The reality is, early signals are often subtle — a change you brush off, a symptom that comes and goes.

The message is simple, but important. Pay attention. Act early.

Whether it’s your health, your team, or your environment, the cost of waiting is often far greater than the effort of addressing something early. If something feels off, don’t ignore it.

When was the last time you paid attention to something you almost dismissed?

In this episode of Women on Wisdom, Sandra Boyd sits down with Lenna Bradburn, executive coach, former police chief, and multi-sector trailblazer, to confront an uncomfortable truth: if we don’t understand the struggles of the past, we risk overlooking the barriers that still exist today. Together, they explore why progress is not a straight line, and why assuming the work is done may be one of the biggest risks to women’s advancement.

We talk about:

- The historical milestones that shaped women’s rights in Canada

- Why many women are unaware of how recent these rights actually are

- The difference between equality and equity and why it matters

- The risk of regression and why continued vigilance is critical

- Practical ways women can support each other and challenge barriers

Whether you are early in your career, leading organizations, or shaping the next generation, this episode offers a grounded perspective on the progress made and the work still ahead.

Our guest this week:

Lenna Bradburn has had a distinguished career as a trailblazer and change agent across policing, government, and executive leadership. At just 34 years old, she became Canada’s first female police chief, leading the Guelph Police Service, and went on to hold senior roles in government oversight, municipal services, gaming, social housing, and healthcare .

Today, Lenna works as an executive coach and consultant, supporting organizations in advancing strategic initiatives. Known for her leadership and impact, she has been recognized as one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 and among Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100.

Lenna’s LinkedIn can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennabradburn/

Through Chris’s personal story and lived experience, this episode opens up an honest conversation about the pressures young women face today and the challenges parents encounter in recognizing when something is truly wrong. Together, they explore the gaps in support systems and what it takes to create earlier, more meaningful intervention for both youth and families.

We talk about:

• Why mental health challenges in young women are increasing
• The warning signs parents often miss or misinterpret
• The impact of social media, pressure, and major life changes
• How to create more open and effective communication with children
• The difference between listening and fixing
• Why current systems and supports are not meeting the need
• The importance of early intervention and accessible resources

Whether you are a parent, leader, or someone supporting families, this episode offers a grounded and practical perspective on how to better understand and respond when something feels off.

Our guest this week:

Chris Coulter is the founder of The MentorWell, an online youth mentoring platform designed to bridge the gap between parenting and therapy by providing young people with access to trusted, non-judgmental mentors. Following the loss of his daughter Maddie, Chris has dedicated his work to supporting families navigating youth mental health challenges and improving early access to support.

He also created the When Something Feels Off Parent Support Group, a community designed to help parents connect, share experiences, and access practical guidance during difficult times. Chris brings both lived experience and professional insight to his work, helping organizations, parents, and communities better understand how to support young people.

Chris’s LinkedIn can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriscoultermentorwell/

In this week’s Wisdom Moments, Sandra Boyd reflects on the growing influence of online anti-feminist groups and how these narratives are moving beyond digital spaces into real-world impact. What starts as content, commentary, or “just opinions” can quickly evolve into normalized behaviour that shapes how people are treated and how safe they feel to use their voice. These narratives against women are not just frightening for their presence, but in the way they ripple out into society. When these ideas become normalized in public discourse, and women self-censor out of fear of retribution, culture shifts in ways that are hard to reverse. 

Leadership today requires not just awareness, but active, critical engagement. That can take the form of asking better questions, understanding what people in your life are being exposed to, and creating space for real conversations, both at work and at home.

Sandra walks through how quickly judgment can take hold, how it can influence those around us, and how a single act of unexpected kindness completely shifted her perspective. It is an honest reminder that we rarely have the full picture of what someone else is experiencing. 

This episode explores the importance of pausing before reacting, choosing patience over immediacy, and leading with empathy even in everyday moments. 

If you have ever caught yourself making a snap judgment or reacting before understanding the full story, this conversation will resonate. Because leadership is not only about what we do. It is about how we show up, especially in the moments that test us most.

In this conversation, they unpack how ADHD presents differently in women, why it is often diagnosed later in life, and how it intersects with career, identity, and hormonal changes. Together, they explore the lived experience of navigating work, relationships, and expectations while managing an often invisible neurodivergence.

We talk about:

• Why ADHD in women is often missed or misdiagnosed
• How symptoms show up differently in women, including masking and perfectionism
• The experience of burnout, overwhelm, and the “ADHD tax”
• Practical strategies to support focus, productivity, and self-awareness
• Why more women are shifting away from traditional work structures

Whether you are navigating ADHD yourself, supporting someone who is, or leading teams in today’s workplace, this episode offers a clearer understanding of how ADHD shapes women’s lives and careers.

Our guest this week:

Ranya Elan is an executive coach and leadership advisor who specializes in supporting professionals and leaders with ADHD. She is the founder of the Tomato Crushers Community, a global community for ADHD professionals and entrepreneurs focused on productivity, accountability, and practical strategies.

Ranya brings a combination of lived experience and coaching expertise to her work, helping clients design ways of working that align with how their brains function. She is known for translating ADHD challenges into actionable strategies while also highlighting the strengths and potential of neurodivergent leaders.

Ranya's LinkedIn can be found here.

In this episode, Sandra Boyd sits down with Dr. Nadine Cyr, ND, naturopathic doctor and founder of Santé Femina Health, for a direct conversation about perimenopause, menopause, and midlife burnout. Together, they examine how hormonal shifts intersect with stress, sleep, performance, and identity — and why this stage of life has broader implications for women’s health and workforce participation.

We talk about:

• How perimenopause begins earlier than many women realize
• The connection between hormones, stress response, sleep, and burnout
• The combined pressure of career demands and caregiving in midlife
• Lifestyle factors that influence symptom intensity and energy
• Why menopause often becomes a turning point in identity and priorities

Whether you are navigating this transition yourself or leading others through it, this episode offers a clear discussion of how hormonal change shapes women’s health, work, and wellbeing.

Our guest this week:

Dr. Nadine Cyr, ND is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor with over 25 years of clinical experience in functional and root-cause medicine and the founder of Santé Femina Health. She works extensively with women in perimenopause and menopause, integrating functional medicine and polyvagal-informed care to support hormone balance, nervous system regulation, and midlife health. Dr. Nadine is known for translating complex science into practical guidance that helps women make informed decisions about their health.

We talk about:

• The surprising range of menopause symptoms—and why most go unrecognized
• How stigma and bias in medicine and workplaces leave women unsupported
• The psychological toll of perimenopause: anxiety, self-doubt, and emotional shifts
• Practical strategies to manage brain fog, sleep issues, and emotional regulation
• How leaders and workplaces can create menopause-inclusive environments
• The power of psychological safety and open conversations in retaining top female talent
• Why normalizing menopause benefits everyone—not just women

Whether you’re navigating menopause yourself, leading others through it, or simply ready to understand it better, this episode blends science, real stories, and workplace wisdom to help us create a more supportive and inclusive future—one conversation at a time.

Our guest this week:

Patricia Polischuk is the Co-Founder and COO of TalentWise Collective, a boutique firm that curates leadership development, coaching, and HR advisory solutions through a trusted network of experts. She leads the firm’s strategy, operations, and community of coaches, shaping high-impact programs for clients across sectors. Recognized for her leadership and community contributions, Patricia has received a Distinguished Governor’s Award from Wilfrid Laurier University and multiple nominations for community leadership and internal recognition awards. She is a trusted advisor and connector, known for her human-centred approach and commitment to helping people and organizations thrive.

Patricia's LinkedIn can be found here.

Dr. Dayna Lee-Baggley is a Registered Psychologist with two decades of professional experience in clinical psychology, health psychology, and organizational psychology. She has extensive applied experience and research knowledge on burnout, psychological safety in the workplace, behaviour and organizational change, and wellness leadership. She is an internationally recognized expert in human behavior. She conducts innovative research at Dalhousie and Saint Mary’s University, with a distinguished track record of 60 peer-reviewed publications and over 155 scholarly presentations. She is the author of "Healthy Habits Suck: How to Get Off the Couch and Live a Healthy Life. . . Even If You Don't Want To".

Dayna’s LinkedIn can be found here.

They explore why so many people spend years managing their jobs but never their careers, the unique challenges women face around self-promotion and visibility, and why reflection, reputation, and networking are essential for long-term success.

This episode offers actionable insights for anyone navigating uncertainty, career transitions, or simply wanting to be more intentional about where their career is headed.

Listen to more conversations that support clarity, confidence, and career ownership on the Women on Wisdom podcast.
https://linktr.ee/womenonwisdom

Sandra reflects on how casually applied labels oversimplify complex human behaviour, contribute to mental health stigma, and disproportionately harm women, especially female leaders, mothers, and women who are speaking up and setting boundaries.

This conversation is a call for greater awareness, responsibility, and care in how we talk about mental health, power, and behaviour.

Listen to more conversations that challenge assumptions and invite deeper wisdom on the Women on Wisdom Podcast:

https://linktr.ee/womenonwisdom

Sandra Boyd, Patricia Polischuk, and Kirsten Stanger reflect on their first year as co-founders of TalentWise Collective, sharing the lessons no one talks about.

From burnout and self-doubt to healing professional relationships and finding new confidence, this conversation explores what it really means to start an entrepreneurial journey.

You’ll hear about:

• The courage it takes to step out of corporate security
• The hidden emotional toll of entrepreneurship
• Navigating grief, caregiving, and exhaustion while building a company
• Why trust and psychological safety matter more than titles
• The myth of “having it all figured out”
• When to let go, and when to lean into leadership
• Why it’s never too late to begin again

This episode is a reminder that entrepreneurship isn’t a straight line, it’s a deeply human journey. One built on resilience, reflection, and the decision to keep moving forward, even when the path isn’t clear.

Our guests this week:

Patricia Polischuk is the Co-Founder and COO of TalentWise Collective, a boutique firm that curates leadership development, coaching, and HR advisory solutions through a trusted network of experts. She leads the firm’s strategy, operations, and community of coaches, shaping high-impact programs for clients across sectors. Recognized for her leadership and community contributions, Patricia has received a Distinguished Governor’s Award from Wilfrid Laurier University and multiple nominations for community leadership and internal recognition awards. She is a trusted advisor and connector, known for her human-centred approach and commitment to helping people and organizations thrive.

Patricia's LinkedIn can be found here.

Kirsten Stanger is a seasoned people strategist and Co-Founder of TalentWise Collective, where she helps organizations and leaders unlock their full potential. With more than 25 years of experience spanning corporate and not-for-profit sectors, Kirsten’s career has focused on leadership development, culture transformation, change management, and career transition. Known for her genuine, empowering, and engaging approach, Kirsten brings curiosity, humour, and heart to every room she’s in. She designs and delivers programs that turn insights into real-world results—helping teams strengthen trust, collaboration, and performance. 

Kirsten's LinkedIn can be found here.

What often begins as content about confidence, success, or self-improvement can quietly shift into messaging that frames women as a problem and equality as a threat. Sandra reflects on why this trend matters for leaders, parents, educators, and organizations and why she believes this form of internet discourse represents an invisible war on women.

This conversation is about awareness, responsibility, and how we respond with clarity and care in a digital age.

Listen to more leadership and culture conversations on the Women on Wisdom podcast: ⁠https://linktr.ee/womenonwisdom

We talk about:

• Why fear and excitement feel the same in the body—and how to reframe them
• “Just breathe” and “one step at a time”: practical tools from shark dives and mountain treks
• Lessons from Papua New Guinea, Mongolia, Morocco, Bhutan—and bringing them into the boardroom
• Moving beyond the “numbers game”: sponsorship vs. mentorship to close the 124-year gender gap
• Imposter syndrome, visualized: invite her along—but keep your hands on the wheel
• Presence and gratitude as antidotes to anxiety and overdrive
• Saying yes to yourself: the mindset behind Heather’s Say Yes Movement podcast and leadership philosophy

Whether you’re scaling a career mountain or navigating daily uncertainty, this episode blends vivid stories with evidence-inspired practices to help you lead with courage, curiosity, and calm—one intentional breath and one bold step at a time.

Our guest this week:

Heather Arthur is a dynamic customer experience and sales industry expert with over two decades of experience. Currently, as the Vice President, Global Client Experience Centre at Scotiabank. Heather has been recognized as one of the Top 30 Contact Centre Leaders in CX to follow in 2025. An award-winning professional and certified Neuro-Linguistics Programing practitioner, Heather is also the host of the Say YES Movement podcast, motivating and inspiring individuals and organizations to reach their full potential.

Heather’s LinkedIn can be found here.

We talk about:

• Deb’s journey from corporate executive to caregiver, losing her husband and parents while raising kids—and how it reshaped her career and purpose
• Sue’s story of caring for her father through end-of-life, balancing a startup role, and transforming her experience into a platform of support for others
• The hidden costs of caregiving: burnout, depression, financial strain, and the unspoken career trade-offs women face
• Why flexibility at work is no longer a “perk” but a necessity for caregivers—and what leaders can do differently
• The three “buckets” of caregiving choices, and the regrets that linger when support isn’t there
• How humor, therapy, friendships, and community can be lifelines through the hardest seasons
• Why reframing caregiving as both a burden and a blessing is essential to shifting culture—and closing the gender gap

Raw, honest, and at times heartbreaking, this conversation shines a light on the realities 75% of caregivers—mostly women—face worldwide. It’s a call for workplaces, leaders, and society to rethink how we support those carrying the heaviest load.

Whether you’re a caregiver now, have been one in the past, or will be in the future, this episode will leave you seen, supported, and inspired to keep pushing for change.

Our guests this week:

Deborah Bakti worked as an executive in seniors’ care for 11 years, and during that time became a resident’s family member three times with her husband, mom, and dad. That life-changing experience led her to found her consulting and training company, THINK Breakthrough Inc, to support seniors’ care organizations in building stronger partnerships with families. Her signature methodology, The Relational Approach™, helps transform the emotionally complex transition into seniors’ care by shifting interactions between staff and families from transactional to relational, building trust, clarity, and connection from the very first day.

Deborah is the author of two books, with a third forthcoming, and hosts The Relational Approach™ podcast.Deborah’s LinkedIn can be found ⁠here⁠.

Susan Van Klink is the Founder and CEO of SVK & Associates, where she helps funded start-up founders transform capital into accelerated growth through her proprietary Revenue Flywheel™ model. This proven framework integrates go-to-market strategy, customer acquisition, retention, and expansion into a self-reinforcing loop that drives predictable, scalable results.

Before founding SVK & Associates, Susan spent over 20 years in executive leadership roles at high-growth HCM software companies, guiding organizations through rapid scale and transformation. After stepping away to care for her family — first supporting her father through his end-of-life journey and then fostering her niece’s newborn son — she returned to entrepreneurship with renewed purpose.

Now, Susan channels her deep experience and expertise into helping founders accelerate ARR, extend runway, and build enterprise-ready sales motions designed to deliver sustainable, exponential growth.

Susan’s LinkedIn can be found ⁠here⁠.

We talk about:

• How childhood messages and cultural norms shape women’s definitions of success
• The talk: preparing our daughters for stereotypes, self-worth, and resilience
• The hidden costs of sexism—from burnout to micro-moments that erode confidence
• Stories of women breaking free from limiting beliefs—and how community lifts us up
• Why systemic change matters, but why waiting for it is a mistake

From candid stories of parenting and career trade-offs to raw reflections on sexism, mental health, and self-sabotage, this episode challenges us to rethink how we define leadership, confidence, and equality.

Whether you’re raising daughters, leading teams, or navigating your own “crisis of confidence,” this conversation offers hope, honesty, and practical ways to bridge the gap—one micro moment at a time.

Our guests this week:

Tammy Heermann is an award-winning leadership expert. She’s the author of Reframe Your Story: Real Talk for Women Who Want to Let Go, Do Less and Be More-Together. For over twenty years, she has helped change thousands of mindsets around what it takes to lead, both self and others. Tammy transforms her audiences with alternating moments of humor and heartache as she shares stories of her own journey from senior consultant to senior vice president.

Tammy’s LinkedIn can be found here.

Kirsten Stanger is a seasoned people strategist and Co-Founder of TalentWise Collective, where she helps organizations and leaders unlock their full potential. With more than 25 years of experience spanning corporate and not-for-profit sectors, Kirsten’s career has focused on leadership development, culture transformation, change management, and career transition. Known for her genuine, empowering, and engaging approach, Kirsten brings curiosity, humour, and heart to every room she’s in. She designs and delivers programs that turn insights into real-world results—helping teams strengthen trust, collaboration, and performance. 

Kirsten's LinkedIn can be found here.

We talk about:

• The science behind intuition—and why it’s more than just a “gut feeling”
• How burnout can block access to your inner wisdom
• The role mindfulness plays in decision-making, leadership, and recovery
• Why emotional safety and feminine energy are reshaping today’s workplaces
• How to make space for imperfection, vulnerability, and purpose

Whether you're skeptical of intuition or a believer in the unseen, this episode offers practical wisdom, personal stories, and evidence-based strategies to help you reconnect with your inner compass—especially in a world that often values data over depth.

Our guests this week:

Dr. Dayna Lee-Baggley is a Registered Psychologist with two decades of professional experience in clinical psychology, health psychology, and organizational psychology. She has extensive applied experience and research knowledge on burnout, psychological safety in the workplace, behaviour and organizational change, and wellness leadership. She is an internationally recognized expert in human behavior. She conducts innovative research at Dalhousie and Saint Mary’s University, with a distinguished track record of 60 peer-reviewed publications and over 155 scholarly presentations. She is the author of "Healthy Habits Suck: How to Get Off the Couch and Live a Healthy Life. . . Even If You Don't Want To".

Dayna’s LinkedIn can be found here.

Jennifer Spencer is a Marketing Leader turned Entrepreneur and Intuition Coach with over 15 years of experience leading high-performing teams across technology, beauty, apparel, and wellness industries. As Co-Founder of Pause+Expand, she helps organizations and individuals foster connection, clarity, and purpose through mindfulness-based wellness programs. Jennifer specializes in guiding midlife women and corporate leaders through transitions, blending intuitive coaching with practical tools for personal and professional growth. A certified sound healer, meditation and visualization teacher, and intuitive medium, she integrates mindfulness and emotional intelligence into every aspect of her work.

Jennifer’s LinkedIn can be found here.

We talk about:

• The story behind our friendship and how it’s evolved over two decades
• Why we believe it will take 124 years to close the gender gap—and why that’s unacceptable
• What it means to claim our wisdom (and yes, even our crone status)
• Personal stories of being undermined—and unintentionally undermining other women
• The unfiltered truth about burnout, menopause, intuition, motherhood, caregiving, and career
• Why we need to tell different stories if we want a different future for our daughters—and ourselves

We laugh, reflect, challenge ourselves, and invite you to do the same.

Whether you’re entering the workplace or exiting it, feeling stuck or rising fast, we’re here to say: you’re not alone. Women on Wisdom is about amplifying real stories, reclaiming our voices, and bridging the gap—one woman at a time.

Our guests this week:

Patricia Polischuk is the Co-Founder and COO of TalentWise Collective, a boutique firm that curates leadership development, coaching, and HR advisory solutions through a trusted network of experts. She leads the firm’s strategy, operations, and community of coaches, shaping high-impact programs for clients across sectors. Recognized for her leadership and community contributions, Patricia has received a Distinguished Governor’s Award from Wilfrid Laurier University and multiple nominations for community leadership and internal recognition awards. She is a trusted advisor and connector, known for her human-centred approach and commitment to helping people and organizations thrive.

Patricia's LinkedIn can be found here.

Kirsten Stanger is a seasoned people strategist and Co-Founder of TalentWise Collective, where she helps organizations and leaders unlock their full potential. With more than 25 years of experience spanning corporate and not-for-profit sectors, Kirsten’s career has focused on leadership development, culture transformation, change management, and career transition. Known for her genuine, empowering, and engaging approach, Kirsten brings curiosity, humour, and heart to every room she’s in. She designs and delivers programs that turn insights into real-world results—helping teams strengthen trust, collaboration, and performance. 

Kirsten's LinkedIn can be found here.