Thank Goodness It’s Thursday! A gigantic shout out to Jessica Lee for opening up her space this weekend, granting me the opportunity to record four incredible episodes! They offer very different but very moving content, so buckle up! This week’s TGIT holds few updates about my work contract, and some exciting adventures I’ve been on with the students, including WE Day in Vancouver seeing Frozen 2 in reclining chairs! Not sure who enjoyed that field trip more, me or my students. I open up about h...
Nov 28, 2019•32 min•Ep. 48
Chad Gilmour has recently turned a gigantic page in his life story, taking on a brand new role as a Father! This has Chad reflecting deeply on his own life choices, the role of his own father in his life and the role of his Grandfather on his Dad’s life, or lack thereof. “How can I be the best person in his world? How can I be as present in my son’s life as possible?” Self examination is something that Chad has become very familiar with, and in this conversations, you’ll hear Chad open up about ...
Nov 25, 2019•50 min•Ep. 47
One of my best friends, Jessica Lee, has officially made her debut on The Safe Haven Podcast! I really couldn’t be more excited to share this deep chat with you. Jess is moving through some major confrontations and epiphanies with regards to her weight and self-image. She opens up about the healing she is working through right now with her body image, body positivity and appreciation. She is exploring the concept of disordered eating and how this has shaped her life and her views of herself thro...
Nov 18, 2019•48 min•Ep. 46
Back at it after an incredible girls’ weekend in Naramata, BC, with games and some wine tasting, lots of lovely chats, heaps of laughs, and something extra exciting… Sam got engaged! The new teaching gig has officially started, and it’s great! I’m feeling super grateful to have been asked to step in while another teacher is away. I also learned some big lessons last Friday at the Vancouver Podcast Festival while discussing the frequency of content release and burn out. I’m nowhere near burning o...
Nov 14, 2019•27 min•Ep. 45
Nikola Barsoum and I met recently in BC, after being put in contact through a mutual friend, Kathryn (Berube) Darling, and we clicked immediately. As a herbalist, Nikola lives in a sustainable community of 40 people in the Kootenays offering her herbs, herbal medicine and tinctures, and is one of the most interesting people I have ever met. In this conversation, you’ll hear about many of her journeys and life experiences which brought her to where she is now, working with herbs in her garden, wi...
Nov 12, 2019•56 min•Ep. 44
Thank Goodness It’s Thursday! Already a week into November, what the heck?! Back to work after a really fabulous ten days out in the mountains! In this episode, I share about some Halloween shenanigans, (including a robbery!), what meeting a best friend’s best friend feels like, how a podcast was the catalyst to a good cry on the phone with my Dad, and what karma can look like when you say something you shouldn’t say, ever, but in this case, online! – and get caught doing so. Forgiveness is key....
Nov 07, 2019•33 min•Ep. 43
Back in July, while chasing content around Western Ontario, I met Anna Swisterski. Our mutual friend Urszula put us in touch when the podcast was still fresh! Anna grew up in Windsor, Ontario. In her later teens, she started to feel a pull that she needed to leave and explore somewhere else and be in nature. Confused about next steps, she was sure she wanted to be in nature, so she jumped into the a Parks and Outdoor Recreation program for two years. The science and outdoors really interests her...
Nov 04, 2019•48 min•Ep. 42
Thank Goodness It’s Thursday! Not only is it Halloween today, it’s the first day of the last Mercury Retrograde of 2019! Unsure of what that means? I share a little in this episode about what retrograde means, and why the next three weeks may feel rather emotional and intense! I also share some perspectives on some chats with Jess and a few articles I’ve read recently about Halloween, costumes, the expectation and/or acceptance around “sexy” costumes, and why freedom of expression should really ...
Oct 31, 2019•33 min•Ep. 41
Karen Orr, my “newish” friend shares some stories about her career as an ICU nurse and how she prioritizes her mental health and establishing a work-life balance. In this episode, Karen speaks about her diagnosis with Crohn’s in 2004 and what life is like living with a chronic illness. Currently in remission, Karen explains how Crohn’s has really dominated her life and her level of planning and spontaneity. She shares some travel stories about how scary traveling can be with a chronic illness. R...
Oct 28, 2019•45 min•Ep. 40
Thank Goodness It’s Thursday! An emotional week last week was accentuated by a fender bender in a parking lot earlier this week. The collision was as “good” as a collision could be, but really brought some financial perspectives full circle. I practice being vulnerable on this week’s TGIT by sharing some emotional perspectives I faced last week with regards to finances, and how some great friends of mine helped me pull my head in. I open up about some of my thought patterns with regards to finan...
Oct 24, 2019•42 min•Ep. 39
Juliette and I met during our Yoga Teacher Training in Costa Rica in 2017. We were in the same room, and established a friendship that has kept us connected. Juliette is a person I admire so greatly. She’s intelligent, generous, talented and ambitious. Before jetting off to Burning Man in August, Juliette sat down with me to share some of her life stories with us for the podcast. In this episode, Juliette shares stories about her life growing up, going to school in several countries, traveling a...
Oct 21, 2019•51 min•Ep. 38
Thank Goodness It’s Thursday! Another day, another drive, another roadside recording! Some fun Thanksgiving weekend updates, including the wrap up to the tire saga that started last week! A really lovely weekend in the Koots, and some intense games of Scrabble. The drive is beautiful, but it’s very long! So I listen to podcasts. Not just The Safe Haven Podcast, but a few others I’ll fill you in on, including one called HerMoney. After listening to several episodes of the HerMoney podcast today o...
Oct 17, 2019•38 min•Ep. 37
Myana and I met in Bali, and immediately feel into a genuine friendship. This girl is a powerhouse, and I admire her so greatly. From growing up as an island girl, moving around the world, modelling, and even being Miss Universe to becoming a very ambitious entrepreneur, Myana is a force to be reckoned with. She’s real, she’s compassionate, she’s intelligent, and she sets really high goals for herself – then puts the work in to achieve them. Myana shares some personal stories about what it was l...
Oct 14, 2019•55 min•Ep. 36
Thank Goodness It’s Thursday! This week’s TGIT elaborates a little on how I reset when I feel overwhelmed, how I work towards finding balance, and what goes on inside my squirrel brain sometimes with my mind’s internal dialogue. My mind is always on the go… A text from a friend sparked a chat about the fact that we shouldn’t assume, so I elaborate on The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, and why they are so important to incorporate into your life. That trails into some more chats with another ...
Oct 10, 2019•38 min•Ep. 35
Back in July, while chasing content around Western Ontario, I met up with an old friend, Natasha Grant. In this episode, Natasha (joined by her sweetheart daughter Charlie!) opens up and elaborates on the challenges she and her husband Kyle faced with secondary infertility last year. They conceived their son Finn almost immediately after saying “I do!” – but their journey with their second born, Charlie, was far from that. From highs and lows, waiting for phone calls, referrals and appointments,...
Oct 07, 2019•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 34
Thank Goodness It’s Thursday! Well here’s an update for the books… I am back in BC after a visit in Ontario! – yes, you read that correctly… I was in Ontario last weekend, and it was AMAZING. It was definitely strange to be there and not see my besties or have a car at my disposal to use to get where I wanted to go when I wanted or needed to. It was a massive time crunch – but was so worth it. I surprised my whole family (stories included!), spent Friday night with my sister and my nieces, was a...
Oct 03, 2019•40 min•Ep. 33
Holly Bishop is like a real life mermaid. She is smart, kind, creative, fierce, and inquisitive – she’s also an incredible Mom and partner to her husband, Pablo! In this episode, Holly shares some beautiful stories about her life and her travels in her younger days, and her more recent travel adventures, designing a life that keeps her heart happy, her skin sun-kissed, and her kids exploring life and the beaches and all things beautiful while spending the majority of their time together down in ...
Sep 30, 2019•57 min•Ep. 32
Thank Goodness It’s Thursday! This week, our first male guest hits the podcast. I start this recording by trying to clarify what I want this podcast to be and who I want it to reach… everyone. Kas was born as a female, but always knew something was different. At 14 years old, came out as a lesbian – something that was difficult to communicate, unsure of how it was going to be received. At 17, Kas learned about what it was to be transgender, and felt so much relief in knowing that he wasn’t alone...
Sep 26, 2019•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 31
Mena Canonico and I were connected through Sarah Ritchie, last week’s guest! (this podcast has become the master networker!!) Mena sources her intuition, expertise and wisdom as she joins forces with her dream team of former rescue horses to spark healing and transformation in her clients. She’s incredibly dedicated and powerful. This podcast was recorded on July 18th, and exactly one month later, Shiloh, Mena’s greatest gift and love, chose to transition. This loss has been felt so deeply by Me...
Sep 23, 2019•57 min•Ep. 30
Thank Goodness It’s Thursday! From looking after a geriatric bulldog to a diabetic cat and his hairless counterpart… just adding things to my resume! In this episode, I share my reflections on a Mark Manson article that I dove into this week called: “5 Skills to Help You Develop Emotional Intelligence.” I also share five things from my bucket list that I’ve crossed off over the years and why they were important for me to check off, with a quick short story for each of those items! (Thanks for th...
Sep 19, 2019•46 min•Ep. 29
Sarah Ritchie has had such a powerful and positive impact on my life. Trained originally as a school teacher, Sarah shares the life experiences and trainings that have helped shape the incredible light worker and healer she is today. Amongst many titles, Sarah is a lightworker, a healer, a Shaman, a Reiki Master, a Meditation Teacher, an RMT, an Intuitive, and a dear friend of mine. From painful skin conditions to bouts of depression, Sarah’s story about how she has arrived at where she is today...
Sep 16, 2019•1 hr•Ep. 28
Thank Goodness It’s Thursday! I have great friends. This recording takes place in Julie and Glen’s camping trailer… guys, I’m glamping this week, and I love it! In this episode, I share the story about surprising Julie and Glen for their wedding, my take on Gary Chapman’s 5 Love Languages, the importance on knowing what you want in a relationship and why big chats are so crucial, a university breakup (total blindside!), why being called “emotional” is A GOOD THING, my biggest insecurities, why t...
Sep 12, 2019•47 min•Ep. 27
Shortly after launching the podcast, Ashley Mariani reached out to ask me a few questions about the podcast. Long story short, we met up, we clicked, and now we’re friends! Ashley is a clinical social worker, is growing her own business, and has recently launched a podcast of her own! In this episode, you’ll hear us chat about the importance of storytelling, knowing your own story inside out and being aware of how you retell it to others and yourself, sexuality, communication, growth in relation...
Sep 09, 2019•59 min•Ep. 26
Thank Goodness It’s Thursday! I’ve made it back to Vancouver! This episode gives some updates on my adventure back from Bali and what I’m hoping September looks for me while I settle in to Vancouver. This is the first September in a few years that I haven’t been returning to a teaching job, so I’ve lined up a few new goals! My September goals include finding a job, a place to live, and getting back into my fitness and clean eating. I share some of the books I’ve been reading and my biggest takea...
Sep 04, 2019•43 min•Ep. 25
Sacha radiates positivity and health – but is very open and real about her lows and struggles, and that’s what makes her such a great guest for this podcast! In this episode, you’ll hear our shared excitement for life and the little things, and about the importance of moving your body – whatever shape and size it may be. Sacha shares some of her personal struggles with depression, bullying and her weight, as well as her goals moving forward with her personal training business and home studio. Sa...
Sep 02, 2019•1 hr•Ep. 24
Thank Goodness It’s Thursday! Some listeners and friends have been asking about what I’ve been up to, so I’ve taken today’s episode to deliver an update from Bali and my adventures in Gili Trawangan, Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan, Nusa Penida, and Ubud. It’s been such a special time! I also elaborate a little bit on feeling lonely, and how that is super rare and confronting for me. I’ve met some really cool new friends and they couldn’t have entered my life at a better time on this Indonesian ad...
Aug 29, 2019•51 min•Ep. 23
After being asked to be a guest on the podcast, Kathryn struggled with the topic idea we were considering; the loss of her Mom to ALS. This topic ended up being much more confronting that she’d anticipated, realizing that she hadn’t fully grieved the loss of her Mom over the past 9 years. So Kathryn came to the table willing to talk about her Mom but also couldn’t resist diving into other positive parts of her life that have also shaped who she is today. She weaves the storyline of loss and sadn...
Aug 26, 2019•56 min•Ep. 22
Thank Goodness It’s Thursday! During my first week in Bali, I met up with one of my greatest friends, Lindsey Francis. Recently back from her 200hr Yoga Teacher Training, she and I caught up in Canggu before she headed back to the New Zealand winter. I feel so grateful to have been able to catch up in person! We’re usually in touch via FaceTime or hand written… (or typed!) letters in the mail. This girl is a powerhouse, and a really real one at that. Like many of us, she’s had her ups and downs,...
Aug 22, 2019•52 min•Ep. 21
Joleen starts her story with how she met the love of her life, and how they joined their lives together. Shortly after they got serious – they got pregnant with Olivia – born one year to the day of their first date! Their lives changed quite significantly with the extremely severe allergies that presented with Olivia, and Joleen shares her stories about the challenges and difficulties with this in the young stages of Olivia’s life and how these allergies have altered their lives – but also how t...
Aug 19, 2019•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 20
Thank Goodness it’s Thursday! – Hello, from Bali! – A few fun updates about the last few days here in Bali and where my busy brain is at! Some reflections that go deeper than anticipated as go on a few solo mini rambles! I am so grateful to be here in Bali, and have endless amounts of gratitude for my friend Juliette for having me stay with her! I love you, friend. Please be sure to rate, review, like, subscribe, and maybe tell a friend! — Try this! So fun and so accurate… https://www.16personal...
Aug 15, 2019•50 min•Ep. 19
