, with stops along in the way in the US and back to India is exactly what life is all about. It’s not the linear progression many people think it is or should be. It’s interesting, challenging, difficult, joyful and mysterious.

The skills you gained from your communications training and throughout your career are an integral part of your role with Immigration, Refugee, Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Where you were once a mentee in the FIN mentorship, you are now giving back yourself by mentoring other newcomers.

I love that you find Canada to be a warm place – not the climate, but the people. That makes me happy.

You shared a Sanskrit quote – the world is one family. You shared the power of believing that everyone is on the same platform – regardless of race, colour, international boundaries or religion. You are proud of your family, and the person you have become – thanks to the people you have met along your journey, your education and throughout your career. You reminded us that when we open up our thoughts, we widen our mindset.

You adopt a holistic approach to life, understanding that we thrive, not just survive, when we have balance in our lives.

I am inspired by your dedication to communication, learning, and family. And I am so grateful that our paths crossed through the FIN program, and that we have stayed in touch through the years.  

Jayshal, you are awesome!

And speaking of awesome, let’s give a shout out to the awesome team at Save Our Scruff! Their website will be in the show notes.

Please do follow me on Instagram at puddlejumpcoaching001 and feel free to send me a connection request on LinkedIn!

Until next week’s episode with another fabulous mystery guest, remember that the world is indeed one family. Please be good to yourself, to others, to animals and the environment.

And please join me next week, when we will jump into the future together!

Links:

Jayshal on LinkedIn

The Female Brain

The World is One Family – Sanskrit, Hindu

Save Our Scruff

Thank you so much Daron for sharing your inspiring story and positive outlook with us!

From going down to the river in the parish of St. Catherine, Jamaica’s fourth largest parish, to studying project management at Algonquin College, Daron’s journey includes military service, hosting a radio show and writing his book, Ready to Rise.

For Daron, pivot means maneuvering through challenges. He saw how his mother sacrificed everything for her sons, and adopts her strong work ethic. For him, it does not matter what the problem is, he is going to get up and keep going.

Daron shared his journey with grief after his parents’ death, and how his faith in God gave him the strength and direction to go on.

After losing his mother during COVID, Daron was discombobulated and devastated.

He believes God gave him the courage and strength to make it through 2021. Faith is Daron’s north star and has helped him get through these last years.

For Daron, inspiring other people to always keep going and never give up is what helps sustain him. He is someone who gives of himself to support and nurture others.

He is experiencing his first winter here in the cold Canadian climate, and with his quintessentially joyful personality, is able to see the good in everything – including our harsh winters.

I can’t thank Daron enough for his creativity, his thoughtfulness, kindness and joy. We definitely need more people like him in the world, and I for one hope he is able to make Ottawa his new home.

Thank you so much Daron!

Please join me next week for another inspiring chat on the playground with another fabulous mystery guest.

Remember to check out the Jamaican Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to learn more about the good things they are doing for the animals in Jamaica.

And please follow me on Instagram at puddlejumpcoaching001.

I am really looking forward to hanging out with you on the playground next week. Until then, remember to never give up and always keep going. Be good to yourself, to others, to animals and the environment.

And see you next time when we will jump into the future together!

Links:

Ready to Rise

Daron Smith | LinkedIn

Project Management (Co-op and Non Co-op Version) - School of Business & Hospitality

(algonquincollege.com)

Parish Profile: St. Catherine – Jamaica Information Service (jis.gov.jm)

Stop Animal Cruelty, Animal Care in Jamaica | JSPCA

Thank you so much Mahmoud for hanging out with us on the playground today.

He shared his career journey which took him from an IT career in the Middle East to studying political science at Carleton University.

His focus on helping other people informed his choice of university major and is also a source of joy for him.

My chat with Mahmoud really gave me a lot to think about and reflect on. Things like how in Canada we take for granted that we are not at risk of being kidnapped, or murdered, simply for leaving our homes and going to university or work.

We are incredibly blessed to live in a country where people have the opportunity to study which ever subject they are interested in.

Mahmoud shared what it was like to go to school in Syria, and showed us what success means in that society. He also shared how he had to leave Syria and start all over again in Lebanon. And he also told us how instead of trying to fit into the mold of a political party here in Ottawa, he prefers to create community and support others.

We got an insight into how he was able to build community by organizing and hosting different events and how much he loves attending different festivals in the Ottawa area. Take a look the show notes for more about the vendors who helped create a fantastic event and a link to the video and the Instagram account.

I love his philosophy of this too shall pass, and  how he is able to consistently take a positive and optimistic approach to life even during the most challenging of times.

A truly lovely person, Mahmoud is caring, thoughtful and exceptionally generous. Ottawa is a better city because he makes a difference in peoples’ lives.

Please join me on the playground next week when I will be joined by another fabulous mystery guest with his own inspiring story.

Until then, please remember to visit Betalebanon.org for more information about Beirut for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. And follow me on Instagram at puddlejumpcoaching001 or say hi on LinkedIn!

And until we meet on the playground again, please be good to yourself, to others, to animals and the environment.

Looking forward to next week when we will jump into the future together!

Links:

Mahmoud Sami Eid | LinkedIn

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VtoKgv7A3gytgKWwQj-wzu5htGg2IHzq/view?usp=drivesdk

(the big event – love the dancing and the celebration!

The Syrian Community in Canada (@syriancommunityincanada) • Instagram photos and videos

BETA Lebanon – Beirut for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

And the vendors who helped make the event a success –

Party logistics:

https://www.fiestaottawa.com/

Chicken, rice, salad etc:

https://www.instagram.com/cuisinetutu?igsh=MThicTZneWJ2Ym1q

Sweets and delights:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Gp7g5K3DXw1ExPL1A

Children toys and snacks:

+1 (613) 710-7507

Music:

https://www.instagram.com/cello_event?igsh=M3hzcXozMTV5Yzlz and  Ozzie  +1 (438) 922-1337

Venue booking:

https://ccn-ncc.gc.ca/endroits/parc-vincent-massey

Thank you so much Gary for coming on to the playground and hanging out with me today. I know today’s episode was definitely different, but it kind of encapsulates what it means to pivot.

At the last minute I had to change direction, and Gary was there for me. He has always supported me – even when I was doing something that did not make a lot of sense to him. But today’s interview was just the ultimate example of that kind of support. And by the way, he still has not listened to any of the episodes and it is doubtful he will be listening to this one.

I take a very holistic approach to life and career development, so while we did not talk about careers, we did talk about life. And what it is like to live with someone with a very different personality, and what the five love languages are. And what he did for me by being a guest on my podcast, that was a very thoughtful act of service. And I love that finally, after being together for so many years, we talked about the love languages!

I also appreciate being able to talk about his role in my book and of course, my life. I am so grateful for him to be so open to that idea.

Colour-wise, we are definitely not the same. He is really Green – logical, process-oriented, slow to make decisions and I am very Blue – emotional, intuitive, with a need to live authentically. But, our second colour is Gold so it feels like that is kind of a bonding element.

I also appreciate his advice that he would give couples – get professional help. It’s so true – and I love what he said – don’t up on the process. The first professional you find may not be the right one for your situation, but keep looking. You will find the right one and it will be worth it.

Next week’s episode will be back to the regular format – thank you for letting me pivot a little with this one!

Remember to connect with me on LinkedIn or on Instagram at puddlejumpcoaching001. And do check out Homes for Paws Dog Rescue – adopt, don’t shop.

Until next time, be good to yourself, to others, to animals and the environment. Looking forward to next week’s episode when we will jump into the future together.

Links:

Homes for Paws Dog Rescue

What are The 5 Love Languages?

Gary Pomerantz | LinkedIn