Thinking About Podcast

Kirsti McNabney
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Thinking About podcast is your digital equivalent to late night chats with good friends that keep you thinking. Join host Kirsti McNabney as we have deep, meaningful conversations with interesting people to help level up our lives, offer actionable outcomes and keep us thinking for days to come. Expect to hear from entrepreneurs, coaches, thought leaders, health and wellness experts and more! Every week, we cover things all the things that keep women thinking – including connections with others, building a business, friendship, mental health, wellness, boundaries, relationships, growing up, skincare, and more. No topic is off-limits and you're at a table with friends. We've saved you a seat and poured you a cup – welcome to the deep conversations that keep us growing. Subscribe to hear new episodes every Tuesday.

  1. 17H AGO

    Who Are You When You're Not Being Productive? On Hobbies, Joy & Reclaiming Yourself [SOLO Episode]

    Somewhere between the girlboss era and a world that's constantly telling us to optimize, monetize, and move faster, I quietly forgot how to just... do something for fun. Not because it would make good content or even make me a better person. Just because it felt good! Like, why can’t that be enough? If your days have been blurring together too, or if you feel like you’re so restless you can’t even pay attention to a TV episode anymore, I feel you. Let’s do something about it! I cover a ton of ideas in this episode. In this episode, I'm talking about: My complicated relationship with my phoneDigital anhedonia: the reduced ability to enjoy real-world experiences after too much screen timeWhy hobbies are actually identity work – and what they have to do with your inner childThe two big reasons hobbies matter: mental health and joyEmbracing the beginner's mindset and doing things badly on purposeWhat I'm trying: diamond painting, coloring, craft afternoons, Duolingo, the library, cooking, Pilates, and my hobby wish listThree questions to sit with this weekLet's Connect If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who could use a little more mindfulness in their life. Your support helps Thinking About reach more listeners and grow our community of thoughtful, intentional individuals. Continue the conversation with me on IG / Tiktok @thinkingaboutpodcast and @kirstimcnabney. Follow along on Substack for more conversations on the things that keep us thinking. Send a text

    30 min

  2. FEB 24

    What the Algorithm Can't Do for You, and Why Meta Ads Might Be the Answer with Caley Dimmick

    When's the last time you felt completely free from the algorithm? Not just a good week, not just a post that happened to take off, but genuinely unbothered by whether your content gets seen? In this episode of Thinking About, I'm sitting down with Caley Dimmock – ads expert, teacher at heart, and someone whose brain I deeply trust when it comes to scaling without chaos. Caley is the founder of Meta Ads Academy, a 12-week mentorship accelerator for people who want to learn to run ads themselves (or add them to their client offerings), and she also runs a business mastermind focused on building sustainable, capacity-aware businesses. In this episode, we're talking about: Why intuitive content often connects more than a perfectly planned strategyThe freedom of not being at the whim of the algorithm, and how ads changed Caley's business and lifeWhat needs to be working before you run ads (and why throwing traffic at something broken won't fix it)How to think about your ad budget by reverse-engineering your acceptable cost per lead or purchaseHow to test ads the right way: why it's about data and sample size, not how many days have passedWhat Meta's AI changes actually meanWhy Caley built Meta Ads Academy and her business mastermind – and the fear she had to work through firstLet's Connect If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who could use a little more mindfulness in their life. Your support helps Thinking About reach more listeners and grow our community of thoughtful, intentional individuals. Continue the conversation with me on IG / Tiktok @thinkingaboutpodcast and @kirstimcnabney. Follow along on Substack for more conversations on the things that keep us thinking. Connect with Caley Dimmock Follow @cjdimmock on Instagram! Join the waitlist for Meta Ads Academy Get 50% off on Ad Spend 101, Caley’s mini-course and templates with code THINKINGABOUT Links from the episode: Data is Beautiful Reddit Most Replayed Moment: Alain de Botton - Individualism Is Making Us Miserable! Send a text

    56 min

  3. FEB 17

    The Anti-Resolution Episode: What I'm Actually Taking Into The New Year [SOLO Episode]

    I didn't make a single New Year's resolution this year. Partially because I was sick, partially because I was unpacking a new home, and partially because I was just tired. But somewhere in that accidental pause, I started noticing something. The quiet, undramatic changes I was making for my health and well-being were actually sticking. Tune in if you've been feeling like you're always trying to get your life together but never quite catching up. My life is also not together, for the record, but there are pieces of my life that have felt sticky for a long time and they’re finally coming loose – and I really wanted to share what's helping. In this episode, I'm talking about: Why you don't need more discipline but supportHow changing my environment has been my single biggest game changerHealth habits don't have to be dramatic to workFeeling better as a whole stack, not a single fix – and why some weeks that means a workout and some weeks it means seeing your friendsReflection questions to take with you Let's Connect If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who could use a little more mindfulness in their life. Your support helps Thinking About reach more listeners and grow our community of thoughtful, intentional individuals. Continue the conversation with me on IG / Tiktok @thinkingaboutpodcast and @kirstimcnabney. Follow along on Substack for more conversations on the things that keep us thinking. Links from the episode: Follow @jenneatsgoood on Substack Send a text

    27 min

  4. FEB 10

    The Science of Happiness, Building Resilience & Why You Don't Have To Be Happy All The Time with Dr. Gillian Mandich

    Chatting with a stranger on your commute. Sharing fries with a friend. Watching the sunset from your window. Turns out, these micro moments are much more than pleasant – they're the actual building blocks of happiness! I'm sitting down with Dr. Gillian Mandich, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Manitoba, who holds a PhD in Health Science from Western University. She's a happiness researcher, educator, speaker, and author; founder of The International Happiness Institute; and co-lead investigator of the Happiness at Work Study with the Mental Health Association. She was also named one of the Top 100 Most Powerful Women by the Women's Executive Network! I first heard Gillian speak at Camp Reconnect and haven't stopped quoting her since. She completely reframed how I think about happiness, helping me see it as a practice instead of a destination. This conversation gave me permission to stop waiting for everything to be perfect before I let myself feel happy, and I know it will do the same for you! In this episode, we're talking about: How Dr. Gillian defines happiness and why it's both simple and complicatedThe paradox of trying to be happy all the timeMicro moments versus big tripsThe broaden and build theory and how happiness works like a muscleWhy social connection is the number one predictor of long-term health and happinessHappy hunting – a simple practice to figure out what actually makes you happyHow our environment impacts our happiness and what we can control when we feel stuckSeasonal affective disorder, winter in Canada, and navigating the dark monthsBuilding meaningful connections in a digital worldHolding two emotions at the same time and why that's a sign of emotional maturityRethinking assumptions and narratives we've held about happinessCuriosity, travel, and learning as paths to a richer life Let's Connect If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who could use a little more mindfulness in their life. Your support helps Thinking About reach more listeners and grow our community of thoughtful, intentional individuals. Continue the conversation with me on IG / Tiktok @thinkingaboutpodcast and @kirstimcnabney. Follow along on Substack for more conversations on the things that keep us thinking. Connect with Dr. Gillian Mandich: Dr. Gillian’s website Follow @drgillianmandich on Instagram (and her dog!) Links from the episode: Camp Reconnect Book: Think Again by Adam Grant Send a text

    1h 3m

  5. FEB 3

    We're Back! Life Updates, Getting Married in Greece & Moving to the City [SOLO Episode]

    Hi. It's been nine months… I know! I didn't mean to ghost you. Between planning an elopement in Greece, getting married, dealing with health stuff, moving to Toronto, and scaling my business, the podcast became the rubber ball I had to put down while I held onto the glass ones. But I'm finally back. And truthfully, I feel more alive than I have in years. In this solo episode, I'm catching you up on everything you missed. We're talking about getting married on a cliff in Santorini, why moving to the city has shifted my entire baseline, what it means to finally have everything little me ever wanted, and how I'm learning to delegate after running an agency alone for way too long. This is your reminder that both things can be true: the world can feel heavy and you can still feel grateful. You can be growing through hard things and also be really, genuinely happy. Welcome back to the conversations that keep us thinking. I've missed you! In this episode, I'm talking about: Where I've been for the past nine months and why the podcast break happenedGetting married in GreeceMoving to Toronto and how living in the city has changed my baseline happinessFinding joy again after desperately losing itScaling my business and learning to delegate (finally)Why showing up in this space feels like coming homeThinking about love beyond romantic relationshipsWhat's coming this year: two guest episodes and two solos a month Let's Connect If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who could use a little more mindfulness in their life. Your support helps Thinking About reach more listeners and grow our community of thoughtful, intentional individuals. Continue the conversation with me on IG / Tiktok @thinkingaboutpodcast and @kirstimcnabney. Follow along on Substack for more conversations on the things that keep us thinking. Links from the episode: My wedding photos on Instagram: post 1, post 2 Life Kit episode about being happier in the winter Send a text

    22 min

  6. 03/25/2025

    Building a Transparent Skincare Brand, Scaling a Business & The Power of Community with Three Ships’ Connie Lo & Laura Thompson

    This week, we’re thinking about what it really takes to build a brand that stands out – one rooted in transparency, community, and real results. In this episode of Thinking About, I’m sitting down with Connie Lo and Laura Thompson, the co-founders of Three Ships, an all-natural skincare brand working to turn radical transparency into the industry standard. What started with just $4,000 in savings and a DIY formulation in their apartment kitchens has grown into a thriving beauty brand stocked in major retailers like Whole Foods and Indigo. Beyond their clean skincare formulas, what truly sets Three Ships apart is how they’ve built an engaged, loyal community by prioritizing real customer feedback, education, and ingredient transparency. In this episode, Connie and Laura pull back the curtain on how they scaled Three Ships without sacrificing their values, what it takes to run a business as co-founders, and why staying connected to their community has been key to their success. In this episode, we’re talking about: The origin story of Three Ships and how they turned a kitchen experiment into a thriving skincare brand.How radical transparency, community, and real customer feedback have set them apart.The realities of scaling a business while staying true to your values.Their biggest lessons as co-founders, from decision-making to navigating challenges together.The power of brand storytelling, product education, and authenticity in an industry full of marketing gimmicks.If you’ve ever dreamed of starting a business, want a behind-the-scenes look at how to scale a brand with integrity, or just love hearing inspiring founder stories, this episode is for you. Let's Connect If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who could use a little more mindfulness in their life. Your support helps Thinking About reach more listeners and grow our community of thoughtful, intentional individuals. Continue the conversation with me on IG / Tiktok @thinkingaboutpodcast and @kirstimcnabney. Follow along on Substack for more conversations on the things that keep us thinking. Connect with Connie Lo and Laura Thompson, the co-founders of Three Ships Visit https://www.threeshipsbeauty.ca/ Laura on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/laura.athompson Connie on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/itsconnielo Three Ships on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/threeshipsbeauty Send a text

    55 min

  7. 03/18/2025

    Magnetism, Creative Flow & Building a Business That Attracts Opportunities with Rachel Kelly of Make Lemonade

    This week, we’re thinking about what happens when you stop chasing opportunities and start attracting them by fully embracing who you are. In this episode of Thinking About, I’m catching up with Rachel Kelly, a Toronto-based floral artist, designer, and community builder who made the leap from running a coworking space to creating stunning floral installations and large-scale art pieces. Rachel’s journey has been anything but linear, but what’s made her business thrive is her deep understanding of magnetism, energy, and trusting her intuition. We dive into what it means to flow instead of force when it comes to creative work, why saying yes before you have it all figured out can lead to the best opportunities, and how she balances real-life creativity with the pressures of showing up online. In this episode, we’re talking about: How Rachel built a creative business that attracts aligned opportunities rather than chasing them.The shift from pushing in business to embracing flow and trusting what’s meant for you.Her evolving relationship with social media, online presence, and creative energy.Why prioritizing real-life experiences over digital content has been a game-changer.The lessons she’s learned about boundaries, burnout, and making space for joy.If you’ve ever felt like you’re forcing things instead of allowing them to unfold, or if you’re looking for inspiration to follow your unique path, this episode will leave you feeling empowered to go for it. Let's Connect If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who could use a little more mindfulness in their life. Your support helps Thinking About reach more listeners and grow our community of thoughtful, intentional individuals. Continue the conversation with me on IG / Tiktok @thinkingaboutpodcast and @kirstimcnabney. Follow along on Substack for more conversations on the things that keep us thinking. Connect with Rachel: On Instagram @makelemonadeco Visit https://www.makelemonade.ca/ Send a text

    44 min

  8. 03/12/2025

    Showing Up Authentically, Branding with Confidence & Building a Business That Feels Like You with Puja Malhotra

    This week, we’re thinking about what it really means to show up as your full, unapologetic self – online, in business, and in life. In this episode of Thinking About, I’m joined by Puja Malhotra, a branding strategist and founder of Roop Creative Agency, where she helps entrepreneurs build authentic, impactful brands that attract dream clients with confidence. With nearly a decade of experience in branding, website design, and strategy, Puja offers personalized services, including full-service design, intensives, and audits – all with a strong focus on making businesses feel like a true reflection of the people behind them. She’s also the creator of Corporate Dropout: Mentorship for Creatives, a 6-month program empowering entrepreneurs to leave the 9-to-5 grind and build sustainable, scalable businesses. We dive into the power of authenticity in branding and business, why showing up fully as yourself is the key to creating meaningful connections, and how stepping outside the box leads to more aligned opportunities. In this episode, we’re talking about: The truth about authentic branding – what it really means and why so many people get it wrong.The permission we need to show up fully as ourselves and how to start practicing that daily.Overcoming self-doubt & imposter syndrome when building a brand that truly reflects you.How growing up in an immigrant household shaped Puja’s approach to identity, belonging, and business.The unlearning required after leaving the corporate world and why true success looks different than what we’ve been sold.Finding community, balance, and self-trust in an online world that constantly tells us to do more.Why branding is more than just a logo and how to build a business that actually feels like you.The mindset shifts that help you attract the right clients and opportunities without forcing it.If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, showing up online, or feeling like you have to fit into a certain box, Puja’s insights will leave you feeling seen, inspired, and ready to step into your most magnetic, fully you version of success. 🎧 Listen to the latest episode of Thinking About wherever you get your podcasts. Let's Connect If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who could use a little more mindfulness in their life. Your support helps Thinking About reach more listeners and grow our community of thoughtful, intentional individuals. Continue the conversation with me on IG / Tiktok @thinkingaboutpodcast and @kirstimcnabney. Follow along on Substack for more conversations on the things that keep us thinking. Connect with Puja: On Instagram and threads Roop Creative Agency Visti Puja's website https://www.roopcreativeagency.com Read Puja's newsletter  https://www.roopcreativeagency.com/newsletter Send a text

    42 min
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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Thinking About podcast is your digital equivalent to late night chats with good friends that keep you thinking. Join host Kirsti McNabney as we have deep, meaningful conversations with interesting people to help level up our lives, offer actionable outcomes and keep us thinking for days to come. Expect to hear from entrepreneurs, coaches, thought leaders, health and wellness experts and more! Every week, we cover things all the things that keep women thinking – including connections with others, building a business, friendship, mental health, wellness, boundaries, relationships, growing up, skincare, and more. No topic is off-limits and you're at a table with friends. We've saved you a seat and poured you a cup – welcome to the deep conversations that keep us growing. Subscribe to hear new episodes every Tuesday.

Information

  • Creator
    Kirsti McNabney
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    133
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Thinking About Podcast
  • Show Website
    Thinking About Podcast