In this episode of Voices Rising, Rachelle and Lynda sitdown with Lauren Ernst, Chief Communications Officer at Haliburton Highlands Health Services. Lauren shares how she built a career in communications, PR, and employee enablement across tech and healthcare by leaning into her strengths, staying relentlessly curious, and boldly pitching ideas that didn’texist yet.

From transforming sales training into a company-widemindset, to inventing her own internal comms and events roles, to moving from high‑speed tech into heart‑driven healthcare, Lauren unpacks what it really takes to earn a seat at the table—and become undeniable in your craft.

They dive into:

How to recognize and trust the voice you already have

Practical ways to pitch new ideas (and even new roles) toleadership

Turning imposter syndrome into fuel instead of fear

Why curiosity is “secret sauce” at every career stage

The difference between venting and bringing solutions

What it means to pour into others while you rise

Whether you’re early in your career or navigating a bigtransition, this conversation will challenge you to stop waiting forpermission, start asking better questions, and build a career that reflectsyour strengths, values, and ambition.

In this episode of Voices Rising, Marcia, Lynda, and Rachelledive into the power of emotional intelligence (EQ) and why learning to own your emotions is one of the biggest advantages you can create for yourself—at work, at home, and in every relationship.

They share honest stories from corporate leadership,including how emotional reactivity once defined their management styles, and what changed when they learned to stay calm, listen first, and lead with intention instead of impulse.

From burnout and therapy to gym routines and tough feedback conversations, this episode is full of real-life examples andpractical tools.

You’ll learn the four pillars of EQ—self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management—and how small shifts in each area can dramatically change your impact. If you’ve ever been told you’re “too emotional,” struggled with feedback, or want to be a moregrounded leader without shutting down your feelings, this conversation is for you.

For more Voices Rising, go to ⁠https://voicesrisingpodcast.com/⁠

Connect with our community on ⁠Instagram⁠and ⁠Facebook⁠:@VoicesRisingPodcast.

Burnout isn’t a time-management problem — it’s a standardsand structure problem. In this episode of Voices Rising, Rachelle sits down with Lynda and Marcia to unpack what burnout really looks like for high-performing women, especially those in leadership and entrepreneurial roles.

They share raw, personal stories of panic attacks, healthscares, emotional breakdowns behind closed doors, and the quiet ways burnout can show up while you still “look fine” on the outside.

You’ll learn:

Why burnout is more than being “busy” or tired

The hidden drivers that keep women over-functioning andover-giving

Early warning signs you should never ignore

Practical strategies to set boundaries, protect your energy,and start recovering

How leaders can recognize burnout in their teams and respondwith empathy

If you’ve ever felt quietly exhausted, disconnected, or likeyou’re holding it all together with a smile while falling apart inside, thisconversation is for you.

For more Voices Rising, go to https://voicesrisingpodcast.com/

Connect with our community on Instagram and Facebook:@VoicesRisingPodcast.

In this episode of Voices Rising, Rachelle, Lynda and Marciawelcome Patty Aubrey—visionary leader with the billion-dollar Chicken Soup for the Soul brand, president of the Canfield Training Group, and author of 14 New York Times bestsellers.

Patty pulls back the curtain on what it really takes forwomen to stop hiding, own their contribution, and step into their full voice and leadership. From a life-changing promise she made to her mother on her deathbed, to navigating self-doubt even as a #1 bestselling author, Patty shares honest stories, hard-won lessons, and practical tools you can use rightnow.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

Why so many high-performing women still struggle withself-doubt—even when they’re successful on paper

How Patty used E + R = O (Event + Response = Outcome) toreclaim her power in messy, emotional moments

The invisible ceilings women put on themselves, and how tostop taking yourself out of the game before you’re even on the field

The difference between vision and execution—and whyexecution is where most women get stuck

Patty’s non‑negotiables for sustainablesuccess (without burning out or selling out your integrity)

Why celebrating your wins isn’t optional—it’s essential

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing the work, holdingeverything together behind the scenes, but not fully owning your voice or your worth, this episode was made for you.

For more Voices Rising, visit https://voicesrisingpodcast.com/

In this episode, Lynda, Marcia, and Rachelle dive deep intothe power of personal branding—what it really is, why it matters more than ever in 2026, and how women can intentionally shape the way they are seen at work and in life.

They unpack the difference between your “soft brand” (whoyou are at your core) and your corporate brand (what you’re known for professionally), and explore how clarity, consistency, and visibility can change the trajectory of your career. Through real stories—from leadership roles in the cosmetics industry to a police officer’s rise through the ranks—they illustrate how opportunities don’t come from talent alone, but fromrecognition, advocacy, and presence.

You’ll also hear practical advice on building your elevatorpitch, crafting a visibility plan, using social media intentionally, and doing the inner work of self-acceptance so you can confidently articulate your value.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that your brand already exists—the question is, are you shaping it, or letting others define it for you?

For more Voices Rising, visit ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://voicesrisingpodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of Voices Rising, the hosts unpack thepersistent cultural myth that women can and should “have it all” — the career, the perfect family, the house, the status symbols, and the flawless body to match.

Drawing on their experiences from the 70s, 80s, 90s, andtoday, Marcia, Lynda, and Rachelle explore:

• How second-wave feminism and media (hello, Cosmopolitanand Helen Gurley Brown’s Having It All) helped cement the “do it all” expectation

• The toll of those expectations on women’s mental health,relationships, and sense of self-worth

• Why younger generations are redefining success away fromcars, houses, and labels toward freedom, time, and authenticity

• The power of boundaries, therapy, and real femalefriendships in navigating work, family, and personal goals

• What needs to change in workplaces and society so womendon’t have to burn out to succeed

The conversation is honest, multi-generational, and deeplypractical. If you’ve ever felt guilty for not “doing it all” or wondered if you’re allowed to want something different than what your parents had, give it a listen and let us know your thoughts.

For more Voices Rising, visit ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://voicesrisingpodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of Voices Rising, Rachelle, Lynda, andMarcie dive deep into boundaries that build power—especially for driven women in corporate and entrepreneurial spaces.

They unpack why capable women often struggle to say no, andhow that leads to burnout, resentment, and guilt. Through honest personal stories—from raising kids while running a business to leading large corporate teams—they share the non‑negotiables, calendars, and communication habits that helped them reclaim their focus, health, and relationships.

You’ll learn:

- Why boundaries are not about controlling others,but about clearly defining what you’re available for

- How to set non‑negotiables around work hours,family time, and personal restoration

- Practical strategies like the “pause before yes”rule, protected time blocks, and separate phones/devices

- How to communicate like a leader without over‑explaining,apologizing, or people‑pleasing

If you’re a woman getting things done but you know the wayyou’re operating isn’t sustainable, this conversation will help you startleading yourself with more clarity, courage, and self‑respect.

For more Voices Rising, visit ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://voicesrisingpodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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At 75, Melody Harris is just getting started.In this deeply honest and uplifting conversation, Melody—cancer survivor, lifelong learner, devoted caregiver, and proud “child-free by choice” woman—joins hosts Marcia, Lynda, and Rachelle to talk about what it really means to live fully at every stage of life.From growing up on a farm in the 1950s to navigating a 50–year marriage touched by addiction, Melody shares the hard-earned wisdom, humour and grit that shaped her philosophy: “Every day is my birthday.”Together, they explore:Why the small things—coffee, walks, sunsets, clean sheets—matter more than the big milestones.The hardest lesson many women have to learn: what is and isn’t your responsibility.Choosing to be child-free in a generation that expected otherwise.How gratitude, community, and simply showing up can transform despair into hope.Aging with intention, staying curious, and why Melody wears a helmet to go ice skating with toddlers.This episode is a love letter to women in every season of life—especially those feeling stretched thin, unseen, or like it’s “too late” to rewrite their story. Melody reminds us that as long as we’re here, we get to choose how we rise.For more Voices Rising, visit ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://voicesrisingpodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/voicesrisingpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/voicesrisingpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VoicesRisingPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@voicesrisingpodcast⁠⁠⁠