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 desire to preserve memories and offer counter-narratives to the conflict-driven images of Afghanistan so often portrayed in Western media.

“What I saw missing was what everyday life in Afghanistan looks and feels like,” Sharif shares, explaining how her writing began as cathartic journaling reflecting on her 14 years of living in Kabul.

After the fall of Afghanistan in 2021, she was invited to speak at countless events — but instead of being asked about her lived experiences, she was met with geopolitical questions rooted in stereotypes. Frustrated, she made it her mission to use storytelling, writing, and art as tools to move beyond the black-and-white narrative of Afghanistan, highlighting its nuance and complexity through lived experiences and everyday stories — not just politics or headlines.

Sharif reflects on how returning to her homeland in 2005 profoundly shaped her understanding of belonging. With disarming honesty, she realized that “avoidance isn’t an option” when it comes to cultural identity — but you do have the autonomy to choose how you explore and engage with it.

In this episode, we explore the idea of coexistence and Sharif’s experience of “straddling two worlds” — feeling “so Canadian” in Afghanistan, then returning to find herself changed by her years abroad. She offers powerful insights for anyone navigating dual identities: “Maybe it doesn’t mean that I’m without a home,” she reflects. “Maybe it means I have more than one.”

Sharif is also the founder of Sisters 4 Sisters, a nationwide mentorship program for Afghan women and girls that grew out of grassroots community action.

A prominent voice in the Afghan diaspora, she uses her platform to bridge cultural gaps and deepen understanding of Afghan life. She co-authored The Diaspora Journal, writes The Hyphenated Blog, and has been featured across major publications, TV, podcasts, and radio. Her work continues to shape conversations on conflict-affected communities, women’s rights, and uplifting marginalized voices.

For Mina Sharif, advocacy starts with storytelling. She believes emotional connection leaves a deeper, lasting impact than facts alone — and that everyone’s story deserves to be told.

Listen now to learn why she calls community collaboration “a cheat code” for finding your voice.

Learn more about Mina Sharif and her work here:

https://minasharif.com/

https://minasharif.com/your-war-our-lives

Original illustrations by ArtLords: https://artlords.co/

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 Colombia, and her specialized microsurgery training at Toronto General Hospital in Canada, she shows how plastic surgery can be both a medical necessity and a personal choice—each equally valid when approached with care and intention.

Dr. Daniela Vaca is redefining plastic surgery by rejecting the “quick fix” mindset. Early in her career, she saw patients return for repeat liposuction because nothing had changed at the root — their habits, health, and mindset. Determined to make a real, lasting impact, she blended her passion for health, fitness, and wellness into her practice.

Through the Thrive Club wellness program, co-founded with her brother Juan Sebastián, Dr. Vaca creates personalized plans for patients before and after surgery — from nutrition and fitness to mindset coaching. Her philosophy is clear: surgery is just one part of a larger transformation. Sustainable and long term results come when patients commit to changing how they live, not just how they look.

The conversation delves into the artistry of plastic surgery, where Dr. Daniela Vaca balances patients’ aesthetic goals with medical safety while honoring each patient's unique body structure. She passionately debunks common misconceptions, particularly the false dichotomy between acceptance and enhancement. "If you're working on yourself, going to therapy, have good relationships...but don't like something about yourself, why not get that change?" she asks, challenging the notion that seeking physical enhancement automatically signals insecurity or superficiality.

Looking toward the future, Dr. Daniela Vaca shares exciting technological developments in the field—from AI-assisted surgical planning to advanced tissue engineering and improved breast implant technology that reduces inflammation. These innovations promise to make plastic surgery safer and more personalized while maintaining natural-looking results.

Whether you're considering plastic surgery or simply curious about this often-misunderstood field, this conversation offers invaluable insights into how female surgeons are redefining beauty standards and patient care.

Learn more about Dr. Daniela Vaca and her work here:

https://www.danielavacamd.com/en/about

https://www.thriveclub.info/en

https://www.facebook.com/p/Dra-Daniela-Vaca-Grisales-100088033115275/

https://www.youtube.com/@Danielavacagrisales

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 nations.

And while food insecurity touches every province, it cuts even deeper in the territories. In Nunavut, nearly half the population struggles with access to food. In the Northwest Territories and Yukon, it's more than 1 in 5. These numbers don’t just tell us who’s missing meals — they tell us who’s being left behind economically.

Because food insecurity isn't just about food. It’s a red flag for deeper financial distress — households choosing between rent, medication, heat, or a week of groceries. It’s a symptom of poverty — and a signal for policy failure.

Jasmine Ramze Rezaee, Director of Policy and Community Action for Community Food Centres Canada, joins us to challenge conventional wisdom about hunger and food insecurity in Canada. With passion and precision, she dismantles the myth that food insecurity is simply about food. "Food insecurity is not a food problem," she explains, "it's an income problem." This critical distinction shapes everything about how we should respond to this growing crisis.

The conversation takes us beyond emergency food relief to examine the structural forces creating hunger: stagnant wages, skyrocketing living costs, and inadequate social support systems that effectively "legislate poverty." We explore how traditional approaches like food banks, while necessary, cannot solve the underlying issues alone. Instead, Ramsey-Razai presents a compelling case for policy solutions like a new Groceries and Essentials Benefit, $150 per adult, $50 per child, that would provide direct financial support to 9 million struggling Canadians.

Perhaps most powerful is her framing of food security as fundamental to democracy itself. "Rising inequality, rising poverty, and rising food insecurity does and will undermine democracy," she warns. By connecting hunger to our broader social contract, she reveals how addressing food insecurity isn't just about feeding people – it's about the kind of society we want to build.

Whether you're concerned about poverty, inequality, or the future of our democratic institutions, this episode offers both sobering insights and practical pathways forward. Listen now to understand why hunger persists in Canada and what meaningful solutions might look like.

Check out Jasmine Ramze Rezaee and Community Food Centres Canada’s policy recommendations here:

https://act.beyondhunger.ca/page/66634/action/1

What good are human rights if you’re always hungry? We need a new benefit for groceries and essentials: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/what-good-are-human-rights-if-youre-always-hungry-we-need-a-new-benefit-for/article_0c7c92e8-b3fc-11ef-b2ca-0f7c0e42a2db.html

Food insecurity sources:

https://proof.utoronto.ca/food-insecurity/

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 as "Municipal Meredith" during her Masters of Public Administration at Queen’s University, reveals why she chose to focus on local government when others pursued federal or provincial paths. Her passion for municipal work stems from its direct impact on communities and the incredible diversity of issues – from infrastructure and finance to social services and even cemetery management. This conversation pulls back the curtain on what government relations and municipal governance actually entails.

The financial challenges facing municipalities take center stage as Meredith highlights a fundamental imbalance in our governance structure—one that dates back over a century to the original division of power and funding. Local governments are responsible for the majority of public infrastructure and social programs, yet they receive the smallest share of tax dollars—and unlike other levels of government, they’re not allowed to run deficits.

This burden hits rural communities the hardest, where fewer residents must maintain the same kilometers of road as densely populated urban areas. Meredith’s advocacy at the EOWC—alongside other municipalities—for a “new financial framework” presents a compelling vision for sustainable, long-term funding for local governance and services.

Perhaps most powerful is Meredith’s discussion of women’s leadership in municipal politics. In 2025, for the first time, all heads of Ontario’s municipal organizations are women—many of whom are championing initiatives like "Elect Respect" to create safer, more inclusive spaces for women in elected office and public service.

We also dive into the power of mentorship and networking, the importance of asking for what you want, how volunteering where you're passionate can open doors, and why visualizing your success—right down to the power suit—is a crucial ingredient in the recipe for achieving it.

Like what you heard? Check out these resources:

About the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus: Homepage - EOWC

Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus Advocacy: EOWC Communications - EOWC

Elect Respect: Elect Respect — A Pledge to Restore Civility in the Public Square

AMCTO Mentorship Program: Mentorship Program | AMCTO (Mentorship open until August 8 for 2025-2026 cohort)

Ontario’s Municipal Leadership Shines on International Women’s Day 2025: Ontario’s Municipal Leadership Shines on International Women’s Day - EOWC

Federation of Canadian Municipalities: Stronger Together | Federation of Canadian Municipalities

Association of Municipalities of Ontario: Home | AMO

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 and the First Peoples of Turtle Island. She is an environmental scientist by trade and a farmer by experience, but maybe not in the traditional way you might be picturing.

Just as Destiny’s ancestors tended to the lands of Turtle Island for generations carrying their Indigenous wisdom across oceans, she too seeks to be in a deep and respectful relationship with the land. With farming roots that stretch across both sides of her family, Destiny proudly identifies as a small-scale, unconventional farmer. Her mission is to help others discover the joys of “everyday farming” as a powerful way to connect with the land, with themselves, and with our shared stories.

Destiny shares her journey from a child fascinated with soil, to pursuing a Masters degree in Land and Water Systems, to co-founding F.A.R.M.E.R.S (Future Agrarians Reciprocity Movement for Earth, Relationships, and Story), a branch of The Empathy Agency Inc.

F.A.R.M.E.R.S was founded by Destiny and her fellow environmental scientist and friend, Maia Somers, with a vision to reclaim and challenge traditional ideas of what farming looks like and who gets to participate. Together, they’ve created programs that help people, regardless of space or experience, develop personalized approaches to gardening and farming that transform how we connect to the natural world.

At the heart of this conversation lies a powerful idea: when we stop viewing the land as a commodity and start recognizing our deep interdependence with natural systems, our behavior naturally shifts toward greater care and responsibility. Expressions of environmental stewardship, when practiced collectively, can generate profound, lasting impact.

Destiny challenges the notion that you need acres of land, years of experience, or complicated crops to be considered a farmer. Instead, she invites us to see growing food as a gift, one that can nourish both our bodies and the environment, no matter where or how we begin.

Destiny’s approach to environmental justice includes universal access to gardening and farming, and helps us rediscover our place in "one collective story" of environmental stewardship.

For those feeling overwhelmed by climate challenges, Destiny offers this perspective: "Don't focus on the scale of the problem, but on what you can contribute to the solution." This practical wisdom reminds us that hope lies in wielding whatever power we have, however small it might seem.

Ready to get your hands in the dirt? Check out F.A.R.M.E.R.S to begin your own journey of reconnection with the natural world.

Learn more about F.A.R.M.E.R.S here:

Website: https://www.theempathyagency.ca/farmers

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/t.e.a_f.a.r.m.e.r.s?igsh=eWM2ZzVpcHdrMXdl&utm_source=qr

Substack: https://teafarmers.substack.com

Blog 1: https://teafarmers.substack.com/p/seeds-of-justice-answering-change?r=5b3048

Blog 2: https://teafarmers.substack.com/p/join-us-in-the-garden?r=5b3048

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 and the First Peoples of Turtle Island. She is an environmental scientist by trade and a farmer by experience, but maybe not in the traditional way you might be picturing.

Just as Destiny’s ancestors tended to the lands of Turtle Island for generations carrying their Indigenous wisdom across oceans, she too seeks to be in a deep and respectful relationship with the land. With farming roots that stretch across both sides of her family, Destiny proudly identifies as a small-scale, unconventional farmer. Her mission is to help others discover the joys of “everyday farming” as a powerful way to connect with the land, with themselves, and with our shared stories.

Destiny shares her journey from a child fascinated with soil, to pursuing a Masters degree in Land and Water Systems, to co-founding F.A.R.M.E.R.S (Future Agrarians Reciprocity Movement for Earth, Relationships, and Story), a branch of The Empathy Agency Inc.

F.A.R.M.E.R.S was founded by Destiny and her fellow environmental scientist and friend, Maia Somers, with a vision to reclaim and challenge traditional ideas of what farming looks like and who gets to participate. Together, they’ve created programs that help people, regardless of space or experience, develop personalized approaches to gardening and farming that transform how we connect to the natural world.

At the heart of this conversation lies a powerful idea: when we stop viewing the land as a commodity and start recognizing our deep interdependence with natural systems, our behavior naturally shifts toward greater care and responsibility. Expressions of environmental stewardship, when practiced collectively, can generate profound, lasting impact.

Destiny challenges the notion that you need acres of land, years of experience, or complicated crops to be considered a farmer. Instead, she invites us to see growing food as a gift, one that can nourish both our bodies and the environment, no matter where or how we begin.

Destiny’s approach to environmental justice includes universal access to gardening and farming, and helps us rediscover our place in "one collective story" of environmental stewardship.

For those feeling overwhelmed by climate challenges, Destiny offers this perspective: "Don't focus on the scale of the problem, but on what you can contribute to the solution." This practical wisdom reminds us that hope lies in wielding whatever power we have, however small it might seem.

Ready to get your hands in the dirt? Check out F.A.R.M.E.R.S to begin your own journey of reconnection with the natural world.

Learn more about F.A.R.M.E.R.S here:

Website: https://www.theempathyagency.ca/farmers

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/t.e.a_f.a.r.m.e.r.s?igsh=eWM2ZzVpcHdrMXdl&utm_source=qr

Substack: https://teafarmers.substack.com

Blog 1: https://teafarmers.substack.com/p/seeds-of-justice-answering-change?r=5b3048

Blog 2: https://teafarmers.substack.com/p/join-us-in-the-garden?r=5b3048

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 industry norms.

Jessie, co-founder of Beepzz, shares how her two-decade journey through various automotive roles led to identifying a crucial gap in specialized recruitment. Born during the pandemic when businesses needed to adapt quickly, Beepzz emerged as more than just a staffing agency – it's a comprehensive community platform connecting professionals across the automotive ecosystem with a remarkable 94% placement success rate.

As Director of Partnerships and Media Relations at Beepzz, Farah’s story is just as compelling—driven by a persistent “itch” for something more, even with the comfort of a secure 15-year government career. Her bold leap into entrepreneurship is a powerful reminder that trusting your instincts, even when fear is present, can lead to the most fulfilling and impactful paths.

What makes this conversation particularly valuable is their practical wisdom about entrepreneurship's realities. From testing business concepts before full launch to understanding when to wear multiple hats versus when to hire, they offer candid insights about building something meaningful. Both women emphasize becoming "a person of value" with transferable skills that transcend economic uncertainties – a philosophy that's helped them navigate industry shifts from digitization to potential tariff and trade war disruptions.

Perhaps most powerfully, they dismantle the myth that automotive careers are limited to mechanics or sales. The industry offers diverse opportunities across marketing, communications, HR, finance, and technology – with growing demand for women's perspectives and leadership.

Whether you're considering entrepreneurship, exploring career changes, or simply need inspiration to follow that persistent "itch" for something more, this episode proves that with research, resilience, and the right network, you can build something revolutionary in even the most unexpected industries. As Jessi reminds us, "nobody wins alone" – it's the relationships we build along the way that ultimately elevate us to success.

Check out BEEPZZ here: https://www.beepzz.ca/

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 experiences with charitable services sparked a lifelong commitment to equity, community, and transformative nonprofit work. From her first days as a face-to-face fundraiser back in 2011 to leading development and communications at small and mid-sized nonprofits, Maria has seen it all—and she’s not afraid to challenge the status quo.

Throughout her fundraising roles, Maria encountered persistent roadblocks to implementing equity-driven approaches: boards fixated on exclusive galas, leaders resistant to strong social stances, and organizations benefiting from her social justice expertise while rejecting anything deemed "too political."

What makes Maria’s approach truly transformative is her deep understanding of both nonprofit leadership and donor behavior. Through thoughtful, tailored fundraising strategies, she empowers donors and board members with knowledge—inviting them into conversations about wealth hoarding, white supremacy, and systemic inequity. Rather than encouraging performative giving, Maria helps stakeholders understand the why behind their generosity, shifting the focus from simply “throwing money at a problem” to fostering informed, values-driven impact.

Perhaps most powerfully, Maria challenges the entire food bank model, questioning arrangements that benefit grocery corporations through tax receipts and waste disposal while sometimes providing unsuitable products to vulnerable communities. "If I wouldn't feed it to myself," she explains, "we're not going to hand it out." This dignity-centered perspective informs everything from her storytelling techniques to her social media strategy recommendations.

As political divisiveness threatens vulnerable communities, Maria calls on nonprofits to speak boldly rather than retreat to "safer" charitable approaches. Her definition of success centers on operationalizing values – piloting a four-day workweek, providing free educational resources, and creating spaces for authentic conversation about challenging topics.

Connect with Maria and explore her Community-Centric Fundraising approach at Further Together, where old nonprofit playbooks are being rewritten with knowledge, justice and equity at their core.