Originally released in 2021, this conversation returns from The Vault because its message is just as relevant today. Stephanie sits down with Marci Ien to talk about finding purpose, using your voice, embracing unexpected opportunities, and leading through discomfort. From journalism to Parliament, Marci shares why representation matters, how courage grows through action, and why saying yes to the right opportunity can change your life. About Marci: Marci Ien is a devoted Mother, award-winning Journalist, Author, and Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre who has dedicated her life to providing a voice for those who need it most. Born in St. Jamestown and raised in Toronto, where she lives with her children Blaize and Dash, Marci has seen first hand the opportunities and challenges Toronto faces. Marci is a passionate advocate for vulnerable communities in Canada and around the world. Today, she serves as the voice of Toronto Centre constituents as the only Black Woman in the House of Commons and continues to fight for inclusion, equality and ensuring that everyone in Toronto Centre and across Canada have a fair chance at success. Continue the conversation with us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/womendontdothat/. We love your questions and feedback. Become a member of the WOMENdontDOthat Patreon Community. By joining, you get EXCLUSIVE behind the scenes content & access, AND you will help us continue our important work of empowering AND changing women’s lives. Join here: https://www.patreon.com/womendontdothat More about Marci: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marci.ien/?hl=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarciIen Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarciIenTO/ Podcast recommendation: Seven Truths, Tanya Talaga https://www.audible.ca/pd/Seven-Truths-Audiobook/B08N5JMLSY?qid=1626115142&sr=1-1&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=b278ed0a-c3b2-4491-808c-7cb2190a487c&pf_rd_r=1A2MDHYBK4Q6JQ4YRKZX Book recommendation: Books for Living by Will Schwalbe Marci’s book: Off Script: Living Out Loud, Book by Marci Ien

In this vault episode, Stephanie Mitton sits down with professional hockey player Brooke Stacey for a conversation about resilience, identity, and the many roles women hold throughout their lives. From representing Canada on the international stage to navigating motherhood during a global pandemic, Brooke reflects on what hockey has taught her about perseverance, purpose, and staying true to herself. Together, they also explore why representation matters in sport and why education is essential to advancing conversations about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. This episode covers: - Brooke's journey from playing hockey on Kahnawà:ke Mohawk Territory to representing Team Canada and competing professionally. - The realities of women's professional hockey and the challenges athletes faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. - Lessons from elite sport that shaped Brooke's approach to motherhood. - Why mothers shouldn't lose their sense of self after having children. - The importance of representation for girls and Indigenous youth in sport. - Why education and awareness are essential to addressing Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

What if your best years are still ahead of you? Society often tells women that aging means becoming invisible. Lisa Kirbie believes the opposite. After turning 50, navigating divorce, launching a new business, moving cities just before the pandemic, and becoming a grandmother, Lisa discovered a new level of confidence, freedom, and purpose. In this conversation, she shares why starting over can be one of the greatest opportunities of your life, why women become bolder with age, and what it really means to stop living for other people's expectations. We also talk about motherhood, building a career after setbacks, navigating public criticism, creating supportive communities for women, and finding the courage to keep moving forward when life doesn't go according to plan. This episode covers: Why women often become more confident and fulfilled with age Starting over after divorce, career changes, or major life transitions The freedom that comes from caring less about other people's opinions Lessons from single motherhood, entrepreneurship, and resilience Building communities where women support, mentor, and champion one another Why it's never too late to pursue the life you really want The importance of lifelong learning, advocacy, and making space for all women Whether you're facing a fresh start or simply wondering what's next, this episode is a reminder that your story doesn't have an expiration date. Sometimes the most meaningful chapter is the one you haven't written yet.

In this episode host Stephanie dives into how mom guilt impacted her career and personal life. Find out what lesson she wished she learned earlier, how it impacted her, how you can avoid making the same mistake, and what to do if you made it too. This episode is inspired by my podcast episode with Renee Rein, Mom guilt with the Mom Room’s Renee Reina. Ep. 90.

As we head into the summer, Stephanie Mitton reflects on the season, shares a personal update about navigating perimenopause while balancing leadership, motherhood, ADHD, and chronic migraines, and offers a preview of what's ahead for WOMENdontDOthat. She also shares opportunities to stay connected over the summer, including vault episodes, a free AI workshop, and ways listeners can help shape the future of the podcast. This episode covers: Looking back at the conversations and guests from this season Stephanie's honest experience with early perimenopause symptoms Balancing leadership, parenting teenagers, and personal health Why slowing down can be one of the hardest leadership skills A free AI introduction for women coming this summer How listener feedback will help shape the future of WOMENdontDOthat What listeners can expect from the podcast this fall As always, this episode is a reminder that success is about more than achievement. Taking care of yourself, asking for support, and making space for what matters are all part of building a meaningful life and career. Books Mentioned The New Menopause — The New Menopause — Mary Claire Haver

Artificial intelligence is changing the way we work, lead and make decisions. Whether you're curious, skeptical or simply unsure where to begin, this conversation offers a practical and thoughtful introduction to what AI means for women today. Stephanie Mitton sits down with returning guest Kelly Sinclair, entrepreneur and AI company co-founder, to explore why women are adopting AI more slowly than men, what opportunities may be missed if that gap continues, and how AI can become a practical partner rather than a replacement for human expertise. This episode covers: Why women are adopting AI more slowly than men and why that matters The difference between generic AI and expert-backed AI How AI can reduce mental load at work and at home Practical ways to start using AI without technical expertise Common concerns around jobs, creativity, privacy and the environment How AI is changing entrepreneurship, leadership and the future of work Simple AI use cases every busy woman can try this week AI is already reshaping workplaces and industries, but understanding it doesn't require becoming a technology expert. This conversation encourages women to stay curious, experiment thoughtfully and develop the skills that will help them thrive as work continues to evolve. Books Mentioned The Partnership Charter - David Gage

What does it really mean to be strong? In this episode, Kristen Pearn, Senior Associate at Beacon North Strategies, CrossFit athlete, and national-level Olympic weightlifter, shares her experience navigating career transitions, setbacks in sport, and personal challenges while continuing to pursue ambitious goals and stay open to new opportunities. This episode covers: How major life transitions can become opportunities for growth and reinvention Why achievement alone doesn't create a fulfilling life Building an identity that extends beyond work, sport, or external success What elite sport teaches about patience, resilience, and self-belief Starting new challenges later in life and embracing lifelong learning The connection between mental health, performance, and personal well-being Why asking for help and leaning on community are signs of strength, not weakness Through honest reflections on competition, career pivots, family, and personal growth, Kristen offers a powerful reminder that strength is about more than pushing through adversity. It's about knowing when to persevere, when to adapt, and how to build a life that feels meaningful both inside and outside of achievement. Whether you're navigating change, recovering from a setback, or wondering what's next, this conversation will leave you thinking differently about what it means to be strong.

What Are You Trying to Carry That You're Allowed to Put Down? What happens when you stop carrying things that were never yours to hold in the first place? In this solo episode, Stephanie Mitton reflects on the beliefs, expectations, and responsibilities she's been learning to put down. From motherhood and leadership to health, body image, and boundaries, she shares the lessons helping her come back to herself after years of putting everyone else's needs first. This episode is a reminder that taking care of yourself is not selfish. It's necessary. You do not have to abandon yourself to keep everyone else comfortable. This episode covers: Why your body does not have to be perfect for you to fully participate in life Learning to trust yourself as a leader and own the space you've built The ongoing work of maintaining your identity beyond motherhood Why your needs, happiness, and well-being matter too Letting people be disappointed instead of constantly disappointing yourself The power of asking for help and being honest when you're struggling Prioritizing your health before a crisis forces you to Rediscovering joy, fun, and the parts of yourself that may have been pushed aside How to identify what you're carrying and decide what you're ready to put down If you've been feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin, or disconnected from yourself, this conversation offers a gentle invitation to pause and ask: Is this really mine to carry? Because women do not have to keep putting themselves last and calling it love.

What happens when the systems you've built are no longer working for you? In this conversation, Heather Cayouette, founder and CEO of Firefly Strategic Consulting and author of Reset the System, shares practical insights for leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone feeling overwhelmed by competing priorities. From burnout and decision fatigue to change management and organizational growth, this discussion explores how stepping back can create the clarity needed to move forward with intention. This Episode Covers: Why overwhelm is often a signal that a system needs attention, not proof that you're failing How leaders can identify what's truly causing stress and where to focus their energy The importance of pausing, reflecting, and making intentional decisions instead of constantly reacting Why women often feel pressure to keep pushing through and how to challenge that mindset How to prioritize effectively when everything feels urgent The realities of leading through change and why change management is often more about people than processes How organizational values can guide decisions, create alignment, and support long-term success The challenges founders face as organizations grow and how to avoid becoming the bottleneck Why building support systems and asking for help are critical leadership skills Whether you're leading a team, growing a business, managing a household, or navigating a season of change, this conversation offers a thoughtful reminder that taking a pause is not falling behind. Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is step back, reassess, and reset what is no longer serving you. How to Find Heather https://www.fireflyconsult.ca Connect with Heather on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-cayouette-48b48467/ Get Heather's Book: Reset the System https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0GX2ZM9ZX

What happens when you know something is wrong with your body, but no one seems to be listening? In this episode, Stephanie Mitton sits down with award-winning journalist and host of TVO's Mistreated, Nam Kiwanuka, for a powerful conversation about women's health, medical dismissal, and the gaps in research that continue to impact women across Canada and beyond. Nam shares her personal experience navigating fibroids, chronic anemia, lengthy surgical wait times, and the frustration of advocating for care while trying to show up for her family and career. Together, they explore why women's health has been historically under-researched, how lived experience and evidence can work together, and what women can do to advocate for themselves in a complex health care system. This Episode Covers: Nam's personal health journey and the diagnosis that changed everything Why women are often dismissed or misdiagnosed in health care settings The impact of research gaps on conditions like fibroids, endometriosis, ADHD, migraines, and autoimmune diseases How social media can both help and hinder women searching for health information The importance of self-advocacy and knowing your medical history What femtech is and how innovation is helping address women's health challenges Practical ways women can support change in research, policy, and health care Women's health affects every aspect of our lives, from our careers and families to our confidence and wellbeing. This conversation is a reminder that your symptoms matter, your experiences matter, and your voice matters. Whether you're navigating your own health journey or supporting someone you love, you'll leave this episode with greater understanding and practical ways to advocate for better care.