The VOW

Justina Lynn Pembleton is a Canadian author, former journalist, and survivor-advocate whose writing is defined by its raw honesty and emotional depth. A graduate of Sheridan College’s Journalism program, she spent years telling other people’s stories before turning to her own—a deeply personal journey shaped by her lived experience with sexual assault. Her debut memoir,  Shades of Shame: A Memoir...

In this episode, Tanya Eklund shares her inspiring journey to becoming a published children’s book author with her debut story,  I’m More Than Just a Warthog. Written from the heart, Tanya’s book explores the important themes of bullying, belonging, and the power of kindness. Through a heartfelt and relatable story, she encourages young readers to embrace who they are and to lead with compassion a...

Ray Epstein is a survivor, student activist, and legislative advocate reshaping how institutions respond to sexual violence. After experiencing abuse at 13 and being silenced by her school, she turned her pain into purpose—founding Student Activists Against Sexual Assault (SAASA) at Temple University, now over 500 members strong. She co-authored Pennsylvania’s Every Voice Bill, written by student...

Jewel Waara is a Calgary-based advocate and recent graduate in Addiction Studies, passionately using her voice to raise awareness about MRKH syndrome — a rare congenital condition she was diagnosed with at the age of 17. Born without a uterus, vaginal canal, and one kidney, Jewel has transformed her personal journey through grief, identity, and resilience into a mission of empowerment. Drawing fro...

Jenn Harper is the founder and CEO of Cheekbone Beauty, an Indigenous-owned and sustainability-driven cosmetics brand that’s changing the face of beauty—literally. A proud Anishinaabe woman from Northwest Angle #33 First Nation, Jenn is known for weaving Indigenous wisdom, sustainability, and bold innovation into every aspect of her business. Since her groundbreaking appearance on CBC’s Dragon’s D...

Violeta Rangel is a resilient force of nature, a woman who’s turned adversity into purpose. From experiencing poverty and homelessness in Mexico as a child to rebuilding her life as a single mother across three countries, her journey is one of reinvention, courage, and unwavering determination. After leaving behind a life she built in Amsterdam, Violeta started over in Canada with her two-year-old...

Vicki Tyler is a fearless leader, entrepreneur, and advocate for bold living. Surviving two near-death experiences, she defied the odds—transforming from a backpacker to President of Flight Centre USA and later building a thriving real estate development company in LA. Drawing from corporate leadership, behavioral science, and her own resilience, she created the .045% Mindset, a powerful framework...

oumana Moallem is the devoted mother of Mariam, who lives with a chronic case of Sickle Cell Disease. As her primary caregiver, Joumana has dedicated her life to ensuring her daughter’s health and happiness while navigating the daily challenges of this complex illness. Together, Joumana and her daughter are passionate about raising awareness of Sickle Cell Disease. By sharing their journey, Mariam...

After 30 years as a Wall Street analyst, Ellen Silverman traded finance for real estate, bringing her sharp analytical skills and passion for people to the competitive NYC market. For the past eight years, she has helped buyers, sellers, and renters navigate Manhattan’s fast-paced landscape with a strategic yet personal approach. Ellen understands that real estate is more than transactions—it’s ab...

Holly Carroll is a #1 Best-Selling Author, Luxury Realtor, and Mentor dedicated to empowering women to unlock their full potential. As Managing Director of The Agency Muskoka, she’s built a thriving real estate career fueled by confidence, resilience, and personal transformation. A former Miss Canada, Holly leverages her platform to champion philanthropy and mentorship, helping others overcome sel...

Karen Gosbee is a courageous advocate, author, and survivor who turned her personal tragedy into a powerful mission to raise awareness around domestic abuse, mental health, and addiction. Once trapped in a seemingly perfect life with a successful husband, Karen's world shattered when she realized the psychological and emotional abuse she had endured. After the tragic suicide of her husband, sh...

In 1997, a routine skydive turned into a nightmare for Carol Murray when her parachute malfunctioned, sending her plummeting to the ground at 55 mph. Miraculously, she survived—but with life-altering injuries, including multiple fractures, a punctured lung, and years of gruelling rehabilitation. Despite enduring over 25 surgeries and chronic pain, Carol refused to let tragedy define her. A profess...

Linda Faye Campbell McLean  is a storyteller, podcast host, and author of  Route 1-75: Memoir & Musings from My 75-Year Road Trip . Through her memoir and  My 75-Year Road Trip  podcast, she shares raw, honest, and often humorous reflections on resilience, loss, love, and the power of sisterhood. A trailblazer in her community, Linda was the first female Rotary President in her Valley, a longt...

Hope Zvara is the CEO and founder of Mother Trucker Yoga and Road Relief Wellness, transforming truck driver health with simple, effective solutions. A trailblazer in a male-dominated industry, she has been featured in  Forbes ,  PBS , and the Emmy-nominated  StartUp . After overcoming addiction and the loss of her first daughter, Hope turned pain into purpose, proving that small changes create a...

Lori-Anne Toone, born and raised in Paradise, Newfoundland, is a dynamic force blending education, fitness, and family life. With degrees in Sociology, History, and Public Relations, she transitioned from corporate communications in Alberta's oil and gas industry to teaching at SAIT. A proud mom of two daughters, Lori-Anne has embraced life on and off the stage, competing in Mrs. Globe pageants an...

Renee Exelbert is a two-time breast and skin cancer survivor, psychologist, personal trainer, and author of  Chemo Muscles: Lessons Learned From Being a Psycho-Oncologist and Cancer Survivor.  She empowers others to transform adversity into strength through the mind-body connection, blending positive thinking, exercise, and visualization. Passionate about resilience, Renee helps individuals overco...

Lola Reid Allin is a trailblazing commercial pilot, author, and advocate for women in aviation. Her journey from a bullied wife to soaring the skies is a testament to resilience and self-empowerment. Breaking free from an abusive marriage, Lola pursued her passion for flying in the 1980s, a time when women made up only 4% of commercial pilots. Defying societal norms, she became a symbol of courage...

Today, we’re honoured to share the incredible story of Cait Alexander. Cait’s journey is one of resilience and transformation after surviving a life-threatening attack by her ex-partner in 2021. Despite the legal system’s failure to bring her attacker to justice, Cait channelled her pain into purpose, founding End Violence Everywhere (EVE) to advocate for survivors of intimate partner violence. Ca...

Dr. Fidaa Wishah’s journey from a refugee camp in Gaza to a pediatric radiologist at Stanford’s Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital is a testament to resilience and hope. A top medical student at Jordan University of Science and Technology, she now blends cutting-edge expertise with deep empathy, shaped by her experiences in war-torn Gaza. A proud wife, mother of two, and marathon runner, Dr. Wisha...

Di Katz-Shachar is a Master Fitness Trainer, entrepreneur, author, and speaker with nearly 20 years of experience transforming lives through holistic wellness. As the founder of Bodyholic and author of  Rip It Up. For Good: Your Guide to the Best Shape of Your Life... Minus the Stress , she inspires individuals to achieve their fitness goals while finding balance and peace. Living in Israel, Di ba...

Karina Gould is redefining leadership in Canada. As the first cabinet minister to give birth while in office, she broke barriers, setting a powerful example for women balancing careers and motherhood. Serving as the Member of Parliament for Burlington, Ontario, Karina has championed affordable childcare, gender equality, and inclusive communities, creating transformative opportunities for families...

Dr. Tamara Beckford is a board-certified emergency medicine physician, author, speaker, and the CEO of UR Caring Docs, where she helps high-achieving women overcome burnout and reclaim joy and purpose. Having personally faced the challenges of burnout, Dr. Beckford combines her clinical expertise with a deep understanding of self-care, resilience, and mental health. She hosts The Dr. Tamara Beckfo...

Unlocking Emotional Wealth in 2025: A Conversation with Dietrich Desmarais   In today's extraordinary episode, we’re stepping into a realm that will revolutionize how you view your financial goals and emotional well-being. While money often takes center stage in New Year’s resolutions, how we  talk about it with our partners  can hold the key to more than just financial success—it can reshape our...

Masesi Masilela is an immigrant, former stay-at-home mom, and passionate advocate for education and community empowerment. From fostering family literacy to instilling leadership as a civilian instructor for the air cadets, Masesi has dedicated her life to helping others grow. As a school administrator and minister, she combines spiritual guidance with a commitment to creating inclusive learning e...

Christie Skiftun is a devoted mother of four who has overcome bullying, financial hardships, divorce, and the challenges of single parenting. After leaving her marital home with few possessions, she rebuilt her life from the ground up, navigating both personal and professional setbacks. Having moved from Canada to the U.S., Christie faced the challenge of starting over in a new country while raisi...