The Honest Talk

Canada's Nicole Havrda is burning up the race track for F1 Academy here at home, but also right around the world. She is a rising force in motor sport, she's a young driver, she's very fast, and she is breaking expectations for women in racing. At just 19, she's already making headlines, and we're so excited to have Nicole joining us on The Honest Talk podcast!

From starting out at RBC to becoming Executive VP and Head of Private Banking, Kim Mason has climbed the corporate ladder with purpose – and more than a few reinventions along the way. She’s been named one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women, a Top 50 CEO by Atlantic Business Magazine, and one of Canada’s Top 25 Women of Influence. In this episode, Kim joins us to talk about career growth, what reinvention really looks like – and the values that keep her grounded at the top.

Meghan Roach may just have one of the coolest jobs in Canada. She's the president and CEO of Roots, the iconic Canadian brand, which is known for its leather, its cabin vibes and the timeless sweats we all grew up loving. But she is more than just a fashion CEO. She's actually a small town girl from Pembroke, Ontario who became one of the youngest female CEOs of a publicly traded company in Canada, and she's done it with purpose and with grit, and also a lot of heart. Today, we talk to Megan about leading in a crisis, making...

Today on the podcast, we're joined by a truly fascinating guest — Marcy Grossman, Canada’s first female Jewish ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. Marcy’s career in diplomacy is impressive on its own, but what makes her story even more compelling is where it began — in a jail. And no, not in the way you might think. We first met Marcy in Montreal and were immediately struck by her honesty, humour, and the bold way she’s carved out her own path. In this episode, she opens up about her unconventional journey, from working in corrections to navigating the world of f...

Jen and Catherine are back for another catch-up episode! In today’s chat, they reflect on a busy week in Toronto, from election night insights to attending a cut-throat Sens vs. Leafs hockey game. They also dive into the growing momentum behind women’s professional sports in Canada, shifting perceptions of women’s bodies in sport, and how cultural expectations are evolving for the next generation. You don’t want to miss it!

Women’s sports are having a moment – and in Canada, that momentum is only growing. From the rise of women’s hockey to the launch of a brand-new professional soccer league, the game is changing fast. In this episode, we sit down with Christina Litz, president of the Northern Super League, who’s leading the charge to bring pro women’s soccer to cities across Canada.

Jen and Catherine are back — and it’s officially Women’s Summit season! In this episode, they chat about the thrill of launch day, big-name speakers, and why they’re so excited about this year’s event. They also get candid about the upcoming Canadian election, what the polling says about the gender divide, and how they’re each navigating the emotional rollercoaster of today’s world (spoiler: quirky murder mysteries and rom-coms may be involved).

Today, we're having a conversation with a woman who had a trailblazing career in politics: Kathleen Wynne! She served as a school trustee and a Provincial Parliament and cabinet member before she was elected Ontario's first and only female Premier. In her conversation with Jen and Catherine, she gets candid about setbacks, progress, and why she still believes in public service despite rising misogyny and political polarization. Tune in for a real, honest talk on resilience, leadership, and never giving up.

Our special guest for this episode is Demetra Streda, who has had a long career with RBC. In her discussion with Jen and Catherine, she opens up about the power of finding your passion, igniting your curiosity, and taking risks in your career. She also talks about how she found herself working in finance, the importance of self-trust, and how she learned to be comfortable with the uncomfortable.

The world feels especially unpredictable right now – wars, political shifts, financial instability. But even in this uncertainty, more women than ever are stepping up and launching businesses. So, what does it take to succeed as a woman founder today? How do you navigate challenges like being the only woman in the room during a pitch or securing funding in a male-dominated space? To help answer these questions, we're joined by Sandi Gilbert – fintech CEO, founder, and former Board Chair of the National Angel Capital Organization. She's spent years helping entrepreneurs access the capital they need to grow, and today, she's here...

For so many of us, Jeanne Beker was our window into the world of high fashion. She took us behind the scenes at major runway shows, inside designer showrooms, and into conversations with the biggest names in the industry—both on the catwalk and in the front row. Now, Jeanne is sharing her own personal stories in her new book, Heart on My Sleeve, a memoir told through the clothes and accessories in her closet. In this episode, we sit down with the legendary fashion journalist to talk about her extraordinary career, her deep connection to fashion, and the moments th...

Jenna Sudds’ career has spanned public service, municipal leadership, and now federal politics. She’s been a dedicated advocate for families, economic growth, and building strong, inclusive communities. But as a woman in politics, she also faces the harsh realities of online hostility, intense scrutiny, and the disproportionate aggression directed at women in leadership. In this conversation, we’ll explore what it really means to be a woman in politics in 2025 — how Jenna navigates the challenges of her role, the support systems that help her thrive, and what needs to change to ensure more women not only enter politics but stay and...

Arielle Meloul is Canada’s largest airline’s Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer and Public Affairs. She’s been recognized as one of Canada’s 100 most powerful women in business and is responsible for over 35,000 employees at Air Canada, where she’s also helping to bolster the future of Women in Aviation. We are thrilled to have Arielle with us on The Honest Talk today!

How would you feel about living on Mars? For some, the idea of 300 days in isolation might sound daunting. For others, like today’s guest, it’s a challenge worth embracing. Dr. Kelly Haston is no stranger to adventure. As the commander of NASA’s first Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog, or CHAPEA, she spent 378 days inside a 3D-printed habitat that mimicked life on Mars. Today, she’s sharing what it was like to step inside that simulated environment, close the door behind her, and leave Earth — mentally, if not physically — for over a year.

Today is going to be different here on The Honest Talk. Usually, you’re accustomed to hearing a guest on the podcast, but today, Jen and Catherine decided that they would end 2024 with a little conversation about the year that was – because it has been quite a year. They also wanted to make sure that you – our audience and our listeners – know just how grateful we are that you are a part of this journey with us every step of the way as we’ve continued to build and evolve The Honest Talk. As we wind down for the holiday season, we...

Kris Depencier has been immersed in the financial world for almost her entire career, working her way through the ranks at RBC to become Executive Vice President, Regional Banking, Personal. But Kris’ dedication to helping clients achieve financial stability and success is matched by her deep investment in making positive change for all. She has consistently worked to create safe, inclusive workplaces within RBC and initiated tough internal conversations about women’s health that help generate progressive change.

Jenn has had quite a journey from starting the company as a side hustle in her basement to seeing her products sold in Sephora stores across Canada and JCPenney stores in the United States. She’s been on Dragon’s Den and has big plans for the future. She joined us for this exciting episode of The Honest Talk to tell us all about it.

It may come as a surprise that, in 2024, we are still having conversations about gender equality. But, the truth is that equality remains an illusion for many women. In this latest episode of The Honest Talk podcast, best-selling author and award-winning journalist Elizabeth Renzetti joins Jen and Catherine to better understand why. For years, Liz worked for the Globe and Mail, where she was a reporter, an editor, and a columnist. Her latest book, What She Said: Conversations About Equality, has just been released, and we are really thrilled to have her on the podcast to tell us all about...

On this episode of The Honest Talk podcast, Jennifer and Catherine sit down with Chinyere Eni. Not only is she Head of RBC Origins, but she’s also had a really interesting career path, which has seen her embrace her own heritage while creating an inclusive professional space for others along the way. She also has an incredible personal story. She’s overcome cancer and an amputation, and we all have a lot to learn from her courage and leadership.

Since she was a little girl, Mitzie Hunter has used her voice to make a big difference. Whether around the kitchen table with her three brothers, working with community organizations, or later at Ontario’s provincial cabinet table, Mitzie has always focused on solutions. Recently, Mitzie was appointed president and CEO of the Canadian Women’s Foundation, Canada’s public foundation for gender justice and equality, an organization we’re proud to call a partner here at The Honest Talk. Mitzie spoke with Jen and Catherine about her new professional mission and how she’s helping other women lift their voices to...

In this episode, Jen and Catherine chat with Vinita Savani, who has moved her way up the ranks at RBC since starting with Canada’s largest bank in 1997. Not only has Vinita stayed with RBC ever since, but she’s now their Senior Vice President of Personal Lending and Auto Finance. Along the way, she’s learned how to use her voice, mentor others, and be mentored. She’s established boundaries that have allowed her to become a truly successful professional and a dedicated mom and spouse.

Penny Wise has had a truly distinguished career. From taking on the role of President of 3M Canada to returning to the U.S. to lead the organization’s global public policy and communications effort—and tirelessly advocating for women every step of the way—she is a force in the business community. She joined us at The Honest Talk to discuss women in leadership, how empathy can create a better workforce and the importance of inspiring more women and girls to join STEM.

Our special guest for this episode is Natasha Holiday, Co-Head & Managing Director of Infrastructure (East) at RBC Capital Markets. Throughout our conversation, she offers invaluable insights on everything from navigating male-dominated industries to becoming a mom while maintaining a fast-paced, demanding career.  Tune in to this latest episode of The Honest Talk to hear Natasha’s candid reflections on her near-win in a fiercely contested political race in New York State and the pivotal moment that led her to choose a career in finance.

Sophie Grégoire Trudeau has definitely got high name recognition, and she uses it for causes that make a difference for women too, which is something that a lot of women admire about her. She's invested in equality, mental health, and youth empowerment. And now she's entering a really fascinating period in her life, a period of both joy and healing. She's about to release a much-anticipated book called Closer Together, and she's recently separated from her husband, though they're still actively co-parenting three children. That's a lot to go through for any person. Sophie Grégoire Trudeau joined us he...

Dr. Jennifer Gunter is a Canadian obstetrician and gynecologist, a pain-medicine physician, a podcaster, and a best-selling author. Her books The Vagina Bible, The Menopause Manifesto, and her latest, Blood, have brought conversations about women’s health and periods to an absolutely new level. Dr. Gunter has been described as the most important truth teller in women's health. 

She joined us at The Honest Talk to chat about women’s health, the myths and stigma around it, her own life, and the challenges we as a society are facing right now.

We have talked to female political leaders and journalists, to activists and athletes. But this episode is the first time we speak with a leading punk rock artist! Bif Naked is a Canadian musical icon with a multi-decade, award-winning global career. In this episode of The Honest Talk, we talk with Bif about her birth in India and how being adopted by missionaries shaped her life. She shares with us her reflections on having breast cancer, being married three times, and staying positive in the face of the ups and downs that mark a life well lived.

Silken Laumann captured the hearts and minds of Canadians by rowing for this country in three separate Olympics — and winning three Olympic medals. She also won a world championship and a gold medal in the Pan American Games. Her athletic career was exceptional. But what's so interesting about Silken is that she's also been a champion on another front — raising awareness about mental health. She's so serious about it that she founded an organization called Unsinkable, which helps people take steps toward mental well-being. She's also been very open about her own mental health journey and struggles.

Join Jennifer and Catherine on this episode of The Honest Talk as they sit down with Melissa Carvalho, RBC’s Vice President of Global Cyber Security Strategic Services. Recognized as one of Canada's Top 20 Women in Cyber Security by IT World Canada and a global executive standout, Melissa shares her inspiring journey — from dreaming of a career as a teacher to becoming a leading cyber security expert, to battling imposter syndrome and facing discrimination.

In this honest conversation, Melissa discusses the pressing issue of cyber security affecting companies of all sizes. Get ready for an insightful discussion that...

Join Jennifer Stewart and Catherine Clark on this compelling episode of The Honest Talk as they sit down with the iconic Marilyn Denis. In an intimate and honest discussion, Marilyn opens up about the challenges women face in the media industry, confronting ageism with grace, and her personal journey through loss. 

The conversation takes an emotional turn as Marilyn shares her experience of losing a sister to cancer and how it has shaped her perspective on life. The episode also delves into Marilyn's heartwarming love story and explores her exciting plans for the future. Tune in for a...

Michelle O'Bonsawin made history as Canada's first Indigenous Supreme Court Justice. She joined us at The Honest Talk to share insights from her 20-year legal career, including the adjustments she had to make in her personal life to take this role, security issues, and self-care. Join us as we explore her commitment to education and community service, and her vision for a more equitable and inclusive legal system.

Jyoti Gondek is the first female Mayor of Calgary – a leader who learned the value of compassion and empathy as the daughter of immigrants who came to Canada when she was a child. In this thought-provoking conversation with Jennifer and Catherine, Mayor Gondek discusses the importance of authenticity, the challenges of being a woman in politics, and the need to address polarization in society. She shares her perspective on the role of social media in politics, the power of data-driven decision-making, and her commitment to making life better for the people she serves. Discover how Mayor Gondek’s unique background and...

Our special guest for this episode is Harriet Thornhill, a former Vice President with RBC and a true champion of mentorship. Harriet has won numerous awards, including being named one of the 100 most influential Black Canadians, and she’s a force to be reckoned with, now holding the prestigious position of Chancellor at Tyndale University. Immerse yourself in this empowering episode of The Honest Talk where Harriet shares her insights, experiences, and invaluable wisdom that will leave you feeling inspired and motivated to conquer your own goals. Share your feedback with us — we would love to have your review. If you...

Lieutenant-Colonel Melanie Lake is one of the most public-facing women in the Canadian Armed Forces. As Task Force Commander of Operation UNIFIER, she led a team that trained the Ukrainian army months before Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Melanie joins Jennifer and Catherine to talk about her experience as a woman in the Canadian Armed Forces and her decision to go to Ukraine when her daughter was five months old. In this episode, Melanie talks about her childhood, her mother’s reaction to a tour of duty in Afghanistan, and why she decided to make a career in the military. Sh...

Kirsten Hillman is Canada's Ambassador to the U.S. and the first woman ever to hold this role. In the past, she has also played a critical part in negotiating major trade agreements for Canada. Ambassador Hillman joined Jennifer and Catherine to talk about the preparation for President Biden’s historic visit to Ottawa in March and how the team at the Canadian Embassy to the U.S. was involved in the process. She also gave us a behind-the-scenes look at her career and talked about her childhood, mentoring women, and making choices around things that make her happy.

Christina Cleveland is RBCs Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion. At a time when D&I discussions are top of mind for businesses, governments, institutions, and individuals across the country and around the world, she shares various perspectives on the importance of why everyone needs to Speak Up for Inclusion.

Heather Stefanson is the 24th Premier of Manitoba and the first woman ever to hold the role. She was elected to the Manitoba legislative assembly in 2000, and she has won every election since. Premier Stefanson has navigated the ups and downs of politics for over 20 years. She has mentored other women who want to get involved in public service, and she has raised two kids while serving her constituency, her community and her province. The Premier joins Jen and Catherine on this episode of The Honest Talk to discuss her childhood, making choices between family and career and managing stress...

Canadians from coast to coast jumpstart their mornings with journalist Anne-Marie Mediwake, co-host of Your Morning on CTV. An award-winning national journalist, Anne-Marie has worked at every major television news organization in the country, reporting on some of the biggest news stories of our time. She is a reporter, a mom of triplets and a friend to morning people everywhere, and she joins Jen and Catherine on this episode of The Honest Talk. Listen as she generously shares the behind-the-scenes scoop on her career and family life, her advocacy, and her childhood in Saskatchewan and Alberta after her parents immigrated...

Meet Flora Do, a remarkable woman who is helping to reshape the face and voice of modern corporate Canada. A progressive and influential voice in Canada's largest bank, she is the Vice President of Investments, Transformation and Client Segments at RBC and the head of RBC Healthcare. She has made a big impact at Canada’s largest bank and on the generation of women leaders who are coming up behind and beside her in the workplace. Flora joins Jen and Catherine to talk about it all: her career, management style, childhood, and her incredible mother. It’s personal, it’s inform...

Vassy Kapelos is one of the most well-known figures in Canadian media and politics, and the latest guest on The Honest Talk. An award-winning journalist, she hosted Power and Politics on CBC for five years before recently announcing a move to CTV News. There, she will take on the role of Chief Political Correspondent and host not one, but two shows: Question Period and Power Play. On the heels of her biggest career move yet, Kapelos sat down with Jennifer Stewart and Catherine Clark for this episode of The Honest Talk. From her first job in Saskatchewan to her new...

A sports website for women-identifying fans? Now, that is a home run! Just ask Jacie deHoop, co-founder of The GIST, a thriving sports media company and the go-to source for sports coverage and conversations for women. Launched across North America in 2019 by three college friends — Jacie deHoop, Ellen Hyslop and Roslyn McLarty — The GIST is all about changing the game in the male-dominated sports industry, where fewer than 14% of journalists are women and less than 4% of coverage is on female athletes. On this episode of The Honest Talk, Jacie joins Jennifer Stewart and Catherine Clark to talk about launching The GIST...