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In this thoughtful and inspiring conversation, Andrea and Krista welcome their first UK guest to the Half Betty Podcast - writer, wellbeing curator, coach, and podcast host Claire Fitzsimmons.
Claire is the co-founder of If Lost, Start Here, a wellbeing company supporting people as they navigate lifeâs wilds with greater emotional honesty, clarity, and self-compassion. She is also the host of the podcast A Thought I Kept, where she explores the ideas, moments, and conversations that stay with us long after they happen.This episode marks more than simply Half Bettyâs first conversation with a UK guest; it feels like the beginning of a meaningful bridge between communities, cultures, and shared conversations around midlife, identity, growth and transformation.
Together, Andrea, Krista, and Claire explore the cultural differences between North America and the UK when it comes to visibility in midlife, emotional expression, and conversations about womenâs evolving identities. They discuss the uniquely British tendency to soften discomfort with humour, the challenges of asking for what we need, and why so many of us are still learning how to articulate what we feel.Claire shares her personal story - from witnessing her motherâs struggles with mental health in midlife to navigating her own experiences with anxiety and depression - and reflects on how these experiences shaped both her work and her understanding of whole and well-being.
This conversation gently but powerfully challenges the modern obsession with wellness hacks, optimization, and the endless pursuit of self-improvement. Instead, Claire offers listeners a more compassionate and sustainable perspective that our health and wellness may not be something to chase, but something that we shape within the beautifully imperfect reality of everyday life.
At the heart of this episode, there is a sense of unlearning of emotional courage and the moving truth that midlife is not a finished chapter, but an ongoing becoming.
Sometimes being lost is not a signal that something has gone wrong. But. simply the beginning of a new chapter. And, for some, an entirely new book.Bio
Claire Fitzsimmons is a wellbeing writer, coach, podcast host, and co-founder of If Lost, Start Here, a wellbeing company on a mission to help people find their way to a better place.
As an ICF Associate Certified Coach and a certified Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire works with women navigating change, burnout, emotional overwhelm, or an experience of feeling stuck. She helps people untangle what theyâre feeling, find clarity, and create a sustainable wellbeing practice that fits the shape of their everyday lives.
Claireâs writing on mental health, emotions, and midlife wellbeing has appeared in Happiful, Breathe, The Simple Things, and others, with features in Stylist, Red, and Psychologies. Her first book, If Lost, Start Here: Wellbeing for the anxious, disconnected or uncertain, co-authored with Amanda Sheeren, is available now.
Claire is also the host of the podcast A Thought I Kept, where each week she speaks with guests from across creative, academic, business, and wellbeing fields about the ideas that stay with us for a lifetime. (Andrea was a guest on Claireâs podcast with her conversation found here: A Library made of Moments )
Book
If Lost Start Here - Wellbeing for the Anxious, Disconnected or Uncertain
Created by Amanda Sheeren and Claire Fitzsimmons
References
Website https://www.ifloststarthere.com/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ifloststarthere
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ifloststarthere
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@AThoughtIKept
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-fitzsimmons-4130aa100
Podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2521342
Substack https://moregooddays.substack.com AND https://itsalotactually.substack.com
Claireâs Five Words
Emotional
Curious (thoughtful)
Creative
Loyal
TenaciousSponsor Information
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Guest: Claire Fitzsimmons
Founder/Host/Producer: Andrea Rathborne
Producer/Co-Host: Krista Gruen
Editors: Andrea Rathborne & Krista Gruen
Audio Engineer: Alex McCarthy
Episode sponsors: Zaleska size-inclusive jewelry
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What happens when the career youâve built no longer fits the life you want? This week, Andrea and Krista sit down with Dr. Kelly Kasteelâemergency physician, Mum, and founder of Emerge Wellness.
After 17 years in emergency medicine, Kelly found herself facing burnout, questioning her identity, and navigating the very real challenges of perimenopause. She shares how the pressures of COVID, coupled with a traumatic workplace incident, became the catalyst for stepping away and reimagining her future.What started as an interest in aesthetics quickly revealed something much bigger: women in midlife (including herself) were struggling to find support, answers, and care. Determined to fill that gap, Kelly immersed herself in learning all the information she wasnât taught in medical school and now helps women navigate hormones, perimenopause, confidence, energy, and overall wellbeing.
We dive into the symptoms so many women experience but rarely talk about, the evolving conversation around testosterone, and why self-advocacy is one of the most important tools we have. It's an honest, empowering conversation about reinvention, resilience, and taking ownership of your healthâbecause, as Kelly reminds us, no one's coming to save you.
Whether you're curious about hormones, feeling stuck in a season of change, or simply wondering if what you're experiencing is "normal," this episode offers practical guidance, reassurance, and plenty of reasons to keep asking questions.Bio
Dr. Kelly Kasteel, MD, CCFP-EM, known as Dr. KK, is the founder of Emerge Wellness MD in New Westminster, BC, Canada. After 17 years in emergency medicine, she built one of the most in-demand aesthetics practices in Vancouver's Lower Mainland, the kind of place where you finally feel like you have a girlfriend who also happens to be your doctor. She's known for a boutique, natural-outcomes approach at accessible price points that leaves women looking like themselves, just better. She believes aesthetics and hormone health belong together, and her own perimenopause journey and testosterone therapy is what brought those two worlds under one roof. You can find her candid, evidence-based take on midlife women's health on her Substack, Dr. KK: Hot and Informed, and on Instagram at @drkellykasteel, where she shows up with the same warmth and radical honesty she brings to her clinic every day.
Website https://www.emergewellnessmd.com/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drkellykasteel/
Substack https://substack.com/@drkellykasteelDr. Kellyâs words - Radically authentic, warmly disruptive, refreshingly real, unapologetically direct, brilliantly approachable
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Guest: Dr. Kelly Kasteel
Founder/Host/Producer: Andrea Rathborne
Producer/Co-Host: Krista Gruen
Editors: Andrea Rathborne & Krista Gruen
Audio Engineer: Alex McCarthy
Episode sponsors: Zaleska size-inclusive jewelry
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Fehlende Folgen?
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Some people find that their entire lives are about learning how to read a room. Christina Pitts Jazzar built a career learning how to care for the people inside of it.Long before she became an intimacy coordinator (IC) at 45 years old, Christina had spent years working as a performer, actor, and choreographer, instinctively attuned to the emotional energy, vulnerability and unspoken dynamics on both the stage and the screen. So when a friend suggested she explore the emerging field of Intimacy Coordination, something in her immediately and wholeheartedly responded. As Christina shares in this conversation, it was a full-body and resounding âyesâ.
In this episode of Half Betty, we explore the deeply human work behind Intimacy Coordination and the growing importance of care, communication, consent, and emotional safety within storytelling. From scenes involving romantic intimacy to the tenderness between parents and children, friends, partners, or chosen family, Christina shares what it means to support actors and crews through moments that require trust, boundaries, clarity, and compassion.
Together, we talk about midlife reinvention, advocacy, and what happens when the work you step into feels less like a pivot and more like an alignment with who you have always been. Christina also opens up about her family life, her marriage, motherhood, and growing up with a father who was hard of hearing and later vision impaired - experiences that profoundly shaped her understanding of communication, emotional awareness, and human connection.
As film and television continue to evolve, Intimacy Coordinators like Christina are helping to redefine what safe, ethical, emotionally intelligent storytelling can look like, not just for actors, but for entire creative communities.
This conversation is thoughtful, deeply grounded and such an important and beautiful reminder that the things we are naturally drawn toward often hold clues to the work we are meant to do.Bio
With over 30 years of experience in the entertainment industry, Christina Pitts Jazzar (she/her) is a celebrated Performer, choreographer, and Certified Intimacy Coordinator (IC). She has been at the helm of Canadaâs IC community with extensive training in Movement, Motion Pictures and Mental Health.
When it comes to being an IC, Christina is a true collaborator. She has a fun, natural ability to put people at ease, focusing on Communication, Consent & Boundaries and Care. She creates inclusive, welcoming work environments for both cast and crew during sensitive and vulnerable content/situations.
As a mother of two, caregiver, partner, and working creative, Christina stepped into intimacy coordination at the age of 45 - in the middle of a global pandemic - and quickly realized something important: productions need care, but so do the people doing the caring. That understanding led her to become a proud board member of the National Society of Intimacy Professionals (NSIP), as well as co-founder of ICU (Intimacy Coordinators United), a Collective prioritizing intimacy coordination as a holistic, sustainable, and community-centred practice.
You can see Christinaâs work on Netflix, Paramount+, Disney FX, Hallmark, CBC and CBS with shows like FUBAR, Adults, Umbrella Academy, Miniature Wife, The WESTIES, Sheriff Country, Boston Blue, Devil In Disguise John Wayne Gacy, and The Way Home to name a few.
And finally, a special thank you from Christina to Dani, for 25 years of love and support, and to Krista Gruen and Laura Adkin for her first intimacy coordination credit on their beautiful film Re: Uniting.
If you havenât seen it yet, consider this your sign to add it to the list!Website
Instagram
IMDB
Christinaâs words - Communication, Curious, Creativity, Collaboration, Capable
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Guest: Christina Jazzar
Founder/Host/Producer: Andrea Rathborne
Producer/Co-Host: Krista Gruen
Editors: Andrea Rathborne & Krista Gruen
Audio Engineer: Alex McCarthy
Episode sponsors: Zaleska size-inclusive jewelry
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We sat down with Danielle Mika Nagel for a conversation that moved dynamically between both reflection and clarity. A conversation that stayed with us long after it was over and, now, finds its opportunity to be shared with our listeners.
At the heart of this episode is a phrase Danielle often returns to - âeffort and easeâ. The idea that everything meaningful in life asks something of us, but not everything should feel like strain. And that learning the difference is often how she describes beginning to understand herself more fully.
Danielle speaks to the earlier decades that shape us in ways we donât always notice at the time - learning boundaries, building courage, figuring out care, and sometimes finding our way back to who we truly are. And how those lessons donât ever end but simply evolve.
Now in this midlife chapter, Danielle describes being in a season that feels both grounded and expansive - continuing her long-standing yoga practice, leading retreats, and deepening her coaching work. She also co-founded and co-hosts the podcast Coffee Unlimited with J&D alongside her friend Janelle Aaker - a space that reflects much of her honest, lived-in way of seeing the world.She also speaks to the practices that have supported her along the way - yoga, meditation, and staying in an honest relationship with herself.
Itâs a conversation about what we carry, what we release, and what it means to keep choosing a life that fits.
Bio
Danielle Mika Nagel is a wellness coach with over two decades of experience weaving together yoga, Ayurveda, and leadership. A former Director of Leadership Development at lululemon and Vancity, she also spent 14 years as a lead educator with the Chopra Center.Today, she supports leaders to thrive across all areas of their lives through 1:1 coaching, workshops, and global retreats - bringing a grounded, integrative approach to how people live, lead, and sustain themselves over time.
Website https://www.daniellemika.com/
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellemikanagel/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/daniellemikawellbeing/?hl=en
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CoffeeUnlimitedwithJandD
Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/6bwPMMAfs1wpbIJhp54MZq?si=8be2a07645e540df
Danielleâs Words - Student (learning), Flexibility, Bossy Guru, bougie
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Guest: Danielle Mika Nagel
Founder/Host/Producer: Andrea Rathborne
Producer/Co-Host: Krista Gruen
Editors: Andrea Rathborne & Krista Gruen
Audio Engineer: Alex McCarthy
Episode sponsors: Zaleska size-inclusive jewelry
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Last year, in a packed room at the Hello Sunshine Conference, Krista and I listened to Dr. Rachel Goldman speak.
Afterward, we had a brief chance to meet her and share what we were building with Half Betty - a space for women navigating midlife, or what we often call centre life, and all that comes with it. She listened with a nod and what felt like immediate understanding - a kind of quiet recognition in the exchange. She spoke briefly about the work she was immersed in, including her upcoming book, and said she would be happy to support what we were building if the opportunity ever arose.And here we are.
This conversation is part of something that began before we pressed record - and will continue long after it ends.
Weâre so glad to welcome her here.
Dr. Rachel is a nationally recognized clinical psychologist, a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, and the author of When Life Happens (April 2026). Her work focuses on stress, body image, and sustainable behaviour change - grounded in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and a deep understanding of how change unfolds in real life.Her perspective has been featured in TIME, The New York Times, CNN, and USA Today, and she has appeared on the TODAY Show alongside voices such as Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, and Mel Robbins.
In this episode, we explore what it means when life doesnât follow the plan - how we respond, what we hold onto, and what we might be ready to shift.
A conversation about the power of the pause.
Website
Instagram
Linkedin
YouTube
Dr. Goldmanâs Words
- Focus on what's in your control
- Aligned
- Grounded- Mom
- Runner
- PauseReferences
When Life Happens - Book launched April 7th 2026
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Guest: Dr. Rachel Goldman
Founder/Host/Producer: Andrea Rathborne
Producer/Co-Host: Krista Gruen
Editors: Andrea Rathborne & Krista Gruen
Audio Engineer: Ryan Clarke
Episode sponsors: Zaleska size-inclusive jewelry
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What began as an April Foolsâ idea has become something much more meaningful.
Half George returns as a space for men to move into honest, open conversations about midlife alongside the stories weâve been hearing from our guests on Half Betty.Co-hosts Chris Rathborne and Kyle Gruen are joined by their first guest, Steve Pratt - writer, entrepreneur, and self-described âweird, kind, creative, enthusiast, experimenter.â
At 50, Steve found himself in a strange and profound shift - leaving the company he built, becoming an empty nester, and questioning long-held definitions of success and identity. Instead of rushing to redefine and make sense of it all, he chose to experiment. Literally.
Through his Midlife Field Guide, Steve approaches this mid-chapter as a series of real-life experiments - letting go of old metrics and beliefs and exploring what it means to live with more presence, curiosity, and intention.
This conversation is thoughtful, funny, and very honest - touching on identity, purpose, connection, and the evolving nature of work and life in the midlife chapter.
A reminder that this time isnât about having it all figured out, itâs about staying open, staying curious, and, sometimes, embracing the weird.
Bio, Steve PrattSteve Pratt is our first Half George guest after our initial Half George episode in 2024 with co-hosts Chris Rathborne and Kyle Gruen. Steve is a midlife explorer navigating what this chapter of life has to offer with curiosity, courage, and a wicked sense of humour. Quirky, candid, and endlessly inventive, he has spent his career helping others find their voice and telling stories that matter.
He is the author of Earn It: Unconventional Strategies for Brave Marketers and the founder of The Creativity Business, a hub for helping companies craft content, marketing, and messaging that actually earns attention. Heâs also writing the Midlife Field Guide, a Substack project in which he and his friend Geoff experiment with their own lives in public, trying to decode midlife, one adventure at a time.
Steve co-founded Pacific Content, the worldâs first branded podcast agency, which he grew from the ground up in 2014 to work with global brands like Ford, Audible, BMW, Shopify, Adobe, and more - eventually being acquired by Rogers Communications in 2019. Before that, he ran a digital audio innovation lab at the CBC, launched one of the first legal music podcasts in the world, and built a highly engaged community for CBC Radio 3.
He lives in Vancouver with his wife, Debbie, and their three kids, Cedar, Dawson, and Charlotte. Always experimenting, always learning, Steve describes himself with his five words, simply as: Weird. Creative. Kind. Enthusiast. Experimenter.
Instagram
YouTube
Linkedin
TikTok
The Midlife Field Guide with Geoff Siskind
Bio, Chris Rathborne
Chris Rathborne has spent 25+ years in promotional marketing and branded merchandise, building and nurturing relationships, shaping programs, and delivering results for brands including 7-Eleven, A&W Restaurants, Pacific Salmon Foundation, Pepsico, Indigenous Health and more. At BAMKO, he helps clients turn ideas into meaningful branding experiences. Chris is also the co-host of Half George, where he explores midlife with honesty, curiosity, and humour. A sports lover, Vancouver history nerd, music and pop culture enthusiast and lifelong family man, he lives in New Westminster with his wife Andrea and their daughters Sophie and Bridget.Bio, Kyle Gruen
Kyle Gruen is a product management executive with 15+ years of experience scaling products across startups and growth-stage companies. He blends strategy, data, and operational insight to create solutions that work and more importantly, last. Kyle co-hosts Half George, sharing thoughtful, systems-oriented reflections on midlife, ambition, and lifeâs unexpected turns. He lives in Vancouver with his wife Krista and their twin sons, Weston and Foster.References
Sponsor Information
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Half George
Guest: Steve Pratt
Hosts: Chris Rathborne & Kyle Gruen
Founder/Host/Producer: Andrea Rathborne
Producer/Co-Host: Krista Gruen
Editors: Andrea Rathborne & Krista Gruen
Audio Engineer: Ryan Clarke
Episode sponsors: Zaleska size-inclusive jewelry
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For this episode of Half Betty, Andrea and Krista are joined with Anar Ali an award-winning author, TV creator, and Executive Producer of CBC/NBC Universalâs Allegiance (now on the tail end of Season 3), as she traces her path from Tanzania through small-town Canada, Mexico, the UK, and Toronto. Anar talks through guiding values like freedom over security, kindness as power, collaboration, compassion, and a curiosity that fuels wonder.
She reflects on power amplifying character, âsharing itâ through politics, incremental community change, and circular storytelling that honours ancestors. As well, the very raw and real moment she left her Procter & Gamble corporate life and first marriage to pursue writing a debut novel (Night of Power, Penguin Random House), as well as TV, sparked by CBCâs Diverse Creators Program.
Bio
Anar Ali is the Creator & Executive Producer of the hit police drama, ALLEGIANCE (CBC/NBCUniversal), and a critically acclaimed short story writer and novelist. Her first book, BABY KHAKIâS WINGS, was a finalist for multiple awards including the Commonwealth Writers' Prize (Best First Book), and her debut novel, NIGHT OF POWER, was recently published internationally by Penguin Random House. She started her TV career when she won a development deal with CBCâs Diverse Creators Program for her 1-hour serialized dramedy, RUBY'S TURN. Soon after, she was a writer on the hit medical drama, TRANSPLANT (Netflix/NBCUniversal/CTV). She left a successful career as a Business Development Executive at Procter & Gamble to pursue her dream of becoming a writer. Anar was born in Tanzania to Indian parents, grew up in small-town Alberta, has lived in Mexico and the UK, and now makes her home in Toronto. She's represented by Altas Literary and Atlas Artists.
Instagram
IMDB
Anarâs Words - freedom, kindness, collaboration, compassion, fearless, adventurous, curiosity and wonder.
References
Allegiance (Procedural) - A rookie agent working in Surrey, her hometown, who faces the limits of the judicial system as she battles to exonerate her politician father. Now in its third season and can be watched on CBC and NBC Universal.
CBC
IMDB
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Guest: Anar Ali (Screenwriter/ Author/Executive Producer)
Founder/Host/Producer: Andrea Rathborne
Producer/Co-Host: Krista Gruen
Editors: Andrea Rathborne & Krista Gruen
Audio Engineer: Ryan Clarke
Episode sponsors: Zaleska size-inclusive jewelry
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Andrea and Krista welcome not one, but two fantastic new guests to Half Betty - the duo behind the brilliant and fun The Devil Wears SPF podcast, Carolyn Hawes and Diane Brennan. In this episode, we hear from both women about the experiences that have shaped them, the lessons that landed them here, and their visions for full, vibrant, sun-protected futures.
Carolyn and Diane explore themes of self-worth, agency, and the power of women, creating space for honesty and care. They share stories of resilience, transformation, and the courage it takes to live life on their own terms - navigating challenges, redefining freedom, and prioritizing health, joy, and purpose.
Their podcast blends âSkincare and SoulCare,â tackling topics including aging, self-love, wellness humour and insight. Looking ahead, they share dreams of exploring beauty rituals and cultural definitions of wellness around the world - a continuation of their journey together as friends and co-creators.
This episode is a conversation about living intentionally, embracing change, and the ways women support and lift each other while navigating lifeâs transitions.Bios
Carolyn Hawes is a former editor and general contractor whose midlife journey led her to rethink health, work, and identity. After years of people-pleasing shaped by childhood and an early marriage that ended in divorce, Carolyn began the work of becoming âself-authored,â learning to voice her own needs and opinions - both for herself and as a model for her daughter. In her late forties, menopause-related symptoms disrupted her ability to work and prompted a year-long pause to focus on healing and learning. With guidance from womenâs health specialists, she began rebuilding her health and, at 53, chose early retirement to design a life rooted in purpose, curiosity, and alignment rather than obligation. Today, Carolyn brings her lived experience, honesty, and humour to conversations about aging, self-worth, and what it means to choose yourself in midlife.
Diane Brennan has always taken a nontraditional path, guided by independence, adventure, and a deep trust in her own instincts. She left Canada for the United States without a job to pursue citizenship and later embraced a life without marriage or children, navigating social judgment before arriving at a liberating âwho caresâ mindset. A pivotal experience with a cosmetic procedure that left her with permanent facial scarring led to a lawsuit and profoundly reshaped her relationship with beauty, aging, and self-advocacy. This moment deepened her interest in skincare and fueled her desire to help other women feel informed and empowered about their choices. Diane brings candour, wit, and compassion to conversations about self-worth, freedom, and redefining beauty on your own terms.
Together, Carolyn and Diane are the co-hosts of The Devil Wears SPF, a podcast blending âSkincareâ and âSoulCareâ with humour and heart, inviting women to care for both their skin and their inner lives - without apology.
Dianeâs Five WordsFun, Adventure, Learning, Loving, Laughing
Carolynâs Five Words
Self Authoured, Intuitive, Design minded, Strategic, Aesthetic, silly
Links
The Devil Wears SPF
YouTube
Instagram
Dianne Brennan
Instagram
Linkedin
Carolyn Hawes
Website
Instagram
Linkedin
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Guests
Dianne Brennan & Carolyn Hawes
Founder/Host: Andrea Rathborne
Creative Producer/Co-Host: Krista Gruen
Editors: Andrea Rathborne & Krista Gruen
Audio Engineer: Ryan Clarke
Episode sponsors: Zaleska size-inclusive jewelry
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In this episode of the Half Betty Podcast, Suzanne (Zanne) Hollingshead joins Andrea and Krista for an honest and moving conversation about loss, resilience, and finding purpose through lifeâs hardest seasons. Zanne shares her experience of losing her mother as a child and her sister in midlife, and how navigating these profound losses became a catalyst for transformation.
She talks about how her journey through grief led her to create supportive communities for motherless children, adults navigating loss, and women moving through perimenopause and menopause. Zanneâs story highlights the power of facing grief with courage, building connection, and turning personal hardship into advocacy. This episode is a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is support, understanding, and a path toward meaning and hope.
Bio
Zanne Hollingshead is a trauma-informed well-being advocate, certified life coach, and community-builder with a deeply personal connection to her work. Trained through Martha Beckâs Wayfinder Life Coaching program and certified in Mother Loss Support through Claire Bidwell Smith and Hope Edelmanâs professional program, Zanne specializes in supporting individuals and groups navigating loss, grief, and the transitions that arrive with midlife.
Her own experiences - losing her mother as a child, her sister in midlife, and dear friends along the way - inform her compassionate approach and the communities she has built. Zanne walks alongside her clients and participants with insight, care, and practical tools, helping them navigate lifeâs challenges while creating space for healing, growth, and new beginnings.In collaboration with New York Times bestselling author Hope Edelman, Zanne co-facilitates weekly Motherless Daughters Community Calls and leads 12-week Support Circles for early childhood, adolescent, and young adult mother loss - programs she helped develop in 2023. Through her work, Zanne is dedicated to making sure no one facing grief or life transitions has to navigate them alone.
Zanne Hollingshead Instagram
Growingthroughit.life
midlifemagic.communityMotherlessdaughters.com
Zanneâs Five Words+
Rule Breaker On Purpose Multisensory People ConnectorUnstoppableIntuitiveSoul-diverReferences
We know the conversations in this episode may bring up strong emotions around grief, loss, and mental health. If you or someone you love is struggling, please know you donât have to face it alone.
In Canada: You can reach out to the Talk Suicide Canada line at 1-833-456-4566 (available 24/7)In the United States: Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (available 24/7)If youâre listening from another part of the world, we encourage you to seek out local support - whether thatâs a healthcare provider, community organization, or someone you trust. You are not alone, and reaching out for help is a brave and important step.
Women's midlife health resources:
Dr Lisa Mosconi PhD- Neuroscientist, Author of The Menopause BrainTamsen Fadal - Journalist, Women's Midife Advocate, Journalist
Dr. Kelly Casperson MD - Urologist, Women's Midife Physician
Dr Kudzai Dombo MD - GYN, Women's Midlife Physician
Dr Sharon Malone MD - Menopause Expert, Chief Medical Advisor
Alloy Women's Health Online Medicine Platform
Dr. Jayne Morgan, MD, Cardiologist and Vice President of Medical Affairs, at Hello Heart
Instagram
Hello Heart
MidiHalf Betty Sponsor Information
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Founder/Host: Andrea Rathborne
Creative Producer/Co-Host: Krista Gruen
Editors: Andrea Rathborne & Krista Gruen
Audio Engineer: Ryan Clarke
Episode sponsors: Zaleska size-inclusive jewelry
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In this episode of the Half Betty Podcast, Julie Kim, a top Canadian stand-up comedian, writer, and producer, joins Andrea and Krista for an engaging and honest conversation. Julie shares her journey in comedy, motherhood, cultural identity, and the unique challenges women face in the entertainment industry. She talks about her evolving comedic style, fueled by real-life experiences (including the highly annoying ones) and how it helps her connect with diverse audiences. The discussion highlights her impactful storytelling, growth as a comedian, and dedication to breaking barriers in comedy. Julie also shares upcoming plans, including live shows and her podcast 'Bothered.' This episode is filled with laughter, insights, and inspiration for women in comedy, and beyond.
Bio
Julie Kim is one of Canadaâs top stand-up comedians. Julie recently toured across North America doing 40 theatre shows with Ronny Chieng (Crazy Rich Asians, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah). She was a gala performer at the 2022 Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal and headlined four sold-out solo shows at Just for Laughs Toronto in 2023. Over the past decade, Julie has performed at all the major Canadian comedy festivals, including Just for Laughs Vancouver, Winnipeg Comedy Festival, and Halifax Comedy Festival (with multiple televised performances). She tours internationally and made her debut at the 2023 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Julie has also been regularly featured on CBCâs The Debaters.
â
In 2023 Julie also debuted at both the Toronto Fringe Festival and Victoria Fringe Festival with her solo storytelling show called No One Special.
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Julie is also a Canadian Screen Award-winning writer and producer. Julie has contributed to the writing rooms of Kimâs Convenience, Run the Burbs, and Still Standing. She has been part of the writing and creative consulting team at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival for the past three years. She was also a writer for Just for Laughs Montreal in 2022. Julie was a producer and writer for Simu Liu (Marvelâs Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) as he hosted the 2022 and 2023 Juno Awards. She ideated Liuâs now well-known âI am Canadianâ monologue, which has gone viral on the Internet and social media.
â
Additionally, in 2023, Julie was included on VIBEâs list of POWER 60: Inspiring Asian-Canadians of Influence. Other notable honorees included Lilly Singh, Andrew Phung, and Russell Peters.
Julie's mission is to spread happiness, lighten hearts, and unite through laughter. And no amount of âmom-shamingâ will stop her in this quest.Linkedin
Instagram
YouTube
TikTok
Website
IMDB
Julieâs Five+ Words - food-loving (and also resentful), analytical, unhinged, random, adventurer
References
Link HERE to March 8th Womenâs Day Event at The Biltmore.
Andrea and Krista will be in attendance! Come meet us and say hello!
Sponsor Information
Zaleska size-inclusive jewelry
Enter code HALFBETTY for 20% off your first purchaseConnect with us
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Founder/Host: Andrea Rathborne
Creative Producer/Co-Host: Krista Gruen
Editors: Andrea Rathborne & Krista Gruen
Audio Engineer: Ryan Clarke
Episode sponsors: Zaleska size-inclusive jewelry
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Welcome to Season Two of the Half Betty Podcast with Founder, Host and Producer Andrea Rathborne as well as Producer and Co-Host Krista Gruen. Weâre thrilled to welcome Dr. Lucky Sekhon, a board-certified OB-GYN, reproductive endocrinologist, and fertility specialist based in New York. In this episode, Dr. Lucky shares her story from her education at McGill University and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland to her practice at RMA of New York. She touches on her personal IVF journey, the vulnerabilities and challenges of motherhood, and how it influenced her professional path. The conversation highlights the importance of building relationships, community, and leveraging intuition. Dr. Lucky also talks about her book, 'The Lucky Egg,' which is available to purchase on January 13th 2026 and aims to be a comprehensive guide on fertility. Our conversation with Dr. Lucky explores the complexities of midlife, the pressure of balancing professional and personal life, and the impact of generational influences. Dr. Lucky's profound insights into self-advocacy, mental health, and her organic journey in medicine and social media inspire listeners to find their purpose and navigate their own paths.
Bio
Dr. Lucky Sekhon is a board certified OBGYN, Reproductive Endocrinologist, Infertility specialist and the author of THE LUCKY EGG - a comprehensive guide to understanding your fertility and how to get pregnant. Born and raised in Toronto, Dr. Lucky Sekhon earned her undergraduate degree at McGill University, her MD at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and completed residency and fellowship training at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Now practicing at RMA of New York in New York City, she has guided thousands of individuals and couples through their fertility journey, combining cutting-edge science with compassionate care to help them overcome infertility, preserve their options, and build the families of their dreams. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two daughters.
Linkedin
Instagram
YouTube
TikTok
Website
Dr. Luckyâs Five Words/Descriptions for herself - passionate, mission driven, caring, confident, knowledgeable, and âowning itâ.
References
Book The Lucky Egg
Sponsor Information
Zaleska - beautiful, size-inclusive jewelry
Enter code HALFBETTY for 20% off your first purchase
Connect with us
Website link here
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LinkedIn link here
Facebook link here
Leave a voicemail for us
https://www.halfbetty.com/voicemail/
Founder/Host/Producer: Andrea Rathborne
Producer/Co-Host: Krista Gruen
Editors: Andrea Rathborne & Krista Gruen
Audio Engineer: Ryan Clarke
Episode sponsor: Zaleska size-inclusive jewelry
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Andrea and Krista welcome Karryn Ransom on this episode of Half Betty. Karryn was a cast member of Degrassi Jr. High and speaks about her time on the series and how it shaped her future as a teacher. The conversation delves into the challenges and rewards of parenting, professional journeys, and the transition to 'empty nesters.' They emphasize the importance of modeling a full life for their children, exploring new passions, and accepting the different changes that come with midlife, including menopause. Karryn shares her dynamic teaching journey, methods to engage students, and the joy of returning to art and theater. They discuss the idea of bridging generational gaps through shared stories and mentorship, aiming to create spaces for intergenerational dialogue and learning. The conversation ultimately underscores the value of loving oneself, fostering authentic relationships, and finding joy and purpose in every stage of life.
Bio
Educator, artist and actor, Karryn helps people find their voice. She is an educator specializing in high school French, a watercolour artist, and performs in local theatre productions. In the 1980s, she spent five years in a TV role in the original Degrassi High series. That early experience showed her that giving voice to ordinary experiences through storytelling can be transformative. This, along with her experiences as a parent, artist, and professional leader, continues to shape her teaching practice, where she creates space for others to express themselves with confidence. And now, in midlife, she's standing firmly in her own story with clarity and purpose.Linkedin
Instagram
Pinterest
TikTok
IMDB
Karrynâs Five Words - Passionate, Compassionate, Focused, Creative, Determined
Sponsor Information
Voes & Company
We love Voes & Co because they are the perfect mix of style, comfort, and sustainability. Designed to effortlessly complement any outfit - from casual to chic - theyâre as versatile as they are timeless. Made with next-generation vegan materials, their footwear is soft, breathable, and built to last - without any cruelty. We want you to step out in style and comfort so thatâs why weâve partnered with Voes & Co to bring our subscribers 50% off any pair of shoes!
Please use this link to purchase https://voesandcompany.com/discount/BettyLovesVoes
Connect with us
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Leave a voicemail for us
https://www.halfbetty.com/voicemail/
Founder/Host/Producer: Andrea Rathborne
Producer/Co-Host: Krista Gruen
Editors: Andrea Rathborne & Krista Gruen
Audio Engineer: Ryan Clarke
Episode sponsors: Voes and Company
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Andrea Rathborne and Krista Gruen join in conversation with Jocelyn Pepe, whose extraordinary journey - from moving through divorce and single motherhood to surviving a life-altering brain injury and ultimately becoming a global keynote speaker and bestselling author - reveals the power of grit, healing, and claiming your own mind. As a dedicated mother of three children, author of her first book, Claim Your Brain, and committed mental health advocate, Jocelyn emphasizes the importance of mental health awareness, community support, and shifting the narrative from âmeâ to âweâ.
Our conversation explores Jocelynâs pivotal life moments, her ongoing balance between personal growth and professional purpose, and the central role that both intuition and connection have played along the way. She also sheds light on the increasing mental health crisis shaped by modern pressures and emphasizes the urgent need for accessible resources and collective well-being.
Bio
Jocelyn Pepe is the author of Claim Your Brain, a book that brings science and soul together to help us understand our mental health in a way that feels genuinely human. Sheâs also the founder of TrU, where she combines research, real-life experience, and meaningful coaching to help leaders and teams grow stronger, perform at their best, and live with more intention.Jocelyn has a masterâs in the psychology and neuroscience of mental health, along with multiple coaching designations - but what truly sets her apart is how she uses all of it with intuition and heart. Sheâs reshaping how we think about mental health, not just at work but in everyday life, making it more accessible, compassionate, and relatable.
Linkedin
YouTube
Instagram TrU Living
Instagram personal
Instagram Book Claim Your Brain
Website TrU Living
Jocelynâs Five Words - Mother, Visionary, Humanitarian, Deep, intuitive, Nurturing,
References
Book Claim Your Brain
Sponsor Information
Voes & Company
We love Voes & Co because they are the perfect mix of style, comfort, and sustainability. Designed to effortlessly complement any outfit - from casual to chic - theyâre as versatile as they are timeless. Made with next-generation vegan materials, their footwear is soft, breathable, and built to last - without any cruelty. We want you to step out in style and comfort so thatâs why weâve partnered with Voes & Co to bring our subscribers 50% off any pair of shoes!
Please use this link to purchase https://voesandcompany.com/discount/BettyLovesVoes
Connect with us
Website link here
Instagram link here
LinkedIn link here
Facebook link here
Leave a voicemail for us
https://www.halfbetty.com/voicemail/
Founder/Host: Andrea Rathborne
Creative Producer/Co-Host: Krista Gruen
Editors: Andrea Rathborne & Krista Gruen
Audio Engineer: Ryan Clarke
Episode sponsors: Voes and Company
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In this episode of the Half Betty Podcast, Founder and Host Andrea Rathborne and Producer/ Co-host Krista Gruen connect across time zones - from Vancouver to Bali - with Desiree Dupuis, founder and vision-keeper of Voes & Co, a vegan fashion and design brand rooted in sustainability and soul.
Desiree opens up about the wild, beautiful path of entrepreneurship - from leaving Vancouver to building a life and business in Bali, and what it means to find belonging far from home. She shares her honest reflections on growth, partnership, and the power of knowing when to invite others in. Through her story, we explore what happens when we stop believing we have to do it all alone and begin to trust collaboration, community, and intuition as the most essential parts of success.
Enjoy this candid conversation about redefining strength, leading with heart, and staying grounded, in business, in life, and in the stories we tell ourselves along the way.Bio
With over two decades of experience in brand development, storytelling, and purpose-driven marketing, Desirée Dupuis is a force for conscious change. As a social entrepreneur, author, and speaker, she is redefining industries through sustainability, ethics, and innovation.
DesirĂ©e is the founder of Voes & Co, an iconic global vegan footwear brand on a mission to revolutionize fashion with next-generation materials - proving that style, comfort, and sustainability can coexist without compromise. Beyond business, DesirĂ©e is deeply committed to global impact and education. As Chair of Rubenâs Shoes Society, an international NGO she co-founded, she helps provide high-quality education to over 600 students in the Dominican Republic, breaking the cycle of poverty through learning.
A passionate vegan advocate since 2008, DesirĂ©e is on a mission to challenge the status quo, amplify conscious consumerism, and inspire others to create lasting change. She's the author of "Consciously Chic: A Playbook for Ethical Fashion" and is proud to share and discuss her thoughts about the future of fashion beyond animals and plastic. DesirĂ©eâs insights, experience, and unwavering commitment to impact make her a guest you donât want to miss.
Instagram Voes and Co
Instagram Desiree
WebsiteLinkedin
Desireeâs Five Words - ambitious, kindhearted, fun, intuitive, and curious, intentional, loyal
Sponsor Information
Voes & Company
We love Voes & Co because they are the perfect mix of style, comfort, and sustainability. Designed to effortlessly complement any outfitâfrom casual to chicâtheyâre as versatile as they are timeless. Made with next-generation vegan materials, their footwear is soft, breathable, and built to lastâwithout any cruelty. We want you to step out in style and comfort so thatâs why weâve partnered with Voes & Co to bring our subscribers 50% off any pair of shoes!
Please use this link to purchase https://voesandcompany.com/discount/BettyLovesVoes
Connect with us
Website link here
Instagram link here
LinkedIn link here
Facebook link here
Leave a voicemail for us
https://www.halfbetty.com/voicemail/
Founder/Host: Andrea Rathborne
Creative Producer/Co-Host: Krista Gruen
Editors: Andrea Rathborne & Krista Gruen
Audio Engineer: Ryan Clarke
Episode sponsors: Voes and Company
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In this episode of Half Betty, Andrea Rathborne and Krista Gruen strike up a conversation with filmmakers Kate Green and Amber Orchard as they share the story behind their upcoming feature documentary Menopause: Coming In Hot! The film is set to have its World Premiere at the Whistler Film Festival this December, 2025. Directed by and starring Kate Green, the film captures her real-time journey through perimenopause with honesty, humour, and heart.
Coinciding with World Menopause Day (October 18), Kate and Amber open up about the making of this empowering, insightful, and deeply relatable film that amplifies womenâs voices and sheds light on the menopause experience.
The trailer for Menopause: Coming In Hot drops October 18th 2025 on World Menopause Day!Director: Kate Green
Producer: Kate Green, Amber Orchard, Jessica Young and Olivia Fellows
Writers: Tami Gabay, Jessica Young and Olivia Fellows
Story Consultant: Kate Green
Cinematographer: Kate Smith
Editor: Erin Cumming Assistant Editor: Chloe Bottrell
Menopause: Coming In Hot!
When a strong-willed perimenopausal documentary filmmaker is told there isnât a lot of help available for her multiple symptoms, she goes on a mission to find out more about menopause, and finds herself on a quest that makes her relearn everything she thought she knew about aging.
Bio
Kate Green is an award-winning director and producer known for her cinematic storytelling and ability to connect deeply with audiences. A creative leader committed to telling vibrant, authentic stories by and for women, Kate brings a strong visual and emotional sensibility to every project.
Her feature documentary Menopause: Coming in Hot (TELUS Originals) will premiere at the Whistler Film Festival. She is also releasing her WWII short drama Breakthrough (starring William B. Davis) in 2026.
Kate created and directed the sci-fi series NarcoLeap (TELUS OptikTV, CBC GEM, Highball TV), which earned multiple Canadian Screen Award nominations, Writers Guild of Canada, and Leo Award nods, and international festival wins, including âBest Sci-Fiâ at Miami Web Fest, Baltimore Next Media Web Fest, and Asia Web Awards. With over 300K views and 2.4M in social media reach, NarcoLeap Season 2 continued its success, winning Best Digital Series at the Blood in the Snow Festival.
Her earlier documentaries Not a Stranger and Melting Stars received multiple festival awards, while her short film Murphyâs Law (CBC, CBC GEM) won Best Horror Thriller at the Wild Bunch Film Festival.
Kate has directed and produced factual and lifestyle programs for major networks, including Oxygen, HGTV, W Network, CBC, History, Discovery, Fuel TV, and Channel 4. Most recently, Kate contributed to the Challenge Department on Fear Factor: The Next Chapter alongside Johnny Knoxville.
She is an alumna of Vancouver Island University, University of British Columbia, Women in the Directorâs Chair, the National Screen Institute, and the ReykjavĂk International Film Festival Talent Lab.
Amber Orchard began her producing career at the age of nine on the school playground and has been driven by a passion for entertainment and storytelling ever since. For over 30 years, she has produced events across the non-profit, corporate, and private sectors, building a reputation for thoughtful, high-impact experiences. She also previously served as the Association Manager for Screen BC, supporting advocacy and industry-wide initiatives for British Columbiaâs film and television community.
In 2020, Amber shifted her focus to screen production, joining Kate Green Productions as Production Manager on Murphyâs Law (CBC), Co-Producing NarcoLeap Season 2, and, most recently, the documentary Menopause: Coming in Hot. Her screen credits have since grown to include Bush Wreck Rescue (Discovery), Pamelaâs Garden of Eden (HGTV), Million Dollar Secret (Netflix), and Extracted (Fox), along with several acclaimed short films.
Most recently, Amber joined Industrial Light & Magic as Studio Operations Manager, bringing her production and operations experience to one of the worldâs most iconic studios.
Instagram
Film Menopause: Coming In Hot
KGP Films Kate GreenWebsite: Kate Green Productions
Amber Amber Orchard
IMDB Menopause: Coming In Hot
For PR regarding the film please reach out to Callista Ryan at Coldwater Communications
Five words
Kate - confident, fun, loyal
Amber - Resourceful, Fun, Loyal, Caring, Dependable, Positive, Organized
References
Janet Ko & Trish Barbato - Founders of The Menopause Foundation of Canada
Menopause Works Here Campaign
Article in Playback Magazine (Canadian trade publication covering the country's production, broadcasting and interactive media industries) announcing their world premiere.
Sponsor Information
Voes & Company
We love Voes & Co because they are the perfect mix of style, comfort, and sustainability. Designed to effortlessly complement any outfitâfrom casual to chicâtheyâre as ve...
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In this episode of the Half Betty Podcast, Founder, Host, and Producer Andrea Rathborne and Producer and Co-Host Krista Gruen sit down with sisters Jess and Moonie Desvarieux. Once navigating careers in journalism and law, Jess and Moonie have pivoted to include comedy, screenwriting, and directing, letting their authentic voices shine. They discuss their award-winning web series Moonie, their feature script Butch Baby Mama, and their vision to honour their late mother, Jessie, by supporting education and healthcare projects in Haiti.
The sisters share their journey through grief, revealing how humour became both survival and healing. Their work is sharp, funny, and unflinchingly honest, yet rooted in purpose: carrying forward their motherâs legacy and creating opportunities for children and families to thrive. They explore ambition that defies convention, the courage to stay true to oneself, and the power of stories to inspire and rebuild communities.Amid laughter and heartfelt moments, Jess and Moonie remind listeners that joy and justice often go hand in hand, inspiring us to show up fully, authentically, and with purpose.
Bios
Moonie Desvarieux is a Haitian-American lawyer turned stand-up comedian, TV & Film writer, and actor. As a comedian, she has opened for D.L. Hughley & Bob the Drag Queen. She has also made it to the finals of Saturday Night Liveâs Kenan Thompsonâs National Comedy Competition and has performed several times in the New York Comedy Festival, The New York Queer Comedy Festival & The Black Women in Comedy Laff Festival.
Moonie co-wrote the comedic screenplay, Butch Baby Mama, with her sister/creative partner, Jess Desvarieux. This movie was a finalist in Stage 32âs Best Comedic Screenplay competition. Butch Baby Mama was also selected to partake in TIFFâs 2024 Inside Out Finance Forum, where it was pitched to major executives at Netflix, NEON and A24, to name a few.
Moonie is also the co-creator & lead actor in the award-winning episodic web series, Moonie, the Black, Queer version of âSeinfeld, â which has been selected and screened in over fifteen national and international film festivals. Moonie was also nominated for a 2023 Queerties award for Best Web Series.
Jess Desvarieux is a former Time Magazine award-winning journalist and now a screenwriter and director based in Washington, DC. She is the co-creator, head writer, and director of the comedy web series MOONIE. The series was nominated for a Queerties Award for Best Web Series and screened in fourteen national and international film festivals.
She co-wrote the screenplay, Butch Baby Mama, with her sister and creative partner, Moonie Desvarieux. This movie was a finalist in Stage 32âs Best Comedic Screenplay competition, and they were selected to participate at TIFF's âInside Outâ Finance Forum where they pitched to major executives at Netflix, Neon and A24, to name a few.
The dynamic duo also have their own podcast called A Good Laugh - a podcast centred on how humour isnât just an escape but a path to healing and resistance.
Website
Phases of MoonieA Good Laugh
Instagram
Moonie
Jess Desvarieux
Moonie The Webseries
A Good LaughYouTube
Moonie The Webseries
Five words
Moonie - powerful, loving and connected leader, entertainer, empath, and visionary
Jess - brave, resilient, authentic, and compassionate
References
Momentum Education
Stage 32
GLAAD
Fav Quotes
"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.â
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr."It truly is a great paradox that death is the greatest teacher about life. No person or situation could ever teach you as much as death has to teach you. While someone could tell you, you are not your body. Death shows you. Though someone can remind you of the insignificance of the things that you cling to, death takes them away in a second. While people can teach you that we are all equal between the races and there is no difference between the rich and the poor, death instantly makes us all the same. The question is, are you going to wait until that last minute to let death be your teacher?" - Michael Singer
Sponsor Information
Voes & Company
We love Voes & Co because they are the perfect mix of style, comfort, and sustainability. Designed to effortlessly complement any outfitâfrom casual to chicâtheyâre as versatile as they are timeless. Made with next-generation vegan materials, their footwear is soft, breathable, and built to lastâwithout any cruelty. We want you to step out in style and comfort so thatâs why weâve partnered with Voes & Co to bring our subscribers 50% off any pair of shoes!
Please use this link to purchase https://voesandcompany.com/discount/BettyLovesVoes
Loba
Forget the cheap plastic cases â Loba is designed with high-end finishes and customizable LED lights that glow when itâs time to take your pills. It connects to WiFi through the Loba App, where you can set daily reminders and let visual cues do the work for you. Inside are 7 daily pill pods, making it easy to stay on track without the mental load. If you take vitamins or supplements, Loba is the upgrade your wellness routine deserves. We partnered with LOBA to offer our subscribers 10% off!
Please use this link to purchase https://shoploba.com/HALFBETTY
Connect with us
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Leave a voicemail for us
https://www.halfbetty.com/voicemail/
Founder/Host/Producer: Andrea Rathborne
Producer/Co-Host: Krista Gruen
Editors: Andrea Rathborne & Krista Gruen
Audio Engineer: <...
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This week, Andrea and Krista sit down with Mary Lynn Cloghesy - mother, author, entrepreneur, and creative force. Her midlife years brought with them profound change: the end of a marriage, a concussion, the dissolution of a company, and the unexpected challenge of starting over in school.
Instead of breaking her, these experiences became catalysts for transformation. Mary Lynn learned to listen to her intuition, care for herself deeply, and choose courage, joy, and new beginnings again and again.
Her journey weaves through storytelling, healthy living, and community-building, and led her to create the Leadership Literary Lab - a space that helps aspiring authors find their voice and navigate publishing. From childrenâs books to her debut novel The Chain Link Murder, and from resilience practices to rediscovering joy, Mary Lynn shares the lessons that carried her through midlife transitions and into her most interesting season yet.
If youâre navigating change, curious about writing, or seeking strength through storytelling, this episode is for you.
Bio
Mary Lynn Cloghesy is a fiction writer from Calgary, AB, and the founder of the Leadership Literary Lab, where she helps experts transform their knowledge into exceptional non-fiction books. Since launching in 2023, the Lab has already achieved notable success - her first mentored author secured a traditional publishing contract, a rare accomplishment in todayâs market.After returning to school in 2020 following a thirty-year hiatus, she completed two graduate degrees, including a masterâs in creative and critical writing. Her work has been twice nominated for the Claymore Award, and while her longer manuscripts lean toward genre fiction, she also writes short-form literary fiction, with pieces published in a variety of magazines and recognized in competitions.
Linkedin - Mary Lynn Cloghesy
Website - Mary Lynn Cloghesy
Business - The Literary Lab (the program that takes your book from conception to completion in twelve months or less)
Instagram - @wild_rose_writer
Substack - Wild Rose Writer
Mary Lynnâs Five Words - Creativity, Kind, Strong, Entrepreneurial, Fun
Books
Mary Lynn Cloghesy - Augustus Bartholomew Bertrand and the The Super Computer Caper
Amy Schembri - âMaking It⊠Or Not: The Real Journey Told by Professional Playersâ
Writerâs Conference Killer Nashville (Aug. 20-23 2026)
Sponsor Information
Voes & Company
We love Voes & Co because they are the perfect mix of style, comfort, and sustainability. Designed to effortlessly complement any outfitâfrom casual to chicâtheyâre as versatile as they are timeless. Made with next-generation vegan materials, their footwear is soft, breathable, and built to lastâwithout any cruelty. We want you to step out in style and comfort so thatâs why weâve partnered with Voes & Co to bring our subscribers 50% off any pair of shoes!
Please use this link to purchase https://voesandcompany.com/discount/BettyLovesVoes
Loba
Forget the cheap plastic cases â Loba is designed with high-end finishes and customizable LED lights that glow when itâs time to take your pills. It connects to WiFi through the Loba App, where you can set daily reminders and let visual cues do the work for you. Inside are 7 daily pill pods, making it easy to stay on track without the mental load. If you take vitamins or supplements, Loba is the upgrade your wellness routine deserves. We partnered with LOBA to offer our subscribers 10% off!
Please use this link to purchase https://shoploba.com/HALFBETTY
Connect with us
Website link here
Instagram link here
LinkedIn link here
Facebook link here
Leave a voicemail for us
https://www.halfbetty.com/voicemail/
Founder/Host: Andrea Rathborne
Creative Producer/Co-Host: Krista Gruen
Editors: Andrea Rathborne & Krista Gruen
Audio Engineer: Ryan Clarke
Episode sponsors: LOBA and Voes and Company
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This episode features a heartfelt conversation with Kristina Spring, who shares her deeply personal journey through illness, uncertainty, and transformation during midlife. Hosted by Andrea Rathborne and Co-Hosted/ Produced by Krista Gruen.
Kristina recounts her experience with a complex medical journey that began in France with a tick bite in 2012, leading to Lyme disease and, years later, a series of neurological symptoms and ambiguous diagnoses, including a presumed brain tumor. She describes the emotional toll of living with uncertainty, the impact on her family, and the isolation that came from trying to make others understand her experience.
A turning point comes when Kristina connects with two others, Emily and Kevin, who are facing similar health challenges. Together, they form a support group called "The Brain Buds," which becomes a source of empathy, humor, and mutual inspiration. Through this new community, Kristina learns to release the pressure on her immediate circle of family and friends to find strength in shared understanding.
The conversation explores themes of resilience, the importance of community, and the ripple effects of personal struggles on loved ones. Kristina reflects on how her journey has shaped her empathy and gratitude, and how, despite the challenges, she has found ways to thrive and reclaim joy in her life.
The episode closes with a message about the power of connection, the value of finding "your people," and the hope that sharing stories can help others feel less alone in their own journeys.
Bio
Kristina Spring is a 53-year-old East Van resident who has spent the past thirty years working as a youth worker, dedicating her career to supporting young people and their communities. Four years ago, she was diagnosed with Gliomatosis, a rare brain cancer which has a typical prognosis of just eighteen months. Despite the odds, Kristina continues to live fully, alongside her partner of 29 years, her two adult children close by, and her beloved dogs.
Kristina isnât telling her story to raise awareness for a campaign, launch a movement, or rally followers online. There are no hashtags to click, no organizations to join. She speaks up because stories matter. Community matters. And sometimes what shifts the course of a life isnât the many, but the few.
Now, as a woman in midlife reflecting on her own journey of catalyst and transformation, Kristina feels called to share her story with Half Betty and its listeners. In her words and experiences, she hopes others may find a spark of connection, comfort, or relatability â a reminder that living the best life we can, for ourselves and for others, is its own quiet act of courage.
Kristinaâs Five Words
impatient, impulsive, bratty, curious, creative, others have said - purposeful and intentional
Sponsor Information
Voes & Company
We love Voes & Co because they are the perfect mix of style, comfort, and sustainability. Designed to effortlessly complement any outfitâfrom casual to chicâtheyâre as versatile as they are timeless. Made with next-generation vegan materials, their footwear is soft, breathable, and built to lastâwithout any cruelty. We want you to step out in style and comfort so thatâs why weâve partnered with Voes & Co to bring our subscribers 50% off any pair of shoes!
Please use this link to purchase https://voesandcompany.com/discount/BettyLovesVoes
Loba
Forget the cheap plastic cases â Loba is designed with high-end finishes and customizable LED lights that glow when itâs time to take your pills. It connects to WiFi through the Loba App, where you can set daily reminders and let visual cues do the work for you. Inside are 7 daily pill pods, making it easy to stay on track without the mental load. If you take vitamins or supplements, Loba is the upgrade your wellness routine deserves. We partnered with LOBA to offer our subscribers 10% off!
Please use this link to purchase https://shoploba.com/HALFBETTY
Connect with us
Website link here
Instagram link here
LinkedIn link here
Facebook link here
Leave a voicemail for us
https://www.halfbetty.com/voicemail/
Founder/Host: Andrea Rathborne
Creative Producer/Co-Host: Krista Gruen
Editors: Andrea Rathborne & Krista Gruen
Audio Engineer: Ryan Clarke
Episode sponsors: LOBA and Voes and Company
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Some people play it safe. Costume designer Patti Henderson has built her life on anything but.
In this episode of Half Betty, we sit down with the celebrated film and television costume designer whose work has been featured at Cannes, Sundance, and Tribeca Film Festivals, and on productions for Amblin Entertainment, Amazon Studios, and Universal Pictures. Pattiâs credits include Under the Bridge, Flag Day, Totally Killer, and Nobody - but her most captivating stories happen off-screen. Along the way, she has found inspiration and connection with remarkable women, including her neighbour on Vancouver Island, Pamela Anderson, whose own journey of reinvention after heartbreak resonated deeply with Patti, and Diane Keaton, whose collaboration and creative influence during Pattiâs early film work left a lasting impression.
Patti has lived three distinct lives: first as a stay-at-home mom, then as a creative powerhouse in the entertainment industry, and now as a woman embracing midlife reinvention and self-discovery. She shares how boldness shaped her career - and sometimes cost her work - and how on-the-job experience became her film school. We explore her views on feminism, industry double standards, and how recovery transformed her leadership, her creativity, and her life.
Whether youâre curious about the art of costume design, the resilience it takes to thrive in the film industry, or the courage it takes to start over in midlife, this conversation is filled with inspiration, creative insight, and the reminder that itâs never over until you say it is.
Bio
Patti Henderson is a highly accomplished costume designer in the film and television industry, known for her work on various notable projects that have been featured at Cannes, Sundance, Tribeca and Toronto Film Festivals . Some of the studios she has collaborated with include Amblin Entertainment, Amazon Studios and Universal Pictures.
Pattiâs current credits include "Love Hurts" the action packed feature starring Ke Huy Quan and Ariana DeBose for 87North Action, âUnder the Bridgeâ for Hulu starring Lily Gladstone, where Pattiâs costumes contributed to the film's gritty atmosphere and character development. Pattiâs period costume designs were featured at the 74th Cannes Film Festivalâs 2021 world premier of âFlag Dayâ where she attended with the filmâs star and director, Sean Penn. Additionally, her creative vision was instrumental in shaping the aesthetics of the Amazon Pictures dark comedy "Totally Killer." Patti also designed the action thriller "Nobody" for Universal Pictures featuring Bob Odenkirk, where her designs further accentuated the film's intense and thrilling scenes.
Pattiâs versatile and skilled approach to costume design across different genres has reinforced her status as a respected figure in the industry. Her costume design work has been recognized with nominations for excellence in period costume from The Gemini Awards, The Canadian Screen Awards, The Golden Scythe Awards and The CAFTCAD Awards.
Full project information is available on IMDb.com under Patricia J. Henderson.
Representation by Julian Savodivker, EVP & Head of Production, Independent Artist Group.
Linkedin - Patti Henderson
IMDB - Patti J. Henderson
Website - PattiHenderson.me
Instagram - @pattyhendersoncostumes
Pattiâs Five Words - creative, leader, bold, feminist, faithful
Sponsor Information
Voes & Company
We love Voes & Co because they are the perfect mix of style, comfort, and sustainability. Designed to effortlessly complement any outfitâfrom casual to chicâtheyâre as versatile as they are timeless. Made with next-generation vegan materials, their footwear is soft, breathable, and built to lastâwithout any cruelty. We want you to step out in style and comfort so thatâs why weâve partnered with Voes & Co to bring our subscribers 50% off any pair of shoes!
Please use this link to purchase https://voesandcompany.com/discount/BettyLovesVoes
Loba
Forget the cheap plastic cases â Loba is designed with high-end finishes and customizable LED lights that glow when itâs time to take your pills. It connects to WiFi through the Loba App, where you can set daily reminders and let visual cues do the work for you. Inside are 7 daily pill pods, making it easy to stay on track without the mental load. If you take vitamins or supplements, Loba is the upgrade your wellness routine deserves. We partnered with LOBA to offer our subscribers 10% off!
Please use this link to purchase https://shoploba.com/HALFBETTY
Connect with us
Website link here
Instagram link here
LinkedIn link here
Facebook link here
Leave a voicemail for us
https://www.halfbetty.com/voicemail/
Founder/Host: Andrea Rathborne
Creative Producer/Co-Host: Krista Gruen
Editors: Andrea Rathborne & Krista Gruen
Audio Engineer: Ryan Clarke
Episode sponsors: LOBA and Voes and Company
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In this dynamic and inspiring episode, we meet Terry Tateossian, an Armenian/American entrepreneur based in New Jersey. Terry is the founder of THOR - The House of Rose - a wellness community for women over 40, and host of the podcast How Good Can It Get?
In this episode Terry opens up about her deeply personal transformation, from co-founding and leading a successful marketing agency to facing a life-altering health crisis that led her down the path of holistic healing. A pivotal three-hour consultation with a holistic doctor became the turning point in her journey, inspiring her to embrace a new calling: helping women reconnect with their health, strength, and inner wisdom. Terry now empowers others to find balance and vitality in midlife and beyond. She leads retreats, builds community, and reminds women of the power of intuition, resilience, and asking for help.
Bio
Terry Tateossian, 48, is the Founder of THOR: The House of Rose, a wellness community for women over 40, and the host of the podcast How Good Can It Get. She is an ISSA-certified Personal Trainer and Nutritionist, Registered Yoga Teacher, and IIN-Certified Hormone Specialist and Emotional Eating Coach.
At 42, Terry began a transformative journey of reclaiming her health - she lost over 80 pounds in her mid-forties and overcame emotional eating, unlocking new physical and emotional strength. Her personal story fuels and guides her mission to help other midlife women feel strong, confident, and energized through strength training, hormone health, and mindset work.
In 2022, she launched THOR to offer retreats, coaching, and products tailored to the unique needs of women over 40. A recognized entrepreneur and award-winning leader, Terry has trained hundreds of women, built a thriving community, and walked in the 2025 New York and Paris Fashion Weeks.Linkedin Terry Tateossian
Website The House of Rose
Instagram Terry Tatesossian
Instagram The House of Rose THOR
Terryââs Five Words - goofy, honest, enterprising, confident, and service-based
References
Dr. Stephanie Solaris
Sponsor Information
Voes & Company
We love Voes & Co because they are the perfect mix of style, comfort, and sustainability. Designed to effortlessly complement any outfitâfrom casual to chicâtheyâre as versatile as they are timeless. Made with next-generation vegan materials, their footwear is soft, breathable, and built to lastâwithout any cruelty. We want you to step out in style and comfort so thatâs why weâve partnered with Voes & Co to bring our subscribers 50% off any pair of shoes!
Please use this link to purchase https://voesandcompany.com/discount/BettyLovesVoes
Loba
Forget the cheap plastic cases â Loba is designed with high-end finishes and customizable LED lights that glow when itâs time to take your pills. It connects to WiFi through the Loba App, where you can set daily reminders and let visual cues do the work for you. Inside are 7 daily pill pods, making it easy to stay on track without the mental load. If you take vitamins or supplements, Loba is the upgrade your wellness routine deserves. We partnered with LOBA to offer our subscribers 10% off!
Please use this link to purchase https://shoploba.com/HALFBETTY
Connect with us
Website link here
Instagram link here
LinkedIn link here
Facebook link here
Leave a voicemail for us
https://www.halfbetty.com/voicemail/
Founder/Host: Andrea Rathborne
Creative Producer/Co-Host: Krista Gruen
Editors: Andrea Rathborne & Krista Gruen
Audio Engineer: Ryan Clarke
Episode sponsors: LOBA and Voes and Company
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