Stories Within Us

with Lisa Bush

Conversations with writers, poets, educators, activists, artists, and researchers whose work is questioning, disrupting, or altogether transforming how we view ourselves and each other.

Stories Within Us explores how our lived experiences—and the process of sharing those stories— has the power to connect, heal, and change.

Welcome to Season 7

S7:6 How to be a lifelong artist with Micheline Maylor

Micheline Maylor examines the craft of being a lifelong artist. Micheline discusses the importance of paying attention to what we are feeling, cross pollination of ideas, and breaking patterns. We also discuss being brave in your writing. Micheline says, “Bravery in writing is the thing that will take you far.”
Micheline and I dive into her latest work, The Bad Wife, a brave, first-hand account of how to ruin a marriage. To those wanting to spark your creativity, this is the conversation for you.

Read More »

S7:5 Changing the world with better stories with Natalie Meisner

When Natalie Meisner started her career in theatre, she was cast for roles that didn’t represent the women she knew or the women she wanted to become. So, Natalie started writing her own plays. In today’s episode, poet, playwright, and professor Natalie Meisner discusses the importance of LGBTQ2S+ representation in all stories. Natalie shares how comedy can be a catalyst for social change and how her book, Double Pregnant: Two Lesbians Make a Family, lifts the veil of silence around fertility and pregnancy while making us laugh at the same time.

Read More »

All Episodes

S5:3 Finding the helpers amongst the chaos with Crystal Reynolds

In this episode, Crystal and I discuss her journey as a creative, her design work with Mayor Jyoti Gondek’s campaign and how Crystal is finding individuals who help her make sense of the world that we are currently navigating. Crystal shares how we can stay grounded—both as parents and as creatives—during times of chaos. 

Read More »

S5:2 Home, Identity, and Nationalism with Mifrah Abid

In this episode, Mifrah challenges my beliefs on home and identity. We discuss our thoughts on nationalism and Mirfah explains the concept of jingoism and how it relates to our times now. This is such an important conversation for us to be having; I cannot wait for you to listen to and learn from the stories the Mifrah shares.

Read More »

S5:1 Unapologetically Taking Up Space with Shahzia Noorally

Today, I speak with proud introvert and gentle disrupter, Shahzia Noorally. Shahzia shares her story of showing up authentically in her career and unapologetically taking up space. Shahzia is the host of the Colour Gap Podcast, which I listen to and love, and speaks to how this has been an outlet to share her experiences and offer unconventional career strategy and advice for women of colour.

Read More »

S4:10 Advice to our younger selves with Kate Cordell

This episode with educator, mother, and one of my favourite people in the world, Kate Cordell. In this episode Kate and I reflect back on our 20’s when we first met each other and give our younger selves advice. This is a conversation about forgiveness, self compassion, and most of all, laughter and joy.

Read More »

S4:8&9 Asking Your Partner for Help with Lisa Bush

In this two-part holiday series, I take on my first ever solo podcast to discuss a few practices for moms looking to lighten their workload. These are five simple practices that you can use year-round but are especially helpful over the holidays. To the moms who are feeling overloaded or like you are drowning in the mental load of coordinating and planning for your family—this episode is for you.

Read More »

S4:6 Following Your Curiosity with Jill Yancey

For many of us, curiosity is a paradigm shift. We take great pride, as a collective, of knowing. Of being able to classify—right versus wrong; good versus bad; productive versus non productive. But as we discussed in today’s episode, there’s something very life-giving about asking questions and being open to the answers. In this episode, I speak with writer, poet, and mother Jill Yancey about embracing curiosity. It’s perfect reminder to slow down and take

Read More »

S4:5 Do I have a story to tell? with Jilliane Yawney

In this episode, I speak with Story Coach and storyteller, Jilliane Yawney. Jilliane shares her story about how a road trip with a stop in Detroit Michigan changed the trajectory of her life and instilled in her a love for storytelling.  Jilliane explains what it takes to be an excellent storyteller—but possibly more importantly— she provided insight on why we need to tell our stories. Finally, for those of you wondering, Do I even have

Read More »

S4:3 Reclaiming Motherhood with Latasha Calf Robe

In this episode, I speak with mother, activist and founder of  Niitsítapi Water Protectors, Latasha Calf Robe. Latasha shares her story as to what it means to be a Blackfoot mother and woman. We examine how motherhood can be fierce. Motherhood can be empowering. Motherhood can be a push for activism.  Latasha also shares with us her work behind the Niitsítapi Water Protectors and provides guidance for mothers who want to see positive change in

Read More »