I needed a minute- but I'm back. I shared my truth with you and appreciate your love and checking in on me.  I will be back with more regular episodes soon, but needed to come through and explain this delay and really highlight that life is lifting right now and I am just rolling with the punches. Sending you all love and appreciation.

Podcast site: https://zeeta.ca/podcast

IG: https://www.instagram.com/itsabouttimepodcast/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/MakingItHappenWithZeeta

About Mélissa Bolduc

Mélissa started designing her own clothes that flattered her figure at the age of 17. This gave birth to a vocation that would ultimately lead to the creation of her own clothing line, Melow. To
gain knowledge and perfect her talent, she headed to Vancouver, where she studied Fashion Merchandising at the John Casablanca Institute and Fashion Art at the Vancouver Community
College. In 2007, she created her first collection and opened up her flagship boutique Melow par Mélissa Bolduc in Montréal, which is solely devoted to selling her clothing. In addition to her
boutique, the Melow line can be found in 65 points of sale across Canada.

About Melow
Established in Montreal in 2007 and running strong with a loyal client base, the Melow line is designed for women of all shapes and sizes, ranging from XS to XXL.
Proudly designed and made in Canada, the Melow collections have always embodied a casual yet sophisticated style. The designer’s clever engineering of each piece makes the clothing adjust to flatter any body shape. Structured cuts draped into pleats and asymmetrical lines intelligently mix comfort and elegance. The choice of quality, fluid fabrics is instrumental in creating the ease-in-motion experienced when wearing Melow. As much as possible, the fabrics used by Melow are made in Canada as well.
Melow’s team has always been committed to helping sustainable development and works daily to minimize the impact of its activity on the planet. To achieve this, several concrete actions are taken from our manufacturing methods to the travel required for our production. We pay particular attention to the choice of our fabrics, many of which are made in Montreal. We always prefer natural fibres over synthetic fibres. Our production is entirely made in Canada, and about half is made in our workshop. This considerably reduces our ecological impact and encourages the local economy.

https://melowparmelissabolduc.com/

https://www.facebook.com/melowparmelissabolduc

https://www.instagram.com/melow_par_melissa_bolduc/

Pascale Lavache

Plus Size Model, Writer, Radio Personality

While Pascale's bio is in French she is perfectly bilingual and our interview is in English.

Bio

À travers son cheminement de carrière, Pascale Lavache, mannequin représentée par Folio
depuis maintenant 7 ans, a pris conscience d'un profond inconfort chez les femmes.
Ambassadrice pour la semaine ”le poids sans commentaire” du groupe Équilibre, et
porte-parole pour la société ANEB, elle comprend l'impact positif qu’elle a et continue d’avoir
pour aider à développer l’estime de soi de chacune et chacun.
En tant que chroniqueuse pour des magazines tels que NoovoMoi et Elle Québec, elle utilise
sa plume et ses plateformes sociales où elle partage ses expériences personnelles et donne
une voix à tous ceux qui ont besoin d'encouragements dans leur propre cheminement vers
l'acceptation de soi. Passionnée de culture, de musique et de mode, c’est à travers la radio
CIBL 101.5, qu’elle nous informe sur tout ce qui bouge dans la métropole et même dans le
monde en prêtant sa voix tous les samedi à l'émission Chad Damord FM.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/pascalelavache/

Blog: https://www.pascalelavache.com/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/pascale.lavache

Julie Savaria, founder of Bindia Savaria

Julie Savaria is the founder of Bindia Savaria consulting and defines herself as a Justice, Equity,
Diversity, and Inclusion designer, an Equity facilitator, and a global citizen at heart.
A biochemist by training, Julie worked in clinical research for 5 years before completing an MBA
from McGill University. It was then that she deepened her expertise in social impact and human-
centered design thinking and the intersectionality of the public, private and social sectors. Julie
worked for innovative and Fortune 500 organizations as well as public institutions, to help them
further their conversations around racism and implement a sustainable strategy dedicated to all their
employees. As such, she founded Bindia Savaria Consulting to help organizations start, deepen or
establish their JEDI strategy or program, and JEDI Kids, a platform dedicated to helping caregivers
and anyone raise the next generation of inclusive and (racially) mindful children. Julie is a TEDx
speaker, a certified integral development coach, and a renowned panellist. She is also the Co-chair
of the B Local Québec chapter, focusing on Collective Impact and Activism and an ambassador for
the Just For Kids Foundation.

Webpage: www.bindiasavaria.com
www.jedikids.ca
IG: @Julz_bindia , @bindiasavaria,
@jedi_kid
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/julie.bindiasavaria ;
https://www.facebook.com/bindiasavaria ;
https://www.facebook.com/kidsjedi

Tap Dancer. Performer. Choreographer. Speaker. Believer.  Travis Knights is realizing his dreams, pounding rhythms on wood floors all over the world. His talent and dedication have earned him audiences in Shanghai, Dusseldorf, Paris, New York, and Vancouver to name a few.

His career started in 2000, when he was cast as a principal dancer in the motion picture biography of Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson with Gregory Hines and Savion Glover.  The film, 'Bojangles', was choreographed by the legendary Henry LeTang.

In 2006, he was tapped to be the principal dancer in the video game adaptation of Warner Brother's 'Happy Feet'.  In 2007 and 2008, Travis participated extensively as a Tap Dance consultant for Cirque du Soleil.  He had the privilege of performing in Tandem Act Productions' 'Diary of a Tap Dancer' at the Apollo Theatre, and the touring show 'Wonderland: A Tap Tribute to Stevie Wonder', created by Ayodele Casel and Sarah Savelli.  Knights was a featured Tap Dancer in the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. In the same year, he toured North America with the raucous and rowdy internationally acclaimed Australian Tap Dance show, Tap Dogs.

From 2010 to 2013, Knights jumped into the dance company world as a principal dancer with Tapestry Dance Company in Austin, Texas under the artistic direction of Acia Gray.  During his time there he was awarded the Austin Critic's Table Award for best dance artist in 2011 and 2013.  In 2014, he embarked on a self-produced world tour, filming his web series entitled ’The Interviews' featuring celebrated pioneers in the tap dance world.  In 2015, he debuted new works in Thomas Marek's show NOLA in Hamburg, Germany.

In 2018, he worked once again with Cirque du Soleil in Davos, Switzerland for the World Economic Forum.  Later that year, he acted as the Artistic Director for the 2018 Vancouver International Tap Dance Festival.  In 2019 Knights finished a two-year community development residency at the Tranzac Club in Toronto hosting the Jazz United Jam, a weekly jazz jam session aimed at connecting live musicians with dancers.  He is the 2020 recipient of the Jaqueline Lemieux Prize for outstanding contribution to dance in Canada.

He currently lives in Brampton, Ontario and hosts The Tap Love Tour Podcast, available on Spotify, Soundcloud and Apple podcasts, (make sure to subscribe) featuring interviews of a myriad of inspiring artists.

In 2021 he will debut a new full-length original work commissioned by Anandem Dance Theatre called Ephemeral Artifacts.  The one-man show will play at Theatre Passe Muraille in Toronto and at the Mai in Montreal.

Website

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Soundcloud

Podcast

Danielle Murrell Cox is a minimalist graphic designer & illustrator from Montreal. She is best known for her self-published colouring books Black Queens and Black Kings, which are filled with images of powerful people, and positive affirmations, that will help to uplift your spirit any day. These colouring books are great for people of all ages. Her colouring books went viral on social media and gave her the opportunity to have segments on CBC, Global and CTV, amongst many other local & international platforms. The viral post on social media also gave her the opportunity to create a book with publisher HarperCollins, together they released her board book, “My Hair”. My Hair is the perfect introduction to an array of beautiful hairstyles for tiny naturalistas-in-training!

In addition to her work as a graphic designer, she is the founder, illustrator and designer of her plush toy brand, “Zuri & Dre.” The toy brand officially launched in January 2021, and are based on her colouring books. Along with her own work, she is also recognized for being the illustrator and designer for the “Big Dreamers: The Canadian Black History Activity Book for Kids” Series.

Bibigi Haile is the founder of The Beauvoir Group, a career management and personal branding consultancy. She works with women in middle and senior management roles, helping them make bold moves in their lives and careers as they discover the possibilities that come with finding and owning their unique voice.

Bibigi is a sought-after keynote speaker and business strategist. With a background in organizational development and strategic change management consulting, her career expands over several industries including finance and investment management. Applying a research and evidence-based approach, Bibigi guides her clients through transformational change.

Her current focus on imposter syndrome and women’s visibility through personal branding has earned her spots on national stages.

She hosts Speaking with Women, a podcast about the experience of women in the modern workplace.

Bibigi is also and especially the mother of a wise 6-year-old, a third culture kid, a podcast and book nerd and a running enthusiast.

Chandravati (Wendy) Ramnarine, B. Sc. Psych, AYU

Ayurveda Practitioner | Teacher | Energy Medicine

Chandravati (also known as Wendy) has always had an interest in people, culture, wellness, yoga and meditation. After spending her youth traveling and living in Australia, she returned to Montreal to complete her Bachelors in Psychology in combination with training in Yoga Therapy, Hatha Yoga and Vedanta Philosophy with Dr. Madan Bali. She further went on to complete her Ayurvedic studies and Energy medicine under the private tutelage of the 4th generation Vaiyda Anita Sharma, founder of the Institute of Ayurveda & Well being.

Starting this work since 2009, she brings a variety of experience and understanding of specific treatments available to aid healing the mind, body and soul. As a member of the ANN (Naturopath Association), Canadian Yoga Teacher Alliance as well as the International Association of Yoga Therapists. She has worked in both one on one and in groups settings regarding treatments of imbalances and dis-eases. She has provided numerous workshops and teachings on various aspects of health & wellness and in both private, social and corporate settings.

Through her love of Ayurveda, she is now the founder of the Skylit Ayurveda Center. She is grateful on a daily basis for the opportunity to offer people a place to feel safe, to challenge themselves and deepen their all aspects of their personal growth, as well as her own.

"Chandavati (Chandra 'moon' + vati 'light') literallymeans ‘lit by the moon’.

Chandavati also means"of a princess" in Sanskrit.

As the moon lights up the sky at night, it is my mission to provide a glimmer

of light in what seems like a darkening world. "

Vinay is the founder and curator of The Cutlass, a progressive podcast and social media platform dedicated to the Indo-Caribbean community and descendants of Indian indentureship. He tackles culture, religion, politics, history, and entertainment through his posts, as well as with his podcast guests. To access his content, follow The Cutlass on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook (@cutlasspodcast) and listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, AudioBoom, Deezer, iHeartRadio, and JioSaavn. Having taught himself his ancestral language, Vinay's research centers on documenting and revitalizing Hindustani among those living in the West Indies, in addition to the diaspora. His ongoing archival project consists of interviews with elders who still speak the language and have knowledge of old customs that are at risk of fading with time.

Akilah Newton is an activist, entrepreneur and author. She has always had a fascination with the arts and pursued her passion by studying music, drama and dance, and performing in productions at John Abbott College and as a member of the Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir. In 2003 she moved to England to attend the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. After earning a BA in Arts, Music & Entertainment Management she returned to Montreal and founded an organization for artistically-inclined youth. She founded Overture with the Arts (OWTA) in 2009; an organization committed to making the arts accessible to youth from all walks of life. She made it her mission to produce OWTA programs and events that spark discussions about social change. One of OWTA’s most popular programs is their annual Black History Month school tour. The tour visits schools across Canada and educates youth about Canadian Black History using music and spoken word.

Akilah is also the founder of Akilah Newton Projects Inc.; a company that celebrates diversity in ethnicity, gender and orientation through literature, games and art activities and supplies. In 2018 Akilah co-wrote the children’s book Big Dreamers: The Canadian Black History Activity Book for Kids Volume 1. The book highlights the achievements of Black Canadians whose stories are often left untold. Since 2018, Big Dreamers has sold over 6,000 copies. Due to the popularity of the book, in November 2020, Akilah co-wrote and self-published Big Dreamers: The Canadian Black History Activity Book for Kids Volume 2, which has sold over 3,000 copies.

2021 has been an exciting year for Akilah with the recent launch of her first full colour children’s storybook titled Movers, Shakers, History Makers: The Canadian Black History Book of Rhymes. In addition, she has several other product launches this year including a jigsaw puzzle, a line or crayons and more!