What if gender-affirming care included free access to pre- and post-op physiotherapy , holistic recovery planning, and safer binder use? In this powerful launch episode of Simply Beyond , host Cyndi Sweeney speaks with two dedicated professionals offering free, trauma-informed physio support to trans and non-binary individuals preparing for — or healing from — gender-affirming surgery. Together, they explore: What gender-affirming physiotherapy really means (and why it matters) The importance of...
Jul 25, 2025•39 min•Ep. 52
Join host Cyn Sweeney (she/her) for a personal welcome to Simply Beyond , a Simply Good Form podcast. In this first episode, Cyndi shares why this rebrand matters, what’s changing (and what’s not), and how Simply Beyond brings together two past shows — Hey, Cis! and Trans Canada Stories — under one inclusive banner. The first full episode drops on July 25th! Music Credit: Show intro/outro music courtesy of: Craymo : https://www.craymo.com/ and Be Myself video Connect with Simply Good Form: 🌐 si...
Jul 24, 2025•4 min•Ep. 51
Show Notes: Guest: Laura Whiteland, CFP®, CIM - owner of Inclusive Financial Planning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inclusive-financial-planning/ Here's what we're talking about: As Kenny Rogers would say, 'You got to know when to hold 'em, and know when to fold them.' Inclusion in the workplace isn't about free therapy, and this episode offers advice for cis professionals on navigating education with sensitivity and timeliness. Listen up community: Do the numbers on inclusion progr...
Oct 12, 2024•54 min•Ep. 50
Trans Canada Stories is about sharing trans stories and celebrating trans people and allies, from coast-to-coast-to-coast. In episode 7 'AccessAbility Week and Toilet Talk' , we’re shaking it up a little, in the spirit of celebrating equity and inclusion. This week is National AccessAbility Week ! The theme of this year's Accessibility Week is Forward Together: AccessAbility and Inclusion for All. It runs nationally from Sunday, May 26 to Saturday, June 1, 2024, to celebrate: the valuable contri...
May 28, 2024•51 min•Ep. 49
This episode we’re featuring an interview with Terri McDowell (She/Her), who has built a career working in a traditionally male dominated industry. As an award-winning trans woman, who rose to the C-Suite level on her own terms, Terri reflects on her growth both professionally and personally. Terri is a Senior Tax Partner with EY: Ernst Young. Globally, EY has a presence in 183 countries and has almost 450,000 employees based around the globe. Firstly, we are NOT talking tax on this episode. Wha...
May 09, 2024•37 min•Ep. 48
Join us for an exciting journey in Episode 5 of Trans Canada Stories, titled 'Equitable Horizons: Conversations on Workplace Inclusion'! In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome B Adair (he/they), a fresh addition to the SGF Inclusion team. B shares their inspiring journey from navigating the challenging anti-trans climate in Alberta to embracing new horizons on the East Coast of Canada. Get ready for an engaging discussion as we delve into topics ranging from beachcombing adventures to the vi...
Mar 06, 2024•36 min•Ep. 47
Few Webcomics have been as prolific and long-running as Assigned Male , the brainchild of trans Québécois cartoonist Sophie Labelle. First releasing in October of 2014, Assigned Male portrays life through the eyes of a trans middle schooler named Stephie who alternately makes light of, and chafes under the realities of growing up a transgender child in a cisgender world. The webcomic series is still ongoing. In 2017, Labelle first squared off against the rising tide of anti-trans and fringe-righ...
Dec 06, 2023•33 min•Ep. 46
"You read the book, you have a visceral reaction to things, you take note of it, and you bring it to the author..." In anticipation of Shelley Thompson's novel Roar hitting shelves, Emma and Cyn take the opportunity to learn more about the process behind the publication of this fiercely anticipated novel. This episode, we're taking a peek into the world of sensitivity reading, and the sorts of insights this process gives to authors looking to properly represent marginalized communities in their ...
Nov 08, 2023•30 min•Ep. 45
"It's the work of all of us to make sure people are informed." During the Cold War, Canadians became targets of a widespread, systemic effort to identify and expel all any queer people working in the military or public service. This included today's guest, Martine Roy. Martine was a young woman from Montréal who, looking for a purpose-driven career, joined the Armed Forces. Her world was shattered when one day, she was arrested out of the blue, and subjected to rounds of humiliating interrogatio...
Oct 25, 2023•42 min•Ep. 44
Welcome to Trans Canada Stories! Meet Emma (she/her) and Cyn (she/her) as Emma shares her transitioning story, and the two talk about the importance of access to gender affirming care, and the role of the queer community as a support resource. Emma shares a beautiful story about her own transition, recalling how the experience drew her closer to not only her community, but to her mother as well. Later in the show, Emma and Cyn speak with Felix Vandergrift (He/Him). Felix is a researcher and work...
Oct 04, 2023•44 min•Ep. 43
Welcome to Trans Canada Stories! It's a podcast dedicated to cutting through the headlines and clickbait to tell real stories about real trans people living in Canada today. "This show isn't going to be a bunch of inspiration porn about people having terrible lives and overcoming challenges..." This is a place to celebrate trans joy and the successes (big and small) which inspire it. We'll desensationalize the stories of trans people to tell honest accounts of the trans experience. We want to pr...
Sep 27, 2023•2 min
"Once you get in the room, it is actually a hell of a lot harder for them to kick you out of it." In our final episode of season three, we are finishing off with a powerhouse of a guest. Fae Johnstone (They/She) is Executive Director and Co-Owner of Wisdom2Action (W2A). She is an experienced community engagement expert, diversity and inclusion consultant, and project manager. Over her past two years working with W2A, Fae has led local, provincial, and national initiatives focused on 2SLGBTQ+ com...
Jul 10, 2023•36 min•Ep. 42
"I don't care how folks read, I care that you read." In this episode, Cyn and Isaac kick off summer with their book reviewer friend, Abbey Campbell (she/her), who shares some of the most exciting new publications to hit the world of Queer literature. Looking for a good novel to take on vacation, or something to read with your morning coffee? Then tune in, because Abbey and the team at Hey, Cis! have you covered! Did one of the books we talk about in this episode catch your interest? Featured Tex...
Jun 06, 2023•43 min•Ep. 41
"Allyship is a way of loving and taking care of other people." Today, Cyn and Isaac are joined by Kate Lum-Potvin (she/her) and Dr. Frank Sileo (he/his), co-authors of the new children's book, Pride and Joy: A Story About Becoming a LGBTQIA+ Ally. In this conversation, Kate and Dr. Sileo explain the reasons why they decided to write a book on allyship from the perspective of a young child, and their hopes for the impact it may have. The story follows a young Joy who, after witnessing an act of h...
May 01, 2023•31 min•Ep. 40
“The best that we can do is continue to be visible, continue to organize, and continue to take action to secure our own space within our own culture.” Just in time for the Trans Day of Visibility, Isaac (They/He) sits down with Simply Good Form Director of Program Development Emma Stanley (She/Her), to talk about the challenges surrounding and importance of living visibly. Given the recent rise of anti-Trans legislation and sentiment, Isaac and Emma discuss the increased importance of this year'...
Mar 27, 2023•45 min•Ep. 39
“This is a commitment to being trans. Being trans is now a fundamental part of who I am.” In this episode, Isaac (He/They) and Cyn (She/Her) have an energy-packed conversation with the first openly transgender Canadian woman to win the Rhodes Scholarship. Julia Levy (She/Her), joins us from British Columbia and shares with us her thoughts on a scholarship that is not without its historical controversy, and not originally intended for someone like her. As Julia comes to terms with the award, befo...
Mar 13, 2023•31 min•Ep. 38
Mariat Jibril leads with love and her leadership is infectious. In this latest episode of Hey, Cis! Isaac (he/they) and Cyn (she/her) join Mariat Jibril (she/her) in Vancouver, British Columbia and have a coast-to-coast conversation about being a Black, queer advocate and financial professional working in equity, diversity and inclusion. "I think we can love and we can lead with love and we can lead with love. You just like being a leader in any organization. You've got to have empathy. If you c...
Feb 25, 2023•46 min•Ep. 37
“I thought I'm pretty good at what I do. Am I prepared to sacrifice all of that? And why should I have to?“ In this episode, Terri McDowell (She/Her), a Saskatchewan-born, C-Suite business leader gets vulnerable about what is was like transitioning in and on the job, in a profession that's male, cisgender dominant; and she shows us how she is inspiring transgender people professionally, through ‘the art of the possible.’ A Partner & Principal at financial advisory firm Ernst and Young (EY), ...
Jan 31, 2023•52 min•Ep. 36
Books, tunes and gratitude. Welcome to the final episode of 2022 as we get festive with a Hey, Cis! Year-in-Review. This episode is hosted by Cyn Sweeney (She/Her) and Isaac Cook (He/They), with Emma Stanley (She/Her). Emma joins the show from Thailand, and we have to say we're a little envious of her 'winter attire'. In this episode we wanted to reflect back on a rollercoaster year and share some laughs, successes and our gratitude for all our followers and listeners. You'll remember Emma from ...
Dec 09, 2022•36 min•Ep. 35
Diversity flows beneath the waters off the coast of Halifax, Nova Scotia and above the surface in Atlantic Canada. Alexa Goodman (They/Them) and Aaron Judah (He/Him) both with MEOPAR and ocean sciences; know the importance of inclusion and representation within STEM; and they're making waves. It's a fast hour packed with great insight into inclusion and belonging and shifting the narrative in the Ocean Sciences and STEM. In this episode we chat with Alexa Goodman and Aaron Judah. Join this conve...
Nov 12, 2022•50 min•Ep. 34
Kwe’! It is Mi'kmaq History Month throughout the province of Nova Scotia and Hey, Cis! is celebrating... and learning... together with our special guest, Kassidy Bernard (they/them/Nekem). Kassidy Bernard is an L’nu and Scottish Two-Spirit youth from We’koqma’q. Kassidy grew up in Unama’ki, one of the seven ancestral districts of Mi’kma’ki. 'In my twenty-five years of life, I’ve grown and made connections within my L’nu, Two-Spirit, and creative communities. I continue to unlearn colonial standa...
Oct 14, 2022•50 min•Ep. 33
'Do disabled people get to have pleasure? And, you know, there's also all these other rules that go along with how people get it on; how people have sex and feel pleasure together. And one of the biggest myths that come up is around this idea of like spontaneity, where like every time we have sex, there should be no conversation that happens...' reflects Rachele Manett, on early childhood perceptions around the way sex is 'supposed to be'. In this episode of Hey, Cis! we are talking about the in...
Sep 23, 2022•46 min•Ep. 32
Being ' great ' at Grand-parenting isn't so hard. But what happens when you're a Grandparent and you've learned one of your grandchildren is trans? How do you keep the 'Grand' in Grandparent? Welcome to Season 3: Episode 31 of Hey, Cis! Want to be THAT Grandparent who has earned their bragging rights? In the season launch episode of Hey, Cis! podcast, we're celebrating Grandparents Day leading up to September 11th and talking with Trans Black activist and public speaker, Chris Cochrane (She/Her)...
Sep 08, 2022•39 min•Ep. 31
Being in an airport is always a stressful time- we've all had moments traveling when we had to hurry through security when you notice your running late to your flight. Traveling for transgender individuals however, comes with an additional layer of anxiety that many cisgender individuals take for granted. In the second part of this two-part series, Isaac and Cyn are joined by Simply Good Form's own Emma Stanley (She/Her) who is a frequent flyer and an expert at 'boymoding' to ensure she can get ...
Jun 16, 2022•32 min•Ep. 30
Being in an airport is always a stressful time- we've all had moments traveling when we had to hurry through security when you notice your running late to your flight. Traveling for transgender individuals however, comes with an additional layer of anxiety that many cisgender individuals take for granted. In the frst part of this two-part series, Isaac and Cyn are joined by Simply Good Form's own Emma Stanley (She/Her) who is a frequent flyer and an expert at 'boymoding' to ensure she can get th...
Jun 02, 2022•34 min•Ep. 29
CW: This episode contains strong language and themes of a sexual manner. "I know what you already think about me. I know that you think I'm.. you know.. less than. I know you think I'm not viable... for Queer men," says Andrew Gurza talking about reclaiming the word Cripple. But, you don't get to define Andrew Gurza, our Guest today on Hey, Cis! As we approach the end of Season 2, we are talking all about ableism, the 'power of being crippled' and breaking down stigma by talking about what matte...
May 18, 2022•38 min•Ep. 28
Who has four paws, almost 200k followers on twitter and approximately 10 years of vaccine research experience? Todays special guest, Chise! On previous episodes, Isaac and Cyn have had the honour to chat with members of our local community who are HIV positive and with the development of COVID-19 vaccines- the possibility of an HIV vaccine has emerged and became more of a reality. In this episode of Hey, Cis! we have the great pleasure to chat with Chise, an American Senior Scientist in Vaccine ...
Apr 20, 2022•46 min•Ep. 27
Did you have a role model growing up? Someone you could see yourself in.... someone with similar passions, goals, values to your own? What does isolation feel like, when you do not have this kind of connection? And why is it so important? Connection, visibility and belonging have never been more important and today we are talking to an inspiring leader who is creating connections for Queer people in our community through a new program, along with someone who is benefiting from these meaningful c...
Mar 31, 2022•39 min•Ep. 26
In Season 2, episode #25 of Hey, Cis!, 'Taking ACCOUNTability with X' we hit on an important topic about accountability. X (They/ Them) is a visual artist who uses drag as their medium. Working primarily as a performer and show producer within the nightlife scene in Halifax, Nova Scotia; X uses their platform to explore gender, fashion, performance, and persona. Starting to produce under their stage name in 2018, X gravitated towards this subversive art form because it allowed them to culminate ...
Mar 03, 2022•38 min•Ep. 25
In this episode we are joined by the dynamic Jefferson Darrell (he/him). Founder of Breakfast Culture , Jefferson is among Canada’s earliest outliers in the IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility) arena; successfully driving positive change management for organizations for the past five years resulting in more diverse and inclusive teams and increased revenue or new business opportunities. Isaac and Cyn had the opportunity to talk with Jefferson about journeys in decolonization, the t...
Feb 17, 2022•44 min•Ep. 24
