All Episodes
Featured Episode
Episode 56 – Healing Trauma through Poetry
In this episode of Uncomfortable, I chat with Bailee Noella. Bailee just released a book of poetry, Bathtub in Flames. She explains how her poetry was a way to help her heal the trauma she suffered due to sexual abuse.
Episode 55 – Pop Culture Witchcraft
In this episode of Uncomfortable, I chat with Tarot Reader + Pop Culture Witch Lindsay Braynen. Lindsay educates me on how witchcraft has influenced pop culture and vice versa; how it’s largely a feminist movement and; how colonialism negatively impacted the spiritual practices of black and indigenous cultures.
Episode 54 – The Agenda.
Can you sync your cycle with your business? Yes you can! In this episode of Uncomfortable, I chat with Alyx Coble-Frakes, co-founder of The Agenda. Early in Alyx’s health coaching career it became obvious to her that her desire to do certain tasks varied based on where she was at in her menstrual cycle.
Episode 53 – Finding Community After Immigrating
How hard is it to rebuild your life after immigrating to another country?
In this episode of Uncomfortable, I chat with Mo! Sibyl is a Nigerian-born, US-educated, Korean speaking, struggling intellectual. Mo! moved to the US nine years ago to pursue the next steps in her education and career. In this episode, she shares a few of the lessons that she learned when she immigrated.
Episode 52 – Trauma + Family Estrangement
What is trauma exactly? And how do we cope with it? In this episode of Uncomfortable, I chat with Joyous D. Williams, a mental health professional, art therapist, and coach. We discuss trauma, the different ways to cope, and dealing with family estrangement.
Episode 51 – I Call Bullshit
How can you stay true to yourself, so you can call in the right relationship? In this episode of Uncomfortable, Deb chats with Self Care & Self Love Advocate Andrea Hill on calling yourself out on your own bullshit. Andrea explains how working on YOU by calling yourself out on your own bullshit, will allow you to feel more empowered, helping you to find a relationship that aligns with your true self.
Episode 50 – Life as an Exclusive Companion
What is the difference between an “exclusive companion” and “sex work”? In what ways to do those who work in the sex industry keep themselves as safe as possible?
In this episode of Uncomfortable, Deb chats with Amy Taylor, model and exclusive companion who answers the above questions. Amy also talks about her experience of dealing with haters on and offline and explains the pros and cons of legalizing the sex industry.
Episode 49 – Gender Identity + Gender Affirming Surgery
In this episode of Uncomfortable, Deb chats with Vancouver’s favourite queer podcasters Sara & Chloe about Sara’s decision to go through gender affirming surgery. Sara talks us through their decision and why the surgery is important to them. And Chloe tells us how she felt when Sara shared this decision with her.
Episode 48 – Sexual Abuse Prevention Through Sex Education
How can parents help prevent sexual abuse happening to their kids? In this episode, Deb chats with Sexual Health Educator, Amy Lang. Amy helps educate parents and professionals about sexual abuse prevention by preparing them to have conversations about sex with children from a young age.
Episode 47 – Overcoming Bullying
The trauma of racial bullying can continue affecting people of colour for a long time. Jade Pattenden, who was born in Scotland and then moved to Canada at a young age, has used advice and techniques that she read in self-help books to overcome the trauma of bullying and even find empathy towards those who bullied her.
In this episode, we chat with Jade about moving forward after bullying and discovering that what you were bullied for can be your biggest asset.
Episode 46 – Sex With Younger Men
Stevie never expected to have a sexual awakening in her mid-forties, especially one that involved men in their 20’s. After coming out of a passionless marriage, she decided to try online dating in hopes for a conventional relationship with someone around her age. However, things didn’t quite go as planned and before she knew it, she had a whole bunch of young men knocking at her door.
Episode 45 – Overcoming Bulimia + Self-doubt
In this episode of Uncomfortable, Debbie chats with Wellness & Nutrition Coach and Personal Trainer Jetty Nieuwenhuis who shares her journey of overcoming bulimia and self-doubt. Jetty suffered with bulimia for 20 years and only recently managed to overcome the illness.
Episode 44 – Social Distancing + Isolation
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, most of us find ourselves stuck at home in self-isolation and practicing social distancing. For some, working from home is normal, for others they’ve lost their jobs and are having to find ways of coping. In this episode of Uncomfortable, Debbie chats with numerous people in different situations to find out how they are coping with this unsettling situation.
Episode 43 – When to Divorce Your Spouse
Are you in a relationship that is “comfortable” but deep down something doesn’t feel right? Do you want to leave your spouse but have been terrified to have the “conversation? Then this episode is for you.
In this episode of Uncomfortable, Debbie chats with Dr. Courtney Paré. Courtney, a licenced naturopathic doctor who went through a divorce in 2018. This made her realize how important relationships are to our wellbeing. She then began incorporating relationship coaching into her work.
Episode 42 – Cripping Up Sex
In this episode of Uncomfortable, Debbie chats with Eva Sweeney, creator of Cripping Up Sex with Eva. Eva is a genderqueer disabled female who works primarily as a sex educator and freelance writer. Eva started doing this work when she was a teen and realized that there was no information on how to integrate her sexuality with her disability.
Episode 41 – Imposter Syndrome
Imposter Syndrome is something that so many of us deal with. Not feeling “good enough” can stop us from pursuing a certain career, standing up for what we believe in, or even doing something fun like erotic dancing!
In this episode, Debbie chats with Erica Courdae, Certified Coach and Entrepreneur. Erica’s work primarily focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion. She explains her take on Imposter Syndrome and speaks to how the lack of diversity in the media contributes to that deeply rooted feeling of “not being good enough”.
Episode 40 – Homesickness + Searching For Identity
Do you consider your birthplace to be part of your identity? What happens when you move away from that place? Do you lose part of who you are? Or are you recreating your identity? What does it mean to be a settler in Canada?
In this episode, Debbie chats with Victoria Spooner, radio show host, musician and fellow Brit who moved to Canada 7.5 years ago. Victoria struggles with homesickness and trying to figure out her identity.
Episode 39 – Sex Education for Parents & Kids
In this episode, Debbie chats with Kim Cook, sex educator, nurse, and author of Teen World Confidential, about how parents (and their kids) can normalize conversations about sex, relationships, masturbation, identity, and more!
Episode 38 – Trans Death Care
In this episode of Uncomfortable, Debbie chats with Toni King-Rose, an advocator for Transgender Rights within funeral and death care services and offers peer support for Trans people working in the death care industry.
Episode 37 – Money 101 for Entrepreneurs
In this episode of Uncomfortable, Debbie chats with Meredith Bisiker, Certified Money Coach. We talk about money, taxes, and what to think about when you are an entrepreneur.
Episode 36 – Absent Parents
In this episode of Uncomfortable, Debbie chats with Erica and Sana from the Systers With A Why podcast. The sisters share their experience growing up in a single-parent household and why they don’t feel the need to look for their father.
Episode 35 – Reconciliation
In this episode of Uncomfortable, Debbie chats with Chastity Davis, a mixed heritage woman of First Nations and European descent. We chat about reconciliation and what it means both politically and individually.
Episode 34 – Periods Part 2: Menstrual Products, Poverty & Power
In this episode of Uncomfortable, we chat with Madeleine Shaw, co-founder of Lunapads. Lunapads is a Vancouver based business that manufactures reusable menstrual products. We discuss period products, myths, shame, period poverty and, so much more!
Episode 33 – Periods Part 1: Period Bypassing
In this episode of Uncomfortable, we talk to De’Nicea Hilton, a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and Holistic Period & Fertility Strategist. We chat about “Period Bypassing” a term coined by De’Nicea during her work with women around menstrual cycles.
Episode 32 – Giving a F*ck About Climate Change
This episode comes to you live from the Climate Strike in Vancouver. Debbie is joined by marching buddies Jessica Roberts-Farina and Peggy Liu as well as over 100,000 others from Vancouver as they strike and march for Climate Action.
Episode 31 – Masturbation
In this episode, we chat with Cate from the Swinging Down Under podcast! We chat with specifically about masturbation. We talk techniques, orgasm and discuss why it’s still considered taboo despite its many health benefits!!
Episode 30 – Being a Traditional Wife
In this episode we chat to Nadia La Russa. Nadia describes herself as a “spiritually traditional” wife, meaning that she lives by the bible’s definition of being a wife: ” Wives must submit to their husbands as is fitting in the Lord”. (Colossians 3:18). Nadia explains what this means and how it works for her relationship and how it doesn’t mean that she isn’t a feminist.
Episode 29 – Entrepreneurship & Mental Health
In this episode we talk to Jason Van Orden. Jason is a successful entrepreneur who openly talks about his struggles with ADHD & anxiety. Jason speaks to how these mental health disorders affect his business and the tools that he uses to cope.
Episode 28 – Igniting Your Sensuality
In this episode we chat with Lisa & Paula from TrufElle about igniting your sensuality. TrufElle is a movement that provides the tools through chocolates, resources, net-works connections and events to facilitate the awakening of your inner desires and sexuality.
Episode 27 – The Millennial Career Struggle
In this episode we chat to four millennials who currently struggle or who have struggled with their career. Millennials get a bad rap for not settling in one career or trying to do too many things at once. Is it a millennial thing? Are we just indecisive? Do we just have FOMO? Or do we just take on too much because have one steady job is no longer realistic?
Episode 26 – Shame & Vulnerability
In this episode we talk to Rebecca Ching about shame & vulnerability. Rebecca is a therapist, speaker, writer, leadership consultant and workshop facilitator. We chat about how shame is ground zero to most uncomfortable topics and what we can do to move through shame.
Episode 25 – Feeling Lost & Uncertain About My Future
In this episode we talk to writer and blogger Philip Volna who at a very young age, felt lost and uncertain about his future. When Philip was just 14 years old, he struggled with depression as he felt that he needed to have his career path all figured out.
Episode 24 – Calling Off Your Wedding
In this episode we talk to Lorie Corcuera who back in 2012 called off her wedding. It wasn’t until her partner asked her to marry him, she realized that the relationship wasn’t right for her. Calling off her wedding, and choosing herself over pleasing everyone else, gave her the strength to leave her job, create a successful business and become a coach and a mentor.
Episode 23 – Tantric Sex
In this episode we talk to Julia Kovacs who explains the history and goal behind Tantra and Tantric Sex. Julia is an intimacy coach who’s mission is to change the paradigms of the public’s perception of sex.
Episode 22 – Sex Work
In this episode of Uncomfortable, we chat to Heidi who has been a sex worker for 10 years. Heidi shares details of her life as a sex worker and sugar baby and explains how she has found empowerment, boundary setting and financial independence through the many lessons sex working has provided.
Episode 21 – Living with Chronic Illnesses
In this episode I talk to Shannon MacFarlane. Shannon remembers suffering from endometriosis from as young as 12 years old. Since then she has been diagnosed with three other chronic illnesses. Shannon is also a mother who’s son also suffers from a chronic illness. Shannon shares her journey and what her day-to-day life is like living with illnesses that others struggle to understand.
Episode 20 – Ethical Non-Monogamous Lifestyle
In this episode we explore ethical non-monogamy. I was lucky enough to chat with Tori and Soul of the Torrid Souls podcast. Tori and Soul are a same sex, bi-sexual, ethical non-monogamous couple. They have been together for many years but just recently got married. This was an incredibly fun convo that was highly educational!
Episode 19 – Moving past the feeling of shame after having an abortion
Gail was 24 when she unexpectedly fell pregnant. She was in the middle of university, wasn’t in a great financial position, therefore decided to have an abortion. Over 10 years later, she still feels regret over her decision. In this episode Gail shares her story and talks to the lack of education around the topic of abortion.
Episode 18 – Trauma and Intimacy
In this episode of Uncomfortable, I chat with Vancouver writer Peggy Liu. Peggy and I discuss how childhood trauma and learned behaviours can affect intimacy and vulnerability in relationships.
Episode 17 – Death, Money and Shame
In this episode we chat with Andrina Tisi about the shame around money and the emotional toll an inheritance can present. Andrina lost her dad when she we just 15, then her brother just a few years ago. Even though she can live comfortable from the inheritance that was left to her, she would give it all back just to spend another 5 minutes with them.
Episode 16 – Cervical Fluid
In this episode we explore Cervical Fluids. I love this topic and am so happy that I found Jessica Roberts-Farina who is an avid fan of tracking her cervical fluids! We chat about the stigma around this topic and go into detail on the types of fluids and what they can mean.
Episode 15 – Anal Health
In this episode we explore Anal Health. Thanks to Kerin “KB” Berger Founder of Queer MEDucation who answers our questions specifically around Anal Sex, the risks involved, and how to do it safely.
Episode 14 – The Birthing Story
Jackie Chemelli shares the birthing story of bringing her beautiful twin boys into the world and the decisions she had to make during and after the birth.
Episode 13 – Loss & Grief
Megan Kwan, a Vancouver based Graphic Designer lost her mom to ovarian cancer much too early on in life. Megan’s mother Ella passed away at 52 years old. Megan turned to design to help her process grief. At her final year at Emily Carr University + Design she began Of Loss and Grief, an award winning project exploring the ongoing and very personal process of life after loss.
Episode 12 – Body Positivity
Caroline MacGillivray is the founder of Beauty Night Society, a Vancouver based organization that helps build self esteem & change the lives of impoverished women. In this episode, Caroline discusses body positivity & self care and shares her journey through bulimia as a young dancer then how she started Beauty Night Society as a way to help women and youth living in poverty build self esteem.
Episode 11 – Anxiety vs Depression
It can be difficult enough navigating through life living with one mental health diagnosis. Kirsten Barkved shares her story of living with two. Kirsten suffers from both anxiety and depression. In this episode she explains how one can trigger the other and discusses the things that help her cope – one of which is her adorable dogs.
Episode 10 – Good Girls Talk Sex
Like most young girls, Leah was taught to “be a good girl”. Study hard, pay attention, get good grades, please other people before yourself, don’t talk about sex. It wasn’t until she embarked on a 1-year freedom tour where she had a “sexual revolution” that she discovered the power of talking about sex.
Episode 9 – What to Expect at a Sex Party
Have you ever been to a sex party? Have you ever wondered what to expect, what to wear, what the rules are? If so, check out my conversation with Christine Wild who shares the juicy details of her experiences with sex parties in Vancouver!
Episode 8 – Overcoming Self-Loathing and Depression
When you meet someone who seems very happy, energetic and motivated, generally the last thing you imagine is that they suffer from self-loathing and depression. Check out my conversation with Andrea Loewen who managed to overcome self-loathing, cope with depression and learned to love herself.
Episode 7 – Sex & Disability
“Wait what? You want to have sex? I didn’t think that you could”. This is a statement that Spencer has heard numerous times. “Just because I’m disabled, doesn’t mean that I don’t get horny”. Check out my conversation with Spencer about Sex and Disability.
Episode 6 – The Male Vulnerability Issue
“Be a man”, “man up!”, “don’t cry like a girl” – just a few of the phrases often used to try and shame men into burying their emotions. In this episode, I chat with Connor Aylwin about the Male Vulnerability Issue and what we can do to change the definition of ‘masculinity’.
Episode 5 – Money & Relationships
We go on a date, we get laid, we share our intimate secrets, we move in together, we get married, we have kids but we don’t talk about money! Why the hell not? Why is it so uncomfortable to talk about money with the person that we love? In this episode, I chat to Tracy Theemes, Financial Advisor and Author of the award winning book “The Financially Empowered Women”, about the importance of having that money conversation first! (i.e. before sex!)
Update Episode – Debtalks is now Uncomfortable.
This is your official welcome to Uncomfortable the Podcast! Formally, DebTalks, we are back with a bigger, bolder, beautiful rebranded website and content.
The premise is the same as the DebTalks podcast episodes – taboo/uncomfortable topics that most of us don’t like to talk about! Listen to our quick 5 minute update and you’ll get an insight into the types of topics that we are hoping to chat about.
Episode 4 – The Reality of Your Mortality
Why are we so scared to talk about death? This is one of the questions I asked my guests Michelle Pante and Reena Lazar. Michelle and Reena co-founded WillowEoL about 1.5 years ago and are changing the conversation around death.
Episode 3 – Asexuality
Both Sarah and Christof had very different realizations when they stumbled across the label that seemed most fitting to them. Sarah felt relieved and empowered but Christof felt quite different. I’m grateful to them both for sharing their personal experiences.
Episode 2 – Arranging Love & Marriage
In this episode I chat with Priya Bangar, Founder of www.vintagematchmaking.com. Priya LOVES love and helps her clients find long term relationships. One thing that stands out about Priya’s business is that she helps with ‘arranged marriages’, a term that can be fairly controversial here in the West.
Episode 1 – Love, Sex, Relationships & Rabbit Killers
This episode was originally the first DebTalks podcast episode (prior to our rebrand). We love it so much that we want it to continue to be part of Uncomfortable. A big thanks to Jill Prescott & Andrea Hill for stepping up and being the first podcast guests. Enjoy!
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