The Brand is Female

In this special episode, we're privileged to host two extraordinary guests whose bold pursuit of artistic expression and activism has resonated globally. Both members of the renowned Russian art collective, protest group, and punk band, Pussy Riot, Masha Alyokhina and Diana Burkot have fearlessly ignited discussions and taken a stand for freedom, justice, and unbridled creativity in the face of adversity.Masha Alyokhina, having faced severe repercussions for her political activism, endured almost two years in prison followed by 18 months under house arrest. Escaping Russia when her house arrest threatened another prison sentence, her resilience and commitment to creative dissent are truly remarkable.Diana Burkot, a collaborator in Pussy Riot's performances, has stood at the forefront of their courageous artistic expressions, vehemently questioning the status quo and advocating for change, using music as an outlet.Pussy Riot's performances have not only been provocative but have also served as potent instruments for societal transformation, often bearing a high personal cost.In this enlightening conversation, Masha and Diana open up about their experiences, discussing their unyielding commitment to art, feminist activism, and their vision for a world where creativity and justice coexist harmoniously. Currently in Montreal for the exhibit "Velvet Terrorism: Pussy Riot's Russia" at the Musée d'art contemporain, their dialogue sheds light on their courage, resilience, and the transformative power of feminist art.This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

Meredith Shaw, the new host of Breakfast Television, is a trailblazer with a passion for inclusivity. With a diverse background spanning broadcasting, music, and fashion, Meredith's journey is a testament to breaking barriers and creating transformative conversations. In this episode, we delve into Meredith's multifaceted career, from her time as a singer-songwriter to her pivotal role in radio. Discover how she's captivating audiences every morning as she wakes up the nation with her signature wit and warmth on Breakfast Television. We'll also share the exciting moment when she graced the stage at the prestigious CAFA Awards to present a coveted award.But Meredith's impact extends beyond television. She's a fierce advocate for body positivity and inclusivity, working closely with initiatives like Girls Inc., Girl Talk, and Shoppers Drug Mart’s “Run for Women.” Her mission is to inspire people of all sizes to embrace their power and feel fabulous in their own skin.Join us for an empowering conversation with Meredith Shaw, where we explore her incredible journey, unwavering commitment to self-love, and the transformative message she's spreading. Get ready to be uplifted and inspired by a true trailblazer who's changing the game.This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

Lara Murphy is the Owner and President of Ryan Murphy Construction Inc. in Calgary, which proudly stands as the only female-owned commercial construction firm in the city.Lara’s cooperative approach has played a pivotal role in its rapid growth and national recognition. With a track record of managing multi-million-dollar projects in corporate, commercial, health care, and residential construction, her leadership is all about transparency and effective communication. Publications like Canadian Business and the Globe and Mail have highlighted RMC's achievements, marking it as one of the country's fastest-growing companies.Beyond her remarkable career, Lara is a passionate public speaker and advocate for women in business. She dedicates her time to volunteering for non-profit organizations, serving as the Calgary YWCA’s board chair and a board member of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, among others.In this episode, Lara shares her journey through the construction industry, her commitment to community engagement, and valuable insights into leadership and entrepreneurship. Don't miss this enlightening conversation with Lara Murphy.This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

Meet Vivian Risi, a trailblazer in the real estate industry who has been forging her path since the early days of her career.  At just 18, Vivian entered the male-dominated world of real estate, facing skepticism and doubt. But she refused to yield to stereotypes, embarking on a journey where 'giving up' was never an option. Today, she is President and Broker of one North America's largest real estate brokerages. In this episode, we uncover Vivian's impressive story, one marked by resilience, determination, and the unwavering pursuit of her dreams. Vivian's journey parallels the challenges many young founders face when navigating the rapid growth of their companies. She's no stranger to adversity and the complexities of leadership.In this captivating conversation with Vivian Risi, she shares her journey, her leadership philosophy grounded in authenticity and listening, and her unwavering commitment to empowering others to overcome their obstacles and achieve their dreams. Vivian's story is a testament to the heights women can reach with vision, determination, and an unshakable belief in themselves.This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

Britt Barkwell and Alia Bissett have impressive careers on their own in fashion. With over two decades of experience combined, they both noticed a gap in the market for shirting-first brands that were classically cool and accessible. Keen on carving out their viewpoint in that niche market, they came up with T.Line, a foundational wardrobe essentials brand that offers elevated and effortless style. Inspired by the standards set up for men's shirting, the brand was created locally, with all products designed and made in Canada – proving that it is possible to succeed in a saturated and competitive market, such as fashion. This week's conversation with Britt and Alia is inspiring and eye-opening for anyone looking to start their own business with a twist on classic products and offers.This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

Carly Moir is the dynamic founder and creative director of White Canvas Design, a thriving creative agency based in the picturesque Langley, BC. Carly's journey from being a solo freelancer in 2012 to now leading a team of 14 talented women is nothing short of impressive.White Canvas Design is more than just a design agency; it's a hub of creativity, specializing in web design, graphic design, and social media marketing, committed to partnering with impact-driven companies across various industries and sizes. If you've ever wondered how to scale your business after starting as a solopreneur, this conversation is a must-listen.Carly opens up about the highs and lows of building a services-based business, providing invaluable insights and advice to fellow female founders aspiring to grow their companies. Her passion for gender equity and her advocacy for women and mothers in the workplace shine through in every word. Recognized for her outstanding contributions, Carly Moir received the prestigious BIV's Forty Under 40 award in 2022, and her agency, White Canvas Design, was honoured as the Langley Business of the Year by the Langley Chamber of Commerce in the same year.But there's more to Carly than her impressive career. A former Junior National Team and SFU varsity softball athlete, she now finds joy in coaching her daughter's U7 softball team in her spare time, demonstrating that success in business can coexist with a fulfilling personal life. Join us for this captivating conversation with Carly Moir as we delve into her journey of growth, empowerment, and creativity and discover how you, too, can scale your business to new heights while championing gender equity and work-life balance.This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

Elise Loehnen has an impressive career as a writer. Host of the famous "Pulling the Thread" podcast, she has co-written twelve books, five of which were New York Times bestsellers. She was the Chief Content Officer of goop, and she co-hosted The goop Podcast and The goop Lab on Netflix. Before that, she was the editorial projects director of Condé Nast Traveler. In her latest book, “On Our Best Behavior”, she explores the ancient rules women unwittingly follow to be considered “good,” revealing how the Seven Deadly Sins still control and distort our lives and inspiring us to reach a more balanced, spiritually complete way to live. In this week's conversation, Elise and our host, Eva Hartling, talk about her professional journey, which led to discovering just “what she wanted to be doing” — and how she connected with her voice in the process. They also discuss what leads women to feel like they are rarely “good enough” and their take on how to change that. This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

September 28th is International Safe Abortion Day, a global day of action dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of safe and legal abortion care and access to it. In Canada, one in three women will have an abortion in their lifetime, and abortion is one of the most common healthcare needs in our country. While most women in the country support the right to choose and access abortion, there still exist knowledge gaps on the subject. For example, six in every ten Canadian women can't differentiate between medication abortion and the Plan B pill. This data was obtained through a national online Ipsos survey commissioned by Linepharma International to understand the current knowledge of abortion methods, preferences, and availabilities of options in Canada. The results underscore the importance of destigmatizing conversations about abortion once and for all.To acknowledge the importance of International Safe Abortion Day, Linepharma International invited our host Eva Hartling to speak with two experts on the subject. She is joined by Dr. Konia Trouton, a Clinical Professor in the Department of Family Practice at UBC and a Clinical Associate at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, and Rachel Cairns, a performer, writer and creator of Aborsh, a popular podcast on abortion in Canada. In this conversation, we aim to shed some light on the role and benefits of reproductive and sexual education for women and the path to lifting stigmas surrounding abortion and reproductive rights in the country — ensuring that all can access safe abortion care.For more on abortion options in Canada, visit: http://myabortionoptions.ca/This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

After graduating from Memorial University of Newfoundland with a Master’s degree in Gender Studies, Dr. Judit Lovas worked for the local government as a policy and program development specialist for years. In March 2020, Judit launched her coaching and consulting business, and ever since, she has been working with clients from SMEs to large organizations internationally, helping them implement business practices that support DEI. Being a dual Hungarian-Canadian citizen, Judit has a unique perspective and vast interest in helping employers and employees successfully integrate diverse talent into the workforce. She shares her inspiring journey, her struggles pivoting her career in a new country, and her vision of the importance of DEI policies in business.This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

Diane Lanctôt knew early on she’d be involved in the family business, but what she didn’t expect was that this transition wouldn’t be 100% smooth. She acquired the sporting goods company Lactôt back from her father, Raymond Lactôt, and initiated a complete remodel, making it a growing industry leader. Diane, now a seasoned entrepreneur from Montreal, has received many recognitions over the years, including Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young. She has been a proud YPO member since 1992, is the President and Owner of Canadian Hat 1918 and Harricana, and is a teacher for the MBA program at HEC Montreal.In this conversation, you will hear Diane’s insights on being a long-time, successful entrepreneur, including the tough lessons that come with that kind of experience. This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale