The Pivot & Polish Podcast: Recent Episodes
Natalie James & Marina Billinghurst
Welcome to Pivot & Polish - a podcast for entrepreneurs, business owners, creatives, and dreamers who want to lean into all that is possible.
We are your co-hosts, Natalie and Marina. We are friends and business owners living at opposite ends of the country but connected with a purpose.
As business owners, people like to focus on the high points, the pretty exterior, or as many like to put it - the highlight reel. But for anyone who has built a business they know that there is always more to their story.
Each week we will bring you inspiring interviews with people from all walks of life who will share their stories of success, struggle and perseverance.
Pivot and Polish symbolizes what it means to celebrate our wins and to acknowledge our losses. We will get vulnerable alongside our guests as we share the real stories, from humble beginnings to the challenges and sacrifices required to navigate life and business.
We believe that the power of storytelling can empower and inspire others. We hope to help our listeners to reframe the stories that hold them back and keep them small.
And above all, we hope our listeners will see through the stories of others, that their dreams are possible too.
In this episode co-hosts Natalie and Marina reflect on an amazing first season and what they have planned for season two. This friend duo share a glimpse of their personal journeys and hint at some exciting announcements coming soon!
Follow Natalie James at @im.nataliejames and Marina Billinghurst at @artofmarina
The Pivot & Polish Podcast at @pivotandpolishpodcast
Lindsay Tompkins is a career and confidence coach who believes the secret sauce to success in life is the courage to be vulnerable.
Through her various programs and speaking engagements, Lindsay helps her clients and customers build organic growth, leads, and sales online while becoming a super attractor.
Lindsay is also a passionate advocate for self-love and shares her journey with her loyal community over social media.
After feeling pressure, criticism, and negativity that social media can often bring, Lindsay made the decision to step away from the spotlight and gave up social media for one year. With a new perspective, many boundaries, and renewed focus, Lindsay is back and here to share what she learned about herself and the platforms that we all find ourselves consumed with.
Lindsay definitely has the courage to be vulnerable. In this episode, she shares her views and experience with diet culture, her sexuality, coping with negative and hurtful comments online, the negative impact social media can have on relationships with friends and family, and so much more!
Lindsay is engaging, educational, hilarious and so relatable and we know you are going to love her and all the wisdom she is sharing with us today.
Connect with Lindsay on Instagram @_lindsaytompkins on her website at www.lindsaytompkins.com
The Pivot & Polish Podcast Co-Hosts, Marina Billinghurst & Natalie James
Podcast Art by Marina Billinghurst | Art of Marina | @artofmarina
Podcast Produced by Natalie James | James & Co. Media Group | @im.nataliejames
Andrea Parker is a former police detective turned Human Potential Coach.
As the Founder and CEO of AP Coaching, she works with inspiring, driven, and fun individuals to help them live a life that they are so in love with!
In this episode, Andrea shares her personal story of strength and perseverance. We talk about being an overachiever, overcoming limiting beliefs, hiding her sexuality, and retraining our subconscious mind. Andrea shares how she found the tools she needed to live her life authentically and create a new career that helps others do the same.
Andrea is an accredited International Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and holds certifications in leading-edge mind-body techniques, including the Heart Freedom Method.
As a highly sought-after coach, Andrea’s client list includes Professors, Doctors, Entrepreneurs, Professional Athletes, and Emmy Award-Winning Producers.
Andrea is a renowned international speaker, and her insights have been featured in documentaries, transformational podcasts, and Jack Canfield’s upcoming book.
You can follow/work with Andrea below:
Free So In Love With Your Life Session https://andreaparkercoaching.as.me/SO-IN-LOVE-WITH-YOUR-LIFE-SESSION
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreaparkercoaching
Website: www.andreaparkercoaching.com
The Pivot & Polish Podcast Co-Hosts, Marina Billinghurst & Natalie James
Podcast Art by Marina Billinghurst | Art of Marina | @artofmarina
Podcast Produced by Natalie James | James & Co. Media Group | @im.nataliejames
Molly Dare Hillenbrand is an entrepreneur, PR Maven, and Media Personality known for her company, Hillenbrand Media and she recently launched Podcast On Air with Molly Dare.
In this episode we talk about finding purpose through adversity, battling illness as a child, becoming an entrepreneur, divorce, starting over, and the power in sharing our stories and the stories of others.
Known for her powerhouse PR skills, Molly Dare Hillenbrand founded HillenBRAND Media in 2017, promoting entrepreneurs, business owners, and media personalities through filmed social media segments, on-camera interviews, and podcast episodes of On Air with Molly Dare.
Molly is also known for her work both in front of and behind, the camera. She has hosted and produced multiple nationwide segments for the ‘Eye On’ channel, providing viewers with insight happening in their city, while simultaneously giving brands exposure to viewers across the country.
Undoubtedly, Molly’s biggest passion and most important role in life is being a single mom to her two talented and beautiful daughters, Carolyn and Sophie.
You can follow along with Molly’s life, business, and podcast @mollydare, @onairwithmollydare, and @hillenbrandmedia on Instagram.
The Pivot & Polish Podcast Co-Hosts, Marina Billinghurst & Natalie James
Podcast Art by Marina Billinghurst | Art of Marina | @artofmarina
Podcast Produced by Natalie James | James & Co. Media Group | @im.nataliejames
Jessica Zweig is an entrepreneur, personal branding expert, CEO + Founder of SimplyBe. Agency, published author, podcast host, international speaker, and women empowerer.
Jessica exudes authentically, but it wasn’t always that way. Through most of her 20s, Jessica struggled with body dysmorphia, romantic codependency, massively low self-esteem, and thousands of dollars of credit card debt. It took a lot of therapy, deep spiritual journeys, self-work, and most of all, self-responsibility to finally realize that she was out of alignment with her true self and that she didn’t have to be everything to everyone. And in fact, doing that was robbing her of living her best life.
So instead, Jessica decided to zero in on who she was at her core and let that woman shine—a world-traveling big-thinking visionary with goddess energy and a superpower for helping others discover their unique essence. Jessica created her own personal brand and realized that when she started showing up as her every day, her whole world changed.
It soon dawned on Jessica that she needed to share this with others. And in 2014, her personal branding company, SimplyBe. Agency, was born.
Now Jessica works with her team of rock stars to help their clients—which include the gamut of powerhouse individuals and execs to big corporations— identify their unique intrinsic value. Their mission? When you set yourself free to Simply Be, you set the world free.
Jessica’s book “Be. - A No-Bullsh*t Guide to Increasing Your Self Worth and Net Worth by Simply Being Yourself,” you’ll learn how to finally embrace your shit. You know - all the stuff you think you need to hide? That’s actually your gold! Once you unapologetically own your story, and more importantly, share your story, your life and career become truly unstoppable. Jessica’s book is going to teach you step-by-step how to uncover your authenticity and create an actionable, tangible plan to bring it to life and inspire you to finally start living the life you deserve to live.
You can follow Jessica on Instagram at @jessicazweig or on her website www.jessicazweig.com Jessica also has a successful podcast called The Simply Be. Podcast.
The Pivot & Polish Podcast Co-Hosts, Marina Billinghurst & Natalie James
Podcast Art by Marina Billinghurst | Art of Marina | @artofmarina
Podcast Produced by Natalie James | James & Co. Media Group | @im.nataliejames
In this episode of The Pivot & Polish Podcast, we have a beautiful conversation with Natalie Kehren. We discuss her journey and what led her to create a business derived from her personal experience with trauma and her innate spiritual gifts. Natalie believes we all have the ability to reach our highest potential possible and from there, honour ourselves by creating a life we truly wish to live.
Natalie Kehren is the founder of Holistic World, co-founder, and creator of The Wellness Market, the creator and mentor of the 8-week program Healing to Begin: Breaking Through to Rise, and a leader in the wellness community.
With a background in Holistic Health with certification as a C.N.H.P, a Creatrix of Sacred Women’s Circles, and as a Spiritual Director, her personal and professional journey led her to focus on energetics.
Energetics has the ability to strongly impact anyone's life once you have the knowledge. Because of her psychic ability’s life pulled her in this direction. Learning to accept, master, and expand her abilities has allowed her to share and teach other women how to do the same.
Although it is a fully rounded gift, it comes specifically with the gift of channeling and being able to see anyone's emotional and spiritual pain. This gift gives Natalie the unique insight needed to help women heal, grow and arrive at their highest potential.
Natalie is deeply inspired by all the women she works with, seeing their strength and witnessing their journey of discovering their own unique empowerment is the reason she no longer shy’s away from sharing her spiritual gift with the world.
Natalie’s goal is to show women how incredible they are. How worthy they are of everything this world has to offer. She helps her clients navigate the pain and trauma, showing them that everything is possible and they can become the creator of their life- fully and authentically.
Creating a loving and supportive community where everyone can be supported and welcomed has always been a huge intention for Natalie, this is evident through the Wellness Market in Toronto and the heartfelt community she is building online.
You can follow Natalie below:
Natalie Kehren on Instagram @natalie.kehren
The Wellness Market on Instagram @thewellnessmrkt
Website: Holistic World Healing
The Pivot & Polish Podcast Co-Hosts, Marina Billinghurst & Natalie James
Podcast Art by Marina Billinghurst | Art of Marina | @artofmarina
Podcast Produced by Natalie James | James & Co. Media Group | @im.nataliejames
Athenas Angulo is a Mexican-Canadian Blogger and Content Creator, Marketing Strategist, Business Owner, as well as a proud mother of two.
With a deep passion for wellness and all things related to motherhood, she has been able to grow her Instagram audience to 50K in the last 4 years.
She founded her lifestyle brand in 2017, Athenas is a creative director of curated content who helps people and mothers become better versions of themselves with workshops, coaching, and more.
Athenas arrived in Canada from Mexico in her early 20s with very little money, no English, zero opportunities, but a bag full of drive and gratitude. In today's episode, Athenas shares with us her struggle with body image, starting over in a new country, motherhood, manifesting opportunities, and her mother's terrifying abduction.
Follow Athenas:
IG: @athenasangulo
Website: www.athenasangulo.com
The Pivot & Polish Podcast Co-Hosts, Marina Billinghurst & Natalie James
Podcast Art by Marina Billinghurst | Art of Marina | @artofmarina
Podcast Produced by Natalie James | James & Co. Media Group | @im.nataliejames
Jane Stoller (a.k.a. Organized Jane) is a Swiss-Canadian life-biz organizer, speaker, author, and university instructor whose passion is in decluttering spaces and organizing business processes.
Jane wrote her first book in 2016 to help friends get more organized. It ultimately gained international attention, and this allowed Jane to turn her passion into a profitable business, Organized Jane.
Jane’s global reach has helped thousands gain clarity and get organized with her critically acclaimed books, Organizing For Your Lifestyle: Adaptable Inspirations from socks to suitcases and Decluttering for Dummies (Wiley Publishing). Additionally, Jane has created a sought-after Business Booster course that helps business owners cut through the clutter and gain back their time. Jane sits on the Forbes Business Council and has been featured on numerous talk shows, podcasts, and magazines.
With a proven track record in both the corporate and entrepreneurial realms, Jane has spent the last decade helping unprofitable businesses become profitable. Not only do Jane’s strategies impact her clients’ work environments, but their personal lives as well, as all organizing processes start with the closet.
Jane also lectures at Vancouver Island University in Canada for part of the year, helping students learn management skills.
Prior to launching her organizing business, Jane received both a Masters in International Business from the University of Hertfordshire, and an MBA from Vancouver Island University. She went on to work for the largest cement company in the world, which allowed her to live all over North America and Europe. Jane had an invaluable experience, but decided to make a nerve-wracking jump to entrepreneurship after realizing she wanted to live life to its fullest and follow her passion for organizing. Jane is currently writing her third book, teaching, working with individual and corporate clients, and can be found at various speaking events.
Jane also aims to give back to businesses and organizations in her local communities through her passion for education. She is doing pro-bono work for ONE TO ONE, A Children’s Literacy Program, by helping them restructure and improve their internal processes, and assisting indigenous children with their schooling on Vancouver Island and the Sea to Sky corridor.
Connect with Jane on various social platforms below:
https://www.instagram.com/organizedjane/ https://www.facebook.com/OrganizingJane/ https://twitter.com/OrganizingJane https://www.youtube.com/c/JaneStoller https://www.linkedin.com/in/janestoller https://www.youtube.com/c/JaneStoller?sub_confirmation=1 https://www.organizedjane.com/
The Pivot & Polish Podcast Co-Hosts, Marina Billinghurst & Natalie James
Podcast Art by Marina Billinghurst | Art of Marina | @artofmarina
Podcast Produced by Natalie James | James & Co. Media Group | @im.nataliejames
“Woo Woo Without the Cuckoo” is Lori Simeunovic's (a.k.a. Tarot Lori) motto. Through grace and humour, she is on a mission to enlighten, inspire & empower with tarot.
Lori has been reading tarot for over 30 years, helping clients all around the world discover their purpose and reach their potential, while facing challenges with clarity and courage.
Lori is passionate about using her skills and experience to help clients uncover the secret weapon they didn’t know they needed (and already had).
Lori is the real deal, we guarantee you will love her! Everyone walks away from Lori's readings feeling energized, inspired, and empowered to take action—from baby steps to big leaps.
Lori provides personal, group, and corporate tarot readings, you can follow her on Instagram for daily card pulls, links below.
www.tarotlori.com Instagram: @tarot.lori FB: @tarotlori
Podcast Co-Hosts, Marina Billinghurst & Natalie James
Podcast Art by Marina Billinghurst | Art of Marina | @artofmarina
Podcast Produced by Natalie James | James & Co. Media Group | @im.nataliejames
Vicky Milner is a distinguished entrepreneur with extensive experience in an array of industries including fashion retail, music, entertainment, and non-profit management. An avid philanthropist with over 10 years of experience in the event business; Vicky has founded and executed many large-scale events for notable brands, including Universal Music Group and the Herbie Fund. Vicky’s strong business acumen, passionate outlook on the fashion industry, and belief in celebrating Canada and its amazing talent make her an exceptional leader for CAFA.
When it comes to fashion, Canada suffers from something of an inferiority complex. More often than not, it is only when Canadian actors, producers, and designers find success in the United States or Europe that we really start to champion them as our own. But what if it wasn’t that way? What if we shouted our Canadian creatives from the rooftops, long before international countries ever took notice?
That is a reality that Vicky Milner wants to live in. It is a reality she is cultivating.
As president and co-founder of the Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards (CAFA), Vicky has her finger on the pulse of the Canadian fashion landscape. And while the annual CAFA gala is a spectacular event where brands are honoured with awards, the event has evolved into an incredible networking tool for the stylists, makeup artists, photographers, models, buyers, and of course designers who make up Canada’s fashion sector.
CAFA was created to celebrate outstanding achievement and emerging talent in the Canadian fashion industry. Mandated to grow a stronger appreciation of Canadian talent both at home and abroad, the goal of CAFA as a national platform is to foster the next generation of Canadian talent through an annual awards show and year-round economic development initiatives.
CAFA is set to host its seventh annual Awards Gala virtually on Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 – a unique evening that unites Canadian talent and fashion leaders from all over the world. Honouring established and emerging designers, models, image-makers, stylists, beauty artists, and influencers, the Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards has established itself as a premier event in the Canadian fashion industry.
This year’s event is a free virtual event, open for anyone to participate.
For more information about CAFA or to join the awards show, visit www.cafawards.com
Vicky Milner on Instagram @vickymilner6
CAFA on Instagram @cafawards
Podcast Co-Hosts, Marina Billinghurst & Natalie James
Podcast Art by Marina Billinghurst | Art of Marina | @artofmarina
Podcast Produced by Natalie James | James & Co. Media Group | @im.nataliejames
Doug Bopst is an award-winning personal trainer, author, speaker, and business owner. His journey to get to where he is today wasn't easy. A former felon and drug addict who was on a dangerous downward spiral, he was arrested and sentenced to months in jail after being found guilty of “possession with intent to sell.”
Doug chose to use his time locked in that small cell to beat his demons and reinvent himself. Thanks to a combination of faith, family, and fitness, Doug has channeled his adversity and is now paying it forward, helping others improve their health and wellness.
Doug hosts a very successful podcast, called The Adversity Advantage, and has written three books: “From Felony to Fitness to Free,” “Faith Family Fitness” and his newest book, “The Heart of Recovery,” where he interviewed roughly 50 of the most inspiring individuals who have beat addiction from of all walks of life with hopes of helping others get into recovery.
You can connect with Doug on his many social platforms, links below.
www.dougbopst.com
Instagram @dougbopst
Twitter @dougbopst
Podcast - The Adversity Advantage
Doug's Books
Podcast Co-Hosts, Marina Billinghurst & Natalie James
Podcast Art by Marina Billinghurst | Art of Marina | @artofmarina
Podcast Produced by Natalie James | James & Co. Media Group | @im.nataliejames
At age 38, Amberly Lago’s life was turned upside down. Hit by an SUV while riding her motorcycle, 34 surgeries to save her leg from amputation, and diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome dubbed “the suicide disease,” she knows about how to strengthen resilience because she has lived it. She is a leading expert in the transformation and health and wellness and has been a certified personal trainer, NSCA- CPT, and health coach for 24 years. She shares her passion for turning tragedies into triumphs at exclusive workshops, public events, corporate summits, and schools. She offers a carefully curated set of practical tools to teach others how to tap into their superpower of resilience and persevere through any of life’s challenges. She offers hope and solutions for anyone feeling stuck or living in chronic pain and has been featured on NBC’s TODAY Show, Hallmark Channel, TEDx, The Doctors, Good Morning Lalaland, and featured in magazines such as Health, Fit Pregnancy, Shape, and Disability Magazine. She is a Texan living in California with her husband and two children and is out to change the world.
Amberly Lago is a health and wellness coach, TEDx speaker, podcaster, and a leading expert in the field of resilience and transformation. She is the best-selling author of “True Grit and Grace” and empowers people around the world by sharing her story of how she turned a tragedy into triumph.
Through her book, coaching methods, and workshops she has curated unique tools to teach others how to tap into their superpower of resilience and persevere through any of life’s challenges. She offers hope and solutions for anyone (like her) living in chronic pain to live life to the fullest.
Connect with Amberly:
Https://www.instagram.com/amberlylagomotivation
Https://www.facebook.com/AmberlyLagoSpeaker/
Https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberlylago/
Https://twitter.com/amberlylago
Http://www.youtube.com/c/AmberlyLagoMotivation
Podcast Co-Hosts, Marina Billinghurst & Natalie James
Podcast Art by Marina Billinghurst | Art of Marina | @artofmarina
Podcast Produced by Natalie James | James & Co. Media Group | @im.nataliejames
Jessica Matten is an Indigenous Canadian Actress of Red River Metis-Cree descent who has made it her mission to change Indigenous representation through her work on and off the screen.
Jessica is the star and Associate Producer of the new critically acclaimed Crime Drama "Tribal" on APTN Network, and stars in Discovery Canada & Netflix's TV show "Frontier," starring Jason Momoa. She also stars in the new CW Network and CBC drama alongside Kristin Kruek in "Burden of Truth" and the upcoming comic adaptation movie "The Empty Man" for Disney/20th Century Fox studios. Jessica is also set to guest star in John Wells and Margot Robbie's Netflix show "Maid" this 2021 on Netflix.
Besides acting, Jessica runs an Indigenous wellness and fitness company with her family called Lemon Cree, where they have helped thousands of Indigenous people achieve their fitness, wellness, and health goals. She also runs the viral campaign #N8Vgirls to help spread awareness globally on the issue of murdered and missing Indigenous women in Canada.
Jessica Matten has spent her whole life facilitating Indigenous Youth Workshops across Canada and continues to do so through her programs with www.lemoncree.com
Connect with Jessica Matten:
www.jessicamatten.com
www.lemoncree.com
Instagram @jessicamatten
Podcast Art and graphics by Marina Billinghurst | Art of Marina @artofmarina
Podcast Produced by Natalie James | James & Co. Media Group
@im.nataliejames
Founder of A Walk In My Stilettos, Makini Smith, is an award-winning entrepreneur. She has successfully crafted a business in personal development as a mindset coach helping women reach their goals, a certified Proctor Gallagher consultant for her mentor Bob Proctor, and 4-time published author.
Her first book is titled "A Walk In My Stilettos: How To Get Through The Struggle With Grace" with the foreword written by Linda Proctor (wife of Bob Proctor), her second book "A Walk In My Stilettos: 111 Affirmations To Help You Heal" was inspired by the encouragement of her readers. Makini created her third book "A Walk In My Stilettos: The Gratitude Journal" to share her success tools with other women which was followed by "The Couples Gratitude Journal".
She is also the host of, the 5 stars rated, A Walk In My Stilettos Podcast for women looking for the tools and motivation to conquer their fears, own their story and strengthen their resilience muscle.
Her passion to improve the quality of people’s lives includes making an impact in which she contributes her time spreading awareness of mindset, providing expertise on media platforms globally. She's been seen on Chatelaine, xoNecole, iHeart Radio, CBC, Vice News, a billboard in Times Square and much more. Makini has been nominated for the RBC Women Entrepreneur Awards 2018,2019 & 2020 as well as the Peoples Choice Awards for Best Black Canadian Podcaster.
You can connect with Makini at:
www.awalkinmystilettos.com
Instagram @therealmakinismith
Podcast artwork by Marina Billinghurst | Art of Marina
Podcast produced by Natalie James | James and Co. Media Group
Sara Schulting-Kranz is a Professional Coach, Wilderness Guide, author, TEDx Speaker, Executive Producer of "Walk Through This", a documentary feature in the production of her healing journey in nature, and a single mom of three amazing sons.
As a multiple trauma survivor, Sara coaches individual men and women through their own life-shifting journeys of healing and transformation. When not working with individual clients, you will find her guiding transformational coaching, hiking, adventure, meditation, and breathwork retreats in the Grand Canyon and mountains of Southern California.
Sara’s book, WALK THROUGH THIS: Harness the Healing Power of Nature and Travel the Road to Forgiveness, is available was published this past November by Harper Horizon and is available through Barnes and Nobel, Amazon, and other fine bookstores. The documentary, WALK THROUGH THIS: A Story of Starting Over, has filmed in Black Earth, WI, Los Angeles, CA, and in the Grand Canyon, with an expected release date of Fall, 2021.
Links: Website: https://www.saraschultingkranz.com/
free meditations download: saraschultingkranz.com/meditations
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saraschultingkranz/
Facebook: Sara Schulting-Kranz / Live Boldly Purchase Book: https://www.saraschultingkranz.com/walk-through-this/ Documentary: https://www.walkthroughthis.com/
Collaboration with @bekindhumankind - a new line from My Saint My Hero. Each bracelet is handmade in the village of Kampala, Uganda by offering sustainable work for women and providing a safe educational environment to children.
Artwork Illustrations by Marina Billinghurst, Art of Marina.
Podcast Produced by Natalie James, James & Co. Media Group.
Michelle is the fourth of six children from a Chilean-Canadian family. Born in Calgary, she grew up in Toronto and Vancouver. After studying Theatre and Classical Literature at the University of Toronto, Michelle went on to pursue a career in theatre and film.
Michelle stars on the hit CBC series, “Heartland”, where she plays the character Lou Fleming, the prodigal daughter who returns to Heartland from New York after her mother’s death.
With over 15 years of experience acting in film and television under her let, Michelle Morgan has enthusiastically begun a trajectory towards directing and writing. Her first short film, “Mi Madre, My Father” (2017), was selected by Telefilm for the “Not Short on Talent at Cannes” for the Cannes Film Festival short film corner. Recently, Michelle directed three episodes of the new CBC digital series “Hudson”, a spin-off of the long-running series “Heartland”. Michelle’s second short film, “Save Yourself”, is a romantic comedy set on the beaches of Torino, BC. Recently, Michelle was selected to join the Women in the Director’s Chair, Story & Leadership Program where she will develop her feature film project, a post-apocalyptic western titled “The Plains”.
You can connect with Michelle on Instagram @michellemorgan_
Welcome to The Pivot & Polish Podcast.
Each week we will bring you inspiring interviews with people from all walks of life who will share their stories of success, struggle, and perseverance. We discuss everything from humble beginnings to the challenges and sacrifices required to navigate life and business.
We believe that the power of storytelling can empower and inspire others. We hope our listeners come away believing that their dreams are possible.