We Just Like to Talk

Dr. Elaine Aron coined the term highly sensitive person to describe someone who experiences overarousal and overstimulation, often from everyday triggers. Her book distills a career’s worth of research into an accessible guide. Kara and Becky both consider themselves highly sensitive, but their sensitivity sometimes manifests in different ways. Listen to them talk about how they realized their sensitivity and what they got from reading this book.

You can also read Kara’s review of the book.

Kara and Becky chat with Montréal photographer Victoria Vonapartis. From models to food, Vic loves creative shoots—even if it means contorting herself into awkward positions sometimes! Listen to us talk about creativity, copyright, community, and everything else that a young, entrepreneurial woman needs in this day and age.

For more about Vic, check out her Instagram and her food ‘gram as well.

Kara and Becky invite Samantha Kris to discuss how her career has changed as she learns and re-evaluates her priorities. Author, TEDx speaker, Head of People & Culture at Goalcast —all of these labels might describe some of what Samantha does, but how well do they really fit her when she herself is changing so much? Listen to us talk about the pressure to have something to say, and to say it well; the ins and outs of morning routine; the best advice she's ever received and how our individual empowerment relates to our responsibility for social change.

“So, are you seeing anyone?” “So when are you going to have kids?” Becky and Kara hate these questions, and they are really tired of the pressure put on women to date and eventually have kids. They love kids and those who want to be parents! But for all the strides women have made over the last half-century, our society still conflates motherhood with womanhood and assumes that, if you’re a woman, you want kids. Listen to the perspectives of Becky, happily single for the moment in her 30s, and Kara, an asexual/aromantic trans woman who is also happily single in her 30s.

Check out Becky’s original rant in her “Podcast” Instagram highlights @beckyscotty.

We all have coworkers we don’t get along with. Some of them are merely nuisances, but others we can’t stand. Kara and Becky break down how they navigate all sorts of conflicts in the workplace. They discuss what they’ve done in the past, and they situate it within their positionality as white women. When it comes to conflict in the workplace, the battle is never over.

Kara and Becky welcome their first guest, Celina Caesar-Chavannes! You might know her from an episode back in April where Becky and Kara discussed Celina’s memoir, Can You Hear Me Now? Or you might already be a Celina fan and follow her on social media!

Celina’s socials:

• Website
• Instagram
• Twitter

Other links:

• Watch the Hon. Mumilaaq Qaqqaq’s farewell speech to the House of Commons
• Learn more about Operation Black Vote Canada

Kara and Becky have creative differences! But it’s not what you think. Simply put, they are both creative people but often in different ways. They believe everyone is creative, and in this episode, they talk about what creativity is and how it manifests for them.

Did you know Becky is Kara’s fashion guru? It’s true! And if you haven’t already checked out her blog and Insta, you probably should, because she could be your guru too. Listen to these two best friends talk about such an important part of life: how we express ourselves in what we wear. Becky and Kara have developed their sense of style in different ways over their lifetimes. They share their stories, and Becky quizzes Kara on what trends she might get into.

Kara and Becky love compliments!! They love giving them and receiving them. In this episode, they discuss how you can accept compliments, give better compliments, and why we all need more compliments—especially right now. They also discuss the gendered nature of some compliments, and why you should be careful about how you compliment some people—especially women—unless you know them well.

Welcome to another episode of Kara and Becky’s impromptu book club. This time, they talk about another birthday book that Kara gave Becky: Can You Hear Me Now, by Celina Caesar-Chavannes. This is a memoir by a Black Canadian entrepreneur, business owner, and former politician.

Trigger warnings: child abuse, miscarriage, sexual assault

See also:

• Becky’s review and Kara’s review of this book
• Kara’s review of Mediocre