Robyn's Ramblings: The Podcast

Many of us are thrilled with the reopening of patios and shopping across Ontario. But others, like those in the performing arts, are left waiting in the wings.  Rachel Schwarz, founder and artistic director at the Brio Academy and Studio Black Productions, is back for a chat about what it's going to take to get the arts sector back on its feet. 

Time to take another look behind the political curtain.

Darrin Canniff is the Mayor of Chatham-Kent, but also husband to Christine and dad to four active kids. He and Christine graciously invited me into their home for a (physically distanced) chat about life both in and out of politics, and their love of community. 

(Also, huge thanks to the kids you can hear rumbling around in the background, who made us dinner!) 

Life can be a juggling act between work, life, and everything else being thrown at you. Stephanie Simmons is a mother of six, double entrepreneur, and volunteer. How does she manage it all? It all starts with getting over yourself. 

The great porch vs deck debate rages on (ok, maybe not rages per say, but still, it's a porch) as Mike returns for a fall check-in on COVID sports, the return to school, Halloween, and life in a nutshell.

And it's a porch. Front porch, back deck, end of story. 

Whoops, got a little ragey and ranty in my ramblings this week.  Today I'm talking about grief and loss and how sometimes the internet can be a pit of judginess and cruelty. I cried recording it, you may cry listening (sorry) but I had to get some things off my chest. Be kind to one another. 

Family, farm, and beer - the three founding principals of Chatham-Kent's newest craft brewery, Red Barn Brewing Company. Denny and Sandy Vervaet make up 2/3 of the ownership team and discuss how to balance family and work, and the pitfalls (and silver linings) of starting a business in the midst of a pandemic. 

When was the first time someone told you you weren't good enough? Too fat, too thin, too tall, too short, too much this, not enough that... Kate do Forno and Angela Speller join this week's podcast for a frank, heartfelt discussion about body positivity, self esteem, and raising our kids to be comfortable in their own skin. 

Let's talk politics. Or rather, let's not. Putting political stripes aside, Monte McNaughton joins Robyn for a non-partisan, behind the scenes look at political life, finding the balance between MPP/Minister and husband/dad, and building treehouses. 

We adults talk a lot about what our kids need, want, should or should not have, especially in the midst of a pandemic. But maybe we should ask the people who know best what kids want. Please join me in welcoming my kids, Daniel and Molly, back to the podcast! 

"If you cannot teach me to fly, teach me to sing." - J.M. Barrie

Stacie Dengel has been performing virtually her entire life. Now, she's an advocate for the importance of arts and creativity in development, social skills, and more - at any age.