Advertise on podcast: Alright, Now What?

Angela Sterritt is an award-winning investigative journalist, TV, radio, and podcast host, and national bestselling author. She is from the Wilps ‘Wii Ḵ’aax of the Gitanmaax community within the Gitxsan Nation on her dad’s side and from Bell Island, Newfoundland, on her maternal side. Sterritt worked as a television, radio, and digital journalist at CBC for more than a decade. She also hosted the award-winning CBC original podcast Land Back. Her book Unbroken is part memoir and part investigation into the murders and disappearances of Indigenous women and girls. It became an instant national bestseller in May 2023. Unbroken was nominated for the Governor General’s Literary Awards, one of Canada’s oldest and most prestigious literary prizes. It was also nominated for the prestigious Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Award for Best Non-Fiction Book in Canada. In 2024, Sterritt announced her second book, BREAKABLE, which will investigate how racism and colonialism cultivate harmful behaviors in men and how Indigenous men and communities are breaking cycles of unhealthy notions of masculinity. Greystone Books will publish Breakable in 2026. In 2021, Sterritt won an Academy Award (Canadian Screen Award) for Best Reporter of the Year in Canada for her coverage of an Indigenous man and his then 12-year-old granddaughter who were arrested while trying to open a bank account at BMO. Sterritt also won a national Radio Television Digital News Association award for the same reporting. In 2020, Sterritt was named in Vancouver Magazine’s Power 50 list of the city’s 50 most influential people. Please listen, subscribe, rate, and review this podcast and share it with others. If you appreciate this content, if you want to get in on the efforts to build a gender equal Canada, please donate at ⁠canadianwomen.org⁠ and consider becoming a monthly donor. Facebook: Canadian Women’s Foundation LinkedIn: a href="https://ca.linkedin.com/organization-guest/company/the-canadian-women%27s-foundation?challengeId=AQFx5LuRTB7VagAAAXYuZQPL2267ksLSAxMh__RqsN2be8i2uhjH7ghWQHBa7g70zJO9Wh-tAzglk0HnAXyx0UhMEXlvjF8LcA&submissionId=55ea61be-6c8d-4d16-e9b5-507053530f53" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

Paul Taylor is an anti-poverty activist, teacher at Simon Fraser University and has led four nonprofit organizations, including FoodShare Toronto, where he was the Executive Director from 2017-2023. He ran to be Member of Parliament in the federal riding of Parkdale-High Park in 2019 and again in 2021, when he lost by a mere 1,700 votes. He has written several op-eds on leadership, the non-profit sector and various social issues. In 2020, Paul was named one of Toronto Life’s 50 Most Influential Torontonians, was awarded the Top 40 under 40 in Canada, and voted Best Activist by the readers of Now Magazine. He is the co-founder and co-managing director of Evenings & Weekends Consulting. Paul’s experience includes Executive Director roles at Second Base Youth Shelter, Gordon Neighbourhood House and the Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood House. He has also chaired the British Columbia Poverty Reduction Coalition, served on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, the Metro Vancouver Alliance and as Vice-Chair of Food Secure Canada. When not at work, Paul is almost always found in the kitchen, on his bike, in a good book or at a local protest. Please listen, subscribe, rate, and review this podcast and share it with others. If you appreciate this content, if you want to get in on the efforts to build a gender equal Canada, please donate at ⁠canadianwomen.org⁠ and consider becoming a monthly donor. Facebook: Canadian Women’s Foundation LinkedIn: The Canadian Women’s Foundation Instagram: @canadianwomensfoundation TikTok: @cdnwomenfdn

Today, we’re joined by Mesi, a leader whose national and global advocacy is transforming how we understand and respond to economic abuse in Canada.  Mesi shares how her lived experience, decades of work in global health, finance, digital innovation, and gender equality, and her leadership at the Canadian Centre for Women Empowerment led her to help build the national infrastructure needed to prevent economic abuse, one of the most hidden and often overlooked forms of gender based violence in Canada. We’ll explore why financial safety is fundamental to survivor safety and how coordinated action across banking, government, housing, justice, and community services can move us toward meaningful change.  And finally, Mesi leaves us with practical ways every sector, from finance to technology to community organizations, can help build a future where economic justice is recognized as one of the core pillars of gender equality.  Please listen, subscribe, rate, and review this podcast and share it with others. If you appreciate this content, if you want to get in on the efforts to build a gender equal Canada, please donate at ⁠canadianwomen.org⁠ and consider becoming a monthly donor.   Facebook: Canadian Women’s Foundation   LinkedIn: The Canadian Women’s Foundation   Instagram: @canadianwomensfoundation   TikTok: @cdnwomenfdn 

Today we are joined by host Alyssa Carpenter from the Canadian Women’s Foundation. In this episode, Alyssa sits down with Jolene McDonald, an Indigenous wellness practitioner and the founder of a healing business that weaves together yoga, Reiki, life coaching, and community facilitation in the North. Together, they explore the power of grassroots care and small, practical ways to begin reconnecting with your own self and your community. Please listen, subscribe, rate, and review this podcast and share it with others. If you appreciate this content, if you want to get in on the efforts to build a gender equal Canada, please donate at ⁠canadianwomen.org⁠ and consider becoming a monthly donor.   Facebook: Canadian Women’s Foundation   LinkedIn: The Canadian Women’s Foundation   Instagram: @canadianwomensfoundation   TikTok: @cdnwomenfdn  

Michelle Osbourne is an Empowerment Speaker, Self-Image Activist, and founder of Michelle Osbourne & Co. Known for helping women reclaim their confidence and take up space boldly at every stage of life, Michelle brings an unapologetic, intersectional feminist lens to everything she does. A CBC Black Changemaker and shortlisted for the Canadian Women’s Foundation’s Feminist Creator Prize, she’s partnered with top brands like Amazon Prime Video, Dove, and Interac. Her work has been featured on TV, radio, podcasts, and in publications like Today’s Parent, and HELLO!. Whether she’s delivering a keynote or inspiring thousands online with her no-nonsense energy, Michelle’s mission is simple; help women show up loudly, proudly, and without apology. Please listen, subscribe, rate, and review this podcast and share it with others. If you appreciate this content, if you want to get in on the efforts to build a gender equal Canada, please donate at ⁠canadianwomen.org⁠ and consider becoming a monthly donor.   Facebook: Canadian Women’s Foundation   LinkedIn: The Canadian Women’s Foundation   Instagram: @canadianwomensfoundation   TikTok: @cdnwomenfdn  

Today, we’re joined by award-winning journalist Jana Pruden, whose reporting shines a light on gender-based violence and how these cases move through our justice system.  Jana shares how her work in court reporting led her to focus on intimate partner violence, and why telling these stories accurately and ethically matters so much.  We’ll explore the responsibility journalists carry in an age of misinformation, and the power of storytelling to help us understand what is really at stake.  And finally, Jana leaves us with practical ways we can all support facts-based journalism and stay engaged in building change.  Please listen, subscribe, rate, and review this podcast and share it with others. If you appreciate this content, if you want to get in on the efforts to build a gender equal Canada, please donate at ⁠canadianwomen.org⁠ and consider becoming a monthly donor.   Facebook: Canadian Women’s Foundation   LinkedIn: The Canadian Women’s Foundation   Instagram: @canadianwomensfoundation   TikTok: @cdnwomenfdn  

Welcome to the first episode of Alright, Now What? Season 8: Shifting the Story.  Today, we’re kicking things off with someone who embodies that spirit of change: BleSsed Brooks, founder of the first official Yoni Spa in Canada. BleSsed will take us through her journey as an entrepreneur: what inspired her and the challenges feminist entrepreneurs face. We’ll also dig into some of the creative solutions she’s found along the way.  And finally, she’ll leave us with a few powerful words on what it means to take action and stay rooted in purpose.  Please listen, subscribe, rate, and review this podcast and share it with others. If you appreciate this content, if you want to get in on the efforts to build a gender equal Canada, please donate at ⁠canadianwomen.org⁠ and consider becoming a monthly donor.   Facebook: Canadian Women’s Foundation   LinkedIn: The Canadian Women’s Foundation   Instagram: @canadianwomensfoundation   TikTok: @cdnwomenfdn  

With Jenn Harper, Founder and CEO of Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics Jenn Harper is an award-winning social entrepreneur and international speaker. She is the trailblazing founder and CEO of Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics—a brand that has gracefully painted the ideals of sustainability and inclusion onto a global canvas. From its inception in 2015, Jenn has nurtured Cheekbone Beauty into a B. Corp Certified force, now gracing the shelves of Sephora Canada and 550 JC Penney locations across the USA. Jenn's journey with Cheekbone began as a digitally native, direct-to-consumer brand that took pride in its commitment to reducing environmental impact and supporting Indigenous communities. Her formidable leadership made sure Cheekbone stood out not only for its stunning products but also for its ethical backbone. It became a symphony of transparency, philanthropy, and support for women and youth. To date, over $250,000 have been donated to philanthropic causes, testament to Cheekbone's core values. Cheekbone's prestige has been hard-earned. In 2019, Jenn Harper made a confident appearance on Canada's Dragon's Den, the nation's equivalency of Shark Tank. While she turned down offers, her unwavering resolution steered Cheekbone towards exponential growth. Jenn's tactical negotiations led to expansive contracts with major retailers in North America, shining a beacon of inspiration for Indigenous women by placing an Indigenous CEO-led brand on equal footing with global industry giants. Jenn Harper stands as more than a CEO; she is a voice for entrepreneurship, exerting influence on topics that are reshaping the business landscape: social entrepreneurship, empathy, representation, inclusivity, and sustainability. Regularly sought after for her insights, Jenn weaves her narrative as both a woman and a representative of Indigenous peoples in North America, substantiating the importance of these values in today's business ecosystem. The accolades accruing to Jenn's name bear the weight of her achievements. In 2022, she was listed among the 100 Women of Influence by Entrepreneur Magazine—a list graced by the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian. In 2023, Jenn was conferred an Honorary Doctorate degree from the Goodman School of Business at Brock University. This honorary degree recognized her unwavering dedication to community betterment and adamant endeavors in championing sustainability. In November of 2024, Jenn Harper was also named as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women. Jenn Harper, with Cheekbone Beauty, brings forth a narrative of passion, resilience, and authenticity. Her biography is not just about the ascent of a brand; it's the story of a vision brought to life, of barriers broken, and of a future envisioned where commerce and charity coalesce seamlessly, all painted with the strokes of an eco-friendly brush. Please listen, subscribe, rate, and review this podcast and share it with others. If you appreciate this content, if you want to get in on the efforts to build a gender equal Canada, please donate at ⁠canadianwomen.org⁠ and consider becoming a monthly donor.   Facebook: Canadian Women’s Foundation   LinkedIn: The Canadian Women’s Foundation   Instagram: @canadianwomensfoundation   TikTok: a...

With Jenna Barnable, disability inclusion advocate and educator Jenna Barnable is an Atlantic Canadian writer, communicator, disability inclusion advocate and educator who lives with multiple disabilities. She is also a storyteller, community builder and lifelong feminist who raises awareness about women’s, gender-diverse, and Disabled rights through my words, art and education. Jenna unapologetically centers women’s, gender diverse, BIPOC and 2SLGBTQ+ perspectives and issues in her disability inclusion advocacy work, including her social content creation on TikTok and her indie feminist podcast, “Finding Avalon: Amplifying Disabled Voices.”  Jenna's goal is empowering disabled people become stronger self-advocates, and building supportive anti-ableist allies so that together people can create meaningful change for inclusive, accessible communities where everyone belongs, regardless of ability or health.  As a disabled feminist and anti-ableist activist, Jenna tackles the ways disability discrimination is deeply intertwined with sexism, misogyny, gender-based violence, intimate partner violence, digital hate and gender inequity. She also shines a light on gender-based barriers within healthcare, having experienced sexist medical gaslighting and dismissal that caused irreversible damage to her health – unacceptable barriers to equitable care that women and marginalized people constantly face.  Please listen, subscribe, rate, and review this podcast and share it with others. If you appreciate this content, if you want to get in on the efforts to build a gender equal Canada, please donate at ⁠canadianwomen.org⁠ and consider becoming a monthly donor.   Facebook: Canadian Women’s Foundation   LinkedIn: The Canadian Women’s Foundation   Instagram: @canadianwomensfoundation   TikTok: @cdnwomenfdn  

With Kimberley Okafor, researcher and advocate for maternal health equity Kimberley Okafor is a dedicated researcher and advocate for maternal health equity, currently pursuing a Master of Science in Management (MScM) at Toronto Metropolitan University. As Vice-President External for her MScM cohort and an active member of the Black Researchers Initiative to Empower (BRITE), she is committed to addressing systemic challenges in maternal care globally. Her research explores the intersection of maternal health and social inequities, aiming to transform healthcare systems and promote culturally competent, equitable care. Through her work, she strives to influence policies that drive meaningful change in maternal healthcare. Connect with Kimberley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberley-okafor/ Please listen, subscribe, rate, and review this podcast and share it with others. If you appreciate this content, if you want to get in on the efforts to build a gender equal Canada, please donate at ⁠canadianwomen.org⁠ and consider becoming a monthly donor.   Facebook: Canadian Women’s Foundation   LinkedIn: The Canadian Women’s Foundation   Instagram: @canadianwomensfoundation   TikTok: @cdnwomenfdn  

With Leisha Toory, Winner of the 2025 Feminist Creator Prize Leisha Toory is a feminist advocate, writer, and the founder of the Period Priority Project, the first and only grassroots initiative in Newfoundland and Labrador dedicated solely to advancing menstrual equity. Through her work, she has successfully lobbied for free menstrual products in public spaces, a policy change recently adopted by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. As an advocate for systemic change, Leisha has created innovative digital resources, including a YouTube series, podcast, and presentations toolkit, aimed at making menstrual health advocacy more accessible. These initiatives empower individuals and organizations to engage in conversations around period poverty and gender justice. Her work has made a significant impact both locally and nationally, reaching marginalized communities and amplifying their voices. Leisha’s commitment to challenging stigma and shaping policies for menstrual and reproductive health continues to drive her mission to promote equity, safety, and freedom from harm in Canada and beyond. Connect with Leisha on Social Media Instagram: @leishatoory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leishatoory/ Please listen, subscribe, rate, and review this podcast and share it with others. If you appreciate this content, if you want to get in on the efforts to build a gender equal Canada, please donate at ⁠canadianwomen.org⁠ and consider becoming a monthly donor.   Facebook: Canadian Women’s Foundation   LinkedIn: The Canadian Women’s Foundation   Instagram: @canadianwomensfoundation   TikTok: @cdnwomenfdn  

With Alex Valoroso, Gender Equity Advisor Alex Valoroso is a Gender Equity Advisor and consultant specializing in equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) strategies, with a particular focus on gender and disaster. She helps organizations build more inclusive workplaces, services, and systems by applying a feminist, trauma-informed, and survivor-centered lens. Alex holds a Master’s degree in Disaster and Emergency Management and has completed specialized training in intersectional analysis, GBA Plus, and addressing gender-based violence in emergencies. She has worked in research, academia, government, the non-profit sector, and the private sector, and currently sits on the board of the Canadian Journal of Emergency Management. Through her work, she brings a deep understanding of systemic inequities and their impact during times of crisis, and has supported organizations across Canada, the Caribbean, East Africa, and Latin America. Learn more and connect with Alex: Website:  www.valorosoconsulting.com LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/avaloroso Please listen, subscribe, rate, and review this podcast and share it with others. If you appreciate this content, if you want to get in on the efforts to build a gender equal Canada, please donate at ⁠canadianwomen.org⁠ and consider becoming a monthly donor.   Facebook: Canadian Women’s Foundation   LinkedIn: The Canadian Women’s Foundation   Instagram: @canadianwomensfoundation   TikTok: @cdnwomenfdn  

With Fallon Farinacci, Winner of the 2025 Feminist Creator Prize Fallon Farinacci is Red River Métis and a child survivor who testified in the National Inquiry for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, sharing her story of loss and trauma.  Later Fallon joined The National Family Advisory Circle, where she worked closely with other MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+ family members and the Commissioners for the National Inquiry.   Fallon continues to share her family’s story and bring awareness to the ongoing Genocide Indigenous women, girls and 2S+ folx face in hopes of bringing change and awareness across Turtle Island.   Connect with Fallon Farinacci on Social Media Instagram: @fallonfarinacci  TikTok: @fallonfarinacci Please listen, subscribe, rate, and review this podcast and share it with others. If you appreciate this content, if you want to get in on the efforts to build a gender equal Canada, please donate at ⁠canadianwomen.org⁠ and consider becoming a monthly donor.   Facebook: Canadian Women’s Foundation   LinkedIn: The Canadian Women’s Foundation   Instagram: @canadianwomensfoundation   TikTok: @cdnwomenfdn  

With Suzie Dunn,  Interim Director of the Law and Technology Institute and an assistant professor at Dalhousie University’s Schulich School of Law. Suzie Dunn's research centers on the intersections of equality, technology and the law, with a specific focus on technology-facilitated gender-based violence, artificial intelligence, deepfakes, and social media. She is a research partner on a four-year SSHRC funded research project on young people’s experiences with sexual violence online, DIY Digital Safety. She is also a Senior Fellow with the Centre for International Governance Innovation, and a member of the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund technology-facilitated violence committee. Suzie Dunn's Bluesky handle: @suziedunn.bsky.social Please listen, subscribe, rate, and review this podcast and share it with others. If you appreciate this content, if you want to get in on the efforts to build a gender equal Canada, please donate at ⁠canadianwomen.org⁠ and consider becoming a monthly donor.  Facebook: Canadian Women’s Foundation  LinkedIn: The Canadian Women’s Foundation  Instagram: @canadianwomensfoundation  TikTok: @cdnwomenfdn  X: @cdnwomenfdn 

With Monica Bancheri, Winner of the 2025 Feminist Creator Prize Monica, also known as Gay Italian Nonna, is a queer, masculine-presenting lesbian, talk show host, and community builder dedicated to creating safe spaces for women and the LGBTQ+ community. Through her content and talk show, she helps people find connection, friendship, and belonging. Her Talk Show unMASCed shines a light on trans icons, LGBTQ+ leaders, inspirational women, and creatives- amplifying the voices that shape our culture. Within her content, Nonna Monica speaks towards mental health and inclusive beauty content, ensuring all women feel seen and celebrated. Her work is rooted in empowerment, representation, and fostering a meaningful community. Please listen, subscribe, rate, and review this podcast and share it with others. If you appreciate this content, if you want to get in on the efforts to build a gender equal Canada, please donate at ⁠canadianwomen.org⁠ and consider becoming a monthly donor.  Facebook: Canadian Women’s Foundation  LinkedIn: The Canadian Women’s Foundation  Instagram: @canadianwomensfoundation  TikTok: @cdnwomenfdn  X: @cdnwomenfdn