Half Betty

Andrea and Krista welcome not one, but two fantastic new guests to Half Betty -  the duo behind the brilliant and fun The Devil Wears SPF podcast, Carolyn Hawes and Diane Brennan. In this episode, we hear from both women about the experiences that have shaped them, the lessons that landed them here, and their visions for full, vibrant, sun-protected futures.

Carolyn and Diane explore themes of self-worth, agency, and the power of women, creating space for honesty and care. They share stories of resilience, transformation, and the courage it takes to live life on their own terms - navigating challenges, redefining freedom, and prioritizing health, joy, and purpose.

Their podcast blends “Skincare and SoulCare,” tackling topics including aging, self-love, wellness humour and insight. Looking ahead, they share dreams of exploring beauty rituals and cultural definitions of wellness around the world - a continuation of their journey together as friends and co-creators.

This episode is a conversation about living intentionally, embracing change, and the ways women support and lift each other while navigating life’s transitions.

Bios

Carolyn Hawes is a former editor and general contractor whose midlife journey led her to rethink health, work, and identity. After years of people-pleasing shaped by childhood and an early marriage that ended in divorce, Carolyn began the work of becoming “self-authored,” learning to voice her own needs and opinions - both for herself and as a model for her daughter. In her late forties, menopause-related symptoms disrupted her ability to work and prompted a year-long pause to focus on healing and learning. With guidance from women’s health specialists, she began rebuilding her health and, at 53, chose early retirement to design a life rooted in purpose, curiosity, and alignment rather than obligation. Today, Carolyn brings her lived experience, honesty, and humour to conversations about aging, self-worth, and what it means to choose yourself in midlife.

Diane Brennan has always taken a nontraditional path, guided by independence, adventure, and a deep trust in her own instincts. She left Canada for the United States without a job to pursue citizenship and later embraced a life without marriage or children, navigating social judgment before arriving at a liberating “who cares” mindset. A pivotal experience with a cosmetic procedure that left her with permanent facial scarring led to a lawsuit and profoundly reshaped her relationship with beauty, aging, and self-advocacy. This moment deepened her interest in skincare and fueled her desire to help other women feel informed and empowered about their choices. Diane brings candour, wit, and compassion to conversations about self-worth, freedom, and redefining beauty on your own terms.

Together, Carolyn and Diane are the co-hosts of The Devil Wears SPF, a podcast blending “Skincare” and “SoulCare” with humour and heart, inviting women to care for both their skin and their inner lives -  without apology.

Diane’s Five Words
Fun, Adventure, Learning, Loving, Laughing

Carolyn’s Five Words
Self Authoured, Intuitive, Design minded, Strategic, Aesthetic, silly

Links
The Devil Wears SPF
YouTube
Instagram

Dianne Brennan
Instagram
Linkedin

Carolyn Hawes 
Website
Instagram
Linkedin

Sponsor Information
Zaleska size-inclusive jewelry

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Guests 
Dianne Brennan & Carolyn Hawes
Founder/Host: Andrea Rathborne
Creative Producer/Co-Host: Krista Gruen
Editors: Andrea Rathborne & Krista Gruen
Audio Engineer: Ryan Clarke
Episode sponsors:  Zaleska size-inclusive jewelry

In this episode of the Half Betty Podcast, Suzanne (Zanne) Hollingshead joins Andrea and Krista for an honest and moving conversation about loss, resilience, and finding purpose through life’s hardest seasons. Zanne shares her experience of losing her mother as a child and her sister in midlife, and how navigating these profound losses became a catalyst for transformation.

She talks about how her journey through grief led her to create supportive communities for motherless children, adults navigating loss, and women moving through perimenopause and menopause. Zanne’s story highlights the power of facing grief with courage, building connection, and turning personal hardship into advocacy. This episode is a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is support, understanding, and a path toward meaning and hope.

Bio
Zanne Hollingshead is a trauma-informed well-being advocate, certified life coach, and community-builder with a deeply personal connection to her work. Trained through Martha Beck’s Wayfinder Life Coaching program and certified in Mother Loss Support through Claire Bidwell Smith and Hope Edelman’s professional program, Zanne specializes in supporting individuals and groups navigating loss, grief, and the transitions that arrive with midlife.

Her own experiences - losing her mother as a child, her sister in midlife, and dear friends along the way - inform her compassionate approach and the communities she has built. Zanne walks alongside her clients and participants with insight, care, and practical tools, helping them navigate life’s challenges while creating space for healing, growth, and new beginnings.
In collaboration with New York Times bestselling author Hope Edelman, Zanne co-facilitates weekly Motherless Daughters Community Calls and leads 12-week Support Circles for early childhood, adolescent, and young adult mother loss - programs she helped develop in 2023. Through her work, Zanne is dedicated to making sure no one facing grief or life transitions has to navigate them alone.
Zanne Hollingshead Instagram 
Growingthroughit.life
midlifemagic.community 
Motherlessdaughters.com

Zanne’s Five Words+ 
Rule Breaker 
On Purpose 
Multisensory 
People Connector
Unstoppable
Intuitive
Soul-diver

References
We know the conversations in this episode may bring up strong emotions around grief, loss, and mental health. If you or someone you love is struggling, please know you don’t have to face it alone.
In Canada: You can reach out to the Talk Suicide Canada line at 1-833-456-4566 (available 24/7)
In the United States: Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (available 24/7)
If you’re listening from another part of the world, we encourage you to seek out local support - whether that’s a healthcare provider, community organization, or someone you trust. You are not alone, and reaching out for help is a brave and important step.
Women's midlife health resources:

Dr Lisa Mosconi PhD- Neuroscientist, Author of The Menopause Brain

Tamsen Fadal - Journalist, Women's Midife Advocate, Journalist 

Dr. Kelly Casperson MD - Urologist, Women's Midife Physician 

Dr Kudzai Dombo MD - GYN, Women's Midlife Physician 

Dr Sharon Malone MD - Menopause Expert, Chief Medical Advisor  

Alloy Women's Health Online Medicine Platform

Dr. Jayne Morgan, MD, Cardiologist and Vice President of Medical Affairs, at Hello Heart
Instagram
Hello Heart
Midi

Half Betty Sponsor Information
Zaleska beautiful, size-inclusive jewelry 

Connect with Half Betty
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Facebook link here

Leave us a voicemail (we love to hear your voices and your thoughts!) 
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Founder/Host: Andrea Rathborne
Creative Producer/Co-Host: Krista Gruen
Editors: Andrea Rathborne & Krista Gruen
Audio Engineer: Ryan Clarke
Episode sponsors:  Zaleska size-inclusive jewelry

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. 

Bio
Julie 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.  
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In 2023 Julie also debuted at both the Toronto Fringe Festival and Victoria Fringe Festival with her solo storytelling show called No One Special.
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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.  
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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. 

Linkedin
Instagram 
YouTube
TikTok
Website
IMDB

Julie’s Five+ Words - food-loving (and also resentful), analytical, unhinged, random, adventurer

References
Link 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 Information
Zaleska size-inclusive jewelry
Enter code HALFBETTY for 20% off your first purchase

Connect with us
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Leave a voicemail for us
https://www.halfbetty.com/voicemail/

Founder/Host: Andrea Rathborne
Creative Producer/Co-Host: Krista Gruen
Editors: Andrea Rathborne & Krista Gruen
Audio Engineer: Ryan Clarke
Episode 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.

Bio
Dr. 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.
Linkedin
Instagram 
YouTube
TikTok
Website

Dr. Lucky’s Five Words/Descriptions for herself - passionate, mission driven, caring, confident, knowledgeable, and ‘owning it’. 

References
Book The Lucky Egg

Sponsor Information
Zaleska - beautiful, size-inclusive jewelry 
Enter code HALFBETTY for 20% off your first purchase

Connect with us
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LinkedIn link here
Facebook link here

Leave a voicemail for us
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Founder/Host/Producer: Andrea Rathborne
Producer/Co-Host: Krista Gruen
Editors: Andrea Rathborne & Krista Gruen
Audio Engineer: Ryan Clarke
Episode 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.

Bio

Educator, 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.
Linkedin
Instagram
Pinterest
TikTok
IMDB
 
Karryn’s Five Words - Passionate, Compassionate, Focused, Creative, Determined  

Sponsor Information
Voes & Company
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Please use this link to purchase https://voesandcompany.com/discount/BettyLovesVoes 

Connect with us
Website link here
Instagram link here
LinkedIn link here
Facebook link here

Leave a voicemail for us
https://www.halfbetty.com/voicemail/

Founder/Host/Producer: Andrea Rathborne
Producer/Co-Host: Krista Gruen
Editors: Andrea Rathborne & Krista Gruen
Audio Engineer: Ryan Clarke
Episode sponsors:  Voes and Company