Unapologetically Owning It | Garvia Bailey

09/19/23 • 47 min

Garvia Bailey is no longer apologizing for being who she wants to be.
Despite breaking barriers as one of only a few on-air Black journalists at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and host of the country’s top radio jazz show, the award-winning producer and host felt stuck. Publicly, she was the picture of success as she interviewed famous writers, actors and musicians, and gained public recognition for her work. At home, Bailey was down and lost.

“When a perceived notion of your identity becomes your ‘beat,’ that can be pretty limiting,” she says, “and it can be pretty hard on your spirit.”

Trapped by the public perception of how she should succeed, the stories she should cover, the persona she should have, Bailey had no choice but to release the pressure. A brave venture – and some solid advice from her mother – led her to reexamine her goals and her relationships.

Bailey is now a co-founder of Media Girlfriends, a production company that aims to amplify underrepresented voices in media. She fully embodies all parts of herself and is working to create a legacy beyond what she felt pressured to be in the past.

In this episode, Bailey shares:

How she navigated a role in media as one of only a handful of Black voices

How a toxic work environment led her to pursue her truth

Why it’s important to find what you want in a career, and not just want you don’t want

How she became intentional about her goals and her purpose

The advice her mom shared with her about releasing friendships that no longer serve her

The ways she is working to give herself grace

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CREDITS
The song in this podcast is called Night Drive, by the amazing Singer-Songwriter Caroline Marie Brooks, part of the beloved Canadian music trio Good Lovelies.
Photo for the podcast cover art by Jennifer Squires.
Editing by Katie Jensen of Vocal Fry.

“When a perceived notion of your identity becomes your ‘beat,’ that can be pretty limiting,” she says, “and it can be pretty hard on your spirit.”

In this episode, Bailey shares:

How she navigated a role in media as one of only a handful of Black voices

How a toxic work environment led her to pursue her truth

Why it’s important to find what you want in a career, and not just want you don’t want

How she became intentional about her goals and her purpose

The advice her mom shared with her about releasing friendships that no longer serve her

The ways she is working to give herself grace

Previous Episode

Freedom From the Shoulds | Amanda Munday

Amanda Munday is finally free. For much of her adult life, the bestselling author, advocate for universal childcare and regular contributor to major media outlets, such as Forbes and The Globe and Mail, was living a lie.

Her life as CEO of a child-friendly coworking space and parent to two young kids in a heteronormative marriage was a constant cycle of stress, despair and burnout. “This hustle and ‘grit and bear it’ for the sake of some big goal—it ate away at me,” she says.

Then, it all unravelled. Munday separated from her husband, came out as queer, and closed her brick and mortar business due to the pandemic. Now, she’s redefining success in a way that is closer to her truth.

So, how did Munday’s transformation happen? What do freedom and success look like for her today?

In this episode, Munday shares:

• How chasing the “shoulds” from her traditional upbringing led to a nervous breakdown

• The radical path she is on to live in alignment with her truth

• Why our mainstream definition of success is unsustainable and needs to evolve

• What needs to shift in our economy and society for success to feel more sustainable—and how the next generation of young workers will lead that charge

• Her personal antidote to burnout and how she prioritizes it above all else

Next Episode

Radical Creativity | Nikki Leigh McKean

Is there a secret to accessing our creative callings? Nikki Leigh McKean seems to have it. The lifestyle photographer, coach and two-time cancer survivor shares her “full body yes” philosophy and how we can all bring a positive mindset to our creative urges.

Ever had the urge to spend winters someplace warm and rejuvenating? Nikki did too – and then made it happen.
Do you dream of trading in your busy urban life for countryside calm? Nikki had that dream – and made it real.
“If you desire something or someone or a circumstance or a feeling or a state of mind, then that’s worth investigating,” she says.

The self-described creative brings a contagious kind of wonder to her desires. We want that too, Nikki! This is an inspiring and fun episode where we travel inside the magical brain of “Nikki Magic”, as she is known. Join Natalie and Nikki for an honest and heartfelt conversation about desire, abundance and a new perspective on the privilege of making money.

In this episode, McKean shares:

How she lives with radical freedom

The abundance mindset that guides her decision making

Why she views financial success as a privilege that can bring good the community

The raw moments that inspire her on a daily basis