City Girl Talks

In this episode, I chat with the gorgeous ray of sunshine that is Alexandra Hockey-Parmenter. Alex is a marketing professional and style influencer based in Melbourne, Australia. On her rapidly growing Instagram account @ldy.alx she shares tips for finding your polished, authentic style through content that is thoughtful and well-researched, as well as full of personality and humour. She is passionate about making every day special and helping women feel confident inside and out, which shines through in this conversation and across her channels. This episode's girl talk includes: Curating a polished, authentic personal style that empowers you and won't break the bank Alex shares her top thrifting and second-hand shopping tips to find gems in the shops and online How to stand out and stay resilient (and positive!) in the current job market Why being a bit cringe can serve you well (and how it helped Alex go viral on LinkedIn) Taking care of yourself in your work, keeping your skills sharp and preventing social media brain rot Keeping things classy without losing our unique selves to societal norms Connect with Alex: Instagram ⁠@ldy.alx⁠ LinkedIn https://ldyalx.com --- Did you enjoy this episode? Please take a moment to leave a 5-star review and share your experience at whichever podcast platform you listen from.Follow the City Girl Talks Podcast on Instagram @citygirltalksThanks for listening! See you next time for another round of girl talk.

(Recorded Autumn 2022) Well, it's been a minute. But the good news is that you finally get to listen to this episode, featuring my lovely friend, brand strategist Emily dos Santos (formerly Kiloh). Like me, Emily recently followed her heart and ambitions to move abroad. I went east to England and she went south to Brazil. In this episode, we have a good chat about our experiences of an international move, how it turns out we manifested said moves, and living our best ex-pat lives. (Recorded Autumn 2022) This episode's girl talk:Emily's top tips for moving abroad (make sure you write them down!)What we miss about VancouverThe quirks of living abroad and the benefits of being a CanadianSocietal norms and the privileges we don't always recognise that we haveDropping the timeline of things we desire and manifesting the life we wantLearning a new language and being bilingual The ins and outs of applying for a visa in the UK or in BrazilClick here for full show notes with links to articles, books and other resources discussed in the episode.Did you enjoy this episode? Please take a moment to leave a 5-star review and share your experience at whichever podcast platform you listen from.Follow the City Girl Talks Podcast on Instagram: https://instagram.com/citygirltalks Thanks for listening! See you next time for another round of girl talk.

What will you read over a cup of something lovely this year? In this short and sweet first episode of 2023, I share my initial reading list and book recommendations for the year.  With a mix of fiction and inspiration and everything in between, it's a list I'm particularly excited about. Have a listen for some 2023 book inspo!Click here for the list of books I chat about in this episode. Did you enjoy this episode? Please take a moment to leave a 5-star review and share your experience at whichever podcast platform you listen from.Follow the City Girl Talks Podcast on Instagram: https://instagram.com/citygirltalks Thanks for listening! See you next time for another round of girl talk.

Back in July, I thoroughly enjoyed (virtually) meeting and recording with Janis Wildy, author of The English Bookshop.  Janis is a fellow Anglophile and tea lover, and it sounds like I have a future road trip buddy. This episode's girl talk:Our mutual love of all things EnglishHer writing process Top 3 tips for someone looking to write a novelInspiration for The English BookshopThe fear and ultimate joy of solo travelWaking up to your life and feeling magnificent Janis Wildy is the author of The English Bookshop. She is a writer, Anglophile, and lover of books that take her to beautiful settings. She loves planners, peonies and Pimm's Cup — although a dram of whisky or a cup of tea is always welcome. She lives in Seattle with her family and Labradoodle. Click here for full show notes with Janis' book and writing resource recommendations.Did you enjoy this conversation? Subscribe, share with a friend, and let us know what resonated with a 5-star review! Your support means the world.Follow the podcast on Instagram @citygirltalks

In this episode, I catch up with one of my absolute favourite people, voiceover artist and digital nomad Claire Lindsay. It's been a while since we had a proper catch-up, but our Libra-Saggitarius connection is as strong as it ever was. It's an episode filled with laughter and fun, where we chat personal development, yoga, surviving divorce and changing the relationship we have with our finances. Claire Lindsay is a Canadian actor, voiceover artist, adventure seeker, and entrepreneur who has been passionately following a path of spiritual growth and healing for over ten years. Integrating the valuable tools she's gained from acting and personal development into her life, she has seen a direct shift into a life lived in trust, grounding, authenticity, creativity, and joy.Click here for full show notes and links to Claire's book recommendations.Did you enjoy this conversation? Subscribe, share with a friend, and let us know what resonated with a 5-star review! Your support means the world.Follow the podcast on Instagram @citygirltalksThanks for listening! 

And... welcome back to City Girl Talks! It's been approximately 525,600 minutes and I've missed you! After a little hiatus, the podcast is back. To start us back up in style, I caught up with a past guest, the lovely Meredith Garritsen. Meredith is a savvy business consultant and the founder of the Hervana Coworking Collective in Vancouver. In this episode, Meredith shares how she's navigated recent life changes, how she finds joy in the new and a special New York moment. (If you've had an NYC moment, you know these are always standout events in your life.)This episode's girl talk:Navigating change  Starting from scratchFinding joy in the newNew York moments When you realize you need to make a changeWhat Meredith is reading: A Hero of Our Time  (Naben Ruthnum)The poet Meredith mentions: @flora.and.phraseConnect with Meredith and the Hervana community @hervanacollective on Instagram or on the website.Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation, please take a moment to leave a review, subscribe and share with a friend. You can also join the conversation on social @citygirltalks on Instagram.

In this episode, my lovely friend Lindsay Dent from Have Your Met Her Yet? podcast and Pink Crown Creative is back for another round of girl talk. Back in January, we had a New Year's catch-up and 2020 decompress for a double-header with her as a guest here and me as a guest on HYMHY. (You can catch that episode here.)This episode's girl talk: Pandemic entrepreneurship Expectation vs. realityAppreciating downtime The importance of following your professional passionsOpening up to heal and growKnowing who your ideal client isConnect with Lindsay on Instagram @_lindsaydent and @haveyoumetheryetpodcast.Book(s) we talk about in this episode:Open Book (Jessica Simpson)Book Club: The Cup of Something Lovely Book Club is currently on pause as I stickhandle a move to England, work, and school. We will be back in full force before the summer. In the meantime, be sure to check out the full list of book selections and City Girl Talks guest recommendations.Let's connect! Join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk.

(Recorded on November 11, 2020) Let's unblock our chakras with the energy of colour! In this episode, Kellie Inglis from Soul Restyled is back and we get deep and geeky about clothing colours, the chakras they relate to, and what we're looking forward to overall in 2021. This episode's girl talk:How our clothing colour choices can revitalize our body, mind and soulKellie breaks down the chakras for us GratitudeChoosing YOUAlone vs. lonelyWhat we're looking forward to in 2021Did you know black is considered a grounding colour? For anyone whose mothers would always say to wear some colour, this is a win for you. It was for me!Please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend. Thank you for your support!Other episodes that feature Kellie:Let's talk about work from home style, gratitude, “champagne” problems and supporting small business during COVID-19. Let's talk about personal style, being confident in our current body, embracing change, and the emotions of a closet clean.Connect with Kellie on Instagram @soulrestyled and at her website.Book(s) we talk about in this episode:Light is the New Black (Rebecca Campbell)Rise Sister Rise (Rebecca Campbell)February Book Club Selection: Okay, ladies, February is reader's choice! I cannot wait to hear about what you've all been reading. Our book club brunch is scheduled for February 28, 2021 — stay tuned for the Facebook event info!Let's connect! Join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk.

Happy New Year, everyone! We did it — we got through 2020 (mostly) intact and I am SO PROUD of all of you for showing up for yourselves in whatever fashion that was for you in that dumpster fire of a year.I'm so excited to share the first episode of 2021 with you because it's a conversation with coach and Goalden Girls Podcast host (and fellow curly-haired gal) Lisa Michaud.In this episode, we chat about: Three ways to revitalize our goals in 2021Sustainable goal-settingNOT doing everythingLearnings from 2020Investment top tips Flipping our mindset and giving ourselves permission to succeedLisa Michaud is a Speaker, Coach, Real Estate Investor & Host of the Goalden Girls Podcast. She is an expert in Goal Setting + Getting and Having It All (not doing it all). As she says in this episode, she is not perfect, but learning along the way. Connect with Lisa on Instagram @lisamichaud and at her website.Book(s) we talk about in this episode:Open Book (Jessica Simpson)January Book Club Selection: This month, let's remind ourselves that The Universe Has Your Back with this Gabby Bernstein gem. We all need to know that the universe DOES have our backs as we tip-toe into 2021.Let's connect! Please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk.

(Recorded October 25, 2020 ) For the last episode of 2020, I chat with my lovely friend, savvy digital strategist and foodie, Melissa Ariganello. Melissa moved to London in late-2018 and was looking forward to living her best London life in 2020. And then... lockdown. Melissa shares what she's been doing to keep her spirits up and the lessons she's taking into her 30s — she turned the big three-oh a few weeks after we recorded!Topics we discuss in this episode:Living alone during the pandemicLiving in London (lockdown and otherwise)Confidence Mental healthSummer travel during COVIDSending emails to your future selfThe benefits of counseling Connect with Melissa on Instagram: @melrosaaBook(s) we talk about in this episode:The Universe Has Your Back (Gabrielle Bernstein)Note: The Cup of Something Book Club is taking a break until the New Year. BUT I've gathered all the book club selections and guest book recommendations from this year in this blog post. Gift yourself or those on your gift list with these city girl reads!Let's connect! Please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl tal

(Recorded September 30, 2020) PR maven and wine expert Leeann Froese from Town Hall Brands back for some girl talk about about wine, supporting small business and California dreaming. Topics in this episode include:The effect of COVID on the BC wine and hospitality industriesPandemic public relations A reminder to drink responsibly What it's like to be an employer in 2020 Finding balance and strengthening relationshipsLeeann is the co-owner and principal of Town Hall Brands in Vancouver. Town Hall Brands represents several award-winning BC and international wineries.Connect with Leeann on Instagram @leeannwine or @townhallbrands or on her website. Book(s) we talk about in this episode:Wine Girl (Victoria James)Note: The Cup of Something Book Club is taking a break until the New Year. BUT I've gathered all the book club selections and guest book recommendations from this year in this blog post. Gift yourself or those on your gift list with these city girl reads!Let's connect! Please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk!

(Recorded August 26, 2020) In this episode, small business accountant Harmik Cacace is back for some girl talk about pandemic pregnancy and moving, what we're looking forward to when we can properly travel again, and being okay with saying "no". For anyone like myself who has jumped feet- or head-first into entrepreneurship this year, Harmik also shares some key tips for keeping your small business financial ducks in a row.Harmik specializes in providing small businesses and entrepreneurs with down to earth, sound financial advice that will give them greater clarity and peace of mind. She has a decade of experience in accounting and over five years of experience managing finances for small businesses. Connect with Harmik on Instagram @blueskiesaccounting or on her website. Book(s) we talk about in this episode:Bountiful, Beautiful and Blissful (Gurmukh)Little Fires Everywhere (Celeste Ng)Let's connect! Please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk!

(Recorded September 9, 2020) October 18-24 is Small Business Week and on this last day of that, I'm thrilled to share this episode featuring the mother-daughter team of Ativo Skincare, Tracy Castro and her daughter, Jayda Khan. In this round of girl talk, we chat about:Natural skincare + Tracy teaches me about hyaluronic acid Working as a mother-daughter teamStanding up to social media bullies Hand sanitizerHow the positives outweigh the negativeGetting screeched in — a Newfie tradition!Connect with Ativo Skincare on Instagram @ativoskincare and visit the Ativo shop.Ativo Skincare is one of my favourite small businesses, with amazing skincare products that have saved my skin. This is not a sponsored episode, I just love this female-owned, Vancouver-based company! Ativo products I love: Squeaky Clean Hand Sanitizer SprayBalance Moisturizer3D Dew Drops Hyaluronic Acid Serum (AMAZING stuff!!!)Nourishing Lip BalmBook(s) we talk about in this episode:The encyclopedia! Harry Potterseries (J.K. Rowling)October Book Club Selection: The October book selection for the Cup of Something Lovely Book Club is Five Little Indians by Cree author Michelle Good. You can buy it on Amazon or Indigo or download the e- or audiobook from your local library. Let's connect! Please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk!

Welcome to City Girl Talks, a weekly podcast about the real, the fun, and everything in between— the things women need and want to know and talk about. My name is Yasmine Hardcastle and I'm your host! I'm a Canadian 30-something millennial-cusp female with the goal of empowering women of all ages. (And I'm super happy to have found a medium where it doesn't matter that I talk with my hands!)Click subscribe so you don't miss any girl talk!Join the conversation on social:https://instagram.com/citygirltalks https://facebook.com/citygirltalks

(Recorded Sep. 16, 2020) It was so nice to catch up with Anita Dunn who owns one of my favourite boutiques, Mila + Paige in New Westminster, BC. In this episode of City Girl Talks we dig into the following topics:Dating after divorceSingle motherhood and mompreneurshipRunning a small business during the pandemicThe power of community And more!Anita Dunn was born and raised in New Westminster. She spent some time living in Vancouver and Victoria and holds a CPA designation and a Bachelor's of Commerce degree. After working for Crown corporation for 10 years, a layoff changed her life forever. Her severance pay allowed the time to think about what she really wanted out of life — which led to opening up Mila + Paige. Masks! Anita has locally made masks for sale in her shop and online here.Connect with Anita on Instagram @milaandpaige and visit her online shop here.Book(s) we talk about in this episode:Chronicles of Narniaseries (C. S. Lewis)Harry Potter seriesOctober Book Club Selection: The October book selection for the Cup of Something Lovely Book Club is Five Little Indians by Cree author Michelle Good. You can buy it on Amazon or Indigo or download the e- or audiobook from your local library. Let's connect! Please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk.

(Recorded August 16, 2020) Back in August, I had a really great conversation with rap artist Monica Morong (Mommy Rapper). Monica and I chat about when life echos our doubts, finding purpose, her mission to create family-friendly rap, redefining success and focusing more on the journey than the destination.Mommy Rapper, Monica Morong, is a mother for four girls creating family-friendly rap that's rated E for Everyone. With a catchy sound and positive vibes, she aims to bring her inspirational message to people everywhere. Monica's mission is to be a positive female rap role model and a clean rap activist, with an aim to protect children from explicit rap messages.Connect with Monica @mommyrapper on Instagram and on her site.Book(s) we talk about in this episode:Discover Your Destiny(Robin Sharma)The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari (Robin Sharma)Do good, feel good: Help me celebrate my birthday by donating to my Virtual Food Drive for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.October Book Club Selection: The October book selection for the Cup of Something Lovely Book Club is Five Little Indians by Cree author Michelle Good. You can buy it here or download the e- or audiobook from your local library. RSVP for our online book club brunch here.Masks! My favourite Vancouver companies making reusable (non-medical) masks for adults and kids are listed here.Let's connect! Please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk!

(Recorded September 21, 2020.) In this episode, I sat down for some girl talk with Crystal Battagliola from the Hustle with Luster blog. Crystal gives some tips for starting a blog, and we chat about the perspective of age, the joy of silence, her experiences of mid-life motherhood, raising daughters, and getting through 2020 in one piece.Crystal Battagliola is a Vancouver-area mid-life mom of two young girls — she left her former career in the investment industry to stay home with them. Craving an outlet for her creativity — and to regain her sense of self — she combined her love of writing and photography to start Hustle with Luster, a social platform and blog for her lifestyle story-telling. She’s enjoying its development into an entrepreneurial journey of community and collaboration, and believes anyone can do this, at any age!Connect with Crystal @hustlewithluster on Instagram and on her blog.Book(s) we talk about in this episode:Kitchen Confidential (Anthony Bourdain)October Book Club Selection: The October book selection for the Cup of Something Lovely Book Club is Five Little Indians by Cree author Michelle Good. You can buy it here or download the e- or audiobook from your local library. Masks! My favourite Vancouver companies making reusable (non-medical) masks for adults and kids are listed here.Let's connect! Please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk

(Recorded August 12, 2020.) In this episode, I sit down for some girl talk with Metro Vancouver-based tea blogger and full-time registered nurse Michelle Owens from the One More Steep tea blog. We chat all about tea, the 2020 iteration of nursing (her opinion, not her employer’s) and grocery shopping, and her experience of moving, getting married and buying a house during the pandemic. (Phew!) Michelle also shares some decompression tips for people on shift work and demystifies matcha for me. P.S. Did you know Dr. Bonnie Henry wrote a book? Link is below!Connect with Michelle @onemoresteep on Instagram and on her blog.Book(s) we talk about in this episode:Soap and Water & Common Sense (Dr. Bonnie Henry)Lord of the Rings trilogyALL the Harry Potter booksDonate to the New Westminster Fire Fighters Charitable Society here and/or to the Washington State Fire Fighters Association here. September Book Club Selection: The September book selection for the Cup of Something Lovely Book Club is 'Smart Women Finish Rich' by David Bach! You can buy it here or download the e- or audiobook from your local library. Masks! My favourite Vancouver companies making reusable (non-medical) masks for adults and kids are listed here.Let's connect! Please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk.

(Recorded on August 26, 2020.) In this episode, I sit down for some girl talk with beautiful soul and clothing designer Shamiza Ali from Vancouver-based Edna Smak. We chat about opening our arms to greatness, learning from our wrong turns, feeling GOOD in our clothes and flourishing despite the adversity of 2020. Shamiza also shares how fate and a moment of panic led her to her wonderful partner.Shamiza Ali is a West Coast city girl selling elevators by day and designing size-inclusive clothing at her company Edna Smak by night. Edna Smak started because she couldn't find an affordable, well made plus-size blazer. This made her want to change the shopping experience for women. Shamiza recognized a gap in the fashion market and has focused on helping women build a wardrobe with a few key pieces that will amplify their confidence.Connect with Shamiza @ednasmak on Instagram. You can try on her clothes in Vancouver at her pop up shop at Sunday Small Goods. Book(s) we talk about in this episode:The Hidden Art of F*cking Up (The Try Guys)Big Summer (Jennifer Weiner)September Book Club Selection: The September book selection for the Cup of Something Lovely Book Club is 'Smart Women Finish Rich' by David Bach! You can buy it here or download the e- or audiobook from your local library. Masks! My favourite Vancouver companies making reusable (non-medical) masks for adults and kids are listed here.Let's connect! Please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk.

(Recorded July 16, 2020) In this episode, I was so happy to have a virtual chat with my lovely friend and fellow travel bug Nina Bader. Nina is Swiss ex-pat city girl living in Vancouver and we met via the blog pod our friend Orla Corrigan put together a few years ago. We chat positivity and couple dynamics in 2020, turning 30, moving abroad, and finding work-life balance when working from home.Nina Bader is an event professional working in Vancouver, BC. She is originally from Switzerland and moved to Canada in 2016. She loves to explore coffee shops in Vancouver and around the world, and is passionate about sustainability. Connect with Nina @whataboutnina and @creative_kommunikation on Instagram.Book(s) we talk about in this episode:Girl, Wash Your Face (Rachel Hollis)Super Attractor (Gabrielle Bernstein)Born a Crime (Trevor Noah)September Book Club Selection: The September book selection for the Cup of Something Lovely Book Club is 'Smart Women Finish Rich' by David Bach! You can buy it here or download the e- or audiobook from your local library. Masks! My favourite Vancouver companies making reusable (non-medical) masks for adults and kids are listed here.Let's connect! Please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk.

In this episode, I have a great chat with global citizen, smart cookie and tech boss-babe Humaira Ahmed from Locelle. Humaira talks about her experiences growing up in Pakistan, overcoming adversity, following her ambitions, and breaking boundaries as a female Person of Colour in tech. We also dig into gender stereotypes, and she shares the story of her father standing up for her at two pivotal moments in her life. (It's a really amazing story.)Humaira Ahmed is the Founder and CEO of Locelle. Locelle is a global private platform created for women in the workplace based in British Columbia. As a Pakistani-born Canadian entrepreneur, she is passionate about diversity in traditionally male-dominated industries. Being a woman of colour, immigrant, and having a background in Software Engineering, Humaira is on a mission to inspire and influence women to pursue their ambitions and navigate barriers.Connect with Humaira @locelle on Instagram and on LinkedIn.Book(s) we talk about in this episode:Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity (David Allen)August Book Club Selection: This month's book club selection is Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner. Click here to join our book club and RSVP for the August 30 online discussion! Where you can buy the book: Indigo.ca - https://bit.ly/CGTAugBook Amazon.ca - https://amzn.to/2EHAeOZ (Audible and Kindle have free trials!)Masks! My favourite Vancouver companies making reusable (non-medical) masks for adults and kids are listed here.Let's connect! Please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk.

(Recorded July 26) In this episode, I have some great girl talk with radiation therapist and wine blogger Deborah Murray. Deb shares her pandemic experience as a healthcare worker, her favourite #GetThrifty wines for summer, and why it's been so important to live in the moment. We get nerdy about wine, and also chat carbs, photography, confidence and our mutual love of Scotland. Deborah Murray has degree in Photography from Emily Carr University. She went on to study Radiation Therapy at BCIT and now work as a Radiation Therapist at the BC Cancer Agency. As she learned more about wine, friends would suggest that she write a blog about it, which was a great reason to get back into photography. She started the Year in Wine blog and has since taken her WSET I and II, and hopes to do Level III soon. She likes to travel, although travel plans look like they will be on hold for a while. So for now, it's travelling through wine an carbs!Connect with Deb @yearinwine onInstagram and at her blog. Our recommended IG follows for food and flat lay inspo: @gmmphotography, @extraforavocado, @mmoilanenphotography.Book(s) we talk about in this episode:A Severed Wasp (Eckhart Tolle)August Book Club Selection: This month's book club selection is Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner. Click here to join our book club and RSVP for the August 30 online discussion! Where you can buy the book: Indigo.ca - https://bit.ly/CGTAugBook Amazon.ca - https://amzn.to/2EHAeOZ (Audible and Kindle have free trials!)Let's connect! Please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk.

(Recorded July 17, 2020) It's a double-episode week! My guest for this episode is Caylen Baker from Canvas Candle Co. Caylen and I chat about our mutual love of hygge, and she gives insight on the candle making process and why phthalates are a big no-no. Caylen also shares the emotional ride COVID-19 has taken her on as an entrepreneur, and we talk about how a business decision she recently made helped me with one of my own.Caylen is an entrepreneur based in the Vancouver area. As the owner of Canvas Candle Co., she’s passionate about giving customers an ethical sensory experience. While working in marketing in the "inside the box" golf industry, Caylen found she needed something to flex her creative muscles. And so Canvas Candle Co. was born! Caylen is also the dog-mum of an adorable Boston Terrier and avid fan of ice cream.More info on the Canadian Romani Alliance can be found here. Connect with Caylen and Canvas Candle Co. on Instagram and on the shop website.Book(s) we talk about in this episode:The Power of Now (Eckhart Tolle)August Book Club Selection: This month's book club selection is Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner. Click here to join our book club and RSVP for the August 30 online discussion! Where you can buy the book: Indigo.ca - https://bit.ly/CGTAugBook Amazon.ca - https://amzn.to/2EHAeOZ (Audible and Kindle have free trials!)Let's connect! Please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk.

In this episode, I sit down for a virtual chat with Pearl Cicci, a Vancouver-based Nutritionist and Health Coach. We talk about how she keeps her positive energy up, growing up in Vancouver as a Black person, plant-based eating, and why we need to go with our gut. Pearl also gives some tips for incorporating more plants in our diet and shares some insight on supplements. Pearl Cicci is a Nutritionist and Health Coach with a passion for educating people about nutrition. Her goal is to make it easy and simple to achieve optimal health. Taking a very holistic approach, Pearl is focused on the overall well being of a person. Using plant-based approaches Pearl works with female entrepreneurs to increase their energy levels and optimize their health. She believes that, with proper information and guidance, everyone can become the healthiest version of themselves at any age. When pearl has some extra time you will find her either doing something active or learning something new. Pearl has a strong passion for dancing and thinks everyone needs to dance more!Connect with Pearl on Instagram: @pearlcicciBooks we talk about in this episode:Untethered Soul (Michael A. Singer)August Book Club Selection: This month's book club selection is Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner. Click here to join our book club and RSVP for the August 30 online discussion! Where you can buy the book: Indigo.ca - https://bit.ly/CGTAugBook Amazon.ca - https://amzn.to/2EHAeOZ (Audible and Kindle have free trials!)Let's connect! Please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk.

(Recorded on June 10) Marketing maven, and lovely human, Stefanie McAuley is back for another round of girl talk. Stef first came on the podcast back in January, and the world has completely changed since then. In this episode, we dig into privilege, authenticity, good (and bad habits) gained during COVID, and Stef also shares some savvy marketing tips for our current climate. (Stef's neighbor also makes a random appearance (think Friends), which was immensely entertaining.)Stef is a writer and marketing specialist who has worked with some of the biggest brands around the globe like Nike, Nestle, Coca-Cola, Stella Artois, Tesco and Benefit Cosmetics. Not one to sit still, she's lived on three continents and travelled to fifty countries. Since coming back to Vancouver in 2015, Stef worked for PressReader, the world’s leading digital newsstand. As of early 2019, she jumped into her own business, Broad World, with both feet. She started sharing her stories years ago on Broad World’s blog, inspired by her travels, life’s lessons, and the incredible women she came across. Check it out – you might find a story that lights a fire in you, too.Connect with Stefanie on Instagram @broad_world.Books we talk about in this episode:To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee)Little Fires Everywhere (Celeste Ng)Washington Black (Esi Edugyan)July Book Club Selection: This month's book club selection is So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo. Click here to join our book club and RSVP for the July 26 online discussion! Where you can buy the book: Indigo.ca - https://bit.ly/CGTJulyBook Amazon.ca - https://amzn.to/3ghpvZl (Audible and Kindle have free trials!)Let's connect! Please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk.

This episode's guest is Business Babes Collective founder, lovely soul and fellow extroverted-introvert, Danielle Wiebe. We dig deep into values and faith, the power of community, and Danielle shares the experience of shifting her business to a digital platform during the pandemic.Danielle is the founder of Business Babes Collective, a global community for female entrepreneurs. Through masterminds, group programs and coaching, Danielle helps small business owners scale their income, influence and impact. She's an expert in building a thriving community, creating collaborations that elevate your influence and become confident in your offer and pricing for effortless sales.Connect with Danielle on Instagram @danilivinglife and @vancitybusinessbabes. For more information on the Business Babes Collective, click here.Books we talk about in this episode:So You Want to Talk About Race (Ijeoma Oluo) which is also our July book club selection!July Book Club Selection: This month's book club selection is So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo. Click here to join our book club and RSVP for the July 26 online discussion! Where you can buy the book: Indigo.ca - https://bit.ly/CGTJulyBook Amazon.ca - https://amzn.to/3ghpvZl (Audible and Kindle have free trials!)Let's connect! Please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk.

This week's guest is Canadian travel blogger and fellow Harry Potter geek Amber Storie from A Blissful Wanderer. In this episode, Amber talks about taking the leap to quit her job and travel the world for two (plus!) years, the importance of following our dreams and the ability to let go of control when things don't go our way. Amber also shares how it's been to be "stuck" living in Australia during COVID-19 and some relationship nurturing tips for being with your significant other 24/7 during the pandemic.Amber Storie is a Vancouver girl currently living out of her suitcase in Byron Bay, Australia. Her passport’s filled with stamps from 46 countries from working in the travel industry for seven years, and living abroad for two of them. She used to work as the sales manager for Contiki Holidays but now works remotely as a content creator and social media manager for tourism boards. The mission of her blog A Blissful Wanderer is to inspire women to travel the world, work remotely, and live a blissful life all while staying stylish! (When we can do that again!)Connect with Amber on Instagram @amberstorie!Books we talk about in this episode:Harry Potter series (J.K. Rowling)The Latte Factor (David Bach)June Book Club Selection: Reader's choice of a novel written by a BIPOC and/or or with a BIPOC main character and that addresses racism. I am re-reading The Help as it is a book that affected me deeply when I first read it. To join book club and RSVP for the June 28 online discussion of our books, click here. This is a safe space for everyone to share their book and how it made them feel.Episode Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by WeAir. WeAir is a Vancouver-based company that sells antimicrobial, reusable masks, with a focus on doing good in the world. For every mask bought, a tree is planted in an area in need of replanting. Listeners can use the code CITYGIRL20 for a 20% discount on the reusable masks. Stay safe to stay well with weair.caLet's connect! Please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk.

In this week's episode, I chat with Vancouver chef and passionate foodie, Nicole Harshey. After many years of working in restaurants as a pastry chef and recently with Vancouver culinary shop Cook Culture as an instructor, Nicole started Cooking with Nicole to provide affordable meal plans for busy people. We chat about Nicole's chef journey, flexitarian eating, the power of yoga, and finding our path. Nicole also shares a couple of easy (and tasty!) #GetThrifty recipes (24:30) for roasted chickpea caesar salad and patatas bravas, so get out your paper and pen! (Also, a hot tip about nuts.)Following up on my commitment to sharing Black-owned businesses related to topics discussed in my episodes, I'm tagging some foodie, restaurant and nutrition accounts over @citygirltalks -- bring your appetite!Connect with Nicole on Instagram @sweetasharshey and at Cooking with Nicole!Books we talk about in this episode:Anatomy of the Soul (Curt Thompson)June Book Club Selection: Reader's choice of a novel written by a BIPOC and/or or with a BIPOC main character and that addresses racism. I am re-reading The Help as it is a book that affected me deeply when I first read it. To join book club and RSVP for the June 28 online discussion of our books, click here. This is a safe space for everyone to share their book and how it made them feel.Episode Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by WeAir. WeAir is a Vancouver-based company that sells antimicrobial, reusable masks, with a focus on doing good in the world. For every mask bought, a tree is planted in an area in need of replanting. Listeners can use the code CITYGIRL20 for a 20% discount on the reusable masks. Stay safe to stay well with weair.caLet's connect! Please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk.

In this episode, my friend Emily Kiloh from Cool Mom 101 is back to talk about glowing up, wellness and parenthood during COVID, and changing our inner dialogue. Emily is also the Canadian Ambassador for Global Wellness Day and shares details about the (June 13).Join Emily and I to celebrate Global Wellness Day on Saturday, June 13. GWD is hosting a global 24-hour livestream of wellness that will start in New Zealand and end in Hawaii. This never before done virtual broadcast will include influential speakers and expert trainers including Andrew Sealy, founder of Yoga Revealed, and Desiree Watson, CEO of Wellness Interactive.NOTE: This episode (and a few others in my queue) was recorded prior to the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter and anti-racism movements, which is why the topic is not mentioned in our conversation. As friends Emily and I have since discussed current events and something we are both doing to educate ourselves is a 30-day learning module from Rachel Cargle called #DoTheWork. It's very educational, blunt and what we all need to be learning right now.I believe my content can be more diverse and I am committed to sharing Black-owned businesses related to topics discussed in previously recorded and future episodes. I will also be reaching out to women that I've recently discovered via social media whose knowledge and experiences I would love to shine a light on. Sending everyone love and a virtual hug. We are stronger together.~Connect with Emily on Instagram @cool.mom.101!Books we talk about in this episode:Meet Me in Monaco (Hazel Gaynor & Heather Webb)Judgment Detox (Gabrielle Bernstein)June Book Club Selection: Reader's choice of a novel written by a BIPOC and/or or with a BIPOC main character and that addresses racism. I am re-reading The Help as it is a book that affected me deeply when I first read it. To join book club and RSVP for the June 28 online discussion of our books, click here. This is a safe space for everyone to share their book and how it made them feel.Episode Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by WeAir. WeAir is a Vancouver-based company that sells antimicrobial, reusable masks, with a focus on doing good in the world. For every mask bought, a tree is planted in an area in need of replanting. Listeners can use the code CITYGIRL20 for a 20% discount on the reusable masks. Stay safe so you can stay well!Let's connect! Please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk.

In this episode, I (virtually) sit down for a catch-up and incredibly meaningful conversation with my amazing step-sister, Natasha Anderson. Natasha shares her experience of growing up biracial and how she feels at this pivotal time in the world. Natasha is a Fraud Agent for online dating platform Plenty of Fish. For those looking for love and connection right now, she shares some tips for safe online dating in the COVID age. We also discuss her move across the world and why mama (always) knows best.Connect with Natasha: You can follow Natasha (and her dog Rocco!) on Instagram @neezstagram.This is a period of awakening in the world and it's not going to be easy. It's time to educate ourselves, listen and figure out how we can do better as allies.Books we talk about in this episode:Becoming (Michelle Obama)Dreams From My Father (Barack Obama)The Audacity of Hope (Barack Obama)Educate:30 Day #DoTheWork with Rachel CargleOrganizations to consider supporting at this time:NAACPBlack Lives Matter Vancouver Black Therapy & Advocacy FundJune Book Club Selection: Reader's choice of a novel written by a POC and/or or with a POC main character and that addresses racism. I am re-reading The Help as it is a book that affected me deeply when I first read it. To join book club and RSVP for the June 28 online discussion of our books, click here. This is a safe space for everyone to share their book and how it made them feel. Let's connect! Please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook and by joining the Cup of Something Lovely Book Club! Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk.

In this episode, I catch up with my lovely friend Sarah Ives about ex-pat life in London, the travel industry, finding ourselves after grief, and how she's navigating motherhood, cooking and finances during COVID-19. Sarah also shares her experience with fertility and the difficult medical decision she had to make during her second pregnancy (40:20-57:00).Note: This episode may be triggering. Sarah has shared her fertility and pregnancy story so that other women know they are not alone. The times of this part of the conversation are marked above.Sarah is an American ex-pat from New York living in London with her husband and two little girls. Having always wanted to live abroad, Sarah studied in Paris and got her Masters in Advertising from the London College of Communication. She is a Luxury Travel Consultant and marketing professional by trade and looks forward to exploring the world in the new normal when we are able to travel again. Connect with Sarah: You can follow Sarah's finance, motherhood and ex-pat life adventures on Instagram @the_countess_of_kennington.Books we talk about in this episode:Untamed (Glennan Doyle)A Complaint Free World (Will Bowen)The Latte Factor (David Bach)Papillon (Henri Charriere)Check out Ativo Skincare for hand sanitizer (look up hand cleanser), hand cream and other lovely all-natural skincare and pampering products. (Not an ad, I just love their stuff!)Let's connect! Please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook and by joining the Cup of Something Lovely Book Club! Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk.

This week's guest is my acupuncturist, the lovely Suka Lang. In this episode, Suka shares her experiences with cultural identity struggles, leaving home at 15, and the lessons she's learned as she went from professional dancer to wellness entrepreneur. She also shares how her clinic will serve the community as businesses open up again in BC, and some tips for wellness at home during COVID-19.Suka Lang is the owner and founder of Acupoint Wellness Centre in Vancouver, BC. She is a registered acupuncturist with over 10 years of experience. As a former gymnast and professional dancer, Suka is no stranger to stress, hard work, and pain management. After 15 years as a professional dancer, she decided to hang up her dance shoes and study traditional Chinese medicine. With a compassionate heart and the passion to heal, she truly cares about her patients and the well-being of those around her. Her kind and considerate bedside manner immediately puts people at ease. Connect with Suka on Instagram @acupointwellness and @sukastar.Books we talk about in this episode:The Prophet (Kahlil Gibran)Let's connect! Please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook and by joining the Cup of Something Lovely Book Club! Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk.

In this week's episode, I catch up with one of my favourite Instagram friends, writer, musician and fellow travel bug, Christina Lyon. We chat self-love, tacos, battling shame, surviving divorce, and how a change in narrative makes the world open up. (Stop being the obstacle in your life so you can be your own champion!)Christina Lyon is a coffee sipping, piano playing, word-obsessed freelance writer and musician. She's on fire for helping small biz owners tell their stories with engaging marketing copy. Poetry and fiction are her creative passions, and her debut poetry book, Bloom, will publish this spring. When she's not reading or writing, she loves to play music and explore the beaches and wild trails along the California coast.Connect with Christina on Instagram @bychristinalyon and @christinavlyon.Books we talk about in this episode:Meet Me in Monaco (Hazel Gaynor & Heather Webb)Super Attractor (Gabrielle Bernstein) - This month's Cup of Something Lovely Book Club read!Let's connect! Please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook and by joining the Cup of Something Lovely Book Club! Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk.

This week's guest is entrepreneur extraordinaire Jenna Herbut from Make It craft fairs. We chat COVID-19 (obvs), confidence, mindset and conscious entrepreneurship. The entrepreneurial spirit hit Jenna and her brother at an early age and she shares so many great business and life insights in this episode. Jenna is such a vibrant soul and her enthusiasm is infectious -- I really enjoyed our chat. You'll also hear me have a *mind blown* moment when Jenna talks about insights from her favourite book.Jenna is the founder of Make It which is a biannual craft fair in Vancouver and Edmonton. Each show features over 250 Makies and attracts thousands of shoppers. Jenna recently wrote a book called Make It Happen which is a guide for creative entrepreneurs to turn their business ideas into reality. Conscious Lab is her side hustle and it's a community space for entrepreneurs to grow and self actualize.Connect with Jenna on Instagram @jennaherbut, @consciouslab and @makeitshow.Books we talk about in this episode:The Big Leap (Gay Hendricks)Girl, Stop Apologizing (Rachel Hollis)Super Attractor (Gabrielle Bernstein) - This month's Cup of Something Lovely Book Club read!Keep Well: This week is Canadian Mental Health Week. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health right now, I hear you. I see you. I feel you. The 2020 theme is social connection and if you need someone to connect with, please DM me @citygirltalks. Let's connect! Please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook and by joining the Cup of Something Lovely Book Club! Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk.

This week, the lovely Meredith Garritsen is back for some girl talk about shifting her business during COVID-19, living with intention even more than before, what we're sipping and unexpectedly (but happily): Star Trek: The Next Generation.Meredith is the founder of Hervana Coworking Collective in Vancouver. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, Hervana has moved online as their physical location is temporarily closed. Meredith has done a really great job of shifting her business to support her community. For the month of May, the theme for Hervana's Let's Do Lunch Series is wellness. Click here for details and to sign up for one that strikes your fancy!Connect with Meredith and the Hervana community on Instagram and at hervanavancouver.com. Books we talk about in this episode:Waking the Witch: Reflections on Women, Magic and Power (Pam Grossman)Cup of Something Lovely book for May:Our next book selection for the Cup of Something Lovely Book Club is Super Attractor by Gabrielle Bernstein. Find out more about the book and our next virtual meet-up here.Let's connect! Please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk!

In this week's episode, Dr. Genieve Burley (lovely soul and carer of my spine) returns to get real about seeing clearly in 2020, finding balance during lockdown and supporting community. And carbs. All the carbs.Genieve Burley, BSc, BPHE, DC, RYT-500, is a passionate wellness professional that combines Chiropractic, Yoga, and conditioning to build minds and bodies that thrive with age. She combines my practice and research in these fields to provide comprehensive treatments that go beyond the adjustment.One of Genieve's favourite recipes: Garlicky Parmesan Pasta SoupConnect with Genieve:For info on her digital classes, follow her on Instagram or visit her website.Book a digital chiro rehab appointment here.Books we talk about in this episode:Ducks, Newburyport (Lucy Ellmann)Anna Karenina (Leo Tolstoy)Do good, feel good. If you have the means, please consider donating to the virtual food drive that I'm holding for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. The Food Bank is not government funded and every contribution helps -- click here to donate!Let's connect! Please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk!

This week's guest is Lexi Soukoreff, owner and designer of Daub + Design, also known as Daub. Daub is a Vancouver-based clothing company with a focus on small-batch hand-dyed or printed activewear and sustainable basics for your closet. (Made in Vancouver!) If you were at a Canadian design or craft market last year, you may have seen Lexi greeting customers with her sunny smile and beautiful garments. Lexi's sewing team also just started making non-medical masks to support the Vancouver community and those are now for sale on the Daub + Design website. In this episode, we go deep into social connections, mindful spending and good habits — plus Lexi shares her design process and how she had to think fast to switch up the launch of her Spring 2020 collection (thanks, COVID-19). We also chat about imperfection and appreciating the sudden space we have to feel, process, get things done or just slow the heck down. I think you'll enjoy this conversation.Connect with Lexi on Instagram and on the Daub + Design website.Books talked about in this episode:You Are a Badass at Making Money (Jen Sincero)Do the Work (Gary John Bishop)The E Myth Revisited (Michael Gerber)Make Bread, Buy Butter (Jennifer Reese)The Latte Factor (David Bach)Do good, feel good. If you have the means, please consider donating to the virtual food drive that I'm holding for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. The Food Bank is not government funded and every contribution helps -- click here to donate!Let's connect! Please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk!

Kellie Inglis (from Soul Restyled) and I recently had a virtual wine date to chat about looking and feeling good while we stay and work from home during COVID-19. In this episode, we also dig into gratitude, champagne (a.k.a. first world) problems and why the food bank is close to both our hearts.Shout out to Lower Mainland small businesses Mila & Paige in New West (free home delivery for online orders!), as well as Vancouver Fashion Truck, Bella and Wren in Fort Langley and Empauer! Check out Kellie's first City Girl Talks episode where she shares insight on personal style, being confident in our current body, embracing change and the emotions of a closet clean. Connect with Kellie on Instagram or on her website.Do good, feel good. If you have the means, please consider donating to the virtual food drive that I'm holding for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. They are in great need of support right now to help families who don't have the resources to stock-pile at this difficult time. The Food Bank is not government funded and every contribution helps! Click here to donate!

This week's guest is the beautiful soul that is Amber Romaniuk. The world is at a time of incredible stress and uncertainty, and this can spark unhealthy habits---specifically around eating. Amber shares her experiences with emotional eating, some healthy eating tips for times of stress (hello, COVID-19), how she helps her clients improve their relationship with food and why finding peace from within is the only way we can achieve true happiness.Amber is an emotional eating, digestive and hormone expert who helps professional women achieve optimal health through mindful eating, self-care and overcoming self-sabotage with food. She overcame her own emotional eating after gaining and losing more than 1000 lbs and spending over $50,000 on binge foods and spending five years balancing her hormones and digestion. Now she helps others achieve Body Freedom™ so they have the confidence and health to create amazing lives. Amber also hosts “The No Sugarcoating Podcast” and has been featured on local and US television as a nutrition expert.Connect with Amber on Instagram @amberromaniuk and at her website.Amber's favourite book:You Can Heal Your Life (Louise Hay)Recipes from Amber:Strawberry Nicecream Double Chocolate Raspberry LoafIf you have the means, please consider a donation to the virtual food drive that I'm holding for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. They are in great need of support right now to help families who don't have the resources to stock-pile at this difficult time. The Food Bank is not government funded and every contribution helps!Stay healthy everyone!Let's connect! If you enjoyed this conversation, please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend, so more women can see this podcast in their feed and I can continue to curate girl talk about the things you want and need to know about. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk!

Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy amid all the coronavirus chaos. You get me solo today as I wanted to share the first book for the 'Cup of Something Lovely' virtual book club.For the first book selection, let's come together to read one of my favourite books of 2019:Meet Me in Monaco by Hazel Gaynor and Heather WebbThis delightful read was a grocery store purchase that I ate up in two-and-a-half days. I love historical fiction and chose this one for us because there are no wars, no sickness --- just a solid story about a feisty French entrepreneur determined to keep her family’s perfume business alive in the 1950’s, with Grace Kelly’s wedding timeline as the foundation for how events unfold. And it’s a love story. Ah, l’amour. It 's the perfect chocolat macaron of a book.Where to buy or borrow it:Indigo (Ebook and paperback formats)Amazon (Ebook, paperback and Audible formats)#GetThrifty by making use of your local library's online book catalogue --- for FREE! (Ebook and sometimes audio formats)JOIN THE CLUB! To formally join the ‘Cup of Something Lovely’ book club and be part of the virtual book discussion, email me at (citygirltalks.podcast@gmail.com). Everyone is welcome!Stuff and Things:If you're working from home these days and finding it a bit weird, check out this great blog post with tips from To Vogue or Bust's Alex Grant. I've also shared some tips for staying positive while the chaos swirls.If you have the means, I'd love it if you could contribute to the virtual food drive that I'm holding for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. They are in great need of support right now to help families who don't have the resources to stock-pile at this difficult time. The Food Bank is not government funded and every contribution helps!

Happy Belated International Women's Day! This week, I have a power duo as my guests: Jenny Rodgers and Chitzel Ortega from Success Empowerment Strategies, a Vancouver- and Montreal-based company focused on inclusive training and consulting for leadership teams and individuals. Jenny used to be my boss (and is a lovely friend) and Chitzel is pretty fabulous. You will love them.This was recorded just before International Women's Day and I cannot think of two better women to sit down with for some girl talk about keeping it real for ourselves in today's weird world. We chat about NOT having to do it all, owning our individual "superpower" and why it's so important for women to work together. And about food, which made me very hungry!Chitzel Ortega is a multilingual HR Leader, established in Montreal and has served as a Leader in Strategic Management of People Talent Culture for multinational organizations within various industries. She is a firm believer in the potential of the human being to shine in their environment without compromising their values and happiness, and is passionate about making life better and more fun for all.Jenny Rodgers, MBA, is a seasoned business and HR leader, established in Vancouver. She has extensive experience in leading people, developing teams and achieving business objectives in competitive markets through her results-driven, collaborative approach to achieving success. Jenny helps people to use their unique abilities to inspire, engage and lead others, and is also a passionate home chef. (She and I both really want to get to Italy, but that's going to have to wait until the COVID-19 lockdown goes away!)Connect with Jenny and Chitzel on Instagram @sestrategies. What the ladies are reading:The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho)White Hot Truth (Danielle Laporte)Drop the Ball (Tiffany Dufu)Stay healthy everyone!Let's connect! If you enjoyed this conversation, please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend, so more women can see this podcast in their feed and I can continue to curate girl talk about the things you want and need to know about. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl

Tax season is around the corner and if you haven't started getting your s*** together, now's the time. This week's guest is CPA and CGA Harmik Cacace from Blue Skies Accounting. Harmik specializes in providing small businesses and entrepreneurs with down to earth, sound financial advice that will give them greater clarity and peace of mind. She has over 9 years of experience in accounting and over 5 years of experience managing finances for small businesses. Harmik shares some tips for preparing for tax season, as well as some of her travel experiences, and why she's making a concentrated effort to not be so busy all the time.Connect with Harmik on Instagram @blueskiesaccounting. You can also connect with her in person at her upcoming 'selecting accounting software for entrepreneurs' workshop on March 12 at Hervana Coworking Collective in Vancouver.Harmik's favourite book: The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho)Harmik's #GetThrifty tips: Try to shop at grocery stores when travelling so you aren't eating out all the time.Don't drink as much alcohol when on holiday or travelling for a long time. It's what doubles your bill. (Or buy wine at the grocery store.)Shop at independent grocery or produce shops.Let's connect! If you enjoyed this conversation, please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend, so more women can see this podcast in their feed and I can continue to curate girl talk about the things you want and need to know about. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk.

On the podcast this week is Kat Gaskin, creator of The Content Planner. I personally use The Content Planner, so it was fun for me to chat with her about how it came to be. We get into #Tissuegate2019, why it's important to have grace under pressure and Kat shares a very insightful tip for busy people in relationships with other busy people. Plus an unexpected bad habit and why pineapples taste better in Hawaii.Kat Gaskin is a graphic designer, content planning expert and creator of The Content Planner --- the first and only physical planning system for your blog and social content. Kat helps discouraged business owners create a clear path towards achieving their social media goals, so they can be more abundant in wealth, prosperity and purpose. With a 6-figure e-commerce brand and a recent $100k launch in her back pocket, Kat brings results-driven expertise and step-by-step strategies to her online community every day.Connect with Kat on Instagram @thecontentplanner and @katgaskin.If you don't have The Content Planner yet, click here before they sell out!Kat's favourite book: The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari (Robin Sharma)Kat's #GetThrifty tips: Buy second-hand furniture. Be mindful of your shopping. Do you really need it?Invest your money in experiences.Let's connect! If you enjoyed this conversation, please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend, so more women can see this podcast in their feed and I can continue to curate girl talk about the things you want and need to know about. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk.

On the podcast this week is my lovely friend Lindsay Dent, host of the 'Have You Met Her Yet?' podcast and founder of branding company Pink Crown Creative. We chat mindfulness and wellness, growing up in the corporate world and our love/hate relationship with Instagram. We also get deep into what makes us happy and how the hard choices are often the ones that lead to our ultimate happiness---plus a random tangent on float pods. (Have you tried them?)Lindsay has been in the sales and marketing industry for almost 15 years. Hailing from Brampton, ON, Lindsay made the move to the west coast 6 years ago to grow her career in marketing and follow her travel bug heart to her new home of Vancouver. She found her true calling in September 2017 when she decided to make the bold move and quit the cushy corporate world to pursue her dreams and passions of owning her own business Pink Crown Creative and being her own boss. Primarily using social media marketing to grow her business, she wanted to find a way to inspire and influence entrepreneurs and small business owners to launch, market and grow their businesses using the same tools, while feeling really confident about being an entrepreneur and following their passions. Connect with Lindsay on Instagram @pinkcrowncreative and @haveyoumetheryetseries.Lindsay's favourite books: Anything by Kate Morton (author of 'The Clockmaker's Daughter' and 'The House at Riverton')Lindsay's #GetThrifty tips: Is there anywhere where you could cut back? Check your credit card statement.Always set aside a specific % or amount of every paycheque in your savings.Take stock of what you value.Episode Sponsor: This week's episode is sponsored by Quesava, makers of gluten-free, savoury samosas and other wholesome snacks. Quesava is available in the frozen foods aisle at select grocery stores and health food shops across Western Canada. Visit Quesava.com to find a store near you. Let's connect! If you enjoyed this conversation, please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend, so more women can see this podcast in their feed and I can continue to curate girl talk about the things you want and need to know about. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk.

This episode published on #BellLetsTalk day and I knew right away that my friend, marketing specialist and writer Stefanie McAuley was the city girl I wanted to have on this episode. Stef is very open about having an anxiety disorder, and through her blog and social platforms, works to share her and other women's REAL (not highlight reel). In sharing her experience with anxiety, Stef hopes to help rid of the shame and stigma around talking about mental health.The blog post we talk about at the beginning of the episode is here, and Stef has also put up a post on helping a friend with their mental health.Stef is a writer and marketing specialist who has worked with some of the biggest brands around the globe like Nike, Nestle, Coca-Cola, Stella Artois, Vancouver Giants, Tesco and Benefit Cosmetics. Not one to sit still, she's lived on three continents and travelled to fifty countries. Since coming back to Vancouver in 2015, Stef worked for PressReader, the world’s leading digital newsstand. As of early 2019, she jumped into her own business, Broad World, with both feet. She started sharing her stories years ago on Broad World’s blog, inspired by her travels, life’s lessons, and the incredible women she came across. Check it out – you might find a story that lights a fire in you, too.Stef's favourite books: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (Lewis Carroll)Daisy Jones and the Six (Taylor Jenkins Reid)Stef's #GetThrifty tips: Meal planningUse an app like MintAsk why you are spending what you're spendingConnect with Stefanie on Instagram @broad_world and at website.Episode Sponsor: Today's episode is sponsored by Quesava, makers of gluten-free, savoury samosas and other wholesome snacks. Quesava is available in the frozen foods aisle at select grocery stores and health food shops across Western Canada. Visit Quesava.com to find a store near you. Let's connect! If you enjoyed this conversation, please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend, so more women can see this podcast in their feed and I can continue to curate girl talk about the things you want and need to know about. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk.

Are you curious about CBD oil? I was too! This week's guest is holistic nutritionist and wellness entrepreneur Nadya Pecherskaya, owner of ICARIA CBD Oils. She demystifies CBD oil for us and shares some of its benefits, her passion for wellness and entrepreneurship, and how CBD has helped her change her thought patterns and reactions to stress.Nadya is a passionate holistic nutritionist and the founder of ICARIA - a CBD oil company that focuses on empowering women to take charge of their own health. ICARIA has been named top 5 new cannabis products by Beatroute magazine as well as featured in Her(b)Life Magazine as a female-owned brand. Nadya is also an instructor at The Institute of Holistic Nutrition, and a frequent speaker at events on topics of nutrition and CBD oil.CBD oil FAQs Nadya's favourite book: The Power of Now (Eckhart Tolle) Nadya's #GetThrifty tips: Cook at homeShop at different grocery stores to find the best prices for different products. Pssst! Use code ICARIACITYGIRL for a #GetThrifty $10 discount on your first ICARIA oil purchase. Connect with Nadya on Instagram @icaria.co and at the ICARIA website. Episode Sponsor: Today's episode is sponsored by Quesava, makers of gluten-free, savoury samosas and other wholesome snacks. Quesava is available in the frozen foods aisle at select grocery stores and health food shops across Western Canada. Visit Quesava.com to find a store near you. ~ If you enjoyed this conversation, please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend, so more women can see this podcast in their feed and I can continue to curate girl talk about the things you want and need to know about. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk!

Hello and Happy New Year! We are back after a break for the holidays and it's time to dive into some 2020 girl talk. This week's guest is entrepreneur and all around good soul Cassy Vantriet. We chatted back in December and it's the perfect episode to start the new year with. We dive into entrepreneurship, tea, me time, wellness from within, and being okay with talking about money. I felt incredibly inspired and motivated. Cassy is the founder of Woash Wellness a Vancouver based loose-leaf tea company that carefully designs wellness blends that enhance your desired state of being by utilizing the natural benefits of each herb. While developing Woash she discovered her unique skill to transform a complex task such as launching a business into a simplified course of action that she offers through her one on one mentorship program, The Wyld Ride. She balances growing her two business' with personal growth, ocean adventures and escaping the city anytime she can with her husband. What Cassy is reading: More Thank Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are (Elaine Welteroth) Cassy's #GetThrifty tips: Cassy is on a journey to have a better relationship with her money. Follow that journey @thewyldride. Connect with Cassy on Instagram Woash Wellness and at The Wyld Ride. Episode Sponsor:Today's episode is sponsored by Quesava. Quesava's gluten-free, mostly plant-based snacks are made with simple wholesome ingredients you can pronounce. Their savoury samosas and other snacks are available in the frozen foods aisle at select grocery stores and health food shops across Western Canada. Visit Quesava.com to find a store near you. ~ Please take a moment to rate and review the episode, so more women can see this podcast in their feed and I can continue to curate girl talk about the things you want and need to know about. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk!

This week, I dive into wines for the Christmas holiday season with PR maven and wine expert, Leeann Froese. Leeann is the co-owner and principal of Town Hall Brands in Vancouver. Town Hall represents several award-winning BC and international wineries, and I learn something new about wine every time I chat with Leeann.What to pair with turkey dinner or a Christmas pot luck? We've got you covered, plus you'll have some fun factoids to impress your guests with. You get to hear me fumble over some German varietal names, and Leeann and I chat about the importance of learning and mentorship, and why it's okay to ***k up.You can read more about the BC wines we talk about at this blog post. Connect with Leeann on Instagram and at Town Hall Brands.Books Leeann loves: My Family and Other Animals (Gerald Durrell)Leeann's #GetThrifty tips: Clothing swaps with friendsBuy second-hand clothesJoin a wine club for the discount and special wine perks! ~ Please take a moment to rate and review the episode, so more women can see this podcast in their feed and I can continue to curate girl talk about the things you want and need to know about. Thanks for listening and see you next week!

This week's guest is my chiropractor in Vancouver, Dr. Genieve Burley. She has helped me a lot with my spine and is such a good soul. We chat about spine health, plant-based eating as a physically active person and how everyone can do their part to create a more sustainable world. She also shares how yoga helped her to overcome post-partum anxiety and evolve her chiropractic practice.Technology gremlins made it so that we had to re-record the first half of our conversation, but it just meant that we had another good chat. (Thank you for dialling in from your holiday, Genieve. I appreciate your time and friendship!)And as soon as she sends me her mushroom miso gravy (hello!) recipe, I'll be sure to post it here and on social.Connect with Genieve on Instagram and at her website. If you're in Vancouver, you can book a chiropractor appointment with her at Be Chiropractic Wellness in Yaletown.Books Genieve loves: Breaking The Habit of Being Yourself: How to Lose Your Mind and Create a New One (Dr. Joe Dispenza)Born to Run (Christopher McDougall)Genieve's #GetThrifty tips: Get back to using cash (so you have more awareness of your money)Make your lunchBuy second-hand clothesExperiences over things ~ Please take a moment to rate and review the episode, so more women can see this podcast in their feed and I can continue to curate girl talk about the things you want and need to know about. Thanks for listening and see you next week!

Just in time for the holidays, holistic nutritionist Dana Green Remedios is on the podcast this week. We chat about not feeling guilty about indulging, healthifying favourite holiday foods (which Dana does with this gravy), different food mentalities around the world, and why we need to celebrate food and eat in a way that's going to nourish us.Dana also drops a truth bomb about menopause (which we all need to know, because it's coming, eventually!) I hope you get as much out of this episode as I did.Connect with Dana on Instagram and at the Healthy Wealthy Habits site and Facebook group. To book Dana's nutrition concierge service, click here.Books Dana loves: Cook Once, Eat All Week (Cassy Joy Garcia)Bats Sing, Mice Giggle: The Surprising Science of Animals' Inner Lives (Karen Shanor and Jagmeet Kanwal)Dana's #GetThrifty tips: Cook your foodMake and bring your lunchMeal prep helps you save money Cheaper to buy bone-in chickenMake soupAlso, happy early Thanksgiving to all the listeners in the US and to my American friends and family!~ Please take a moment to rate and review the episode, so more women can see this podcast in their feed and I can continue to curate girl talk about the things you want and need to know about. Thanks for listening and see you next week!

This week's episode has the hostess in the hot seat! In a little role reversal, acupuncturist Mika Ennis, came back on the podcast to interview me and have Libra ramble. I may have a podcast, but it was very nerve-wracking to be on the other side. (Even if it was my idea for me to do an episode!)We talk about why I started the podcast, how feelings play a part in everything in our lives (even when we don't want them to), and I get candid about my journeys through a divorce and paying off debt. I also share some work-from-home productivity tips and why I never eat lunch at my desk.Some books I'm loving lately:Girl, Stop Apologizing (Rachel Hollis)Meet Me in Monaco (Hazel Gaynor, Heather Webb) #GetThrifty tips:Know what your spending priorities are.Know what you earn and what you're spending.Do inventory before you grocery shop or go buy clothes.Seasonal closet rotation (so you know what you have, what you need, do you REALLY need to buy anything?)The Gaia yoga app We talked about my paying off all my debt. You can read journey to become debt-free here or watch the commercial here. If you need help with paying off you debt, reach out to the Credit Counselling Society of Canada -- I'm proof you can become debt-free! (Not sponsored. I just want you to be debt-free. too!) ~ If you like what we had to say, please rate and review the episode, so I can continue to curate some girl talk about the things you want and need to know about. Thanks for listening and see you next week!