Célébrons la Journée internationale sans régime! Dans une société où les idées de corps parfait et d'objectifs de remise en forme sont constamment imposées aux gens sous la forme de soi-disant « conseils », elles sont également à l'origine d'un grand nombre de discriminations, de préjugés et d'inégalités sur le lieu de travail. Aujourd'hui, orientons la conversation vers la positivité corporelle et l'acceptation de soi, promouvons une relation plus saine avec la nourriture et rappelons-nous l'importance de valoriser toutes les formes et toutes les tailles.

Edith Bernier, fondatrice de Grossophobie.ca, se joint à nous pour cet épisode de Conversations entre leaders avec Anne-Marie Pham. Edith Bernier est vulgarisatrice, autrice, conférencière et consultante. Bachelière en journalisme, elle est spécialisée dans la lutte à la grossophobie et dans l’inclusion des personnes grosses. Son second livre, Grosse, et puis? Connaître et combattre la grossophobie, est sorti en 2020 au Québec et en 2022 en Europe francophone chez les Éditions Marabout. Son 2e ouvrage, Grandir sans grossophobie, est en magasin depuis février 2023.

Rejoignez-nous alors que nous discutons de la dure réalité des pressions sociétales pour se conformer à des normes de beauté irréalistes et que nous entendons Edith partager son parcours personnel avec la grossophobie et le mouvement d'Acceptation des personnes grosses, soulignant la nécessité pour la société de reconnaître que le poids n'est pas une mesure de la valeur d'un·e individu·e. Nous découvrons également comment les gens peuvent devenir des allié·e·s dans la lutte contre la grossophobie et ce que les employeurs peuvent faire de façon pratique pour assurer un environnement diversifié et inclusif pour toutes les personnes.

Soyez à l'écoute pour entendre toutes les idées stimulantes d'Edith, et bien plus encore!

In honour of International Women’s Day, we’re using today’s conversation to take a closer look at women’s rights, and what is being done to elevate women’s voices from all over Canada.

Joining us in today's episode of Leader Talks with Anne-Marie Pham is Shari Graydon, an award-winning author, speaker, print and broadcast columnist, and advocate for women’s rights. She is also the founder of Informed Opinions, a social mission project that seeks to amplify the voices of women and gender-diverse people to ensure that their experiences and insights help shape a more equitable and inclusive Canada.

In today's conversation with Shari, we delve into the current state of the media landscape in Canada, the progress that has been made in terms of gender, diversity, and representation, and what still needs to change. She tells us about the various initiatives that Informed Opinions have undertaken, their impact on women's lives and the conditions that motivated them to step into the political sphere. Shari also shares her recommendations for the media on how to improve gender equality, along with her advice to organizations on how to foster gender equality in the workplace. Be sure to tune in to hear all of Shari's thought-provoking insights, the urgent work being done by Informed Opinions, and much more!

Key points from this episode:

• Taking a moment to honour International Women’s Day.
• Introducing today’s guest Shari Graydon, founder of Informed Opinions.
• Shari’s hopes for the future of gender equality.
• The experiences that led to her becoming a fierce advocate for gender equality.
• Examining the difference between equality and equity through a gender lens.
• Reflections on the media landscape in Canada concerning diversity, gender, and representation; the progress that’s been made, and what still needs to change.
• Details on the Gender Gap Tracker: its benefits and shortcomings.
• The mission behind Shari’s organization, Informed Opinions, and the work that they do.
• An overview of their new campaign, Balance the Power, and how you can get involved.
• Examples of how women’s lives have been changed by Informed Opinions.
• Helping women step out of imposter syndrome, and why you don’t have to be “the best candidate” to share your informed opinion.
• Shari’s recommendations for the media on trying to improve gender equality.
• Advice on how organizations can improve gender equality in the workplace.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

• Shari Graydon
• Shari Graydon on LinkedIn
• Shari Graydon on X
• Informed Opinions
• Gender Gap Tracker
• Equal Voice
• Balance the Power
• Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion
• Leader Talks with Anne-Marie Pham

Getting a job is proving difficult for many who have immigrated to Canada, even for those professionally qualified. More needs to be done to ensure that new and immigrant professionals are given a platform to earn their keep, and the more diverse, equitable, and inclusive those environments are, the better!

In observation of Black History Month, and to help us dive deeper into this topic, we are joined by Nketti Johnston-Taylor for our new podcast episode of Leader Talks with Anne-Marie Pham. Nketti is the executive director of the Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Council (CRIEC), an organization that connects newcomer professionals to strategies that will lead to successful employment outcomes. After taking a brief look at the history of her home city of Calgary, we learn about her immigration story, how it ties into her professional background, and everything there is to know about CRIEC and the work that they do.

We discuss Nketti’s mindset during the early years of her immigration and her assessment of the cultural barriers that prevent immigrants from finding work in Canada. She also shares her advice for employers to create more hospitable workplaces, as well as some tips for international professionals on how to find work in a new country. Tune in for all this and more!

A huge 'thank you!' to Reliance Home Comfort for sponsoring this episode!

Key Points From This Episode:

• A brief look at the cultural history of Calgary.
• Dr. Nketti Johnston-Taylor's background and immigration story.
• Her mindset during her first few years of assimilating into Canadian culture.
• Why she struggled to find a sense of belonging when she first moved to Calgary.
• The systemic and cultural barriers that prevent qualified immigrants from finding work.
• What Canada can do to better support newcomers and internationally-trained professionals.
• Insight into CRIEC and its various initiatives.
• Tips for international professionals who are struggling to find work in Canada.
• Advice for employers to create more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

• Nketti Johnston-Taylor on LinkedIn
• Nketti Johnston-Taylor on X
• Nketti Johnston-Taylor on Instagram
• CRIEC
• Making Changes
• Prairie Centre for Excellence in Mentoring
• Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion
• Leader Talks with Anne-Marie Pham