More and more commonly, workplaces and institutions are adopting the usage of pronouns in email signatures or in classrooms, and this is a really important step to ensure that all gender identities are welcomed and supported! However, discrimination against 2SLGBTQIA+ community is still extremely prevalent, and transgender people face epidemic levels of violence. It is more important than ever to discuss gender, identity, and preferences with our friends and family to create safer experiences for those who are nonbinary.

This week on the podcast, we couldn't be more excited to welcome a guest who has had their own journey coming to be proud of who they really are, and is willing to share their experiences and knowledge with our listeners!

Ashton O’Brien (they/she), a 32 year old non-binary person, is the current President of Kamloops Pride Society, being involved with the organization since 2019. Alongside their work organizing inclusive and fun events for the Kamloops community, Ashton also does countless hours of work off the side of their desk to help make their workplace more inclusive at BCLC, where Ashton has worked as an IT professional for 11 years. 

Through this interview, Ashton and I actually realized we not only work together, but in the same department, and at the time of the interview, were both working on putting on BCLCs International Women's Day event! - so throughout the episode you’ll hear us mention our workplace and IWD. 

This interview could have gone forever, and we touched on so many topics - from Ashton's experience with their own gender and identity growing up in BC interior, ways to talk to those people in your life who are not as understanding of different gender identities or preferences, how workplaces can take action to be more inclusive, and how to be better feminists!

Follow Kamloops Pride on Instagram and Facebook at @kamloopspride

Check out www.kamloopspride.com for educational and community resources.

Follow the Boss Chicks on Instagram: @thebosschickproject @cassandramilk and @kenn_gabrielle_

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New year, sober me? Is that how the saying goes?

In the early weeks of a new year, people around the world try to accomplish new goals or quit old habits, and one of the most popular things do to is "Dry January." This year, more people participated in Dry January (taking a break from alcohol for the month) than ever before!

Sobriety is at the forefront of our internet conversations more and more. From reality TV stars thriving in their sobriety, to the fitness influencers acknowledging the harms of alcohol, being 'sober' is becoming less taboo and more recognized.

Despite it being more prevalent, becoming sober (for any reason) is a lot harder in practice. No one knows the ups and downs of sobriety better than this week's guest, Michelle Pugle, who is now over 18 months sober and has had a major life transformation due to it.

Michelle Pugle is a educational health writer, creative author and poet who has previously graced the podcast to discuss her experience with an eating disorder and the impacts of social media on mental health. This week, Michelle dives into the details of her sobriety journey - from day one to year one - and her story provides actual advice on how to navigate social scenarios and family relationship while being sober. We discuss the changes she has experienced with dating, support groups, friendships and even with how she watches reality tv!

Michelle also spills the details on her new book and the re-release of Ana, Mia & Me!

You can find Michelle at www.michellepugle.com for updates on new articles and posts, and you can follow her at @michellepugle on Instagram & Facebook.

Follow the Boss Chicks @bosschickproject @kenn_gabrielle & @cassandramilk on Instagram

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Community can feel like an abstract concept, but it truly takes a conscious effort to create one that is empowers its members. This week's guests could teach a master class on community building, as they have done just that through their evolving partnership.

Brianne and Calli first bonded over their common appreciation for creativity, and that bond developed into motivation as they created Makeshift workspace. Through that first endeavor, they built a community of people that valued inclusivity and sustainability, encouraging them to expand into their first retail space - a little store you may have heard of - Far and Wide.

Far and Wide aims to continually develop that sense of community based on their core values, while promoting local, sustainable, vintage, and beautiful products. Since the opening of Far and Wide, they have seen immense support. They have now expanded into a new, larger retail space, and they have added a second store, the Botanical Scene.

In this episode, Brianne and Calli discuss their partnership journey, they let us in on their best home design secrets, and they provide some real life advice for women looking to start their own businesses.

They are huge inspirations for us with their business model focusing on sustainability, collaboration, positivity and inclusivity - these are values we hope to promote in what we do, and their success absolutely encourages other businesses to take a similar lens to conducting business. 

If you have a spare moment before the holidays, pop into Far + Wide and the Botanical Scene to find those perfect, one of a kind gifts! Both stores are located on Victoria street, downtown Kamloops.

Check out Brianne, Calli, Far + Wide, and the Botanical Scene:

@brianne_mcdaniel

@calli.duncan

@far_and_wide_bc

@botanical.scene

Follow the Boss Chicks

@thebosschickproject

@cassandramilk

@kennedyaberdeen

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