Women on Wisdom

Sandra Boyd

At the current pace, it will take 123 years to close the global gender gap. Women on Wisdom was created to help change that. Hosted by Sandra Boyd, this podcast features honest conversations with women from diverse backgrounds who share their experiences with leadership, courage, and connection. Each episode explores the barriers women continue to face and the lessons learned from navigating them. Through insight, empathy, and practical takeaways, Women on Wisdom empowers listeners to think differently, lead confidently, and be part of the movement to close the gap.

  1. Episode 11: The Decay of Women's Rights - Is the Next Generation Ignoring the Fight? (w/ Lenna Bradburn)

    APR 29

    Episode 11: The Decay of Women's Rights - Is the Next Generation Ignoring the Fight? (w/ Lenna Bradburn)

    How many women of the next generation today truly understand how recent the fights for their rights were? And how many understand how easy it is for those rights to be undermined and squashed?   In this episode of Women on Wisdom, Sandra Boyd sits down with Lenna Bradburn, executive coach, former police chief, and multi-sector trailblazer, to confront an uncomfortable truth: if we don’t understand the struggles of the past, we risk overlooking the barriers that still exist today. Together, they explore why progress is not a straight line, and why assuming the work is done may be one of the biggest risks to women’s advancement.   We talk about: - The historical milestones that shaped women’s rights in Canada - Why many women are unaware of how recent these rights actually are - The difference between equality and equity and why it matters - The risk of regression and why continued vigilance is critical - Practical ways women can support each other and challenge barriers   Whether you are early in your career, leading organizations, or shaping the next generation, this episode offers a grounded perspective on the progress made and the work still ahead.   Our guest this week: Lenna Bradburn has had a distinguished career as a trailblazer and change agent across policing, government, and executive leadership. At just 34 years old, she became Canada’s first female police chief, leading the Guelph Police Service, and went on to hold senior roles in government oversight, municipal services, gaming, social housing, and healthcare . Today, Lenna works as an executive coach and consultant, supporting organizations in advancing strategic initiatives. Known for her leadership and impact, she has been recognized as one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 and among Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100.   Lenna’s LinkedIn can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennabradburn/

    46 min
  2. Episode 10: Conversations We Avoid - Young Women and Mental Health (w/Chris Coulter)

    APR 8

    Episode 10: Conversations We Avoid - Young Women and Mental Health (w/Chris Coulter)

    Sandra Boyd sits down with Chris Coulter to share his personal journey following the loss of his daughter Maddie, and the work he is now doing to support families navigating youth mental health. Through Chris’s personal story and lived experience, this episode opens up an honest conversation about the pressures young women face today and the challenges parents encounter in recognizing when something is truly wrong. Together, they explore the gaps in support systems and what it takes to create earlier, more meaningful intervention for both youth and families. We talk about: Why mental health challenges in young women are increasing The warning signs parents often miss or misinterpret The impact of social media, pressure, and major life changes How to create more open and effective communication with children The difference between listening and fixing Why current systems and supports are not meeting the need The importance of early intervention and accessible resources Whether you are a parent, leader, or someone supporting families, this episode offers a grounded and practical perspective on how to better understand and respond when something feels off. Our guest this week: Chris Coulter is the founder of The MentorWell, an online youth mentoring platform designed to bridge the gap between parenting and therapy by providing young people with access to trusted, non-judgmental mentors. Following the loss of his daughter Maddie, Chris has dedicated his work to supporting families navigating youth mental health challenges and improving early access to support. He also created the When Something Feels Off Parent Support Group, a community designed to help parents connect, share experiences, and access practical guidance during difficult times. Chris brings both lived experience and professional insight to his work, helping organizations, parents, and communities better understand how to support young people. Chris’s LinkedIn can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriscoultermentorwell/

    54 min
  3. Episode 9: Neurodiverse Women and the Struggle for Visibility (w/Ranya Elan)

    MAR 18

    Episode 9: Neurodiverse Women and the Struggle for Visibility (w/Ranya Elan)

    Sandra Boyd sits down with Ranya Elan, executive coach and leadership advisor, to explore a topic that is often misunderstood and frequently missed in women: ADHD. In this conversation, they unpack how ADHD presents differently in women, why it is often diagnosed later in life, and how it intersects with career, identity, and hormonal changes. Together, they explore the lived experience of navigating work, relationships, and expectations while managing an often invisible neurodivergence. We talk about: Why ADHD in women is often missed or misdiagnosed How symptoms show up differently in women, including masking and perfectionism The experience of burnout, overwhelm, and the “ADHD tax” Practical strategies to support focus, productivity, and self-awareness Why more women are shifting away from traditional work structures Whether you are navigating ADHD yourself, supporting someone who is, or leading teams in today’s workplace, this episode offers a clearer understanding of how ADHD shapes women’s lives and careers. Our guest this week: Ranya Elan is an executive coach and leadership advisor who specializes in supporting professionals and leaders with ADHD. She is the founder of the Tomato Crushers Community, a global community for ADHD professionals and entrepreneurs focused on productivity, accountability, and practical strategies. Ranya brings a combination of lived experience and coaching expertise to her work, helping clients design ways of working that align with how their brains function. She is known for translating ADHD challenges into actionable strategies while also highlighting the strengths and potential of neurodivergent leaders. Ranya's LinkedIn can be found here.

    51 min
  4. Episode 8: Menopause at Work and The Hidden Cost of Ignoring Women’s Health (w/ Nadine Cyr)

    FEB 25

    Episode 8: Menopause at Work and The Hidden Cost of Ignoring Women’s Health (w/ Nadine Cyr)

    Menopause affects over a billion women worldwide — yet in many workplaces, it remains largely invisible. In this episode, Sandra Boyd sits down with Dr. Nadine Cyr, ND, naturopathic doctor and founder of Santé Femina Health, for a direct conversation about perimenopause, menopause, and midlife burnout. Together, they examine how hormonal shifts intersect with stress, sleep, performance, and identity — and why this stage of life has broader implications for women’s health and workforce participation. We talk about: How perimenopause begins earlier than many women realize The connection between hormones, stress response, sleep, and burnout The combined pressure of career demands and caregiving in midlife Lifestyle factors that influence symptom intensity and energy Why menopause often becomes a turning point in identity and priorities Whether you are navigating this transition yourself or leading others through it, this episode offers a clear discussion of how hormonal change shapes women’s health, work, and wellbeing. Our guest this week: Dr. Nadine Cyr, ND is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor with over 25 years of clinical experience in functional and root-cause medicine and the founder of Santé Femina Health. She works extensively with women in perimenopause and menopause, integrating functional medicine and polyvagal-informed care to support hormone balance, nervous system regulation, and midlife health. Dr. Nadine is known for translating complex science into practical guidance that helps women make informed decisions about their health.

    57 min

About

At the current pace, it will take 123 years to close the global gender gap. Women on Wisdom was created to help change that. Hosted by Sandra Boyd, this podcast features honest conversations with women from diverse backgrounds who share their experiences with leadership, courage, and connection. Each episode explores the barriers women continue to face and the lessons learned from navigating them. Through insight, empathy, and practical takeaways, Women on Wisdom empowers listeners to think differently, lead confidently, and be part of the movement to close the gap.