
Fascinating Women
Mark Laurie
Here is where fascinating women get comfortable. Chatting with Mark they reveal their journey, both the highs and lows, the events that have shaped them. These women share their values, their insights, their dreams, and accomplishments.
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Top 10 Fascinating Women Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Fascinating Women episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Fascinating Women for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Fascinating Women episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Claudia Martens -Trainer-Speaker -Confidence Builder -Focused
Fascinating Women
05/29/24 • 51 min
Welcome to another episode of "Fascinating Women" with Mark Laurie. In this engaging conversation, Mark sits down with Claudia Martens, a dynamic public speaker and mentor with a rich background in empowering voices. Claudia shares her journey from a second-generation Chinese-Canadian navigating early life challenges in Calgary, to becoming a powerful advocate for confident public speaking. She dives into the importance of making purposeful choices, the impact of meaningful actions, and how her mentors have shaped her path. Whether you're looking for inspiration, practical advice, or a fresh perspective, this episode offers valuable insights that will resonate with women striving to find their voice and purpose. Tune in to discover how Claudia transforms failure into opportunity and learn her secrets to maintaining clarity and direction in a constantly evolving world.
Bio Claudia Martens
She is the founder of Confident Claudia, whose mission is to leave no voice unheard via empowering confidence in public speaking. She specifically targets her inside-out approach to public speaking via storytelling. Her background stems from being the eldest daughter of an immigrant family and having to be the voice of her family starting at age 6. She has a business degree with 20+ years of combined work experience in accounting, operations and sales in the oil and gas, retail and real estate sectors. She is a certified John Maxwell Team speaker, coach and teacher. Her teaching and coaching is an integration of multidimensional and multi-sensory experiential learning. She's a practitioner in what she teaches and links arms with other experts in leadership, public speaking, and personal and professional development to offer well-rounded feedback to her students.
Find out more on what she's up to at www.confidentclaudia.com.
About Mark Laurie - Host.
Mark has been transforming how women see themselves, enlarging their sense of sexy, and expanding their confidence in an exciting adventure that is transformational photography.
http://innerspiritphotography.com
https://www.instagram.com/innerspiritphotography/
Sound Production by:
Lee Ellis - [email protected]

10/21/23 • 44 min
Mark and Patricia chat about
Such a range, from her clarity and boldness of walking into Costa Rica's Presidential Palace at 18 to ask for a job and getting one with the President through the journey of becoming a diplomat. In her soft-spoken way, she talks about what it takes, the shape of challenges, and the power of women. The pride of her life, her sons and so much more.
Patricia Hajali
Patricia has over 25 years of experience in international business and extensive knowledge in markets such as the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America.
Her charisma and public relations have enabled her to connect people around the world with her large global network, making her an extremely valuable asset to any client. Specializing in international branding and marketing with negotiations and strategic planning skills.
She has been a leading negotiator in multi and bilateral international agreements. Her commercial and international experience has positioned her into a perfect balance where she can achieve effective and tangible results. Patricia has held diplomatic and governmental positions. Working closely with many Presidents, Ministers, and high-level government officials from different countries.
Patricia’s mission is clear to her, to be able to touch and connect in a positive way as many lives as possible in the world, creating a proactive change and growth through her experience and her input. Leaving behind a legacy of a better world based on an improved education system, different ways to connect and conduct business around the globe.
Consul Honorary of Costa Rica in the United Kingdom for five years (2002-2007) as well as Business Diplomatic Affairs at the Embassy of Costa Rica in the United Arab Emirates.(2017)
Currently Senator at World Business Angel Forum representing the United Arab Emirates.
Advisor board member to the European Women Association and country leader (UK)
Senator at World Business Angel Forum Public Relations, Protocol, Negotiations, Networking, Team Work, Public Speaking, Logistics, Management, Multi-Cultural Awareness,
Contact and more links
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kQtPiw4GRU

Maggie Lam- Risk taker - Single mom - Immigrant
Fascinating Women
01/03/24 • 46 min
In this engaging episode of "Fascinating Women," host Mark Laurie sits down with Maggie Lam, a woman of diverse experiences and profound insights; Maggie is a risk taker in spite of her parents teaching her compliance. Originally from Hong Kong, Maggie shares her journey of moving to Canada, embracing new challenges, and navigating life as a solo parent. Her story is a tapestry of resilience, adventure, and personal growth, offering listeners a unique perspective on embracing change and overcoming obstacles.
She talks about her business failures and successes and challenges of being a widowed solo parent. Lots of amusing observations about herself. Including how dance helped raise her above abuse and to embrace men again.
Maggie Lam
Maggie believes in the power of creating one's own life. She embarked on a journey to Canada in 1991 to explore new opportunities, leaving her family in Hong Kong. Shortly after a few years, she created her consignment store and ran it for 17 years. During this time, Maggie found love and became a mother to twins in 1999. Unfortunately, her husband's battle with cancer ended, leaving her to raise her young twins and run her business without any understanding of personal insurance.
Recognizing the need for a bold change, she decided to transition from fashion to the insurance industry. Maggie is driven by a passion for helping people and adding value to their lives. She realized there was more she could contribute. In 2015, she ventured into the insurance industry, partnering with a 100-year-old company to educate people on how to get paid promptly when faced with unexpected illness or injury from day 1 .
Today, Maggie is committed to helping individuals, families, and businesses secure the peace of mind they need the most.
Contact Maggie Lam - independent Sales Representative
(403) 617- 0852
[email protected]
combinedinsurance.com
https://www.combinedinsurance.com/ca-en/agent-microsite/maggie-lam.htm
About Mark Laurie - Host.
Mark has been transforming how women see themselves, enlarging their sense of sexy, and expanding their confidence in an exciting adventure that is transformational photography. His photo studio is inner Spirit Photography.
http://innerspiritphotography.com
https://www.instagram.com/innerspiritphotography/
Sound Production by:
Lee Ellis - [email protected]

08/31/22 • 50 min
Jessica van der Hoek is a young woman who has risen above a very troubled traumatic past into a woman with a huge vision. She talks about her use of psychedelics to heal her trauma, Family can really be a test, it made her grow up fast. She talks about the power of horse therapy. She gives some great insights on why and what her tattoos mean to her. She relates to them every day on journey forward. She has a big dream that would be life changing for her and for the people who it would help.
I think you will get some incredible insights from our conversation.
Jessica Bio
Jessica grew up on a small farm in Southern Alberta before pursuing a career in Emergency Services as an Advanced Care Paramedic. She started the charitable organization Prairie Sky Equine Assisted Therapy in 2010 which provides equine facilitated wellness services to adults and kids with disabilities, youth at risk, and first responders and military personnel with PTSD. After her own long battle with PTSD, major depressive disorder and developmental trauma, Jessica dove into the field of psychedelics.
After finding profound healing here, she became an advocate to bring psychedelics to those who need it and is currently the Director of Programming for a Psychedelic Assisted Therapy clinic".
www.pseat.ca
Instagram is @jessicavander_hoek
And email is [email protected]
About Mark Laurie - Host.
Mark has been transforming how women see themselves, enlarging their sense of sexy, and expanding their confidence in an exciting adventure that is transformational photography. His photo studio is inner Spirit Photography.
http://innerspiritphotography.com
https://www.instagram.com/innerspiritphotography/
Sound Production by:
Lee Ellis - [email protected]

08/10/22 • 49 min
Kenisha Mei is a woman falling into her future. She left a life full of family issues as a young teen, became an Alberta nurse working up north, married, then divorced but got the two most precious young girls from it. She talks about her struggles, hopes, surprises, and the role she has merged into by building a new community. She is clever but does not see what others do; she tells how she is learning too, finding self-acceptance,
You might find a lot of you in her story, please join us.
Kinesha Mei
Many see me as a leader; others see me as a caring nurse; I myself am struggling to juggle all
of life’s never-ending challenges, including being a single mother. A nursing colleague of mine
shared with me years ago that Kenisha means a bright shining star in Filipino. This is what I
strive to embody every day through my work in bringing health and wellness to people. The light that brings hope and guides others to a healthier future through community support. I’m the founder of YYC ROCKS, which stands for Rebuilding Our Community with Kindness and
Sustainability is an organization focused on helping people find true healing through love, unity, and an understanding that they hold the keys to their own health & wellness. My passion for creating change began when I was young, but like many who have lost their job due to the “pandemic’, I realized I had a purpose beyond being a nurse. Being forced to take the vaccine caused a pivotal change for myself and my family. It was in that moment, watching the timer count down to be “vaccinated,” that I broke down. Tears streamed down my face as my young daughters hugged me, asking why I was crying; I realized not just for myself but for them that I needed to stand up for my belief in body autonomy, freedom to choose, and to be that voice for justice & equality. I feel so blessed every day to be able to connect with others who have similar values and morals, to be part of a community that is focused on growing and evolving with one another, and to know that we are never alone because through love, strength and unity we can heal as one.
Reach out and connect with her.
[email protected]
HTTP://yycrocks.ca
About Mark Laurie - Host.
Mark has been transforming how women see themselves, enlarging their sense of sexy, and expanding their confidence in an exciting adventure that is transformational photography. His photo studio is inner Spirit Photography.
http://innerspiritphotography.com
https://www.instagram.com/innerspiritphotography/
Sound Production by:
Lee Ellis - [email protected]

09/02/20 • 46 min
Laurie Anne is a woman with a fascinating past. Raised by a single mom with a unique perspective, was a wide-eyed innocent in the '80s, taken under the wing by members of big-name rock bands like big brothers. Traveled the world wrestling in jello, mud, and oil. Modeled impressively and still does; it is her balance in life.
Then an experience in relationship control changed her world and her path. She now has lines in the sand that she does not allow crossing. She has a passion and empathy for women in desperate situations.
Yet, she remains warm, bubbly, and engaging, Her eyes still sparkle.
There are some amazing insights in her conversation with Mark.
---------------
You can reach out to Laurie Anne
[email protected]
Here are a few of her credentials.
Masters of Social Work- specialization clinical social work, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.
Bachelor of Arts-Sociology- Mount Royal University, Calgary, Alberta,
Diploma of Social Work, Mount Royal College, Calgary, Alberta.
__________
Here are resources for assistance if you are at risk or know someone who is. :
Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter
https://www.calgarywomensshelter.com/
24 Hour Family Violence Helpline
(403)-234-7233
YW of Calgary - Crisis line and access to emergency shelter
https://www.ywcalgary.ca/
403-266-0707
From the Alberta.ca website
Family Violence-Help with costs to leave
https://www.alberta.ca/family-violence-costs-leave.aspx
Sagesse assists with education and workshops around family violence. Women may also access peer support groups and mentorship
https://www.sagesse.org/
HomeFront- Eliminating domestic violence through direct client services, justice coordination, and facilitated community action.
https://homefrontcalgary.com/main/
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About Mark Laurie - Host.
Mark has been transforming how women see themselves, enlarging their sense of sexy, expanding their confidence in an exciting adventure that is transformational photography.
http://innerspiritphotography.com
Sound Production by:
Lee Ellis - [email protected]
Reach out to Lee for your Sound Production

Shannon Miller - Empathy - Grief Guide - Mom - Empowerment - Author
Fascinating Women
08/05/20 • 49 min
Shannon Miller is a rare woman. She is deeply empathic that matches well with her connection to helping people. While it was not dormant it blossomed with the tragic loss of her young daughter.
She made the choice not to stay in darkness but to step into the light, to share insights and a path with others. She explains, "I honored my grief and allowed myself to feel all the feelings that come with pain and sorrow, and then began taking steps towards healing."
Through her choice of this light, she has become a Grief Guide, Empowerment Coach, Inspirational Speaker, and Author.
She shares what shaped her to this path, how it can be replicated for other people.
She explains how people can support someone in grief.
Shannon talks about how being authentic solves so many things, opens so many doors.
In spite of the heavy arching topic, she brings a lightness to her conversations.
About Shannon Miller
"There will be times, that the outside world will never see when you must be braver than brave and stronger than strong in order to survive." Shannon Miller
"Shannon Miller is a speaker, author, and grief guide. She began her work after the devastating death of her daughter, Kaiti. Shannon’s children are her heart and soul and Kaiti’s death shattered her world as she knew it. Determined not to drown in her tsunami of grief, Shannon made the choice to not only live her life with strength and purpose but to also help others who were navigating the complexities of grief."
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://conversationswithshannon.com/
Instagram: conversations_with_shannon
Facebook: Conversations with Shannon
About Mark Laurie - Host.
Mark has been transforming how women see themselves, enlarging their sense of sexy, expanding their confidence in an exciting adventure that is transformational photography.
http://innerspiritphotography.com
Sound Production by:
Lee Ellis - [email protected]
Reach out to Lee for your Sound Production.

Carol Pederson Special: Pain Management long term
Fascinating Women
08/09/23 • 28 min
Special Podcast on Long-term Pain Management
Pain, what a pain pain is. Carol has had several life events that triggered long-term pain. It has been a lot for one person. That she is remarkably outgoing, positive and smiling speaks to what she has learned so tricks and approaches to living with pain, even overcoming it enough that she can live a life, laugh often and engage the world.
This is a conversation you can apply to your pain now.
Carol Pedersen:
I was born and raised in Calgary. I grew up in an environment of sexual and emotional abuse. I survived Ovarian Cancer at the age of 20. I had 11 more abdominal surgeries to remove scar tissue and adhesions. I was on Morphine for 20 years to manage my pain; it was a living death. I have lived with debilitating illness and severe chronic pain for over 30 years.
In my youth, I was a ballroom dancer and Ice dancer. I became a hairdresser at 18. In my 30's, I went back to school and earned my legal secretarial degree.
At 50, I chose natural methods to combat my pain and CBD cannabis oil was my miracle. I was doing well, getting my life back. Then in 2020, I was sexually assaulted, which derailed my recovery and left me with permanent damage.
I have endured decades of severe chronic pain and illness, which will limit me for the rest of my life. No matter how many challenges I encounter, I conquer them with a never give up attitude. I face each day with gratitude, humour, courage, faith, love, compassion, happiness, joy, a positive attitude, a strong mindset, hope, and strength. God built me into a warrior.
I have been so blessed with so many gifts in my life. Mark Laurie, and my photoshoot with him was one of them. It changed my life. It helped me to remove years of trauma and shame.
I hope by sharing my story I can help others out the darkness I was trapped in for so many years.
About Mark Laurie - Host.
Mark has been transforming how women see themselves, enlarging their sense of sexy, and expanding their confidence in an exciting adventure that is transformational photography. His photo studio is inner Spirit Photography.
http://innerspiritphotography.com
https://www.instagram.com/innerspiritphotography/
Sound Production by:
Lee Ellis - [email protected]

02/26/20 • 48 min
Kristal Heise is this unique and very effective, mix of humour and business, of relaxed yet focused approach. A casual person who is very organized. Her medical depth gave her both critical attention to detail and empathy. From this came a love of research, spotting trends. All these skills she brought to bear into her large scale real estate investing, to the great glee of her investors.
It was not without unexpected turns and twists in which she observes her own part in them. As she exposes herself and her life, she reveals values and approaches that have grounded her, made her effective into a successful, happy life.
She talks about her love of habitat for humanity, spirituality, along with her approach to investing.
From Linkedin bio:
Kristal sources, analyzes and acquires top-performing properties and screens and recruits joint venture partners. A highly skilled and detail-oriented project manager, Kristal's efforts exemplify Mahalo's slogan of connecting great people with great properties.
Kristal is a woman who lightens up any room, inspires people by example. This is a conversation that is well worth the listen. I think you will enjoy her in our conversation.
Want to connect or learn more about Kristal here are her social media links
Want to connect or learn more about Kristal here are her social media links
LinkedIn
Twitter: @MahaloProps808
Instagram: @mahaloproperties
Facebook
Website
Mentioned in this podcasts was Wizard Academy
https://www.wizardacademy.org
Vivian Krause Documentary
https://www.pipelinenews.ca/news/local-news/vivian-krause-documentary-now-available-for-free-1.23979764
About Mark Laurie - Host.
Mark has been transforming how women see themselves, enlarging their sense of sexy, expanding their confidence in an exciting adventure that is transformational photography.
http://innerspiritphotography.com
Sound Production by
Lee Ellis - [email protected]

Lara Jickles: Wild Child -Mom -Biz Owner -Fitness Trainer
Fascinating Women
08/14/24 • 44 min
In this captivating episode of *Fascinating Women*, Mark Laurie sits down with his long-time friend, Lara Jickles, for a heartfelt and inspiring conversation. Lara opens up about the profound experiences that have shaped her, including the tragic loss of her baby sister and how it fueled her rebellious spirit. From her adventures as an international nude model and high-wire suspension worker to her current role as a personal trainer and district manager for Arbonne, Lara's journey is anything but ordinary.
She shares her insights on the importance of self-acceptance, a positive mindset, and the power of vulnerability combined with fearlessness. Lara's ability to connect deeply with others shines through as she discusses the lessons she's learned and the resilience she's cultivated.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration from a woman who has truly lived life on her own terms.
It is a remarkable conversation.
Lara Bio
Hello, my name is Lara Jickels, a wild child who is trying to find the best version of herself while navigating being a wife, stepmom and new mom. I come from an adventurous past, which has made me the unique individual I am today! I am unfiltered, spicy, and definitely see the world differently than most.
Like what you hear?
Feel free to follow me on Instagram @theprettykittylife
You can DM on Instagram for information on Arbonne products or sales opportunities.
About Mark Laurie - Host.
Mark has been transforming how women see themselves, enlarging their sense of sexy, and expanding their confidence in an exciting adventure that is transformational photography.
http://innerspiritphotography.com
https://www.instagram.com/innerspiritphotography/
Sound Production by:
Lee Ellis - [email protected]
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FAQ
How many episodes does Fascinating Women have?
Fascinating Women currently has 78 episodes available.
What topics does Fascinating Women cover?
The podcast is about Society & Culture, Women, Woman, Podcasts, Self-Improvement, Education, Journey, Personal, Confidence and Inspire.
What is the most popular episode on Fascinating Women?
The episode title 'Kenisha Mei - Nurse- Healer- Single mom - Entrepreneur - Bold Hearted' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Fascinating Women?
The average episode length on Fascinating Women is 45 minutes.
How often are episodes of Fascinating Women released?
Episodes of Fascinating Women are typically released every 13 days, 18 hours.
When was the first episode of Fascinating Women?
The first episode of Fascinating Women was released on Jan 22, 2020.
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