The Real Talk

Missy MacKintosh’s journey from makeup artist to entrepreneur was anything but linear. In this episode, she reflects on the risks behind building MisMacK and Sports Colour Cosmetics, the challenges of innovating in Canada’s clean beauty space, and what perseverance and leadership have looked like along the way. This episode is brought to you by @storyhive Instagram - @itstherealtalkpod Facebook -...

Celiac disease is often misunderstood, but for Alison, it changed every part of her life. In this episode, Alison opens up about her late diagnosis, navigating chronic illness while working in professional kitchens, and the realities of living gluten free. This is an open conversation about health, resilience, and starting over. This episode is brought to you by @storyhive Instagram - @itstherealt...

Today’s episode is all about grit and adventure. Teesha shares the story of her solo bike packing trip from Vancouver to her hometown of Vernon, BC. How casual riding turned into everyday transportation, the cycling community that supported her, and how she prepared for the ride of a lifetime. This episode is brought to you by @storyhive Instagram - @itstherealtalkpod Facebook - https://www.facebo...

Since the legalization of cannabis in Canada, addiction to the substance has rarely been part of the conversation. In this episode, our guest Nadia shares her personal journey with cannabis addiction. From the moment she realized she needed help, to navigating the treatment process, and how choosing recovery ultimately changed her life. Instagram - @itstherealtalkpod Facebook - https://www.faceboo...

Today, we’re joined by community advocate Kris Fuller. From classrooms, to community service, and her own empowering business ventures, Kris has dedicated her life to helping others. After the loss of her husband, Kris faced profound grief. Instead of allowing tragedy to define her, she used her experience to fuel purpose. Kris shares her journey through loss, rebuilding a life with intention, and...

Isabella, a young queer individual from Vernon, BC, shares their struggles living with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, an invisible chronic illness. We will explore what EDS is, the diagnosis process, how they manage all aspects of life with a chronic illness, and gender identity in our medical system. Isabella dives into how complex an invisible illness can be and the importance of advocating for oneself...

How would you feel if you uncovered a huge family secret that kept your true identity from you? In this episode, Lauralee shares her journey of discovering her indigenous identity. Together, we dive into this emotional episode, uncovering her family history, how she reclaims her cultural identity, and her plans to honour and educate others. This episode is brought to you by STORYHIVE Instagram - @...

We start our second season with Harwinder Sandhu, the Vernon - Monashee MLA. Harwinder opens up about her life story, her triumphs and struggles. From immigrating to Northern BC from India, having a thriving career in nursing, losing her first husband to cancer, becoming a widow and single mother at age 29, and embracing her life experiences to find the courage to run for MLA. Get to know Harwinde...

In this episode, we sit down with William and Maria, a married couple from Colombia, to hear about their incredible immigration journey. They share why they left Colombia, their experience navigating the immigration process, and what brought them to Vernon, BC. We also dive into their reflections on building a new life, fitting into the community, and their exciting plans for the future. #immigrat...

In this episode, we sit down with Dawn Tucker, an educator and advocate, to discuss their journey growing up queer in a small town, the importance of representation, and their work supporting queer youth. From creating safe spaces and alliances in schools to founding a local pride committee and navigating local politics. Join us for an honest conversation about identity, community, and change. Ins...

In this episode, we have Benton, a transgender man, and his partner Robyn, a queer Christian, explore their personal journeys and relationship. Benton shares his experiences with transitioning to male, gender-confirming surgery, recovery, and navigating gender dysphoria, while Robyn provides insight into balancing faith and identity. Together, they discuss the unique challenges and growth within t...

In this episode, Courtney shares her journey as a woman in the male dominated forestry world. From facing down stereotypes and isolation in logging camps to finding confidence and breaking barriers. Tune in for her inspiring story of grit, growth, and redefining forestry for the next generation. This episode is brought to you by @storyhive Instagram - @itstherealtalkpod Facebook - https://www.face...

Join us as we talk with Aidan about her challenging upbringing, navigating instability, and finding her way through adversity. Aidan shares how her childhood shaped her and the moment she decided to break the cycle for her own daughters. She reflects on the impact of motherhood, her journey to sobriety, and her pursuit of a fitness career. A powerful conversation about resilience, personal growth,...

Join us as we talk with Claire Millar, one year after her gender-confirming surgery. Claire shares her recovery journey, the challenges she’s faced, and the mental and physical effects of the surgery. We dive into gender dysphoria and euphoria, exploring how she copes and thrives. Claire also discusses relearning her anatomy and the ongoing nature of her transition. A powerful episode on the reali...

In this episode of The Real Talk, host Cierra Carlyle sits down with Phoebe, a Vernon BC resident, to explore her journey with scoliosis. Diagnosed at 12, Phoebe shares the challenges she faced, including the diagnosis, undergoing corrective surgeries, and how scoliosis has shaped her quality of life. Through this candid conversation, we uncover Phoebe's resilience and strength, offering an inspir...

In this powerful episode, Lauralee shares her deeply personal journey through healthcare as she navigates issues related to patient rights, pregnancy, and weight management. Lauralee reflects on the emotional and physical challenges she faced during her pregnancy, including fear-driven care, constant pressure regarding her BMI, and her struggle to assert her rights as a patient. Tune in for an eye...

In this episode, I sit down with Jen, who shares her raw, unfiltered journey of weight loss, body image, dating, and self-confidence. From weight blindness to realizing how drastically people treat you differently after losing weight, we dive into some hard truths. But don’t worry—it’s not all serious! We also get into: ✨ The hilarious chaos of Jen’s dating life & how she swindled a game worn...

This episode we have Brand Ambassador Kelsey telling us her journey of growing through her 20s, leaving her comfort zone, doing life for her, leaving unfulfilling relationships, and so much more. Join the Pillow Talk Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2078916948808206/

TRIGGER WARNING - This episode has many topics including many types of abuse, medical trauma, abortion, marriage, separation, and much more. It is not an easy listen but it is very eye opening. This episode, our guest Melissa takes us through the last 10 years of her life. This is a double episode 2 hours in length to fit in everything in detail. Melissa is living proof that you can make it throug...

This episode we have Brand Ambassador Alex and host Cierra talking about their shared love for Youtube Culture and what it was like growing up with a new rising platform. They go over everything from bad & good influences, Christianity & Youtubers, the influence youtubers had on them, and so much more. Join the Pillow Talk Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2078916948808206/

This episode of The Real Talk we have Ashley of All Together Surrogacy. She takes us through her own surrogacy journeys, the WHY behind becoming a surrogate, how being a surrogate is more then bringing children into the world, opening her own agency, and so much more. Visit the All Together Surrogacy website: https://alltogethersurrogacy.ca/ Join the Pillow Talk Community: https://www.facebook.com...

This episode we have Brand Ambassador Chelsey who tells us her journey living through oppressive religion. They go through her entire life of being Mennonite, breaking free, the struggles of growing up this way, how it still effects her, where she is now, and so much more. Follow @pillowtalk.studios on IG or join Okanagan Boudoir - Self Love & Empowerment - Pillow Talk Studios on Facebook for...

In this episode we have Brand Ambassador Andrea M & host Cierra talking about their personal decisions in being childfree. They go over reasons why they have made this decision, navigating it in all types of relationships, common things said to those who are childfree, and so much more. Follow @pillowtalk.studios on IG or join Okanagan Boudoir - Self Love & Empowerment - Pillow Talk Studio...

In this episode we have Brand Ambassador Sara. She will tell us about her transformation from going from an angry and hostile child to a flourishing and happy adult. We touch on the different reasons for anger and how she overcame her life challenges. Follow @pillowtalk.studios on IG or join Okanagan Boudoir - Self Love & Empowerment - Pillow Talk Studios on Facebook for all our up to date new...

In this episode we have Brand Ambassador Andrea. We go through her life of growing up religious with sexual shame, to becoming interested in reading & writing romance novels, losing a parent, going in and out of religion, being in an unfulfilling marriage, and so much more. Follow @pillowtalk.studios on IG or join Okanagan Boudoir - Self Love & Empowerment - Pillow Talk Studios on Facebook...