Renegade Conversations

As a child Shelly Elsliger lost her voice to a bully. As an adult, she awoke that silence to become an advocate and powerful force against bullying on LinkedIn. She has become an agent of change focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. Join guest Shelly and I (Meryl Cook, host and creator of Renegade Conversations) for this vulnerable, positive, renegade conversation. And wait until you see her...

My next guest is Lil MacPherson, a woman who has done many things, all with a common thread of improving the earth and the food we eat. And she has even run for political office, not once but twice. She is a successful entrepreneur and sought after advocate and speaker. Welcome to Renegade Conversations! This is Season Four, Episode 23. Join Lil and I (host Meryl Cook) for this energetic and heart...

My next guest is bringing a breath of fresh air and her whole unapologetic self to everything she does. And we have the most amazing wild woman connection. I can’t wait for you to meet her. Welcome to Season Four, Episode 22 of Renegade Conversations. Sophie Bretag  is the CEO and Founder of Metta Leaders. She blends her extensive HR and Emotional Intelligence expertise with Happiness Coaching, Po...

The first word that comes to mind when I think of today's guest is brave. Liz LeClair is a fundraising professional who has spoken out about sexual harassment in the fundraising and non-profit sectors, at great personal cost to herself. Welcome to Season Four, Episode 21 of Renegade Conversations! In 2019, Liz published an op-ed with the Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) about her experience bei...

My next guest is an artist, anti-capitalist business consultant and social justice educator. Welcome to Season Four, Episode 20 of Renegade Conversations. Join Bear Hebert and I (host Meryl Cook) for this very insightful conversation. I hadn't known very much about anti-capitalist business before my friend ⁠Anita Kirkbride⁠ (who is an anti-hero social media consultant) suggested I should conne...

I must admit to being somewhat starstruck by this next guest. Dr. Julie Macfarlane is an advocate for access to justice and for survivors of sexual violence. She has written seven books, including Going Public , a vulnerable account of her fight back from an early history of sexual violence. Join Julie and I for this stellar conversation, where she talks about not quite understanding why speaking...

Are you taking a road trip this summer? Be sure to download this and other episodes of Renegade Conversations - The Summer Road Trip Edition to listen to on the road, at the beach, or even on your back deck! When my guest today interviewed for her current position as President and Vice-Chancellor of Mount Saint Vincent University, it was one of the first times she didn’t feel disadvantaged by bein...

Are you taking a road trip this summer? Be sure to download this and other episodes of Renegade Conversations - The Summer Road Trip Edition to listen to on the road, at the beach, or even on your back deck! My guest today is Dr. Kristin Williams, a polemical feminist whose specialty is uncovering neglected historical female figures. I had to look up the meaning of the word polemical, which means...

My guest today is funny, engaging and calls it as she sees it. She has overcome many challenges, which she shares in a practical, no holds barred way. Hold onto your seats and get ready to be inspired. Welcome to Renegade Conversations. Season Three, Episode 16. Debbie Adams has been challenging assumptions for more than 4 decades. She was one of the first cohorts of women to become a mechanic in...

Join Corinne and I for a lively discussion of how she has always been a quiet renegade, the impact of  'soul sucking' situations, and how Corinne stepped away from a promising but not fulfilling law career to carve her own path as an entrepreneur that serves small businesses. Season Three, Episode 15. My guest today is a lawyer who has transformed the way she practices law, a hockey player...

My guest today is an indigenous chef, restauranteur, unstoppable entrepreneur and remarkable woman. Jenna White's philosophy is simple yet profound: food brings people to the table and creates a doorway to experience the vibrant diversity of cultures. I love that Jenna says you can make life work for you and "you have the ability to turn adversity into opportunity". Join us for this...

Join Dr. Mayann Francis and I as we talk about barriers broken, her strategic mindset and the many firsts she accomplished in her distinguished career. Season Two, Episode 13 of Renegade Conversations. My guest today was the first African Nova Scotian and second woman to be appointed as the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia.  She is the second African Canadian to be appointed Lieutenant Governor...

Join guest Cynthia Kinnunen and host and creator Meryl Cook for this wide ranging and insightful conversation about women in midlife, and the role of music in forming a new identity and sense of purpose at this life stage. Discover how Cynthia's life is like a birch tree and hear her advice for women wanting to embrace more of their inner wild selves. Cynthia Kinnunen is passionate about the r...

Juanita Peters is an actor, film and stage director, playwright and more. And host Meryl Cook admits to having a bit of a fan girl crush on her for being one of the directors of the award-winning series Diggstown. Join host Meryl Cook and guest Juanita Peters for this fearless and fun renegade conversation. Learn what Juanita has to say about being a creator and the advice she has for other women...

Join host Meryl Cook and Rosmarie Lohnes as we delve into topics such as what led Rosmarie to taking the word landscaping out of her business title, her experiences of being a female expert in a male dominated industry and how stepping into the role of a renegade was "like a string pulling me into the universe". Season Two, Episode 10 of Renegade Conversations. Rosmarie Lohnes is an Ecol...

Tia Upshaw is an author, serial entrepreneur, mentor, motivational speaker and more. We recently sat down to have a Renegade Conversation that was heart warming, inspiring, fun and authentic. Tia Upshaw is a dynamic force, blending roles as a devoted mother, accomplished author, and serial entrepreneur. Balancing the demands of raising three children, Tia says she draws inspiration from their expe...

Maddie Kertay is the BadAss Quilter, outspoken advocate for making the quilting space a diverse and welcoming space for all.  When she is not caring for critical care neonatal kittens, or rebuilding old houses herself you can find her online or at local shows and trade events fostering community for liberal quilters, sewists and crafts people.  Maddie is the mother of 6, grandmother of 1, owner of...

Join host Meryl Cook and guest Nancy Regan for this rollicking Renegade Conversation, filled with heart felt stories and moments of synchronicity and joy. You'll be glad you did! Podcast hosting, MCing, and Presentation Coaching. She recently released her first book From Showing Off to Showing Up, an open and vulnerable account of her experience with Impostor Syndrome and perfectionism, and he...

When my guest today interviewed for her current position as President and Vice-Chancellor of Mount Saint Vincent University, it was one of the first times she didn’t feel disadvantaged by being openly part of the queer community. Join host Meryl Cook and guest Dr. Joël Dickinson for this straightforward, warm and engaging renegade conversation. Welcome to Season Three, Episode 18 of Renegade Conve...

Jenn Salib Huber is a trail blazer! Her social media posts often begin with "Now this may be an unpopular opinion ...". She's not afraid to speak out, to question the status quo and to be a leader and innovator. Join host Meryl Cook and guest Jenn Salib Huber for this Renegade Conversation about body positivity in midlife and beyond, and ditching the diet culture and more. You won&#3...

April DeConick is an award-winning textile artist and professor of the study of religion at Rice University (Houston, Texas).  After decades of writing about mysticism and gnosticism, she has found that words often are inadequate to communicate the deepest aspects of reality. She has turned to art to communicate what cannot be said in words, what must be experienced and felt first-hand about who w...

My guest today is Dr. Kristin Williams, a polemical feminist whose specialty is uncovering neglected historical female figures. I had to look up the meaning of the word polemical, which means expressing a strongly critical attack on or controversial opinion about someone or something. I loved learning how Kristin expresses her controversial opinions as a feminist scholar in a school of business an...

Jennifer Gillivan, CEO of the IWK Foundation, is a delight. In this wide ranging and truly insightful conversation, Jennifer shares her perspective on midlife and beyond women (we are just getting started), her passion for improving the health of women through better, unbiased research, how to be a renegade and more. Her advice to midlife women and beyond? "This is our best time (like uncorki...

Stephanie didn't think she was a Renegade initially, but when it comes to speaking out and going for what you want and know is right, she fits the bill. She tells the story of her harrowing escape with her family from Laos at the age of four and her career as a specialist in Asian peace and conflict studies. Find out why Stephanie says all refugees are renegades in this inspiring and eye openi...

Welcome to Renegade Conversations. Season Three, Episode 16. My guest today is funny, engaging and calls it as she sees it. She has overcome many challenges, which she shares in a practical, no holds barred way. Hold onto your seats and get ready to be inspired. Debbie Adams has been challenging assumptions for more than 4 decades. She was one of the first cohorts of women to become a mechanic in...