In this episode of Uncomfortable, I chat with Kim, host of the podcast Hush! We talk about sex, being pretty vanilla, our fantasies and what holds us back from experiencing them.  About Kim Kim is the host of Hush! a podcast that talks about sex, dating and relationships. Like myself, Kim is a bit of a vanilla who is curious about sex and the different lifestyles out there. She has interviewed sex workers, dating app founders, porn stars, couples in the swinging lifestyle and more. In this...

In this episode of Uncomfortable, I chat with Bailee Noella. Bailee just released a book of poetry, Bathtub in Flames. She explains how her poetry was a way to help her heal the trauma she suffered due to sexual abuse. *Trigger Warning* - Bailee and I do touch on the sexual abuse that she went through as a child. If you suffered abuse, you may wish to skip this episode. If you need support, please scroll down for some resources.   About Bailee Bailee Noella is a poet who writes for personal...

In this episode of Uncomfortable, I chat with Tarot Reader + Pop Culture Witch Lindsay Braynen. Lindsay educates me on how witchcraft has influenced pop culture and vice versa; how it’s largely a feminist movement; and how colonialism tried to destroy the spiritual practices of black and indigenous cultures.   About Lindsay: Lindsay [she/her] is the Card-Reader + Star-Gazer behind DarkLake Tarot, where she combines her intuition, love of storytelling, and esoteric studies to encourage her...

Can you sync your cycle with your business? Yes you can! In this episode of Uncomfortable, I chat with Alyx Coble-Frakes, co-founder of The Agenda. Early in Alyx’s health coaching career it became obvious to her that her desire to do certain tasks varied based on where she was at in her menstrual cycle.    About Alyx Alyx is the co-founder of The Agenda. Early in Alyx’s health coaching career it became obvious to her that her desire to do certain tasks varied based on where she was at in her...

How hard is it to rebuild your community after immigrating to another country? In this episode of Uncomfortable, I chat with Mo! Sibyl is a Nigerian-born, US-educated, Korean speaking, struggling intellectual. Mo! moved to the US nine years ago to pursue the next steps in her education and career. In this episode, she shares a few of the lessons that she learned when she immigrated. Mo! also hosts The More Sibyl Podcast. A podcast about culture and cultural nomads designed for Blacks and...

What is trauma exactly? And how do we cope with it? In this episode of Uncomfortable, I chat with Joyous D. Williams, a mental health professional, art therapist, and coach. We discuss trauma, the different ways to cope, and dealing with family estrangement.    About Joyous Joyous D. Williams is a Mental Health Professional serving the greater Cleveland, Ohio area. She is a nationally board-certified Art Therapist, specializing in brain-based, trauma-informed care. She’s also a coach...

How can you stay true to yourself, so you can call in the right relationship? In this episode of Uncomfortable, Deb chats with Self Care & Self Love Advocate Andrea Hill on calling yourself out on your own b******t. Andrea explains how working on YOU by calling yourself out on your own b******t, will allow you to feel more empowered, helping you to find a relationship that aligns with your true self. About Our Guest: Andrea Hill is a b******t disturber, blindspot revealer, and love...

What is the difference between an "exclusive companion" and "sex work"? In what ways to do those who work in the sex industry keep themselves as safe as possible?  In this episode of Uncomfortable, Deb chats with Amy Taylor, model and exclusive companion who answers the above questions. Amy also talks about her experience of dealing with haters on and offline and explains the pros and cons of legalizing the sex industry. About Amy: Amy Taylor is the an exclusive companion based in the United...

What does “Gender Identity” mean? And how could the decision to go through gender affirming surgery impact a relationship? In this episode of Uncomfortable, Deb chats with Vancouver’s favourite queer podcasters Sara & Chloe about Sara’s decision to go through gender affirming surgery. Sara talks us through their decision and why the surgery is important to them. And Chloe tells us how she felt when Sara shared this decision with her.     About Chloe & Sarah: Chloe is a queer, disabled...

How can parents help prevent sexual abuse happening to their kids? In this episode, Deb chats with Sexual Health Educator, Amy Lang. Amy helps educate parents and professionals about sexual abuse prevention by preparing them to have conversations about sex with children from a young age.  About Amy A sexual health educator for over 20 years, Amy Lang, MA helps parents of all beliefs talk with kids of any age about the birds and the bees. She also works with youth serving organizations and...

The trauma of racial bullying can continue affecting people of colour for a long time. Jade Pattenden, who was born in Scotland and then moved to Canada at a young age, has used advice and techniques that she read in self-help books to overcome the trauma of bullying and even find empathy towards those who bullied her. In this episode, we chat with Jade about moving forward after bullying and discovering that what you were bullied for can be your biggest asset. About Jade Jade is the host of...

Stevie never expected to have a sexual awakening in her mid-forties, especially one that involved men in their 20’s. After coming out of a passionless marriage, she decided to try online dating in hopes for a conventional relationship with someone around her age. However, things didn’t quite go as planned and before she knew it, she had a whole bunch of young men knocking at her door.  About Stevie 44-year old Stevie came out of a long passionless marriage and decided to start dating. She set...

In this episode of Uncomfortable, Debbie chats with Wellness & Nutrition Coach and Personal Trainer Jetty Nieuwenhuis about overcoming bulimia and self-doubt. About Jetty Jetty Nieuwenhuis is a wellness + nutrition coach and personal trainer who helps her clients get to the route of their self-doubt. Jetty had bulimia for over 20 years. After a long journey battling the illness, she began helping others who needed support. She has also suffered from Lyme Disease and is now a volunteer...

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, most of us find ourselves stuck at home in self-isolation and practicing social distancing. For some, working from home is normal, for others they’ve lost their jobs and are having to find ways of coping. In this episode of Uncomfortable, Debbie chats with numerous people in different situations to find out how they are coping with this unsettling situation.   About Our Guests Lisa Driver is a Spiritual Teacher, Author and mother of 2 very young ones living in...

Are you in a relationship that is "comfortable" but deep down something doesn't feel right? Do you want to leave your spouse but have been terrified to have the "conversation? Then this episode is for you. In this episode of Uncomfortable, Debbie chats with Dr. Courtney Paré. Courtney, a licenced naturopathic doctor who went through a divorce in 2018. This made her realize how important relationships are to our wellbeing. She then began incorporating relationship coaching into her work. About...

In this episode of Uncomfortable, Debbie chats with Eva Sweeney, creator of Cripping Up Sex with Eva. Eva is a genderqueer disabled female who works primarily as a sex educator and freelance writer. Eva started doing this work when she was a teen and realized that there was no information on how to integrate her sexuality with her disability.  About Eva Through her platform Cripping Up Sex With Eva, Eva Sweeney gives classes about sex and disability, topics that are not talked about nearly...

Imposter Syndrome is something that so many of us deal with. Not feeling “good enough” can stop us from pursuing a certain career, standing up for what we believe in, or even doing something fun like erotic dancing! In this episode, Debbie chats with Erica Courdae, Certified Coach and Entrepreneur. Erica’s work primarily focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion. She explains her take on Imposter Syndrome and speaks to how the lack of diversity in the media contributes to that deeply rooted...

Do you consider your birthplace to be part of your identity? What happens when you move away from that place? Do you lose part of who you are? Or are you recreating your identity? What does it mean to be a settler in Canada? In this episode, Debbie chats with Victoria Spooner, radio show host, musician and fellow Brit who moved to Canada 7.5 years ago. Victoria struggles with homesickness and trying to figure out her identity. About Victoria Victoria Spooner is a communications professional,...

We all learned about the birds and the bees at some point – at school, on YouTube, from our friends, or *cringe* from THAT TALK with our parents. But maybe talking sex with your parents or kids doesn’t have to be that weird? In this episode, Debbie chats with Kim Cook, sex educator, nurse, and author of Teen World Confidential, about how parents (and their kids) can normalize conversations about sex, relationships, masturbation, identity, and more! National Sex Education day is on February 2....

In this episode of Uncomfortable, Debbie chats with Toni King-Rose, an advocator for Transgender Rights within funeral and death care services and offers peer support for Trans people working in the death care industry.  About Toni: Toni is a 20-year-old, male-identifying, openly transgender funeral student currently going through an accredited Canadian mortuary Program. He works part-time at an independent retirement living complex as a housekeeper and friend and volunteers with Dying With...

In this episode of Uncomfortable, Debbie chats with Meredith Bisiker, Certified Money Coach. We talk about money, taxes, and what to think about when you are an entrepreneur. About Meredith For the past 25 years, Merideth Bisiker has been working in banking, finance and accounting…and loves it! As Payroll Compliance Practitioner (Canadian Payroll Association), she is currently pursuing the Chartered Personal Accountant designation. Merideth is passionate about the stories that “the numbers”...

In this episode of Uncomfortable, Debbie chats with Erica and Sana from the Systers With A Why podcast. The sisters share their experience growing up in a single-parent household and why they don’t feel the need to look for their father. Systers With A Why is a podcast where two sisters, Erica and Sana, casually chat about the “Why’s” of life while questioning themselves and others. You can find it on all of your favourite podcast players! In this episode, we chat about absent parents. Both...

In this episode of Uncomfortable, Debbie chats with Chastity Davis, a mixed heritage woman of First Nations and European descent. We chat about reconciliation and what it means both politically and individually.  About Chastity Chastity Davis is a mixed heritage woman of First Nations and European descent. A proud member of the Tla’amin Nation, located in Powell River just off the beautiful Sunshine Coast of BC. Chastity strives to keep her sacred First Nations culture, traditions, and values...

In this episode of Uncomfortable, we chat with Madeleine Shaw, co-founder of Lunapads. Lunapads is a Vancouver based business that manufactures reusable menstrual products. We discuss period products, myths, shame, period poverty and, so much more! About Our Guest: Madeleine Shaw, the co-founder of Lunapads. Lunapads create reusable alternatives to disposable pads & tampons featuring modern washable cloth pads, magical leak-free period undies, and menstrual cups. Madeleine is not only one...