STRONG LIKE a GIRL

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STRONG LIKE a GIRL is a podcast hosted by a girl named Tanya LaBuick - an entrepreneur, a powerhouse C-suite leader who's led teams on the world stage, and scaled start-ups into multimillion-dollar companies. From work with the Olympic Games, to Super Bowls, and the FIFA Women's World Cup, Tanya has a thirty year track record of success working with major corporations and betting on herself as the founder of LaBuick & Co. Tanya believes resiliency and perseverance are choices. Tanya champions women; she is driven by the unshakable belief that every woman deserves the right to take up space and play boldly in any arena. Now in her 50s, Tanya is ready to talk about it all. STRONG LIKE a GIRL will explore how we uncover the wisdom gained through adversity—and the tools used to overcome it. Here at STRONG LIKE a GIRL, we’ll unpack it, sit in it, likely cry about it, and hopefully laugh a little—or a lot. Tanya believes we are all STRONG LIKE a GIRL and should wear it with a badge of honour. Connect with Tanya LaBuick: https://www.stronglikeagirlpodcast.ca/ https://stronglikeagirl.ca/ https://labuick.co/

Episodes

  1. FEB 10

    Season One Recap: 8 Guests, 8 Lessons

    In this episode of STRONG LIKE a GIRL. host Tanya reflects on the first season of the show, sharing insights and memorable moments from each of her guests. Each guest brought unique stories of resilience, courage, and authenticity, highlighting the diverse experiences of women in various fields. Revisit these episodes: https://www.stronglikeagirlpodcast.ca/episodes/

    31 min
  2. Susanne Dandenault: Strength in Transition

    JAN 27

    Susanne Dandenault: Strength in Transition

    In this episode of Strong Like a Girl, Tanya LaBuick interviews Susanne Dandenault, an accomplished athlete and lawyer. Suzanne shares her journey from being a national champion weightlifter to a successful legal career, discussing the challenges and triumphs she faced along the way. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship, community involvement, and the need for passion in one's pursuits. The conversation also touches on the significance of mental health, stress management, and the evolving landscape of women's sports. More About Susanne Dandenault:  Susanne is from Winnipeg and completed her undergraduate degrees at the University of Washington in Seattle while on an athletic scholarship for track and field. She returned to Winnipeg and earned her law degree from the University of Manitoba.    She began her legal career in Manitoba in 2006. Susanne is also licensed to practice law in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon. She is a lawyer with Pitblado Law in Winnipeg where her practice is concentrated in the areas of corporate/commercial, real estate, and corporate governance working predominately with Indigenous clients.   Susanne is a dedicated volunteer and is currently the Chair of the board of directors of Sport Manitoba. She is a former national team athlete in track and field (3 years) and weightlifting (9 years) and was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 2019. She is married with two teenagers and does not have nearly enough pets for her liking. Links: linkedin.com/in/smdandenault Connect with Tanya LaBuick:  https://www.stronglikeagirlpodcast.ca/ https://stronglikeagirl.ca/ https://labuick.co/

    52 min
  3. Michelle Cummings: We’re Not in Kansas Anymore

    JAN 13

    Michelle Cummings: We’re Not in Kansas Anymore

    In this episode of Strong Like a Girl, host Tanya LaBuick interviews Michelle Cummings, a dynamic leader in experiential learning and team development. Michelle shares her journey from humble beginnings in Kansas to becoming the founder of Training Wheels and co-founder of Personify Leadership. The conversation explores the importance of experiential learning, the challenges of team dynamics, and the power of connection in leadership. Michelle also discusses her personal experiences with mentorship, addiction, and her journey into writing fiction, emphasizing resilience and the value of positive female friendships. More About Michelle Cummings: Michelle Cummings, M.S., is the Founder, CEO, and Chief Creative Officer for Personify Leadership. Her diverse background in team development programs helped her engineer and create the experiential activities used in Personify Leadership programs. She has coached, facilitated, and led teams and organizations for over two decades. Her steadfast leadership at Personify has allowed her to develop thousands of leaders worldwide. As the driving force behind Personify Leadership, Michelle has authored the company’s signature courses. Her expertise and creativity have shaped the full course catalog, each designed to help leaders strengthen key attributes like resilience, empathy, and accountability. Michelle’s passion lies in creating impactful learning experiences that push leaders to not just understand leadership, but fully live it. Michelle is also the host of the popular podcast Leadership Personified, where she interviews leaders from across the globe. These conversations dive deep into how Personify’s programs have influenced their leadership journeys, shaped their organizations, and transformed their personal lives. Through the podcast, Michelle amplifies real-world stories of leadership growth and shares valuable insights with a wide audience. In addition to her executive role, Michelle is a sought-after speaker and facilitator at leadership events and conferences worldwide. Her engaging style, combined with her deep knowledge of experiential learning, makes her a favourite among clients and audiences alike. Under Michelle’s leadership, Personify continues to expand its global reach, inspiring leaders everywhere to step into their best selves. Michelle holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Kansas State University and a Master’s degree in Experiential Education from Minnesota State University at Mankato. She grew up on a farm in Norton, Kansas and currently lives in Littleton, Colorado. Michelle Cummings, M.S., is also the Big Wheel and founder of Training Wheels, a known leader in the Team Building field. Michelle speaks at more than 25 local, national, and international conferences each year and authors a weekly team-building newsletter called The Spokesperson that has over 24,000 subscribers in over 100 countries. Links: ⁠https://www.personifyleadership.com/about-personify-leadership/michelle-cummings/⁠ https://training-wheels.com/about-us/

    55 min
  4. Kyla Cottom: Behind the Scenes of Strong Like a Girl

    12/23/2025

    Kyla Cottom: Behind the Scenes of Strong Like a Girl

    Host Tanya LaBuick welcomes a member of Team Strong and marketing strategist, Kyla Cottom to explore the intersections of creativity, leadership, and personal growth. From their serendipitous meeting to collaborating on impactful projects, Tanya and Kyla share insights into the world of marketing and the power of storytelling. The conversation delves into the complexities of planning major international events, highlighting the intricate systems involved in creating a functional environment that integrates transportation, logistics, and entertainment; an inside look at big events with insights from behind the scenes. More About Kyla Cottom: Kyla Cottom is the founder of Ridge Marketing & Strategy, a fractional marketing agency that embeds directly into businesses as their trusted marketing partner. She works alongside internal teams and leadership to plan, manage, and execute the day-to-day and big-picture marketing initiatives organizations need, but don’t have capacity to handle in-house. With 15+ years of experience across the ski industry, hospitality, tourism, startups, and construction, Kyla blends creative vision with clear strategic direction. She’s known for stepping into teams seamlessly, bringing structure, clarity, and momentum to their marketing. Her approach is hands-on, collaborative, and tailored, helping small and mid-sized businesses build stronger brands, optimize their marketing systems, and grow with intention. When she’s not supporting clients, you can find her outdoors with her husband and two daughters biking, hiking, or skiing across Manitoba and the mountains. ridgemarketing.ca Connect with Tanya LaBuick: www.stronglikeagirlpodcast.ca/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.stronglikeagirl.ca/ www.labuick.co/

    44 min
  5. From Law to Horror: Karen Lam's Creative Evolution

    12/09/2025

    From Law to Horror: Karen Lam's Creative Evolution

    Host Tanya LaBuick reconnects with her high school friend Karen Lam, an accomplished filmmaker known for her work in the horror genre. They discuss Karen's journey from a small town in Manitoba to becoming a celebrated director, exploring themes of cultural identity, representation, the feminine edge, and the impact of grief on storytelling. Karen shares her insights on the role of empathy in horror, the importance of authentic storytelling, and her current projects that address socio-political issues.  More About Karen Lam: Karen has worked full-time in the film and television industry since 2000. Starting her career as a producer and entertainment lawyer, Karen was one of the architects of the British Columbia tax credit program before being recruited by PwC accounting firm to assist with creating tax shelters for the US studio clients.  Since leaving the world of film finance, Karen has written and directed ten short horror films, three music videos, series directed two seasons of the true crime series Very Bad Men for Discovery+, a web series Mythos (2015) for TELUS, and five feature-length films, including Stained (2010), Evangeline (2013) and The Curse of Willow Song (2020), which premiered at the Vancouver International Film Festival in September 2020.  The film won the award for Best British Columbia Feature Film, and Karen received a Best Director award at the British Columbia Leo Awards (2021).  Karen has also written television scripts for SYFY and Netflix on the premiere seasons of Van Helsing and Ghost Wars, where she was able to help create and create the characters for each series.  In 2021, Karen directed the seventh instalment in the Bring It On cheerleading franchise, a Halloween horror special titled Bring It On:  Cheer Or Die (2022) that premiered on SYFY in October, and is available for viewing on Crave in Canada (Amazon and Hulu in the rest of the world.).  The Curse of Willow Song is available for viewing worldwide, released jointly by Red Water Entertainment (Canada) and Uncork’d Entertainment (world). Karen just directed two projects in 2024 based on her original scripts:  Armageddon Road is a darkly comedic supernatural road trip, set in 1970s Las Vegas, with a sly riff on the Biblical Book of Revelation.  The feature film was shot almost entirely in the volume wall and with miniatures, using a unique combination of retro and cutting edge technology.  The second project is Karen’s tenth short horror film, Mrs. Chang’s Perfect Teeth, which won the Director’s Guild of Canada BC “Established Director Greenlight Award” in late 2023.   Both films are premiering in film festival screenings in the fall of 2025 and will be distributed internationally in the spring of 2026. www.karenlamfilms.com  https://youtu.be/IdEOC0oUilg?si=yfe9wUWnui3uEC1I  Connect with Tanya LaBuick: https://www.stronglikeagirlpodcast.ca/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stronglikeagirl.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://labuick.co/⁠ Chapters (00:00) Reconnecting Through Memories (02:16) Karen Lam: A Multifaceted Career (11:21) Cultural Identity and Growing Up in Brandon (22:11) Navigating Grief and Storytelling (23:05) The Unique Perspective of Women in Horror Films (25:39) The Final Girl and Feminism in Horror (27:48) Desexualizing Rape Revenge Tropes (30:32) Exploring Socio-Political Themes in Horror (31:56) Microaggressions and Cultural Representation (36:33) Empathy in Horror Filmmaking (38:35) Writing Process and Creative Flow (42:53) Advice for Aspiring Women Filmmakers

    41 min
  6. Amy Hyatt: Grief, Friendship & Resilience

    11/25/2025

    Amy Hyatt: Grief, Friendship & Resilience

    In this heartfelt conversation, host Tanya LaBuick and colleague-turned-friend Amy Hyatt explore their deep friendship, the challenges of navigating life after their work together during the Salt Lake City Olympics, and the profound impact of grief and loss in her life. Amy shares her journey of caregiving for her husband Ben, who faced mental health challenges and ultimately succumbed to cancer, alongside the loss of her mother. The discussion delves into the complexities of grief, the importance of vulnerability, and the strength found in shared experiences. Amy reflects on her life lessons and the meaning of resilience, ultimately emphasizing the power of acceptance and the necessity of embracing both joy and sorrow in life alongside your friends and support system. More About Amy Hyatt: As a seasoned event manager, Amy Hyatt has worked for high-profile organizations including the 2000 Sydney Olympics, 2002 Salt Lake Olympics, the University of Minnesota and currently for 21+ years with Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media. linkedin.com/in/amyelizabethyatt                 Connect with Tanya LaBuick: https://www.stronglikeagirlpodcast.ca/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stronglikeagirl.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://labuick.co/⁠

    39 min
  7. Sarah Peto: Empowering Women in Fire & Emergency Services

    11/11/2025

    Sarah Peto: Empowering Women in Fire & Emergency Services

    Host Tanya LaBuick speaks with Sarah Peto, a trailblazer in the Brandon, Manitoba fire and emergency service. She shares her journey as one of the first women in the fire and emergency service in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, discussing challenges faced by women, the evolution of gender dynamics, and the importance of mental health and support networks. Sarah highlights the impact of her community work, and her aspirations for the future, emphasizing the need for advocacy and empowerment for women in fire and emergency services. More About Sarah Peto: Sarah Peto is a Lieutenant with Brandon Fire & Emergency Services, where she has proudly served her community for 24 years as both a firefighter and paramedic. A leader for change in the fire service, Sarah is the founder and President of Fire Service Women Central Provinces, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the advocacy, empowerment, and advancement of women in the fire service throughout Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Sarah is a strong advocate for mental health and resiliency. She serves on her department’s Peer Support Team and is a board member of Project Resilience 911, which provides Westman-area first responders with access to mental health resources, resiliency training, and CISM debriefs. Nationally, she contributes her expertise through the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs’ Mental Health and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committees, working to foster a more inclusive and supportive fire service culture across Canada. www.fswcp.ca https://www.instagram.com/fswcp/ https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BBNBtnnsT/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-peto-5589613a/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/fire-service-women-central-provinces Chapters (00:00) Introduction and First Impressions (01:52) Journey into Emergency Services (05:47) Challenges of Being a Woman in Fire Services (11:24) Evolving Attitudes Towards Women in Fire Services (17:20) Establishing Support Networks for Women (23:30) Future Goals for Women in Fire Services (26:41) Supporting Women in Fire Services (28:39) Recognition and Awards for Community Service (31:01) Navigating Community Connections in Emergency Services (36:56) Advice for Fire Chiefs on Supporting Women (38:04) Future Aspirations in Fire Service Leadership (41:24) Rapid Fire Questions: Insights and Reflections Connect with Tanya LaBuick: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.stronglikeagirlpodcast.ca/⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://stronglikeagirl.ca/⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://labuick.co/⁠

    39 min
  8. Heather Stefanson: Women in Politics

    10/28/2025

    Heather Stefanson: Women in Politics

    In this episode of Strong Like a Girl, host Tanya LaBuick speaks to Heather Stefanson about her journey in politics, discussing the challenges women face in the male-dominated field. They touch on the importance of mentorship and health challenges and how they intersect with her leadership role, advocating for women to prioritize their health and well-being. They reflect on their experiences in the political arena, emphasizing the significance of unity in divisive times and the importance of creating a safe environment for women in politics. The discussion also highlights the need to encourage future generations of women to get involved in public policy and leadership roles. More About Heather Stefanson: The Honourable Heather Stefanson has dedicated over 25 years to public service across federal, provincial, and international levels. She made history as the 24th Premier of Manitoba and the first woman to hold the position, where she led major fiscal reforms, balanced a $21 billion budget, and achieved one of Canada’s highest provincial fiscal performance rankings. As Premier, Heather championed economic development, Indigenous economic reconciliation, and healthcare innovation — including launching Manitoba’s Diagnostic and Surgical Recovery Task Force, which cleared pandemic surgical backlogs for more than 85,000 patients. Her leadership also helped secure a landmark national healthcare funding agreement during her tenure as Chair of the Council of the Federation. https://www.gov.mb.ca/legislature/members/info/stefanson.html  Connect with Tanya LaBuick: ⁠⁠https://www.stronglikeagirlpodcast.ca/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://stronglikeagirl.ca/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://labuick.co/⁠

    45 min
  9. Janet McMahon: A CEO’s Leadership Journey in Sport

    10/14/2025

    Janet McMahon: A CEO’s Leadership Journey in Sport

    In this episode of Strong Like a Girl, host Tanya LaBuick sits down with Janet McMahon, the first female CEO of Sport Manitoba, for a powerful and inspiring conversation about leadership and the transformative power of sport. Janet shares her journey to her groundbreaking role as CEO, reflecting on over 40 years in sports. She offers insight into the challenges and rewards of sports management, her experiences at major sporting events, and what it means to lead with authenticity and purpose. The conversation dives into the evolving landscape for women in sports, gender dynamics in leadership, and the complexities surrounding inclusion in athletics. Janet also opens up about her personal health journey with ALS, discussing how it has reshaped her perspective on life and leadership. Connect with Janet McMahon: Janet has worked in Sport Administration for 40 years playing various roles.  Currently, she is the President and CEO of Sport Manitoba.  In addition to attending many Games regional, provincial, national to international as Mission staff, she also worked for the Host Societies of the 1999 Pan Am Games and the 2017 Canada Summer Games.  More recently, she was diagnosed with ALS and is now focused on bringing closure to her work and responsibilities with purpose. https://www.sportmanitoba.ca/team/janet-mcmahon  Connect with Tanya LaBuick: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.stronglikeagirlpodcast.ca/⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://stronglikeagirl.ca/⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://labuick.co/

    40 min

  10. 10/14/2025

    Who is Tanya LaBuick?

    In the inaugural episode of the Strong Like a Girl podcast, host Tanya LaBuick shares her journey, career highlights, and the inspiration behind the podcast. Inviting her producer Sarah Burke along for the conversation, she speaks about working with community programs and managing large-scale events, including the Olympics. Tanya reflects on her personal challenges and the lessons learned throughout her life, aiming to empower listeners to overcome self-doubt and embrace their strength. She also discusses the importance of mentorship, the challenges of self-promotion, and the power of authenticity in a male-dominated industry. The dialogue also touches on the significance of courage, and the meaning behind the phrase 'Strong Like a Girl.' She emphasizes the importance of community, resilience, and the power of women coming together. Connect with Tanya LaBuick: ⁠⁠https://www.stronglikeagirlpodcast.ca/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://stronglikeagirl.ca/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://labuick.co/

    35 min

  11. TRAILER

    Trailer: Introducing Strong Like a Girl

    STRONG LIKE a GIRL is a podcast hosted by a girl named Tanya LaBuick - an entrepreneur, a powerhouse C-suite leader who's led teams on the world stage, and scaled start-ups into multimillion-dollar companies. STRONG LIKE a GIRL will explore how we uncover the wisdom gained through adversity—and the tools used to overcome it. We’ll unpack it, sit in it, likely cry about it, and hopefully laugh a little—or a lot. So, chin up, chest out, here we go! Connect with Tanya LaBuick: ⁠https://www.stronglikeagirlpodcast.ca/⁠ ⁠https://stronglikeagirl.ca/⁠ ⁠https://labuick.co/

    3 min

Trailer

About

STRONG LIKE a GIRL is a podcast hosted by a girl named Tanya LaBuick - an entrepreneur, a powerhouse C-suite leader who's led teams on the world stage, and scaled start-ups into multimillion-dollar companies. From work with the Olympic Games, to Super Bowls, and the FIFA Women's World Cup, Tanya has a thirty year track record of success working with major corporations and betting on herself as the founder of LaBuick & Co. Tanya believes resiliency and perseverance are choices. Tanya champions women; she is driven by the unshakable belief that every woman deserves the right to take up space and play boldly in any arena. Now in her 50s, Tanya is ready to talk about it all. STRONG LIKE a GIRL will explore how we uncover the wisdom gained through adversity—and the tools used to overcome it. Here at STRONG LIKE a GIRL, we’ll unpack it, sit in it, likely cry about it, and hopefully laugh a little—or a lot. Tanya believes we are all STRONG LIKE a GIRL and should wear it with a badge of honour. Connect with Tanya LaBuick: https://www.stronglikeagirlpodcast.ca/ https://stronglikeagirl.ca/ https://labuick.co/

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