Between Two Brunettes

Thirty Two Media

Welcome to Between Two Brunettes, a show dedicated to amplifying Canadian voices. Every other week, we dive into real conversations with entrepreneurs, operators, creators and leaders who are shaping what’s next. From scaling companies and raising capital to relationships, resilience and the moments that changed everything - nothing is off limits. New full-length episodes drop every other Wednesday, with clips and shorts throughout the week. Hit SUBSCRIBE so you never miss a conversation with Canada’s innovators. We hope you enjoy the show!

Episodes

  1. 4D AGO

    How Bird&Be Grew to 8 Figures on Modest Raises and Clinical Credibility (Samantha Diamond)

    Most consumer health companies chase scale with big raises and bigger burn. Samantha Diamond took a different path. She co-founded Bird&Be after transitioning out of a decade-long career running her own communications agency. When she made the move, she rebuilt a founding team from scratch, raised a few million dollars in two weeks, and set out to build a reproductive care company that doctors would actually trust. Four years later, Bird&Be is profitable and on track to be in 1,000 Ulta Beauty locations across the US, stocked in fertility clinics across North America, and heading into a Series A with strong retention and clinical studies behind it. In this conversation, Samantha talks about what it actually takes to build a credible consumer health brand without burning through capital to get there. She discusses: Why male factor infertility became the number one reason for IVF in Canada, and what that means for how we approach the conversation What she learned across multiple fundraising rounds and how she is approaching the Series A differently What "trimester zero" means and the six-month prep protocol Samantha recommends for both partners Why reproductive health belongs in every wellness conversation as a fifth biomarker What it takes to land 1,000 Ulta Beauty locations How Bird&Be used clinical studies to build the kind of credibility that gets your product stocked in fertility clinics ___ Chapters 00:00:00 What is Bird&Be and Why Reproductive Care Matters 00:00:57 The Gap in Sex Education and Reproductive Health 00:03:01 Male Fertility: The Missing Half of the Conversation 00:05:06 Age, Health, and the Biological Clock for Both Partners 00:09:17 One in Five: The Reality of Infertility Today 00:13:32 Trimester Zero: Preparing Your Body for Pregnancy 00:14:51 Testing Before Trying: FSH, AMH, and Sperm Quality 00:26:29 The Power Prenatal Packs: Science-Backed Supplements 00:38:02 PCOS, Inositol, and Managing Reproductive Conditions 00:29:22 Your Menstrual Cycle: The Fifth Vital Sign 00:33:23 Clinical Credibility: Studies, Medical Teams, and Real Results 00:40:21 From Clinics to Ulta: Building Distribution and Trust 00:46:04 The Origin Story: From Pregnancy Loss to Building Bird&Be 00:51:50 Fundraising, Bootstrapping, and Growing to Eight Figures 01:00:32 Building a Company While Raising Three Kids ___ Promo: 20% OFF with code ‘BRUNETTES’ at check-out https://birdandbe.com ___ Between Two Brunettes Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@betweentwobrunettes Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betweentwobrunettes Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@betweentwobrunettes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betweentwobrunettes X: https://x.com/twobrunettespod Samantha Miller Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthaj_miller Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthaj_miller LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthamiller111 X: https://x.com/samantha_btbpod Germana Kazazi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/germanakazazi Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@germanakazazi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/germana-kazazi X: https://x.com/GermanaKazazi Samantha Diamond Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/startupmamma LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-diamond-1484a718 Bird&Be Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdbeco LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/birdandbe Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@birdandbe ___ Produced by Thirty Two Media Inc.

    1h 9m

  2. APR 8

    The Mushroom CEO Who Built a Multi-Million Dollar Company on a Regulated Nervous System

    Tonya Papanikolov spent years searching for a functional mushroom product she could actually trust. When she couldn't find one that met her standards, she thought to build it herself. So in 2018, she did. Rainbo is now one of Canada's most recognized functional mushroom brands, a B Corp, seven-figure company stocked at Erewhon, Whole Foods, and Summerhill Market, built on organic growth and strong unit economics, with product quality treated as non-negotiable from day one. What drove her there was personal. Years of health symptoms that conventional medicine couldn't explain, and a deep conviction that the answers were sitting in nature, largely ignored. In this conversation, we unpack what functional mushrooms actually are and why most products on the market are nowhere near as clean as they appear, how Tonya bootstrapped Rainbo on $30,000 from friends and family, and why she believes the nervous system is the CEO of your body. She discusses: The difference between culinary, functional, and medicinal mushrooms and why the extraction process matters more than most people realize Why most functional mushroom products on the market don't actually contain real mushrooms, and what to look for instead How a mold exposure in a Toronto house became the turning point that sent her life in a completely different direction What nervous system dysregulation actually looks like in the body and why corporate culture rewards it How she scaled Rainbo from zero marketing spend to major retail chains without institutional capital Bringing her husband Simon on as co-founder and what it takes to protect both the business and the relationship at the same time Why you don't have to choose between building something hard and taking care of yourself while you do it ___ Chapters 00:00:00 What Are Functional Mushrooms? 00:09:12 The Mycelial Network: How Mushrooms Communicate 00:11:08 Lion's Mane, Reishi, and Chaga: The Big Three 00:16:01 Why Quality Matters 00:23:46 Bootstrapping Rainbo 00:26:50 From Direct-to-Consumer to Retail: Scaling Without Institutional Funding 00:32:00 Mold, Parasites, and the Health Journey 00:34:02 The Nervous System: Your Body's CEO 00:37:44 Corporate Burnout and Sympathetic Dominance 00:38:41 Somatic Release: When Your Body Holds the Memory 00:45:03 Launching Fungki: The Coffee Alternative Years in the Making 00:48:46 Working with Your Partner 00:57:21 Building with Community: Listening to Your Customers 00:58:58 The Nervous System as Foundation 01:01:52 Rapid Fire and Where to Find Rainbo ___ Rainbo Promo Code: 15% off with code BRUNETTES https://www.rainbo.com/BRUNETTES ___ Between Two Brunettes Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@betweentwobrunettes Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betweentwobrunettes TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@betweentwobrunettes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betweentwobrunettes X: https://x.com/twobrunettespod Samantha Miller Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthaj_miller TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthaj_miller LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthamiller111 X: https://x.com/samantha_btbpod Germana Kazazi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/germanakazazi TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@germanakazazi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/germana-kazazi X: https://x.com/GermanaKazazi Tonya Papanikolov Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyapapanikolove LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonya-papanikolov Rainbo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainbomushrooms Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rainbomushrooms LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rainbomushrooms ___ Produced by Thirty Two Media Inc.

    1h 5m

  3. MAR 25

    The Biologic Life Insurance Policy Nobody Told You About: Dr. Drew Taylor of Acorn Biolabs

    What if the most important health decision you could make right now costs less than Netflix and takes 30 minutes? That's the bet Dr. Drew Taylor has been building toward since he co-founded Acorn Biolabs in 2017. Acorn lets people bank their own stem cells, harvested non-invasively from hair follicles, before age degrades them. Acorn now operates across more than 200 partner clinics in North America and was just named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies of 2026. Before any of this, Drew was a pitcher. He got drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays, walked away from a medical school acceptance to play professionally, and when a shoulder injury ended his career, came back to the lab and never left. In this conversation, we unpack what it takes to build a category from scratch, why your cells are aging faster than you think, and what Drew calls the biologic life insurance policy that most people don't know exists. He discusses: What regenerative medicine actually is and how it differs from the longevity and preventative health space Why hair follicles turned out to be one of the most valuable and accessible sources of adult stem cells The "biologic life insurance policy" and what it means to bank your cells before you need them How he navigated leaving a venture capital salary to start a company with a newborn at home Why Covid nearly stalled Acorn, and what kept them going The NK cell research that has shown early results suppressing ovarian, cervical, and breast cancer cells in the lab How Acorn thinks about the long road from aesthetics to advanced therapeutics and why that sequencing is intentional ___ Chapters 00:00:00 What is Regenerative Medicine? 00:03:14 Stem Cells: The Connective Tissue Powerhouse 00:05:22 The Future of 3D Printing Organs with Stem Cells 00:06:43 From Baseball to PhD: Drew's Journey 00:10:11 How Acorn Biolabs Was Born 00:11:48 Navigating the Patent Process: Lessons for Scientific Founders 00:15:24 The Acorn Process: Banking Your Stem Cells from Hair Follicles 00:20:43 Your Own Biology as an Aesthetic Treatment 00:24:11 The Science Behind Secretome: Growth Factors, Exosomes, and More 00:28:19 Secretome vs PRP 00:28:49 The Future of Injectables: Clinical Trials and Regulatory Approvals 00:29:48 Regulatory Landscape: Canada, US, and the Medical Tourism Problem 00:33:49 Clinic Partnerships and Business Model 00:37:54 Fundraising Strategy 00:38:13 COVID's Impact: Turning Crisis into R&D Opportunity 00:43:56 Balancing Fatherhood and Entrepreneurship: Drew's Approach to Family 00:49:52 Turning Hair Follicles into Cancer-Fighting NK Cells 00:54:49 Growing Acorn and Expanding Clinical Applications 00:55:28 How to Get Started: Banking Your Cells with Acorn ___ Bank Your Stem Cells with Acorn Acorn’s Live Cell Preservation service allows you to collect and cryogenically store stem-cell-rich hair follicles for future regenerative use. Investment: Standard collection ($945) + first year of storage ($190): $1,135 Exclusive Offer: First year of banking ($190 value) for FREE with code BRUNETTES Step-by-Step Purchase Instructions: Visit www.acorn.me  Select ‘Start Your Journey’, ‘Cell Banking + Storage’ At checkout enter promo code: BRUNETTES Acorn’s team will reach out to coordinate their clinic visit Note: While Acorn has a wide network of practices, they do not yet have full coverage across Canada/USA. You can view their locations here: https://acorn.me/find-providers/ ___ Between Two Brunettes Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@betweentwobrunettes Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betweentwobrunettes Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@betweentwobrunettes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betweentwobrunettes X: https://x.com/twobrunettespod Samantha Miller Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthaj_miller Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthaj_miller LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthamiller111 X: https://x.com/samantha_btbpod Germana Kazazi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/germanakazazi Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@germanakazazi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/germana-kazazi X: https://x.com/GermanaKazazi Dr. Drew Taylor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdrewtaylor LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-taylor-65b6ab10 Acorn Biolabs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acornbiolabs LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/acornbiolabs (https://www.linkedin.com/company/acornbiolabs/posts/?feedView=all) ___ Produced by Thirty Two Media Inc.

    56 min

  4. MAR 11

    The Fight for Canada’s Digital Sovereignty: The Godfather of Canadian Tech

    John Ruffolo has spent decades helping shape Canada’s technology and venture capital ecosystem. From building Deloitte’s technology practice to launching OMERS Ventures and now founding Maverix Private Equity, John has been at the center of many of the country’s most important moments in innovation, investment and economic policy. Over his career, he has helped build and back some of Canada’s most important technology companies while advising governments and institutions on the future of the digital economy. In this conversation, we unpack the forces shaping Canada’s digital economy, the hard lessons that come with building industries from scratch and why this moment may be one of the most consequential for the country’s future. He discusses: The unlikely path from Deloitte partner to building OMERS Ventures and why many thought the idea would fail Why digital sovereignty is becoming critical to Canada’s economic future What we need to see more of from Canadian venture capital to build the next generation of tech champions The policy and talent shifts needed for Canada to compete in a digital economy The cycling accident that left him paralyzed and and how it reshaped his perspective on resilience and purpose His mission to make Toronto a global center for spinal cord and neurological research ___ Chapters 00:00:00 Growing Up Italian: From Jane and Finch to Bay Street 00:09:56 Arthur Andersen and Early Career 00:16:11 The Enron Collapse: Losing Everything and Finding Hope 00:25:40 Building the Tech Practice and Creating Omers Ventures 00:39:17 The Renaissance of Canadian Tech and Digital Sovereignty 00:48:40 Launching Mavericks 01:03:09 Investing in the Digital Economy: Why Entry Points and IP Rights Matter 01:12:14 The Cycling Accident 01:26:05 Recovery, Resilience and Walking Again 01:36:17 The Two Doors: Hope, Purpose and Never Wasting Time 01:42:08 Rapid Fire and Closing ___ Between Two Brunettes Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@betweentwobrunettes Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betweentwobrunettes Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@betweentwobrunettes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betweentwobrunettes X: https://x.com/twobrunettespod Samantha Miller Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthaj_miller Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthaj_miller LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthamiller111 X: https://x.com/samantha_btbpod Germana Kazazi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/germanakazazi Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@germanakazazi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/germana-kazazi X: https://x.com/GermanaKazazi John Ruffolo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joruffolo X: https://x.com/ruffolo ___ Produced by Thirty Two Media Inc.

    1h 47m

  5. FEB 25

    Performing When It Counts - Inside the Mind of an Elite Performance Psychologist

    Dr. Dana Sinclair is one of Canada's leading performance psychologists and author recognized for her work with elite athletes, high-level professionals, and executives. She is the author of the Globe and Mail bestseller Dialed In: Do Your Best When It Matters Most - giving practical lessons on how to deliver when the stakes are high. In this conversation, we unpack what actually separates top performers from everyone else and why talent alone doesn’t determine who wins. Dana shares the psychological skills that matter most, the common performance traps people fall into, and how mental rehearsal can literally rewire how you show up under pressure. This episode is for founders, leaders, athletes, and anyone serious about raising their level. She discusses: How to perform when the stakes are high, even if you don’t feel confident Why talent is required but never sufficient for success Why you can’t change your personality, only your behaviours The performance “flags” that signal interference The role confidence actually plays (and why it’s overrated) How individuals differ across performance traits The role of visualization and directed “daydreaming” in rewiring performance ___ Chapters 00:00:00 Early Awareness of Performance Under Pressure 00:03:38 Why Talent Doesn't Ensure Success 00:04:56 Red Flags in Performance Assessments 00:09:34 The Assessment Process: Identifying What Gets in Your Way 00:10:45 Debunking the Confidence Myth 00:12:59 Managing Tension and Finding Your Triggers 00:25:13 Parenting, Pressure, and Building Resilience 00:34:50 Breathing, Slowing Down, and In-the-Moment Strategies 00:37:52 Superstitions: Anxiety in Disguise 00:43:25 Performance Styles and Self-Assessment 00:57:36 The Power of Daydreaming and Imagery 01:02:17 Rapid Fire and Final Wisdom ___ Between Two Brunettes Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@betweentwobrunettes Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betweentwobrunettes Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@betweentwobrunettes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betweentwobrunettes X: https://x.com/twobrunettespod Samantha Miller Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthaj_miller Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthaj_miller LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthamiller111 X: https://x.com/samantha_btbpod Germana Kazazi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/germanakazazi Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@germanakazazi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/germana-kazazi X: https://x.com/GermanaKazazi Dana Sinclair Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdanasinclair LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-dana-sinclair-47a82811 ___ Produced by Thirty Two Media Inc.

    1h 5m

  6. FEB 11

    2 Million Canadians…An $800M Valuation: Here’s What It Took

    Dan Eberhard didn’t set out to build a fintech company, he set out to fix a system that wasn’t working for people like the family he grew up in. Raised by a single mother in British Columbia, Dan saw early how traditional financial institutions often fail the very people who rely on them most. After a mix of wins and hard lessons in prior ventures, he went on to found KOHO, one of Canada’s most successful challenger banks, scaling from zero revenue in 2017 to hundreds of millions of dollars today. In this conversation, we unpack what it really takes to build a company by solving the right problems, not the easy ones, and what Canada needs more of if it wants to produce the next generation of enduring businesses. Dan is the Founder and CEO of KOHO, a Canadian fintech company redefining how people manage their money. He discusses: Growing up with a single mom in BC, and how that shaped his view of money, systems, and opportunity Why traditional banks no longer work for modern Canadians The biggest structural challenges in how our government is set up Scaling KOHO from zero revenue in 2017 to an $800M valuation Why experience is overrated, and what he actually looks for when hiring and supporting A players Reflections on leadership, conflict, and fatherhood while building a high-growth company ___ Chapters 00:00:00 Growing Up with Agency: Early Life and Entrepreneurial Roots 00:02:09 First Venture: Wind Energy and Learning to Sell 00:06:20 Why Hard Problems Attract the Best Talent 00:08:29 Canada's Go-for-Bronze Culture and the GDP Problem 00:12:41 Government Bloat and the Cost of Bureaucracy 00:19:46 Starting KOHO 00:23:17 Experience is Overrated: Hiring for Horsepower, Warmth, and Humility 00:25:04 The KOHO 50: Managing Top Performers and Building Culture 00:39:05 Secondaries, 10-Year Options, and Treating Employees Right 00:45:10 Fatherhood, Identity, and Learning Self-Compassion 00:49:57 Money, Agency, and Building for Impact 00:53:15 Rapid Fire and Final Advice ___ Between Two Brunettes Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@betweentwobrunettes Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betweentwobrunettes Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@betweentwobrunettes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betweentwobrunettes X: https://x.com/twobrunettespod Samantha Miller Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthaj_miller Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthaj_miller LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthamiller111 X: https://x.com/samantha_btbpod Germana Kazazi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/germanakazazi Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@germanakazazi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/germana-kazazi X: https://x.com/GermanaKazazi Daniel Eberhard LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danieleberhard/ X: https://x.com/DanEbs ___ Produced by Thirty Two Media Inc.

    56 min

  7. JAN 28

    Scaling a Healthtech Startup While Living with Multiple Sclerosis

    Alex Oosterveen was in the middle of building a company when his life changed overnight. A former investment banker turned founder, Alex was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the very start of building Caribou - a moment that forced him to confront his health and the choices that led to this moment. In this conversation, we unpack what it really takes to scale a company while navigating uncertainty, chronic illness, and building a family. Alex is the Co-Founder and CEO of Caribou, a Canadian healthtech startup tackling one of the most overlooked challenges in healthcare: the caregiver shortage. Caribou is a caregiver engagement platform that helps home care companies better support and retain caregivers. He discusses: Being diagnosed with MS while building his company and how it reshaped his relationship with work, health, and ambition The lifestyle and environmental changes that transformed his health (spoiler alert: it wasn’t a drug) The deliberate path he took to gain the insight, experience, and credibility needed before entering the caregiver industry The pivotal decisions that accelerated Caribou’s growth Building a company with his wife, and how that choice strengthened both their partnership and the business How he thinks about work-life integration while raising their young boy ___ Chapters 00:00:51 The MS Diagnosis: A Life-Changing Moment 00:03:27 Taking Control: Treatment and Lifestyle Changes 00:11:15 The Origin Story: From Investment Banking to Caregiving 00:19:22 The Labor Shortage Crisis in Home Care 00:22:58 Building Caribou 00:55:07 The COVID Pivot: Adapting to Survive 00:31:42 Bringing on a Co-Founder 00:38:10 Working with Your Spouse 00:44:19 Becoming a Father 00:45:56 Defining Success and Future Vision 01:00:22 Closing Wisdom: Advice for Parents and Founders ___ Between Two Brunettes Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@betweentwobrunettes Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betweentwobrunettes Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@betweentwobrunettes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betweentwobrunettes X: https://x.com/twobrunettespod Samantha Miller Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthaj_miller Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthaj_miller LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthamiller111 X: https://x.com/samantha_btbpod Germana Kazazi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/germanakazazi Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@germanakazazi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/germana-kazazi X: https://x.com/GermanaKazazi Alex Oosterveen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-oosterveen/ ___ Produced by Thirty Two Media Inc.

    1h 4m
  8. Starting Between Two Brunettes: Why We’re Doing This

    JAN 27

    Starting Between Two Brunettes: Why We’re Doing This

    In this first episode of Between Two Brunettes, we sit down together to introduce ourselves, our relationship, and why we decided to start this podcast. This episode sets the foundation for the conversations that follow.  We hope you enjoy the show! ___ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@betweentwobrunettes Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betweentwobrunettes Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@betweentwobrunettes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betweentwobrunettes X: https://x.com/twobrunettespod ___ Produced by Thirty Two Media Inc.

    15 min
  • 8 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Welcome to Between Two Brunettes, a show dedicated to amplifying Canadian voices. Every other week, we dive into real conversations with entrepreneurs, operators, creators and leaders who are shaping what’s next. From scaling companies and raising capital to relationships, resilience and the moments that changed everything - nothing is off limits. New full-length episodes drop every other Wednesday, with clips and shorts throughout the week. Hit SUBSCRIBE so you never miss a conversation with Canada’s innovators. We hope you enjoy the show!

Information

  • Creator
    Thirty Two Media
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Thirty Two Media Inc.