Live With LENA

Magdalena Rybka
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Live With LENA explores the stories, ideas, and experiences that shape how we live, lead, grow, and reinvent. Hosted by Magdalena Rybka, each episode brings honest conversations with leaders, builders, activists, and creatives who are challenging the expected. We ask the questions many of us are thinking but don’t always say out loud: Am I the only one? Is there more? What else is possible for me? From ambition and business to identity and reinvention, these are conversations about growth, possibility, and what it means to live life on your own terms.

  1. Oct 23

    The Girls Who Shouldn't Be with Audrey Hyams Romoff

    Generational trauma does not end when the headlines fade, and Audrey Hyams Romoff shares what it really means to live with its aftershocks, while also building a full life, a business, and a new story forward. Audrey is the author of The Undertow of Grief: Navigating Intergenerational Trauma. If you have ever been told to "be strong," wondered whether grief ever truly ends, or struggled to break cycles you inherited, this conversation will hit home. Audrey opens up about four generations of women shaped by survival, including her mother and grandmother, who survived Auschwitz and rebuilt their lives in Canada. She talks about the complicated legacy of resilience, the pressure to hold it together for her children, and why "being okay" is not the same as being healed. You’ll discover: Why grief can be a forever experience, even when life keeps movingHow therapy helped Audrey recognize inherited patterns and show up differently as a parentThe surprising role her book played in helping her reframe her family history, even when the process was painful rather than catharticWhat she learned from unedited transcripts of her mother’s interviews and how they changed her understanding of their relationshipWhy her recent trip to Poland with her daughter and PBS NewsHour brought a shocking new perspective on survival, identity, and the words "you shouldn’t be here" Audrey also shares the other side of her life story the one shaped by fashion, public relations, celebrity campaigns, and the chaos of building a business while raising young children. She reflects on the Lady Gaga embargo, the reality of founding a company at 28, and the leadership lessons that made her a better boss over time. We also get into the myth of balance, the invisible labor women carry, the traps of personal branding, and the advice she gives new founders and authors about rejection, editing, and staying power. Her next book, due in January 2027, is already taking shape around communication, ambition, and the real-world traps women face when they are trying to build careers or companies. This is essential listening if you care about healing, motherhood, identity, entrepreneurship, or the stories families carry across generations. Audrey Hyams Romoff is the founder of Overcat Public Relations firm and author of The Undertow of Grief: Navigating Intergenerational Trauma.

  2. Aug 27

    Girl, You Got This: How To Thrive In Work and Life with Candace Laing

    Most women wait until they feel “ready” to lead, apply, or speak up. And that’s exactly what keeps them stuck. Candace Laing, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, shares why leadership is something you grow into and why competence comes from leaning in, not waiting it out. Magdalena and Candace discuss ambition, mentorship, building strong teams, the myth of the Supermom, and the forces reshaping Canadian business from AI and trade to Canada’s need to think bigger and scale. Candace also shares how jiu-jitsu changed her confidence, why she involved her children in major career decisions, and the message behind her book, Girl, You Got This. This is a conversation about leadership, ambition, reinvention, and stepping forward before you feel ready.

  3. Aug 7

    Don't Call It a Mid-Life CRISIS with Wendy Parkes

    Mid-career women are not having a "crisis", they're experiencing career shocks, and what happens next can completely reshape who they are. Wendy Parkes reveals the identity journey hidden inside disruptive events like layoffs, relocations, divorce, caregiving, and other turning points that force a hard reset. Magdalena and Wendy unpack why these moments hit women so hard, especially when professional identity and personal identity have become fused. Wendy's PhD research shows that career shocks often trigger emotional devastation first, then a four-phase transformation: shattered identities, navigating the liminal space, reclaiming identity agency, and living a values-aligned identity on the other side. You'll discover why women in mid-career are so often overlooked by organizations, how self-blame and others' expectations can keep people stuck, and why a positive outlook can speed up the transition. Wendy Parkes has a PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and over 30 years of HR leadership experience. Her research explores how career shocks can become powerful catalysts for identity transformation, helping people reconnect with their values, authenticity, and purpose. Wendy is the founder of Spirited Robin Consulting, helping individuals and organizations turn disruption into growth.

  4. May 27

    From Kabbalah to Community Building with Racheli Smilovici

    Magdalena sits down with Racheli Smilovici for a conversation on spirituality, entrepreneurship, and building a meaningful life from the inside out. Together, they explore how Racheli’s journey from Toronto to Los Angeles and her deep connection to Kabbalah teachings shaped the way she approaches leadership, business, and community building. Racheli is the founder of Women Who Network, a Toronto-based community supporting female founders and entrepreneurs. In this episode, Racheli shares practical ways to integrate spiritual principles like trust, certainty, surrender, and alignment into everyday leadership especially during seasons of uncertainty and growth.

  5. Apr 24

    NEKAI WALKS: Hot Docs Award Winning Documentary

    On his way home from his first job at Canada’s Wonderland, 16-year-old Nekai was caught in gunfire in his own neighborhood at Jane and Finch. What followed was a moment that changed everything not just for him, but for his entire family. In this episode, we go beyond the headlines and into the heart of the story. Through the voices of his mother and sister, we witness the fear of that day, the uncertainty in hospital rooms, and the strength it takes to hold onto hope when the odds are against you. This is a story about more than violence. It’s about faith that doesn’t waver. A mother’s intuition that knew before words could explain. And a resilience that refuses to break. Against all expectations, Nekai began to walk again just six months later. But this episode asks a deeper question, what does it take to rise after everything has been taken from you? A powerful conversation about family, faith, and the kind of strength that carries you through the unimaginable. Nekai Walks documentary, a Rico King film, premiered at the Toronto Docs Festival on April 24, 2026.

  6. Mar 11

    BOOK Writing 101: Tips From a Ghostwriter with Howard Pearlstein

    Struggling to start OR finish your book? Howard Pearlstein, author and ghostwriter, shares the secrets to turning your story into a published work without the overwhelm. Explore traditional, self-publishing, and hybrid paths, and learn practical steps, marketing hacks, and mindset shifts to propel your manuscript into the world. Discover how your unique experiences build trust and turn readers into fans, and why early marketing efforts can create momentum. Whether you're a coach, entrepreneur, or social impact creator, this episode is your guide to finishing, publishing, and promoting your book with confidence. Ignite your publishing journey today!

  7. Feb 25

    Be TRUE to Yourself with David Cinelli

    Join, David Cinelli, a seasoned realtor, as he reveals how practical experience, deep communication and genuine authenticity can elevate your buying or selling process, empowering you to make smarter, more confident decisions in a complex market. Expect eye-opening insights into current trends, including why Toronto's slowest market in decades signals new opportunities. David forecasts the upcoming spring season, discusses the impact of interest rates and inflation on prices, and highlights neighborhoods with growth potential. Whether you're a homeowner, investor, or simply tired of traditional tactics, this episode is a wake-up call to challenge narratives and value real authenticity over polished sales pitches. Ready to change the way you think about property, marketing, and life?

  8. Feb 11

    HUMAN Trafficking: From Victim To Activist with Callie Love

    Most of us don’t realize how deeply sex trafficking is woven into our communities, often closer than we think. Callie Love pulls back the curtain on the harsh realities behind the statistics, revealing how traffickers target the most vulnerable and how predators manipulate victims with love, gifts, and isolation. This episode is a wake up call for parents and educators. You’ll discover the often-overlooked signs of trafficking, from sudden lavish gifts and secretive behavior to withdrawal from loved ones. Callie Shares eye opening insights into the common tactics traffickers use, including grooming, debt bondage, and online exploitation, especially highlighting the dangers that come from familiar faces and close relationships rather than strangers. She emphasizes that traffickers prey on vulnerabilities, especially among youth in foster care and those from unstable or abusive backgrounds. Whether you’re a parent, educator, community leader, or survivor yourself, this episode will equip you with the knowledge, compassion, and tools to help stop trafficking before it starts and to support those who have already been impacted. It’s essential listening for anyone who believes in protecting the most vulnerable among us. Support, volunteer, or donate to Phoenix Arise Foundation Visit phoenixrisefoundation.com OR find them on Instagram at @phoenixarisefoundation.

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About

Live With LENA explores the stories, ideas, and experiences that shape how we live, lead, grow, and reinvent. Hosted by Magdalena Rybka, each episode brings honest conversations with leaders, builders, activists, and creatives who are challenging the expected. We ask the questions many of us are thinking but don’t always say out loud: Am I the only one? Is there more? What else is possible for me? From ambition and business to identity and reinvention, these are conversations about growth, possibility, and what it means to live life on your own terms.

Information

  • Creator
    Magdalena Rybka
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Magdalena Rybka
  • Show Website
    Live With LENA