In Episode 5 of What’s the Tea with Sarah E, I sit down with powerhouse entrepreneur, mother, and advocate Dallas Lombardi, Founder of Dallas & Co. Event Agency and co-founder of A Chance to Dance.

Dallas’s journey is one of grit, grace, and unapologetic courage. From supporting herself at just sixteen to leading major hospitality events by her mid-twenties, Dallas has spent over two decades crafting luxury experiences for clients while defying every expectation placed on her (ya'll don't put a box around this woman!)

But beyond the glitz and glamour, her story is one of deep reinvention. From corporate executive to single adoptive mother of two children with complex needs, to outspoken advocate for transparency and reform within the adoption and disability communities.

In this raw and inspiring conversation, Dallas shares:

• How she turned heartbreak into a blueprint for empowerment after her marriage ended and motherhood began through adoption
• What she’s learned about trauma, invisible disabilities, and the realities of navigating a system that too often fails families
• The pivotal “no’s” and boundaries that saved her sanity, career, and sense of self
• How she built a business model that allowed her to work less, earn more, and be present for her children
• The story behind A Chance to Dance - an inclusive, barrier-free dance party for people of all ages and abilities, created with her partner Chris - and how it’s helped her see the world through the lens of accessibility, empathy, and joy

Dallas reminds us that reinvention isn’t just about success... it’s about survival, advocacy, and creating space for others to thrive. Her journey challenges the myths about adoption, motherhood, and what it means to be a woman leading on her own terms.

What’s the Tea with Sarah E is about unfiltered, unapologetic conversations with leaders, dreamers, and doers who are reshaping their lives - and their communities - with purpose and power.

Connect with Dallas on Instagram @dallaslombardi, online at Dallas & Co. Event Agency, and learn more about A Chance to Dance

That’s today’s tea! If you loved this conversation, don’t forget to rate, review, and share the show with a friend.

Join the Tea Party! New episodes drop every Tuesday, so hit that subscribe button on your favorite podcast app. And for the latest episodes, behind-the-scenes clips, and even more bold conversations, follow me on Instagram at @sara_ernest.

A Reminder - The views and opinions expressed by guests on What’s the Tea with Sarah E are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host. This podcast is a platform for diverse voices, stories, and perspectives - sometimes unpolished, always unapologetic.

Until next time, keep stirring the pot.

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

In Episode 4 of What’s The Tea with Sarah E, I sit down with the multi-talented Esther Vallins - actor, dancer, singer, voice-over artist, content creator, and the brilliant founder of Forever Fairest, a children’s entertainment company that brings beloved characters and original creations to life across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

Esther is a dreamer, adventurer, toddler mom, and self-described 70% hot mess - but beneath the humor lies a story of resilience, reinvention, and relentless creativity. With nearly a decade of experience in performing and entrepreneurship, she has built a company that dispatches princesses and even her own characters (like Princess Sparkle Blossom, a unicorn who travels through a “Starlight Portal” to Earth) to surprise and delight children at parties, hospitals, and community events.

In this joyful, unfiltered, and deeply human conversation, Esther spills the tea on:

• Building a business around magic, performance, and storytelling
• What cosplay and children’s entertainment have taught her about authenticity and imagination
• How she balances motherhood, entrepreneurship, and creativity - with plenty of humor and honesty
• Why she believes in “doing it scared” and “cultivating your cringe” as mantras for personal growth
• The healing power of solo travel, and how finding “magic in the mundane” became her guiding philosophy

From performing at children’s hospitals to building a brand that celebrates joy and wonder, Esther’s journey is as heartwarming as it is inspiring. She reminds us that magic isn’t something you find - it’s something you create, even in the chaos of real life.

What’s The Tea with Sarah E serves unfiltered conversations with leaders, dreamers, and doers who are living boldly and unapologetically. Esther brings the sparkle, the humor, and the heart.

Connect with Esther on Instagram & TikTok: @esthervallins

That’s today’s tea! If you loved this conversation, don’t forget to rate, review, and share the show with a friend.

Join the Tea Party! New episodes drop every Tuesday, so hit that subscribe button on your favorite podcast app. And for the latest episodes, behind-the-scenes clips, and even more bold conversations, follow me on Instagram at @sara_ernest.

A Reminder - The views and opinions expressed by guests on What’s the Tea with Sarah E are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host. This podcast is a platform for diverse voices, stories, and perspectives - sometimes unpolished, always unapologetic.

Until next time, keep stirring the pot.

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

In Episode 3 of What’s the Tea with Sarah E, I sit down with powerhouse humanitarian, educator, and spiritual leader Serena Bufalino, CEO and Founder of Help Heal Humanity.

Serena’s story is one of resilience, service, and unstoppable heart. Once a student who struggled with reading, low self-esteem, and confidence, Serena turned a pivotal life moment into her purpose: dedicating more than two decades to teaching vulnerable youth, specializing in special education, and helping students rise above trauma, systemic barriers, and learning challenges.

But her impact didn’t stop at the classroom. In 2010, after the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Serena and her students felt called to act. What began as a simple classroom project evolved into Help Heal Humanity, a global nonprofit that has since built schools, fed families, created technology labs, and brought hope to some of the world’s most underserved regions

In this raw and unapologetic conversation, Serena shares:

• How her early struggles with education inspired her to become the teacher she wished she had
• The pivotal moment that turned tragedy into her lifelong commitment to service
• What it really took to build a school in Haiti - and why the process took ten years of grit, accountability, and perseverance
• Her philosophy of saying yes, yes, yes to life, even when fears are big
• Why stepping into service can transform not only communities, but also ourselves

Serena’s journey is deeply spiritual, unapologetically non-traditional, and rooted in love, compassion, and fierce determination. Whether she’s in a classroom, a yoga studio, or on the ground in Haiti, Serena embodies what it means to live boldly, serve selflessly, and believe in the power of one person to spark a movement.

Connect with Help Heal Humanity at helphealhumanity.org or find them on Instagram @help_heal_humanity

That’s today’s tea! If you loved this conversation, don’t forget to rate, review, and share the show with a friend.

Join the Tea Party! New episodes drop every Tuesday, so hit that subscribe button on your favorite podcast app. And for the latest episodes, behind-the-scenes clips, and even more bold conversations, follow me on Instagram at @sara_ernest.

A Reminder - The views and opinions expressed by guests on What’s the Tea with Sarah E are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host. This podcast is a platform for diverse voices, stories, and perspectives - sometimes unpolished, always unapologetic.

Until next time, keep stirring the pot.

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

In Episode 2 of What’s the Tea with Sarah E, I sit down with powerhouse Lohifa Pogoson Acker - consultant, entrepreneur, stylist, speaker, and unapologetic Hamilton hype woman.

Lohifa recently ran in Hamilton’s Ward 8 by-election, motivated by a desire to shake things up and inspire her community. While the race didn’t end with a seat on council, the campaign ignited conversations, created connections, and amplified her lifelong mission: to build strong, thriving communities by investing in people, especially the next generation

In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Lohifa shares:

• What she learned from running for political office and why she felt “richer” for the experience
• How growing up as a “third culture kid” shaped her worldview and her unapologetic leadership style
• Why investing in youth is her number one priority for building sustainable, thriving communities
• The importance of focusing on the big picture - even when relationships get complicated
• How she navigates cancel culture and why she refuses to let fear or judgment define her

With a lineage of outspoken, purposeful, faith-driven community leaders in her family, Lohifa continues that legacy today as a board member with the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, the Hamilton Foundation for Student Success, and the Hamilton Club. She’s also a proud recipient of the 2020 Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the 2023 Order of Hamilton, and the 2025 King Charles III Coronation Medal.

More than anything, Lohifa is a woman of deep faith, unstoppable determination, and boundless energy. She reminds us that leadership isn’t about playing it safe - it’s about showing up boldly, owning your story, and making space for the next generation of leaders to rise.

What’s the Tea with Sarah E is about raw, unfiltered, unapologetic conversations with leaders, dreamers, and doers. Lohifa embodies all of that - and then some.

Connect with Lohifa on Instagram: @lodidthat or visit lohifa.ca to learn more about what she's up to.

That’s today’s tea! If you loved this conversation, don’t forget to rate, review, and share the show with a friend.

Join the Tea Party! New episodes drop every Tuesday, so hit that subscribe button on your favorite podcast app. And for the latest episodes, behind-the-scenes clips, and even more bold conversations, follow me on Instagram at @sara_ernest.

A Reminder - The views and opinions expressed by guests on What’s the Tea with Sarah E are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host. This podcast is a platform for diverse voices, stories, and perspectives - sometimes unpolished, always unapologetic.

Until next time, keep stirring the pot.

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

In this launch episode of What’s the Tea with Sarah E, I sit down with the iconic Kenadie St. James - entertainer, mentor, pageant legend, and Hamilton’s own drag powerhouse.

Originally from the southern United States, Kenadie has been performing for more than 25 years, carving out her name in the drag pageant circuit as both an entertainer and a sought-after pageant dresser and makeup artist. With six national titleholders under her tutelage - including Canada’s own Brooke Lynn Hytes - her artistry and influence have left an undeniable mark on the drag world.

After moving to Hamilton, Ontario in 2016 with her husband and their beloved dogs, Kenadie founded CNR Productions Inc., bringing her creativity and sharp wit to stages across the region. She is also the force behind Hamilton’s longest-running drag brunches, creating space for connection, laughter, and unapologetic self-expression.

In this conversation, Kenadie opens up about:

• Her journey growing up in drag and finding confidence on stage
• The bold risks she’s taken - from leaving MAC Cosmetics after 13 years to starting her own production company
• The story behind CNR Productions and why laughter is at the heart of her work
• Giving back to community through charity events, especially in support of the Hamilton Burlington SPCA
• The duality of her life: fearless and fabulous on stage, quiet and grounded at home

And of course, we close with our signature Stir the Pot tradition — where Kenadie answers a bold question and leaves one for the next guest.

What’s the Tea with Sarah E is all about raw, unfiltered, and unapologetic conversations with leaders, dreamers, and doers who are shaping our communities and living life out loud. Kenadie sets the bar high for Season 1 with her authenticity, humor, and heart.

Connect with Kenadie on Instagram: @kenadiestj

That’s today’s tea! If you loved this conversation, don’t forget to rate, review, and share the show with a friend.

Join the Tea Party! New episodes drop every Tuesday, so hit that subscribe button on your favorite podcast app. And for the latest episodes, behind-the-scenes clips, and even more bold conversations, follow me on Instagram at @sara_ernest.

A Reminder - The views and opinions expressed by guests on What’s the Tea with Sarah E are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host. This podcast is a platform for diverse voices, stories, and perspectives - sometimes unpolished, always unapologetic.

Until next time, keep stirring the pot.

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

Welcome to the very first episode of What’s the Tea with Sarah E!

In this introduction, host Sarah Ernest - award-winning philanthropy leader, author, entrepreneur, and unapologetic changemaker shares why she’s stepping behind the mic, what inspired this podcast, and what listeners can expect each week.

After two decades in the social profit sector, from frontline work in social services to executive leadership roles across North America, Sarah decided to trade the boardroom for bold conversations. In 2024, she launched Ernest For Good, a consultancy helping charities energize their fundraising and brighten their brands unapologetically. Now, with What’s the Tea with Sarah E, Sarah brings that same fearless energy to the mic.

In this episode, Sarah opens up about:

• The inspiration behind starting a podcast after writing her first book and celebrating her first year as an entrepreneur
• Why she’s choosing real, raw, and unfiltered conversations over polished perfection
• How her upbringing, community roots, and professional journey shaped her unapologetic approach to leadership and impact
• What you can expect from upcoming episodes - unedited, unfiltered conversations with entrepreneurs, entertainers, community builders, and changemakers

This podcast is for the dreamers and the doers, the misfits who dare to live boldly, and anyone who loves a good story. From money and mission to culture, confidence, and community, no topic is off-limits.

And yes - every guest will take part in Sarah’s signature tradition, Stir the Pot, where they’ll answer a bold question and leave one for the next guest.

🎙 What’s the Tea with Sarah E isn’t just a podcast — it’s a space for diverse experiences, unapologetic perspectives, and bold conversations that move us all forward.

👉 Connect with Sarah on Instagram @sara_ernest or on LinkedIn, and learn more about her work at ernestforgood.com.

That’s today’s tea! If you loved this conversation, don’t forget to rate, review, and share the show with a friend.

Join the Tea Party! New episodes drop every Tuesday, so hit that subscribe button on your favorite podcast app. And for the latest episodes, behind-the-scenes clips, and even more bold conversations, follow me on Instagram at @sara_ernest.

A Reminder - The views and opinions expressed by guests on What’s the Tea with Sarah E are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host. This podcast is a platform for diverse voices, stories, and perspectives - sometimes unpolished, always unapologetic.

Until next time, keep stirring the pot.

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