JoOutLoud

08/22/2026

08/21/2026

Sketching while listening to a webinar on Residential Schools. I appreciated the ideas for things I can be doing to contribute to truth and reconciliation.

08/19/2026

When our kids are small we embrace pithy quotes like "my kids will never feel my storm". And once they've grown, we realize how untrue this is.

Your kids will feel your storm. You won't be able to shelter them from the rain. That's part of being human.

But giving them space to say "this is how it was for me" and "this hurt me", to acknowledge their experience and the role you played and to say "I'm so sorry. If I could go back, here's what I would do differently."

That's where we start to move from shame. The experiences of our lives shape who we become - good and bad. Your kids, and you, can use those experiences to be better humans if you walk with them through the hurt.

08/16/2026

To be okay with going slow. To know that not all moments, not all days need to be productive in a way that aligns with an external definition of productive.

Also, for the young 'uns. That's what a 30 yr old tattoo looks like. There were once small dots in those wings 😂

08/13/2026

What should you do when your kid makes a mistake? Often, we respond out of anger, or, if we're honest, sometimes shame. But what if you took a beat amd responded by listening, and then involving them in deciding what to do?

I promise you it's more effective than constantly grounding them from their phone.

As one kid told me - "I don't know what my phone had to do with me skipping school, but I'm grounded from it."

Shouldn't accountability and learning be the goal?

If you need support, let me know. I'm here to help.

08/09/2026

For those playing along with me at home. Project to break my passive device habits continues. Pleased to report it's going well.

Noteworthy- our phones can be tools for intentional connection.

08/09/2026

For those playing along with me at home. Project to break my passive device habits continues. Pleased to report it's going well.

Noteworthy- our phones can be tools for intentional connection.

08/02/2026

#1. Week 2 went well. Definitely better for my body and soul, rather than endless scrolling and consuming. Next week has a few new things on it.

#2. Week 3. Upped my protein goal, because my ultimate goal is 190 g. Added one HIIT for heart health. Changed up my Joy a bit. And new goal. A decent bedtime.

# 3. Here's where I started with my goals. Once I got on a roll, it was pretty easy to stay on a roll. I clearly need to spend more time on my business though.

What does yours look like?

08/01/2026

Summer reading.

Lots know me from my days at a social media agency. What many didn't see was the work I did there to ensure that work met the people who worked with me, where they were at. Prioritizing family commitments. Equal pay for equal work. No extra asks of the women because the ask was too "beneath" a man. We even had a summer program for young adults who were marginalized, to create jobs and resume skills for them. Our youth programs were safe spaces for all kids. We had a pride heart on our window. Unfortunately, all this left with me. But I was able to bring those principals with me to what was next.

Here's what many don't know.

A lot of my coursework in university was related to what was then called Women's Studies, and Native Studies, now called Gender Studies and Indigenous Studies. My major was Psychology and my minor was in Sociology. My goal was to work with kids.

I've had a life long passion and commitment to understanding, and working to change systems.

I love the work I do now with JoOutLoud to help make kids' voices louder.

And the work we're doing at Regional Red Deer Restorative Justice Society, especially with youth, and Gender Based Harm is very, very cool.

Your path might not make sense, until it does.

07/27/2026

How do we teach responsible use when we're struggling ourselves? It starts with us reclaiming our lives. Wanna join me in August for ?

Make your own list. Maybe make one for your family! How cool would that be!

I'd love to hear how you're reclaiming your life and reconnecting.

And then join me in August for daily small steps for learning, and teaching moderation and responsible use.