Self care? Not something host Stephanie has been very good at prioritizing. But that changed when she made a plan and FINALLY got a gym membership to improve her health. As a busy working mom, how did she find time in her busy life to make it happen? How do her kids feel about it? In this episode, Stephanie shares the principles she applied in a to do list to help you take care of yourself too. Think you don’t have time to priorities yourself? She doesn’t either! As an entrepreneur and mom with a podcast and blog on the side, life is full! So, dive in to the episode to hear more about her self care journey and how you can do it too!

In this episode, we have the honour of speaking with the multi-talented Shreya Patel, an actress, filmmaker, and mental health advocate who has left an indelible mark in the realms of entertainment, activism, and mental health advocacy. Recognized as one of the Top 100 Most Powerful Women of Canada and a Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient, Shreya's incredible journey has been characterized by her unwavering commitment to creating positive change. Through her groundbreaking projects, including 'Girl Up,' the music video 'Freedom Dance,' and the Unity- #LOVESPREADS Faster Than Virus documentary, she has captivated global audiences and united people from 66 countries. Having showcased her work at renowned film festivals such as Toronto and Munich, Shreya has also graced the pages of Vogue and Grazia as a model. Join us for an inspiring conversation as Shreya shares her career path, insights on empowering the underdog, the importance of mental health and human rights, and invaluable advice for aspiring individuals seeking to make a difference in the world. How to find Shreya: LinkedIn Instagram Twitter www.windowdreams.ca Book recommendation(s): Podcast recommendation(s): Huberman Lab Podcast How to find WOMENdontDOthat: Enlightenment Now by Steven Pinker Patreon Instagram Twitter Blog Podcast Newsletter Website Interested in sponsorship? Contact us at hello@womendontdothat.com

In this solo episode host Stephanie Mitton shares her "Holiday Hacks" to simplify the festive season without overwhelm. She acknowledges the mixed feelings the holiday season can bring, with common stressors like financial strain and family dynamics. Stephanie emphasizes the importance of finding your own way to celebrate holidays and establish personal traditions. She provides practical tips, including: - Defining your own holiday traditions and blending old and new - Prioritizing must-do and like-to-do activities to reduce stress - Starting holiday planning early to manage finances and time - Managing stress by embracing flexibility and involving others - Involving kids in traditions and setting boundaries with family - Focusing on what brings you joy and evaluating traditions - Building in restful moments and staying present during the season Stephanie's relatable and actionable advice aims to help listeners navigate the holiday season with more ease and enjoyment.

In this annual reflection episode, I sit down with WOMENdontDOthat co-founder and former host, Myrrhanda Novak, to look back on 2025 and talk about what is ahead for the podcast and blog. We begin with what life looks like for Myrrhanda right now, including the upcoming tenth birthday of her son Brody, who passed away. She shares honestly about how this milestone feels heavier and how important it is to be gentle with yourself when grief comes in waves. We talk through the best risks we took this year. For Myrrhanda, it was joining a gym for the first time, redoing their backyard and trying new recipes. For me, it was welcoming a friend to live with us for part of the year, getting out more, gardening, boxing and finding pieces of myself again. We also share the things that scared us this year, like being a conference panelist or trying boxing and even dog sledding. Our words for the year were brave for Myrrhanda and focus for me. We also celebrate meaningful moments from 2025 including girls trips to Montreal and Quebec City, a castle wedding in Scotland, my daughter starting high school, Beacon North turning five and reaching 200 podcast episodes. Your top picks from the year: Most listened to episode: Leadership, Loss and the Courage to Keep Showing Up (Episode 196) Episodes I hope you revisit: Camryn Rogers Olympic journey (Episode 182) and Bella Brave’s story with Kyla Thomson (Episode 185) Most read blog: Dancing Through Time: What a Castle Wedding in Scotland Taught Me Myrrhanda’s favourite episode: Make It Stick with Katie Faloon Drew Looking ahead to 2026, you can expect vault episodes over Christmas, more of the topics you tell us you want and conversations with Selena Rezvani on quick leadership and Catherine McKenna on her book Run Like a Girl. You may also hear more from Myrrhanda as a guest host.``` As we close out the year, thank you to our listeners, readers, Patreon supporters, guests, sponsors, the Beacon North team and everyone who believes in WomenDontDOthat. A few invitations as you listen Leave a review with your favourite episode of 2025 Start thinking about your word of the year Sign up for the blog to get our annual book list Thank you for being here in 2025. See you in the New Year. Episode where Myrrhanda shares more of Brody’s story and what helped her through his loss (link to earlier episode). Episode 196: Leadership, Loss and the Courage to Keep Showing Up Episode 182: Hammering Through Barriers: Camryn Rogers’ Olympic Journey Episode 185: Bella Brave’s Legacy: Kyla Thomson on Resilience, Advocacy, and Finding Hope in the Face of Loss Make It Stick: Building Lasting Habits with Katie Faloon-Drew Blog: Dancing Through Time: What a Castle Wedding in Scotland Taught Me Patreon link

Marina Middleton, CEO & Partner at Create & Cultivate, joins Stephanie to talk about how building a powerful personal brand can change your life and career. A first-generation Egyptian immigrant and former single mum, Marina shares the journey from corporate roles at Yahoo, Yahoo News, and Tumblr to co-owning Create & Cultivate and founding Empowered Confidence. Together, they unpack what a personal brand really is, why it matters in 2025, how to decide what you want to be known for, and simple first steps you can take today to be seen, trusted, and chosen for bigger opportunities.

In this episode, Stephanie talks with Meghan Spilka O’Keefe, a vice president of government relations and communications, an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces, a mother, and a long distance runner who has pushed through serious health challenges. Meghan shares what motivated her to join the military, what she has learned in male dominated environments, and how culture change is shaping the future for women in uniform. She explains what life looks like with two careers, how she and her partner manage the mental and physical load of parenting, and what military family life really feels like from the inside. Meghan also talks about her heart surgery as a child, her autoimmune disease, several concussions, and how recovering from injury forced her to rethink ambition, rest, and boundaries. Her story gives women a real picture of how big careers, service, family, and health can coexist, and why women belong in defence, leadership, and every space that needs their voice.

In this first ever Q&A episode, Stephanie pulls back the curtain on what life really looks like behind multiple brands, a busy lobbying career, and family life with tweens and teens. She shares a personal life update, why she changed her hair, and how she is preparing early for Christmas as a working mom. Stephanie answers listener questions on managing several businesses, working from home with ADHD, and what has actually helped her balance work and family over the years. She talks about the bold moves that accelerated her career at a young age, simple strategies to build better networking skills, and why confidence is often more about preparation than perfection. Stephanie also opens up about living and working with chronic migraines, the ADHD tools that truly make a difference for her, what it is really like to meet ambassadors, ministers and prime ministers, and the boundaries that protect her family life. If you need practical encouragement, honest reflections, and a reminder that you are not the only one juggling a lot, this episode is for you.

In this solo episode, Stephanie shares practical, honest insight to help you navigate life when your spouse travels for work. You’ll learn how to build a routine you can manage on your own, set up reliable backup plans, ask for help without guilt, stay connected across time zones, and create space to rest instead of running on empty. She also talks about how things get easier as kids grow and why independence and clear communication matter. If you’re juggling work, parenting, and a travelling partner, this episode gives you real strategies and reassurance that it doesn’t have to be perfect to work.

Stephanie talks with Suzanne Grant, Executive Director of the Capital Angel Network, about how to get started in angel investing and what founders need to know when seeking early funding. Suzanne explains the difference between angel investors and venture capital, what stage founders should approach angels, and how investments can align with personal values from women-led startups to climate and health tech. She shares how Capital Angel Network builds community between investors and entrepreneurs, and why growing women’s wealth and leadership in the investment space matters. They also discuss common misconceptions about investing, how to assess readiness, and why helping others “see their spark” can change the trajectory of a business and a life.

Stephanie talks with habit change expert Katie Faloon-Drew about why healthy routines are hard to keep and what actually helps them stick. Katie explains how the brain prefers comfort and routine, why willpower is unreliable, and how small steps work better than all-or-nothing goals. She shares the “giggle test” for setting realistic weekly actions, how to use triggers and rewards, and why goals tied to how you want to feel beat shame-based targets like weight loss. They cover common pitfalls such as perfectionism, comparison, and failing to plan for real life, and they discuss simple systems that support busy parents and neurodivergent listeners. Mentioned: Book: The Conscious Parent: Transforming Ourselves, Empowering Our Children Paperback by Dr. Shefali Tsabary Inspiration: Mel Robbins Produced by Duke & Castle

In this interview, Stephanie talks with Rachel Mielke, founder and CEO of Hillberg & Burke, about building one of Canada’s most celebrated jewellery brands from her kitchen table to a national success story. Rachel shares how early setbacks after Dragon’s Den shaped her approach, why owning customer relationships became key to growth, and how opening a small Regina store transformed the business. She reflects on creating a people-first culture, leading through fear, and staying true to her values while scaling. Rachel also opens up about her cancer journey, motherhood, and redefining balance. She previews Hillberg & Burke’s partnership as the official jewellery partner of Team Canada and the brand’s plans to double its store count. This conversation offers practical insight into scaling a business with purpose and heart. Rachel Mielke is a dynamic entrepreneur, accomplished philanthropist, and sought-after speaker whose leadership has made a lasting impact in business and beyond. Best known as the founder and CEO of Hillberg & Burke, one of Canada’s most celebrated jewellery brands, she turned a home-based business into a multimillion-dollar company known for empowering women through design and purpose. Through Hillberg & Burke’s “1% for Women” initiative, Rachel commits 1% of annual revenue to organizations that support women’s education, mentorship, and financial independence, including Dress for Success Canada, where the brand serves as a national partner. She has been recognized for her leadership in social impact, serving as an Honorary Captain with the Royal Canadian Navy and on the national boards of Dress for Success Canada Foundation and St. Margaret’s School. A frequent keynote speaker and mentor, Rachel inspires entrepreneurs to dream boldly and lead with integrity. Her achievements have earned her an Honorary Degree from the University of Regina and numerous national awards for business and community leadership. Through Women’s Equity Lab, Rachel now invests in female-founded companies, continuing her commitment to building purpose-driven businesses that make a difference.

Stephanie interviews Kaite Burkholder Harris, Executive Director at the Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa and co-chair of the Ontario Alliance to End Homelessness. They discuss building a values-driven career, leading with purpose in burnout-heavy sectors, and balancing meaningful work with personal well-being as a parent of young children. Kaite shares her path from frontline social work to systems-level change, explains why homelessness in Canada is solvable, and highlights the need to shift from emergency responses to Housing First and coordinated systems. She offers tangible ways to help—from saying hello to someone experiencing homelessness to supporting policies that make housing accessible—and reminds listeners that wellness is rooted in community, not just self-care. Resources mentioned include the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness, the National Alliance to End Homelessness, and the Community Observatory on Homelessness.

This episode features an interview with Rhiannon Rosalind, the President, CEO, and Owner of The Economic Club of Canada, Founder of The Jr. Economic Club of Canada and CEO & Co-Founder of The Global Institute for Conscious Economics (GICE). WDDT co-host Stephanie Mitton asks Rhiannon for her insights on topics such as leadership, becoming an entrepreneur, career advancement, and networking. You don’t want to miss Rhiannon’s answer to the questions: what high profile person left the biggest impression on her, and what was the biggest lie she ever believed. Rhiannon and Stephanie will inspire you to grow both professionally and personally. Enjoy!

In this episode, Stephanie talks with Willow Allen, a model, mother, and social work student whose story goes from her childhood in Inuvik, Northwest Territories to international magazine covers. Willow shares about life in the Arctic, cultural representation in modeling, and the realities of grocery prices and winters up north. She opens up about her path into modeling, her work in social media, and the role of family and community in shaping her identity. Willow also reflects on becoming a mother, balancing career and studies, and the responsibility she feels to pass down her Inuit culture. Together, they explore ambition, mental health, and what it means to create space for women to pursue their dreams while staying true to themselves.

Stephanie Mitton sits down with Selena Rezvani, leadership speaker and author, to explore what it really takes to build lasting confidence. Selena shares insights from her career in executive coaching, workplace culture consulting, and content creation, emphasizing why self-advocacy and speaking up matter. She introduces practical confidence-boosting strategies, like the “dog principle” for starting conversations and using pointed questions to push through doubt. Selena also highlights how leaders can play a role in fostering confidence by amplifying others’ ideas and making supportive introductions. Her latest book, Quick Confidence, offers everyday tools to help listeners step into their power with clarity and courage.

Stephanie marks 200 episodes by reflecting on how WOMENdontDOthat was born from a tough political setback and a clear purpose: equip women with real tools, honesty, and courage. With co-founder Miranda Novak, she learned podcasting from the ground up, turning closet recordings and early missteps into a show now heard in 89 countries. She shares what these conversations taught her as a small-town girl turned CEO navigating motherhood, ADHD, and chronic migraines, and why everyday women’s stories matter as much as high-profile voices. The thread through it all is action —taking the first step, building skills over time, and staying resilient when doors close. Looking ahead, expect practical, candid episodes on leadership, women’s health, finances, faith, relationships, and life at home and at work—plus more ways to join the conversation across TikTok and Instagram.

Host Stephanie Mitton returns after summer break to share family highlights, personal wins, and lessons learned. From parenting teens to rediscovering joy in movement and balancing a busy business, Stephanie reflects on what worked—and what didn’t. She also takes listeners behind the scenes of how Women Don’t Do That plans guests and previews inspiring conversations coming this fall. The episode closes with a challenge: choose one thing this season that’s just for you.

On this episode, we hear about: • Kathleen Wynne's journey to becoming Ontario's first female and openly LGBTQ Premier • Challenges and triumphs in breaking political barriers • Insights on leadership and policy-making • Navigating public scrutiny while maintaining authenticity • Advice for aspiring politicians, especially women and LGBTQ individuals • Reflections on key achievements and lessons learned • Kathleen's current projects and ongoing public service Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/womendontdothat Recommend guests: https://www.womendontdothat.com/ How to find WOMENdontDOthat: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/womendontdothat Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/womendontdothat/ TikTok- http://www.tiktok.com/@womendontdothat Blog- https://www.womendontdothat.com/blog Podcast- https://www.womendontdothat.com/podcast Newsletter- https://www.beaconnorthstrategies.com/contact www.womendontdothat.com YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/@WOMENdontDOthat How to find Stephanie Mitton: Twitter/X- https://twitter.com/StephanieMitton LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemitton/ beaconnorthstrategies.com TikTok- https://www.tiktok.com/@stephmitton Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/stephaniemitton/ Interested in sponsorship? Contact us at hello@womendontdothat.com Our Latest Blog: https://www.womendontdothat.com/post/navigating-the-milestone-celebrating-my-40th-birthday-on-my-own-terms-and-how-you-can-too

In this episode Stephanie and entrepreneur Kelly Sinclair talk about the reality of being a working mom and tips for moms today. We cover important topics such as priorities, judgment, and guilt. Kelly is an entrepreneur, a public affairs and marketing guru, of course we discuss growing your business and what Kelly has done to become the go to person in her town! For mom and business advice, listen in!

Libby Ward is helping women one TikTok and Instagram at a time. Are you a perfectionist? Are you working through mental health challenges, trauma? Are you an exhausted mother? As a recovering perfectionist and content creator Stephanie and Libby dive into Libby’s advice for women today. She is fun, honest, AND relatable. She also shares how she became a content creator, what you should know about TikTok, and how to grow your own social following. You will feel empowered, laugh, and cry with Libby’s content. Listen to hear her story and advice for your life.