During this episode Andrea and Krista are in conversation with Ragini Kapil, a Vancouver-based writer, director, performer, and educator. Inspired by her mother, a trailblazing Indo-Fijian educator in special education, Ragini's work is imbued with humor, empathy, and honesty. After a career in education, Ragini transitioned to the creative world but faced a challenging recovery from a back fracture and concussion. Despite these setbacks, she emerged stronger, writing and directing award-winning...
Jun 27, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 10
Andrea and Krista dive into Madeleine’s inspiring work in social entrepreneurship, her feminist values, and the energy she brings as an instigator and creative force. Madeleine reflects on her formative years, including her rebellious nature as a child, which influenced her life’s work. She shares her journey of finding purpose through initiatives like G Day - a series of events aimed at empowering girls entering adolescence. The conversation highlights her transition into midlife, marked by her...
Jun 17, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 9
In this episode, Founder and Host Andrea Rathborne and Producer/Co-Host Krista Gruen sit down with Andréa (Drea) Bendewald to discuss Drea's journey as the Founder, Host, and Executive Producer of 'Circle This,' an Anti-Small Talk podcast. Drea shares her extensive experience leading circle conversations, spanning over 30 years, and explores her passion for meaningful connection, relationships, human insight, and inspiring moments. The episode details Drea and Andrea’s serendipitous meeting at t...
Jun 03, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 8
In this episode of the Half Betty Podcast, hosted by Andrea Rathborne and Co-hosted/Produced by Krista Gruen we feature the inspiring story of Chloë Angus. Chloë is a Vancouver-based fashion designer who transitioned from designing inclusive fashion to developing wearable robotic exoskeletons after a spinal cord injury. Chloë shares her experiences growing up in a remote community, establishing a successful fashion career, and advocating for technological advancements to improve mobility for dis...
May 17, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 7
Andrea and Krista are joined by love coach, TED speaker and now Author , Francesca Hogi! Inspired by their attendance at Reese Witherspoon's Shine Away event, their Half Betty conversation explores midlife transformations, love, and personal development and growth. Francesca (aka Franny - an approved nickname) introduces her ‘Self Love’ Formula, which includes self-compassion, self-worth, self-validation, self-care, and self-gratitude. She emphasizes the power of human connection, shared stories...
Apr 17, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 6
While we originally planned to launch “Half George” as an April Fools’ gag to replace “Half Betty,” we realized that the stories of men, their mid-lives, and mental health are deeply significant and deserving of genuine support. Instead of sharing “Half George” on April 1st, we decided to release this special stand-alone episode today, April 2nd. This episode is dedicated to all the men who have unexpectedly connected with “Half Betty,” related to its themes, and reached out with questions. We h...
Apr 02, 2025•39 min•Ep. 5
Meet Emma May, a lawyer-turned-entrepreneur known for her resilience and ambitious endeavors. Emma shares her journey from law to real estate, and then to founding her own clothing line Sophie Grace, aimed at providing comfortable yet stylish workwear for women. She recounts her transformative experiences, including leading a community effort to mitigate flood damage in Calgary, raising significant capital for her business, and navigating the challenges of ADHD. Emma emphasizes the importance of...
Mar 17, 2025•49 min•Ep. 4
In this episode of the Half Betty Podcast , we sit down with the incredible Rhonda Roberts Smid - a powerhouse in theater, film, TV, fitness, and education. Rhonda gets real about midlife, sharing how she flipped the script from seeing it as a decline, to embracing it as a celebration. We dive into her experiences as a performer, coach, and mentor, and her passion for helping women own their midlife with confidence. She opens up about resilience, breaking free from societal expectations and why ...
Mar 07, 2025•56 min•Ep. 3
In this episode, our guest Christa Hull shares stories from her midlife journey and career transformation. She shares what it was like working with some of Vancouver’s top lifestyle brands, while also struggling with hormone changes, sleep issues, mood swings, and the grief of losing her mother suddenly. Christa talks about the moment she decided to step away from the fast-paced corporate world, choosing instead to slow down, prioritize self-care, and embrace practices including meditation, ther...
Feb 17, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 2
Podcast founder Andrea Rathborne and the iconic Betty White share the same birth date - January 17th. In 2022, as Betty would have celebrated her 100th birthday, Andrea turned 50 - half betty’s age. This milestone sparked a powerful reflection: Betty White achieved more between 50 and 100 than in her first 50 years, suggesting that midlife is not an end but a bold, new beginning. Inspired by Betty’s legacy, Andrea saw turning 50 as the gateway to a second, even greater life chapter - one full of...
Jan 17, 2025•39 min•Ep. 1
Nov 28, 2024•1 min
