Finding Your Bliss

This week on Finding Your Bliss, we have an encore presentation of one of our most popular episodes! Life Coach and Bliss Expert Judy Librach is joined by acclaimed and award-winning actress, director and Canadian icon, Sheila McCarthy! Sheila McCarthy stars as ÂGreta in Sarah PolleyÂs Oscar-winning film "Women Talking", for which she received a Career Achievement Award at the Denver Film Festival, and she shares in the Film Independent Spirit Awards ÂRobert Altman AwardÂ, given to one filmÂs director, casting director and ensemble cast. McCarthy is a two-time Canadian Screen Award winner for "IÂve Heard the Mermaids Singing" and "Lotus Eaters" and was awarded the 2018 ACTRA Award for Best Actress for her role in the film "Cardinals". SheilaÂs recent television credits include "Star Trek: Discovery", "The Good Doctor", and a recurring arc on NetflixÂs "Umbrella Academy". Recent features of SheilaÂs include "Happy Place", "Broken Hearts Gallery" and "The Middle Man". Other notable credits include "Die Hard 2" with Bruce Willis, "Being Julia", "The Day After Tomorrow", and "MartinÂs Hagge" and "Night Shoot", both opposite the late great Gordon Pinsent. Judy and Sheila had a delightful conversation and we canÂt wait to share it again in this encore presentation! For more on Finding Your Bliss, you can follow us @theblissminute on Instagram and Facebook. Or you can visit our online magazine at findingyourbliss.com and take one step closer to finding your bliss. Listen live every Saturday at 1pm on Zoomer Radio

This week on Finding Your Bliss, we have an encore presentation of one of our most popular episodes! Life Coach and Bliss Expert Judy Librach is joined by acclaimed and award-winning actress, director and Canadian icon, Sheila McCarthy! Sheila McCarthy stars as ÂGreta in Sarah PolleyÂs Oscar-winning film "Women Talking", for which she received a Career Achievement Award at the Denver Film Festival, and she shares in the Film Independent Spirit Awards ÂRobert Altman AwardÂ, given to one filmÂs director, casting director and ensemble cast. McCarthy is a two-time Canadian Screen Award winner for "IÂve Heard the Mermaids Singing" and "Lotus Eaters" and was awarded the 2018 ACTRA Award for Best Actress for her role in the film "Cardinals". SheilaÂs recent television credits include "Star Trek: Discovery", "The Good Doctor", and a recurring arc on NetflixÂs "Umbrella Academy". Recent features of SheilaÂs include "Happy Place", "Broken Hearts Gallery" and "The Middle Man". Other notable credits include "Die Hard 2" with Bruce Willis, "Being Julia", "The Day After Tomorrow", and "MartinÂs Hagge" and "Night Shoot", both opposite the late great Gordon Pinsent. Judy and Sheila had a delightful conversation and we canÂt wait to share it again in this encore presentation! For more on Finding Your Bliss, you can follow us @theblissminute on Instagram and Facebook. Or you can visit our online magazine at findingyourbliss.com and take one step closer to finding your bliss. Listen live every Saturday at 1pm on Zoomer Radio

This week on Finding Your Bliss, we have a show devoted to Christmas in July! Life Coach and Bliss Expert Judy Librach is joined by ÂFashion Santa Paul Mason, actress Mag Ruffman and singer/songwriter Meaghan Smith, to talk all about the holidays and Christmas in July out East. Paul Mason has worked for many years as an international model, walking the runways of London, Paris, Tokyo & New York for designers such as Gianni Versace, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, and Armani. At the start of 2020, he helped to close Jean Paul GaultierÂs 50th anniversary and final couture show. In 2014, Mason began a new chapter, creating the ÂFashion Santa character, which took the world by storm and became a viral phenomenon during the 2015 Christmas season. Over 88 hours of selfies were taken, including one with fellow Canadian superstar Justin Bieber, to raise money for Sick Kids Hospital with the sensation continuing into the New Year. Fashion Santa worked with brands including Ritz-Carlton, Visa, Grand Marnier, Brookfield Properties, Indochino, Rogers, Hyundai, and Walter-Caesar in recent years. As Fashion Santa, Paul has been able to travel globally, with his appearances and partnerships, helping to support more than a dozen different charities such as the Sick Kids Hospital Foundation, Terry Fox Foundation and Save A ChildÂs Heart. Also on the program is television producer, writer, actress and building contractor, Mag Ruffman! Mag spent seven years in a corset as ÂOlivia Dale on CBC/DisneyÂs beloved "Road to Avonlea", and five seasons in a tool belt as host, creator and producer of the fix-it classic "A Repair to Remember". Mag is here to talk about how Christmas in July is felt very keenly in Nova Scotia, where she is currently building a house. Last but not least, we have singer/songwriter Meaghan Smith on the program! Meaghan has written hundreds of songs, many of which have appeared on her albums "The CricketÂs Orchestra" (2009 released by WBM), "It Snowed" (2011 WBM) and "Have A Heart" (2014 WBM). She has won several awards including a Juno for best new artist and some ECMAs for Best Pop Recording. Her album, "The CricketÂs Orchestra", was nominated for the prestigious Polaris Prize and one of her songs, "Mirror", was a semifinalist in the International Songwriting Competition. Meaghan is married to, and head over heels for her producer and bandmate, Jason Mingo. She likes to refer to him as her ÂHusBandÂ. They write, produce, and record in their home studio in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Meaghan writes songs on her guitar, ukulele and piano, and has had her songs featured on major network TV shows like "GreyÂs Anatomy", "Brothers And Sisters", "One Tree Hill", "The Astronaut Wives Club", "Jimmy Fallon", "Emily in Paris", "Queer Eye", as well as many others. Her songs have also been featured in commercials for LCBO, Facebook, and Ralph Lauren. Meaghan has also toured North America and parts of the UK, sharing the stage with legends such as Sarah McLachlan, k.d. lang, Ron Sexsmith, Jools Holland, Tracy Chapman, and Chantal Kreviazuk. To listen to Meaghan's beautiful song "It Snowed", you can go to the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRt5QvYPS84 For more on Finding Your Bliss, you can follow us @theblissminute on Instagram and Facebook. Or you can visit our online magazine at findingyourbliss.com and take one step closer to finding your bliss. Listen live every Saturday at 1pm on Zoomer Radio

This week on Finding Your Bliss, we have a show devoted to Christmas in July! Life Coach and Bliss Expert Judy Librach is joined by ÂFashion Santa Paul Mason, actress Mag Ruffman and singer/songwriter Meaghan Smith, to talk all about the holidays and Christmas in July out East. Paul Mason has worked for many years as an international model, walking the runways of London, Paris, Tokyo & New York for designers such as Gianni Versace, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, and Armani. At the start of 2020, he helped to close Jean Paul GaultierÂs 50th anniversary and final couture show. In 2014, Mason began a new chapter, creating the ÂFashion Santa character, which took the world by storm and became a viral phenomenon during the 2015 Christmas season. Over 88 hours of selfies were taken, including one with fellow Canadian superstar Justin Bieber, to raise money for Sick Kids Hospital with the sensation continuing into the New Year. Fashion Santa worked with brands including Ritz-Carlton, Visa, Grand Marnier, Brookfield Properties, Indochino, Rogers, Hyundai, and Walter-Caesar in recent years. As Fashion Santa, Paul has been able to travel globally, with his appearances and partnerships, helping to support more than a dozen different charities such as the Sick Kids Hospital Foundation, Terry Fox Foundation and Save A ChildÂs Heart. Also on the program is television producer, writer, actress and building contractor, Mag Ruffman! Mag spent seven years in a corset as ÂOlivia Dale on CBC/DisneyÂs beloved "Road to Avonlea", and five seasons in a tool belt as host, creator and producer of the fix-it classic "A Repair to Remember". Mag is here to talk about how Christmas in July is felt very keenly in Nova Scotia, where she is currently building a house. Last but not least, we have singer/songwriter Meaghan Smith on the program! Meaghan has written hundreds of songs, many of which have appeared on her albums "The CricketÂs Orchestra" (2009 released by WBM), "It Snowed" (2011 WBM) and "Have A Heart" (2014 WBM). She has won several awards including a Juno for best new artist and some ECMAs for Best Pop Recording. Her album, "The CricketÂs Orchestra", was nominated for the prestigious Polaris Prize and one of her songs, "Mirror", was a semifinalist in the International Songwriting Competition. Meaghan is married to, and head over heels for her producer and bandmate, Jason Mingo. She likes to refer to him as her ÂHusBandÂ. They write, produce, and record in their home studio in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Meaghan writes songs on her guitar, ukulele and piano, and has had her songs featured on major network TV shows like "GreyÂs Anatomy", "Brothers And Sisters", "One Tree Hill", "The Astronaut Wives Club", "Jimmy Fallon", "Emily in Paris", "Queer Eye", as well as many others. Her songs have also been featured in commercials for LCBO, Facebook, and Ralph Lauren. Meaghan has also toured North America and parts of the UK, sharing the stage with legends such as Sarah McLachlan, k.d. lang, Ron Sexsmith, Jools Holland, Tracy Chapman, and Chantal Kreviazuk. To listen to Meaghan's beautiful song "It Snowed", you can go to the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRt5QvYPS84 For more on Finding Your Bliss, you can follow us @theblissminute on Instagram and Facebook. Or you can visit our online magazine at findingyourbliss.com and take one step closer to finding your bliss. Listen live every Saturday at 1pm on Zoomer Radio

This week on Finding Your Bliss, Life Coach and Bliss Expert Judy Librach is joined by songwriter Jim Vallance! Jim Vallance is a musician, arranger, producer and songwriter whose credits include Bryan Adams, Aerosmith, Tom Jones, Heart, Alice Cooper, Anne Murray, Ozzy Osbourne, Tina Turner, Joan Jett and hundreds of other recording artists. When you look up Jim Vallance, there is no shortage of superstars literally singing his praises. Steven Tyler has called him “a master” of songwriting, and Taylor Swift has described Jim’s song, "Summer of ‘69" as “one of my favourite songs ever written.” Jim is the recipient of multiple Junos, dozens of international gold and platinum album awards, ASCAP, BMI and SOCAN awards, and he became a member of the Order of Canada in 2007. Last year, Jim was also inducted into the Canadian Songwriter’s Hall of Fame for his incredible body of work, alongside Bryan Adams, David Foster, Alanis Morissette and Daniel Lavoie. To listen to Jim's songs "Summer of '69" and "What About Love" you can go to the following links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE5GGMhmo-M https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFjjO_lhf9c Judy had a fabulous conversation with Jim and some incredible stories emerged, including a full-circle moment with Paul McCartney! For more on Finding Your Bliss, you can follow us @theblissminute on Instagram and Facebook. Or you can visit our online magazine at findingyourbliss.com and take one step closer to finding your bliss. Listen live every Saturday at 1pm on Zoomer Radio

This week on Finding Your Bliss, Life Coach and Bliss Expert Judy Librach is joined by author, Phyllis Taylor! Phyllis is here to talk about her book "The Prison Lady" and share a glimpse into the inspirational work she has done within the prison system. For 20 years Phyllis was teaching technology at an international law firm -- determined to make lawyers shine! All grown up and driven to enhance her own education, Phyllis attended Ryerson University to study Journalism, George Brown College to study Adult Education & Counselling, and the University of Toronto to study Philosophy – thus deepening her reflections on life. A decade ago, Phyllis overcame her teaching addiction to embrace her speaking addiction, where competitive public speaking performances won her numerous awards. Recently, Phyllis authored "The Prison Lady", a memoir of her journey alongside prisoners. When Phyllis isn’t speaking, writing, or attending courses, she can be found counselling others in her capacity as a Certified Life and Mediation Coach. Phyllis says her ultimate professional pride is in her position with the Ministry of Ontario, where she delivers motivational pieces and has won awards for her dedication, innovation, and inspirational work with prisoners. Loving and respecting marginalized people while guiding them on their healing journey, is what Phyllis calls making her dream a reality. For more on Finding Your Bliss, you can follow us @theblissminute on Instagram and Facebook. Or you can visit our online magazine at findingyourbliss.com and take one step closer to finding your bliss. Listen live every Saturday at 1pm on Zoomer Radio

This week on Finding Your Bliss, Life Coach and Bliss Expert Judy Librach is joined by author, Phyllis Taylor! Phyllis is here to talk about her book "The Prison Lady" and share a glimpse into the inspirational work she has done within the prison system. For 20 years Phyllis was teaching technology at an international law firm -- determined to make lawyers shine! All grown up and driven to enhance her own education, Phyllis attended Ryerson University to study Journalism, George Brown College to study Adult Education & Counselling, and the University of Toronto to study Philosophy  thus deepening her reflections on life. A decade ago, Phyllis overcame her teaching addiction to embrace her speaking addiction, where competitive public speaking performances won her numerous awards. Recently, Phyllis authored "The Prison Lady", a memoir of her journey alongside prisoners. When Phyllis isnÂt speaking, writing, or attending courses, she can be found counselling others in her capacity as a Certified Life and Mediation Coach. Phyllis says her ultimate professional pride is in her position with the Ministry of Ontario, where she delivers motivational pieces and has won awards for her dedication, innovation, and inspirational work with prisoners. Loving and respecting marginalized people while guiding them on their healing journey, is what Phyllis calls making her dream a reality. For more on Finding Your Bliss, you can follow us @theblissminute on Instagram and Facebook. Or you can visit our online magazine at findingyourbliss.com and take one step closer to finding your bliss. Listen live every Saturday at 1pm on Zoomer Radio

This week on Finding Your Bliss, Life Coach and Bliss Expert Judy Librach is joined by award-winning musical theatre star Barbara Barsky, one of the most outstanding musical theatre talents in this country. SheÂs here to talk about her illustrious career, her longtime marriage and partnership with Marek Norman and her inspirational new show "Dancer", which is currently running at the Toronto Fringe Festival. Some of BarbaraÂs impressive credits include Berthe in "Boeing Boeing" (Persephone Theatre), Mme Thenardier in "Les Miz", Miss Andrew in "Mary Poppins" for which she received a Saataward nomination (WCT), Mama Rose in "Gypsy" (The Arts Club), Penelope Pennywise in "Urinetown" for which she received a Jessie Award nomination, Maria Callas in "Masterclass", Golde in Susan H. SchulmanÂs "Fiddler on the Roof", "Wanderlust", "Henry V" and "Patience" (Stratford Festival), Norma Desmond in "Sunset Boulevard" (Livent), Charlotte in "LarryÂs Party" (CanStage, NAC, MTC) and Mrs. Lovett in "Sweeney Todd". Barbara has received seven Dora Award nominations for "Closer Than Ever", "Forbidden Broadway", "Chutzpah a Go Go", "Snappy Tales", "Assassins" and "A New Brain" (The Musical Stage Company). She co-produced with her husband Marek Norman, the original Canadian production of "Assassins" which garnered five Dora awards, including Best Production. She was also a member of the legendary Second City Company with Martin Short and Catherine OÂHara, and was co-founder of Reprise Concerts, great musicals in concert. She has appeared in multiple TV shows culminating in an Actra Award nomination for her work in "Clowns", plus a Tyrone Guthrie Award. A special thank you to theatre critic, esteemed director, actor and lyricist Richard Ouzounian for his excellent help with the research and insight into this interview with Barbara Barsky about her life and career. As well, a special thanks to Yanoush from the Toronto Metro Reference Library for his help with some additional articles as well. Barbara Barsky sings two gorgeous songs on the program, which you can listen to at the following links: https://soundcloud.com/user-201921535-658441499/broadway-baby-cover-by-barbara-barsky?si=ef3ddd69a2884e0bb9054bcb5d737911&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing https://soundcloud.com/user-201921535-658441499/little-lost-lives-performed-by-barbara-barsky?si=57b7c702affe4713b9e1249d5d8c60d6&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing For more on Finding Your Bliss, you can follow us @theblissminute on Instagram and Facebook. Or you can visit our online magazine at findingyourbliss.com and take one step closer to finding your bliss. Listen live every Saturday at 1pm on Zoomer Radio

This week on Finding Your Bliss, Life Coach and Bliss Expert Judy Librach is joined by award-winning musical theatre star Barbara Barsky, one of the most outstanding musical theatre talents in this country. She’s here to talk about her illustrious career, her longtime marriage and partnership with Marek Norman and her inspirational new show "Dancer", which is currently running at the Toronto Fringe Festival. Some of Barbara’s impressive credits include Berthe in "Boeing Boeing" (Persephone Theatre), Mme Thenardier in "Les Miz", Miss Andrew in "Mary Poppins" for which she received a Saataward nomination (WCT), Mama Rose in "Gypsy" (The Arts Club), Penelope Pennywise in "Urinetown" for which she received a Jessie Award nomination, Maria Callas in "Masterclass", Golde in Susan H. Schulman’s "Fiddler on the Roof", "Wanderlust", "Henry V" and "Patience" (Stratford Festival), Norma Desmond in "Sunset Boulevard" (Livent), Charlotte in "Larry’s Party" (CanStage, NAC, MTC) and Mrs. Lovett in "Sweeney Todd". Barbara has received seven Dora Award nominations for "Closer Than Ever", "Forbidden Broadway", "Chutzpah a Go Go", "Snappy Tales", "Assassins" and "A New Brain" (The Musical Stage Company). She co-produced with her husband Marek Norman, the original Canadian production of "Assassins" which garnered five Dora awards, including Best Production. She was also a member of the legendary Second City Company with Martin Short and Catherine O’Hara, and was co-founder of Reprise Concerts, great musicals in concert. She has appeared in multiple TV shows culminating in an Actra Award nomination for her work in "Clowns", plus a Tyrone Guthrie Award. A special thank you to theatre critic, esteemed director, actor and lyricist Richard Ouzounian for his excellent help with the research and insight into this interview with Barbara Barsky about her life and career. As well, a special thanks to Yanoush from the Toronto Metro Reference Library for his help with some additional articles as well. Barbara Barsky sings two gorgeous songs on the program, which you can listen to at the following links: https://soundcloud.com/user-201921535-658441499/broadway-baby-cover-by-barbara-barsky?si=ef3ddd69a2884e0bb9054bcb5d737911&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing https://soundcloud.com/user-201921535-658441499/little-lost-lives-performed-by-barbara-barsky?si=57b7c702affe4713b9e1249d5d8c60d6&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing For more on Finding Your Bliss, you can follow us @theblissminute on Instagram and Facebook. Or you can visit our online magazine at findingyourbliss.com and take one step closer to finding your bliss. Listen live every Saturday at 1pm on Zoomer Radio

This week on Finding Your Bliss, Life Coach and Bliss Expert Judy Librach is joined by some fabulously talented couples who also have great love stories – musicians Ofra Harnoy and Mike Herriott, and Living Luxe Magazine Publisher and COO, Jennifer Lipkowitz and Anthony Sirianni! Ofra Harnoy has established herself as one of the great cellists on the world’s concert stage. She is one of Canada’s most celebrated personalities and is a Member of the Order of Canada. By joining the international artist's roster of RCA Victor Red Seal in 1987, Ms. Harnoy became the first Canadian classical instrumental soloist since Glenn Gould to gain an exclusive worldwide contract with a major record label. She has toured extensively in Europe, the Far East, Australia and the Americas, and has performed with many of the top orchestras and most noteworthy conductors of our time. Her career has brought her 5 JUNO Awards (Canada), the Grand Prix du Disque, and Critics Choice Awards from a number of international magazines. Ofra Harnoy was once named by Maclean’s Magazine as one of the 12 Canadians in all fields who bring the most credit to their country. Canadian trumpeter, Mike Herriott, a respected multi-instrumentalist in both the classical and jazz genres, is in demand as a lead trumpeter, jazz improviser, orchestral soloist, bassist, arranger and composer. He has toured extensively through North America and South East Asia and has shared the stage with a host of luminaries, including Maynard Ferguson, Rob McConnell, Doc Severinsen, Arturo Sandoval, Michael Bublé, Slide Hampton, Kenny Wheeler, Phil Nimmons, Maria Schneider, Seth MacFarlane and more. Mike has several recordings under his own name, and with New York-based guitarist Sean Harkness in the Harkness-Herriott Duo (H2). November 2013, brought the release of the Mike Herriott solo CD entitled Off the Road, featuring Mike on a variety of musical instruments and including special guest, 10-time Grammy winner, Arturo Sandoval. His solo album, "Isn’t Life Grand", is Mike’s 7th recording as a leader/composer/multi-instrumentalist and was released in 2016. In June of 2019, Ofra and Mike married, and now collaborate for live performances and recordings. In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, they recorded and released their second album together, "On the Rock", a celebration of the music of Newfoundland and Labrador. "Portrait" marks the third album collaboration between Ofra and Mike. To listen to Mike and Ofra's beautiful songs "Summertime" and "It Ain't Necessarily So", you can go to the following link: https://music.apple.com/ca/album/portrait/1663667165 Also on the program, we have Living Luxe Magazine's, Jennifer Lipkowitz and Anthony Sirianni! Jennifer is the publisher of Living Luxe, a high-end design and lifestyle magazine on newsstands across the province of Ontario. She is also the co-founder of the Living Luxe Media Group. Before launching the magazine in 2019, Jennifer spent a decade as the chief operating officer of a well-respected Toronto-based publication and was a driving force when the magazine expanded across Canada and into Florida. She exited the publication to explore new opportunities — the creation of Living Luxe is the result of her work in the publishing community and the building and design industries. Jennifer is very passionate about philanthropy and giving back, and participates in many fundraising events in the city. In 2022, she was the co-chair of LivingLuxe’s first-ever charity initiative, City Couture — an event that benefitted Toronto’s SickKids. When she isn’t busy running two successful companies with her stellar team, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her two children, her family and friends. Anthony Sirianni is the chief operating officer of Living Luxe magazine, a high-end design and lifestyle magazine on newsstands across the province. He is also the co-founder of the Living Luxe Media Group. Prior to stepping into the world of magazines and launching Living Luxe, Anthony was a leader in the management and operation of several companies, working to improve their strategy execution and maximize their overall performance. He brings these exceptional skills to the magazine and media company and acts as a visionary when it comes to the brand’s growth and goals. For instance, Anthony initiated the first-ever Living Luxe Design Expo, a successful event showcasing some of the city’s top design and decor businesses. While Living Luxe is his current priority, a key milestone for him was in 2011, when he fulfilled one of his childhood dreams and became a certified firefighter in Texas. Anthony loves spending time with his daughter, hanging out with his family and friends, working out, golfing and vacationing. For more on Finding Your Bliss, you can follow us @theblissminute on Instagram and Facebook. Or you can visit our online magazine at findingyourbliss.com and take one step closer to finding your bliss. Listen live every Saturday at 1pm on Zoomer Radio