Behind The Village Podcast

The Villager Magazine
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Life doesn’t come with a map and we’re on a journey to figure out what makes a life worth living. Behind The Village invites you to join a collective journey to understand how to live with intention and joy. Together, we learn, unlearn, and reimagine: from mental health to work-life balance, relationships to creativity. Welcoming, real, and full of discovery - join us as we chase honest answers and build a happier life, one conversation at a time.

  1. Indigenous Identity, Drag, and Mental Health | Rodaysha Red Ashes

    4D AGO

    Indigenous Identity, Drag, and Mental Health | Rodaysha Red Ashes

    Rodaysha Red Ashes is a local drag performer who turned shyness, anxiety, and a casual conversation at Home Depot into a stage career that changed their life. In this episode, we talk about what drag actually teaches you about confidence, how sobriety reshaped their relationship with performing, and how their indigenous heritage shows up in everything from their drag name to the beaded earrings that start conversations. This is one of those conversations that covers a lot of ground, from the nerves that never fully go away to the community that carries you through the hard parts. Rodaysha is honest about all of it. Rodaysha Red Ashes Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rodaysha.red.ashes/ Who are we Behind the Village is a podcast about how to live a life worth living. Real conversations about mental health, personal growth, and finding fulfillment. Follow Us Website: https://villagermagazine.ca/podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheVillagerCommunityNews/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevillagermagazine/ Newsletter: https://villagermagazine.ca/subscribe/ Chapters 00:30 How Rodaysha discovered drag 02:52 First performance and getting started 04:30 Performance as a lifelong pull 05:59 Where the confidence actually comes from 09:00 What drag means to Rodaysha 11:02 Evolving as a performer and the drag clown 13:20 Indigenous culture in drag and the story behind the name 16:24 How drag shaped their identity off stage 18:30 Sobriety, substances, and choosing yourself 21:57 Why the people around you matter 23:40 Advice for drag beginners

    28 min
  2. Why Reducing Unhappiness Isn't the Same as Being Happy

    FEB 5

    Why Reducing Unhappiness Isn't the Same as Being Happy

    Reducing unhappiness isn't the same as being happy, and most people don't know the difference. In this episode of Behind the Village, we explore why avoiding what makes you unhappy only gets you to neutral, not fulfilled. This is the introduction to our next podcast theme on hobbies and passions, where we break down one of the most important insights about happiness: you can spend your whole life removing sources of unhappiness, clearing your plate, avoiding discomfort, but at a certain point, there's nothing left to remove. You're just neutral. Real happiness requires actively pursuing something. It requires caring deeply about things outside of work, building communities around what you love, and making space for the hobbies and passions that give you something you can't get anywhere else. You'll hear us discuss why hobbies aren't optional extras in a good life, how fear-based decisions keep you stuck, and why the people who light up when they talk about what they love are onto something essential. This episode sets the stage for conversations with people who've found belonging, purpose, and sometimes survival through the things they're passionate about, even when it's hard, even when it's inconvenient. Who are we Behind the Village is a podcast about how to live a life worth living. Real conversations about mental health, personal growth, and finding fulfillment. Follow Us Website: https://villagermagazine.ca/podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheVillagerCommunityNews/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevillagermagazine/ Newsletter: https://villagermagazine.ca/subscribe/ Chapters 0:00 Introduction 0:14 How to Be Happy vs Reducing Unhappiness 4:49 Why Hobbies and Passions Are Important for Mental Health 7:44 Finding Community and Belonging Through Hobbies 11:28 What's Coming in This Series

    13 min
  3. Redefining Success as a Creative And a Parent | Anne Douris

    2025-12-11

    Redefining Success as a Creative And a Parent | Anne Douris

    What happens when you build your entire identity around work, then realize it's not enough? In this episode of Behind the Village, we sit down with animator and production company owner Anne Douris to explore her journey from working 12-hour days to redefining what success actually means. Anne opens up about the hard work of separating self-worth from productivity, why COVID forced her to confront what was missing in her life, and how becoming a parent completely shifted her priorities. You'll hear honest insights about learning to say no, the guilt that comes with slowing down, and why physical community matters more than ever in our low-stakes digital world. Anne's story challenges the hustle culture narrative and offers a different path forward for creatives trying to build careers that actually fit their lives. Anne Douris Animation Website: https://www.annedouris.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bossieperson/ Behind The Village Podcast Website: https://villagermagazine.ca/podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheVillagerCommunityNews/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevillagermagazine/ Newsletter: https://villagermagazine.ca/subscribe/ Chapters 01:03 - Learning to say no 02:55 - How COVID revealed that work wasn't enough 05:14 - Separating self-worth from productivity and performance 10:08 - Protecting your time and being present as a parent 16:00 - Trading city opportunities for family support and community 18:38 - Why physical presence matters more than digital connection 21:07 - Building a creative career through in-person connections

    23 min
  4. How Does Santa Visit a Billion Houses in One Night? (And Other Questions Kids Actually Asked)

    2025-11-27

    How Does Santa Visit a Billion Houses in One Night? (And Other Questions Kids Actually Asked)

    Ever wondered how Santa actually pulls off Christmas Eve, or what he does the other 364 days of the year? In this special holiday episode of our Behind the Village podcast, we sit down with the man himself, Santa Claus, to get answers to the questions kids (and adults) have been asking for generations. Santa reveals the surprising blend of Christmas magic and modern technology he uses to visit every house, shares which reindeer might secretly be his favourite, and settles the great cookie debate once and for all. You'll hear about tropical post-Christmas vacations, year-round reindeer training, the secret to staying on the nice list, and his heartfelt message to children everywhere. Whether you're watching with kids who still believe or you're curious about the logistics of global gift delivery, this conversation brings the magic of Christmas to life. Santa Claus Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NSimcoeSanta/ Behind The Village Podcast Website: https://villagermagazine.ca/podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheVillagerCommunityNews/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevillagermagazine/ Newsletter: https://villagermagazine.ca/subscribe/ Chapters 00:05 - Welcome to the North Pole 00:54 - How does Santa visit every house in one night? 02:38 - Which reindeer is Santa's favourite? 04:09 - Do the reindeer get rest time? 05:04 - Flying in wind and blizzards with GPS technology 07:08 - How to stay on the nice list 08:15 - Santa's casual wardrobe 09:43 - What Santa does during the rest of the year 11:59 - The favourite cookie debate 13:39 - How people don't wake up when Santa visits 14:34 - Do reindeer eat as many carrots as Santa eats cookies? 15:25 - Santa's message to children

    17 min
  5. The Hardest Thing I Ever Did: Saying No and Slowing Down | Risha Yorke

    2025-11-06

    The Hardest Thing I Ever Did: Saying No and Slowing Down | Risha Yorke

    In this episode of our Behind the Village podcast, we sit down with Risha Yorke from Yorke Motivational Consulting to explore her powerful journey from burnout to balance. After juggling a demanding IT career and running a theatre company, Risha made the bold decision to quit her job and focus on what truly matters: health, wellness, and living life on her own terms. She shares candid insights on the importance of saying no, setting boundaries, and prioritizing lifestyle over work. You’ll hear about how she learned to slow down, embrace relaxation, and find joy in everyday moments. Even when it felt impossible. Yorke Motivational Consulting Website: https://www.yorkemotivational.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YorkeMotivational/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yorkemotivational/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/risha-yorke-b6825711 Behind The Village Podcast Website: https://villagermagazine.ca/podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheVillagerCommunityNews/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevillagermagazine/ Newsletter: https://villagermagazine.ca/subscribe/ Chapters 01:38 - Burnout and the negative effects on health 04:20 - Shifting your mindset from being a workaholic 08:17 - Rest as an act of rebellion 10:35 - Learning how to relax 16:06 - Longevity and the importance of connections 16:53 - Losing happiness 17:40 - The power to say no 19:03 - Feminist theory and setting healthy boundaries 22:46 - Can someone actually achieve work life balance? 27:44 - Mental Health, Mindfulness and Meditation

    32 min
  6. The Art of Making Career Changes and Designing Your Path | Jessica Lovett

    2025-10-23

    The Art of Making Career Changes and Designing Your Path | Jessica Lovett

    Reinvent your career with Jessica Lovett in this inspiring episode where we dive deep into career transitions, career development, and embracing change. Join us as Jessica, the director of Career Services at Lakehead University, shares her powerful lessons on navigating career shifts, finding clarity, and making thoughtful decisions to align your work with your passions and values. Learn about the importance of self-exploration, adaptable career planning, and leveraging community involvement to ease transitions. Whether you’re looking to make a big change, explore new opportunities, or simply need guidance, this episode is packed with actionable advice to make a difference in your career journey. Lakehead University Website: https://www.lakeheadu.ca/about/orillia-campus Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lakeheaduniversity/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mylakehead/ Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/mylakehead LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/edu/school?id=10839 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/lakeheaduniversity/ Behind The Village Podcast Website: https://villagermagazine.ca Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheVillagerCommunityNews/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevillagermagazine/ Newsletter: https://villagermagazine.ca/subscribe/ Chapters 00:00 - Intro 02:20 - How to make a big career change 08:00 - Career development theory 10:53 - Career wellness checkup 15:52 - Job satisfaction and love for work 20:44 - Starting points for a career change 27:33 - Reframing career change as a "loss" 30:12 - Creating a career change plan 31:07 - The role of dreaming in career planning

    34 min
  7. Reinventing Retirement, Practicing "Do Nothing", and Finding Peace | Mike Bailey

    2025-10-09

    Reinventing Retirement, Practicing "Do Nothing", and Finding Peace | Mike Bailey

    In this episode of Behind the Village Podcast we sit down with Mike Bailey, a lifelong learner who spent decades reinventing his working life, moving from grocery clerk and electrical apprentice to corrections officer and HR advisor before retiring into a second act as a full‑time photographer. Mike shares how he recognized when it was time for change, how he rebuilt confidence, and how photography gave him purpose; he explains his pre‑visualization approach to storytelling, the daily "do nothing" practice that reduced stress and sharpened focus, and offers practical advice on midlife career change, retiring into creative work, photography as therapy and income, overcoming self‑doubt, slow living, and balancing family and work. A Shoebox of Memories Website: https://ashoeboxofmemories.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AShoeboxOfMemories/ The Villager Magazine Website: https://villagermagazine.ca Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheVillagerCommunityNews/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevillagermagazine/ Newsletter: https://villagermagazine.ca/subscribe/ Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:10 Life After Retirement 03:21 When is it Time to Make a Change 05:09 Self-Confidence is the Secret 07:55 Finding Balance 09:52 Photography as a Creative Endeavour 17:05 What Does Success Mean 19:13 The Effects of Negativity and How to Combat it 27:14 A Look Back - What Would Mike Change

    31 min
  8. Retiring at 48, Following Laughter, and Finding Purpose | Mark Vessey

    2025-09-25

    Retiring at 48, Following Laughter, and Finding Purpose | Mark Vessey

    In this episode of the Behind the Village Podcast, we explore early retirement, work‑life balance, and how to choose presence and purpose even when life takes unexpected turns. Our guest today, Mark Vessey, shares a candid story about retiring before 50, navigating a career pivot from burnout to small‑business ownership, earning a commercial captain’s license, and confronting a stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis. The Villager Magazine Website: https://villagermagazine.ca Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheVillagerCommunityNews/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevillagermagazine/ Newsletter: https://villagermagazine.ca/subscribe/ Chapters 00:00 - Intro 02:51 - Mark’s Career Path 08:03 - Balancing Business and Life 13:36 - Early Retirement Strategies 14:59 - Life After Retirement 16:43 - Cancer Diagnosis 18:55 - Accepting Terminal Illness 24:15 - Facing Mortality Questions 27:56 - Staying Authentic in Tough Times 31:35 - Pride and Regrets in Life

    38 min
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About

Life doesn’t come with a map and we’re on a journey to figure out what makes a life worth living. Behind The Village invites you to join a collective journey to understand how to live with intention and joy. Together, we learn, unlearn, and reimagine: from mental health to work-life balance, relationships to creativity. Welcoming, real, and full of discovery - join us as we chase honest answers and build a happier life, one conversation at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    The Villager Magazine
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Villager Magazine
  • Show Website
    Behind The Village Podcast