Finding the Light: Recent Episodes
Finding the Light
We are Karlie and Nicole - lifelong friends for 20 years, mothers, mental health and wellness advocates. Here we will share real, honest stories and conversations together, and with others. We invite you to join us in finding the light despite all of the darkness.
This episode is very emotional and heavy for me so if you are not in a headspace to listen to it that’s ok. I talk about recent deaths in my life. I hope this episode will honor them and help people come together to love and support each other. I love you all. Thanks for listening
I’m back. This episode is about finding my voice and learning how to advocate for myself and others medically. I’m happy to be back. As always thank you for being here 😊
This week Karlie is joined by one of her best friends and now roommates Camerone. Their friendship is truly unique and special so tune in to hear more about it!
In this episode Karlie, Nicole, and Amanda (Nicole’s sister) talk about the project the sisters have been working on the last couple of weeks! Together they are opening a studio space in Stony Plain, AB for photography, events, and pop up markets.
You may know Tracey Jazmin as a talented photographer but over the years she has elevated her business to become so much more. She now works with creative entrepreneurs as a certified neurolinguistic programming mindset + business coach. In this episode she shares all about the big shifts she’s made in her business and how she helps women realize, and in turn, live out their fullest potential.
Finally reunited — after seven long months Nicole flew to Dallas to visit Karlie. In this episode Karlie shares about the reality of her chronic illnesses and we talk about our time together. Nicole shares how eye opening visiting Karlie was in many different ways.
Rhianne from @rhi_organize joins us to chat all things organization. She shares what inspired her to start her business, why she feels so passionately about helping others with organization, and how she feels organization can positively affect our mental health. We also talk #momlife and the ever elusive "balance". Lastly, Rhianne shares her tips for staying organized as a busy mom.
“The treasures of this world are not diamonds and gold, the treasures of this world are you and I.” Sonja Deklerk, a fine jewellery designer and podcast host in the Edmonton area, shares her powerful story of being a suicide survivor in every sense. She has found the purpose in her pain by sharing her story and the connection it brings with others. Connect with Sonja on Instagram — @morethangold_bysonja and @morethangold_thepodcast.
This was such a fun episode to catch up with the three best friends! We talk about childhood, our teenage years and how Danielle married her high school sweetheart. We discuss their relationship, marriage and becoming parents to their adorable daughter Rennley! They also are waiting on baby Clark number 2 coming in September and we could not be more excited for them!
We are honoured to have YEG Psychologist and creator of @theteaonbirthtrauma Teela Tomassetti join us to discuss all things birth trauma. Teela shares her own traumatic birth story along with so much compassionate advice and insight for trauma survivors.
Happy Mothers Day to all of our listeners! In todays episode we honour our own mothers and all of the mothers who played a role in raising us.
In this episode Nicole and Karlie had such a great time talking to Jaime Innis! Jaime brings such an amazing energy to the episode as she talks about running a business, motherhood, and the importance of date night. Jaime gives great insight on how to avoid burnout and why prioritizing yourself before pouring into others is so important. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we do.
It is National Infertility Awareness Week. 🤍 We are honoured to have former FTL guest, Lindsay join us in this episode, along with Madison, creator of @sunnysideupnyc. Madison is the founder of a powerful support community for those struggling with infertility, pregnancy loss, and premature birth. Together they share their personal stories, how to find support if you are struggling, and how to support a loved one who may be facing infertility. Connect with Lindsay @lifewithlindsayb and Madison @sunnysideupnyc.
Danielle Sykes, mom of two and grade one teacher, joins us in today’s episode. She shares how her teaching background has impacted how she parents, many helpful examples of language she uses with her children, and how important play is for little ones. Danielle says she’s just doing her best as a Mom but we think she’s doing an incredible job and we are honoured to learn from her!
In this episode Karlie and Nicole talk all things body image and how complicated everything that comes with that can be. Nicole shares about the nutrition program she’s currently following and how she’s feeling, while Karlie can bring a unique perspective living in a chronically ill body.
Karlie and Nicole chat all things parenting — parenting with a partner, putting respectful parenting into practice, listening to your intuition when it comes to parenting, and more. Thanks for listening!
Karlie puts together a surprise episode for Nicole’s 30th birthday! Karlie shares birthday messages from Nicole’s friends and family, the things she loves about Nicole, and favourite memories of our friendship over the past 20+ years.
Cameron joins Karlie to share her story of Chronic illness. They discuss the impact it has in so many different aspects of life. Despite many dark, difficult times, including losing both parents at a young age, Cam shares how she advocates for herself and others in the Chronic illness community.
Kayla Patrick, Nicole’s cousin, joins the podcast to share her story of persevering through pain with faith. Kayla vulnerably opens up about her first marriage and divorce, season of depression, and devastating miscarriages in her second marriage. All the while noticing signs in her life that lead her to the beautiful family she has today.
Karlie and Nicole are both Bachelor franchise fans. Each week we usually spend some time discussing the latest episode. In this podcast episode we chat about the current season which leads us into a conversation about kindness and how one small act can be so impactful. Then alternatively how an unkind act can also be impactful in a negative way and how we are learning to respond to those experiences. You know we always like to go deep! Thanks for listening!
It’s Karlie’s turn to answer Nicole’s questions! In this episode Karlie shares about her childhood and friendships, becoming a young mom, the moment she realized she wouldn’t live a “normal” life, some extremely hard moments she’s had as a chronically ill mother, and what she feels passionately about in life right now.
Karlie interviews Nicole to give a better idea of who she is outside of being a mother. We talk about growing up in a small town together, how Nicole got involved with coaching, Nicole’s current #6amselfloveclub, and how she met her husband Rob.
Nicole’s son is one!!! As we celebrate this milestone we reflect on all of the lessons learned in Nicole’s first year of being a mother. Most of which Karlie can also relate to having two school aged boys.
In this episode Karlie shares how she met her husband Kevin and how they survived the difficult times in their relationship. She is open and honest about their struggles and triumphs of navigating marriage.
Karlie and Nicole discuss navigating social media and boundaries during this uniquely challenging time. We chat about some of our own struggles with social media consumption, how that impacts our family life, and how we are setting boundaries to protect our mental health. We also celebrate 1,500 plays of the podcast with a fun giveaway!
Two of three members of Adams + Co., Janine (Nicole’s sister) and Brittany, join us in this episode. Adams + Co. is a small business creating lifestyle products with a focus on sustainability and community. Janine and Brittany share about the power of community, pivoting during a pandemic, being in business with friends, and advice on starting your own business. Find Adams + Co. @adams.and.company on Instagram and listen for an exclusive FTL code!
Another amazing guest! In this episode Rachael Truckey shares about her roles as a nurse and a network marketing small business owner, how they meld together in her life, and how they've impacted the way she thinks about her own self worth (something she is continuously working on). You can connect with Rachael on Instagram at @sunandmoonessentialoils.
Karlie’s sister, Nicole, a soon to be Registered Provisional Psychologist joins us in this powerful episode. Nicole shares so much valuable information including how to advocate for more accessible mental health care, supporting a loved one through mental health struggles, where to start when you feel overwhelmed with your mental health, finding the right therapist for you and more. If you would like to contact Nicole directly you can email her at nicole@weirpsych.com. We have included crisis hotline information for Albertans on our Instagram account @findingthelightapodcast under the highlight “mental health resources”.
Happy New Year! We are back and talking all about goal setting. But maybe not how you’d think… In this episode Karlie and Nicole discuss focusing on how you want to FEEL instead of setting goals without meaning in the new year.
We just want to wish you a Merry Christmas a Happy New Year and a Holiday season full of love and happiness ❤
Sometimes it’s hard to come up with a title for these episodes as we cover so much and one thing tends to flow into the next! In this weeks episode we (Karlie and Nicole) discuss everything from our own recent struggles with therapy, supporting a new mother (or anyone who needs it), and parenting when it comes to emotions and body image. The Instagram account Nicole references is @theteaonbirthtrauma.
In this weeks episode Karlie and Nicole share their favourite holiday traditions as well as the ones you submitted!
This week Karlie talks about what finding the light means to her. She shares a children's book about being brave and her takeaways from the story, and talks to her sons about their favorite things.
This weeks guest, Lindsay, shares honestly about her struggles with infertility, eventually leading to IUI, and ultimately bringing twins into the world. Lindsay also offers helpful advice for supporting someone who is struggling with infertility in your life. You can follow Lindsay on Instagram at @lifewithlindsayb. The infertility support group Lindsay recommends can be found at @sunnysideupnyc.
In this weeks episode Nicole’s sister Amanda joins us to chat all things small businesses! Amanda is a photographer, student, and strong member of her community. She shares why she feels so passionately about supporting small businesses (now more than ever) and how you can support them in your own way. You can follow Amanda at @amandapatriciaphoto on Instagram or Amanda Patricia Photography on Facebook.
Our very first guest!!! What an honour it is to have a candid and sometimes uncomfortable conversation with Kara about fostering and adopting. Kara shares about how her and her husband got involved with fostering and adopting, how she has grown so much compassion for the birth mothers of her children, and how welcoming Indigenous children into their home has impacted their lives. You can follow Kara at @karahertlein.
Karlie and Nicole answer your questions! Everything from “who’s your dream podcast guest?” to “any tips from therapy for those who are struggling?” Thank you for submitting your questions!
Nicole shares about the struggles she faced in the postpartum season and when she knew she needed help.
Nicole and Karlie catch up for the first time since Karlie left for the US. Karlie updates on her move to Dallas. We talk about healthy habits and changing our mindsets. These things combined are how Karlie has been able to get through the challenging times in her life.
In this episode Nicole shares about her transformational pregnancy and planned home birth turned emergency c-section.
In this episode Karlie shares how she’s been living with multiple mostly undiagnosed chronic illnesses for the past 11 years. Hear how she continues to remain positive and where she’s at today.
Welcome to our podcast Finding the Light. In this episode we introduce ourselves, tell you a bit about our lives and explain how this podcast got started. Thanks for being here with us!