Half Betty

In this episode of the Half Betty Podcast, Julie Kim, a top Canadian stand-up comedian, writer, and producer, joins Andrea and Krista for an engaging and honest conversation. Julie shares her journey in comedy, motherhood, cultural identity, and the unique challenges women face in the entertainment industry. She talks about her evolving comedic style, fueled by real-life experiences (including the highly annoying ones) and how it helps her connect with diverse audiences. The discussion highlights her impactful storytelling, growth as a comedian, and dedication to breaking barriers in comedy. Julie also shares upcoming plans, including live shows and her podcast 'Bothered.' This episode is filled with laughter, insights, and inspiration for women in comedy, and beyond. BioJulie Kim is one of Canada’s top stand-up comedians. Julie recently toured across North America doing 40 theatre shows with Ronny Chieng (Crazy Rich Asians, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah). She was a gala performer at the 2022 Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal and headlined four sold-out solo shows at Just for Laughs Toronto in 2023. Over the past decade, Julie has performed at all the major Canadian comedy festivals, including Just for Laughs Vancouver, Winnipeg Comedy Festival, and Halifax Comedy Festival (with multiple televised performances). She tours internationally and made her debut at the 2023 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Julie has also been regularly featured on CBC’s The Debaters.  ​In 2023 Julie also debuted at both the Toronto Fringe Festival and Victoria Fringe Festival with her solo storytelling show called No One Special.​Julie is also a Canadian Screen Award-winning writer and producer.  Julie has contributed to the writing rooms of Kim’s Convenience, Run the Burbs, and Still Standing. She has been part of the writing and creative consulting team at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival for the past three years. She was also a writer for Just for Laughs Montreal in 2022. Julie was a producer and writer for Simu Liu (Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) as he hosted the 2022 and 2023 Juno Awards. She ideated Liu’s now well-known ‘I am Canadian’ monologue, which has gone viral on the Internet and social media.  ​Additionally, in 2023, Julie was included on VIBE’s list of POWER 60: Inspiring Asian-Canadians of Influence. Other notable honorees included Lilly Singh, Andrew Phung, and Russell Peters.Julie's mission is to spread happiness, lighten hearts, and unite through laughter. And no amount of ‘mom-shaming’ will stop her in this quest. LinkedinInstagram YouTubeTikTokWebsiteIMDBJulie’s Five+ Words - food-loving (and also resentful), analytical, unhinged, random, adventurerReferencesLink HERE to March 8th Women’s Day Event at The Biltmore.Andrea and Krista will be in attendance! Come meet us and say hello!Sponsor InformationZaleska size-inclusive jewelryEnter code HALFBETTY for 20% off your first purchaseConnect with usWebsite link hereInstagram link hereLinkedIn link hereFacebook link hereLeave a voicemail for ushttps://www.halfbetty.com/voicemail/Founder/Host: Andrea RathborneCreative Producer/Co-Host: Krista GruenEditors: Andrea Rathborne & Krista GruenAudio Engineer: Ryan ClarkeEpisode sponsors:  Zaleska size-inclusive jewelry 

Welcome to Season Two of the Half Betty Podcast with Founder, Host and Producer Andrea Rathborne as well as Producer and Co-Host Krista Gruen. We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Lucky Sekhon, a board-certified OB-GYN, reproductive endocrinologist, and fertility specialist based in New York. In this episode, Dr. Lucky shares her story from her education at McGill University and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland to her practice at RMA of New York. She touches on her personal IVF journey, the vulnerabilities and challenges of motherhood, and how it influenced her professional path. The conversation highlights the importance of building relationships, community, and leveraging intuition. Dr. Lucky also talks about her book, 'The Lucky Egg,' which is available to purchase on January 13th 2026 and aims to be a comprehensive guide on fertility. Our conversation with Dr. Lucky explores the complexities of midlife, the pressure of balancing professional and personal life, and the impact of generational influences. Dr. Lucky's profound insights into self-advocacy, mental health, and her organic journey in medicine and social media inspire listeners to find their purpose and navigate their own paths.BioDr. Lucky Sekhon is a board certified OBGYN, Reproductive Endocrinologist, Infertility specialist and the author of THE LUCKY EGG - a comprehensive guide to understanding your fertility and how to get pregnant. Born and raised in Toronto, Dr. Lucky Sekhon earned her undergraduate degree at McGill University, her MD at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and completed residency and fellowship training at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Now practicing at RMA of New York in New York City, she has guided thousands of individuals and couples through their fertility journey, combining cutting-edge science with compassionate care to help them overcome infertility, preserve their options, and build the families of their dreams. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two daughters.LinkedinInstagram YouTubeTikTokWebsiteDr. Lucky’s Five Words/Descriptions for herself - passionate, mission driven, caring, confident, knowledgeable, and ‘owning it’. ReferencesBook The Lucky EggSponsor InformationZaleska - beautiful, size-inclusive jewelry Enter code HALFBETTY for 20% off your first purchaseConnect with usWebsite link hereInstagram link hereLinkedIn link hereFacebook link hereLeave a voicemail for ushttps://www.halfbetty.com/voicemail/Founder/Host/Producer: Andrea RathborneProducer/Co-Host: Krista GruenEditors: Andrea Rathborne & Krista GruenAudio Engineer: Ryan ClarkeEpisode sponsor:  Zaleska size-inclusive jewelry 

Andrea and Krista welcome Karryn Ransom on this episode of Half Betty. Karryn was a cast member of Degrassi Jr. High and speaks about her time on the series and how it shaped her future as a teacher. The conversation delves into the challenges and rewards of parenting, professional journeys, and the transition to 'empty nesters.' They emphasize the importance of modeling a full life for their children, exploring new passions, and accepting the different changes that come with midlife, including menopause. Karryn shares her dynamic teaching journey, methods to engage students, and the joy of returning to art and theater. They discuss the idea of bridging generational gaps through shared stories and mentorship, aiming to create spaces for intergenerational dialogue and learning. The conversation ultimately underscores the value of loving oneself, fostering authentic relationships, and finding joy and purpose in every stage of life.BioEducator, artist and actor, Karryn helps people find their voice. She is an educator specializing in high school French, a watercolour artist, and performs in local theatre productions. In the 1980s, she spent five years in a TV role in the original Degrassi High series. That early experience showed her that giving voice to ordinary experiences through storytelling can be transformative. This, along with her experiences as a parent, artist, and professional leader, continues to shape her teaching practice, where she creates space for others to express themselves with confidence. And now, in midlife, she's standing firmly in her own story with clarity and purpose.LinkedinInstagramPinterestTikTokIMDB Karryn’s Five Words - Passionate, Compassionate, Focused, Creative, Determined  Sponsor InformationVoes & CompanyWe love Voes & Co because they are the perfect mix of style, comfort, and sustainability. Designed to effortlessly complement any outfit - from casual to chic - they’re as versatile as they are timeless. Made with next-generation vegan materials, their footwear is soft, breathable, and built to last - without any cruelty. We want you to step out in style and comfort so that’s why we’ve partnered with Voes & Co to bring our subscribers 50% off any pair of shoes! Please use this link to purchase https://voesandcompany.com/discount/BettyLovesVoes Connect with usWebsite link hereInstagram link hereLinkedIn link hereFacebook link hereLeave a voicemail for ushttps://www.halfbetty.com/voicemail/Founder/Host/Producer: Andrea RathborneProducer/Co-Host: Krista GruenEditors: Andrea Rathborne & Krista GruenAudio Engineer: Ryan ClarkeEpisode sponsors:  Voes and Company

Andrea Rathborne and Krista Gruen join in conversation with Jocelyn Pepe, whose extraordinary journey - from moving through divorce and single motherhood to surviving a life-altering brain injury and ultimately becoming a global keynote speaker and bestselling author - reveals the power of grit, healing, and claiming your own mind. As a dedicated mother of three children, author of her first book, Claim Your Brain, and committed mental health advocate, Jocelyn emphasizes the importance of mental health awareness, community support, and shifting the narrative from “me” to “we”. Our conversation explores Jocelyn’s pivotal life moments, her ongoing balance between personal growth and professional purpose, and the central role that both intuition and connection have played along the way. She also sheds light on the increasing mental health crisis shaped by modern pressures and emphasizes the urgent need for accessible resources and collective well-being.BioJocelyn Pepe is the author of Claim Your Brain, a book that brings science and soul together to help us understand our mental health in a way that feels genuinely human. She’s also the founder of TrU, where she combines research, real-life experience, and meaningful coaching to help leaders and teams grow stronger, perform at their best, and live with more intention.Jocelyn has a master’s in the psychology and neuroscience of mental health, along with multiple coaching designations - but what truly sets her apart is how she uses all of it with intuition and heart. She’s reshaping how we think about mental health, not just at work but in everyday life, making it more accessible, compassionate, and relatable.LinkedinYouTubeInstagram TrU LivingInstagram personalInstagram Book Claim Your BrainWebsite TrU LivingJocelyn’s Five Words - Mother, Visionary, Humanitarian, Deep, intuitive, Nurturing,  ReferencesBook Claim Your BrainSponsor InformationVoes & CompanyWe love Voes & Co because they are the perfect mix of style, comfort, and sustainability. Designed to effortlessly complement any outfit - from casual to chic - they’re as versatile as they are timeless. Made with next-generation vegan materials, their footwear is soft, breathable, and built to last - without any cruelty. We want you to step out in style and comfort so that’s why we’ve partnered with Voes & Co to bring our subscribers 50% off any pair of shoes! Please use this link to purchase https://voesandcompany.com/discount/BettyLovesVoes Connect with usWebsite link hereInstagram link hereLinkedIn link hereFacebook link hereLeave a voicemail for ushttps://www.halfbetty.com/voicemail/Founder/Host: Andrea RathborneCreative Producer/Co-Host: Krista GruenEditors: Andrea Rathborne & Krista GruenAudio Engineer: Ryan ClarkeEpisode sponsors:  Voes and Company

In this episode of the Half Betty Podcast, Founder and Host Andrea Rathborne and Producer/ Co-host Krista Gruen connect across time zones - from Vancouver to Bali -  with Desiree Dupuis, founder and vision-keeper of Voes & Co, a vegan fashion and design brand rooted in sustainability and soul.Desiree opens up about the wild, beautiful path of entrepreneurship - from leaving Vancouver to building a life and business in Bali, and what it means to find belonging far from home. She shares her honest reflections on growth, partnership, and the power of knowing when to invite others in. Through her story, we explore what happens when we stop believing we have to do it all alone and begin to trust collaboration, community, and intuition as the most essential parts of success.Enjoy this candid conversation about redefining strength, leading with heart, and staying grounded, in business, in life, and in the stories we tell ourselves along the way.BioWith over two decades of experience in brand development, storytelling, and purpose-driven marketing, Desirée Dupuis is a force for conscious change. As a social entrepreneur, author, and speaker, she is redefining industries through sustainability, ethics, and innovation.Desirée is the founder of Voes & Co, an iconic global vegan footwear brand on a mission to revolutionize fashion with next-generation materials - proving that style, comfort, and sustainability can coexist without compromise. Beyond business, Desirée is deeply committed to global impact and education. As Chair of Ruben’s Shoes Society, an international NGO she co-founded, she helps provide high-quality education to over 600 students in the Dominican Republic, breaking the cycle of poverty through learning.A passionate vegan advocate since 2008, Desirée is on a mission to challenge the status quo, amplify conscious consumerism, and inspire others to create lasting change. She's the author of "Consciously Chic: A Playbook for Ethical Fashion" and is proud to share and discuss her thoughts about the future of fashion beyond animals and plastic. Desirée’s insights, experience, and unwavering commitment to impact make her a guest you don’t want to miss.Instagram Voes and CoInstagram Desiree WebsiteLinkedinDesiree’s Five Words - ambitious, kindhearted, fun, intuitive, and curious, intentional, loyal Sponsor InformationVoes & CompanyWe love Voes & Co because they are the perfect mix of style, comfort, and sustainability. Designed to effortlessly complement any outfit—from casual to chic—they’re as versatile as they are timeless. Made with next-generation vegan materials, their footwear is soft, breathable, and built to last—without any cruelty. We want you to step out in style and comfort so that’s why we’ve partnered with Voes & Co to bring our subscribers 50% off any pair of shoes! Please use this link to purchase https://voesandcompany.com/discount/BettyLovesVoes Connect with usWebsite link hereInstagram link hereLinkedIn link hereFacebook link hereLeave a voicemail for ushttps://www.halfbetty.com/voicemail/Founder/Host: Andrea RathborneCreative Producer/Co-Host: Krista GruenEditors: Andrea Rathborne & Krista GruenAudio Engineer: Ryan ClarkeEpisode sponsors:  Voes and Company