"The most important part of living is knowing who you are."

How do we distinguish between the life we are "supposed" to live and the one that actually belongs to us? In this episode of Tales of the Town, we explore the heavy cost of people-pleasing and the relief of finally telling the truth. We follow a journey from a marriage built on external validation to a life centered on authentic joy and human connection. This is a storytelling podcast dedicated to real stories and personal stories about finding the courage to listen to your own voice when the world expects you to stay quiet.

About the Guest

In this episode, we’re joined by Erin Poredos, a coach and community builder who founded The Joy Tribe and Date on Purpose. After navigating a short-lived marriage and a deep sense of self-loss, Erin shifted her focus to helping others rediscover their personal values and build meaningful connections outside of digital apps.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Erin's Story

06:34 The problem with modern dating

09:36 Date on Purpose

13:11 When your body knows before your mind does

19:39 Joy as a practice

27:06 Finding your Inner Child

31:01 Life as a video game

"At some point, your curiosity is going to be bigger than your fear."

This episode is for you if...

• You have ever felt like you were living your life to satisfy someone else's opinion.
• You are navigating the burnout of modern dating and looking for deeper, more intentional connection.
• You feel a "gap" between what you are currently doing and what you feel called to do.
• You want practical ways to reconnect with play and joy in your daily routine.

Tales of the Town is more than a podcast—it is a monthly storytelling night based in Windsor, Ontario. It is a space designed for the community to come together to share a story or simply witness one. Whether you are ready to speak or just want to listen, there is a seat for you. Share a story or witness one. A space where every voice has a place.

Links

• Event Tickets: Tales of the Town (https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/tales-of-the-town-4699223)
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talesofthetownca/
• Erin's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imperfectlyhumanwitherin https://www.instagram.com/dateonpurpose.co/

UPCOMING EVENT! Date on Purpose (Ages 45 - 60)| Walkerville Brewery | May 8th 2026

Date on Purpose (Events & Tickets) - https://linktr.ee/dateonpurpose.co

Website: https://www.thejoytribeco.ca/

#TalesOfTheTown #StorytellingPodcast #RealStories #PersonalStories #CreativeCommunity #WindsorOntario #WindsorEvents #WindsorEssex #YQG #PodcastCommunity #TheJoyTribe #DatingOnPurpose #SelfDiscovery

How does a challenging birth experience transform the way a professional supports others in their most vulnerable moments?. In this episode of Tales of the Town, we explore the intersection of professional expertise and personal trauma, following a journey from a planned unmedicated birth to an unexpected hospital induction. This is a storytelling podcast dedicated to real stories and personal stories that highlight the importance of informed consent and advocacy within the birthing community. We discuss the "BRAIN" acronym for decision-making and how building trust between partners can protect the physiological process of labor.

About the Guest

In this episode, we’re joined by Deborah, a registered massage therapist and certified doula with over 20 years of experience. Based in the Windsor-Essex community, Deborah specializes in pregnancy massage and doula care, focusing on helping women feel empowered through informed choice and advocacy.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Deborah's Story

11:27 The best part of the job: Witnessing a woman’s empowerment after birth.

14:16 Using your "BRAIN": An acronym for informed consent

20:18 The statistics of induction and the role of doulas in reducing C-section rates.

25:24 Protecting the Oxytocin: How birth partners can support the "love hormone"

34:05 Tend to be Friend: Deborah’s podcast and community resources.

This episode is for you if...

• You are navigating your own pregnancy and want to understand how to advocate for your birth choices.
• You are a birth partner looking for practical ways to support and protect the labor environment.
• You have experienced a birth that didn't go as planned and are looking for a grounded perspective on healing and trauma.
• You are curious about the clinical and physiological roles of hormones like oxytocin during labor.

Call to Action

If Deborah’s story resonated with you, we invite you to leave a reflection in the comments below. Have you ever had to pivot from a plan in a high-stakes moment? Subscribe to stay connected with more community stories.

Invitation to Live Event

Tales of the Town is more than a podcast—it is a monthly live storytelling night based in Windsor, Ontario. It is a space designed for the community to come together to share a story or witness one. A space where every voice has a place.

Links

• Event Tickets: talesofthetown.caGuest Website: pelviclove.comGuest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deborahthedoula/

#TalesOfTheTown #StorytellingPodcast #RealStories #PersonalStories #CreativeCommunity #WindsorOntario #WindsorEvents #WindsorEssex #YQG #PodcastCommunity #DoulaCare #BirthStories #InformedConsent

In this heart-led conversation, Alex shares his journey of discovering and understanding his ADHD — from the early days of confusion and emotional struggles to finding peace through mindfulness, medication, and yoga. He opens up about learning to regulate emotions, build healthy habits, and rebuild self-trust while navigating life during and after the pandemic. Through stories of self-awareness, gentle humour, and personal growth, Alex reflects on how yoga and mindfulness became tools to balance his neurodivergent mind, transform daily routines, and embrace imperfection. This episode invites listeners into an honest dialogue about self-acceptance, resilience, and the lifelong process of learning how to slow down.

Find Alex here:

https://www.instagram.com/amillennialproject/

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 – Alex's Story

03:50 – Emotional regulation, forgetfulness, and self‑trust

08:01 – Yoga: from skepticism to self‑discovery

14:23 – Social media, overstimulation, and boredom with ADHD

21:00 – Embarrassment and self‑expression

25:20 – Learning balance between awareness and joy

29:40 – Closing reflections and gratitude

#ADHD #ADHDStory #Mindfulness #Yoga #Meditation #SelfAwareness #MentalHealth #PodcastInterview #LifeWithADHD #Neurodivergent #PersonalGrowth #EmotionalRegulation #ADHDandMindfulness #YogaTeacher #ADHDCommunity

Kelly Spinarsky shares her journey from discovering her psychic and intuitive gifts to co-creating Bloom Windsor Essex — a Facebook community dedicated to intuition and wellness. Kelly opens up about her awakening in 2016, the challenges of managing spiritual sensitivity while staying grounded, and the importance of creating safe spaces for like-minded healers, creatives, and seekers. From her experiences with Reiki, energy healing, and music to her message about self-trust and balance between spirituality and the physical world, this episode offers a raw, compassionate look into what it means to live intuitively in today’s world.

Find Kelly here:

msha.ke/kellyspinarsky

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1623362608552861

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 - Meet Kelly Spinarsky

00:03:50 - Creating Safe Spaces for Healers and Seekers

00:10:49 - Inside the Bloom Facebook Group and Local Events

00:12:40 - Singing, Vibration, and the Healing Power of Sound

00:21:45 - Kelly the Makeup Artist and Creative Entrepreneur

00:23:03 - Trust Yourself

Gio, creative entrepreneur and host of Giografik, shares his journey from chasing success in Toronto’s fast-paced marketing world to rediscovering meaning, balance, and artistry in his hometown of Windsor. He opens up about trusting intuition, pivoting from fear, reconnecting with creativity, and learning to slow down and truly appreciate what he’s built. Gio reflects on honouring his inner child, building a mindful business, and helping others step into their greatness—all while proving that fulfillment isn't about where you live, but how aligned you are with what you love.

Find Gio here:

Website https://www.giografik.com/

Podcast https://www.giografik.com/podcast

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@giografik

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

Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/grafikcontentpod/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@grafikcontentpod

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Gio's Story

06:30 - Rediscovering creativity and art after years of digital work

10:45 - Rediscovering friendships, roots, and balance in Windsor

15:10 - Self-doubt, gratitude, and remembering how far you’ve come

19:30 - Finding peace in Windsor’s slower pace and smaller community

24:00 - Honouring your inner child and doing what truly fulfills you

27:00 - The joy of elevating others and authentic storytelling

29:15 - Final reflections: gratitude, purpose, and creative leadership

#PodcastInterview #StorytellingPodcast #CreativeEntrepreneur #BrandStrategy #LifeInWindsor #PurposeDrivenLife #FollowYourCalling #CreativeJourney #SelfGrowth #Authenticity #SlowingDown #MindfulLiving #LifeStories #PodcastClips

Stylist and creative entrepreneur Mena shares her journey from childhood dress-up sessions to creating Style Me Mena, a personal styling business built on confidence, creativity, and authenticity. She opens up about discovering her calling, how she helps clients fall in love with their wardrobes again, and why true style isn’t about trends—it’s about self-expression. From the challenges of shopping in small cities to the importance of fit, fabric, and mindset, Meena offers honest insights and practical tips for anyone looking to feel good in their clothes and in their skin.

Find Mena Here:

https://www.instagram.com/style_me_mena

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Mena's Story

09:50 - The role of family and creativity growing up

15:10 - The joy and energy of doing purpose-driven creative work

19:10 - Mena’s top tips for purging your closet

20:45 - Natural fabrics, sustainability, and what’s realistic

22:00 - Statement pieces: how to wear them again and again

23:30 - Jewelry, footwear, and wardrobe tricks

26:15 - Color palettes: neutrals, statements, and personality

27:30 - Final advice: stay true to your style

#StyleMeMena #PodcastInterview #FashionInspiration #PersonalStylist #ClothingConfidence #FashionJourney #RealStoriesPodcast #FashionTips #WardrobeMakeover #ConfidenceBoost #EmpowermentPodcast #SustainableStyle #HowToDressWell #SelfExpression #MoodThroughStyle

In this episode of Tales of the Town, David joins us to share his unconventional journey toward better health, self-awareness, and balance. From washing his hair with eggs to experimenting with carnivore diets, turning off Wi-Fi at night, and even moving his life off the cloud, David opens up about his passion for personal experimentation and intentional living. We explore mental wellness, the challenges of over-optimization, DJing, and how he found connection and community through kizomba.

Find David here:

https://artofdance.ca/

https://artofdance.ca/classes/ols/products/winkizx

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – David's Story

08:04 – Overcoming Burnout and Over-Optimization

12:12 – Organizing Music, Quality, and DJing Challenges

13:42 – Why DJing Is About Connection

16:58 – How David Fell into Dance

21:18 – Kizomba: The Art of Connection

22:05 – Promoting the Windsor Kizomba Festival (WinKizX)

🎧 From Grief to Growth: How Losing Her Mom Led Seneca to a Renewed Purpose with Dogs

When Seneca lost her mother unexpectedly in 2023, her world came crashing down. But through the love of dogs, nature, and self-discovery, she found a new path — one filled with growth, purpose, and healing. In this heartfelt interview, Seneca opens up about grief, codependency, dog training, spiritual healing, and how connecting with animals helped her rediscover herself. This is an emotional yet deeply inspiring story of a woman who learned to turn heartbreak into hope — one pack walk at a time. 🐾

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Seneca's Story

05:01 – Grieving, Healing, and Discovering Codependency

08:19 – Finding a Magical New Home and Building Family Balance

11:32 – Pack Dynamics: Understanding Dog Communication

17:05 – Balancing Freedom and Safety for Dogs

21:24 – Virtual Dog Training and the Human-Dog Connection

22:51 – Fostering, Bite Histories, and Tough Decisions

29:27 – How to Connect with Seneca

🌿 Connect with Seneca

https://www.instagram.com/seneca_gooddogco/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583926082988#

Learn more about training, pack walks, and her story.

🎙️ About the Podcast This podcast shares real stories from real people — powerful, unfiltered conversations about resilience, growth, and what it means to be human. Subscribe to hear more stories that heal, inspire, and connect us all.