Half Betty

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

In this episode of Half Betty, Andrea Rathborne and Krista Gruen strike up a conversation with filmmakers Kate Green and Amber Orchard as they share the story behind their upcoming feature documentary Menopause: Coming In Hot! The film is set to have its World Premiere at the Whistler Film Festival this December, 2025. Directed by and starring Kate Green, the film captures her real-time journey through perimenopause with honesty, humour, and heart.Coinciding with World Menopause Day (October 18), Kate and Amber open up about the making of this empowering, insightful, and deeply relatable film that amplifies women’s voices and sheds light on the menopause experience.The trailer for Menopause: Coming In Hot drops October 18th 2025 on World Menopause Day!Director: Kate GreenProducer: Kate Green, Amber Orchard, Jessica Young and Olivia Fellows Writers: Tami Gabay, Jessica Young and Olivia Fellows Story Consultant: Kate GreenCinematographer: Kate Smith Editor: Erin Cumming Assistant Editor: Chloe Bottrell Menopause: Coming In Hot! When a strong-willed perimenopausal documentary filmmaker is told there isn’t a lot of help available for her multiple symptoms, she goes on a mission to find out more about menopause, and finds herself on a quest that makes her relearn everything she thought she knew about aging.BioKate Green is an award-winning director and producer known for her cinematic storytelling and ability to connect deeply with audiences. A creative leader committed to telling vibrant, authentic stories by and for women, Kate brings a strong visual and emotional sensibility to every project.Her feature documentary Menopause: Coming in Hot (TELUS Originals) will premiere at the Whistler Film Festival. She is also releasing her WWII short drama Breakthrough (starring William B. Davis) in 2026.Kate created and directed the sci-fi series NarcoLeap (TELUS OptikTV, CBC GEM, Highball TV), which earned multiple Canadian Screen Award nominations, Writers Guild of Canada, and Leo Award nods, and international festival wins, including “Best Sci-Fi” at Miami Web Fest, Baltimore Next Media Web Fest, and Asia Web Awards. With over 300K views and 2.4M in social media reach, NarcoLeap Season 2 continued its success, winning Best Digital Series at the Blood in the Snow Festival.Her earlier documentaries Not a Stranger and Melting Stars received multiple festival awards, while her short film Murphy’s Law (CBC, CBC GEM) won Best Horror Thriller at the Wild Bunch Film Festival.Kate has directed and produced factual and lifestyle programs for major networks, including Oxygen, HGTV, W Network, CBC, History, Discovery, Fuel TV, and Channel 4. Most recently, Kate contributed to the Challenge Department on Fear Factor: The Next Chapter alongside Johnny Knoxville. She is an alumna of Vancouver Island University, University of British Columbia, Women in the Director’s Chair, the National Screen Institute, and the Reykjavík International Film Festival Talent Lab.Amber Orchard began her producing career at the age of nine on the school playground and has been driven by a passion for entertainment and storytelling ever since. For over 30 years, she has produced events across the non-profit, corporate, and private sectors, building a reputation for thoughtful, high-impact experiences. She also previously served as the Association Manager for Screen BC, supporting advocacy and industry-wide initiatives for British Columbia’s film and television community.In 2020, Amber shifted her focus to screen production, joining Kate Green Productions as Production Manager on Murphy’s Law (CBC), Co-Producing NarcoLeap Season 2, and, most recently, the documentary Menopause: Coming in Hot. Her screen credits have since grown to include Bush Wreck Rescue (Discovery), Pamela’s Garden of Eden (HGTV), Million Dollar Secret (Netflix), and Extracted (Fox), along with several acclaimed short films.Most recently, Amber joined Industrial Light & Magic as Studio Operations Manager, bringing her production and operations experience to one of the world’s most iconic studios.Instagram Film Menopause: Coming In HotKGP Films Kate GreenWebsite: Kate Green ProductionsAmber Amber Orchard IMDB Menopause: Coming In HotFor PR regarding the film please reach out to Callista Ryan at Coldwater CommunicationsFive wordsKate - confident, fun, loyalAmber - Resourceful, Fun, Loyal, Caring, Dependable, Positive, Organized References Janet Ko & Trish Barbato - Founders of The Menopause Foundation of Canada Menopause Works Here CampaignArticle in Playback Magazine (Canadian trade publication covering the country's production, broadcasting and interactive media industries) announcing their world premiere.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 ve...