We’re back with another heartfelt conversation, and this week I’m joined by Fraser Fitzgerald, AKA Fraser Cooks.

Fraser grew up in Toronto with three siblings, he’s part of a set of triplets and has a younger brother. Fraser opens up about his deep dislike for school and being diagnosed with a learning disability and dyslexia, without receiving support that made sense to him. That lack of clarity led him to believe he couldn’t succeed, and for a long time, he carried the weight of feeling like he wasn’t capable of being “the good student.”

Everything began to shift when Fraser found cooking, specifically vegan cooking, his whole family is vegan now! While attending culinary school, he discovered not only his passion, but also a version of himself he hadn’t known before: someone who could excel, focus, and thrive when doing something he loved.

We talk about the success and influence of his younger brother, Eamon of Eamon and Bec, and how, through it all, he’s come to believe that his life is meant to take twists and turns.

This episode is a gentle reminder that success doesn’t have to be linear, and that passion can change everything.

🔗 Links from the episode

FraserCooks

FraserCooks YouTube

Everyday Eats - Eamon & Bec x FraserCooks

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YouTube

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See you next Tuesday!

xx Hannah Octavia

(Theme music curtesy of Fran Lusty's song, Functioning Adult)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

⚠️ Content warning: In this episode, we talk openly about abuse, alcoholism, and death. Please take care while listening.

We’re back with our first guest of 2026, and it is none other than Lynn Johnston, the Canadian comic strip artist behind For Better or For Worse.

At its peak, For Better or For Worse was read by more than 230 million people worldwide and became beloved for its groundbreaking concept: characters who aged in real time over the 29 years the strip ran. Lynn Johnston is a celebrated Canadian storyteller and artist who used her work to explore real-life issues including love, grief, family dynamics, abuse, and LGBTQ+ identities, at a time when being openly gay was far less accepted.

In our conversation, Lynn shares what it was like growing up in a wildly creative family where her brother was favoured, and how she often felt she never lived up to her mother’s expectations. She speaks candidly about the unexpected sense of relief she felt after her parents passed away, no longer living under the weight of her mothers expectations. Lynn also opens up about her first marriage, the abuse she experienced, and how she grew through single motherhood.

While our conversation naturally touches on For Better or For Worse, it is ultimately about much more than comics. It’s a celebration of who Lynn Johnston is, and the life experiences that shaped her into the Canadian treasure she is today.

🔗 Links from the episode

For Better or For Worse

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YouTube

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Instagram

Interested in being a guest on the podcast?

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See you next Tuesday!

xx Hannah Octavia

(Theme music curtesy of Fran Lusty's song, Functioning Adult)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Seasoned Professional, I am so glad you are here!

This podcast explores the lives, lessons, and growth of people navigating their personal and professional journeys. In this solo episode, host Hannah Octavia reflects on her path as a podcaster and shares meaningful updates from her life, including her recent move back to Canada and the realities of maintaining a long-distance relationship.

Hannah dives into the importance of community support, celebrates reaching a fundraising milestone for the Little Princess Trust, and looks ahead to what’s coming for the podcast in 2026, more interactive content and a renewed focus on uplifting Canadian voices. She also opens up about the surreal experience of interviewing her idol, Lynn Johnston, and why vulnerability in content creation can lead to deeper, more authentic connections.

Thoughtful, honest, and reflective, this episode sets the tone for a year centered on growth, gratitude, and celebrating the people who inspire us.

🔗 Links from the episode

I Donated 12 Inches of My Hair for Cancer: A Conversation with Simon Webster

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YouTube

📲 Find Seasoned Professional on social media!

Instagram

TikTok

Interested in being a guest on the podcast?

Click to apply!

See you next Tuesday!

xx Hannah Octavia

(Theme music curtesy of Fran Lusty's song, Functioning Adult)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.