Epic Exchanges

Celebrating the power of our stories to help us rise above life’s challenges and transform them into greater purpose and authentic connections. Each one of us has a story. A story of overcoming, of illumination, of transformation, of determination. This is what Epic Exchanges is all about.

Being Our Best Self with Wendy Cole 04/24/2024

Being Our Best Self with Wendy Cole This week our guest is Wendy Cole Knowing from childhood she was a girl, Wendy yielded to familial and societal expectations to fit in. At age 67, Wendy changed her life with her transition. Beginning in January 2015 she focused internally: accepting who she really was, confronting fears, doubts, and anxieties that held her back for decades. She took the leap of faith to find freedom and joy in being herself. By July 2015, six months later, Wendy was living as a woman. She had her long-awaited surgery at NYU Medical in 2017. Wendy knows by focusing inwardly to find freedom and joy will benefit the rest of your life. Exchange Quotes: “The easiest thing to be in the world is you. The most difficult thing to be is what other people want you to be. Don’t let them put you in that position.” – Leo Buscaglia “Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde Exchange Links: Wendy’s websites: https://MeetWendyCole.com and Find Wendy on FB ( ) and IG @wcole212 Follow @epicexchanges on Facebook and Instagram /episode/index/show/epicexchanges/id/30958738

Mindset Is Everything with Laticia Brice 04/10/2024

Mindset Is Everything with Laticia Brice This week our guest is Laticia Brice Laticia is a black woman in tech who is not afraid to take risks or break from tradition, whether it’s leaving a successful career behind to go after her dreams, taking over a European River Tour, or diving into the Mediterranean. She created the Digital Growth HUB membership to give overwhelmed entrepreneurs a clear road map that keeps them focused and on task so they can make real progress and create a successful business. Exchange Quotes: “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right” - Henry Ford “Everything is Figureoutable” – Marie Forleo Exchange Links: https:// www.laticiabrice.com/achieve-your-business-goals/ Follow @epicexchanges on Facebook and Instagram /episode/index/show/epicexchanges/id/30768758

When Love Wags A Tail with Carmen Leal 03/06/2024

When Love Wags A Tail with Carmen Leal This week our guest is Carmen Leal Carmen Leal is a storyteller and the author of multiple books, articles, devotionals, and human-interest stories. Carmen relocated from Hawaii to Oshkosh, yes, there is a story behind the move, and has become an awesome dog mom. Carmen and her husband have become reluctant gardeners and know a crazy amount about Wisconsin weeds. She is the mother of two sons, two incredible grandsons, and Coconut, the best imperfectly perfect rescue dog in the world. Exchange Quotes: “I have found that when you are deeply troubled, there are things you get from the silent devoted companionship of a dog that you can get from no other source.” – Doris Day “Be the person your dog thinks you are.” — C.J. Frick Exchange Links: Carmen on Facebook: www.facebook.com/rescuemoredogs Website: Follow @epicexchanges on Facebook and Instagram /episode/index/show/epicexchanges/id/30248498

"Who Am I?" with Vie Portland 02/28/2024

"Who Am I?" with Vie Portland Today we feature another children’s book author and welcome Vie Portland to Epic Exchanges Vie Portland is a confidence coach, an author, a motivational speaker, and a social entrepreneur. Her aim in life is to leave the world a kinder, happier, more confident, place than when she joined, and her children's books are part of that. Exchange Quotes: “Somewhere, inside all of us, is the power to change the world.” – Roald Dahl “It’s who we are and what we do that matters; the rest is just fancy packaging.” – Vie Portland Exchange Links: @VieNessCIC on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn on Facebook @epicexchanges on Instagram /episode/index/show/epicexchanges/id/30141928

Living Your Purpose with Emily Kady 02/14/2024

Living Your Purpose with Emily Kady This week our guest is Emily Kady Emily Kady is a Spiritual Medium and Intuitive Channeler who understands the pressures of overachievement all too well. Despite her many accomplishments, including owning two 7-figure businesses by the age of 37, she found herself suffocating under the weight of others' expectations, as she was just striving to fit in. This led to a devastating burnout, leaving her drained and disillusioned, searching for purpose and fulfillment in life. In 2015, a near-death experience shook her to the core, awakening her to the preciousness of life, and igniting a fierce desire to uncover her life purpose and live it authentically, free from the confines of others' expectations. Exchange Quotes: “Surrendering to who you really are and why you are here may very well change the world.” – Maria Flynn “Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.” – Brené Brown Exchange Links: Emily on FB and IG: YouTube: TikTok: Website: Follow @epicexchanges on Facebook and Instagram /episode/index/show/epicexchanges/id/29923328

Into The Storm with Jason Clawson 02/07/2024

Into The Storm with Jason Clawson This week our guest is Jason Clawson Jason Clawson is a therapist with over 16 years' experience, specializing in trauma, grief, addiction, and mental health. In 2018, his wife's battle with stage 4 Colon Cancer turned his world upside down. After her passing, Jason grappled with depression and isolation but found healing through love, support and giving back. Now, as the Co- founder of Hope Kit, he spreads hope worldwide to others who are facing some of the most challenging times in life. Exchange Quotes: “There is no shame in asking for help. It is one of the most courageous things you’ll ever do and will lead to greater connection with those around you.” – Laura Lane “Healing is the art of reclaiming joy from sorrow.” – Jason Clawson Exchange Links: Find The Hope Kit on Facebook and Instagram Connect with Jason on LinkedIn Follow @epicexchanges on Facebook and Instagram /episode/index/show/epicexchanges/id/29831623

"I Made It!" with Bill Lee-Emery 01/31/2024

"I Made It!" with Bill Lee-Emery This week our guest is Bill Lee-Emery In August 2022, Bill was diagnosed with throat cancer. Having previously enjoyed a healthy life this was a shock to the system. But Bill had an advantage over many of the other cancer patients he saw in the waiting rooms waiting for treatment. He had 40 years of working with mindset principles and emotional resilience. His journey was not going to be typical. Exchange Quotes: “Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.” - Buddha “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” - William Shakespeare in Hamlet Exchange Links: Find Bill Lee-Emery on LinkedIn – website coming soon Follow @epicexchanges on Facebook and Instagram /episode/index/show/epicexchanges/id/29716923

Doing Hard Things with Julie Letizia 01/24/2024

Doing Hard Things with Julie Letizia This week our guest is Julie Letizia After battling what western medicine called ‘an incurable disease’, Julie started looking for healthier alternatives to the way she and her fellow university students were fueling their bodies to handle the heavy workloads and demands of post-secondary education. This led to the idea and creation of Benny, a good-for-you energy drink company based in Vancouver, BC Canada. Formerly a student athlete, she’s now on a mission to offer nourishing options to help fuel your current and future self. Exchange Quotes: “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” – T.S. Eliot “These things will be hard to do, but you can do hard things.” – Glennon Doyle Melton Exchange Links: https://drinkbenny.com/ Find drinkbenny on Instagram and LinkedIn Follow @epicexchanges on Facebook and Instagram /episode/index/show/epicexchanges/id/29619468

Confident Communication with Karen Laos 01/17/2024

Confident Communication with Karen Laos This week our guest is Karen Laos Karen is a Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator who leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on some of the world’s most coveted stages to help her clients transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals to generate consistent results with her proven formula, The Confidence Cocktail. Exchange Quotes: Every wall is a door.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson “Communication – the human connection – is the key to personal and career success.” – Paul J. Meyer Exchange Links: https://karenlaos.com Find Karen on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and Twitter Follow @epicexchanges on Facebook and Instagram /episode/index/show/epicexchanges/id/29522723

Priscilla Takes Flight with Angela Smith 01/10/2024

Priscilla Takes Flight with Angela Smith Today we feature another children’s book author and welcome Angela Smith to Epic Exchanges Angela Smith is a New Zealand author who writes books on self-esteem and resiliency for 3 – 8-year-olds. These books are used in classrooms around the world and help children learn about healthy boundaries, resiliency, and how to stop bullying. Alongside her children’s books, Angela writes wellness books for the teen-adult audience, introducing the reader to self-love and greater self-belief. Exchange Quotes: “Sometimes the only closure we need is to understand that we deserve better.” – Angela Smith “The hardest challenge is to be yourself in a world where everyone is trying to make you be somebody else.” – E. E. Cummings Exchange Links: Angela on on Facebook @epicexchanges on Instagram /episode/index/show/epicexchanges/id/29409288

"Snow Pants" with Vera Schofield 01/03/2024

"Snow Pants" with Vera Schofield This week our guest is Vera from Flexibility with Vera Vera is a Toronto-based personal trainer and flexibility coach who is working to create a space in the fitness industry beyond weight loss, diet culture, and fatphobia. Their platform, Flexibility with Vera, aims to help people worldwide discover body-neutral movement. Exchange Quotes: "Take your time and your talent and figure out what you have to contribute to this world, and get over what the hell your butt looks like in those jeans" — America Ferrara “Since I don’t look like every other girl, it takes a while to be okay with that. To be different. But different is good.” – Serena Williams Exchange Links: @flexwithvera on Instagram and TikTok Flexibility With Vera on Facebook and YouTube on Facebook @epicexchanges on Instagram /episode/index/show/epicexchanges/id/29289348

Music Connects with Kristin Ormiston 11/29/2023

Music Connects with Kristin Ormiston Today we welcome Kristin Ormiston back to Epic Exchanges Kristin resides in Smithers, BC where she is a musician, best-selling author, and so much more! She has lived, taught, and played music all over the world, from Australia to Japan to Pender Island, British Columbia and more. The inspiration for Kristin’s music comes from the people she surrounds herself with and reflects the 70s radio classics that she grew up listening to. Kristin’s most recent release is “The Way Down Songbook” a book designed for children that incorporates images, words and music in an interactive way. Exchange Quotes: “Music is one way for young people to connect with themselves, but, it’s also a bridge for connecting with others. Through music, we can introduce children to the richness and diversity of the human family and to the myriad rhythms of life.” – Daniel A Carp “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” - Plato Exchange Links: Mrs. Kristin on Apple Music and Spotify Kristin on www.ormistonpress.ca on Facebook @epicexchanges on Instagram /episode/index/show/epicexchanges/id/28830033

Fred Does It His Way with Shari Lillico 11/15/2023

Fred Does It His Way with Shari Lillico Today we feature another children’s book author and welcome Shari Lillico to Epic Exchanges Shari is a Best Selling Author, speaker, coach, and intuitive healer who has become a beacon of inspiration for those who have felt the need to hide their true selves. From her own experience of being a daydreaming child to becoming free of societal expectations her message is clear: You can find and do what you love, and you can do it your way by being you. Exchange Quotes: “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” – Dr. Seuss “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson Exchange Links: www.sharilillico.com Shari on on Facebook @epicexchanges on Instagram /episode/index/show/epicexchanges/id/28639093

Good Grief with Kelly Neff 11/08/2023

Good Grief with Kelly Neff This week our guest is Kelly Neff, a certified coach, speaker, trainer, and DISC Behavioral Consultant with the Maxwell Leadership Team. She is also a certified Enneagram - Motions of the Soul Practitioner. Kelly believes that consistent personal growth and a positive support system are two vital keys to success. She believes these two keys, in addition to her faith, have been the foundation that has helped her survive, revive, and even thrive after tragically losing her oldest son to suicide and her husband to cancer. Exchange Quotes: “Redemption is not living as though it didn’t happen, it’s living differently because it did happen.” - Randy Creamer “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” – Victor Frankl “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” – Wayne Dyer Exchange Links: www.kellyneffspeaks.com @kellyneffspeaks on Facebook and Instagram on Facebook @epicexchanges on Instagram /episode/index/show/epicexchanges/id/28546949

Your Story Has Purpose 11/01/2023

Your Story Has Purpose At the end of August, I was one of the featured speakers at the Purposeful You online summit. My topic was that we have one life to live today. And my presentation was, as expected, about how important our stories are – but even more crucial, is that we never know just how much time we have to capture those stories – our own, those of our grandparents and parents and other significant mentors in our lives, and those of our families. Here is that presentation. Exchange Quotes: “After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.” – Philip Pullman “Through the art of storytelling, we can preserve our heritage, educate future generations, and inspire change.” – Philipp Humm Exchange Links: on Facebook @epicexchanges on Instagram /episode/index/show/epicexchanges/id/28479923

Hold On And Have Fun with Jennifer McFarland 10/18/2023

Hold On And Have Fun with Jennifer McFarland This week our guest is Jennifer McFarland Jennifer has been a TFT Tapping practitioner for 10 years and is also an international speaker, author of “The Monarch & The Manager”. She works with women with ADHD and shows them how to vanquish the fear, shame, and loss that comes from inconsistent actions. Exchange Quotes: “You have been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn't worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” - Louise Hay “Ask yourself what is really important, then have the courage to build your life around your answer.” – Unknown Exchange Links: www.monarchdawn.com Jennifer McFarland on on Facebook @epicexchanges on Instagram /episode/index/show/epicexchanges/id/28351280

Ariya Makes Friends With RAIN - Shahin Najak 10/10/2023

Ariya Makes Friends With RAIN - Shahin Najak Today we feature another children’s book author and welcome Shahin Najak to Epic Exchanges Shahin Najak is a Certified Mindfulness Meditation Coach for parents, teachers and caregivers. Her passion lies in supporting adults and children, particularly parents and teenagers, in bringing back joy and connection and building better relationships using mindfulness skills proven to increase self-esteem and self-acceptance. She is the author of the mindfulness book for children, “Ariya Makes Friends with RAIN”, which includes a parents' guide on using the acronym RAIN to work through our big feelings as adults and guide our children through their big feelings. Exchange Quotes: “You are the sky. Everything else is just the weather.” – Pema Chodron “We use mindfulness to observe the way we cling to pleasant experiences and push away unpleasant ones.” ― Sharon Salzberg Exchange Links: Shahin and Mindful Changes on and on Facebook @epicexchanges on Instagram /episode/index/show/epicexchanges/id/28281560

The Starry Night with Markku Kostamo 10/04/2023

The Starry Night with Markku Kostamo This week our guest is Markku Kostamo Markku Kostamo currently serves as Director of Development with Sanctuary Mental Health. Markku has served in the non-profit sector for over twenty years and is passionate about seeing organizations grow and develop in executing their mission and impact. Exchange Quotes: “Sometimes it takes an overwhelming breakdown to have an undeniable breakthrough.” – Nicky James “And like a tree, we grow from the ground up. Leaves will fall, and branches will break, but even in those moments, it still provides beauty to this world. So do not give up on all that you are and all that you could be for where you are and what you feel at this moment. Our strength and beauty still exist even when we cannot see them” – Hannah Blum Exchange Links: www.sanctuary mentalhealth.org Markku Kostamo on and on Facebook @epicexchanges on Instagram /episode/index/show/epicexchanges/id/28218611

Radiant Resilience with Rosemary Holbrook 09/27/2023

Radiant Resilience with Rosemary Holbrook Today I’m happy to welcome Rosemary Holbrook. Rosemary is a yoga teacher, recovering addict, entrepreneur, researcher, adventurer, and experience collector. She is studying to be a yoga therapist and is a certified Vedic astrologer. When she’s not immersing herself in the work of helping others heal from trauma and cultivate resilience in their lives, relationships or businesses, she can probably be found snuggling with her partner or two children, playing in the woods somewhere in the Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina. Exchange Quotes: “Be not the slave of your own past. Plunge into the sublime seas, dive deep and swim far, so you shall come back with self-respect, with new power, with an advanced experience.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson “I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.” – Mark Twain Exchange Links: on Facebook Follow Rosemary on Insight Timer on Facebook @epicexchanges on Instagram /episode/index/show/epicexchanges/id/28150931

Overcoming the Odds with Mark Nendick 09/20/2023

Overcoming the Odds with Mark Nendick Today I’m happy to welcome Mark Nendick. Mark is a certified personal trainer and a nutrition and lifestyle coach who lives in Merritt, British Columbia. In 2010, overweight and riddled with anxiety, Mark knew there had to be a better way to live and feel, and this is where his own health and wellness journey began. Today, he, through his company PFN Coaching, supports others to achieve their lifestyle goals and find their own path to wellness. Exchange Quotes: “I don’t stop when I’m tired, I stop when I’m done.” – David Goggins “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” – George Eliot Exchange Links: https://linktr.ee/mark_nendick on Facebook @epicexchanges on Instagram /episode/index/show/epicexchanges/id/28089776

Allison Parry, Author 09/13/2023

Allison Parry, Author This week we introduce a new feature to Epic Exchanges. Once a month we will be welcoming a children’s book author to share their book and story with us. To kick things off, we are joined by Allison Parry, author of “Emmie the Empath and the Kintsugi Vase” Exchange Quotes: “The planet does not need more successful people, but it does desperately need more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers and lovers of every kind.” – David Orr “Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde Exchange Links: www.empathmom.ca @empathmom_ on Instagram on Facebook @epicexchanges on Instagram and YouTube /episode/index/show/epicexchanges/id/28011612

Relaunch! With Brielle Cotterman 09/06/2023

Relaunch! With Brielle Cotterman With today's episode, we relaunch the podcast after more than a year on hiatus while I completed and released my book, "Your Story Your Strength." With this relaunch, we will be featuring more guests sharing their own stories of overcoming, achievement, triumph and more. Today's guest is Brielle Cotterman, TEDx speaker, publicity expert and celebrity-maker and a survivor of domestic violence and attempted murder and an advocate for a world where intimate partner abuse is not tolerated and survivors are met with empathy. Exchange Quotes: “There are only two ways to get people to do what you want; manipulate them or inspire them. – Brielle Cotterman “Our stories don’t have to be filled with drama and trauma in order to be impactful.” – Brielle Cotterman Exchange Links: @briellecotterman on Facebook and Instagram on Facebook @epicexchanges on Instagram /episode/index/show/epicexchanges/id/27936624

Choice and Self-Worth 02/23/2022

Choice and Self-Worth We’ve met today’s guest, Julie Allen, before when she shared her battle with eating disorders and learning to love and accept herself every day just as she is. All about self-worth. So it seems only natural that she is here this week to wrap up our month’s focus, by taking things a little further to discuss how our bigger choices are a reflection of our values and worth. Exchange Quotes: “Will this leave us bitter or better? Grieve and then decide.” – Amanda Gorman “I raise up my voice – not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard…We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back. – Malala Yousafzai Exchange Links: www.maryrose.boutique @maryrose.boutique on Facebook @epicexchanges on Instagram /episode/index/show/epicexchanges/id/22209914

Possiblity Brings Purpose with Dr. Wesley Northey 02/09/2022

Possiblity Brings Purpose with Dr. Wesley Northey Our stories hold so much power – both what we tell ourselves and what we can begin to believe about ourselves. This week’s guest, Dr. Wesley Northey, shares his story spanning the full range of the human experience, and how he found purpose at his lowest point by exploring possibility. Exchange Quotes: “Life is a gift and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more.” – Tony Robbins “A shoutout to everyone who is trying right now…trying to do the right thing, trying to stay open, trying to keep going, trying to hold on, trying to let go, trying to find their flow, trying to stay afloat, trying to meet each new day, trying to find their balance, trying to love themselves, trying new things and new ways…I see you. I’m there too. We’re in this together.” – S.C.Lourie Exchange Links: @wesleynorthey on Social Media on Facebook @epicexchanges on Instagram /episode/index/show/epicexchanges/id/22056674

What Is Your Worth? 02/02/2022

What Is Your Worth? February is the month of love, most often romantic love. This month we’re going to turn it into something a little different – a month of loving ourselves, our neighbours and communities and even loving our earth. And it all starts with knowing our own worth and value. Exchange Quotes: “Love yourself as if your life depends on it. Because it does.” – Anita Moorjani “Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.” - Confucius Exchange Links: on Facebook @epicexchanges on Instagram /episode/index/show/epicexchanges/id/21988475

The Power of Intuition with Kim Woods 01/26/2022

The Power of Intuition with Kim Woods We are hearing more and more about intuition these days – what it is, how to recognize it and how to use it. Today’s guest, Kim Woods, is an expert in all things business, intuition and incorporating both in our lives in order to be more purposeful in all areas. Exchange Quotes: “Intuition becomes increasingly valuable in the new information society precisely because there is so much data.” – John Naisbitt “Faith is a passionate intuition.” – William Wordsworth Exchange Links: Take the quiz – Kim Woods on , , on Facebook @epicexchanges on Instagram /episode/index/show/epicexchanges/id/21877451

STOP Sharing Your Story 01/19/2022

STOP Sharing Your Story We’ve become a culture of 30- to 60-second soundbites. Of trying to get likes and followers and interaction. This is not the time or place to share your story. Please STOP. /episode/index/show/epicexchanges/id/21803720

When Positivity Isn't Positive 01/12/2022

When Positivity Isn't Positive The past couple of years have been tough. And no matter how much we work on our mindset and try to stay positive, difficult things have happened. However, if we feel that we always have to ‘look on the bright side’ that can actually do more damage to our mental health. /episode/index/show/epicexchanges/id/21753836

125 - New Year, New You? 01/05/2022

125 - New Year, New You? What goes hand-in-hand with a new year? Resolutions of course! However they are generally not the best way to make lasting change – in fact, most new year’s resolutions are broken before sundown on January 1st! So what’s a better way? /episode/index/show/epicexchanges/id/21678548

The Key To Connection 11/10/2021

The Key To Connection What if I told you that there is one key to more meaningful connection? And that leads to more contentment, joy, fulfillment and even purpose? /episode/index/show/epicexchanges/id/21122777

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