While it might be a wrap on season 1, it doesn't mean we're slowing down! In this episode, we open up the trusty notes app and get into what we've got planned for season 2. We'll be back with episodes this summer, and until then, head over to our Instagram and let us know what you think about these emergencies or ones you'd like us to tackle — we'd love to hear it!  Follow us on Insta! @mlnl911pod

Our first responders this week are Calgary artists Michelle Atkinson and Billie Rae Busby. These two have done what many deem impossible, making art their full-time job. Wow, did we cover some territory: Can your heart’s work really be your 9-5? Do creations lose their authenticity or intrinsic value when we monetize them? Can we even appreciate “good art” when we are inundated with content? Strap in and enjoy this worthwhile ride with two incredible women! 3:08 - The journey taken to becoming full time artists7:52 - How they became artists that could generate income17:43 - Has our access to art via social media affected how we appreciate it?26:05 - Do you risk losing authentic joy when seeking monetary compensation?35:26 - The value of setting your own goals and metrics for success38:34 - Making it happen as an artist: multiple income streams55:57 - Opinions around having a financial safety net before making the leap1:04:41 - Making things happen for themselves because they actually like what they doLearn more and follow our guests!Michelle AtkinsonBillie Rae BusbyFollow us on Insta! @mlnl911pod

This week’s first responder is Laura Silver, a certified death doula. We tackle the paradox, as Laura says, that “death is often mentioned subtly and in hushed tones, and yet it is life’s one absolute guarantee.” This conversation was enlightening, heartfelt, and at times downright delightful. She shared the transcendent elements of death but also the practical steps that make all the difference. 2:08 - Laura explains what a death doula is2:40 - How Laura became a death doula7:26 - The growing need for death doulas11:03 - Topics Laura covers in her dying and death workshops15:38 - What a day in the life of a death doula looks like28:08 - What she’s learned and how she manages her own grief32:49 - Her experience with the “other side”37:04 - Misconceptions she’d like to clear up46:10 - Where you can find LauraGet in touch with Laura: https://www.deathdoulalaura.ca/Follow us on Insta! @mlnl911pod

Our first responder this week is Matt Widmer, co-founder of Wild Life Distillery. Although Matt’s distillery creates delicious bevies, our topic of conversation was the friendship agreement that he authored. Although it started as a lark, this ‘contractual agreement’ ensures Matt and his business partner Keith Robinson keep their friendship of primary importance. It turns out it’s a beautiful representation of not only how they run WLD, but live their lives. 2:12 - How Wildlife Distillery came to be8:23 - Benefits of going into business with a friend9:31 - Co-owner Keith’s impromptu take on the friendship agreement11:21 - Matt shares what the friendship agreement is about16:43 - How their business philosophy reflects in day-to-day life21:45 - Matt’s advice for friends considering going into business together24:43 - What Matt thinks they got really right and really wrong27:29 - The benefits of growing up as a “restaurant kid”30:40 - Where you can find Wildlife productsLearn more about Wild Life: https://wildlifedistillery.caFollow them on IG: @wldspiritsFollow us on Insta! @mlnl911pod

This week’s first responders are The Danish Girls, Ali Larsen and Gillian Bell, two members of a  Calgary real-estate team. The current state of the real-estate market is anxiety inducing for many, but Ali and Gill quell worries with enduring truths that will never change, regardless of current mortgage rates. They also share how they approach the real-estate game a little differently and empower our listeners to do the same. 2:34 - How Ali and Gill got into real estate5:14 - Why the “Danish Girls”11:15 - What differentiates their team20:43 - Is real estate a wise investment?36:19 - Enduring truths about real estate42:11 - Why do realtors leave their business cards behind?41:21 - Funny/weird things they’ve experienced in their profession47:58 - Advice to aspiring realtorsResources and links:https://thedanishgirls.com/Personality test they refer to: True ColoursFollow us on Insta! @mlnl911pod

Our first responder this week is Angell Kelly, intuitive and spiritual coach. Angell makes the abstract concept of tapping into our intuition concrete as we discuss what it is and what it’s not and where to start if you have no clue. Join us as we experience some major ‘ahas’ in the presence of Angell — we’re confident that that you will too. 2:50 - How Angell arrived at being someone who offers spiritual guidance9:20 - Balancing her 9-5 with spiritual coaching12:35 - Angell’s definition of intuition14:55 - Instinct vs. intuition17:16 - Distinguishing your intuition vs. the other voices19:50 - Is intuition more in the body vs. mind?22:26 - How Angell approaches “forks in the road”30:43 - Common intuition blocks37:35 - How Angell’s life has shifted since tapping into her intuition43:05 - Tips for finding a spiritual practitioner46:12 - Services Angell offersFind Angell: https://www.angellkelly.com/Insta: @angelllkellyFollow us on Insta! @mlnl911pod

Our first responder this week is Jivanya Reddy, Calgary divorce lawyer and family law specialist. She answers our questions about cohabitation and prenuptial agreements. Many people avoid them because they seem unromantic, but we end up finding something pretty hot about the whole thing! We also talk about the importance of wills and how to start seeing them as more than just morbid. 2:34 - Jivanya’s path to becoming a lawyer5:14 - WTF is an “adult interdependent relationship”?9:38 - Difference between prenuptial, postnuptial and cohabitation agreements11:29 - Is a lawyer required for a cohabitation agreement?14:14 - How much does an agreement typically cost?21:16 - What if you’re already cohabitating and don’t have an agreement in place?26:39 - The importance of having these conversations early28:35 - Who needs a will and why?38:23 - Jivanya’s final words of wisdom when it comes to prenuptial/cohab agreementsLearn more and connect with Jivanya: https://www.rtfamilylaw.ca/calgary-divorce-lawyers/jivanya-reddy/Follow us on Insta! @mlnl911pod

The decision to have kids is a big one and thankfully it's becoming less common to assume that it's a 'yes'. Megan and her husband don't have kids and aren't planning to. They were lucky enough for it to be a choice and she talks about whether or not she always knew this would be her decision. 2:55 - The difference between “child-less” and “child-free”5:35 - How Megan came to the decision to be child-free8:35 - Prevalence of auntie culture11:46 - Fear around being child-free16:50 - Megan’s advice for those on the fence20:55 - Examples of child-free celebrities 23:19 - Why Alyssa’s on the fenceFollow us on Insta! @mlnl911pod

Our first responder this week is here to help ease the nerves around one of life’s biggest hurdles: a career change. Victoria Morneau, a career strategist and founder of Career Development 101, walks us through our own career worries and reminds us that our career choices can, and maybe should, match the season of life that we are in. Victoria offers questions to ask yourself when thinking about a shift in your career, how our values should guide our job searches, and that we all have our own personal brand.4:00 - How Victoria became a personal branding and career strategist9:14 - How personal branding is for everyone10:49 - Commonalities amongst those looking for assistance with their careers13:54 - Questions those hoping to make a career shift should be asking themselves18:29 - Applying your values and interests into your job search21:39 - How Victoria would approach our individual career challenges30:28 - The problem with pensions35:24 - Words of wisdom when it comes to our relationships with our careers41:34 - Victoria’s 3 final tips43:06 - Services she offers and where you can find her44:27 - How Victoria helped a near retiree realize her value after being laid offResources: Career Development 101: https://www.careerdevelopment101.ca/about-1Follow Victoria on IG: https://www.instagram.com/careerdevelopment101/Career coach recommendations for those transitioning out of teaching: https://www.instagram.com/teachercareercoach/https://www.instagram.com/holly.acre/https://www.instagram.com/teachertransition/Follow us on Insta! @mlnl911pod

Our first responder this week is Kristyn Snell, founder and CEO of MODERNSPEAK, a global creator management agency and Digitote a project management software for influencer managers. Kristyn understands the wild ride of becoming your own boss and the toxicity of “hustle culture”. She provides a survival kit for entrepreneurs that includes finding your failure, finding your worth and finding your people. 3:10 - Kristyn’s “accidental” path to entrepreneurship7:10 - Kristyn’s educational background 8:52 - Addressing the control or lack thereof in entrepreneurship13:20 - Delegating, imposter syndrome and sustainability16:30 - The value of having a support system18:58 - Kristyn’s experience in the tech space21:45 - Hustle culture, the birth of Digitote, burnout and balance31:12 - Finding that support system and practicing trusting her gut39:30 - Gushing about Vanessa from Platform Calgary 41:54 - Local resources and support system cont’d45:08 - Managing the emotional highs and lows that come with entrepreneurship48:08 - Can negative emotions be a driving force for success?53:41 - Final words of wisdom/lessonsResources:Platform Calgary - https://www.platformcalgary.com/Venture Mentoring Services Alberta - https://www.vmsalberta.org/ Follow us on Insta! @mlnl911pod

Brigitta Catinean of Style by Brigitta is a Calgary based personal stylist and this week's first responder. Brigitta helped us to understand what sustainability really means when it comes to our wardrobes, that when we keep settling we keep shopping, and that finding our personal style is so much more than simply liking our clothes. If you've ever had a meltdown before a special event or felt like you have nothing to wear, this episode is for you! 3:41 - How Style by Brigitta came to be16:08 - Brigitta’s philosophy around personal style22:35 - Intuitively integrating trends 28:55 - Using sustainability and ethics as a lens for personal style39:09 - How to curate a wardrobe with sustainability in mind41:30 - What a “key piece” is52:08 - Wardrobe/pantry analogyFind Brigitta @stylexbrigitta Follow us on Insta! @mlnl911pod

We'd love to say that we're happy with an off-handed resolution about drinking more water but we're not those kinds of gals. We need deep introspection, descriptive emotional states, and some journaling for good measure. We're reviewing what's in and out for us in 2024 and how we're going to hold each other to it. :40 - Vision for the episode + explaining shadow7:10 - How we define an accountability buddy12:14 - Alyssa’s outs and ins for the year21:53 - Megan’s outs and ins for the year36:40 - Various roles of friendships and the benefits of oversharingFollow us on Insta! @mlnl911pod

Finally, some context. We walk you through the basics of who we are and how we got here. 1:43 - Age and sun sign2:12 - Where we grew up5:18 - Birth order6:51 - Fur children10:07 - Relationship status12:24 - Alyssa’s educational background20:51 - Megan on removing herself from her Catholic upbringing23:31 - Megan’s educational backgroundFollow us on Insta! @mlnl911pod

You can’t tell us it’s too early in our podcast career to give you a heartfelt recap of our personal lives. Join us as we interview each other on the wild ride that was 2023. Follow us on Insta! @mlnl911pod

This week we’re responding to our own emergency: Why were we so cringey on Facebook? Why!? The cringe of our past isn’t isolated to the annals of the Facebook timeline, but we’ve got to start facing our demons, and it might as well be here.  Follow us on Insta! @mlnl911pod

Our first responder this week is registered midwife and BFF of the pod, Rae Veillard. Rae dispels common myths around midwifery and walks us through the tenets of midwifery care. We are always in awe of Rae’s work and of midwives in general, and during this conversation, it was no different! 4:45 - What is midwifery care?8:23 - How is it different from obstetric care?9:08 - How risk factors are managed in midwifery14:40 - What holistic midwifery care looks like17:11 - The difference between a doula and a midwife21:53 - How do you access midwifery care?22:55 - When should you apply for midwifery care?24:48 - Pressures and expectations around having a similar birthing experience to others27:02 - Concerns around safety and midwifery care30:23 - Does midwifery care look different when birthing in a hospital?32:41 - What can midwives provide people who are not pregnant?34:33 - Can those who identify as male be midwives?34:38 - How Rae chose this career pathAlberta Association of Midwives: https://www.alberta-midwives.ca/The Edmonton Midwifery Cooperative: https://edmontonmidwiferycooperative.com/Follow us on Insta! @mlnl911pod

Our first responder this week is Andrew Stewart, a wine connoisseur and director of Vino al Vino, a wine import agency that prioritizes organic practices, biodynamic farming, and low intervention winemaking. This is exactly why we have brought Andrew onto the pod, and frankly, into our living rooms for his incredible wine tastings: to him, wine should be treated the same way as we treat our food, with mindfulness. Andrew walks us through some conscious choices we can make when selecting our wine and reminds us of what makes good wine good, the story. :27 - Intro to the episode4:41 - Alyssa’s emergency5:26 - Andrew’s wine origin story11:52 - Meet the wine Andrew’s just poured for us14:32 - Andrew’s path to natural wines19:18 - The difference between organic, biodynamic and natural wines26:00 - How to find these types of wines at a non-boutique type store27:47 - The caveat with certifications30:43 - The overwhelm of it all36:00 - Is it worth making our own wine?39:15 - Trendiness around natural wine culture48:00 - Storytelling, authenticity and winemaking51:45 - Audience takeaway from Andrew52:58 - Megan & Alyssa's first aid kit additionsFollow us on Insta! @mlnl911pod

Our first responder this week is Ashlen Thomson, interior designer and senior associate with McKinley Studios in Vancouver. She helps us see a path from a design aesthetic that’s purely based on budget to one that is elevated yet realistic. She leaves us with guidelines, but more importantly, confidence to tap into how we want our space to function and feel, without being bogged down by rules.4:19 - Ashlen’s “high/low” strategy5:37 - What types of pieces should we be investing in?11:02 - What should we not invest in?14:17 - When to go used/thrifted/vintage15:57 - Heirlooms and meaning behind pieces21:27 - Where to add colour or keep things more neutral25:21 - Design “rules” we can toss30:10 - Advice around how to incorporate designs from various aesthetics32:49 - Specific advice around incorporating Alyssa’s heritage into her dining space38:52 - Final words of wisdom from Ashlen43:36 - First aid kit takeawaysFollow us on Insta! @mlnl911pod

Our first responder this week is David Fairbanks, a definite automotive aficionado, but don't call him a "car guy". David came to the rescue when Alyssa needed to find a car stat but had no idea where to start. Not only did he help Alyssa, but he offers a practical and accessible guide to finding wheels that work for you. 4:34 - Meet our “first responder” David Fairbanks9:37 - Where should you start your search for a used car?18:05 - Accessing reliable information18:53 - Brief interruption from David’s daughter 🙂19:13 - Researching common problems and arming yourself with information24:28 - “Picking your candidate” stage of the purchase30:59 - What to look for when you’re seeing the vehicle IRL39:25 - Tips for negotiating42:25 - Test driving tips51:15 - Buying from a private seller54:15 - Should we be opening the hood?Car forums https://www.motortrend.com/https://www.caranddriver.com/https://repairpal.com/Carfax reporthttps://www.carfax.ca/ Torque Pro app:https://apps.apple.com/us/app/obd2-torque-obdii-check-car/id1359567217https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torque&hl=en_GBScanner:https://www.amazon.ca/Veepeak-Bluetooth-Diagnostic-Scanner-Android/dp/B011NSX27A/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=13P5W47UV004V&keywords=elm327+bluetooth&qid=1695677010&sprefix=elm327+bluetooth%2Caps%2C242&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1Follow us on Insta! @mlnl911pod

Our first responder this week is Jenni Daines, a registered psychologist and conveniently, one of our very best friends. Jenni helps us understand why the quick-fix approach to healing that social media offers can be so alluring and inspires us to take a more balanced and informed approach to our wellness. 4:45 “Choose your own adventure approach”5:43 Irony around getting off social media to improve mental health9:57 How we use our phones to avoid what we’re actually feeling11:50 Are more people self-diagnosing their mental health concerns because of social media?21:30 New vocabulary around mental health24:50 Mental health influencers 28:30 Distinguishing experts on social media from educated and regulated experts32:00 Quick fix approach to healing38:40 Thinking about the ROI when it comes to therapy40:46 Accessing professional help and alternatives off of social mediaFor more information on psychologist and guiding principles: https://www.cap.ab.ca/Access Mental Health (publicly funded) https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/services/Page11443.aspxCanadian Mental Health Association for information and even courses related to mental health: https://cmha.ca/find-info/mental-health/general-info/Follow us on Insta! @mlnl911pod