After a long hiatus, Marc and Lucinda are back – and a LOT has changed.

In this episode, the hosts reunite in the studio to share some huge life and business updates: They've both been quietly navigating pregnancy (well Lucinda and Marc's fiancé!)

They're both expecting baby boys (Marc's baby boy was born a week after this was recorded!) And they're both figuring out what entrepreneurship + parenthood + work–life balance actually looks like in real time.

They talk honestly about:

- Unexpected pregnancies (including being told kids "weren't in the cards")

- Terrifying first trimesters, extreme exhaustion, and baby brain

- The pressure entrepreneurs feel around maternity leave and "getting a real job"

- Why flexibility is the new currency for parents

- Big wins for BNV Media and Lucinda's Leadership Foundations program

🎧 If you're an entrepreneur, parent, or leader trying to juggle it all, this one's for you.

Show notes:

00:00 - Introduction

02:15 - Marc's and Lucy's big news

03:08 - Rough pregnancy, 6–8 weeks barely leaving bed, trying to schedule the episode, and being forced to learn prioritization.

05:00 - Sleep deprivation, partners stepping up, and the reality of pregnancy exhaustion vs the "just get your rest now" comments.

07:18 - The fear spiral: "Do I need to go get a "real" job?"

09:09 - Why flexibility matters more than salary for new parents, working from home, optimism vs reality, and choosing to believe it will all work out.

13:33 - Studio babies, bringing kids to work, the flexibility of being your own boss

14:49 - Baby brain stories

16:38 - Exhaustion and first trimester challenges

20:26 - Perspective: not letting money, stress and "adulting" ruin "the most magical experience of your life."

21:22 - Marc's BNV update

30:28 - Lucinda's year: incorporating, niching into automotive, and rolling out sales training for the second largest dealer group in Canada.

47:32 - Marc on fatherhood, perspective, and purpose

49:35 - Motivation vs discipline

Kickstart Connections is back, and host Marc Boudreau welcomes Jon Mann (the first ever guest of BNV Media's first podcast Brand New View!) — filmmaker, storyteller, and creator of the award-winning short film Popsy, based on a Stephen King story.

Popsy is being honoured next week at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures where the Academy will be honouring 5 Stephen King shorts that were created through the Dollar Baby program.

Marc and Jon dig into the creative process behind horror filmmaking, why fear connects audiences universally, and how Mann's Atlantic roots helped shape his voice. Jon also teases his latest project, Sweetie — a new horror feature exploring the next chapter of his storytelling evolution.

Jon Mann is a Canadian writer-director and producer whose work spans narrative, documentary, and television. His 2018 Stephen King adaptation Popsy was selected as one of only six films to screen at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures' celebration of the 47-year history of the Dollar Baby program, where he was the sole Canadian filmmaker featured. Mann's projects have premiered at festivals worldwide, earned dozens of awards, and include credits across film, music videos, and series development for Canadian broadcasters.

Show notes:

0:00 – The return of Kickstart Connections

2:00 – Revisiting Popsy seven years later

6:00 – The legend of Stephen King's Dollar Baby Program

10:00 – From Fredericton to New York Film Academy

18:00 – Getting emails from @theoscars

27:00 – Why horror still matters

40:00 – What's next: Sweetie and the future of Canadian horror

44:00 – Jon's best advice for filmmakers and entrepreneurs

What happens when three women in automotive come together to talk candidly about careers, leadership, and breaking down industry barriers? You get a bold, honest, and inspiring conversation - and that's exactly what this episode delivers.

In this special Women's Month episode of Kickstart Connections, Lucinda is joined by Jessi Kessel and Farah Mohammed of Beepzz - a bold new HR platform designed to connect top talent with employers in the automotive industry.

We dive into what's changed in the industry over the past five years, especially post-pandemic, and explore the evolving role of women in automotive careers. From breaking down the myths we grew up hearing, to discussing what women really want in executive roles and sharing advice for anyone considering a career in auto, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and honest conversation.

We also explore what the industry needs to do to attract and retain more women, and how platforms like Beepzz are helping to reshape the future of automotive hiring.

Whether you're in the industry or just love hearing women challenge the status quo, this is one you won't want to miss.

Connect with Beepzz:

Website: www.beepzz.ca

Jessi: jessik@beepzz.ca

Farah: farahm@beepzz.ca

Instagram & Facebook: @beepzzcanada

Connect with Lucinda:

Website: www.kickstartconsulting.ca

lucinda@kickstartconsulting.ca