The Honest Talk

We're stepping into the sultry, smoky world of jazz in this episode — and who better to guide us than the incomparable Holly Cole? Known for her distinctive voice and unforgettable style, Holly has been captivating audiences in Canada and around the world for decades. Join us as we sit down with this iconic artist to talk music, creativity, and the magic of making a song your own.

Canada's Nicole Havrda is burning up the race track for F1 Academy here at home, but also right around the world. She is a rising force in motor sport, she's a young driver, she's very fast, and she is breaking expectations for women in racing. At just 19, she's already making headlines, and we're so excited to have Nicole joining us on The Honest Talk podcast!

From starting out at RBC to becoming Executive VP and Head of Private Banking, Kim Mason has climbed the corporate ladder with purpose – and more than a few reinventions along the way. She’s been named one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women, a Top 50 CEO by Atlantic Business Magazine, and one of Canada’s Top 25 Women of Influence. In this episode, Kim joins us to talk about career growth, what reinve...

Meghan Roach may just have one of the coolest jobs in Canada. She's the president and CEO of Roots, the iconic Canadian brand, which is known for its leather, its cabin vibes and the timeless sweats we all grew up loving. But she is more than just a fashion CEO. She's actually a small town girl from Pembroke, Ontario who became one of the youngest female CEOs of a publicly traded company in Canada...

Today on the podcast, we're joined by a truly fascinating guest — Marcy Grossman, Canada’s first female Jewish ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. Marcy’s career in diplomacy is impressive on its own, but what makes her story even more compelling is where it began — in a jail. And no, not in the way you might think. We first met Marcy in Montreal and were immediately struck by her honesty, hum...

Jen and Catherine are back for another catch-up episode! In today’s chat, they reflect on a busy week in Toronto, from election night insights to attending a cut-throat Sens vs. Leafs hockey game. They also dive into the growing momentum behind women’s professional sports in Canada, shifting perceptions of women’s bodies in sport, and how cultural expectations are evolving for the next generation....

Women’s sports are having a moment – and in Canada, that momentum is only growing. From the rise of women’s hockey to the launch of a brand-new professional soccer league, the game is changing fast. In this episode, we sit down with Christina Litz, president of the Northern Super League, who’s leading the charge to bring pro women’s soccer to cities across Canada.

Jen and Catherine are back — and it’s officially Women’s Summit season! In this episode, they chat about the thrill of launch day, big-name speakers, and why they’re so excited about this year’s event. They also get candid about the upcoming Canadian election, what the polling says about the gender divide, and how they’re each navigating the emotional rollercoaster of today’s world (spoiler: quirk...

Today, we're having a conversation with a woman who had a trailblazing career in politics: Kathleen Wynne! She served as a school trustee and a Provincial Parliament and cabinet member before she was elected Ontario's first and only female Premier. In her conversation with Jen and Catherine, she gets candid about setbacks, progress, and why she still believes in public service despite rising misog...

Our special guest for this episode is Demetra Streda, who has had a long career with RBC. In her discussion with Jen and Catherine, she opens up about the power of finding your passion, igniting your curiosity, and taking risks in your career. She also talks about how she found herself working in finance, the importance of self-trust, and how she learned to be comfortable with the uncomfortable.

The world feels especially unpredictable right now – wars, political shifts, financial instability. But even in this uncertainty, more women than ever are stepping up and launching businesses. So, what does it take to succeed as a woman founder today? How do you navigate challenges like being the only woman in the room during a pitch or securing funding in a male-dominated space? To help answer th...

For so many of us, Jeanne Beker was our window into the world of high fashion. She took us behind the scenes at major runway shows, inside designer showrooms, and into conversations with the biggest names in the industry—both on the catwalk and in the front row. Now, Jeanne is sharing her own personal stories in her new book, Heart on My Sleeve, a memoir told through the clothes and accessories in...

Jenna Sudds’ career has spanned public service, municipal leadership, and now federal politics. She’s been a dedicated advocate for families, economic growth, and building strong, inclusive communities. But as a woman in politics, she also faces the harsh realities of online hostility, intense scrutiny, and the disproportionate aggression directed at women in leadership. In this conversation, we’l...

Arielle Meloul is Canada’s largest airline’s Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer and Public Affairs. She’s been recognized as one of Canada’s 100 most powerful women in business and is responsible for over 35,000 employees at Air Canada, where she’s also helping to bolster the future of Women in Aviation. We are thrilled to have Arielle with us on The Honest Talk today!

How would you feel about living on Mars? For some, the idea of 300 days in isolation might sound daunting. For others, like today’s guest, it’s a challenge worth embracing. Dr. Kelly Haston is no stranger to adventure. As the commander of NASA’s first Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog, or CHAPEA, she spent 378 days inside a 3D-printed habitat that mimicked life on Mars. Today, she’s s...

Today is going to be different here on The Honest Talk. Usually, you’re accustomed to hearing a guest on the podcast, but today, Jen and Catherine decided that they would end 2024 with a little conversation about the year that was – because it has been quite a year. They also wanted to make sure that you – our audience and our listeners – know just how grateful we are that you are a part of this j...

Kris Depencier has been immersed in the financial world for almost her entire career, working her way through the ranks at RBC to become Executive Vice President, Regional Banking, Personal. But Kris’ dedication to helping clients achieve financial stability and success is matched by her deep investment in making positive change for all. She has consistently worked to create safe, inclusive workpl...

Jenn has had quite a journey from starting the company as a side hustle in her basement to seeing her products sold in Sephora stores across Canada and JCPenney stores in the United States. She’s been on Dragon’s Den and has big plans for the future. She joined us for this exciting episode of The Honest Talk to tell us all about it.

It may come as a surprise that, in 2024, we are still having conversations about gender equality. But, the truth is that equality remains an illusion for many women. In this latest episode of The Honest Talk podcast, best-selling author and award-winning journalist Elizabeth Renzetti joins Jen and Catherine to better understand why. For years, Liz worked for the Globe and Mail, where she was a rep...

On this episode of The Honest Talk podcast, Jennifer and Catherine sit down with Chinyere Eni. Not only is she Head of RBC Origins, but she’s also had a really interesting career path, which has seen her embrace her own heritage while creating an inclusive professional space for others along the way. She also has an incredible personal story. She’s overcome cancer and an amputation, and we all hav...

Since she was a little girl, Mitzie Hunter has used her voice to make a big difference. Whether around the kitchen table with her three brothers, working with community organizations, or later at Ontario’s provincial cabinet table, Mitzie has always focused on solutions. Recently, Mitzie was appointed president and CEO of the Canadian Women’s Foundation, Canada’s public foundation for gender justi...

In this episode, Jen and Catherine chat with Vinita Savani, who has moved her way up the ranks at RBC since starting with Canada’s largest bank in 1997. Not only has Vinita stayed with RBC ever since, but she’s now their Senior Vice President of Personal Lending and Auto Finance. Along the way, she’s learned how to use her voice, mentor others, and be mentored. She’s established boundaries that ha...

Penny Wise has had a truly distinguished career. From taking on the role of President of 3M Canada to returning to the U.S. to lead the organization’s global public policy and communications effort—and tirelessly advocating for women every step of the way—she is a force in the business community. She joined us at The Honest Talk to discuss women in leadership, how empathy can create a better workf...

Our special guest for this episode is Natasha Holiday, Co-Head & Managing Director of Infrastructure (East) at RBC Capital Markets. Throughout our conversation, she offers invaluable insights on everything from navigating male-dominated industries to becoming a mom while maintaining a fast-paced, demanding career.  Tune in to this latest episode of The Honest Talk to hear Natasha’s candid reflecti...

Sophie Grégoire Trudeau has definitely got high name recognition, and she uses it for causes that make a difference for women too, which is something that a lot of women admire about her. She's invested in equality, mental health, and youth empowerment. And now she's entering a really fascinating period in her life, a period of both joy and healing. She's about to release a much-anticipated book c...