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Episode 21
On today’s episode, we have a genuine Superheroine! Sonya Ballantyne is an emerging filmmaker and writer from Misipawistik Cree Nation. Sonya won the 2014 Emerging Filmmaker Pitch Competition at Gimli Film Festival for Crash Site and the 2016 Short Film Pitch at ImagineNative Film Festival with Eagle Girl. She recently spoke at San Diego Comic Con about Indigenous Media Representation. She became interested in film because she wanted to see people like her mother as a starship captain on Star Trek or fighting aliens like Ripley. She wanted a Native hero that existed in the present or in the future, to show us that we made it. Her films put Indigenous girls and women in film genres where they are not traditionally included: horror, sci-fi, fantasy and superhero films. Sonya recently published her first children’s book, Kerri Berry Lynn, about a Cree girl from Misipawistik and her seven pet dogs. She is planning to publish her first graphic novel, a biography about Daphne Odjig, in 2020.
Sonya and I first met while we were preparing for our TEDx talk in Winnipeg and I found Sonya to be such an inspiration, a gentle warrior, with a killer sense of humour! I’m so excited that she’s on the show today and that she joins our Fempowered women. Her story is so important and this episode is full of profound wisdom and life experience. Grab a journal because you are going to want to capture those quotes and insights. Enjoy this important and colourful episode and share the message – it’s too good to keep for just yourself ? Xox Andrea In this episode we discuss:
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Episode 20
On today’s episode, we talk about the recent devastation to the Bahamas from Hurricane Dorian. As some of you know, my passion is helping island nations and remote communities achieve energy security through autonomous energy systems, and building better via smart microgrids and smart cities. It is what I devoted my research life to for nearly two decades now. We know we cannot keep doing what we have done and there is no going back, in fact, there is no time left. The research shows that renewable energy technology can help democratize the energy supply, provide energy security, reliably, affordably and reduce environmental impact –i.e. it is green! So why are we seeing such a slow uptake to implement the solutions that we know are needed in regions such as the Bahamas, and the Caribbean in general, that are consistently impacted by climate change and hurricanes?
Today’s guest, Deborah Deal, CEO, Contractor and Environmentalist, and I discuss this topic. Debby has lived in the Bahamas for nearly four decades, it is her home, it is where she has established her businesses and it is where she serves her community and leaves her legacy for the betterment of the environment. I met Debby while speaking about Energy Security in the Bahamas and sharing my knowledge on microgrids and island energy. This past week has been heart wrenching for me, and to hear from Debby and share her story about the crisis is so important to know how we can help and discuss how we can move forward. Debby’s passion for community service is evident in the way she leads her life, speaks and acts with intention to contribute positively to our environmental crisis and how she brings attention to important topics, especially those surrounding the people of and the islands that she calls her home. We talk everything about the devastation currently in the Bahamas, and what moving forward could look like for the country, plus so much more. After all, as Debby says, The Bahamas is so much more than this disaster, more than just sun, sand and sea. Here's a little bit more about Debby: For the past 37 years, Deborah Deal, President of Contemporary Builders XIX Ltd., has been a building contractor in an industry traditionally male dominated. Joking that she was an only child and her father wanted a boy, her passion for building and design started from an early age, as did her respect for the environment. Over the years, her respect for the environment has worked its way into her career as a builder of “green” homes. Nine years ago, the company built its first green home in Charlotteville, solar panels and back up batteries as its energy source. Ms. Deal is also a partner in South Ocean Palms, a “green” subdivision. Sustainability and energy efficiency being so important in construction both globally and in The Bahamas, her desire is to ensure all Bahamians and residents alike are awarded the opportunity to better steward the country through Best Building practices. From residential to commercial, from new construction to retrofitting, the company and team cover all aspects of the field. Over the years, and through a sister company Ms. Deal has also been blessed by experiencing working in the Family Islands from Inagua to Grand Bahama which has given her and her team a lot of insight as to the country as a whole. Ms. Deal has sat on the board of the Bahamas Contractors Association, sits on the National Committee of the Bahamas Bureau of Standards and Quality and also as a director of The Energy and Environment committee of the BCCEC, (the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation), all in efforts to make a difference, to advocate for better quality and higher standards in the industry which reflect on a better quality of life for all. “If you have passion, a vision and the desire to exceed, take your dream in your heart and your hand and run with it with all your might…don’t stop, don’t look back, don’t second guess, just do it!”…and God said “I will give you the desires of your heart!” Enjoy this important and heart-touching episode. Xox Andrea In this episode we discuss:
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Episode 19
On today’s episode we talk about disrupting the funding and investment of women owned businesses with Investor and Serial Entrepreneur Shelley Kuipers! I met Shelley this summer at a fabulous conference on innovation and investment in Calgary called Inventures and her role on a women’s investment panel impressed me, so I wanted to bring her message, wisdom and knowledge to our Fempower community!
Shelley Kuipers is building the world she wants to live in. As an activist in business, entrepreneurship and investment, she is hell bent on defeating the status quo one project at a time, and replacing it with options that are more equitable, feminist, corporately and ecologically sustainable; revolutionary options that drive greater value for both business and consumer. She co-founded IOVIA in 2015 after previously founding Chaordix, Stormworks and Adventure Capital. She is also co-founder of feminist investment collective, The51 and sustainable direct to consumer clothing brand Harris Kuipers, all in addition to championing the entrepreneurs she has chosen to invest in. Shelley loves to travel for business and adventure but also questions the sustainability of it all. When on a break Shelley finds herself revelling in nature with family and friends, and with the odd glass of cider at her home on Salt Spring Island, Canada. She divides her time between the west coast and Calgary, Canada and right this minute is probably dreaming up ways to realize the possibilities. Enjoy this episode, it’s magical! Xox Andrea In this episode we discuss:
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Episode 18
Hello Everyone!
I’m back with a solo episode and it’s based on my own reflections over the past month. Lots has happened and April has flown by compared to the slow pace of March. Lots of ideas and issues have come up this month and I took some intentional time to be quiet and reflect on many things. Now I’m back with a month worth of content that I can’t keep to myself! So today’s episode is a little different – I cover several topics that I’ve collected over the past month, from workplace and life Biases, to the rise in hate-crimes and separation encountered in my local community and globally, and my thoughts on influencers and the responsibility and power that they have that is often misguided, abused or unrecognized and the trouble that can cause, and I wrap up on my take on the latest social media trends, such as the Celery Juice Craze that is driving up prices for celery, so much so that is it being reported as a celebrity factor in the price of this basic vegetable and I encourage you to pause and reflect on the sustainability of it all as well as how this is linked to our over consumption and serious recycling issues. Hope this gives you something to think about as well. Enjoy! Andrea In this episode I discuss:
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Women, Business, Technology, Trades, Entrepreneurship, Engineering, Arts, Athletics, Math, Science, Spirituality, Wellness, Self-compassion, Leadership, Excellence, Influencers, Social Media, Biases, Unity, Recycling, Sustainability
EPISODE 17
On today’s episode we talk all things clean beauty, engineering, eco-entrepreneurship and more Clean Beauty Pioneer, the revolutionary Jenise Lee! A serial eco entrepreneur, Jenise is the founder & CEO of PurPicks - a site like TripAdvisor for organic skincare - which has the largest directory of nontoxic beauty products and largest database of product reviews. She is also the Founder of CertClean, North America's certification for safer skincare. You can find thousands of beauty and personal care products globally with the CertClean certification.
Jenise was honoured as one of Canada's top sustainability leader, named Canada's Top 100 health influencers alongside Wayne Gretzky and Sophie Trudeau, and nominated for the Governor General's Innovation Award. Jenise has a Chemical Engineering degree (University of Waterloo), and a MBA (Schulich School of Business). Prior to starting her MBA, Jenise worked as an environmental engineering consultant where she led projects related to environmental site assessments, environmental impact studies and feasibility studies on leading edge renewable energy from biomethanation plants to solar projects to waste-to-energy facilities. Enjoy! Andrea WE DISCUSS:
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EPISODE 16
A SPECIAL EPISODE FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY!
This is a day to celebrate and not underestimate it's importance. Today's episode was a must. After almost a year of speaking about the power of the Divine Feminine how could I not put out a story for this important day?! In fact, the story is so important it talks about the both the Divine Fem and Masculine. This is an important episode recognizes that we are all composed of both these energies. I provide some treats at the end with a meditation and take home exercise for you on developing your fem and mas balance for creativity. And I make a couple announcements about some new ventures I'm onto... So tune in and enjoy - and celebrate the beauty of this day! Namaste, Andrea I DISCUSS:
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Episode 15
Welcome to today's solo episode! I spent the last few months really working through the concepts of what excellence in leadership means and how it means to practice it daily and the challenges I would face as I strive to do so. Along the way, I learned many things, surprisingly that most are inadequately prepared to functionally operate at a level of excellent leadership and they don't even know it, because leadership takes work, and I mean a lot of internal work. Leadership differs fundamentally from management and it's important to know what that difference is so that we can strive to attain true leadership, beyond just management, especially if we care about our role and those we serve, be it at work, home or in the community. So sit back, tune in and relax as we discuss this important topic and how we can create the ecosystems we need to achieve excellence in leadership.
Namaste, Andrea IN THIS EPISODE I DISCUSS:
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Women, Business, Technology, Trades, Entrepreneurship, Engineering, Arts, Athletics, Math, Science, Spirituality, Wellness, Self-compassion, Leadership, Excellence
Episode 14
Welcome to Season 2! Today’s episode is from our last Fempower Live event of 2018. I’m excited to finally bring you this fantastic episode about two fierce and strong woman entrepreneurs. One who immigrated to Canada not long ago, fleeing a life of many challenges and seeking the best for her daughter as a single mother, and the other who is homeschooling her two children while running the business. These two kind and generous souls met under serendipitous situations that enabled them to pursue their dreams together. Through grit and perseverance they are starting to feel the joys of their success. Gabrielle Zoppa and Harman Dhaliwal, together, are the co-owners of Spa Botanica, one of a few Ayurvedic spas in Winnipeg, MB.
Namaste, Andrea IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:
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Women, Business, Technology, Trades, Entrepreneurship, Engineering, Arts, Athletics, Math, Science, Spirituality, Wellness, Self-care, Ayurveda
Episode 13
Today’s guest and I share similar roots – we are both Aerospace Engineers who jumped careers into entrepreneurship and we both like to maintain a balance of our left and right brain through our spiritual studies.
Ali Boone is a 9-to-5 dropout who left a high-paying career as an Aerospace Engineer to start her own business. She is the founder of Hipster Investments, a real estate investment company that flips real estate investing on its head. Not only does Hipster offer unique investment opportunities that open the door for anyone to invest in real estate, but Ali has structured Hipster in such a way that allows her full freedom to create the life of her dreams. Ali has Master’s degrees in both Aerospace Engineering and Spiritual Psychology. She has written over 170 articles for BiggerPockets—the world’s leading real estate investing website. She has been featured in Fox Business and The Motley Fool, has over 300k views on her Calculating Rental Property Numbers video on YouTube, has sold over 200 copies of her Turnkey Rental Properties 101 eBook, and was awarded Top 100 Real Estate Investing Blogs & Websites on the Web. If you ask Ali what her biggest accomplishment is though, she’ll tell you it’s that she successfully created a completely location-independent business that allows her to live wherever she wants, travel whenever she wants, work whenever she wants, and most importantly—be her own boss. Ali’s strengths are in organic business building, passive income, outsourcing, and lifestyle design. She also does business consulting where she specializes in looking at the puzzle pieces of struggling businesses and, using her engineering background and experience as a successful entrepreneur, helps fit those puzzle pieces back together in a way that best supports the client and their business. When Ali isn’t helping people buy real estate or coaching other entrepreneurs, she is usually flying airplanes around Santa Monica (and teaching other people to fly as well), hanging out in the SoCal outdoors whether it be the beach or the ski slopes, or volunteering in California prisons. She is also a failed reality makeover TV star. Amidst her busy schedule, her ultimate goal is to one-day challenge Tim Ferriss to a lifestyle design duel. It’s getting colder outside and that means Hygge Season! So cozy up into this episode and enjoy - and remember, RSVP to rsvp@fempower.ca to reserve your spot to this week’s Fempower LIVE! Event happening on Sunday November 18, 2018 at 12:30pm at Spa Botanica. The details are under Events. Namaste, Andrea IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:
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Episode 12
Hello World – I am back! I had to take some time off, which I explain more about in today’s episode, and it’s interesting how these things align sometimes. So today’s episode is extra special and extra long! Take your time to enjoy it. Rana Bokhari is on the show today and she is one fierce incredible woman. Her story and her many lifetimes from fashion design to leader of a major political party, from how she grew up on a farm to where she is today leading her own business, hers is a story that will provide you with so many insights into the struggles we face as women when we rise and it will provide you with much wisdom to face the very real challenges in our society. Her message is empowering and affirming of what we need to do as women to have our voice heard, and to heal from times we have been abused. She talks more about the details of breaking the “glass ceiling”, which is really a brick wall as she puts it, in her TEDx talk (see link in show notes below). She reminds us of the power of connection and the root of all strength as love. Enjoy today’s episode and tell everyone you know about it – the wisdom and teachings in this episode alone, you’ll carry for lifetimes. Here’s a little background about Rana:
Rana Bokhari, B.A. (Criminology), B.A. (Psychology), J.D., Notary Public Rana Bokhari is a graduate of the University of Manitoba Faculty of Law (Juris Doctor), and also has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Psychology. During her studies, she served as President of the Manitoba Law Students’ Association, made the Dean’s List for excellence in academics, and received The Carolynne Boivin Award for her research and support of women’s rights. In May of 2013, Rana was called to the Manitoba Bar. She was elected as Leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party in 2013 and chose to pursue her new career in politics. As the first female minority leader and youngest leader of the Liberal Party in the history of Manitoba politics, she is an inspiration to all Manitobans to get involved and take leadership on issues that matter to everyone. Although her career is demanding and diverse, Rana finds time to devote to her passions, including charity work. She is a committed believer in public service and involves herself in community affairs and organizations; in particular, she advocates for women’s rights and for mental health services being part of Manitoba Health Care coverage. In the past, she has participated in Winnipeg’s “CEO Sleep-out”, raising funds for the homeless. In addition, Rana travels country-wide, discussing “Women in Leadership” roles and is a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community. Namaste, Andrea WE DISCUSS:
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