What's the Tea with Sarah E

Sarah Ernest

Welcome to What’s the Tea with Sarah E Where community, culture, and bold conversations collide.  Hosted by award-winning philanthropy leader, author, and unapologetic changemaker Sarah Ernest, this podcast spills the tea with entrepreneurs, entertainers, and community leaders about business, impact, and living life out loud.  Around here, nothing is off-limits. From money and mission to confidence and culture, Sarah takes you inside the raw, unfiltered, and unapologetic stories of leaders, dreamers, and doers who are shaping our world - and doing it their own way.  Every episode ends with Stir the Pot – a tradition where each guest leaves a bold question for the next, keeping the conversations as unpredictable as they are unforgettable.  It’s time to stir the pot and spill some tea.  --- Join the Tea Party!New episodes drop every second Tuesday — subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform and follow along on Instagram at @sara_ernest for the latest episodes, behind-the-scenes tea, and unapologetic real talk.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Aug 25

    S3 Episode 8 - Cindy Chang

    On Season 3, Episode 8 of What’s The Tea with Sarah E, I sit down with my friend Cindy Chang - two-time founder, CEO of Evolve Consulting Co. and Dabbl’, host of Fearless Entrepreneurs, wife, mom, and a woman determined to rethink the future of work. Cindy immigrated to Canada from Taiwan at five years old, growing up in an entrepreneurial family and learning early what hard work, resilience, and ambition looked like. She was also the talkative, outgoing little girl who didn’t fit the mould others expected of her - and that experience helped shape the unapologetic woman she is today. After more than 20 years in talent and recruitment, Cindy built a successful corporate career—but becoming a mother changed everything. She found herself apologizing for having a child while trying to remain the ambitious businesswoman she had always been. When she was laid off in 2023, she finally made the mental shift from side-hustling entrepreneur to fully betting on herself. In this raw, funny, and unapologetic conversation, we spill the tea on: Growing up as an immigrant and how Cindy’s parents shaped her ambitionBeing labelled “too much” and learning not to shrink herselfThe reality of entrepreneurship—fear, failed deals, cash flow, and difficult clientsWhy Cindy refuses to work with people who give her “the ick”Motherhood, ambition, and why women should stop apologizing for wanting bothWhether women really can “have it all”—and why Cindy believes we can, if we define what all meansHer fear of failure, fierce work ethic, and the intensity she sees as both a strength and a challenge Then we get into the future of work. Cindy gives us a front-row view of today’s employment market: layoffs, post-COVID over-hiring, an oversupply of talent, and a workplace culture that still too often forces people into outdated models. She calls out the power imbalance between employers and employees, even describing modern hiring as an “abusive relationship” when fear, baggage, and control drive the process instead of alignment and humanity. That frustration is exactly why she built Dabbl’—to connect experienced professionals, especially moms who have left corporate careers, with companies looking for flexible talent and meaningful support. Because flexible work isn’t just a women’s issue. It’s a human issue. And maybe the answer isn’t eliminating the 9-to-5. Maybe it’s finally giving people other fucking options. Season 3, Episode 8 — Fuck the Box is streaming now on What’s The Tea with Sarah E. Connect with CindyLearn more at evolveconsultingco.com and dabble.ca, or connect with Cindy on Instagram and LinkedIn at @evolve_consulting_co. She says her DMs are always open! That’s today’s tea! If you loved this conversation, don’t forget to rate, review, and share the show with a friend.  Join the Tea Party! New episodes drop every second Tuesday, so hit that subscribe button on your favorite podcast app. And for the latest episodes, behind-the-scenes clips, and even more bold conversations, follow me on Instagram at @sara_ernest.  A Reminder - The views and opinions expressed by guests on What’s the Tea with Sarah E are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host. This podcast is a platform for diverse voices, stories, and perspectives - sometimes unpolished, always unapologetic. Until next time, keep stirring the pot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    S3 Episode 8 - Cindy Chang

  2. Aug 11

    S3 Episode 7 - Jodi Wellman

    What if thinking about death could actually make you more alive? On Season 3, Episode 7 of What's The Tea with Sarah E, I sit down with Jodi Wellman - speaker, bestselling author, positive psychology expert, founder of Four Thousand Mondays, and the brilliant mind behind You Only Die Once: How to Make It to the End with No Regrets. And yes... we talk about death. A lot. But this episode is really about LIFE. Jodi's fascination with mortality became deeply personal after losing her mother in her late 50s. While cleaning out her apartment, Jodi found herself surrounded by what she calls the "land of dormant intentions" - creative ideas, business plans and dreams her mother always intended to pursue "someday." That heartbreaking experience became a wake-up call: Jodi didn't want to reach the end of her own life surrounded by coulda, shoulda, wouldas. Today, her work challenges us to confront the uncomfortable truth that our time here is finite - and use that awareness not to fear death, but to create urgency around living. In this hilarious, vulnerable and surprisingly life-affirming conversation, Jodi spills the tea on: Why we're so damn uncomfortable talking about death - and how Western culture has increasingly sanitized and medicalized itLosing her mother and discovering the dreams she never got around to pursuingThe idea behind Four Thousand Mondays and why counting life in weeks can radically change the value we place on our timeThe difference between living wide with vitality and deep with meaning - and why we need both to become "astonishingly alive"How achievement can become a treadmill - and the difference between building a meaningful life and simply building a very busy oneBucket lists, "baby bucket lists," spontaneity and why writing down the dream isn't the same thing as actually doing the damn thingLooking at your life through the eyes of your future self - and asking what that version of you might desperately wish you'd done differentlyWhy planning can create incredible opportunity... while also leaving us so committed to the plan that we miss serendipity along the way And then things get personal... I took Jodi's How Alive Are You? quiz before the interview and discovered that I'm apparently... "Vitally Empty." 😂 With an 8/10 for vitality and 4/10 for meaning, we unpack what that actually means - and have a candid conversation about high achievement, deriving so much meaning from work, relationships, friendship, and what happens when one area of our lives becomes disproportionately responsible for making us feel fulfilled. This one challenged me. Because you can have a life that's exciting, successful, colourful and packed with experiences... and still ask whether you're giving enough time to the things that will matter when you reach the end of it. Jodi's work reminds us that mortality isn't something we need to run from. Sometimes remembering that we're going to die is precisely what we need to wake the f*ck up to being alive. And by the end of our conversation, I was ready to go write my mini bucket list and, in my own words, "live the f*ck out of my life." Season 3, Episode 7 - Wake the Fck Up to Life: Jodi Wellman on Death, Regret & Becoming Astonishingly Alive* is streaming now on What's The Tea with Sarah E. Connect with Jodi - Explore Jodi's work, take the How Alive Are You? quiz, learn more about Four Thousand Mondays, and find her book You Only Die Once through Four Thousand Mondays. You can also follow Jodi on Instagram at fourthousand@mondays. That’s today’s tea! If you loved this conversation, don’t forget to rate, review, and share the show with a friend.  Join the Tea Party! New episodes drop every second Tuesday, so hit that subscribe button on your favorite podcast app. And for the latest episodes, behind-the-scenes clips, and even more bold conversations, follow me on Instagram at @sara_ernest.  A Reminder - The views and opinions expressed by guests on What’s the Tea with Sarah E are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host. This podcast is a platform for diverse voices, stories, and perspectives - sometimes unpolished, always unapologetic. Until next time, keep stirring the pot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    S3 Episode 7 - Jodi Wellman

  3. Jul 28

    S3 Episode 6 - Lester Coloma

    On Season 3, Episode 6 of What's The Tea with Sarah E, I sit down with Lester Coloma - award-winning mural artist, visual storyteller, entrepreneur, and proud Hamiltonian whose work has transformed communities across North America for nearly three decades. Born and raised in Hamilton to Filipino immigrant parents, Lester's love of art began at home alongside his father, an architect who unknowingly sparked a lifelong passion for creativity. What started as childhood sketches grew into a remarkable career creating murals that don't simply decorate buildings - they tell the stories of the people, history, and communities that surround them. In this thoughtful, reflective, and deeply inspiring conversation, Lester spills the tea on: Growing up as a first-generation Filipino Canadian and the lessons his father taught him about art and lifeDiscovering mural painting through an unexpected opportunity that changed the course of his careerWhy he sees himself as a visual storyteller rather than simply an artistThe responsibility creatives have to shape communities, preserve history, and spark conversationHow grief following the loss of his mother found its way into his artwork and became part of his healing journeyBuilding a creative business over nearly 30 years while navigating self-doubt, perfectionism, and entrepreneurshipWhat success looks like today and the importance of embracing mistakes to grow as both an artist and a human beingHis dream of creating more personal, emotionally expressive work that reflects his own story Lester also shares something deeply personal: despite decades of recognition and success, he's only recently begun to understand how profoundly his work impacts the people and communities who experience it every day. It's a beautiful reminder that sometimes we never fully realize the ripple effect of the gifts we share with the world! This episode is about creativity, legacy, vulnerability, and finding beauty in both the cracks and the masterpiece. Season 3 – Episode 6 - Painting Stories That Last is streaming now on What's The Tea with Sarah E. Connect with Lester Coloma and explore his portfolio: lestercoloma.com or follow along his journey on Instagram @lestercolomaart That’s today’s tea! If you loved this conversation, don’t forget to rate, review, and share the show with a friend.  Join the Tea Party! New episodes drop every second Tuesday, so hit that subscribe button on your favorite podcast app. And for the latest episodes, behind-the-scenes clips, and even more bold conversations, follow me on Instagram at @sara_ernest.  A Reminder - The views and opinions expressed by guests on What’s the Tea with Sarah E are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host. This podcast is a platform for diverse voices, stories, and perspectives - sometimes unpolished, always unapologetic. Until next time, keep stirring the pot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    S3 Episode 6 - Lester Coloma

  4. Jul 14

    S3 Episode 5 - Danielle Zucchet

    On Season 3, Episode 5 of What's The Tea with Sarah E, I sit down with Danielle Zucchet, CEO of Kemp Care Network, fundraiser, leader, mother, and the visionary helping bring Keaton's House to life - the first dedicated pediatric hospice serving Hamilton, Halton, Niagara, Brant, and surrounding communities. Danielle's journey wasn't one she ever imagined. After losing her son, Keaton, in 2010, she found herself searching for purpose amidst unimaginable grief. While attending a grief and bereavement seminar hosted by Kemp Care Network, she learned about the enormous gap in pediatric hospice care... and everything changed. What began as a career in fundraising evolved into a calling to help build something that families across our region have deserved for decades. Today, Danielle is leading a transformational $25 million capital campaign to build Keaton's House - a home-like pediatric hospice that will provide respite care, pain and symptom management, grief and bereavement support, and end-of-life care for children and their families. With more than $14 million already raised, this dream is becoming a reality, with doors expected to open in 2027. In this deeply moving conversation, Danielle spills the tea on: The life-changing loss that transformed her purpose and careerThe heartbreaking gap in pediatric hospice care and why families deserve betterThe vision behind Keaton's House and how it will redefine care for seriously ill children and their loved onesLeading one of the region's largest capital campaigns and the lessons she's learned along the wayBuilding a team, embracing community, and why "it takes a village" isn't just a saying—it's the strategyThe importance of creating spaces where families can simply be together, make memories, and feel at home—even during life's most difficult moments Danielle also shares the story of Keaton - the joyful little boy who loved to dance, made everyone laugh, and continues to inspire a legacy of compassion that will impact generations of families. Through Keaton's House, his light will continue to shine in every family who walks through its doors. This episode is about resilience, purpose, courageous leadership, and the extraordinary things that happen when a community comes together to build hope. Season 3 – Episode 5 — More Than a Building is streaming now on What's The Tea with Sarah E. Connect with Kemp Care Network at kempcarenetwork.org and learn more about Keaton's House at kempcarenetwork.org/capital-campaign/ Follow Kemp Care Network on Instagram @kempcarenetwork and Facebook to stay connected with the campaign and upcoming community initiatives. That’s today’s tea! If you loved this conversation, don’t forget to rate, review, and share the show with a friend.  Join the Tea Party! New episodes drop every second Tuesday, so hit that subscribe button on your favorite podcast app. And for the latest episodes, behind-the-scenes clips, and even more bold conversations, follow me on Instagram at @sara_ernest.  A Reminder - The views and opinions expressed by guests on What’s the Tea with Sarah E are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host. This podcast is a platform for diverse voices, stories, and perspectives - sometimes unpolished, always unapologetic. Until next time, keep stirring the pot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    S3 Episode 5 - Danielle Zucchet

  5. Jun 16

    S3 Episode 4 - Abrar Mechmechia

    On Season 3, Episode 4 of What's The Tea with Sarah E, I sit down with Abrar Mechmechia, Syrian-Canadian, mental health advocate, and Founder & CEO of ABRAR Trauma & Mental Health Services. Abrar's story begins in Syria, where she spent her childhood surrounded by family, community, creativity, and dreams of one day pursuing medicine like her father. But life had other plans. After witnessing the devastating impacts of war and eventually fleeing Syria, Abrar arrived in Canada carrying not only her own trauma - but a deep desire to help others heal. What she discovered upon arrival was something she never expected: a system that often lacked the cultural understanding, compassion, and support newcomers desperately needed. Rather than allowing those experiences to define her, Abrar transformed them into purpose. In 2020, she founded ABRAR Trauma & Mental Health Services, creating culturally responsive, community-led mental health supports for newcomers, immigrants, refugees, women, and youth. In this powerful and deeply human conversation, Abrar spills the tea on: Growing up in Syria and the values that shaped her leadershipThe realities of displacement, migration, and rebuilding a life in a new countryWhy lived experience matters in mental health careThe gaps she encountered as a newcomer and how they inspired the creation of ABRARBuilding culturally safe spaces where people feel seen, heard, and understoodThe launch of ABRAR's first-ever public fundraising initiative, Healing Happens HereThe importance of dignity, representation, and belonging in mental health supportResponding to the tragic loss of Nabil and creating long-term solutions that center youth voices and community healingWhat it means to advocate for uncomfortable truths, even when it comes at a personal cost Abrar also shares a powerful perspective on trauma: that people are more than their diagnoses, their circumstances, or the hardships they have endured. Healing happens when people are treated as whole human beings - with culture, identity, history, and hope. At the heart of this episode is a simple but profound message: Healing doesn't happen in isolation. Healing happens in community. This episode is a conversation about resilience, belonging, courage, and what becomes possible when people choose compassion over judgment and action over indifference. Season 3 – Episode 4 - Healing Happens Here is streaming now on What's The Tea with Sarah E. Learn more about Abrar, ABRAR Trauma & Mental Health and the Healing Happens Here campaign at abrarmh.ca or find them on Instagram at @abrar.tmh and @abrar_mechmechia. That’s today’s tea! If you loved this conversation, don’t forget to rate, review, and share the show with a friend.  Join the Tea Party! New episodes drop every second Tuesday, so hit that subscribe button on your favorite podcast app. And for the latest episodes, behind-the-scenes clips, and even more bold conversations, follow me on Instagram at @sara_ernest.  A Reminder - The views and opinions expressed by guests on What’s the Tea with Sarah E are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host. This podcast is a platform for diverse voices, stories, and perspectives - sometimes unpolished, always unapologetic. Until next time, keep stirring the pot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    S3 Episode 4 - Abrar Mechmechia

  6. Jun 2

    S3 Episode 3 - Laurie Macintyre

    On Season 3, Episode 3 of What’s The Tea with Sarah E, I sit down with Laurie Macintyre, Executive Director of Jaycee Homes, housing advocate, community builder, and a leader who is proving that affordable housing is about so much more than bricks and mortar. Laurie’s journey into housing was anything but planned. What began with a leap into property management evolved into a mission-driven career focused on creating safe, stable, and dignified housing for those who need it most. Today, she is leading one of the most significant projects in Jaycee Homes’ history - a new 24-unit affordable housing development for women and women-led families fleeing violence, set to open in 2026. In this thoughtful, honest, and inspiring conversation, Laurie spills the tea on: Why stable housing is one of the most important determinants of health and successThe surprising path that led her into socialprofit leadership and leading organization through its first-ever capital campaignWhat authentic leadership really looks like and why being yourself is your greatest advantageLearning to say no, set boundaries, and lead with intentionThe importance of board engagement, collaboration, and collective impact Laurie also shares her belief that leadership isn't about titles or status - it's about showing up with integrity, building relationships, and leaving things better than you found them. Her perspective on housing, social impact, and community-building offers a powerful reminder that every person deserves a safe place to call home. Beyond housing, we explore the future of the social profit sector, the importance of measuring impact, and why communities must come together to tackle complex challenges that no organization can solve alone. At the heart of this episode is a simple but profound truth: Housing changes everything. Season 3 Episode 3 - Building More Than Homes is streaming now on What’s The Tea with Sarah E. Learn more about Jaycee Homes and their affordable housing initiatives at https://jayceehomes.ca/ That’s today’s tea! If you loved this conversation, don’t forget to rate, review, and share the show with a friend.  Join the Tea Party! New episodes drop every second Tuesday, so hit that subscribe button on your favorite podcast app. And for the latest episodes, behind-the-scenes clips, and even more bold conversations, follow me on Instagram at @sara_ernest.  A Reminder - The views and opinions expressed by guests on What’s the Tea with Sarah E are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host. This podcast is a platform for diverse voices, stories, and perspectives - sometimes unpolished, always unapologetic. Until next time, keep stirring the pot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    S3 Episode 3 - Laurie Macintyre

  7. May 19

    S3 Episode 2 - Marisa Mariella

    To continue Season 3 of What’s The Tea with Sarah E, I sit down with the vibrant and deeply soulful Marisa Mariella - culinary creator, educator, storyteller, and the heart behind Marisa’s Easy Kitchen. More than a cook, Marisa is a passionate believer in the power of food to connect people, preserve culture, support mental wellness, and create community. Raised in an Italian-Canadian household by immigrant parents from Calabria, Italy, Marisa grew up understanding that food was never just food - it was love, identity, resilience, and deep care. In this warm, heartfelt, and inspiring conversation, Marisa spills the tea on: Growing up in a home where food, faith, family, and friends were everythingThe lessons she learned from her mother about creating abundance from very littleWhy respecting food (and not wasting it) became a lifelong valueHer 30-year career as a teacher and guidance counsellor and how that work shaped her purposeCreating the iMatter teen mental health and suicide prevention programOvercoming self-doubt to launch a television show and step into entrepreneurship later in lifeBuilding a business rooted in authenticity, culture, and connectionWhy she refuses to dim her light to make others comfortable Marisa also reflects on the deeper meaning behind gathering around a table - and why she wants every person who experiences her food to feel loved, accepted, and at home. (I can now say that I've experienced this thanks to the homemade biscotti delivery!) At the heart of this episode is a beautiful reminder: Food feeds more than hunger - it feeds connection, healing, memory, and community. This episode feels like sitting at the kitchen table with a glass of wine, a plate of pasta, and someone who reminds you what really matters. Season 3 – Episode 2 is streaming now on What’s The Tea with Sarah E. Connect with Marisa Mariella online at https://marisamariella.com and on Instagram @marisamariella for Marisa’s Easy Kitchen for recipes, events, culture, and community storytelling. That’s today’s tea! If you loved this conversation, don’t forget to rate, review, and share the show with a friend.  Join the Tea Party! New episodes drop every second Tuesday, so hit that subscribe button on your favorite podcast app. And for the latest episodes, behind-the-scenes clips, and even more bold conversations, follow me on Instagram at @sara_ernest.  A Reminder - The views and opinions expressed by guests on What’s the Tea with Sarah E are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host. This podcast is a platform for diverse voices, stories, and perspectives - sometimes unpolished, always unapologetic. Until next time, keep stirring the pot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    S3 Episode 2 - Marisa Mariella

  8. May 5

    S3 Episode 1 - Jacqui Childs

    To kick off Season 3 of What’s The Tea with Sarah E, I sit down with the vibrant, fearless, and wildly authentic Jacqui Childs - entrepreneur, best-selling author, influencer, ghostwriter, and mental health advocate who has spent over a decade building a platform rooted in truth, vulnerability, and unapologetic self-expression. With more than 2.5 million followers across social media, Jacqui has seen the highs and lows of influence - but behind the curated feeds is a story of survival, reinvention, and radical honesty. From living on her own at 15, to navigating early motherhood, to stripping on 8-Mile in Detroit and Naked News, to becoming a media personality, advocate and creator - Jacqui’s journey is anything but conventional. This Hells Angel in Heels wouldn't have it any other way! In this raw, bold, and deeply human conversation, Jacqui spills the tea on: Growing up in survival mode and how her first son changed the trajectory of her lifeHer bipolar diagnosis and why she sees it as her superpower, not a limitationThe decision to stop medication and fully experience life - the highs and the lowsWhy women struggle to take up space and the data-backed reality of how differently men and women are received onlineTurning 40 and stepping into a new level of confidence, power, and self-acceptanceNavigating judgment, hate, and criticism - especially from other womenWhy she continues to show up boldly, even when she knows she won’t be for everyone Jacqui also shares deeply personal reflections on relationships, motherhood, identity, and what it means to be truly seen - not just online, but in real life. At the heart of this episode is a powerful truth: You don’t have to be palatable to be powerful. This conversation is messy, honest, funny, and at times confronting - a reminder that the most powerful thing you can be is fully yourself.🎙 Season 3 – Episode 1 is streaming now on What’s The Tea with Sarah E. Connect with Jacqui on Instagram at @jacquichilds or @childs.jacqui or search Jacqui Childs on Facebook or LinkedIn. That’s today’s tea! If you loved this conversation, don’t forget to rate, review, and share the show with a friend.  Join the Tea Party! New episodes drop every second Tuesday, so hit that subscribe button on your favorite podcast app. And for the latest episodes, behind-the-scenes clips, and even more bold conversations, follow me on Instagram at @sara_ernest.  A Reminder - The views and opinions expressed by guests on What’s the Tea with Sarah E are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host. This podcast is a platform for diverse voices, stories, and perspectives - sometimes unpolished, always unapologetic. Until next time, keep stirring the pot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    S3 Episode 1 - Jacqui Childs
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About

Welcome to What’s the Tea with Sarah E Where community, culture, and bold conversations collide.  Hosted by award-winning philanthropy leader, author, and unapologetic changemaker Sarah Ernest, this podcast spills the tea with entrepreneurs, entertainers, and community leaders about business, impact, and living life out loud.  Around here, nothing is off-limits. From money and mission to confidence and culture, Sarah takes you inside the raw, unfiltered, and unapologetic stories of leaders, dreamers, and doers who are shaping our world - and doing it their own way.  Every episode ends with Stir the Pot – a tradition where each guest leaves a bold question for the next, keeping the conversations as unpredictable as they are unforgettable.  It’s time to stir the pot and spill some tea.  --- Join the Tea Party!New episodes drop every second Tuesday — subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform and follow along on Instagram at @sara_ernest for the latest episodes, behind-the-scenes tea, and unapologetic real talk.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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