You’ve heard the voice of today’s guest on a previous episode where she participated in a panel recorded live at the CCMA Awards weekend in Calgary - but no doubt, we needed AT LEAST an hour to cover off her brilliance, if not more.  Funny story; I had no idea I was already connected with Morgan through e-mail. Truth be told, I thought she was an Indigenous dude from what I could tell through our servers. I was communicating with 'MJ' to recieve a weekly Indigenous Music Countdown from NCI FM, a partner to SiriusXM who I worked for at the time. Fast forward to an episode recorded with Keziah Myers from ADVANCE. We were trying to figure out if there was a single black programmer in Canada working in Country music...after asking around for days...Amanda Kingsland led me to MJ from Winnipeg, who I was already e-mailing. Whoops. This episode teaches me a lesson about assumptions in so many ways. The ways I make assumptions. The ways that others make assumptions. We are human and we make mistakes. Morgan demonstrates how kindness, curiosity, and compassion can lead you to the lesson. We talk about her transition from Rhythm to Country radio formats, her thoughts on Morgan Wallen and micro-aggressions in the industry, and we talk about how minorities are represented in media. Currently, MJ is the Music Director of Now Country & NCI FM in Winnipeg. She also hosts a show on Now Country and the MJ Show Podcast where she interviews Country musicians. Find MJ on Air: https://nowcountry.fm/about-us/ Listen to the MJ Show Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mj-show-podcast/id1569264506 Watch the MJ Show Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@MJShowPodcast Find MJ on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morganjames-mj/ Check out Episode #41 for another appearance from MJ on the 2022 CCMA Awards Women in Country Panel: https://www.sarahburke.ca/women-in-media-podcast/ep41-ccma-women-in-country-panel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My next guest is a Canadian music and broadcast industry Hall of Famer, an author, a podcaster, and someone who woke up Toronto for THIRTY years of her life on the CHFI Morning show. Erin. Friggin. Davis. The beautiful thing about Erin Davis is her name floats through so many generations, broadcasting and otherwise. My Mom and Dad know her name. My colleagues know her name. Future broadcasters know her name. When Erin Davis was faced with mourning the loss of her daughter Lauren in 2015 in a very public way, Toronto mourned with her. Broadcasting colleagues across the country mourned with her. She bravely shared what her family was going through on and off the air. At a certain point, broadcasting took a back seat and it was time to move across the country and find peace. Erin now resides near Victoria, BC with her long-suffering husband Rob (or so she jokes). It's from there that she hosts the podcast Real Time for the Canadian Real Estate Association, a second podcast for and about seniors called Elder Wisdom: Stories from the Green Bench, and her (literal) dream project: Drift with Erin Davis, sleep stories gently told that currently rank in the top 1.5% of podcast downloads worldwide. You’ll hear her speak about all of these projects during this episode. Erin loves to write and shoot weekly video blogs at erindavis.com, keeps an annoyingly active social media presence, does freelance voice work and – most rewardingly – enjoys emceeing as well as sharing her keynote message of hope after tragedy based on her Globe & Mail bestselling memoir Mourning Has Broken: Love, Loss and Reclaiming Joy, published by HarperCollins Canada. She sleeps a lot more now, and highly recommends it...wait, are these wise words? Although I never had a conversation with her before this recording (it was actually recorded before she was a guest on the Jann Arden podcast I’ve been co-hosting earlier this fall), I found her SO easy to speak to and so very inspiring. She also happens to be best friends with Lisa Brandt who is another FANTASTIC guest I’ve had the pleasure to speak with and if you get them in a room or even e-mail thread together, you won’t be able to stop laughing. Please check out Lisa’s episode too! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I wanted a different perspective from the music industry; my next guest is Kristen Smith, wife of country star Dallas Smith. Kristen was an actor and singer in the past, but her current spotlight is a bit of a Side Effect. Her husband is arguably the biggest country artist in Canada. She handles the fame and attention with such care for her family and finds a way to surround herself with the right people. She's even embraced her platforms, finding ways to bring conversations about body image and mental health into our feeds. Kristen tells me the hilarious story of how hating Dallas’ band Default somehow lead her to falling in love, how she wants to raise her children and how they handle fame as a family. Kristen is currently a permanent makeup artist in Surrey, B.C. She does brow micro-blading and scalp micro pigmentation and you can find her info at https://www.pokeandstroke.ca/ and follow her work over on Instagram @shootermcgavINK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My next guest is Caroline Cameron, a host at Sportsnet. She hosts ‘Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey,’ Hockey Central, and you may have caught her rink-side reporting for Hockey Night in Canada and the Stanley Cup Playoffs. She's also hosted Sportsnet’s Olympic and tennis coverage, and YES, she covered Serena Williams' last dance, and YES, we will dig into the experience! Caroline has been with Rogers Sportsnet for a decade now, hired right after graduation. Two years into her career, Caroline was offered a job anchoring Sportsnet Central in Vancouver and moved across the country, taking a huge leap of faith. She’s been back in Toronto with Sportsnet since 2016, covering several sports, interviewing, reporting, anchoring and blazing trails for women in sports media. From covering the Olympics to Serena’s last dance, she’s become a powerful voice in sports and it’s been incredible watching her journey from Fanshawe to national sports coverage. It was really cool hearing about Caroline's transition out of school because we attended the same joint degree & diploma program in London, ON at Fanshawe College and Western University, where we both graduated with a diploma in broadcast journalism and a bachelor's degree from UWO! Follow Caroline Cameron on twitter HERE. Follow Caroline Cameron on Instagram HERE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My next guest is so many things...it's hard to give her a title! Hill Kourkoutis is a revered Canadian music contributor; an accomplished producer, songwriter, composer, mixer, recording engineer, multi-instrumentalist, and artist.  In May of 2022, Hill made Canadian music history when she became the first woman to be nominated for and win a JUNO Award for Recording Engineer of the Year in the 46 years since the category was created. HELL YEAH! Spanning her career, Hill has produced, mixed and/or written albums and/or singles for Leela Gilday (JUNO award-winning album ‘North Star Calling’), Digging Roots (“SKODEN”) , Royal Wood, Cassie Dasilva (the TikTok 1mm smash “Unsolicited Contact”), SATE (JUNO nominated-album ‘The Fool’, 2022 Polaris Prize nominee), Jules (“Before You Picked Her”), Meghan Patrick, POESY, Amanda Rheaume (‘The Spaces In Between’) and Tania Joy.  Additionally, along with Serena Ryder, Hill co-wrote and produced the theme song and the end title song for Universal Kids’ animated children’s series Remy and Boo, which was one of the overall top three pre-school series premieres of 2020. Hill also produced and co-wrote the theme song for Disney’s pre-school series Dino Ranch, the #1 rated pre-school series in the United States. Most recently, Hill co-wrote and produced episodic songs for Thomas & Friends, including the song “A Partner On The Rails”. She continues to write music for children’s television shows.  As a musician, Kourkoutis has had the honour of playing with artists such as The Weeknd, Serena Ryder, Martha and the Muffins and Tara Slone. For two seasons, Hill performed as guitarist onstage in the house band for the CTV series, The Launch.  While taking a respite from studio duties, Hill enjoys sharing stories of her life’s experiences in music as well as mentoring and teaching audio production with a variety of different music schools, organizations, universities, and music festivals.  Find more about her HERE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In partnership with the Canadian Country Music Association, host Sarah Burke led a panel of industry women through a thoughtful discussion about gender parity in country music for a special live recording of the Women in Media Podcast in Calgary, Alberta.  Nicole Iantorno - Manager of Sponsorship & Events, SiriusXM Meghan Patrick – Artist Morgan James – Music Director for Now Country / Program Director of NCI FM, Host Desiree Dorion – Artist Amanda Kingsland – Director of A & R, Universal Music  In the spirit of reconciliACTION and the upcoming National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th, panelists have donated some proceeds from their panel honorariums to the Downie Wenjack Fund: The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund is part of Gord Downie’s legacy and embodies his commitment, and that of his family, to improving lives of First Peoples in Canada. In collaboration with the Wenjack Family, the goal of the Fund is to continue the conversation that began with Chanie Wenjack’s residential school story, and to aid our collective reconciliation journey through a combination of awareness, education, and action. Read more: https://downiewenjack.ca/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lisa Brandt is a former broadcaster-turned-voiceover artist with thirty-five years of experience. While you will hear us talk about her career in Toronto and London studios, the good times and bad, the ‘playtime’ on the mic and her days in management, we had to talk about the storied career of another broadcaster who was recently ousted from her position anchoring a national newscast…someone only a year younger than her. The recent news surrounding Lisa LaFlamme has not only struck a chord with broadcasters and women in media but Canadians everywhere. Viewers. The audience.  Before you listen to this episode, please know and understand that there’s an ongoing investigation, and I don’t know any more detail than you do…On Linked In, Bell Media President and CEO Mirko Bibic shared the following statement: Since Bell Media’s decision to end her contract, there has been heavy criticism. The narrative has been that Lisa’s age, gender or grey hair played into the decision. I am satisfied that this is not the case and wanted to make sure you heard it from me. While I would like to say more on the Bell Media decision, we are bound by a mutual separation agreement negotiated with Lisa, which we will continue to honour. To address concerns raised regarding the working environment in the newsroom, we have begun an independent review involving confidential interviews with all newsroom employees who choose to participate. Any necessary changes that become evident will be implemented swiftly to ensure a respectful, unified workplace.  I also want to address the situation of our Vice President of National News, Michael Melling, who has been the subject of various allegations. Michael is on leave effective immediately, pending the outcome of the workplace review that is proceeding. I couldn’t think of a better person to sort of unpack all of this with than someone who’s got 35 years of broadcasting experience, contemplated going grey in the spotlight, and a woman who is only a year older than Lisa LaFlamme.  You can click HERE to read more. Lisa’s radio highlights include co-anchoring the 680 News Toronto morning show and being part of the launch of two rock stations. Along the way, she interviewed the very famous, and the not-so-famous and wrote a book about the inner workings of media and how to get on the air. Make The Media Want You is one of her 5 books, so far. Lisa is now a full-time voice-over artist, content creator, and works from home where she’s supervised by a senior cat named Cuddles. I looked all over her website for a photo of the boss and was disappointed to see Cuddles stays behind the scenes. Find more about Lisa and her work here: https://www.voiceoflisabrandt.com/ Lisa mentions the late Christine Crosbie in this episode and we wanted to leave a little more information here for you in her memory. She passed away in 2019 after losing a battle with cancer; you can read more about HERE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s possible you know her as front-woman for Canadian rock band Joydrop, from morning television or Rogers Hometown Hockey. My next guest is actor-turned-rockstar-turned-broadcaster, Tara Slone! Most people are lucky to have one successful career, let alone two or three. Jeez. Tara was also a finalist on the hit CBS series Rockstar: INXS. She has a lengthy acting resume, too. When looking for the next step in her career, Tara jumped at the opportunity to work at a small TV station in Toronto, and it became clear that making the leap from interviewee to interviewer gave Slone a unique perspective with her subjects. Tara’s next stop was as the host of Breakfast Television Calgary, where she spent five years. It was there that was given the opportunity to work in the world of sports, acting as a regular contributor to Sportsnet, covering the WHL and USports hockey, curling, soccer, and bobsleigh.  For 8 years, Slone co-hosted Rogers Hometown Hockey alongside Ron MacLean, and helmed the weekly Sportsnet series Top of [HER] Game in 2020 and 2021, focussing on stories of empowered women in the world of sports. Tara is also a Canadian Screen Award nominee for her work on the CityTV music program Budweiser Stage at Home. Find Tara on Instagram or Twitter and re-live some of her Sportsnet moments HERE. Women nominated in this episode: Shireen Ahmed (CBC), Christine Simpson (Sportsnet), Chanel Keenan (Seattle Kraken). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kim Wheeler is a Mohawk/Anishinaabe kwe who has brought positive Indigenous stories to the mainstream and Indigenous media since 1993. A Sixties Scoop survivor, Kim shared her own story in the radio documentary “Blood Money” for CBC’s The Doc Project. This powerful, emotional, and raw documentary won her her third imagineNATIVE award for radio work. Find out more about that HERE. Currently Kim hosts her own show on SiriusXM - The Kim Wheeler Show. She was an integral part of the team that re-branded Canadian Indigenous Peoples Radio to The Indigiverse on SiriusXM. The channel’s town hall special Turtle Island Talks was awarded the 2021 Broadcast Dialogue’s best multi-market program for a large market -- less than a year before she came onboard. Find out more about Kim's show HERE. Kim works from her treehouse media office in Winnipeg on Treaty One Territory where she manages communications for the Indigenous Screen Office, curates a yearly festival for the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, teaches podcasting at the National Screen Institute, produces and hosts the podcast Auntie Up!, lectures at universities and writes for a variety of mediums. Listen to the Auntie Up! Podcast HERE. She began her journalism career at the Edmonton Journal, then worked at the Canadian Press/Broadcast News for five years before leaving to pursue marketing and publicity work with the National Film Board. She joined CBC Radio One in 2008 and produced four seasons of ReVision Quest; a radio talk show that mixed personal storytelling, current affairs, interviews and comedy while exploring issues affecting Indigenous Peoples. She was awarded a silver medal at New York Festivals and two imagineNATIVE awards for her work on ReVision Quest. She was also short-listed for a Prix Italia for her work on Indian Summer, a series that told stories and shared songs of Indigenous musicians with host Wab Kinew (Yes, the leader of Manitoba’s NDP). Kim created and produced Ab-Originals – a weekly podcast of the hottest Aboriginal music in Canada on CBC Radio 3 for three seasons with a multitude of hosts. It was the precursor for CBC Music’s Indigenous music community where she developed digital content and programmed a 24/7 music channel. She grew the community from under 90 artists to over 250 Indigenous artists from 2010-2013. Kim currently sits on the advisory committee for the Indigenous Music Awards and was previously a board member and music programmer for Aboriginal Music Week. She has also very recently been named to the Coach House Books Indigenous advisory board. She was the original writer/researcher for Eagle Vision’s’ Taken series about missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls; has authored several Indigenous role model biography booklets; has led production teams to Standing Rock, Six Nations, and Haida Gwaii; and wrote an Indigenous style guide for Chatelaine magazine. Kim was instrumental in language and policy changes at the CBC with the closing of website comments on Indigenous stories and the capitalization and move to Indigenous instead of Aboriginal. She was also part of a small group of Indigenous employees who persuaded the public broadcaster to use the term ‘survivors’ instead of ‘former students’ when it came to residential school stories.  She was a producer on Unreserved, the weekly hour-long show, hosted by Rosanna Deerchild. Unreserved ran regionally for 11 months before being picked up by the network to run nationally. In the three seasons on the show her work garnered her an Indigenous Music Award, a New York Festivals award and a Gabriel honourable mention. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the last episode with Maureen Holloway and Wendy Mesley on the topic of their Women Of Ill Repute Podcast (which just launched), I mentioned that my next guest would be a male. The idea was for us to discuss how together, men and women can change the future of broadcasting to be more fair, transparent, and inclusive, inspired by the story Jennifer Valentyne recently shared. For reference, please refer to the last episode (#36). I did record a conversation with a former male broadcast executive who worked closely with the big personality in question, but unfortunately, listening back to the episode for review, he became uncomfortable with it being shared. While I understand and respect that decision, I’d still very much like to have that conversation. Please consider this an invitation to reach out if you are current or former management who has experience dealing with big talent. I’d love to have that conversation with a male for a different perspective, and I believe it will show allyship with women in this business, as well as bravery and vulnerability. I’ll leave that here, please get in touch if you’d like at [email protected]. In lieu of the new episode, please enjoy this conversation I re-visit with two-spirited Indigenous artist iskwē | ᐃᐢᑫᐧᐤ – a creator and communicator of music and of movement, of pictures, poetry and prose. And through it all, she’s a teller of stories that have impacted our past and will inform our future. You may know her best for her music, but she creates across many different mediums. Follow along with iskwē on her website, Facebook Page, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube Channel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been…an interesting few weeks in the Canadian media landscape. While many of us packed (and emptied) our coolers for the May long weekend, a Toronto Television and Radio personality shared a story that would rock female broadcasters everywhere, including me. Some will call her a whistleblower. Some will call her a troublemaker, and a problem. Some of us, though, call Jennifer Valentyne BRAVE. She had the courage to tell a story that is prevalent yet hidden in newsrooms and studios across the country. The story of a woman being threatened, silenced and diminished. But, she also told us the story of a woman who decided it was more important to tell this story than quietly walk away like so many do, like so many hope we will.  While Mo & Wendy have a lot to contribute to this conversation, I want to reiterate one of the early goals of this podcast: to build community. This is not a space where I'm looking to tear men down. This is a place for healthy discourse about what’s not working in this industry, and how we can make it better. In fact, my next guest is going to be the first male I’ve invited on this podcast, but more on that after I speak with two dynamite broadcasters who have faced their own challenges over the years. In case you're not familiar... Maureen Holloway is a fan favourite on the Toronto radio scene. After longtime stints at CKFM/Mix/Virgin 99.9, Q107, 98.1 CHFI and now Newstalk 1010, Mo is jumping into the podcast world feet first, hosting the Women of Ill Repute podcast with her dear pal Wendy Mesley. Throughout her long and varied career, Mo has received many honours, including the 2009 HOPE Award, the Canadian Association of Broadcaster’s Gold Ribbon Award for Humour, and the 2018 Rosalie Award, honouring women in broadcasting who have blazed new trails. Diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer in 2005, Maureen is an outspoken advocate for women’s health and social issues and is in frequent demand as a lecturer and keynote speaker, where her topics encompass women, humour and wellness. Now cancer-free, she plays golf and piano, both quite badly, and likes to cook, travel, drink wine, and laugh, often all at once. Over forty years before becoming a podcaster, Wendy Mesley had a front-row seat interviewing some of the most fascinating characters of our times. In the mid-80’s, she broke ground as the first woman to cover the Prime Minister for CBC’s National News. She went on to help create and host Undercurrents, investigating everything from fake news to misleading marketing and dishonest journalism. Wendy appeared on-air at 8½ months pregnant and anchored the National News wearing a wig after chemotherapy; Wendy was undeterred during these events. As the only child of a single mom, Wendy talks about things that are both personal and professional. She has won several Geminis and Canadian Screen Awards for her work and admits that she too sometimes gets things wrong. Find out more about Maureen and Wendy's new podcast HERE. Follow them on social media: https://www.instagram.com/womenofillrepute/ https://www.instagram.com/missmoradio/ https://www.instagram.com/wendy.mesley/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carlen Costa is a Clinical Sexologist, Psychotherapist, Political Scientist, Social Worker, Cannabis Educator, and CEO of The Everyday Goddess, igniting women to elevate their confidence and relationships through radical self-love. She is also the host of a new call-in lifestyle show called, 'Hi Carlen,' that revolves around sex, love, and mental wealth.  In her private practice and leading the stage as a global speaker, she has been featured in FASHION, Cosmopolitan, HuffPost, CBC, Refinery29, Vice.com, The Green Room and guested on various podcasts. Carlen is also the 4X best-selling author of "Love: The Women's Guide to Not Fucking Settling," available on Amazon. Carlen recently launched "Hi Carlen," your favourite new Sunday night, live, call-in lifestyle show available on YouTube. Read more here: https://www.carlencosta.com/hicarlen Connect, heart2heart with Carlen at www.carlencosta.com | theeverydaygoddess.ca | @carlen.costa. Here are some resources that informed our discussion: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/abortion-rights-canada-morgentaler-court-1.6439612 https://www.arcc-cdac.ca/politics-and-elections/ https://www.arcc-cdac.ca/arcc-cannot-support-bill-c-225/ https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/07/podcasts/the-daily/roe-v-wade-supreme-court-jane-roe.html Amanda Gorman's Recommendations on Why To Stand Up Against Abortion Bans  https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2021/09/jane-roe-v-wade-baby-norma-mccorvey/620009/ https://www.britannica.com/biography/Norma-McCorvey   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Mother’s Day...seems easy enough to say this time of year, but this year, it comes with a whole lot more emotion. There is an ongoing international discussion surrounding a woman’s right to choose what she does with her body. I’m angry. I’m sad. I’m disgusted. I’m disappointed. Why are we still defending a woman’s right to choose what she does with HER body? We’re going to have to get into this on a future episode, and please stay tuned in the coming weeks for a guest that will help us dig into this topic appropriately. For now, this episode celebrates a woman’s right to CHOOSE. If there’s anything I’ve learned while doing this podcast, it’s that every woman has their own story. Their own priorities. Their own triggers. While having a family isn’t part of everyone’s story, it’s a beautiful part of many stories that have been told here. I admire all the women who basically have two full time jobs, raising children while chasing their dreams. Some of these stories are traumatic, and some of them are up-lifting. My guests often share stories about their own mothers, too; some of whom are no longer with us. One thing I want you to keep in mind, is how many former guests on this podcast DIDN’T share their stories because they are too painful. Silent struggles are everywhere and we need to be more aware of this. In this episode, you’ll hear the voices of women whose mothers have inspired their careers, women raising children while working in media, and women who ache because they can’t. I’d like to dedicate this episode to my mom, who did the unthinkable in raising me. There is no greater gift than you believing in me and everything I do. As much as I try to incorporate her into my podcasting, radio show or anything else, she prefers to leave this kinda stuff to me. Love you, Mom.  Thank you if you submitted a question or comment about motherhood in the media; let’s celebrate motherhood and a woman’s right to choose by revisiting some former episodes and some great conversations. This got me thinking about matriarchy; A Matriarch is defined as a woman who is the head of a family or tribe or an elder within a family organization. While it’s common to assume it’s someone who birthed a child…we can also think about this from a female leadership perspective.  Happy Mothers Day to those celebrating, big love to those hurting, and hell yeah to those fighting for our right to choose. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My next guest is Laurie Brown. She currently manages country musician Don Amero, but she's also the founder of Porch Swing Entertainment. Porch Swing Entertainment is an artist management and consulting company handling full-time overall career management for artist Don Amero and project management for 'Amero Little Christmas', Don's holiday spectacular. Porch Swing Entertainment also works directly with Dale Speaking (promotions team) and MDM Recordings (radio team). With a professional designation in "Music Business - Artist Management" from Berklee College of Music, and having completed the Canada's Music Incubator ten-week Artist Manager Program in Toronto, Laurie brings a wealth of industry knowledge, funding and showcasing experience, and organizational skills to the artist's career and allows the artist to do what they do best - create and share incredible music. Laurie is the full time manager for MDM Recordings Artist Don Amero, handling all aspects of Don’s career. She also does double duty on the Dale Speaking Promotions Team and MDM Recordings Radio Team. Laurie’s previous work within the music industry falls primarily into the folk and country genres having managed artists such as Adam Gregory, Jeffery Straker, Flint & Feather, The Doll Sisters and Over the Moon, and having offered consulting and project managment to many more. Laurie was recently the winner of the “Industry Person of the Year” award for Country Music Alberta and in 2021 won a CCMA award, for Management Company of the Year, as part of the MDM Recordings Management team for her work with Don Amero. Find out more about Laurie Brown and Porch Swing Entertainment: http://www.porchswingentertainment.com/about.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Keziah and I had only been in touch for a few months kicking some ideas around about how to elevate Black voices in the music industry when I resigned from my role at SiriusXM. While it feels like we were meant to connect and had some great conversations about the state of the music industry; I really wanted to speak to her about her participation in the recently published 'Closing the Gap' report about the impact and representation of Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour Live Music Workers in Canada.  Read more about the report here: https://www.canadianlivemusic.ca/closing-the-gap  Keziah Myers believes in the skills and uniqueness of this country and knows that there is so much talent yet to be discovered. Currently as the Executive Director of ADVANCE - Canada’s Black Music Business Collective, Keziah’s main role is to advocate for the betterment, upliftment, and retention of Black Talent within the music industry. Leading this organization, Keziah focuses on changing processes, creating opportunities, and providing resources to ADVANCE members, and music industry organizations. Prior to ADVANCE, Keziah led music licensing initiatives at Entandem and the A&R Operations at SOCAN, where she was instrumental in ensuring diverse hiring, updating internal systems, improving operations, and enabling all offices to better serve 150 000 members. Additionally, Keziah has held positions in Label Operations Management and Publicity. She has also sat on Entertainment & Music Organization Boards, adjudicated as part of FACTOR and JUNO juries, and is a regular guest presenter for Art-Focused programs, colleges, universities and high schools. As a part of a major music movement in Canada, Keziah has taken opportunities to stay involved, advise, volunteer, educate, and advocate. Her passion for people has afforded her the opportunity to be able to live on 3 continents, and travel to over 30 countries. Keziah has worked with countless artists and music creators. Along the way she has worked with Drake, Maroon 5, Kim Davis, DSVN, Boi 1da, and many more. Keziah currently works on advisory committees, and juries for MusiCounts, FACTOR, The JUNO Awards, and the SOCAN Foundation. Find out more about ADVANCE: https://www.advancemusic.org/ AMPED 2022 (ADVANCE Music Professional Entertainment Dialogues) This professional development conference will take place in Vancouver, British Columbia June 3rd & 4th with a focus on professional development, music industry careers, funding opportunities, and the celebration of the community and Black music.The goal is to level up the community, providing tools that they need to build capacity and growth within the industry. ADVANCE & THE 2022 JUNO AWARDS: ADVANCE x JUNO Talks - Influential Black Women in Music, May 12 (4:00pm) An all-star line up of Black women who have worked in the music industry. This event will include a JUNO nominated performer and artifacts from Hip Hop over the years (shared by Master T). Register HERE. The Rap Committee Brunch - Powered By ADVANCE; Presented by AMAZON, May 14 A RocNation Inspired Brunch where invitees will be past and present Rap nominees, and those who helped them reach success in their careers. Emphasis on youth attendance, VIP/invite only In this episode, Keziah nominates Kadon Douglas, Executive Director of BIPOC Film & TV, Jamelia Campbell of The Orchard, and Vivian Barclay, GM at Warner Chappell Music Canada to come on the Women in Media Podcast in the future! A special shout-out to Morgan James who is indeed a Black country music programmer at NOW Country 104.7 in Winnipeg; you'll hear Keziah & I wondering if there was a black individual programming country music in Canada. Have you subscribed yet on your favourite podcast service? Leave a review if you dig what you're hearing and follow along on socials @WomenInMediaPod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My guest is Aliya Jasmine, a well known television host, producer, and environmental journalist (M.A., F.R.C.G.S.) who you may have first discovered on MTV in Canada, just like I did! Her award-winning work has been part of both national and local network coverage with NBC News, NBCUniversal, CTV Bell Media, MTV News, IMPACT, Discovery Channel, and more.  Aliya holds a Masters in Environmental Journalism from the University of Southern California, a Social Media & Digital Marketing Certification from Harvard University, and bilingual (French & English) BA in Communications from the University of Ottawa. She sits on the Board of Directors for the Canadian chapter of Nature Conservancy, Nature United, and is a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. Not exactly what you'd expect from someone you used to watch on MTV, right?  You'll need to hear more about her journey in media to really understand how she arrived at her latest chapter. In this episode, Aliya reflects on growing up as the child of refugees, the micro-aggressions of racism that have always been present in her career, proud moments, embarrassing bloopers....and so much more.  Keep up with Aliya Jasmine and her new projects on Instagram @aliyajasmine Read up on her new production company: https://www.lilimedialab.com/ Click HERE to learn more about MTV's Pipleline Wars, as discussed as a pivotal moment in Aliya's career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laura Simpson is the CEO and co-founder (along with artist, Dan Mangan) of Side Door; a dedicated team of artists and technologists committed to building a more efficient, fair and decentralized global ecosystem for the performing arts. The Canadian tech start-up which was founded in 2017 has a mission:  We believe anybody should be able to perform, curate and present shows for their communities. Side Door’s mission to create shows anytime, anywhere – first with in-person shows and now online. The platform marketplace is built to connect artists with curators, venues, service providers and audiences to make booking, ticketing and payments easy, fair and transparent. Side Door provides robust tools and support, without any up-front costs to the artist. Laura has spent much of her life serving the needs of artists and promoting live performance. Since 2007, she has worked with Music Nova Scotia, the Halifax Jazz Festival, the East Coast Music Awards, CAPACOA and the Halifax Pop Explosion. She has hosted house concerts (The Syrup Factory) since 2011. In 2015 she went to Los Angeles for four months to mentor with the former president of Warner Bros Records. Upon returning, she evolved The Syrup Factory into an artist services company. She believes experiencing amazing live art in intimate community settings leads to stronger human connection, greater empathy and improved mental health. Read more about Side Door HERE. Find out more about Laura Simpson HERE. Follow Side Door on Instagram HERE. Follow Side Door on Twitter HERE. Find Side Door on Facebook HERE. Women mentioned in this episode: Journalist Maggie Rahr,  artist & producer Reeny Smith, Megan and Marie Wright of Mirror Image Media, and Film Director Megan Wennberg.  In this episode, she references a concert in which Broken Social Scene performed on a goat farm: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Although I celebrate women all year long on this podcast, I'm always up for celebrating Women's History Month and International Women's Day. This week also marks the one-year anniversary of this podcast. I'll revisit some of the inspiring conversations I’ve had over the last year; call it a best-of if you will. But, I also have some personal news to share. You know, when I launched this podcast just ahead of International Women’s Day a year ago, my aunt asked me, "hon…when do we get to hear your story?" I laughed and tucked that comment into the back of my head and tried not to think about it all year. The truth is, while I’ve been interviewing women about their challenges and triumphs in the media, I’ve been having a really difficult time myself. Maybe launching this podcast was a means to better understand what I’ve been going through. But, if you’ve noticed, you haven’t heard too much about my story yet, and why? Fear. Fear seems to be a constant theme on this podcast and it’s popped up in almost every conversation. It’s different for everyone. Fear of losing one’s job. Fear of judgement. Fear of not being good enough. Fear of being too demanding. Fear of asking too much. Fear of saying the wrong thing. Fear of being too confident, too bold, too much… What stops you from making tough decisions? For me, it was the fear of ruining my career; the fear of not getting another great job. The fear of repercussions. But, I did it. I just became a stat in the great resignation and left my job. A job that I absolutely loved. I handed in a resignation letter without even lining up a new full-time job. One of my greatest fears came true in the process: I didn’t get to say goodbye. I didn’t get a chance to say thank you to my colleagues or partners or the emerging musicians-turned-friends that have been the soundtrack to my last five years. Forbes recently did a piece on the Great Resignation and shared some findings from an American survey that asks what the main causes are. The top three causes were low salary, limited career opportunities, and not feeling valued by management...interesting. Let’s unpack one more factor. I think this pandemic has forced many of us to look inwards, asking ourselves who we are, what we care about, and who we want to be next. A job doesn’t define you and that’s a lesson that I’ve needed to learn for a long time, but better late than never. I made the decision to resign in the name of self-love and that concept is pretty new for me. The challenges were outweighing the joy I once felt at work. That may be shocking to some, but as thrilling as these last five years have been at a really exciting company, it became difficult to separate me from SiriusXM. I also came to an important realization that helped me face my fear; my accomplishments will follow me. Just because you resign, it doesn’t erase what you’ve poured your heart and soul into for five years. It doesn’t end friendships that will continue for years to come. I’m grateful for the entire journey, though, and really excited for the future. I have some thanks to give as I end this chapter, and I wasn’t given much else of a choice but to do this here. I want to thank SiriusXM and my colleagues for the last five years. I’ve learned so much about our business and the industry, but also about myself and what I’m capable of.  As you know, this podcast is about building community, and celebrating women. Today, I just so happen to be celebrating a personal decision, a new chapter, and five years of accomplishments alongside the amazing guests that were part of year one of the Women in Media podcast.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melani Mariani is a radio announcer based in Toronto, currently hosting Middays at Indie88 (88.1 CIND FM). She is a former host for 102.1 The Edge in Toronto where she quite literally "worked her way up the ladder" from receptionist to morning show. In this episode of the Women in Media Podcast, Mel talks about being real with her listeners during a global pandemic with divided opinions and unexpected highs and lows.  Melani touches on how she worried about starting a family and how it would affect her personality on-air. She also talks about how insecure a radio job can be, especially when you're pregnant for the second time. She reflects on a difficult experience at the Edge when she was fired shortly after she got pregnant with her second daughter, Margot.  Melani and I first crossed paths at The Edge where I worked part-time during my time at FM96 in London. I'm lucky enough to call her a colleague again at Indie88 and I'm not lying when I say she may be the nicest person I've ever met in Canadian radio! I loved her analogy about all of us women being onions! Have a listen to see why the episode is titled this way...enjoy! Listen to Mel on Indie88 Follow Mel on Instagram Follow Mel on Twitter   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kathleen Newman-Bremang is a writer, editor and producer who recently became the Global Deputy Director at Unbothered; Refinery29’s sub-brand made for and by Black women. Through Unbothered, she oversees content across the UK, U.S., and Canada, and writes about pop culture, race, feminism and the intersection of all three, while championing other Black women writers to do the same. Her essay “For Black Women In Media, A Dream Job Is A Myth” was a finalist for a Canadian National Magazine Award. Her column What’s Good spotlights Black creators of colour and their series and films. Newman-Bremang has profiled stars like Angela Bassett, Issa Rae, Yara Shahidi and Joshua Jackson and furthered conversations about representation in television, accountability in media and the importance of hiring Black and Indigenous creators behind the scenes of film and TV productions. She’s a co-host of the popular R29 Unbothered podcast Go Off, Sis, a mentor for Canadian Journalists of Colour, and a frequent culture commentator for various national broadcast programs.  A Toronto-based writer, editor and producer, her writing has appeared in publications like ELLE, Cosmopolitan, Lainey Gossip, Corduroy Magazine, The Toronto Star and The Kit. For six seasons, she was the celebrity and entertainment producer on Canada's #1 daytime talk show The Social and has contributed to many high-profile productions like eTalk: Live at the Oscars and co-created Crave's original series Cravings: The Aftershow for the streaming service. Anytime I read one of Kathleen's pieces, I always find myself with a new perspective. She is an absolute force with words and I highly recommend you check out her latest piece for Black History Month which you'll hear us discuss in this episode: https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2022/02/10834953/redefining-black-excellence-success-mediocrity Find more of her writing here: https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/author/kathleen-newman-bremang Listen to her podcast: Go Off, Sis Follow Kathleen on Instagram: @KathleenNB Follow Kathleen on Twitter: @KathleenNB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, no big deal. My next guest is Jann Arden; a multi-platinum award-winning singer, songwriter, actor, author, broadcaster, podcast host, and author with three decades of incredible work in music and comedy. As a good friend of mine noted, she is considered a 'Canadian treasure' by many. She is set to release her 15th studio album, Descendant this week on January 28, 2022, via Universal Music Canada. In this episode she speaks about her ups and downs in the spotlight, great colleagues like Allan Reid and Jeffrey Remedios, body image and so much more. Born and raised in Alberta, Arden catapulted onto the Canadian music scene in 1993 with her debut album, Time For Mercy, featuring the hit single, "I Would Die For You". A year later, with the follow-up album Living Under June, she would have her career breakout hit "Insensitive," which solidified her position in the music scene across Canada and beyond. To date, Arden has released 17 albums and achieved 19 top 10 singles. Her music is available to stream HERE.  With accolades that include 19 top 10 singles, eight JUNO Awards and 10 SOCAN Awards, Arden is a beloved Canadian musical artist and personality. In 2020, she was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame joining the ranks of Canadian music icons like Alanis Morissette, Bryan Adams, Barenaked Ladies, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Joni Mitchell, k.d. lang, Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, RUSH, The Guess Who, The Tragically Hip, Sarah McLachlan, Shania Twain, and many more. A versatile artist, Arden co-created and stars as a fictionalized version of herself in the CTV Original Comedy Series JANN, available on CTV in Canada. The first two seasons are available via HULU in the U.S. Premiering in 2019, and the series was the most-watched new Canadian comedy series of the 2018-19 broadcast season. Season three wraps up with the last episode on November 15. The show features Sarah McLachlan, k.d. lang, Elisha Cuthbert, Keshia Chanté and more. Arden has been involved in Workin' Moms, Wynonna Earp, Private Eyes and The Detour, she has previously appeared in sitcoms Ellen and Corner Gas. Arden has made guest appearances on CBC's Rick Mercer Report, as well as regularly appearing as a guest host on The Social. Arden also hosts an iHeartRadio original podcast called The Jann Arden Podcast, discussing everyday life challenges, triumphs, and tribulations. The Jann Arden Podcast is a fun-filled, relatable experience exploring what makes all humans authentically themselves with various special guests, including musicians, actors, politicians, writers, and athletes. Listen HERE.  In addition to being a singer/songwriter, Arden is, of course, an author of note, peppering her words of wisdom with her signature humour. Arden has written five books, the most recent being her new memoir "IF I KNEW THEN: Finding Wisdom in Failure and Power in Aging," released in October 2020 via Random House Canada. IF I KNEW THEN follows Arden's 2017 Canadian bestseller, "FEEDING MY MOTHER: Comfort and Laughter in the Kitchen as My Mom Lives with Memory Loss," which spent a combined 44 weeks on The Globe and Mail bestseller lists. The new album Descendant is produced by Bob Rock, Russell Broom and Jann Arden. The 15-song collection represents the last 18 months of Arden's life and headspace. A bold, beautiful, and empowering sound of Jann Arden, Descendant signifies a return to form for the multifaceted artist, reflecting on where she came from and where she is headed.  Women nominated to come on the Women in Media Podcast in this episode: Jody Vance, Wendy Williams Watt, and  PRE-SAVE DESCENDANT AND LISTEN TO "STEADY ON" HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Teri Hart is my first guest of 2022 and I really appreciate how candid she was about all sorts of difficult subjects; like losing jobs and why she decided to share her painful experience about trying to get pregnant.  One of Canada’s most recognized and sought-after media personalities, Teri Hart is a multi-talented host, interviewer, critic and producer. With an encyclopedic knowledge of film and television, she has been covering entertainment and culture for over 25 years and has conducted thousands of interviews with some of the world’s biggest super stars including Oprah Winfrey, Meryl Streep, Robert Redford, Steven Spielberg, Denzel Washington, Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise and Jennifer Lopez, to name just a few. She is currently the face of Super Channel Superpicks. These weekly segments provide viewers with guidance and insight into what to watch and why. Teri has been seen reporting live from red carpets around the world including the Cannes Film Festival, the Grammy Awards and The Toronto International Film Festival in addition to hosting public events for The Walt Disney Company, Warner Brothers, Paramount Pictures, Entertainment One, Sony Pictures, MK2 Films, The Toronto Film Critics Association and Landmark Cinemas. An ardent supporter of Canadian film and television, Teri has never missed an opportunity to champion the work of directors and actors from across the country and has regularly appeared on behalf of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, ShowCanada and The Canadian Picture Pioneers. Prior to joining Super Channel, Teri was a Senior Entertainment Reporter and Supervising Producer at CITY TV responsible for producing stories for CITY News and Breakfast Television in addition to filling in as co-host for the Toronto morning show. She received a Canadian Screen Award nomination in 2018 for Best Local Newscast and her coverage of Canadian icon Gord Downie. For 19 years Teri was the producer and host of The Movie Network (currently Crave) and has also appeared on The Morning Show (Global), E-Talk, The Social (CTV). and as a regular contributor on CBC Radio One’s internationally syndicated arts and entertainment show, “q”. She is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association. In addition to her media work, Teri is a respected public speaking and presentation skills coach. You can contact her at this address for more information: [email protected] Follow Teri on Twitter @TeriHart Follow Teri on Instagram @TeriHart Follow Superchannel Superpicks on Instagram @superchanneltv Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Where do I start with this amazing human? Allison Dore is the FOUNDER and CEO of Howl & Roar Records; a female-centric comedy record label that empowers artists and facilitates the creation of content. Understanding the difficulties artists face with distribution and navigating ‍‍‍the many paths content can take, Howl & Roar Records strives to be a trusted resource for artists.‍‍‍ Based in Toronto, Howl & Roar Records was born out of a desire to make the comedy album world more reflective of the diversity in the industry.  Allison is also the host of The Breakdown, a three-hour daily entertainment-based talk show on SiriusXM channel 167, Canada Talks; this is how we met. She's also a former comedian. Because she can’t get enough of interviewing people and sharing their stories, she also hosts and produces a podcast called "Digging In", which features one on one conversations about life philosophies, overcoming personal struggles, and how guests think about life. While it's on hiatus for the time being, it'll be back! As a speaker, Allison shares her story of battling mental illness and addiction in order to bring hope to those who are currently struggling. Find out more about Allison at the links below: https://www.allisondore.com/ https://howlandroarrecords.com` Follow Allison on Twitter and Instagram. Follow Howl & Road Records on Twitter and Instagram. Follow SiriusXM'sThe Breakdown on Twitter and Instagram. Check out the Digging In Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Earning her second Canadian Screen Award (Best Local Newscast) in 2021, Lindsay Dunn has become one of Canada’s most respected talents. Honing her reporting skills for the better part of the last two decades, Dunn grew up in Regina and spent much of her childhood dreaming about reporting on the world’s biggest sporting events — especially those of the WNBA and NBA. Dunn currently holds the position of National Sports and Music reporter for CityNews and is the first to ever hold that title — since it was created to honour both her passions in life. As Toronto’s only local news female sportscaster for a national network (CityTV), Dunn has covered the biggest sporting events of the last decade. From Kobe Bryant's last game in Los Angeles to the Raptors Championship, Lindsay’s everyday approach to reporting allows her to connect with sports fans across the globe. She is regularly featured as a WNBA/NBA expert on BBC News, BBC World TV and BBC Sportsworld and has appeared on ESPN, TSN, CTV, Global and Rawlco Radio as a basketball commentator. In addition to her love of sport, Dunn has an unrelenting passion for music and the artists who create it. Over her 11 year career, she has had the opportunity to highlight the incredible stories of artists such as Drake, Keith Richards and Dolly Parton. Working to celebrate the human-aspect of every success story, Dunn shines as an entertainment reporter at Canada’s biggest events including the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and the JUNO Awards, among others. Nominated for a 2021 Canadian Screen Award (although already 2x CSA winner), for her work as a host and producer on the ‘Heroes of Covid’ special, Dunn is a regular contributor to Sportsnet’s monthly interview series “Top of Her Game,” writes weekly WNBA features for Sportsnet, and is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. When not reporting, she spends her time working on a documentary that showcases the impact that Canadians have had on the UK music industry while listening to every album ever made by an NBA player on vinyl (yes, she has them all). Find more about Lindsay Dunn: https://toronto.citynews.ca/author/lindsay-dunn/ https://twitter.com/LindsayDunn https://www.instagram.com/lindsaydunntv Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Erin Benjamin is President & CEO of the Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA) and has been since its creation in 2014. Erin has worked in the music industry for over 25 years - first as a touring and recording artist, and then as Executive Director of both Folk Music Ontario (2001) and the Canadian Arts Presenting Association (2008). Erin has been an unflagging champion for the live music sector, particularly during the difficulties presented by COVID-19. She currently serves on the Ontario Ministry of Heritage, Tourism and Cultural Industries pandemic-response Ontario Music Panel as co-chair, and on advisory committees for Ontario Creates, the National Arts Centre Creation Fund and Algonquin College. Erin also sits as a board member for the Ottawa Board of Trade, the Ottawa Film Office and the Unison Fund – Canada’s leading music industry charity. Under her leadership, the CLMA launched the #FortheLoveofLIVE awareness campaign to amplify the impact of COVID-19 on the live music industry for government. The campaign has reached over 60M (and growing) and has helped to leverage over $300M+ in emergency relief for the broader live music sector. Since March 2020, she has produced a weekly livestream show out from her living room with a local artist which has raised over $150,000 for local charities in need during the pandemic. She is the recipient of several awards including the United Way’s Community Ambassador Award and the Ontario 150 Award, in recognition of her service to community. Find out more about the Canadian Live Music Association: https://www.canadianlivemusic.ca/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lindsay Duncan says she is a photographer, "of people and the things they make - musicians, writers, artists...I view my position as a photographer as a liaison between the public and the artists’ private moments; a position that requires artists to trust my intent and respect their work." I am most familiar with Lindsay's work shooting musicians, but she does everything from professional headshots to commercial photography. She is also fresh off the road from photographing Jagmeet Singh on the campaign trail leading up to the 2021 federal election.  We first crossed paths at a studio session where she captured some wonderful photos of Matt Mays and myself while I was interviewing him. Her warm energy felt like a match for something I was dreading: new headshots. Does everyone dread new headshots as much as I do? I hope I look like this for awhile because I HATE HEADSHOTS and I was so thrilled with how they turned out. Find a few here: https://www.facebook.com/Burketalks When I was getting ready to launch this podcast, she was the first person that came to mind to help me update my image a bit. I thought, if I'm going to be awkward as hell anyway, I better hire someone who will make me feel comfortable. If anything, she seemed like a photographer I could at least enjoy hanging out with for an afternoon (and that we did). In this episode, you'll hear Lindsay talk about her techniques in photography as she refrains from influencing or directing the subjects she photographs and her respect for humans as subjects vs. objects.  Find out more about Lindsay and her work: http://www.lindsayduncanphoto.com/ https://www.instagram.com/lindsayinmotion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Julie Adam is a name I've known for years; yet we've never had a conversation quite like this. From my early days in radio, she was someone, "you just need to know." If I'm being honest, I was always intimidated to be in the same room as her because I've always thought she was just brilliant! When I asked Julie if there was anything she didn't want to discuss, she said simply: No, I'm an open book. This is quite ironic if you keep reading. As Senior Vice President of News & Entertainment at Rogers Sports & Media, she is responsible for driving the strategy and overseeing the management and development of Rogers Sports & Media’s News & Entertainment brands including, Citytv, CityNews, 98.1 CHFI, KiSS 92.5, Pacific Content, FX/FXX, OMNI Television, and Rogers tv. Under her portfolio are the company’s suite of 56 radio stations, 2 podcast networks, 30 local television stations, and 15 television channels. Julie is a passionate and dedicated leader in her industry who began her career at Rogers in 1999 as the KiSS 92.5 Program Director. Since then, Julie has been recognized as Canada’s first female Vice President of Programming and is a recipient of the Rosalie Award from Radio Trailblazers. Julie is proud to sit on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters Toronto, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, MusiCounts, Radioplayer Canada, and Canadian Broadcast Sales. As if she's not busy enough with her list of responsibilities, she is also part of the Inclusion & Diversity Council at Rogers. Julie contacted me after our recording session to tell me she reconsidered something she withheld from our conversation; she wrote a book and was READY to talk about it! It's a true honour to break this news to the broadcast world because she's trusting me with her story. I hope you enjoy this episode and appreciate Julie's perspective on this crazy industry as much as I do.  Find out more about Imperfectly Kind  on her website https://julieadam.ca/ Find Julie on Linked In. Follow Julie on Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ishkōdé Records is a new Indigenous women-owned label created to foster and amplify Indigenous voices. Ishkōdé Records arrives to advocate for Indigenous artists, songs and stories in the commercial music landscape. Led by artists, organizers and activists Anishinaabekwe ShoShona Kish (Digging Roots) and solo artist Amanda Rheaume, Citizen of the Metis Nation of Ontario, Ishkōdé approaches the independent label operations through the lens of women and artist entrepreneurship, long-standing industry experience and cultural and ancestral processes. The word Ishkōdé means fire in Anishinaabemowin. Find out more about Ishkōdé Records HERE. Amanda Rheaume is a citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario and a singer/songwriter that has self-managed her music career for over 15 years. Her album Keep a Fire was nominated for a JUNO Award and won a Canadian Folk Music Award for Indigenous Songwriter of the Year. Amanda identifies as she/her and is an active and proud member of the LGBTQ2S+ community. Amanda is also the Director of Operations for the International Indigenous Music Summit, Co-Founder of Ishkōdé Records and Project Coordinator for the new National Indigenous Music Organization here in “Canada.” Find out more about Amanda HERE. ShoShona Kish is an Anishinaabekwe community organizer, producer, activist and artist in JUNO award-winning band Digging Roots. Co-Founder of Ishkōdé Records, Kish is also the Artistic Director of the International Indigenous Music Summit and has curated and collaborated on projects with Canada’s National Art Centre, the Women of the World Festival and the Sydney Opera House. Kish’s work has been recognized with Folk Alliance’s Spirit of Folk Award and WOMEX’s Professional Excellence Award. Find out more about ShoShona and Digging Roots HERE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joss Richard is an AAPI Emmy Award winning Producer, born and raised in Toronto where she worked as a Television Producer before moving to Los Angeles. At the age of 28, Joss has been formally recognized by the Daytime Emmy Awards and worked at Netflix, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Walt Disney Company, and recently joined the team at Red Table Talk. She specializes in creating digital content and managing content strategy. During the pandemic, Joss entered the entrepreneurial world when she realized there was a gap in women’s access to mentorship, and how many women struggle to ask for compensation for their time and knowledge. With that, she founded Margot Community: an inclusive online network that helps women and gender-marginalized individuals find mentors while providing virtual 1:1 time with them. Her mission is to normalize the concept of women being paid for their time and knowledge while building a community that revolves around access to mentorship. https://www.margotcommunity.com/ Check out Red Table Talk HERE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My guest for this episode is Alysha Newman; the current Commonwealth Games champion in the women’s pole vault (she set a Games record at the 2018 competition with a 4.75m jump). She represented Canada at both the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games, also placing fifth at the 2019 World Championships. Alysha was born and raised in London, Ontario, plying her trade as a competitive gymnast before a back injury forced her off the balance beam and into track & field. Alysha is a graduate from the University of Miami where she became a six-time NCAA Division I All-American and currently lives and trains north of Toronto in Caledon, Ontario. We talk about her passion for working with brands that align with her values, being kind to your body and mind, and being transparent about difficult times as an influencer. I reference this Instagram post from August 3rd, 2021: "Directly from me to you all, here is my truth of 2021. It was a absolutely sh*t year for me on the track. Completely opposite to my dreams and goals I put out for myself. Everything that could have gone wrong, went wrong.  You could look at my 2021 year and say I hit rock bottom in my pole vaulting career or you could say damn Alysha, look at the mountains, obstacles and sh*t you put up with. It wasn’t easy, it was really hard on my family, my coaches and especially me and my mental health." Follow @AlyshaNewman   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jacie deHoop is a co-founder, and head of partnerships and revenue at The GIST. She led the company’s revenue strategy and monetization through partners like the NBA, FanDuel and Red Bull. Jacie and her team were named to Forbes 30 Under 30 Media 2020 and have been accelerated through programs with Facebook, Comcast NBCUniversal and Techstars. Prior to The GIST, Jacie worked as a management consultant in Toronto. She loves all things sports, is an avid cyclist and graduated from Queen’s University (where she also met her two co-founders).  The GIST creates sports content and experiences that are by women and for women. Their mission is to level the playing field. https://ca.thegistsports.com/ Read about their $1 Million Seed Round HERE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michelle Szeto is Vice President of the Management Division at Paquin Entertainment Group in Nashville. I first met Michelle with one of her longtime clients, Donovan Woods at a Juno Awards Gala broadcast. Since, we've worked on a few projects together in my work at SiriusXM. Michelle got her first taste of the entertainment industry at an early age in her hometown of Hong Kong, working in concert production for international superstars such as Oasis, Celine Dion, Boyz II Men, Sean Lennon and Prodigy. Wait until you hear the Noel Gallagher part!! Since joining Paquin Entertainment Group over fifteen years ago, Michelle has worked in publicity, tour marketing and management. Now, in her role as Vice President, Management Division, Michelle personally manages award-winning artists and songwriter: Donovan Woods, Logan Wall, Aaron Raitiere, Wild Rivers, Devan and Cassidy Mann; continues to lead global marketing and press initiatives for management clients, including Buffy Sainte-Marie; and works alongside the Agency division in international talent acquisition and tour marketing support for its roster of artists.  During the pandemic, Michelle and Donovan launched a record label together which they called End x Music (end times music...the pandemic, you get it). The core of End Times’ mission is transparency and adaptability. In the world of streaming, the data is available. Artists should understand their expenses and their earnings as well as anyone they work with. It allows us to interpret and react to how, why, and where songs are being discovered.  There are many pathways to success, and success looks different to everyone. Every artist and every project is unique and artists should be confident that the team built around them is being created thoughtfully and purposefully in service of their individuality.  https://www.endxmusic.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleszeto/ https://www.paquinentertainment.com/management-team Here are some links to listen to Michelle's clients: Donovan Woods Logan Wall Aaron Raitiere Wild Rivers Devan Cassidy Mann Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Born in Ridgewood, New Jersey, and raised in Oakville, Ontario, Evanka Osmak is best known for her work at Rogers Sportsnet in Toronto. A career in sports television was not part of her initial plan, though... She graduated with a Civil Engineering degree from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. At 24-years-old it became very clear to her; she wasn't excited about engineering the way she might have been excited at the thought of working in television broadcasting. She completed a broadcasting diploma at Seneca College, worked on-air at JACK-FM in Orillia, Ontario and then made the leap into television taking a morning show opportunity at KYMA in Yuma, Arizona. ​ She's been back home in Toronto at Sportsnet ever since 2007 covering everything from the Toronto Blue Jays return to the playoffs in 2015, the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and reporting court side at the Rogers Cup. ​Catch Evanka weekday evenings on Sportsnet Central along with her co-anchor, Ken Reid and find out more about her work below. Make sure to check out her podcast, Moms in the Middle, too! https://www.sportsnet.ca/author/evanka-osmak/ https://www.evankaosmak.com/about-me https://www.instagram.com/evankaosmak https://twitter.com/evankaosmak Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lately, you've heard many guests that are TV & Radio personalities; the faces associated with certain brands and platforms. Let's head behind-the-scenes for this episode to speak to Melissa Bubb-Clarke. As Vice President of Music & Live Events at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), she oversees the Entertainment portfolio including Live Nation Canada’s award-winning Corporate Partnerships agency, as well as live event programming and production for their venues and associated revenue streams.   Consistently one of the top #4 arenas in North America and Top #10 globally for live entertainment, Scotiabank Arena continues to make its mark as a global destination for artists and fans. With over 20 years of experience in the Entertainment industry, Melissa has always been passionate about the intersection of music, arts, culture and commerce. Melissa is a proud board member of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (Juno Awards and Musicounts), where she sits on the Governance Committee, the Canadian Live Music Association where she Chairs the Communications Committee and serves on the Toronto Music Advisory Council. Previously, she also served on the Unison Benevolent Fund. Melissa lives in Toronto with her husband, Johnny and children, Anna and Oliver. Read more about FIDO's "Off-Mute" campaign Melissa mentions; Amplifying Voices of Canadian BIPOC and LGBTQ2S+ Artists: https://about.rogers.com/news-ideas/fido-amplifies-voices-of-canadian-bipoc-and-lgbtq2s-music-artists-in-new-off-mute-campaign/   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shannon Burns is a an announcer and entertainment contributor based in Toronto. She is currently the Midday Host on Virgin Radio Eastern Canada, but at the time of this recording she was hosting the evening show on CHUM 104.5 and iHeartRadio Nights on 15 stations across Canada. She enjoys connecting with her audience and has a passion for interviewing, having had conversations with artists like Taylor Swift, Shawn Mendes, Miley Cyrus and Ed Sheeran. She also spends her time showing off the behind the scenes of her radio show on TikTok where she has accumulated a HUGE audience.  Find Shannon on Tik Tok HERE. Follow Shannon on Instagram @ItsShannonBurns Listen to Shannon's Podcast Screen Queens HERE. Find out more about the Margo Community Shannon talks about on the episode HERE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kayla Grey is an award-winning broadcaster. She's an anchor for TSN’s SPORTSCENTRE and a reporter for the network’s coverage of the Toronto Raptors. When she made her debut on SC in 2018, Grey became the first Black woman to host a flagship sports highlight program in Canada. This year, aside from being named one of Canada’s Top 25 most influential women of 2021 by Women of Influence, she also launched her new original TSN series; THE SHIFT with Kayla Grey Powered By Dell XPS. The series premiered May 13 via a dedicated hub on TSN.ca. THE SHIFT focuses a unique lens on Canadian stories and discussions at the intersection of sports, life, and culture. Kayla is both the host and co-executive producer.  Find more about Kayla and her work: @KaylaGrey or @TheShift_Sports on Instagram @Kayla_Grey or @TheShift_Sports onTwitter https://www.tsn.ca/the-shift https://www.kaylagrey.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

iskwē | ᐃᐢᑫᐧᐤ is, among many other things, an artist – a creator and communicator of music and of movement, of pictures, poetry and prose. And through it all, she’s a teller of stories that have impacted our past and will inform our future. You may know her best for her music, but she creates across many different mediums. iskwē is also co-host of the podcast The Chesterfield produced by Friends of Canadian Broadcasting. ‘The Chesterfield’ is a place where your favourite Canadian artists talk about their favourite Canadian art,” says iskwē. “And we’re going to talk about the Canadian culture that inspires and unites us.” Find out more about The Chesterfield.   http://www.friends.ca/join Follow along with iskwē on her website, Facebook Page, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube Channel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jax Irwin is Co-Host of Virgin Mornings on 99.9 Virgin Radio. She is an East Coaster who has been on air across Canada; from British Columbia to Nova Scotia, before calling Toronto home for the past 6 years. Using her platform on radio, television and social media, she is passionate about giving a voice to the LGBTQ+ community of Toronto and beyond.  One organization we discuss on this episode is The 519, find out more here: https://www.the519.org/ https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/the519/ Follow along with Jax and her radio career: https://www.iheartradio.ca/virginradio/toronto/shows/virgin-mornings-with-adam-wylde-tj-jax-1.8619920 https://www.instagram.com/jaxonair https://twitter.com/jaxonair Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The name Meredith Shaw is synonymous with curve fashion, body positivity, and female empowerment. A career that began as an award-winning singer-songwriter, has taken Meredith into radio & television, hosting Chum 104.5’s #1 Afternoon Drive Show and appearing regularly as a style expert and guest co-host on CTV’s The Social, Your Morning, eTalk and The Marilyn Denis Show. A firm fixture in Canada’s modelling scene, Meredith is fiercely passionate about inspiring and motivating women of all sizes to embrace their power and feel sexy, confident, and fabulous in their own skin. She works closely with initiatives such as Girls Inc., Girl Talk, and Shoppers’ Drug Mart’s “Love You Run For Women,” and has graced numerous magazine covers and runways.  Meredith is also known as an inclusive style expert and she has an exciting new partnership with Canadian positivity brand Joyful Hearts Co. for the “Confident & Crushing It Affirmation Cards”. Shaw has coined this a ‘confidence practice’ because each affirmation comes with an action - putting intention into motion. A limited edition collaboration, Confident & Crushing It Affirmation Cards help us find joy and positivity within ourselves and spread it to those in need with reminders that we are worthy, lovable, and enough.  Find more about Meredith Shaw on her website: https://www.meredithshaw.com/ Follow her on social media: https://www.facebook.com/meredithshawtoronto https://twitter.com/meredithshaw https://Instagram.com/MeredithShaw Find more about her Confident & Crushing It Affirmation Cards here: https://joyfulheartsco.com/pages/about-us Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Celeigh Cardinal is a bandleader, a frontwoman, a radio host and a mom. She recently won a Juno Award for her 2020 Album Stories From a Downtown Apartment. While Celeigh comes across as confident, she speaks openly about her ongoing journey to inner peace, the guilt surrounding her Juno win, and the sense of belonging she has found in the Canadian indigenous music community. Listen to her cover of The Tragically Hip's Ahead By A Century here. Catch her hosting Full Circle on CKUA here and The Key of A on CBC here. Follow the Women In Media Podcast on social media: Twitter: @WomenInMediaPod  Instagram: @WomenInMediaPod Facebook.com/WomenInMediaPod  Follow Sarah Burke on social media: Twitter: @Burketalks Instagram: @Burketalks Facebook.com/SarahBurkeRadio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cheryl Hickey As host of Entertainment Tonight Canada, Cheryl Hickey delivers breaking news coverage, in-depth profiles and behind-the-scenes exclusives to viewers each night. Cheryl graduated from London's Fanshawe College with a Broadcast Journalism degree, working in a variety of radio and television roles before joining ET Canada for its launch in 2005. While busy interviewing the most powerful celebrities in Hollywood including Ryan Reynolds, Taylor Swift, Brad Pitt and Oprah, Cheryl still finds the time to give back, working closely with SickKids Foundation and Plan International Canada. In 2019, Cheryl was named as host of HGTV Canada’s new feel-good renovation series Family Home Overhaul. Cheryl is also the founder of Cheryl’s Home and Family, a company she started to create a space that will support all types of families through connectivity, comfort, and practical solutions. Cheryl’s Home and Family focuses on creating innovative, safe, and exciting products that will benefit the whole family - from babies, young children, grandparents, pets and more. Cheryl Hickey is always sharing great moments behind the scenes of her life and television show on Instagram, too.  Follow the Women In Media Podcast on social media: Twitter: @WomenInMediaPod  Instagram: @WomenInMediaPod Facebook.com/WomenInMediaPod  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Erin Carroll (they/them) has worked in the music industry for almost 10 years in marketing, PR, and management. Currently, Erin is the manager of Publicity Services at Cadence Music Group / Fontana North. They have managed several press campaigns for artists like Lido Pimienta, Sam Roberts Band, k-os, Trans Trenderz, Martha Wainwright, Brittany Howard and Black Pumas. Outside of Cadence, they also co-manage singer/songwriter T. Thomason. They recently co-founded the first Canadian Music Industry LGBTQ2S+ advisory committee PRISM with support from MusicOntario. The committee, comprised of artists and music industry community leaders, looks to develop opportunities, safer spaces, and visibility for LGBTQ2S+ voices in music business. Here are some valuable resource links we discuss in the episode: A QUICK & EASY GUIDE TO THEY/THEM PRONOUNS By Archie Bongiovanni, Tristan Jimerson. Check out Queery by Cameron Esposito An inspiring Queer Artist: Vivek Shraya Read: Glitter Up The Dark: How Pop Music Broke the Binary  Register for the upcoming Trans Artists & Professionals in Music virtual event May 4th / 5th in partnership with CIMA, MusicOntario & Music Publishers Canada:  https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/trans-in-the-canadian-music-industry-where-to-start-tickets-148834723665 More info: https://music-ontario.ca/events/display,details/17784/musicontario-music-publishers-canada-cima-present-trans-artists-professionals-in-canadian-music Follow the Women In Media Podcast on social media: Twitter: @WomenInMediaPod  Instagram: @WomenInMediaPod Facebook.com/WomenInMediaPod  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Liz Trinnear and I go WAY back and have so much in common. We graduated from the same University program (Media, Information & Technoculture at the University of Western Ontario), and we both took our first steps in the media industry at Corus Entertainment in London, Ontario, Canada. We were both hired as "summer cruiser" radio personalities one summer while finishing our studies. That essentially meant driving our respective radio station vehicles around, blasting music, and reporting live from summer events. What we really couldn't see at the time was that we both had bright futures ahead of us, and there was room for BOTH OF US. As the LA Correspondent for Etalk on CTV, she is working from home, applying make-up and adding lights as necessary! Liz and her husband (Nathaniel Motte of 3OH!3) are waiting out the pandemic in Boulder, Colorado before returning to Los Angeles. Find out more about Liz: https://www.bellmedia.ca/the-lede/tv/ctv/etalk/ http://www.liztrinnear.ca/ Follow the Women In Media Podcast on social media: Twitter: @WomenInMediaPod  Instagram: @WomenInMediaPod Facebook.com/WomenInMediaPod  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rida Naser is a Program Director and Host at SiriusXM in New York City. While we work for the same company, I've never actually met her and I discovered her on social media. Working for SiriusXM channels like Pop2k, BPM and Steve Aoki's Remix Radio, she'll talk about using the pandemic to her advantage on this episode.  In the last year, she launched Steve Aoki's channel and produced a virtual dance festival appropriately called DisDance (socially distanced...get it?) https://blog.siriusxm.com/hear-siriusxms-virtual-disdance-festival-featuring-live-at-home-sets-by-the-biggest-djs/ She also produced a virtual festival called BPM Empowered featuring an entirely female line-up.  https://blog.siriusxm.com/bpm-empowered-virtual-festival-live-sets-from-women-in-dance-music/ Listen to Rida on SiriusXM's BPM: siriusxm.us/bpm Follow Rida on Instagram: @RidaNaser Follow the Women In Media Podcast on social media: Twitter: @WomenInMediaPod  Instagram: @WomenInMediaPod Facebook.com/WomenInMediaPod  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices