Quiet Part Out Loud is a podcast for anyone who's ever felt like they're supposed to have it all figured out—but definitely don't. Hosted by Nuvyn Peters and Alexandra Stante, this show dives into the real career conversations happening behind closed doors: self-doubt, tough decisions, big wins, and bigger failures. We're bringing you unfiltered stories from women who lead, challenging the status quo and sharing the messy, complicated, and sometimes hilarious reality of leadership. Whether you're climbing the ladder, breaking the glass ceiling, or redefining leadership on your own terms—this podcast is for you. No fluff, no corporate jargon—just the real talk we all need to hear.
Join Nuvyn for an inspiring one-on-one conversation with her former leader and University of Calgary President Emerita, Dr. Elizabeth Cannon. Drawing on a remarkable career that has taken her from engineering to academia to the university presidency and beyond, Dr. Cannon shares candid insights on leadership, resilience, and breaking new ground. As the first (or one of the few) women in many of her leadership roles, she reflects on the unique challenges, opportunities, and lessons she learned along the way. Hosts: Nuvyn Peters Guest: Dr. Elizabeth Cannon For Axis Connects: Executive producers, Nuvyn Peters, Alexandra Stante; Producer, Claire Edwards Produced by Briar Greenhalgh and Scott Westby at Pluto Pictures Learn more about Axis Connects at: axisconnects.com
There are countless strategies and opinions about when and how to introduce your kids to devices and Social Media. Join Alex and Nuvyn as they discuss pitfalls, challenges and tips on limiting our kids' use of technology...even if we have trouble limiting it for ourselves. Hosts: Nuvyn Peters and Alexandra Stante For Axis Connects: Executive producers, Nuvyn Peters, Alexandra Stante; Producer, Claire Edwards Produced by Briar Greenhalgh and Scott Westby at Pluto Pictures Learn more about Axis Connects at: axisconnects.com
3x Unicorn CFO Kelly Schmitt joins Nuvyn and Alex on this week's episode of the podcast. Formerly the CEO of Benevity and now CEO of Headversity, Kelly gets real about the challenges of bringing your authentic self to a leadership role. From fear of public speaking, tying your identity to your job, and being a working parent, Kelly's quote says it all: "It's a fine line between feeling like you're crushing it on all fronts and entirely falling apart." Hosts: Nuvyn Peters and Alexandra Stante Guest: Kelly Schmitt For Axis Connects: Executive producers, Nuvyn Peters, Alexandra Stante; Producer, Claire Edwards Produced by Briar Greenhalgh and Scott Westby at Pluto Pictures Learn more about Axis Connects at: axisconnects.com
Summer arrives, the kids are out of school, and life as a working parent gets much more complicated (and expensive!). Join Alex and Nuvyn as they chat about summer camps, field trips, and the trap of society's pressure to give our children "the perfect summer". Hosts: Nuvyn Peters and Alexandra Stante For Axis Connects: Executive producers, Nuvyn Peters, Alexandra Stante; Producer, Claire Edwards Produced by Briar Greenhalgh and Scott Westby at Pluto Pictures Learn more about Axis Connects at: axisconnects.com
Nuvyn and Alex chat with Deborah Yedlin , President and CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. Deborah's expansive career through wall street, journalism and post-secondary has given her unique insights on Alberta and Calgary. From her views on Alberta's separatist movement to the state of journalism today, Deborah isn't afraid to speak her mind on what gives her hope... and what keeps her up at night. Hosts: Nuvyn Peters and Alexandra Stante Guest: Deborah Yedlin For Axis Connects: Executive producers, Nuvyn Peters, Alexandra Stante; Producer, Claire Edwards Produced by Briar Greenhalgh and Scott Westby at Pluto Pictures Learn more about Axis Connects at: axisconnects.com
Happy Birthdaversary! It's been a year since the first episode of The Quiet Part Out Loud, and we're celebrating. Nuvyn and Alex look back on the past year and the incredible success of the podcast. They bring up common themes from previous episodes, and they share their hopes for the podcast's next year . They'd also love to hear from you! Who would you love to see on the podcast as we move into year 2? Hosts: Nuvyn Peters and Alexandra Stante For Axis Connects: Executive producers, Nuvyn Peters, Alexandra Stante; Producer, Claire Edwards Produced by Briar Greenhalgh and Scott Westby at Pluto Pictures Learn more about Axis Connects at: axisconnects.com
According to a recent study, menopause is "decimating" women's work performance, and masking menopause is sometimes harder than the job itself. Alex and Nuvyn dive into this under-discussed subject and explore how it's impacting women in the workplace, and the two of them personally. Hosts: Nuvyn Peters and Alexandra Stante For Axis Connects: Executive producers, Nuvyn Peters, Alexandra Stante; Producer, Claire Edwards Produced by Briar Greenhalgh and Scott Westby at Pluto Pictures Learn more about Axis Connects at: axisconnects.com
In today's episode, Alex and Nuvyn sit down with Bonnie Dupont, President, DuPont Consulting & Independent Director and winner of the 2026 CIWB Lifetime Achievement Award and a pioneering champion for women in Calgary's business community. They dig deep into Bonnie's history as the first woman in a leadership role at several iconic Calgary institutions and organizations. Bonnie shares philosophies and stories from over four decades of experience in Western Canada's agriculture and energy industries. From her crying in a bathroom stall to industry-shifting successes, Bonnie's stories show just how much has changed for women in Calgary since the 1980s. Hosts: Nuvyn Peters and Alexandra Stante Guest: Bonnie Dupont For Axis Connects: Executive producers, Nuvyn Peters, Alexandra Stante; Producer, Claire Edwards Produced by Briar Greenhalgh and Scott Westby at Pluto Pictures Learn more about Axis Connects at: axisconnects.com
Mentorship, Sponsorship and Executive Coaching isn't always sunshine and rainbows. Nuvyn and Alex chat about some common pitfalls when seeking a mentor, words of caution about working with Executive Coaches, and some terrible advice they've received in the past. Hosts: Nuvyn Peters and Alexandra Stante For Axis Connects: Executive producers, Nuvyn Peters, Alexandra Stante; Producer, Claire Edwards Produced by Briar Greenhalgh and Scott Westby at Pluto Pictures Learn more about Axis Connects at: axisconnects.com
In today's episode, Alex and Nuvyn discuss leadership in the not-for-profit sector with Saifa Koonar, President & CEO at the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation and winner of the Social Enterprise Award at the 2026 Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards. They explore Saifa 's key philosophies for her life and career, her hesitation to take on the role of CEO, the challenges mothers face in the workplace, and the incredible power of philanthropy (Spoiler alert: it goes way beyond raising money). Hosts: Nuvyn Peters and Alexandra Stante Guest: Saifa Koonar, President & CEO at Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation For Axis Connects: Executive producers, Nuvyn Peters, Alexandra Stante; Producer, Claire Edwards Produced by Briar Greenhalgh and Scott Westby at Pluto Pictures Learn more about Axis Connects at: axisconnects.com
Happy Mother's Day! Alex and Nuvyn sit down to chat about how they celebrated Mother's Day this year, and some of the hilarious realities and shocking statistics surrounding the holiday. Hosts: Nuvyn Peters and Alexandra Stante For Axis Connects: Executive producers, Nuvyn Peters, Alexandra Stante; Producer, Claire Edwards Produced by Briar Greenhalgh and Scott Westby at Pluto Pictures Learn more about Axis Connects at: axisconnects.com
In today's episode, Nuvyn and Alex chat with Vern Yu, President & CEO of Altagas. Vern is the first male guest on The Quiet Part Out Loud, and the winner of the Male Champion Award at the 2026 Influential Women in Business Awards. Vern shares some incredible wisdom championing women in the workplace and why it makes sense for the success of any business. He also shares the story of his road to CEO, and how mentorship and surprising advice early in his career gave him the skills and confidence to chase his dreams. Hosts: Nuvyn Peters and Alexandra Stante Guest: Vern Yu, President & CEO at AltaGas For Axis Connects: Executive producers, Nuvyn Peters, Alexandra Stante; Producer, Claire Edwards Produced by Briar Greenhalgh and Scott Westby at Pluto Pictures Learn more about Axis Connects at: axisconnects.com
In today's episode, Nuvyn and Alex look at recent statistics about salary progression and how women's salaries tend to stagnate right around the time of motherhood. They explore some of the issues that could be compounding to cause this, and bring up important questions about the realities of the Motherhood Penalty, including the influence it has on the idea of becoming a mother. Hosts: Nuvyn Peters and Alexandra Stante For Axis Connects: Executive producers, Nuvyn Peters, Alexandra Stante; Producer, Claire Edwards Produced by Briar Greenhalgh and Scott Westby at Pluto Pictures Learn more about Axis Connects at: axisconnects.com
Nuvyn and Alex chat with Valerie Prather, Litigation Lawyer and Partner at McCarthy Tétrault LLP, and the winner of the 2026 Professional Services Award at the Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards. Valerie shares some of the incredible lessons she has learned in a distinguished career as a lawyer and leader. From how to support your teams as you throw them into the deep end, to why today's clients demand a diverse legal team, Valerie's perspectives on leadership are as sharp and colourful as her wardrobe (her self-admitted secret weapon). Hosts: Nuvyn Peters and Alexandra Stante Guest: Valerie Prather, Litigation Lawyer, Partner at McCarthy Tétrault LLP For Axis Connects: Executive producers, Nuvyn Peters, Alexandra Stante; Producer, Claire Edwards Produced by Briar Greenhalgh and Scott Westby at Pluto Pictures Learn more about Axis Connects at: axisconnects.com
Nuvyn and Alex dive into the data to explore some of the hardships Millennials are facing on their way to the C-Suite. Today's high cost of living and Millennials' career aspirations are creating more dual-career couples than ever before, and our hosts discuss the challenges associated with having both partners working full time while trying to maintain their lives at home. Host: Nuvyn Peters and Alexandra Stante For Axis Connects: Executive Producers, Nuvyn Peters, Alexandra Stante; Producer, Claire Edwards Produced by: Briar Greenhalgh and Scott Westby at Pluto Pictures Learn more about Axis Connects at: axisconnects.com
In today's episode, Alex chats with Tara Lockyer, Chief People, Culture, Brand and Communications Officer at ATB Financial, to explore her career journey and the leadership lessons she learned along the way. Tara shares incredible wisdom about quiet leadership, how to get the most out of every member of your team, and how she keeps tabs on the gender pay gap. She and Alex also discuss the work ethic, expectation and promise of the new generation entering the workforce. Tara is also being celebrated as the winner for Large Enterprise at the 2026 Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards. Host: Alexandra Stante Guest: Tara Lockyer, Chief People, Culture, Brand and Communications Officer, ATB Financial For Axis Connects: Executive Producers, Nuvyn Peters, Alexandra Stante; Producer, Claire Edwards Produced by: Briar Greenhalgh and Scott Westby at Pluto Pictures Learn more about Axis Connects at: axisconnects.com
In today's episode, Nuvyn and Alex discuss employee perception on gender representation in leadership within their companies. The differences between perception and reality is stark, bringing up some important questions about progress, tokenism and the expectations placed on women in leadership positions. Hosts: Nuvyn Peters and Alexandra Stante For Axis Connects: Executive producers, Nuvyn Peters, Alexandra Stante; Producer, Claire Edwards Produced by: Briar Greenhalgh and Scott Westby at Pluto Pictures Learn more about Axis Connects at: axisconnects.com
In today's episode, Nuvyn and Alex sit down with Lara Murphy, CEO of Calgary Wild FC and Founder of Ryan Murphy Construction, Calgary's only women-led commercial construction company. Their conversation centres around navigating the male-dominated construction industry, and her full-circle journey back into the world of women's soccer. Lara's insights into how a life in sports has empowered her in the boardroom — and on the construction site — are inspiring, and prove why she deserves her award for Small and Medium Enterprise at the 2026 Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards. Hosts: Nuvyn Peters and Alexandra Stante Guest: Lara Murphy, CEO of Calgary Wild FC, Founder of Ryan Murphy Construction For Axis Connects: Executive producers, Nuvyn Peters, Alexandra Stante; Producer, Claire Edwards Produced by: Briar Greenhalgh and Scott Westby at Pluto Pictures Learn more about Axis Connects at: axisconnects.com
In this episode of The Quiet Part Out Loud , Nuvyn Peters and Alexandra Stante sit down with the Honourable Rona Ambrose for a candid and compelling conversation about leadership, courage, advocacy, and the responsibility that comes with using your platform for good. From her rise in federal politics to serving in senior cabinet roles and leading the Official Opposition, Rona reflects on the defining chapters of her career and the issues that continue to shape her work today. She speaks openly about advocating for women and girls, the fight to support Yazidi survivors, the global rollback of women's rights, and why protecting the most vulnerable must remain at the core of leadership. The conversation also explores confidence, sponsorship, women's economic empowerment, and the importance of taking risks before you feel fully ready. Rona shares practical advice for women navigating leadership and why sometimes the most important thing you can do is simply jump. This is a powerful conversation about purpose, resilience, impact, and choosing to lead with both strength and heart. In this episode, we discuss: Rona's career journey through politics, public service, and leadership Advocating for women and girls in Canada and around the world The importance of confidence, resilience, and taking risks Why women need sponsorship, not just mentorship Economic empowerment and women in leadership What gives Rona hope about the next generation Hosts: Nuvyn Peters and Alexandra Stante Guest: The Honourable Rona Ambrose For Axis Connects: Executive Producers, Nuvyn Peters and Alexandra Stante; Producer, Claire Edwards Video Producer: Scott Westby Learn more about AXIS Connects at: axisconnects.com
In this follow-up episode of Quiet Part Out Loud , Nuvyn and Alex revisit one of the most debated workplace topics of the past few years: the return to the office . After the initial wave of return-to-office policies and reactions, many organizations are now entering a new phase — one where the real challenges and lessons are beginning to surface. In this conversation, Nuvyn and Alex reflect on what companies are learning as they move beyond the initial transition and begin to evaluate what is actually working. They explore questions such as: Why some return-to-office strategies succeed while others face resistance The evolving expectations employees have around flexibility and workplace culture How leaders can think more intentionally about the purpose of the office What organizations may have underestimated about hybrid work The long-term implications for leadership, productivity, and organizational design Rather than focusing on headlines or mandates, this episode digs into the practical realities leaders are facing today as they try to balance culture, collaboration, and performance in a changing work environment. Whether you're a business leader, manager, or employee navigating these shifts, this conversation offers thoughtful insights into what the future of work may actually look like — beyond the policies.
