Best Fempire Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 4 | Find Your Tribe (and fire the critics in your head) 12:32

4d ago12:32

12:32

Send us a text In this episode of 'Fempire Rising: Her Future, Her Voice,' host Trudy Heins, CEO of Fempire, delves into the importance of finding a supportive tribe and silencing inner critics. Trudy shares insights into the power of connection and how success is achieved through collaboration rather than isolation. She gives actionable steps to i…

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The Power of Mentorship with Illana Raia 36:04

3d ago36:04

36:04

Illana Raia's journey to entrepreneurship stemmed from her love of law and her personal experiences with mentorship. Despite loving her career as a mergers and acquisitions lawyer, she took a break to raise her children and later rejoined her firm. Realizing the impact of showing her daughter accomplished women at work, Illana envisioned scaling th…

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Episode 3 | From Strategy to Impact: The Art of Meaningful Engagement 40:54

11d ago40:54

40:54

Send us a text In this insightful episode of Fempire Rising: Her Future, Her Voice, Trudy Heins, CEO of Femm Empire, engages in a deep conversation with Susan Blain, a strategic engagement and communications expert. With a 20 year friendship bringing a wealth of experience to the discussion, they explore the impact of aligning words and intent to t…

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Episode 2 | Meet Trudy Heins: The CEO Behind the Mission 16:04

11d ago16:04

16:04

Send us a text In this episode of Fempire Rising, hosted by Trudy Heins, CEO of Fempire, you’re introduced to the core beliefs and personal motivations that drive her commitment to empowering women in business. Trudy shares her own journey, from personal challenges with coercive control to a successful career in finance and entrepreneurship. She hi…

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Episode 1 | The Evolution of Fempire: Building the Legacy, Leading the Future 44:18

11d ago44:18

44:18

Send us a text In the premiere episode of 'Fempire Rising: Her Future, Her Voice,' host Trudy Heins, CEO of Fempire, welcomes Marnie LeFevre, the founder of Fempire, to discuss the origins, evolution, and future of the women-centric business movement. Marnie, a visionary entrepreneur and lifelong advocate for women's empowerment, shares her journey…

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Kaleidoscope Career with Helen Jonsen 34:56

16d ago34:56

34:56

Helen Jonsen aspired to be a writer from a young age and chose journalism for its daily writing opportunities. After studying at Fordham University and gaining experience at Channel 11 and WINS radio, she moved to Rhode Island as a senior producer, where she met and married her Australian husband. This led to a stint in Australia, where she worked …

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Lean Into Your Ambition with Bianca Best 37:04

1M ago37:04

37:04

Bianca Best's lifelong pursuit of ambition led her from a corporate career in advertising, creativity, and publishing to a successful freelance writing career. While juggling motherhood in her late 20's, she inadvertently founded the Bespoke Gift Company. What started as a creative, personalized anniversary gift has become a wildly successful compa…

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Beat the Big Guys with Sandy Rosenthal 33:49

1M ago33:49

33:49

Sandy Rosenthal was an ordinary citizen who became an extraordinary activist following Hurricane Katrina. After uncovering that defective flood walls built by the Army Corps of Engineers caused the disaster, Sandy founded the nonprofit levees.org and rallied over 25,000 supporters for safer infrastructure. Her book, 'Whispered in Water,' and her po…

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The Empty Nester with Rita Lussier 30:22

2M ago30:22

30:22

Feeling lost and purposeless when her youngest child left for college, Rita Lussier leaned into her writing and running to cope. Forming a new morning routine along with the process of running and writing helped her find a new sense of purpose, culminating in the creation of her book, And Now Back To Me. Rita is an award-winning journalist and writ…

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Money and Power with Marcia Dawood 33:31

2M ago33:31

33:31

Marcia Dawood's journey into angel investing began in 2012 when she attended an angel investing meeting in Pittsburgh. Previously working in sales, marketing, and operations within corporate America, she was intrigued and fascinated by the world of entrepreneurship and investing in early-stage companies. Initially unaware of the opportunities that …

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Play to Win with Yue Zhao 35:50

3M ago35:50

35:50

Yue Zhao's career began with aspirations rooted in a desire to help people, initially thinking she would become a doctor. However, her path led her into the tech industry, where she spent over 15 years as a product executive in Silicon Valley. Discovering the power of executive and leadership coaching became a pivotal point in her career. Inspired …

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Powerful You with Kathy Caprino 38:49

3M ago38:49

38:49

Kathy Caprino began her professional journey with ambitions of working in publishing. However, she soon found herself navigating a corporate career filled with numerous challenges as she climbed the corporate ladder. After a period of deep reflection, Kathy embraced her calling ultimately leading her to become an international career leadership and…

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Build your Fempire with Emily June Wilcox 35:15

4M ago35:15

35:15

Emily June Wilcox grew up in rural Michigan with aspirations of becoming a veterinarian, earning a degree in animal science. Her early career took unexpected turns, from horse training to pharmaceutical sales and eventually entrepreneurship. Emily is a wealth and business coach, number one bestselling author and speaker on a mission to help others …

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This Ain't for Sissies with Kathryn Burnett 38:04

4M ago38:04

38:04

Growing up in a family that didn't view a career in the arts as feasible, Kathryn Burnett pursued writing with determination, transitioning from magazine articles to professional screenwriting. She faced numerous challenges, particularly in a competitive industry that often overlooks middle-aged women. Post-menopause, Kathryn experienced a personal…

1
Ep 21: Your War, Our Lives - The Stories Behind the Headlines with Mina Sharif 39:56

5M ago39:56

39:56

Accomplished writer, advocate, and global bridge-builder Mina Sharif takes listeners on a powerful journey in this deeply moving conversation about identity, storytelling, and challenging dominant narratives. Her new book, Your War, Our Lives: Short Stories of the Afghan Experience, wasn’t born from a publishing plan but from a deeply personal desi…

1
Ep 20: Behind the Scalpel - Dr. Daniela Vaca’s Transformative Take on Plastic Surgery 32:53

5M ago32:53

32:53

Dr. Daniela Vaca brings an international and revolutionary perspective to plastic surgery, transforming it from a misunderstood field often associated with vanity into a pathway for genuine empowerment and healing. Drawing on her clinical research at Harvard Medical School, her experience treating burn victims and breast cancer survivors in Colombi…

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Ep 19: 10 Million Hungry - Inside Canada’s Food Insecurity Crisis 31:59

5M ago31:59

31:59

Hunger doesn't discriminate, but our systems often do. In 2024, Statistics Canada reported that 10 million Canadians — including 2.5 million children — lived in households that couldn’t reliably afford food. That’s families skipping meals, parents making impossible choices, and children going to school hungry in one of the world's wealthiest nation…

1
Ep 18: Power Suits & Policy - Redefining Municipal Advocacy & Policy in Ontario 32:55

5M ago32:55

32:55

What does it really take to advocate for over 100 municipalities across Eastern Ontario while breaking barriers as a woman in government relations? Meredith Staveley-Watson opens up about her journey from volunteer to becoming Director of Government Relations and Policy at the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC). Meredith, affectionately known a…

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Dirty Old Women with Stella Fosse 33:21

5M ago33:21

33:21

Inspired to push back against gendered ageism, Stella Fosse began writing vivid, sexy stories about older women inspired by an article by a 50-year-old romance writer in the New York Times that pushed her to challenge industry norms that favored younger characters. Her involvement in a local writing series called "Dirty Old Women," where women over…

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The Power of Love over Loss with Becky Galli 31:39

5M ago31:39

31:39

Rebecca "Becky" Faye Smith Galli's life is marked by resilience despite profound losses. She faced significant challenges, including the death of her brother, her son's degenerative disease and death, her daughter's autism, a divorce, and her own paralysis from transverse myelitis. Despite these challenges, Becky has found strength and purpose thro…

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Ep 17: Cultivating Connection - Reconnecting Soil to Soul (Part 2) 21:11

5M ago21:11

21:11

What if your hands in the dirt could change your relationship with the Earth? Environmental scientist, Destiny Allen-Green invites us to reconnect with nature through a revolutionary approach to gardening that transforms how we view our place in the natural world. Destiny Allen-Green is a proud Black Afro-Métis daughter of The Underground Railroad …

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Ep 16: Cultivating Connection - Reconnecting Soil to Soul (Part 1) 24:42

5M ago24:42

24:42

What if your hands in the dirt could change your relationship with the Earth? Environmental scientist, Destiny Allen-Green invites us to reconnect with nature through a revolutionary approach to gardening that transforms how we view our place in the natural world. Destiny Allen-Green is a proud Black Afro-Métis daughter of The Underground Railroad …

1
Heal from Hidden Trauma with Elyssa Smith 41:32

6M ago41:32

41:32

Through her own journey of healing from multiple traumas, including an abusive relationship, Elyssa Smith studied and developed methods to hack the survival brain, rewiring the limiting beliefs that were keeping her stuck. Elyssa is a trauma informed life strategist who helps female executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals squash their limiting…

1
Reawakening Creativity with Lori Duff 30:30

6M ago30:30

30:30

Lori Duff's journey began with strong academic success, which led her parents to steer her towards law school. Initially focused solely on her legal career, Lori truly discovered her love for creative writing after a challenging election loss in 2012. This moment of introspection prompted her to start blogging, humorously chronicling her husband's …

1
Ep 15: How Beepzz is Changing the Car Game 53:48

6M ago53:48

53:48

The road to entrepreneurial success is rarely straight, especially when you're navigating industries that haven't traditionally welcomed women behind the wheel. In this episode of #FEMPIRE, I sit down with Jessi Kessel and Farah Mohammed, the innovative leaders behind Beepzz – a groundbreaking automotive recruitment and talent platform challenging …

1
Ep 14: Values Over Vanity - Rewriting the Nonprofit Playbook with Maria Rio 48:49

6M ago48:49

48:49

Welcome back to #FEMPIRE. Today’s guest is a powerhouse in the nonprofit world—shaking things up with bold ideas, lived experience, and a strategic vision for change. Maria Rio is the founder of Further Together, a fundraising consulting firm she launched in 2023. But her story doesn’t start there. Maria came to Canada as a refugee, and her early e…

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Pivoting Careers with Linda Descano 36:15

7M ago36:15

36:15

Linda Descano's personal journey is an inspiring tale of resilience, adaptability, and unwavering determination. Raised in a traditional Italian Catholic family in South Philadelphia, Linda was instilled with the importance of education by her parents despite their lack of formal schooling. Influenced by strong, hardworking women in her family, Lin…

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Ep 13: Power, Silence, and Justice - The Real Cost of Workplace NDAs 26:41

7M ago26:41

26:41

Quick heads up: This episode contains discussions of workplace harassment, bullying, and sexual harassment, including personal accounts. Listener discretion is advised. Please take care while listening. Have you ever wondered why workplace harassment persists despite all the policies, training, and public commitments to change? The answer lies in p…

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Kickstart your Wellbeing with Terry Tateossian 32:35

7M ago32:35

32:35

Terry Tateossian spent the majority of her adult life in a corporate environment, as an entrepreneur and business owner, all while struggling with significant weight issues. After failing with numerous diets and experiencing serious health scares, she realized that her problem wasn't physical but emotional. By addressing her emotional eating and ad…

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Ep 12: Speaking Truth to Power - What Happens When You Refuse to Sign an NDA? 34:20

7M ago34:20

34:20

Quick heads up: This episode contains discussions of workplace harassment, bullying, and sexual harassment, including personal accounts. Listener discretion is advised. Please take care while listening. What does it really mean to speak truth to power—and what do you risk when you do? For Liz LeClair, founder of Uprising Consulting, the cost was be…

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Ep 11: Black Voices, Brave Spaces - Surviving in a Sector That Claims to Do Good 24:51

7M ago24:51

24:51

The nonprofit world has a problem. Behind the mission statements about doing good lurks a troubling reality for many Black professionals—a world where they're expected to leave their authentic selves at the door just to survive. Nneka Allen, founder of the Empathy Agency Inc. and co-author and editor of Collecting Courage, joins us for a conversati…

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Ep 10: Empathy as Revolution - Confronting Racism Across Borders 30:34

7M ago30:34

30:34

Nneka Allen opens our conversation with a profound declaration: she's a "reluctant entrepreneur" whose path to founding the Empathy Agency Inc emerged from confronting the very real inequities Black people face within the charitable sector. As a proud descendant of African survivors of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, her perspective comes from perso…

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Ep 9: People Behind the Policy - Conversations on Politics, Community, and Parenthood 35:45

8M ago35:45

35:45

Ellen Kushnick pulls back the curtain on Canadian politics with rare candor, sharing insights from her years as a strategic powerhouse on Parliament Hill. From the adrenaline rush of managing swing riding campaigns to the delicate art of crafting policy that truly serves communities, her stories reveal how meaningful political change actually happe…

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Elevating Female Athletes with Jamie Mittelman 34:52

8M ago34:52

34:52

Jamie Mittelman was inspired to live life with passion and fervor after experiencing the loss of her father. A lover of sports and a deep believer in the power of stories to change lives, Jamie found her passion and purpose in elevating women's stories at the highest level of sports. Jamie is the founder and host of Flame Bearers, a platform dedica…

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Combat Psychology with Faith Roswell 32:20

8M ago32:20

32:20

Faith Roswell began her career unexpectedly when she was approached by a talent scout while studying for a degree in creative writing. This encounter led her to become an internationally recognized artist model. During her modeling career, Faith wrote extensively about her solo travel and adventure experiences. Her journey took a significant turn a…

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Ep 8: What It Means to Be a Disruptor of Change - Navigating the Nonprofit Sector (Part 2) 27:44

8M ago27:44

27:44

What happens when your career no longer feels safe or aligned? In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, I sit down with a nonprofit leader-turned-consultant, Esther Saehyun Lee, founder of Elevate Philanthropy Consulting who shares what led her to walk away from the traditional 9-to-5 and start her own business rooted in justice, equity, au…

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Ep 7: The Risk of Telling the Truth - When Activism Meets the Nonprofit Industrial Complex (Part 1) 23:02

8M ago23:02

23:02

In this thought-provoking episode of #FEMPIRE, we dive deep into the current political climate, examining the rapid shifts happening in both Canada and the U.S. and how they're affecting the nonprofit and fundraising sectors. Our guest, Esther Saehyun Lee, shares her candid perspective that, for her, fundraising isn’t just about money—it needs to b…

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Spiral Up with Wendy Wallbridge 33:54

8M ago33:54

33:54

Wendy Wallbridge is a pioneer in the coaching field and a rare talent for creating cultures of belonging. Diagnosed with life-threatening lupus early in her career, Wendy used that experience and her journey back to health to explore what it means for women to live true to their values, feminine wisdom, their unique calling. Her singular brand of c…

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Ep 6: The GR Playbook - Navigating Public Affairs & Communications 47:44

9M ago47:44

47:44

This week on #FEMPIRE, I’m joined by Rita Rahmati, an absolute force in government relations and communications. From early days writing for the Western Gazette to leading national advocacy for Canada's building trades unions, she's been at the heart of policy and influence across multiple sectors. Now, as the Director of Communications and Public …

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Dare to Become with Julie Cropp Gareleck 30:46

9M ago30:46

30:46

Julie was introduced to the world of business early on when her parents transitioned from corporate America to owning a restaurant. This experience taught her invaluable lessons about work ethic, communication, and conflict resolution. Julie is a well respected leader in business communities that extend from the United States to Canada and the Unit…

1
The Power of Letter Writing with Amy Daughters 30:49

9M ago30:49

30:49

Amy Wineland Daughters experienced a life-changing impulse that led her to reconnect with an old camp friend on Facebook, despite not having contact for 30 years. This heartfelt experience inspired her to write handwritten letters to all 580 of her Facebook friends and the belief that when human beings connect individually in a meaningful way, noth…

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Body Mind Connection with Desiree Bartlett 33:43

10M ago33:43

33:43

Desiree Bartlett is very passionate about the joy of movement. Growing up with a strong foundation in yoga and meditation, influenced by her hippie mother, Desiree was inspired to a lifelong passion for fitness, science and holistic health. As the founder of the innovative subscription platform desibodymind.com, she offers a holistic approach to he…

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Ep 5: Driving Meaningful Change in Corporate Purpose & Sustainability through Indigenous Reconciliation 36:29

10M ago36:29

36:29

In this episode, Alexandra Biron takes us through her journey from a family rooted in community and volunteerism to a career in Corporate Purpose & Sustainability. She shares how the field has evolved to encompass Indigenous reconciliation, and environmental sustainability, highlighting the competitive advantage and talent attraction benefits of pu…

1
Grace and Grit with Sarah Dale 29:21

10M ago29:21

29:21

After a 30-year career in advertising, working with prestigious brands and leading major revenue-driving teams, Sarah Dale sought something more fulfilling. Living in Montana, where she embraced nature and adventure, sparked her desire to help women build confidence and self-reliance. This idea culminated in Project 1490, offering unique outdoor ex…

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Conflict Resolution with Jan And Jillian Yuhas 35:27

11M ago35:27

35:27

Jan and Jillian Juhas grew up in a small rural town and later moved to Chicago, experiencing a significant culture shock. This drastic change made them realize the importance of setting strong personal boundaries to feel respected and heard. Their journey led them to develop a methodology focused on communicating through values rather than emotions…

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The Self-Promotion Myth: The Confidence and Clarity Women Desire at Work 37:59

11M ago37:59

37:59

In this episode, Kathryn Sandford, Co-owner and Director of M2M Coaching, shares her expertise on helping professional women over 40 navigate crossroads in their careers. Kathryn and host Paige Rene dive into self-promotion myths, personal branding, overcoming limiting beliefs, and crafting strategies for impactful leadership. Kathryn also reveals …

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Ep 4: Revolutionizing Nonprofits' Partnerships with Government 52:18

11M ago52:18

52:18

In this episode, we sit down with Jesse Clarke, a seasoned government funding expert with over 20 years of experience transforming the relationship between charities, nonprofits, and government. From her early days as a federal civil servant to raising over $100 million in government grants for renowned organizations like Right To Play, Pathways to…

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Clear Your Money Fog with Mikelann Valterra 38:01

11M ago38:01

38:01

Overwhelmed by financial stress and debt despite her academic qualifications, Mikelann Valterra transformed her relationship with money after seeking help from Karen McCall, a pioneering money coach. Inspired by this change, she became a money coach and has spent 25 years helping women achieve financial clarity and reduce money anxiety. Mikelann is…

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Ep 3: Moms At Work - Redefining Workplace Equality 53:42

11M ago53:42

53:42

In this episode of #FEMPIRE, we’re joined by Allison Venditti, founder of Moms at Work, a game-changing community on a mission to reshape workplace equality for mothers. Allison shares the inspiring story of how she grew Moms at Work from a small Facebook group of 400 followers to a powerhouse community of over 30,000 advocates pushing for real pol…

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Trusting Your Gut with Lisa Danels 40:27

12M ago40:27

40:27

In her mid-twenties Lisa Daniels embarked on a spiritual path to understand herself, identify barriers to her own success, and pursue fulfillment in life. From an individual contributor to a leader, making mistakes and learning along the way, Lisa aimed to embody the principles she promotes while aiding executives in leading teams and ensuring they…

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