What does real empowerment look like when the expectations placed on women seem endless? In this episode of LET's Network The Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Jackie Shoemaker Holmes, sociologist, community builder, social justice advocate, and founder of a thriving women-centered community, to explore identity, motherhood, mental health, and personal transformation.

Jackie shares her honest journey through postpartum depression and anxiety, the grief that can accompany motherhood, and the challenges of balancing ambition, caregiving, and self-discovery. Together, we unpack societal pressures, boundaries, truth-telling, and why reclaiming your authentic self is one of the most empowering things you can do.

Whether you're a mother, caregiver, leader, or woman navigating a major life transition, this conversation offers validation, practical wisdom, and encouragement to create a life rooted in honesty, self-trust, and alignment.

In This Episode

• Explore empowerment as alignment with your authentic self
• Understand how societal expectations shape women's identities
• Learn why motherhood can trigger a major identity shift
• Hear Jackie's experience with postpartum depression and anxiety
• Discuss grief and the loss of pre-motherhood freedoms
• Examine the pressure to be the "perfect" mother
• Discover how boundaries support personal well-being
• Understand why guilt is often used to influence women's choices
• Learn how writing and poetry can support healing and self-expression
• Navigate the realities of the sandwich generation
• Challenge the myth of "doing it all"
• Embrace truth-telling as a path to empowerment and connection

Key Takeaways

• Empowerment comes from self-awareness, not external validation.
• Grieving past versions of yourself is a healthy part of personal growth.
• Boundaries are a skill that can be learned and strengthened.
• Seeking mental health support is a sign of strength, not weakness.
• You do not need to meet every expectation placed upon you.
• Authentic conversations create deeper community and connection.
• Critical thinking helps protect against unrealistic societal messaging.
• Self-sacrifice should not come at the cost of your identity.
• Small, intentional choices can create a more fulfilling life.
• Telling the truth about your experiences helps others feel seen and supported.

About the Guest

Dr. Jackie Shoemaker Holmes is a sociologist, community builder, social justice advocate, educator, and writer dedicated to advancing equity and meaningful social change. Her work spans community development, leadership, qualitative research, housing initiatives, and women's empowerment, all grounded in evidence-based practice, accountability, and human connection.

Known for her candid conversations about motherhood, identity, mental health, and personal growth, Jackie has built an engaged online community where women can share their stories, find support, and challenge limiting expectations. Through writing, poetry, mentorship, and advocacy, she continues to create spaces that encourage honesty, healing, and empowerment.

Follow Jackie: Facebook: @eatingheryoung
Instagram: @eatingheryoung

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LET's Network connects women entrepreneurs, professionals, and community leaders through events, workshops, coaching, and meaningful conversations.

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In this episode of LET's Network The Podcast, Emily Harrington and Talia sit down with Tara Shaw, founder of Loose Grip Athletics and The Loose Grip Loft in Kemptville, Ontario. Tara shares her journey from a nearly 20-year career in the federal government to full-time entrepreneurship, building a wellness business centered on movement, community, and authentic connection.

The conversation explores entrepreneurship, career transitions, self-trust, business systems, and sustainable growth. Tara discusses the realities of starting a business, the mindset shifts required to leave a stable career, and why designing a business around your desired lifestyle creates greater fulfillment and long-term success.

Whether you're considering leaving a traditional job, launching a business, or looking for practical strategies to avoid burnout, this episode offers valuable insights into creating a life and business aligned with your values.

In This Episode

• Discover how Loose Grip Athletics was founded through community and connection
• Learn what sparked Tara’s transition from government work to entrepreneurship
• Explore the realities of leaving a stable career to follow intuition
• Understand the mindset changes that come with self-employment
• Discuss the role of community building in a wellness business
• Explore how human design influenced Tara’s leadership approach
• Hear practical strategies for managing overwhelm and self-doubt
• Learn why walking and mindfulness remain key business tools
• Discover how motherhood shaped Tara’s entrepreneurial decisions
• Explore the future vision for The Loose Grip Loft and Loose Grip Collective

Key Takeaways

• Build your business around the life you want to live.
• View mistakes as data collection and opportunities to learn.
• Start with simple systems before investing in complex solutions.
• Think long term when choosing processes and technology.
• Consistency often matters more than rapid growth.
• Rest and recovery are essential parts of sustainable success.
• Community can be a powerful competitive advantage.
• Ask for support before reaching a breaking point.
• Trust your intuition while remaining open to feedback.
• Small daily habits, like walking, can improve decision-making and resilience.

About the Guest

Tara Shaw is the founder of Loose Grip Athletics and The Loose Grip Loft, a hot yoga and social wellness studio in Kemptville, Ontario. After nearly two decades in the federal government, Tara transitioned into entrepreneurship to create a business focused on movement, wellness, personal growth, and meaningful community connection.

Through her coaching, wellness programming, and community events, Tara helps create experiences that encourage people to move their bodies, build relationships, and feel more at home in themselves. Her approach combines practical business thinking with a strong commitment to authenticity, sustainability, and personal well-being.

Website: https://www.loosegripathletics.ca
Instagram: @loosegrip.coaching
Instagram: @the.loosegrip.loft
Facebook: The Loose Grip Loft

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LET's Network connects women entrepreneurs, professionals, and community leaders through events, workshops, coaching, and meaningful conversations.

Subscribe to LET's Network The Podcast and follow LET's Network on social media to discover upcoming events, resources, and opportunities to connect.

Can innovation thrive in a small town? According to entrepreneur and Small Town Giants founder Jordana Wright, the answer is yes. In this episode of LET's Network The Podcast, Emily Harrington and Talia Hreljac sit down with Jordana to discuss how entrepreneurs can use technology to solve real-world problems and create meaningful impact.

From validating ideas and building apps to challenging assumptions about women in tech, this conversation offers practical insights for aspiring founders and business owners. Jordana shares her experience scaling technology ventures and launching Small Town Giants, a venture studio that helps turn ideas into useful products.

In This Episode

· Jordana's journey from tech founder to founder of Small Town Giants.

· Why small towns can be powerful centres of innovation.

· The importance of validating ideas before investing in development.

· How prototypes help test concepts and gather feedback.

· Common misconceptions about building apps and technology products.

· The difference between venture-backed and sustainable business models.

· Why customer feedback should guide product development.

· How AI and modern tools are making entrepreneurship more accessible.

· Lessons learned as a woman leading in the technology industry.

· The role of trust and relationships in growing a business and community.

Key Takeaways

· Start with the problem, not the product.

· Validate ideas before spending significant time or money.

· Build a simple first version before adding features.

· Let customer feedback drive decisions.

· Small towns are full of talent, opportunity, and innovation.

· You do not need venture capital to build a successful business.

· Learning to build something yourself creates valuable knowledge.

· AI is making entrepreneurship more accessible than ever.

· Trust and consistency are essential for long-term success.

· Women founders belong in innovation and leadership.

About Jordana Wright

Jordana Wright is the founder of Small Town Giants, a Canadian venture studio focused on building technology solutions that solve everyday challenges in small communities. Her experience includes scaling a social media platform to more than 50,000 users and growing a property rental platform to thousands of listings.

Learn more: https://smalltowngiants.com/

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LET's Network connects women entrepreneurs, professionals, and community leaders through networking events, workshops, coaching, and meaningful conversations.

In this episode of LET's Network The Podcast, hosts Emily Harrington and Talia Hreljac sit down with Jolene Watson, President of Clarity Coaching & Development, keynote speaker, executive coach, best-selling author, and Canada's Networking Expert®.

Jolene shares her journey from veterinary medicine to entrepreneurship and becoming a nationally recognized networking expert. Together, they discuss how curiosity, emotional intelligence, communication styles, body language, and healthy boundaries can strengthen leadership, sales, customer service, and business growth.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, leader, professional, introvert, or extrovert, this conversation offers practical strategies for building stronger relationships and meaningful business connections.

• Why curiosity is the foundation of effective networking
• The difference between the Golden Rule and the Platinum Rule
• Why introverts often excel at networking
• Building stronger relationships through active listening
• How introverts and extroverts work together effectively
• Using LinkedIn as a professional networking tool
• The impact of body language, personal branding, and trust
• Jolene's "No Thank You Forever" approach to healthy boundaries
• Understanding emotional intelligence, agility, and regulation
• Improving employee retention through growth and connection
• Why human connection remains essential in the age of AI
• Public speaking and presentation tips that build credibility
• How personality preferences influence communication

• Curiosity is one of the most valuable networking skills.
• Effective networking focuses on understanding others, not selling.
• Introverts often create deeper, more meaningful conversations.
• Healthy boundaries help prevent burnout and protect energy.
• Emotional regulation strengthens leadership and communication.
• AI can enhance communication, but human connection remains irreplaceable.
• Communication and emotional skills can be developed over time.

Jolene Watson is the President of Clarity Coaching & Development, a keynote speaker, executive coach, and internationally recognized networking specialist known as Canada's Networking Expert®.

She is a Certified Myers-Briggs® Practitioner, Emotional Regulation Practitioner, Executive Business Coach, Emotions-Centered Coach, and best-selling author. She has received eight Business Excellence Awards recognizing entrepreneurship, customer service, resilience, growth, and leadership excellence.

Jolene is passionate about helping leaders, professionals, and organizations improve communication, strengthen teams, and build meaningful business relationships.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClarityCoachingandDevelopment
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolene-watson-5881612a
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jolene_Clarity/

What does it take to leave a traditional career path and build a business that aligns with your values?

In this episode of LET's Network The Podcast, we chat with Dr. Marissa Kelso, founder of The Mobile Vet and co-owner of the Ottawa Valley Spay Neuter Clinic, about her journey from neuroscience student to veterinarian, entrepreneur, and advocate for mental health in the veterinary profession.

Dr. Kelso shares how her passion for animal care led her to veterinary medicine, why she left the traditional clinic model, and how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the growth of her innovative mobile veterinary practice. She also discusses entrepreneurship, work-life balance, and improving access to affordable veterinary care.

• Transitioning from neuroscience to veterinary medicine
• Building and growing The Mobile Vet
• How COVID-19 impacted veterinary services
• Preventing burnout and setting healthy boundaries
• Word-of-mouth marketing and business growth
• Benefits of in-home veterinary care
• Balancing entrepreneurship, family, and leadership
• Expanding affordable care through the Ottawa Valley Spay Neuter Clinic
• Mental health advocacy in veterinary medicine
• Authentic leadership and navigating business ownership as an LGBTQ+ professional

• Follow opportunities that align with your values.
• Healthy boundaries help prevent burnout.
• Consistency and community drive business growth.
• Authenticity strengthens relationships and trust.
• Mental health support is essential in high-stress professions.

The Mobile Vet: https://www.themobilevet.ca
Ottawa Valley Spay Neuter Clinic: https://ovspayneuter.ca
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themobilevet.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themobilevet.ca
Veterinary Wellbeing Resources: https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/wellbeing

Dr. Marissa Kelso is a veterinarian, entrepreneur, and advocate for compassionate, personalized veterinary care. As founder of The Mobile Vet and co-owner of the Ottawa Valley Spay Neuter Clinic, she is helping improve access to veterinary services while promoting mental health awareness and wellbeing within the profession.

Follow LET's Network for more conversations with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and changemakers who are building stronger businesses and communities through connection, leadership, and authenticity.

Is clutter creating stress, overwhelm, or making it harder to focus? In this episode of LET's Network The Podcast, we sit down with Susan Charbonneau, founder of The Streamlined Space, to explore how organization goes far beyond having a tidy home.

Susan shares practical strategies for decluttering, reducing mental load, improving productivity, and creating systems that actually work for busy families and professionals. Whether you're struggling with overflowing closets, paper piles, or simply feeling overwhelmed by day-to-day responsibilities, this conversation offers actionable solutions to help you regain control, calm, and clarity.

From understanding the emotional attachments we have to our belongings to building sustainable organization habits, Susan explains why personalized systems—and involving the entire household—are key to long-term success.

If you're ready to transform your space, reduce stress, and create more room for what matters most, this episode is packed with expert insights and simple steps you can start using today.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• How physical clutter impacts mental health, focus, and productivity
• Why traditional organizing methods often fail
• How to create systems that are easy to maintain
• Ways to reduce the mental load many parents and caregivers experience
• Strategies for involving children and family members in organization
• How to overcome emotional attachments when decluttering
• Small habits that can create lasting organizational success
• Why personalized organization systems are more effective than one-size-fits-all solutions

Key Takeaways

*Physical clutter directly affects mental clarity and stress levels.

*Decluttering can help reduce overwhelm and improve productivity.

*Sustainable organization requires systems, routines, and family participation.

*Small, consistent changes often lead to the biggest long-term results.

* Creating functional spaces can support both personal and professional success.

About Our Guest

Susan Charbonneau is the founder of The Streamlined Space, a professional organizing company dedicated to helping clients regain control, calm, and clarity in their homes and lives. Since launching the business in 2022, Susan has combined her lifelong passion for organization with practical, customized solutions that help families create functional, stress-reducing spaces that support everyday living.

Connect with Susan Charbonneau & The Streamlined Space

Website: https://thestreamlinedspace.ca

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestreamlinedspace/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestreamlinedspace

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What does it mean to live as your whole, authentic self?

In this episode of LET's Network The Podcast, we sit down with Gucci Erasmus, creator of the Hidden Gems® Method, to explore women's empowerment, identity, self-awareness, mental health, and personal transformation.

Drawing on more than 30 years of experience leading people, change, and transformation in the corporate world, Gucci shares powerful insights on how women can reconnect with their inner wisdom, challenge limiting beliefs, and navigate life with greater confidence and purpose.

Together, we discuss societal expectations, motherhood, child-free choices, resilience, leadership, and the importance of embracing every part of who you are. This conversation is an invitation to reclaim your voice, trust yourself, and uncover the hidden strengths that have been there all along.

Why You Should Listen

This episode is for women who are:

• Feeling stuck or searching for their next chapter
• Navigating personal or professional change
• Looking to build confidence and self-trust
• Interested in personal growth and self-discovery
• Seeking a deeper understanding of resilience and mental wellness
• Ready to challenge societal expectations and live more authentically

Key Takeaways

• Feeling stuck is often a sign of growth and transformation.
• Authenticity starts with self-awareness and self-acceptance.
• Women's lived experiences hold valuable wisdom and strength.
• Resilience includes both softness and strength.
• Self-leadership is the foundation of effective leadership.
• Confidence grows when we reconnect with our true identity.
• We can choose our own path instead of living by others' expectations.
• Joy comes from living in alignment with who we truly are.

About Gucci Erasmus

Gucci Erasmus is the creator of the Hidden Gems® Method and a passionate advocate for women's empowerment, self-leadership, and personal transformation.

After three decades leading People Change and Transformation initiatives in the corporate world, Gucci discovered her greatest passion was supporting women as they pursued wholeness and embraced their full identities. Through coaching, facilitation, and lived experience, she developed the Hidden Gems® Method to help women uncover their innate wisdom, reclaim their voices, and create meaningful change through transformative conversations and circles.

A mother and grandmother who has lived in three countries, Gucci brings a wealth of personal and professional experience to her work. Her mission is to help women access universal female wisdom and step confidently into their authentic selves.

Connect with Gucci Erasmus

Website: https://www.mygempower.com

Hidden Gems® Method: https://www.guccierasmus.com/hidden-gems

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guccierasmus

Hidden Gems® Method Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiddengemsmethod

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LET's Network empowers entrepreneurs, professionals, and leaders through meaningful conversations, authentic connections, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Want to travel more as a family without blowing your budget? In this episode of LET’s Network The Podcast, we sit down with Virginia Holst, founder of Wander Far Spend Less, to uncover smart, practical strategies for affordable family travel.

With over 16 years as a family photographer and a mom of three, Virginia has helped millions of families discover that you don’t need a huge budget to create unforgettable travel experiences. From planning your first trip to navigating flights and finding budget-friendly accommodations, she shares honest insights and real-life tips to help you travel smarter.

If you’ve ever wondered how to explore Europe with kids, save money on travel, or make trips more meaningful, this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn

• How to plan family vacations on a budget
• The biggest mistakes families make when traveling
• How to balance structure and flexibility while traveling with kids
• Simple ways to add cultural immersion without extra cost
• How travel helps kids become more confident and open-minded

Key Takeaways

• Travel is about creating meaningful memories, not just sightseeing
• Families often overspend on accommodations and activities
• Budgeting ahead of time is the ultimate travel game-changer
• Kids benefit deeply from travel—it makes them curious, adaptable, and fearless

Connect with Virginia Holst

• Website: https://wanderfarspendless.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wanderfarspendless/

Why You Should Listen

If you’re a parent, entrepreneur, or busy professional dreaming of more travel without financial stress, this episode is your roadmap. Virginia’s approach feels like a great partnership—practical but inspiring—helping you build a travel life that fits your real budget, not a fantasy one.

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