Gail McDonald takes listeners inside one of her favourite personal-development books of all time: 17 Lies That Are Holding You Back and the Truth That Will Set You Free by Steve Chandler. In this reflective solo episode, Gail explores two powerful lies many of us repeat without realizing the impact they have on our confidence, our relationships, our habits, and our future: “That’s just the way I am” and “I’m too old for that.”

Drawing from Chandler’s insights and her own lived experiences, Gail unpacks how the stories we tell ourselves—about aging, habits, personality, and capability—can quietly shape our identity and limit our growth. She also shares practical examples from her childhood, career, and daily life that illustrate how unconscious narratives form, how they keep us stuck, and how shifting them can lead to lasting change.

This conversation is an invitation to pause, reflect, and consider: Which beliefs are truly yours, and which are old scripts you’ve outgrown?

This Conversation Covers:

• Why “that’s just the way I am” is often a self-protective story—not a truth
• How unconscious childhood programming shapes adult habits
• The difference between aging and feeling “too old,” and why perspective matters
• Real stories of people who started new careers, projects, or education later in life
• Why self-esteem is an inner practice—not something others can “hurt” or control
• The surprising emotional power of organization, habits, and early personality patterns
• How doing something—even small steps—begins to shift long-held narratives

This episode is a reminder that we are not fixed beings—we are always capable of learning, changing, and choosing differently at any age.

Books & Resources Referenced:

• 17 Lies That Are Holding You Back and the Truth That Will Set You Free — Steve Chandler
• 100 Ways to Motivate Yourself — Steve Chandler
• Atomic Habits — James Clear
• Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway — Dr. Susan Jeffers
• Work of Immanuel Kant (referenced in discussion)

Gail McDonald sits down with sisters Daria and Shawna Balas, the powerhouse founders behind SHE-Canada, a coast-to-coast platform built to support, celebrate, and elevate women-led businesses. What began as a simple acronym, Support Her Enterprise, has grown into a national movement giving women greater visibility, confidence, and community in entrepreneurship.

In this heartfelt conversation, Gail, Daria, and Shawna explore the real experiences of women in business: navigating confidence gaps, strengthening self-esteem, finding belonging, and rising together through mutual support. They discuss the challenges women face in accessing funding, building networks, and being taken seriously, and how SHE-Canada is breaking down those barriers through co-op marketing, a national directory, digital magazines, and genuine community-building.

This Conversation Covers:

• The meaning and origin of SHE—Support Her Enterprise
• The difference between confidence and self-esteem, and why both matter
• The “crown straightening” philosophy of women helping women rise
• Challenges female entrepreneurs face in visibility, connection, and financing
• How SHE-Canada’s co-op marketing model reduces costs and expands reach
• The importance of inclusive support for all women, from makers to CEOs
• How technology, community, and mentorship shape modern entrepreneurship
• Why networking remains essential for women in business

This episode is a reminder that women rise higher when they rise together, through authenticity, collaboration, and community.

SHE-Canada:

Founded by Daria Balas and Shawna Balas Website: she-canada.com

Books & Resources Referenced:

• The Tipping Point — Malcolm Gladwell
• Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway — Dr. Susan Jeffers
• Author Charles Darwin

Gail McDonald sits down with Ed Brenegar, leadership thought leader, writer, podcaster, and social catalyst, to explore what leadership really means in a time when old systems are breaking down and new models are emerging.

Ed, author of eight books and writer of The Future of Leadership on Substack, shares why leadership has nothing to do with titles and everything to do with initiative, clarity, and community. Together, they unpack how great organizations are built—not through hierarchy—but through trust, human connection, and the willingness to empower people at every level.

This conversation covers:

• Why most companies run their business but don’t truly lead
• How clarity of values, purpose, and impact transforms organizations
• The hidden leadership already happening in the “lower” levels of every company
• The Five Actions of Gratitude and why they can shift an entire culture
• Why kindness is strategic—and how to embed it into daily work
• How to help teams think clearly, innovate, and speak up
• Why “saying no” is essential for leaders
• The dangers of the Dunning–Kruger effect and how to stay curious
• How to believe in yourself without posturing or ego
• The surprising sleep routine that helped Ed write his most impactful book

Ed’s storytelling, insight, and lived experience offer a refreshing, human approach to leadership, rooted in dignity, community, and genuine impact. If you’re a leader, manager, or anyone who wants to make a difference, this episode will change how you see your role and your capacity.

Ed Brenegar:

edbrenegar.com

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Books Referenced

• Moral Ambition by Rutger Bregman
• May Your No Be a Yes by Ed Brenegar
• The Circle of Impact by Ed Brenegar
• Generational Memory: Restoring Community in the Continuity of Time (Ed’s forthcoming book; working title)