Forks

In this episode of Forks, we sit down with Vanessa Vakharia, founder of The Math Guru, bestselling author of Math Hacks and Math Therapy, and frontwoman of the indie rock band Goodnight Sunrise.After failing math twice in high school, Vanessa was convinced she “just wasn’t a math person.” Years later, she’s built a movement around proving that belief wrong — helping thousands of students (and adults) heal what she calls math trauma: the lingering shame and anxiety so many of us carry from the classroom.🎧 In this conversation, we explore:How one teacher’s belief changed Vanessa’s entire storyWhat math trauma actually is — and how it shapes confidence far beyond the classroomWhy so many girls, creative thinkers, and neurodivergent students lose trust in their abilities earlyWhat parents can do to help kids rewrite their “I’m not a math person” storyHow learning to fail in math helped Vanessa find her voice — both as an educator and as a musicianVanessa proves that the stories we tell ourselves — about math, intelligence, or who we’re supposed to be — are almost always ready to be rewritten.Follow Vanessa on Instagram @themathguru and @themathgurututoring.Learn more at themathguru.ca.Follow ForksWebsite (apply to be on the show!) - forkspod.com/contactInstagram - @forkspodFacebook - The Forks PodcastLinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/forkspodCopyrightAll content, including audio, transcripts, and other materials, is owned by the podcast creators (Alexis Hood and Amie Plourde) and cannot be reproduced or redistributed without permission.DisclaimerThe Forks podcast, available at forkspod.com, is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. The content provided is not a substitute for professional advice, and the hosts are not liable for any actions taken based on podcast discussions.By participating as a guest, individuals consent to the recording and sharing of their stories. Listener privacy is respected in line with our privacy policy, and any data collected will be handled in accordance with applicable laws such as GDPR and CCPA.For full terms and policies, please visit forkspod.com.

When career coach Lynn Unger decided to retire, she thought she was closing one chapter — but instead, she found herself facing some of the same questions she’d helped her clients navigate for years: Who am I without my work? What does success look like now?In this conversation, Lynn joins Alexis and Amie to explore how mindset shapes every turning point — from those who are forced to step away from work, to those chasing the next level of their careers, to anyone rethinking what fulfillment really means.This episode is a reminder that every transition — whether chosen or unexpected — begins not with what you do next, but how you think about change itself.Follow ForksWebsite (apply to be on the show!) - forkspod.com/contactInstagram - @forkspodFacebook - The Forks PodcastLinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/forkspodCopyrightAll content, including audio, transcripts, and other materials, is owned by the podcast creators (Alexis Hood and Amie Plourde) and cannot be reproduced or redistributed without permission.DisclaimerThe Forks podcast, available at forkspod.com, is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. The content provided is not a substitute for professional advice, and the hosts are not liable for any actions taken based on podcast discussions.By participating as a guest, individuals consent to the recording and sharing of their stories. Listener privacy is respected in line with our privacy policy, and any data collected will be handled in accordance with applicable laws such as GDPR and CCPA.For full terms and policies, please visit forkspod.com.

What happens when a professional athlete retires — and their identity goes with it? In this episode of Forks, we sit down with Rae Swire, a former Team Canada volleyball player, as she opens up about her emotional transition out of elite sport.From Olympic qualification campaigns and global competitions to parenting, counselling, and rediscovering her purpose, Rae’s story explores what it means to start over — and who you become when the game ends.Whether you’re navigating a career change, a major life pivot, or helping your child succeed in competitive sports, this conversation will move and inspire you.👉 Topics: athlete retirement, identity crisis, reinvention, parenting athletes, career transitions, women in sport, mental health, volleyball Canada, Olympic dreams, high school counsellng, team sports, parenting advice, personal growth.Follow ForksWebsite (apply to be on the show!) - forkspod.com/contactInstagram - @forkspodFacebook - The Forks PodcastLinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/forkspodCopyrightAll content, including audio, transcripts, and other materials, is owned by the podcast creators (Alexis Hood and Amie Plourde) and cannot be reproduced or redistributed without permission.DisclaimerThe Forks podcast, available at forkspod.com, is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. The content provided is not a substitute for professional advice, and the hosts are not liable for any actions taken based on podcast discussions.By participating as a guest, individuals consent to the recording and sharing of their stories. Listener privacy is respected in line with our privacy policy, and any data collected will be handled in accordance with applicable laws such as GDPR and CCPA.For full terms and policies, please visit forkspod.com.

It was supposed to be an ordinary shift in the emergency room. Instead, it sparked a revolution in healthcare.When rookie nurse Sheila Early treated her first sexual assault victim in 1970, she was armed with nothing but a 34-page instruction booklet — and a profound sense of helplessness. Two decades later, that helplessness fueled action: Sheila founded British Columbia’s first forensic nursing program, reshaping how survivors of violence are treated across Canada and beyond.In this powerful episode of Forks, Sheila shares her journey from frontline ER nurse to forensic nursing pioneer. We explore how she fought to create the province’s first Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) clinic, trained generations of forensic nurses, co-founded the Canadian Forensic Nurses Association, and helped build a system that now addresses domestic violence, child maltreatment, human trafficking, elder abuse, and more.Her work has helped thousands find justice and healing — and forged a new path in healthcare where compassion and evidence walk hand-in-hand.A story of resilience, innovation, and the courage to lead when no roadmap exists.Follow ForksWebsite (apply to be on the show!) - forkspod.com/contactInstagram - @forkspodFacebook - The Forks PodcastLinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/forkspodCopyrightAll content, including audio, transcripts, and other materials, is owned by the podcast creators (Alexis Hood and Amie Plourde) and cannot be reproduced or redistributed without permission.DisclaimerThe Forks podcast, available at forkspod.com, is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. The content provided is not a substitute for professional advice, and the hosts are not liable for any actions taken based on podcast discussions.By participating as a guest, individuals consent to the recording and sharing of their stories. Listener privacy is respected in line with our privacy policy, and any data collected will be handled in accordance with applicable laws such as GDPR and CCPA.For full terms and policies, please visit forkspod.com.

What if the fight in your marriage isn’t just about dishes, distance, or desire — but something deeper you haven’t yet faced?In this revealing episode, therapist and author Dr. Becky Whetstone joins us to talk about what really causes a marriage crisis. Drawing from her decades of work — and her own lived experience through multiple divorces — Becky shares how unhealed childhood trauma, emotional dysregulation, and silence about unmet needs can slowly erode even the strongest relationships.Dr. Becky's new book I (Think) I Want Out: What to Do When One of You Wants to End Your Marriage, is available now at major booksellers, including Amazon.ca and Amazon.com, Indigo (in Canada), Barnes & Noble and more.In this episode, we explore:Why ambivalence might be the biggest threat to a relationshipHow to break out of fight/flight/freeze and respond as your adult selfHow humility and accountability can open the door to real healingFollow Forks & Dr. Becky!Website (apply to be on the show!) - forkspod.com/contactInstagram - @forkspod & @doctorbeckyFacebook - The Forks PodcastForks on LinkedIn -Dr. Becky on LinkedInCopyrightAll content, including audio, transcripts, and other materials, is owned by the podcast creators (Alexis Hood and Amie Plourde) and cannot be reproduced or redistributed without permission.DisclaimerThe Forks podcast, available at forkspod.com, is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. The content provided is not a substitute for professional advice, and the hosts are not liable for any actions taken based on podcast discussions.By participating as a guest, individuals consent to the recording and sharing of their stories. Listener privacy is respected in line with our privacy policy, and any data collected will be handled in accordance with applicable laws such as GDPR and CCPA.For full terms and policies, please visit forkspod.com.

What does it take to walk away from a stable career, start a business with your dad, and then choose motherhood on your own terms?In this moving and empowering episode, Dana Felske shares her extraordinary journey—from leaving the banking world to co-founding FutureBook Printing, and later, becoming a single mom by choice. With honesty and clarity, Dana reveals the emotional highs and hard decisions behind both life-changing forks.From the challenges of building a business with a parent to navigating fertility clinics, donor selection, and parenting solo, Dana’s story is a testament to vision, courage, and the power of choosing your own path—even when it’s unconventional.Listen to hear:Why Dana left her corporate banking job to launch a startup with her fatherHow she made the decision to become a single mother by choiceWhat the donor selection process really looks like—and what happened when she met himThe unexpected sibling connections her daughter now hasHow Dana balances running a company with raising a daughter on her ownFollow ForksWebsite (apply to be on the show!) - forkspod.com/contactInstagram - @forkspodFacebook - The Forks PodcastLinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/forkspod#SingleMomByChoice #ChoiceMom #SoloMomLife #DonorConception #ModernMotherhood #SMCCommunity #SingleMomStrong #YearbookLife #SchoolYearbook #WomenInBusiness #Mompreneur #EntrepreneurLife #StartupStory #FamilyBusiness #PodcastForMoms #RedefiningSuccess #InspiringStories #ForksPodCopyrightAll content, including audio, transcripts, and other materials, is owned by the podcast creators (Alexis Hood and Amie Plourde) and cannot be reproduced or redistributed without permission.DisclaimerThe Forks podcast, available at forkspod.com, is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. The content provided is not a substitute for professional advice, and the hosts are not liable for any actions taken based on podcast discussions.By participating as a guest, individuals consent to the recording and sharing of their stories. Listener privacy is respected in line with our privacy policy, and any data collected will be handled in accordance with applicable laws such as GDPR and CCPA.For full terms and policies, please visit forkspod.com.

In this episode of Forks, we talk with Yash Preswalla, founder of Toronto's Impact Skate Club, about how skateboarding became his path to purpose, sobriety, and social change.Yash shares his journey from bar gigs and burnout to building one of Toronto’s most inclusive youth programs. We explore how he supports neurodivergent kids, teaches accountability with compassion, and weaves mentorship, mental health, and social justice into everything he does.Whether you’re a parent, educator, or youth advocate, this conversation is full of insights on how to raise resilient, confident young people—and show up for yourself along the way.#YashPreswalla #ImpactSkateClub #YouthMentorship #SkateboardingForChange #MentalHealthMatters #Neurodiversity #SocialJustice #TorontoYouthPrograms #ParentingPodcast #BoysMentalHealth #InclusiveEducation #SkateAndCreate #SobrietyJourney #EmpathyInActionFollow ForksWebsite (apply to be on the show!) – forkspod.com/contactInstagram – @forkspodFacebook – The Forks PodcastLinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/forkspodCopyrightAll content, including audio, transcripts, and other materials, is owned by the podcast creators (Alexis Hood and Amie Plourde) and cannot be reproduced or redistributed without permission.DisclaimerThe Forks podcast, available at forkspod.com, is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. The content provided is not a substitute for professional advice, and the hosts are not liable for any actions taken based on podcast discussions.By participating as a guest, individuals consent to the recording and sharing of their stories. Listener privacy is respected in line with our privacy policy, and any data collected will be handled in accordance with applicable laws such as GDPR and CCPA.For full terms and policies, please visit forkspod.com.

A Nurse Practitioner specializing in headache and concussion care, Christie Tait has worked in Emergency Medicine at Toronto’s SickKids and Mount Sinai, led the Headache Program at the Neurology Centre of Toronto, and now runs Structure Clinic, a pioneering practice offering comprehensive migraine treatment — from cutting-edge pharmaceuticals 💊 to mindfulness and behavioral therapies 🧘‍♀️.In this episode, Christie shares her own fork in the road: how she went from migraine sufferer to migraine specialist, and why the system is still failing so many people — especially women, dealing with this complex neurological disease.We dive into:• 🤕 Why migraines are still misunderstood and dismissed• 🔄 How hormone shifts, perimenopause, and stress play a role• 💉 The truth about Botox, CGRP inhibitors, and other modern treatments• 🧬 Why we need to reframe migraine as a neurological disease — not just “a bad headache”Whether you’re newly diagnosed, navigating chronic migraine, or supporting someone who is, this episode will shift your understanding — and offer real hope 💡🔗 Connect with Christie Tait and The Structure Clinic:Check out The Structure Clinic to learn more about Christie’s work or to book an appointment.Follow @structureclinic on Instagram for migraine education, updates, and resources.Follow ForksWebsite (apply to be on the show!) - forkspod.com/contactInstagram - @forkspodFacebook - The Forks PodcastLinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/forkspodCopyrightAll content, including audio, transcripts, and other materials, is owned by the podcast creators (Alexis Hood and Amie Plourde) and cannot be reproduced or redistributed without permission.DisclaimerThe Forks podcast, available at forkspod.com, is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. The content provided is not a substitute for professional advice, and the hosts are not liable for any actions taken based on podcast discussions.By participating as a guest, individuals consent to the recording and sharing of their stories. Listener privacy is respected in line with our privacy policy, and any data collected will be handled in accordance with applicable laws such as GDPR and CCPA.

In this episode of Forks, we sit down with Shannon Gallagher, the powerhouse entrepreneur who took a leap of faith to acquire Smithery Style, a Canadian online boutique championing body positivity. Shannon shares her journey from burnout in the corporate world to becoming the new Chief Style Smith, navigating the highs and lows of business ownership while balancing family life.In this episode of Forks, we sit down with Shannon Gallagher, the powerhouse entrepreneur who took a leap of faith to acquire Smithery Style, a Canadian online boutique championing body positivity. Shannon shares her journey from burnout in the corporate world to becoming the new Chief Style Smith, navigating the highs and lows of business ownership while balancing family life.We dive into:✅ The pivotal moment that led her to bet on herself✅ Overcoming burnout and redefining work-life balance✅ The challenges and triumphs of acquiring and rebranding a business✅ The mission behind Smithery Style and why body positivity in fashion matters✅ Why shopping small and supporting Canadian brands is more important than everIf you’re feeling stuck in your career or dreaming of taking the entrepreneurial plunge, this episode is packed with insights, inspiration, and a reminder that sometimes, you have to own the system to make it work for you.🎧 Listen now! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review!#WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #WorkLifeBalance #BodyPositivity #SmitheryStyle #WomenSupportingWomen #BetOnYourselfFollow ForksWebsite (apply to be on the show!) - forkspod.com/contactInstagram - @forkspodFacebook - The Forks PodcastLinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/forkspodCopyrightAll content, including audio, transcripts, and other materials, is owned by the podcast creators (Alexis Hood and Amie Plourde) and cannot be reproduced or redistributed without permission.DisclaimerThe Forks podcast, available at forkspod.com, is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. The content provided is not a substitute for professional advice, and the hosts are not liable for any actions taken based on podcast discussions.By participating as a guest, individuals consent to the recording and sharing of their stories. Listener privacy is respected in line with our privacy policy, and any data collected will be handled in accordance with applicable laws such as GDPR and CCPA.