My guest, Samantha King’s, post-partem depression and anxiety was a pivotal point for self-reflection where she asked herself what would light her up, so she could find her way back to joy. This led to her foray into entrepreneurship, where her focus is connecting, supporting and celebrating women on their own entrepreneurial journeys. As a special needs mom, Samantha candidly discusses parenting expectations vs. reality, the judgement we may experience from others, as well as the pressures and guilt we put on ourselves as we navigate the ups & downs of parenthood. Samantha shares her story, hoping that others can relate, and reminds us to acknowledge and honour our feelings.

Connect with Samantha:

Website https://fempirebuilders.com

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fempire_builders

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fempirebuilders

Creator & Host: Kim Short

Guest: Samantha King

Editing & Production: Kim Short

My guest, Simone Wessels-Bloom, moved her family to Canada to afford them the safety, security and opportunities their previous society did not provide. It was a move that unexpectedly became the catalyst for Simone’s own self-discovery journey. With gratitude and self-compassion, she found the freedom to explore and develop herself both personally and professionally in her new home. Simone encourages us to recognize the tremendous courage that’s inside us all, carve out what we want our role to be in the world and allow our authentic selves to be truly seen.

Connect with Simone:

Website www.deeplakedigital.com

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deeplakedigital

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/deeplakedigitalca

Creator & Host: Kim Short

Guest: Simone Wessels-Bloom

Editing & Production: Kim Short

My guest, Shar Rai, grew up the daughter of East Indian immigrant parents and automatically took on the gender and cultural roles that were expected of her, which led to a lack of self-worth and low self-esteem. It wasn’t until she became a mother that she began to explore the impact of this societal conditioning and became aware that she had the power to break the cycle and change not only herself, but how she parents her own children. Shar candidly discusses the importance of giving children the permission to fully express their emotions, regardless of gender, and reminds us of the value of allowing our children to see our vulnerability, which then allows them the space to tap into their own. 

Connect with Shar:

Website www.drsharrai.ca

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the_empowerment_project2

Intagram https://www.instagram.com/dr_shar_rai

Creator & Host: Kim Short

Guest: Shar Rai

Editing & Production: Kim Short

My guest, Dionne Thomson, struggled with anxiety from a young age, which presented as perfectionism, people-pleasing and caretaking. She used to numb and compartmentalize her feelings as a means of protecting herself when she felt she was losing control. Becoming a mother caused a big shift, as her kids challenged her sense of order and forced her to break out of the comfortable space she’d created. This breakdown was the catalyst for her journey of inner work that led to her breakthrough. Through that work, Dionne has reflected on and re-framed her childhood trauma and has come to believe that she is valued and loved simply for existing.  She encourages us to release old narratives and create a new one that serves us, in order to achieve the happiness we truly deserve.

Connect with Dionne:

Website http://www.dionnethomson.com/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dionnethomsoncoaching

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dionne.thomson/

Creator & Host: Kim Short

Guest: Dionne Thomson

Editing & Production: Kim Short

My guest, Amina Mohamed, uses her love of photography to truly make a difference in Africa. She empowers young women to succeed in their journalism careers by providing the training and tools to make their dreams comes true and, once they’ve benefited, pay it forward to others. Through her teaching, Amina strives to achieve gender equality in what is currently a male-dominated industry in Uganda. Her passion for female empowerment came to her after adopting her daughter and wanting a better world for her. Amina reminds us that, if we have a dream, there’s always a way to make it a reality through hard work and commitment.

Connect with Amina:

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tfpt_cfg

Go Fund Me - https://www.gofundme.com/manage/yrc7gn-cameras-for-girls-uganda-3

Cameras for Girls – https://www.camerasforgirls.org

Triple F Photo Tours – https://www.triplefphototours.ca

Creator & Host: Kim Short

Guest: Amina Mohamed

Editing & Production: Kim Short

My guest, Marci Warhaft, experienced more than her share of loss and trauma from a young age, which left her feeling vulnerable, insecure and doubting her worth. In an attempt to regain control in her life, she found herself on an unhealthy, destructive path. On her long road to recovery, Marci learned that releasing the weight of shame and other people’s judgement was what liberated her. Once she was able to forgive herself for her past decisions and embrace her whole story, she was finally able to experience self-acceptance and true joy.

Connect with Marci:

Website - http://www.fitvsfiction.com/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/marciwarhaft

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/fitvsfiction

Read her book - https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1989555349/ref=cm_sw_r_em_api_i_Y1WNFRWV5M6SDD4Z2ZPD

Creator & Host: Kim Short

Guest: Marci Warhaft

Editing & Production: Kim Short

My guest, Dani Reaume, used to live according to a timeline that she felt pressured to subscribe to…education, career, marriage, house, kids, etc. Over time, she found herself settling into mediocrity, as she sought external validation, as opposed to living a life that sparked joy for her. Dani encourages us to challenge the status quo, stop people-pleasing and put ourselves first, in order to live a truly happy and fulfilled life.

Connect with Dani:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/danireaume

Website: www.daniellereaume.ca

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/dani-reaume-2631b820

Creator & Host: Kim Short

Guest: Dani Reaume

Editing & Production: Kim Short

We’re changing things up to kick off Season Two…What Led Her Here creator & host, Kim Short, is in the hot seat, being interviewed by guest host, Shar Rai. Kim shares how this podcast came to be and the wisdom she gained from the incredible women of season one. She candidly discusses the challenges of her dysfunctional childhood and the beautiful lessons she’s learned through motherhood that have led her to her passion for women’s empowerment. Kim invites us to embrace vulnerability and step into our authenticity, in order to create real, deep connections with the people who are meant to be in our lives.

Connect with Kim:

Website: https://whatledherherepodcast.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/whatledherhere

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatledherhere/

Creator: Kim Short

Guest: Kim Short

Guest Host: Shar Rai

Editing and Production: Kim Short

My guest, Merav Richter, invites us to follow our bliss and make small changes in our daily lives to achieve our highest level of happiness. As Merav explains "when you engage in ecstasy, it changes hormonal patterns", counterbalancing stress hormones and raising our vibration. When we tap into that, it's a gift we give, not only ourselves, but those around us who feel and respond to that joy. A big part of Merav's ecstasy stems from empowering women, beginning with her own daughter.  She challenges us to aim for big things, while enjoying the process, celebrating little successes along the way, and trusting that we're being guided toward where we're meant to be.   

Connect with Merav:

Website: www.meravrichter.com

Free eBook: www.meravrichter.com/6aa

Social: @MeravRichter

Creator and Host: Kim Short

Guest: Merav Richter

Editing and Production: Judy Karacs

My guest, Angel Freedman, discusses her passion for making a difference and how she's become a force for change in her community and beyond. She has founded two charitable organizations that have provided essentials - clothing, household items and purses - to people in need for over 20 years. Her mission is to promote awareness, especially around domestic violence and, as she says, "make this a better world, one community at a time". Angel is a self-proclaimed "frilly feminist", staunch advocate for gender equality and is passionate about helping women find their voice. 

Creator and Host: Kim Short

Guest: Angel Freedman

Editing and Production: Judy Karacs