The Honest Talk

Miscarriage is something so many women experience, yet it's still one of the conversations we struggle to have out loud. In this episode of The Honest Talk podcast, we sit down with Dr. Sunita Lal to answer the questions so many women have but don't always know who to ask. We talk about what actually causes a miscarriage, the signs that shouldn't be ignored, what recovery can look like, and why th...

We’re heading courtside with Reetu Gupta for this episode! She is an entrepreneur, hospitality leader, and part owner of the brand new Toronto Tempo, one of the newest teams in the WNBA, the world’s premier professional women’s basketball league. In this conversation, we get into her career journey, what it’s really been like building across hospitality and community, and w...

Fitness advice is everywhere, but for women juggling careers, families, caregiving responsibilities, and everything else life throws their way, knowing where to start – or how to keep going – can feel overwhelming. That's why we're excited to have Kim Lavender , Vice President of Group Experiences at GoodLife Fitness, joining us on the podcast. With more than two decades at G...

In this episode, we’re sitting down with Amanda Lindhout – a Canadian journalist whose life story is as gripping as it is inspiring. Amanda has always been driven by a deep curiosity about the world, and that curiosity took her to some of the most volatile places on earth. But in 2008, while working in Somalia, her life changed completely when she was kidnapped and held captive fo...

Ahead of Mother’s Day, Jen and Catherine sit down with two of the most important women in their lives for a very special conversation – their moms! Both trailblazing lawyers, Maureen McTeer and Jane Wilson make their podcast debut to share candid reflections on motherhood, career ambition, and what it was really like raising kids while building groundbreaking careers – including...

From the very beginning of The Honest Talk, Air Canada has been more than a partner; they’ve helped us reach new heights. In this episode, Jen and Catherine sit down with a woman who is helping shape the future of that company from the inside. Christianna Scott, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, joins us to talk about leading with empathy, driving meaningful change at scale, and w...

Today on the podcast, we’re chatting with Tania Yan, the founder of Olive & Piper! You may know the jewellery brand, but what you might not know is the story behind it – the risks, the long nights, the creative decisions… and yes, the boiled cabbage (we’ll explain!). Tania built Olive & Piper with an eye for design, but also with patience, discipline, and a deep un...

This week on The Honest Talk podcast: Jessica Holmes ! Comedian, entertainer, and powerhouse of honesty, resilience, and self-acceptance. She’s opened for legends like Ellen DeGeneres, Jerry Seinfeld, Oprah, and Russell Peters – and brought down the house at our 2025 Women’s Summit with her wit, warmth, and yes…her singing chops (and cheerleading pom-poms). Jessica blends...

Today on The Honest Talk, we’re joined by a woman whose leadership carries real weight, not just in title, but in responsibility. General Jennie Carignan is Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff, the first woman to ever hold the role. She now leads the Canadian Armed Forces at a moment of global instability, shifting alliances, and growing expectations about Canada’s role in the wo...

On this episode, we sit down with Mandy Gull-Masty , Canada’s Federal Minister of Indigenous Services – and a leader whose approach to politics is deeply rooted in community, tradition, and opening doors for the next generation. We get into the realities of being a woman in politics, and how those challenges can be even more intense for Indigenous and diverse women. It’s an hones...

From championing women’s voices to shaping strategic growth at one of Canada’s largest financial institutions, RBC senior executive Sue Noble joins The Honest Talk for a powerful conversation about leadership, resilience, and purpose. Sue shares how she built her career in finance by trusting her voice, advocating for women in business, and staying grounded in vision – offering r...

Feeling intimidated by money? You’re not alone. Today, we’re talking with Melissa Leong , a financial expert, author, and media personality who’s on a mission to help people talk about money without fear, judgment, or shame. Melissa breaks down complex financial conversations, challenges outdated ideas, and shows us that financial confidence isn’t about perfection – i...

It’s a new year check-in with Jen and Catherine! They look back on a big year for The Honest Talk, talk honestly about what’s ahead, and share what they’re choosing to bring – and leave behind – in 2026.

Today we’re joined by Emma May, a founder who didn’t set out to build a company – but ended up creating one out of necessity. As CEO of SophieGrace, she’s grown a brand born from a deeply personal experience into a trusted name for women who want workwear that’s both stylish and incredibly comfortable. Her journey shows what entrepreneurship really looks like: uncerta...

We’re thrilled to welcome a true powerhouse in leadership and community impact to the podcast – Devinder Gill. As RBC’s Regional President for Ontario North and East, Devinder brings both heart and strategy to everything she does. She’s a passionate advocate for diversity, empowerment, and breaking down the barriers that keep voices out of the room. We’ve had the chan...

In this episode, we sit down with someone who redefines what it means to be bold, brilliant, and unapologetically driven. You may know Manjit Minhas as the powerhouse investor on Dragons’ Den , but long before the cameras, she was disrupting an entire industry at just 19 years old – co-founding Minhas Breweries, Distilleries and Wineries and growing it into one of North America’s...

Today we’re talking to  Jill Heinerth  – a world-renowned underwater explorer, filmmaker, author, and an accomplished cave diver. As an  Explorer-in-Residence with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society , Jill has ventured into places no human has ever seen: iceberg caves in Antarctica, volcanic lava tubes beneath the ocean, and some of the planet’s deepest,...

What does survival really mean – in the wilderness, in motherhood, and in life? In this episode, Claire Cameron, author of books like How to Survive a Bear Attack and The Last Neanderthal , shares the experiences that shaped her: from a bear attack in Algonquin Park to a cancer diagnosis and the life-changing intensity of childbirth. She talks about facing fear, finding strength in unexpecte...

We’re thrilled to welcome Sinead King , president of Vancouver Rise FC, to the show! From leading one of the first clubs in the Northern Super League to advocating for inclusive spaces in sports, Sinead is driving real change in women’s soccer. Tune in as she shares her journey, what excites her about the future of the game, and how she’s helping shape a lasting legacy for women...

Today on The Honest Talk, we’re joined by a woman who’s shaping the future of business in Canada: Candace Laing, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. From her roots on the Prairies to the boardrooms of some of Canada’s most influential organizations, Candace has built her career on a thoughtful, people-first approach to leadership. She’s a big-picture thinker with a deep understa...

Today, we’re joined by Erin Elofson, President of Mastercard in Canada, and a powerhouse leader whose career spans major global companies like Pinterest, Meta, and Microsoft. She has built a remarkable path in industries where women are still underrepresented and has become a fierce advocate for women leading on their own terms. We’ll dive into her passion for purpose-driven work, the mindsets tha...

Today’s guest is no stranger to making waves – both inside and outside the House of Commons. Melissa Lantsman, Member of Parliament for Thornhill and Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, is known for her straight talk, quick wit, and unflagging energy. Before stepping into the political spotlight, Melissa was a powerhouse behind the scenes, shaping national conversations as a top pol...

Today's guest is the kind of woman who doesn’t just break glass ceilings – she crushes them under her combat boots. Lieutenant-General Lise Bourgon is a trailblazer in uniform, and was one of the highest-ranking women in the Canadian Armed Forces. She is a true pioneer, and her career is a testament to discipline, resilience, and the power of purposeful leadership. She has spent her life breaking...

In this episode of The Honest Talk, we’re switching things up – no personality profile, no spotlight interview. Instead, we’re having a conversation about conversations. It’s a delicate time in history. Tension, volatility, and change seem to surround us – at home, at work, and in our social circles. How do we stay connected when we disagree? And how do we bridge divides in ways that are respectfu...

Today on the show, we’re joined by a trailblazer in Canadian politics – Christy Clark. Christy made history as the 35th premier of British Columbia and became the first woman in the province to be elected premier by the people. Though she’s stepped away from active politics, she hasn’t stepped out of public life. In this episode, we dive into her journey through political leadership, what it was l...