Brick x Brick: Navigating Real Estate, Finances, and Life for Women

In this episode of Brick x Brick, Roxann Klepper dives into the realities of acreage living, guiding listeners through everything you need to know before making the move from city life to the countryside. From understanding zoning and unique property quirks to navigating water sources, septic systems, and distance from town, Roxann breaks down the practical considerations that many buyers overlook...

In this heartfelt episode of Brick x Brick, host Roxann Klepper tackles the emotional side of downsizing—not the HGTV version with shiny new condos, but the real process of letting go of a home filled with decades of memories. Joined by professional organizer Deneen of Simplified Living, Roxann dives into the practical and emotional challenges of sorting through a lifetime of belongings, from sent...

In this episode of Brick x Brick, Roxann Klepper sits down with skincare experts Janelle and Jordana to cut through the noise around breakouts, products, and injectables. From the truth about drugstore vs. medical-grade skincare to myths about moisturizers, trendy treatments, and when (or if) Botox makes sense, this conversation is all about real advice you can trust. With personal stories, profes...

In this episode of Brick x Brick, Roxann Klepper tackles the all-too-relatable feeling of outgrowing the home you love. Joined by mortgage broker Arlene DeMars and renovation expert Mindy Smythe of KCB Cabinets, Roxann explores how families can leverage home equity to move up without overextending, and how smart renovations can transform dated spaces into functional, beautiful homes. From financin...

In this episode of Brick x Brick, Roxann Klepper breaks down everything you need to know about basement suites in Red Deer—also known as house suites or secondary suites. With low housing inventory and high rental demand, these suites are more popular than ever. Roxann clarifies the difference between legal suites, legal non-conforming suites, and illegal suites, outlining essential features like...

In this episode of Brick x Brick, Roxann Klepper is joined by Angela Gray, an investment advisor with RBC Wealth Management, to discuss personal finance in light of current economic uncertainties. They dive into practical tips for managing debt, prioritizing payments, and understanding the differences between types of debt such as mortgages, student loans, and credit cards. Angela emphasizes the i...

In this episode of Brick x Brick, Roxann Klepper sits down with Lindsay, a certified consulting hypnotist and co-owner of Hypnosis for Health and Happiness in Red Deer. Lindsay shares her powerful personal journey into hypnosis, which began after surviving a life-threatening stroke that left her struggling with anxiety and PTSD. When traditional treatments failed, hypnosis helped her heal, leading...

In this episode of the Brick x Brick Podcast, we dive into the essential steps to get top dollar for your home this spring. Preparing your home takes time, so starting early is key—decluttering, depersonalizing, and tackling small repairs can significantly impact your sale. Curb appeal, deep cleaning, and staging help buyers see the home's full potential, while good lighting and neutral tones...

Kelsey, a physiotherapist specializing in pelvic floor health, joins Roxann Klepper on this episode of Brick x Brick to shed light on an often-overlooked aspect of wellness. Pelvic health goes beyond just doing Kegels—it’s essential for bladder and bowel function, core stability, and overall well-being at all life stages, from postpartum to menopause and even in children. Kelsey breaks down common...

In this episode of Brick x Brick, Roxann Klepper sits down with Sam from Rewind Wellness to dive into a topic most people avoid—gut health and colon hydrotherapy. They discuss the importance of regular colon cleansing, the differences between traditional colonoscopy prep and hydrotherapy, and how detoxing properly can improve digestion, boost immunity, and even help with parasite cleansing. Sam sh...

In this episode of Brick x Brick, host Roxann Klepper sits down with longtime Red Deer resident and dedicated volunteer Valdene Callin. Since 1997, Valdene has devoted countless hours to local organizations, from the Red Deer Public Library and Urban Spirits Rotary Club to 100 Women Who Care and Dress for Success. Together, they discuss the critical role volunteers play in supporting nonprofits, t...

On this episode of Brick x Brick, host Roxann Klepper breaks down Red Deer's new zoning bylaws and what they mean for homeowners, buyers, and investors. With changes to secondary suites (now called house suites), backyard suites, and duplex zoning, the city is creating more flexible housing options while maintaining neighborhood balance. Roxann covers key updates, including rental opportunitie...

Welcome back to Brick by Brick, where we empower women to navigate real estate, life, and finances confidently. I’m your host, Roxann Klepper, a real estate expert and advocate for women’s success. Today, I’m thrilled to welcome Dr. Esnielle Brooks, a family physician and founder of the Menopause Clinic in Red Deer and the Global Menopause Network. A certified Menopause Society Practitioner, Dr. B...

In this episode of Brick x Brick, host Roxann Klepper speaks with mortgage expert Arlene from Turning Point Financial, who brings over four decades of industry experience. They discuss the dramatic fluctuations in mortgage rates since 2020, their impact on homeowners and buyers, and the challenges of navigating today’s market. Arlene provides insights into the year-over-year changes in fixed and v...

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Brick X Brick in2025! Hosted by Roxann Klepper, this episode dives into a recap of 2024's real estate landscape, exploring the trends, surprises, and market dynamics that defined the year in Alberta, particularly in Red Deer. With sales volume slightly down but still significantly higher than five years ago, Roxann breaks down the reasons behind the numbers—low...

In this special holiday episode of Brick x Brick, join host Roxann Klepper and guest realtor Kim Fox for a lighthearted and hilarious conversation about the quirks and chaos of showing homes. From frozen doors and unexpected encounters to peculiar rooms and bizarre inspections, Roxann and Kim share their funniest, creepiest, and most unforgettable experiences in real estate. Whether it's naked hom...

In this episode of Brick x Brick, Roxann Klepper is joined by Carissa Notland, founder of Condolyzers, a company specializing in condominium document reviews. Carissa shares her journey from working in property management to identifying a critical need for condo review services in Central Alberta, leading her to establish her business in 2011. The conversation dives deep into the condo buying proc...

In this insightful episode of Brick by Brick, host Roxann Klepper dives into the often-misunderstood world of condominiums. Starting with the fundamentals, she clarifies that a condo is not a building style but a form of ownership, and explains key concepts like unit factors, condo fees, and reserve funds. Roxann addresses common misconceptions, like the idea that condo living eliminates maintenan...

In this episode of Brick x Brick, Roxann Klepper sits down with Sarah Astles, an experienced mortgage broker from The Mortgage Group, to dive into the world of credit. Sarah explains the importance of credit in securing loans, mortgages, and other financial opportunities, emphasizing how a strong credit history demonstrates trustworthiness to lenders. From understanding credit scores—ranging from...

In this episode of Brick x Brick, host Roxann Klepper dives into the topic of stress—something that impacts everyone, especially during the hectic holiday season. Reflecting on her own struggles with stress management, Roxann brings in Tammy Prince, a certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) facilitator in Red Deer & Central Alberta, to shed light on practical ways to cope. Tammy sh...

In this episode of Brick x Brick , host Roxann Klepper dives into personal stories and insights on women’s health, discussing the challenges many face with persistent health issues that are often dismissed or misdiagnosed. Sharing her own experience with symptoms like exhaustion, low iron, and hormonal imbalances, Roxann explores her journey through both traditional and functional medicine approac...

In this episode of Brick X Brick, host Roxann Klepper explores the unique advantages of buying a home during the winter in Red Deer/Central Alberta. She highlights the benefits of reduced competition and motivated sellers, noting how buyers may find better deals and less pressure in the colder months. Roxanne also covers the challenges of winter home inspections, such as limited outdoor visibility...

In this episode of Brick x Brick, special guest Kari Lotzien shares her expertise on time management, especially for women juggling busy schedules with work, family, and personal goals. Kari, a business and leadership coach and founder of Be the Anchor, offers an insightful approach to managing time by embracing our natural energy rhythms. Instead of simply pushing for productivity, she guides lis...

In this episode of Brick x Brick , Roxann Klepper shares her personal financial journey, emphasizing the importance of saving early. She opens with a Warren Buffett quote: "Do not save what's left after spending, but spend what's left after saving." Reflecting on her younger years, Roxann discusses how setting up automatic savings through direct debit, even with a small income, was one of the best...

In this episode of Brick by Brick , host Roxann Klepper dives into the concept of being "mortgage poor" and how to avoid it. She explains how easy it is to get caught up in the excitement of buying a home based on a high pre approval amount, but emphasizes the importance of sticking to a realistic budget. Roxann encourages listeners to track every expense for a month to ensure they’re not overstre...