Whole & Unleashed Jessica Lock

Electric. This is how I'll describe today's guest. For nearly two decades, Karen lived a double life: writer by day, singer by night. She gradually realized that her two worlds were not worlds apart (though the outfits might be). Both words and songs have the power to inspire, inform, connect, and comfort us. And, to Karen, powerful writing and singing share the same goals: to Be candid. Be clear. Be compelling.

That’s why she's passionate about Communication that sings™

She launched Karen Gross Enterprises, in 2013 to connect—and help others connect—with audiences through words, songs, and speeches. She's collaborated with some of the most influential, pioneering leaders and organizations, crafting messages that resonate and get results. Before starting her own company, Karen spent over a decade as a communications manager, magazine and newspaper editor, reporter, and publicist. Simultaneously, she was also performing and studying voice, cabaret, and comedy in New York City and Philadelphia. She's been singing since she can remember and performing professionally since graduating Phi Beta Kappa from Wesleyan University. 

In today’s episode Karen shares:


Her passion and love for words.
Her journey integrating writing and singing in a way that's aligned to her.
Working through imposter syndrome, why perfectionism is an illusion.
Opening herself up for help and support.
The power of asking (and receiving!)
How things are getting more interesting with age. 

And a lot more! come join this juicy conversation!

You know how sometimes you get this inner voice, this nudge from within? And while it might not be logical you can feel it in your bones that it's leading you somewhere.

In today's episode, Nadine shares the magic of becoming still, listening to her higher self and allowing her path to unravel.

I was introduced to Nadine through a mutual friend of ours, Karla and we hit it off right away! We could've talked for hours.

Nadine is an Intuitive Energy Healer and Coach. Even though she started her spiritual journey and worldwide holistic therapies training over 25 years ago, she fell off her path for about a decade and became spiritually disconnected, mentally overwhelmed and physically exhausted. It took closing her business, losing her marriage, and selling her home, (all within 3 months) to learn the value of embracing stillness in her mind and body, to begin listening to her inner wisdom, and eventually re-connecting and finding her way back to herself. Now she helps anxious and sleep deprived high-functioning women deeply restore and connect to themselves, reclaiming their inner peace and rebuilding energy.

In today’s episode Nadine shares:


What she thought her initial path was and what what took her out of it.
How she followed her curiosity, leading her to learn about Ayurveda and holistic therapies.
Why she launched a custom dress business that championed body acceptance.
How she got swept up in the busyness of doing and got disconnected from herself.
The devastating 3 months that served as a catalyst her into stillness.
The resistance of being in flow state at first and how she learned to embrace.
Her adventures in following her inner voice.

Today’s guest is a dear, dear friend of mine. We met at university a while back and have remained friends ever since. We’ve seen each other grow, change paths and try new things. It’s an honour to call Jonathan Agomaa my friend.

Jonathan is a creative designer and art director who specializes in designing interactive experiences, products and brand development initiatives. He spent his career leapfrogging across Canada, working as a creative for various industries from advertising agencies, to broadcast/TV, to bricks and mortar retail design.

From working on beer and cheese, to cars and banks, and everything in between, Jonathan has prided himself on diversity and curiosity above all else. Never choosing to stay in one spot, in 2019, he chose to leave the life of 9-5, to begin exploring his own personal and professional ventures.

In today’s episode Jonathan shares:

How he fell into design even though he had another career in mind
How things were great on paper but not aligned to what mattered to him
How burnout made him reevaluate everything he was doing
The importance of taking a step back
The lessons he learned from being a digital nomad
How adopting a curious mindset has helped him create a life around what he values the most

"Fifty. It’s not what I imagined, what I thought it would be like… I am not afraid of Fifty - I embrace what it has to offer.

I’m selfish, I guess. In that I have tried to live my fifty years, mostly by my own desires, motivations, and interests. There are things I might do differently but regrets …. Fuck that!

I find inspiration every day. I am still learning, exploring; dreaming and creating. There is always something to do and never enough time - so much to learn; so much that I do not know; that I am interested in.

I am enamoured by this quest of exploration. In following my curiosities. At being surprised by what lay behind each new door, around each corner and over and beyond the distant horizon. To see what is revealed. To ask new questions; have new dreams, and inspirations... there is little greater for me than the journey of learning, exploring and dreaming.

There are things that I have learned along the way - most recently from the Pandemic – that have become more clear to my personal sensibilities; the people that I surround myself with for example and the importance of my family and of caring for others and of helping those who are in need and are vulnerable.

The closer I got to Fifty - the more I began to question my life and the truths of my motivations. The things that were important to me and why. and I began to question what type of society I wanted to live in and how I could make an impact. I thought about inequality and how lucky I am because of the absolute advantages that I have been given and have experienced – and I try to acknowledge this each day – often failing – by consciously attempting to be a decent and good person. [...]"

Today's guest is someone I met in my ad days. His name is David Bastedo and he is a Creative Technologist, Photographer, Artist & Speaker. 

His personal story is about passion. And you'll be able to see throughout our chat, David is passionate about exploring and following his curiosities. About having and following dreams, chasing ideas and creativity. Making and creating things. Taking chances. Pushing himself and often failing. Constantly questioning how he wants to live today, tomorrow and throughout the next part of his life.

His Professional story is rooted in the world of digital communications. For over twenty years David worked in advertising agencies. He's been an independent Digital Consult in various guises, developing online strategies and creating content for clients ranging from Car companies, to Alcohol and Marijuana Producers, Politicians and Rock Bands – to name a few.

As a photographer, he shoots still and moving images of people and things; documentary and events. With a particular fondness for working with musicians. He's worked with one Canadian band in particular, called the Tragically Hip and documented them for almost fifteen years, as well as their Lead Singer – Gord Downie. The images he made of The Tragically Hip have been published in print and online by every major newspaper in Canada and many international papers. They've appeared in ad campaigns, on band merchandise; movies, tv, magazine covers, books and posters and are available for purchase as Fine Art Prints and Licensed Music Collectables.

In today’s episode David shares:  


About his unconventional path and the ups and downs that followed.
Why he refuses to specialize - Seeing failure as an opportunity for growth. 
How he's never satisfied, seeing it as a curse and blessing.
His appreciation for street art.
What photography means to him, specially working with musicians.
The famous "the hug" photo he took of Gord Downie and how that lead him to meeting the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau.

And David made a special gift for us! He recorded his 50 birthday refleciton piece on audio, adding this as our bonus episode on the podcast.  

David, I am grateful for you and let's dive in!

Today's episode is with someone I've been following and learning from for years. Her name is Melyssa Griffin. She's a former school-teacher turned entrepreneur, Melyssa leads a community of over 300,000 entrepreneurs and 25,000 students in her paid courses and mastermind program, where she helps conscious leaders create profitable, purpose-driven companies, as well as heal from the old mental programming and thought patterns that keep them from feeling aligned, whole, and fulfilled.

I had the huge privilege of meeting Melyssa when I joined her Bold Abundance Mastermind this year. And let me tell you, she is as warm and vibrant in person (well, zoom) as she is in her videos and social media.

She's been such an incredible guide in holding space for us to grow, expand and heal. And let me tell you, this podcast wouldn't be here right now if it weren't for her and everyone in the mastermind.

You are in for a treat!

In today’s episode Melyssa shares:


About her burnout and what she did during her 6 months sabbatical.
On re-aligning her business to herself.
Practicing inner connection so you don't get lost in the noise.
Experimentation, taking the time to see what works and letting go of any attachment.
Walking away from something "successful" because it wasn't aligned.
On creating connected, honest, vulnerable communities where people can thrive.
Money mindset and self worth.

And so much more. I highlighted almost the entire episode as I was skimming through the transcript. This call was so nourishing for me, I am grateful I get to share Melyssa's wisdom with you all. Let's dive in!