Gurdeep Pandher is a Yukon-based, Bhangra dance artist. He lives in a small off-grid cabin in the wilderness in the Yukon Territories, Canada and creates dance videos in the outdoors, and performances that bring people together. These clips of Gurdeep dancing in frigid cold temperatures on frozen lakes and rivers of Canada’s North, grew into his unique brand of spreading joy, hope and positivity. Today, millions of viewers throughout the world have watched his wilderness videos.

Gurdeep’s infectious laughter infuses our conversation as we hear how a burning curiosity in his childhood led him to journeys into the unknown. Whether biking from farm to village in rural India in his youth, or transcontinental travels to Canada as an adult, Gurdeep is motivated by his pursuit of joy.

References: 

• BBC Interview: https://youtu.be/rnhSIcb60VM?si=kUT1ZcvppGe64Xhg

• What’s Up Yukon:: https://www.whatsupyukon.com/arts-entertainment/yukon-stage/from-the-punjab-to-the-yukon/ 

Guest website and social media links: 

• Website: https://gurdeep.ca/ 

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsxqJMylBN-0x6a-8RT8pAg 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gurdeeppandher/ 

You can find more about The Sound Lens Podcast on our website www.soundlenspodcast.com, or follow us on Instagram and Facebook: @soundlenspodcast

Catherine Dyer is an actor, director, producer, and instructor who also had a prolific career working for A&E Television's Biography, eventually becoming Manager of Documentary Programming and Supervising Producer. In this role she oversaw the production of more than 250 hours of television per year culminating in an Emmy nomination in 2003. Catherine's acting career began to heat up in 2008 with her portrayal of Lt. Col. Margaret Riley on 'Army Wives'.  Since then her tv/film work has included hits such as Stranger Things, The Blind Side, The Morning Show and The Terminal List.

Our conversation with Catherine reveals how talent mixed with tenacity has led to an enviable acting career in a historically fickle industry. Catherine’s behind the scenes stories share sweet moments with fans while also reflecting on how following her heart ultimately led to her biggest breaks. 

References: 

• Guest Jason MacDonald’s Episode: https://www.soundlenspodcast.com/episodes/episode/bf31a280/6-jason-macdonald-lens-of-an-actors-heart

• Inside Amy Schumer -Last F**kable Day (ft. Tina Fey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Patricia Arquette)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPpsI8mWKmg

Guest website and social media links: 

• Website: www.dramainc.net

• IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0245696/

You can find more about The Sound Lens Podcast on our website www.soundlenspodcast.com, or follow us on Instagram and Facebook: @soundlenspodcast

Amika Cooper (a.k.a. BlackPowerBarbie) is an illustrator, animator and director from Toronto, currently based in New York City. From collaborations with brands like Apple, Nike and creating content for The Roots’ frontman Black Thought, to directing Hershey’s HerForShe campaign photoshoot, Amika’s distinct style of 2D animation centers black, femme and queer experiences.

Amika, known for her media and art under the moniker Black Power Barbie, is compelled by her own professional experiences to create supportive and warm spaces for her clients while keeping artistic integrity at its core. Our conversation includes a deep dive on identity, as Amika shares how her value driven work is finding an audience, both corporate and public. 

References: 

• Hershey’s Canada Instagram: @hersheyscanada 

• Kélicia Massala Episode: https://www.soundlenspodcast.com/episodes/episode/293239cf/14-kelicia-massala-lens-of-a-new-generation-of-advocacy

Guest website and social media links: 

• Instagram: @blackpowerbarbie 

• Website: www.blackpowerbarbie.com

You can find more about The Sound Lens Podcast on our website www.soundlenspodcast.com, or follow us on Instagram and Facebook: @soundlenspodcast

Former editor of the iconic Canadian magazine, Chatelaine, Rona Maynard’s career with words and stories, include an early stint as a journalist at MacLean’s Magazine, a freelance writer, guest speaker and author. Her most recent memoir, Starter Dog: My Path to Joy, Belonging and Loving This World, which she describes as a surprising personal rebirth, demonstrates the power animals have to connect us with our hidden selves.

Rona has had a career many would envy. Yet privately her mental health struggles stood in the way of deeper connections with herself and the world - until Casey, her rescue dog, arrived. Rona’s and Casey’s humorous adventures provide life affirming lessons for all of us.

References: 

• Chatelaine Magazine: https://chatelaine.com/

Guest website and social media links: 

• Instagram: @ronamaynard_author

• Website: https://www.ronamaynard.com

You can find more about The Sound Lens Podcast on our website www.soundlenspodcast.com, or follow us on Instagram and Facebook: @soundlenspodcast

Rachael Segal holds a masters in law from Osgoode Hall, York University. She has legal experience in Criminal Law and Civil Litigations, and has been an issues and policy advisor to senior members of the Canadian Federal Cabinet and the Canadian Senate. With her extensive experience on political campaigns in Ontario and British Columbia, Rachael is on a mission to get more women interested in politics.

Rachael's vision of more women becoming involved in the political conversation is motivated by a belief that even the smallest engagement will affect change. It doesn’t matter what your position is, just as long as you have one.

Guest website and social media links: 

• Instagram: @rachaelsegal 

• Website: https://www.beyondaballot.com

• Instagram: @beyondaballot 

You can find more about The Sound Lens Podcast on our website www.soundlenspodcast.com, or follow us on Instagram and Facebook: @soundlenspodcast

Val and Breezy Griffith are the mother-daughter duo behind the US-based snack phenomena SkinnyDipped. What started as a quest for a healthier chocolate covered almond snack, has evolved today into one of the fastest growing and most innovative snack companies on the market. They are obsessed with crafting snacks that nourish our bodies and spirits, while building a company that values people and the planet!

SkinnyDipped founders, Breezy and Val, demonstrate how innovation and intuition are just two of their superpowers used to disrupt the snack industry. This mother-daughter duo reflect on the power of partnerships, why relationship dynamics shift, and how they have made communication a key factor of their business model. From their early experiments around the kitchen table to Val recently being named to Forbes’ 50 Over 50 list, they share how the challenges of being female entrepreneurs make success that much sweeter.

References: 

• Forbes’ 50 Over 50: https://www.forbes.com/50over50/lifestyle?profile=valerie-griffith

• I Love Lucy - Chocolate Factory episode: https://youtu.be/K3axU2b0dDk?si=T1WSPn3bs-9nWe3K

Guest website and social media links: 

• Instagram: @skinnydipped

• Website: www.skinnydipped.com

You can find more about The Sound Lens Podcast on our website www.soundlenspodcast.com, or follow us on Instagram and Facebook: @soundlenspodcast

Armed with their favorite snacks, Gillian and Louise settled in to be entertained by the blockbuster summer hit movie ‘Barbie’. It was not what they expected… 

References: 

• Kitty Perkins - creator of first Black Barbie: https://www.insider.com/barbie-kitty-black-perkins-designer-diversity-mattel-dolls-2023-4
• Colleen Bordeaux’s Episode: https://www.soundlenspodcast.com/episodes/episode/59c97a16/26-colleen-bordeaux-lens-of-a-business-behavior-expert

You can find more about The Sound Lens Podcast on our website www.soundlenspodcast.com, or follow us on Instagram and Facebook: @soundlenspodcast

Known as MochGirlPlace on Instagram, Tracey Hairston is an interior and fashion stylist whose love and knowledge of plants has garnered a huge following of plant enthusiasts including some of the industry’s leading names. Tracey’s blog is a gorgeous collection of stories and photos, with DIY ideas for every lifestyle.

Tracey has captivated thousands of online followers with her inspiring and relatable interior design, fashion, and plant content, by showing up as her authentic self.

Guest website and social media links: 

• Instagram: @mochalgirlplace

• Website:www.mochagirlplace.com 

You can find more about The Sound Lens Podcast on our website www.soundlenspodcast.com, or follow us on Instagram and Facebook: @soundlenspodcast