On the last episode of 2024, host Sarah Burke shares some network reflections & new initiatives kicking off 2025, and is then joined by rock radio sister, Carly Rae Meyers.

Carly was recently laid off from one of her favourite radio gigs at Sonic in Vancouver, so she takes us on a journey back in time to her first radio job, growing up on the airwaves, bouncing back and forth between provinces and great radio stations including 102.1 The Edge in Toronto, and her hopes for the future. She openly shares the challenges she faced navigating relationships and identity within the media landscape, her self-discovery while traveling, the impact of her father's career in radio, and the pivotal moments that shaped her. Together, they reflect on their experiences in the radio industry and the importance of embracing change in a rapidly changing industry. Good luck to Carly in finding the perfect new gig, the beach is cool but this broadcaster should NOT be on the bench.

Connect with Carly Rae Meyers:

https://carlyandjay.com/carly-meyers

https://www.instagram.com/carlyradio_/

Read the latest Women in Media Network Newsletter HERE.

Join the Women in Media Network 2025 RSS Reset:

https://women-in-media-network.myflodesk.com/rss-reset

Join the Women in Media Network January 2025 Social Media Challenge:

https://women-in-media-network.myflodesk.com/amplify-challenge

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Host Sarah Burke officially welcomes Mary Jo Eustace to the Women in Media network with a conversation about the importance of embracing aging, taking risks, and MJ's recent experience on the reality show Traitors.

Sarah and MJ also swap dating stories sharing their disdain for dating apps and the complexities of dating in the modern world and the humorous yet frustrating experiences that come with the territory! They share personal anecdotes about awkward encounters, while MJ reminds Sarah to remain open-minded in the search for connection.

With an upcoming trip planned to visit her parents in Toronto, MJ also reflects on the emotional journey of caring for aging parents, particularly those dealing with dementia.

Read more about this on MJ's Substack:

https://substack.com/home/post/p-150804692

https://substack.com/@maryjoeustace

Watch MJ on Traitors:

https://www.ctv.ca/shows/the-traitors-canada

Check out Voiceover artist Jane Oppenheimer:

https://www.janeoppenheimervoice.com/

Listen to the Senior Bitches Podcast on the Women in Media Network:

https://www.womeninmedia.network/show/senior-bitches/

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*Episode disclaimer: today's episode contains discussions about violence against women, including sensitive topics which some listeners may find triggering. Listener discretion is advised.*

According to the UN, Every 10 minutes, a woman is killed. Globally, almost one in three women have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both, at least once in their life.

Annually, November 25th is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and this year, the date marks the launch of the global UNiTE campaign (Nov 25- Dec 10) — an initiative which kicks off the annual 16 Days of Activism. This is an opportunity to revitalize commitments and call for accountability and action from decision-makers, concluding on the day that commemorates International Human Rights Day on December 10th.

All of the panelists you’ll be hearing from have lived experience as it relates to violence against women, as survivors or loved ones of survivors, and those who are in supporting roles within their communities. While this panel is based in Southwestern Ontario, the topics and themes that will be discussed are far reaching here in Canada, and around the world. 

More about the panelists:

Carlen Costa will moderate this discussion, but brings a lot of support to this conversation as a registered psychotherapist who has herself, been a victim of violence. She is the host of the Spicy Fat Podcast on the Women in Media Network.

https://www.carlencosta.com/

https://www.spicyfat.com/

Amy Birtch is a Sergeant with London Police and the At Risk Coordinator. She had been in that role since 2016 and has 22 years of service with London Police Service. Sergeant Birtch has experience in patrol, community-based policing, and criminal investigations.

https://slwar.ca/meet-the-team/

Fartumo Kusow is the mother of the late Sahra Bulle, who was found dead in Windsor on June 6, 2023. She is one of the honourees of this year's Shine the Light on Woman Abuse campaign. She is the host of the Break the Silence, Build a Future Podcast.

https://fartumokusow.com/about/

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/break-the-silence-build-a-future/id1726679190

Here is the information for the conference mentioned in this episode. It will focus on addressing the profound impact of gender-based violence (GBV) on health through expert discussions, survivor stories, and actionable solutions. 

The event is hybrid, so you can join in person or virtually.

https://www.uwindsor.ca/vp-people-equity-inclusion/465/iamsahrabulle-conference

Jennifer Dunn is the Executive Director of the London Abused Women’s Centre, a feminist, abolitionist agency that provides abused and exploited women and children over the age of 12 with hope and help.

https://www.lawc.on.ca/

https://www.lawc.on.ca/shine-the-light-on-woman-abuse-campaign

RESOURCES:

Government of Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada, Find family violence resources and services in your area:

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/stop-family-violence/services.html

Shelter Safe: A resource to finding all shelters across Canada

https://www.sheltersafe.ca/

Resources in Canada for Family and Intimate Partner Violence

https://www.casw-acts.ca/en/resources/family-and-intimate-partner-violence

The Assaulted Women’s Helpline: A free, anonymous telephone line for women in Ontario experiencing any form of abuse.

https://www.awhl.org/donate

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In this episode of the Women in Media podcast, host Sarah Burke interviews Dr. Riley Kirk, a cannabis research scientist and educator who also hosts the Bioactive Podcast on the Women in Media Network! They explore the intersection of cannabis, science, media, and the evolving perception of cannabis in society, especially as it pertains to women. They question some of the advertising challenges that the cannabis industry and content creators within it face, while looking at accepted habits and attitudes towards alcohol. They talk about content creation in the cannabis industry and its inevitable difficulties with censorship. Dr. Kirk emphasizes the medicinal benefits of cannabis and the importance of community knowledge and research in truly understanding its effects. She also tells Sarah about her Science of Smokability initiatve with a focus on research aimed at improving the quality and safety of cannabis products.

Find out more about Riley, her podcast, and all of her amazing work:

https://www.bioactivepodcast.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@cannabichem

https://instagram.com/cannabichem

https://www.appliedpharmacognosy.org/

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Host Sarah Burke and guest Jess Knights record an impromptu episode of the Women in Media Podcast. They discuss the implications of the American election as the polls begin to close in real time. They discuss the evolving role of podcasts in political discourse, and the impact of media on voter behaviour. They explore how younger audiences are gravitating towards podcasts for authentic conversations, the significance of women's voices in politics, and the challenges of navigating political discussions in a divided time. Personal anecdotes highlight their experiences in the industry and the importance of supporting marginalized communities. They explore the choice of independence among women, the political landscape affecting women's rights, and the need for a shift towards valuing women's contributions in society. The conversation ends on a hopeful note, emphasizing the potential for positive change and the importance of women's voices in shaping the future.

Links:

Find out more about Jess Knights: https://jessknights.com/

Politics and Podcasting Findings from Triton Digital: https://rainnews.com/dax-shepard-tops-ranker-political-podcasts-surge-listener-demos-are-older-educated-afflluent-triton-signal-hill/

Thank you to BASMA BEAUTY for being a sponsor and offering listeners 50% off at checkout with the code WOMENINMEDIA50 at https://www.basmabeauty.com/

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From one founder to another, host Sarah Burke interviews Angel Nicole, the founder of the ALIVE Podcast Network.

Angel Nicole transitioned from radio to podcasting after 25 years in the industry, creating the ALIVE Podcast Network to amplify Black voices in media. Angel's background in journalism informs her approach to content creation, although the idea was born out of some misfortune during her maternity leave.

Angel tells Sarah about her podcast network and the vision to provide monetization opportunities regardless of audience size. She emphasizes how community and collaboration are central to the network's success. The network has nearly 75 podcasters and continues to grow, supporting underrepresented creators.

Angel and Sarah also discuss the upcoming American election, and her recent experience covering the DNC on Media Row. Angel hosts the podcast ALIVE Now and you can hear some of the coverage there. She reflects on the significance of the DNC and historic moments in American politics, particularly the nomination of Vice President Harris. They also explore some challenges women are up against in the media industry.

More About Angel Nicole:

Angel N. Livas is a 2024 Inc Magazine Female Founder Honoree, TEDX Speaker, and award-winning producer who has amassed over two decades of experience in the entertainment industry. Her expertise has been instrumental in the success of numerous shows, including those of which she created for renowned personalities Larry King and Jane Pauley.

Motivated by her firsthand experiences, Angel recognized a pressing need to monetize and protect the intellectual content of Black creatives. It was this vision that led her to found the ALIVE Podcast Network, a groundbreaking media tech company that amplifies Black voices and provides creatives a space to control their narratives. The platform has received critical acclaim, culminating in a prestigious NAACP Image Award nomination for the hit show “Under Construction with Tamar Braxton” in 2022. After a mere 5-months, the first black woman-owned podcast network with proprietary technology, became a Techstars Portfolio Company Powered by JP Morgan, further solidifying Angel's status as a tech innovator. She also has an unwavering commitment to community service, which is reflected in her receipt of the 2023 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award (Biden Administration) and her leadership as a charter member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated - Alpha Beta Alpha Omega Chapter.

Angel N. Livas is a devoted mother to two sons, a Howard University graduate (Magna Cum Laude), and a 2024 Black Ambition semi-finalist and Goldman Sachs Million Black Women in Business participant.

Ebo: https://joinebo.com/

Pitch What's Possible (AWS show): https://aws.amazon.com/startups/lp/pitch-whats-possible?sc_channel=sm&sc_campaign=Startups&sc_publisher=LINKEDIN&sc_country=global&sc_geo=GLOBAL&sc_outcome=awareness&linkId=621767742\

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to Angel Nicole and the ALIVE Podcast Network

(02:30) Angel's Journey from Radio to Podcasting

(06:00) The Birth of the Alive Podcast Network

(10:55) Building a Community for Black Voices

(15:29) The Unique Structure of the Alive Podcast Network

(20:11) Engaging with American Politics through Podcasting

(21:54) Star-Studded Events and Political Engagement

(24:10) Understanding the American Election Process

(26:21) Historic Moments at the DNC

(30:15) Navigating Challenges as a Woman in Media

(33:32) Proud Moments and a story about Costco Connection Magazine

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On a special edition of the Women in Media Podcast, host Sarah Burke hosts a panel of incredible music industry women to discuss their challenges and most defining moments. Panelists:

Cristina Fernandes

Music PR & Publicity @ Listen Harder, established in 2004. Happy 20th anniversary! Listen Harder Inc. is a Canadian independent publicity company specializing in music publicity. Clients include Alexisonfire, City and Colour, Barenaked Ladies, Bedouin Soundclash, Good Kid and Frank Turner! Find out more about Listen Harder: https://listenharder.com/

JJ Wilde:

A chart-topping, history-making, award-winning singer-songwriter dominating the rock music scene. Check out her new album Vices and more: https://jjwilde.com/

Hannah Rose Platt:

An acclaimed singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and storyteller, born and raised in Liverpool, now based in Bristol: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3OTvfzhtWkwy79ctyAGPMA

Follow her on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahroseplattofficial/

Tre Stead:

One of the UK's most diligent female Tour Managers, with nearly 20 years experience working with a variety of international artists throughout the UK and Worldwide, including Frank Turner!

Find out more about Tre Stead: https://www.trestead.com/

A huge thank you to Frank Turner's Lost Evenings team and The Ally Coalition for inviting us to host this panel!

Find out more about Lost Evenings: https://www.lostevenings.info/

Frank Turner curates the four-day festival which took place at the brand new Theatre at the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto this year for a seventh round. Each night of the festival will see a different headline show from Frank Turner who over the course of four nights will play over 80 different songs. Augmenting the evening live performances will be a These include pop-ups, open mic sessions and the Xtra Mile Recordings daytime showcase as well as panels, masterclasses and workshops where leading industry insiders, musicians, experts and music professionals offer insight and advice to audiences.

Find out more about the Ally Coalition: https://theallycoalition.org/story/

The Ally Coalition provides critical support for organizations dedicated to bettering the lives of LGBTQ youth and raises awareness about the systemic inequalities facing the LGBTQ population. Founded in 2013 by Jack Antonoff (Bleachers) and fashion designer Rachel Antonoff, TAC is committed to bettering the lives of LGBTQ youth through tours, social media campaigns and collaborative partnerships, providing meaningful support to organizations serving LGBTQ Youth.

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In this episode of the Women in Media podcast, host Sarah Burke interviews Shayla Ouellette Stonechild, founder of Matriarch Movement. They discuss the importance of amplifying Indigenous voices, Shayla's journey of healing and wellness, and the impact of personal loss on her mission to support Indigenous youth. She also shares some thoughts on mindfulness and her daily practices that foster spiritual connection. They also touch on the significance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, resources for learning about Indigenous issues, and Shayla's aspirations for future collaborations and initiatives.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to Matriarch Movement

(02:57) Shifting Narratives: Indigenous Voices and Healing

(06:00) Personal Journey: Shayla's Background and Influences

(08:55) The Impact of Loss and Commitment to Change

(11:54) Yoga and Mindfulness: A Path to Healing

(14:51) Daily Practices: Connecting with Spirit and Nature

(17:53) Ceremonies and Spiritual Experiences

(20:50) Collaboration with Sophie Trudeau

(23:59) Reflections on Truth and Reconciliation Day

(26:59) Resources for Learning: Books and Podcasts

(30:02) Inspirational Figures and Future Collaborations

(32:56) Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations

Shayla's Recommendations:

https://www.ictinc.ca/blog/21-things-you-may-not-have-known-about-the-indian-act

https://www.ictinc.ca/books/indigenous-relations

https://www.cbc.ca/listen/cbc-podcasts/148-missing-murdered-finding-cleo

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36626827-sacred-instructions

https://www.allmyrelationspodcast.com/

https://www.womeninmedia.network/show/matriarch-movement/

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In this solo episode, host Sarah Burke discusses her experience with AI and social media, specifically focusing on an Instagram trend where ChatGPT roasts your Instagram feed. She shares her identity crisis on social media and the struggle to find her authentic online presence. Sarah explores the use of AI tools in podcasting and the importance of balancing AI-generated content with human finesse. She also provides tips for improving social media presence, such as focusing on quality over quantity, being authentic, engaging with the audience, diversifying content, and offering value. Sarah concludes by inviting listeners to share their thoughts on AI and suggest topics for future solo episodes.

THIS BLURB WAS WRITTEN BY AI! I did that on purpose this time. But to add to the episode:

It takes A LOT of work to a) stand out in social media or podcasting and to b) to find your authentic voice in those places. This was an episode inspired by a silly trend that ended up having a real, true impact on confidence and self-worth. To anyone that finds themselves in a similar position, please send in your thoughts!

www.womeninmedia.ca

www.womeinmedia.network

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On this episode, host Sarah Burke sits down with Saroya Tinker with a live audience at the Queen Street Knix Store in Toronto, in partnership with Monday Girl.

Saroya Tinker is a former professional hockey player who recently transitioned to join the Professional Women's Hockey League’s broadcasting team, both on panel and color commentary. She is also the league's Manager of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Community Initiatives. 

Sarah and Saroya discuss the progress the PWHL has made in providing living wages and full-time opportunities for women in hockey. She shares her personal journey of retiring from playing to focus on her role as a PWHL broadcaster and the league's advocacy work. Saroya opens up about the challenges she faced as a Black woman in hockey and the importance of representation, leading her to her work with Black Girl Hockey Club and mentoring the next generation. The conversation also touches on Saroy's self-care practices, her interests outside of hockey, and her vision for the future of women's sports, highlighting the need for continued collaboration and progress.

More about Saroya Tinker:

Tinker was a Yale University Women’s Hockey Team member before graduating with a degree in History of Science, Medicine, and Public Health. She was drafted fourth overall to the Metropolitan Riveters in 2020 before joining the Toronto Six in 2021. In the 2022-23 PHF season, Saroya was named a PHF All-Star and the Toronto Six won the 2023 Isobel Cup.

Tinker runs Saroya Strong, a mentorship program for young Black women in sports. She is also the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Black Girl Hockey Club Canada, a nonprofit organization that advocates for Black Women in ice hockey.

In 2022, Saroya was part of Front Office Sports’ Rising 25 Class, named one of Sportsnet’s Top-25 Women in Hockey, and won the PHF’s Denna Laing Award, awarded to “the player most actively applying the core values of hockey to her community as well as growing and improving hockey culture.” She also won the TIFF People’s Choice Award for Uninterrupted Canada’s Black Ice.

Saroya is one of the faces of diversity and inclusion in hockey - she is continuously pushing the boundaries of the sport and improving it for the next generation of players. In the fall, Breaking Down Barriers, a docuseries showcasing stories of diversity in hockey, premiered on TSN. Saroya is the host, writer, and executive producer.

Follow along with Saroya:

Twitter: @SaroyaTinker71

Instagram: @saroyatinker71

Black Girl Hockey Club: blackgirlhockeyclub.org

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