Stories Within Us
Lisa Bush
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Top 10 Stories Within Us Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Stories Within Us episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Stories Within Us 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 Stories Within Us episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
We are all works in progress with Dr. Milena Radzikowska
Stories Within Us
03/03/21 • 50 min
In this podcast episode, we speak to Professor of Information Design, design researcher, co-owner of a design agency located in Calgary, Alberta, mother, and my friend, Milena Radzikowska. In this episode you will learn:
- How design - though often invisible - has a significant impact on women’s mental & physical health.
- How recognizing design’s influence can be a powerful step to taking ownership of our own health.
- What the design process can teach us about wellness.
- How design - like our own health - is a constant work in progress.
About Dr. Milena Radzikowska
Since 2005, Dr. Radzikowska’s research work is transdisciplinary, marked by a passion to benefit others. She’s worked on over two dozen large, medium, and small, national and international projects, with undergraduate and graduate researchers, industry partners, not-for-profit agencies, and scholars from over 30 different fields. Her work has been iterative and experimental—meant to challenge existing design conventions and explore unique alternatives to complex problems.
In 2019, she joined an international team working on Design for Reconciliation in Post-Conflict Zones. Dr. Radzikowska has more than 75 publications and she is a member of the Design Concepts Lab research group, and one of the founding members of the qLab (qcollaborative.com), an Intersectional Feminist Design Research Lab, located at Mount Royal University, University of Waterloo, and University of Illinois.
What to know more?
See Caroline Perez’ Invisible Women
Design Process Models: https://vimeo.com/445016444
Follow Milena on Twitter @DrRadzikowska
Check out qcollaborative.com
The art of living wild with Heidi Barr
Stories Within Us
02/08/23 • 52 min
Author Heidi Barr shares how to live with intention and the importance of ceremony, rewilding spirituality, and contemplating the wild silence. Heidi explains, "Being in relationship with the outdoor world is the foundation of my writing." We discuss her newly published book, Collisions of Earth and Sky: Connecting with Nature for Nourishment, Reflection, and Transformation. This is the perfect conversation for those who are feeling the novelty of the New Year subside, are battling with the montoney of February, or just need a moment to check in with yourself.
About Heidi Barr:
Heidi Barr lives in eastern Minnesota (Mni Sota Makoce in Dakota) near the St. Croix River — on ancestral and contemporary lands of the Wahpekute (Dakota), a place that also holds significance for Ojibwe and Ho Chunk people — with her family where they tend a large organic vegetable garden, explore nature and do their best to live simply.
As a mother, spouse, gardener, wellness coach, and writer, she is committed to cultivating ways of being that are life-giving and sustainable for people, communities and the planet. Hiking through forests and across prairies, wading in streams, digging in the soil and surrounding herself with natural wonder helps her stay grounded in reality.
Author of Slouching toward Radiance, 12 Tiny Things, Cold Spring Hallelujah, What Comes Next, Woodland Manitou: To Be on Earth, and Prairie Grown: Stories and Recipes from a South Dakota Hillside, she is also the editor of The Mindful Kitchen, a wellness column in The Wayfarer Magazine. Every now and then she coordinates with yoga teachers and organic farms to offer retreat experiences and always makes really good scones. Her next book, Collisions of Earth and Sky: Connecting with Nature for Nourishment, Reflection, and Transformation comes out in January 2023.
In 2022, Heidi was a Poet of Place, a group of five regional poets who are advocates and ambassadors for poetry and creativity in the lower St. Croix Valley.
Connect with Heidi:
IG: @heidicbarr
FB: Heidi Barr
Changing the world with better stories with Natalie Meisner
Stories Within Us
03/22/23 • 56 min
When Natalie Meisner started her career in theatre, she was cast for roles that didn't represent the women she knew or the women she wanted to become. So Natalie started writing her own plays. In today's episode, poet, playwright, and professor Natalie Meisner discusses the importance of LGBTQ2S+ representation in all stories. Natalie shares how comedy can be a catalyst for social change and how her book, Double Pregnant: Two Lesbians Make a Family, lifts the veil of silence around fertility and pregnancy while making us laugh at the same time.
About Dr. Natalie Meisner
Natalie Meisner is a playwright / poet from Nova Scotia, a full Prof at MRU, and Calgary’s 5th Poet Laureate. Her work deploys the power of comedy for social change. Baddie One Shoe is a collection of odes to renegade women. Legislating Love: The Everett Klippert Story illuminates the life of the last Canadian jailed for homosexuality. Speed Dating For Sperm Donors was a hit at Lunchbox & Neptune. Double Pregnant: Two Lesbians Make a Family topped non-fiction lists and My Mommy, My Mama, My Brother & Me is about a two-mom biracial family finding community.
Natalie holds a PhD from the University of Calgary in creative writing, an MFA in Creative Writing form the University of British Columbia. She is the recipient of the Annual Alberta Playwriting Competition, the Canadian National Playwriting Award, and the Lion Award for Advocacy and Awareness for Original Stage Play. Her forthcoming book, It Begins in Salt, is a collection of poems and love letters to those that share the tides of life. It urges us to love harder and give homage to those loved.
Natalie's Books:
Baddie One Shoe (Frontenac House)
Speed Dating For Sperm Donors (Playwright's Canada Press)
Legislating Love: The Everett Klippert Story (University of Calgary Press)
My Mommy, My Mama, My Brother & Me (Nimbus Publishing)
Double Pregnant: Two Lesbians Make a Family (Fernwood Publishing)
It Begins in Salt (Frontenac House)
Finding the helpers amongst the chaos with Crystal Reynolds
Stories Within Us
03/23/22 • 39 min
This conversation with designer, observer, and fellow creative Crystal Reynolds was sparked from a recent post where Crystal wrote, "...I’m on the lookout to find the helpers amongst the chaos." I was intrigued.
In this episode, Crystal and I discuss her journey as a creative, her design work with Mayor Jyoti Gondek's campaign and how Crystal is finding individuals who help her make sense of the world that we are currently navigating. Crystal shares how we can stay grounded—both as parents and as creatives—during times of chaos.
This was such a healing conversation! I invite you to listen and share with the helpers in your world.
About Crystal Reynolds
Crystal is a Kick Ass Marketing and Communications Designer. She works with organisations that choose to take the lead in their own story. They avoid, or at least question, the latest marketing trends, and create opportunities to account for social and technological changes. She doesn’t focus on sticking to what worked in the past, but instead on how we can translate skills and resources in new directions.
Crystal story in design has had quite a few chapters experienced over the past 25 years. She has lasted this long because of her desire to learn, think outside as well as inside the box. Gaining insights that have taught her that as long as she brings her experience and insight to the table while also ensuring her clients’ needs are the core focus is a recipe for a successful partnership.
Crystal considers herself lucky to have worked with local, national, and more recently international clients. She believes that visuals are an integral part to communicate messages with clarity. Every day she creates, she feels like she is living her best life.
As a mother and partner, Crystal wrote, "Being part of this family dynamic has taught me how to listen to varying views, account for differing expectations, and bring people together by focusing on common goals."
Connect with Crystal Reynolds:
Web: https://www.crystalink.ca
Twitter: @crystalinkca
IG: @crystalinkca
Do I have a story to tell? with Jilliane Yawney
Stories Within Us
10/27/21 • 40 min
In this episode, I speak with Story Coach and storyteller, Jilliane Yawney. Jilliane shares her story about how a road trip with a stop in Detroit, Michigan changed the trajectory of her life and instilled in her a love for storytelling.
Jilliane explains what it takes to be an excellent storyteller—but possibly more importantly—she provides insight on why we need to tell our stories. Finally, for those of you wondering, Do I even have a story to tell? Yes, you do.
Listen to find out more about the power of your own story.
About Jilliane Yawney:
Jilliane Yawney has helped over 1,000 people get onstage to share their story. She is a Story Coach and the creator of the Core 7 Stories for BusinessTM framework. Jilliane has worked with the likes of Shark Tank winners, board game creators, and multinational real estate managers to change lives and grow brands.
Jilliane’s undergrad and graduate degrees both focused on storytelling, and her thesis work explored the motivational power of story. She has been working as a storyteller and Story Coach for 20 years and is committed to helping individuals and teams grow their confidence and communication skills with story.
Jillian believes self expression supports happiness and human connection. She believes learning and growth is best achieved through a positive, supportive approach. She strives to foster and create beauty in all that she does – and that means helping you tell your story.
Connect with Jilliane Yawney:
Web: https://www.jillianeyawney.com
IG: @jillianeyawney
Related Articles:
Who won’t shut up in meetings? Men say it’s women. It’s not:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/02/18/men-interrupt-women-tokyo-olympics/
How Not to Be 'Manterrupted' in Meetings:
https://time.com/3666135/sheryl-sandberg-talking-while-female-manterruptions/
Female Supreme Court Justices Are Interrupted More by Male Justices and Advocates:
Redefining Gender Roles with Sara Haney
Stories Within Us
11/25/20 • 35 min
As the holiday season approaches, Sara Haney and I offer a few tips on how to redistribute the household workload. We offer ideas on how to take things off your plate, and delegate tasks to members of your family.
We get very real and honest with gender roles in raising a family and running a household. “Parenting is relentless.” Sara admits, “Never before have I felt like I am suffocating like I have this year ...” Join us in this authentic and very timely conversation.
Wellness Resources
Interested in joining a community of other working moms, aunts, grandmothers, and caregivers? Join the Working Moms Wellness group on Facebook.
I invite you to download my 5 Journaling Practices to Shift your Mindset. These are my absolute favourite go-to practices to restore calm and focus when you are feeling overwhelmed.
Resources:
The information guiding our conversation today is taken from Women in Canada: A Gender-based Statistical Report. Time use: Total work burden, unpaid work, and leisure:https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/89-503-x/2015001/article/54931-eng.htm
About Sara Haney:
Sara Haney received her Bachelor of Arts from Ripon College in biology and education. She studied abroad in Brazil with an emphasis on ecology and biodiversity. Sara has taught biology and life science in Oregon, Wisconsin, and Louisiana. She is the owner and founder of Owner Puzzle Permaculture, a company that inspires sustainable actions, and builds resilient communities by supporting caring teachers, students, and parents by providing inspiring curriculum relevant programs. She currently lives, teaches, and gardens in Calgary with her husband and two children.
Our Children's Mental Health with Lana Bentley
Stories Within Us
09/29/21 • 63 min
In this episode, Lana Bentley and I dive deep into the mental health challenges that our kids are facing. We look at gender roles and how they play into mental health, as well as gender identity and how that is changing within the realm of mental health. Lana has an extensive depth of knowledge in mental health, gender roles, and how to best meet the needs of the most vulnerable members of our populations.
Finally Lana explores how we don't want to go back to normal and why we need to demand a better normal—within mental health, the economy, and our communities. This is one episode that I cannot recommend highly enough to parents, educators, health care providers and all those currently working with children and youth.
About Lana Bentley:
Lana Bentley is a registered social worker with a bachelor's and master's degree in social work from the University of Calgary. She spent much of the early years of her career working in the area of mental health as a family and group therapist. Lana managed a psychiatric inpatient unit and psychiatric emergency room for children and youth at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. She has taught in the post-secondary system for nearly ten years.
Her passion for effecting change led her to pursue leadership positions in healthcare and human services. Lana is currently the Director of Program Strategy at YW Calgary—the largest and longest serving women’s organization in Calgary.
Volunteering in the community is important to Lana and she shares her time generously. Over the years, Lana has been involved with housing initiatives, mentorship for young professionals, domestic violence prevention efforts, and free drop-in counselling programs. Lana is committed to ensuring our community is safe and accessible for all. She is currently the Vice—chair for the SHARP Foundation, a Calgary-based non-profit organization committed to providing a continuum of care to those living with HIV or at the highest risk of contracting HIV.
Finally, Lana is running for Ward 6 Councillor for Cagalry—Elections are October 18, so everyone listening in the Calgary areas needs to make sure they get out and vote—She is running on a platform of a "strong and inclusive community where we all thrive together."
Connect with Lana Bentley:
Web: www.lanabentley.ca
IG: @lana4ward6
Twitter: @LanaBentleyYYC
Healing and Music with D'orjay
Stories Within Us
07/13/22 • 48 min
Country music artist, healer, and author D’orjay speaks to us about healing, music, and her book, SHIT MY SHAMAN SAYS. D'orjay shares her healing journey and how it led to her work as a Shaman and Pranic Healer. Dorjay explains that a shaman is, "Someone who sees light in the darkness."
In today's episode we discuss:
Healing. How it's not a linear process and how it can take on many shapes and forms.
Addressing our Fear. How to address our fear that shows up when we try to change the status quo and when we engage in a creative endeavour. D'orjay takes us step by step through her process of how she addresses fear before a show.
Music. How it's a form of healing.
About D'orjay
Country music artist, healer, and author, D’orjay the Singing Shaman (she/her), believes that a shaman’s learning is never done. She found the healing arts through her own journey of mending from the traumatic abusive and abandoning experiences of childhood. She was introduced to Energy Medicine, Shamanic healing, her Guru and Buddhism as well as Pranic healing in 2010, and has been developing her unique shamanic practice ever since.
Her book, SHIT MY SHAMAN SAYS, VOLUME I, is available through Party Trick Press. It's a refreshingly down-to-earth approach to energy medicine. In this self-help chapbook, D’orjay leads beginners and experts alike through her relatable, nurturing, and oftentimes downright entertaining approach to healing.
D'orjay's critically acclaimed debut, New Kind of Outlaw, was released in November 2020. Her style of country music continues to evolve honouring the classic country music she grew up on living in Rural Alberta while also colouring outside the lines of what current mainstream country music has to offer. As a Black Queer woman, D'orjay is passionate, vocal and committed to bringing diversity and inclusiveness to country music.
Connect with D'orjay:
Listen to D'orjay:
https://dorjaythesingingshaman.bandcamp.com/album/new-kind-of-outlaw
See Dorjay at this month's Calgary Folk Fest July 21-24:
https://www.calgaryfolkfest.com
Shit My Shaman Says, VOLUME I:
https://www.partytrickpress.com/shit-my-shaman-says-volume-one-product-page
10/28/20 • 41 min
In this episode, I speak with educator, wife, and aunt, Iriel Jaroslavsky about the importance of reflecting on our identity. Iriel shares her experiences growing up in Argentina, attending school in the United States, and entering the workforce in Canada.
Iriel speaks of how wellness looks different depending on her place in life. Sometimes it looks like going to the gym. But Iriel states that, “Sometimes it looks like I am just going to sit and stare at a wall so I can just tune out the noise.” Iriel goes on to explain, “It has become apparent that we need to slow down... to just be... to grow into a better person.”
Wellness Resources
Interested in joining a community of other working moms, aunts, grandmothers, and caregivers? Join the Working Moms Wellness group on Facebook.
I invite you to download my 5 Journaling Practices to Shift your Mindset. These are my absolute favourite go-to practices to restore calm and focus when you are feeling overwhelmed.
Resources:
In this episode, I speak to the work of Dr. Bettina Love, Professor of Education at the University of Georgia and cite her book, We Want to Do More Than Survive. I also mention the Abolitionist Teaching Network, of which Dr. Love is a board member.
About Iriel Jaroslavsky
Iriel Jaroslavsky is a National Geographic Certified Educator, Google Certified Educator, and teacher in a Spanish Bilingual School in Calgary. She received her Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Arts at St. Mary’s University. Iriel’s area of interest in education is the effects of trauma in children and how it shows up in educational settings.
Balance with Jyoti Gondek
Stories Within Us
05/05/21 • 34 min
Today's episode is with Alberta Leader and mayoral candidate for the city of Calgary, Jyoti Gondek. In this conversation, Jyoti gives us a behind-the-scenes look into municipal elections, and why municipal elections matter to our day-to-day lives as women. Jyoti provides examples as to how the current campaign system and the current fundraising process are barriers to women running and winning. She also shares how we—as working moms—can change it.
We are going to look at Jyoti's innovatie perspective on balance and lack of balance. Specifically, what happens to cities when they are developed without female leaders and female input. Why our current political climate tends to be polarized, and why political balance is key to us moving forward. And finally, Jyoti shares with us her honest and vulnerable perspective of personal work/life balance and the unexpected benefits that come from a lack of balance.
About Jyoti Gondek:
Jyoti Gondek is currently serving Calgary city council as ward 3 councillor. She is running for Mayor in the upcoming municipal election on October 18, 2021. If elected, she would be the first woman to serve as mayor for the city of Calgary, since its incorporated in 1884.
Jyoti Gondek holds an undergraduate degree in sociology and criminology, an MA in organizational sociology that examined corporate social responsibility, and a PhD in urban sociology that provided insights into the struggles of urban-rural hybrid areas. She was the Director of the Westman Centre for Real Estate Studies at the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business before taking office in 2017. For 12 years prior, she provided research-based consulting services ranging from creating complete communities to fostering healthy corporate cultures. Jyoti also has private sector experience in financial services and public sector experience as a policy analyst.
Jyoti has been recognized for her contributions to community through the 2012 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the 2016 Angus Reid Applied Sociology Award. She is Mother. Leader. Businessperson. Wife. Citizen. Friend. Daughter. Problem solver. Entrepreneur.
Connect with Jyoti Gondek:
Web: https://www.jyotigondek.ca
Facebook: @JyotiGondek
Twitter: @JyotiGondek
IG: @jyotigondek
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FAQ
How many episodes does Stories Within Us have?
Stories Within Us currently has 53 episodes available.
What topics does Stories Within Us cover?
The podcast is about Mom, Society & Culture, Canada, Feminist, Wellness, Podcasts, Education and Wellbeing.
What is the most popular episode on Stories Within Us?
The episode title 'Changing the world with better stories with Natalie Meisner' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Stories Within Us?
The average episode length on Stories Within Us is 42 minutes.
How often are episodes of Stories Within Us released?
Episodes of Stories Within Us are typically released every 14 days.
When was the first episode of Stories Within Us?
The first episode of Stories Within Us was released on Sep 21, 2020.
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