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The Smoko Podcast

The Smoko Podcast

Alexis Armstrong 90 Episodes Nov 12, 2025

The Smoko Podcast highlights the stories of women working in non-traditional roles, such as STEM, trades, and agriculture. It also features organizations that support these women. The podcast is sponsored by Peggy Workwear, a company that designs technical workwear for women.

Episodes

Toby Michaud: Wildlife biologist, WinSETT, and principal at Linkside Consulting
Toby Michaud: Wildlife biologist, WinSETT, and principal at Linkside Consulting Nov 12, 2025 3343 Take a break, we’re on Smoko! This week we sit down with the thoughtful and dynamic Toby Michaud, a former wildlife biologist, DEI advocate, and founder of a facilitation practice centered on inclusion, equity, and collaborative leadership. With over 25 years of experience in STEM and a deep commitment to creating systems where everyone feels seen, Toby brings a wealth of personal and professional
Chelsea Barron: Red Seal machinist, BCIT Instructor, and advisor for the National Indigenous Tradeswomen Advisory Circle
Chelsea Barron: Red Seal machinist, BCIT Instructor, and advisor for the National Indigenous Tradeswomen Advisory Circle Nov 5, 2025 2635 Take a break, we’re on Smoko! This week, we’re joined by Chelsea Barron, an Indigenous Two-Spirit Red Seal Machinist, instructor at BCIT, and advocate for representation in the trades.Chelsea shares her remarkable journey from discovering the trades through BCIT’s Women in Trades program, to becoming its first full-time female machinist instructor. Chelsea reflects on her lived experiences navigat
Kihana Wilson: The Astro Stud, Astrophysicist, and STEM Communicator
Kihana Wilson: The Astro Stud, Astrophysicist, and STEM Communicator Oct 29, 2025 3344 Take a break, we’re on Smoko! This week we sit down with astrophysicist, science communicator, and STEM icon Kihana Wilson, known online as The Astro Stud.Kihana shares her incredible journey from a curious 10-year-old discovering a life-changing astronomy book in her school library, to becoming a post-baccalaureate researcher at Argonne National Laboratory. Her research dives deep into theoretica
Brandy Kawulka: Owner of Tartan Contracting, Host of All Things Renovation Podcast and Journeyman Joiner
Brandy Kawulka: Owner of Tartan Contracting, Host of All Things Renovation Podcast and Journeyman Joiner Oct 22, 2025 3123 Take a break, we're on Smoko! This week we're joined by Brandy Kawulka, a powerhouse in the trades and a fierce advocate for women in the industry. Brandy shares her journey from studying joinery at BCIT to running her own successful renovation and contracting business: Tartan Contracting. We dive into the realities of working in the trades, the challenges women face, and the importance
Lacey Rose & Jess Kaknevicius Co-founders of Women in Wood
Lacey Rose & Jess Kaknevicius Co-founders of Women in Wood Oct 15, 2025 3273 Take a break, we’re on Smoko! This week we’re joined by Lacey Rose and Jess Kaknevicius the founders of Women in Wood, a community that champions representation, support, and advocacy for women in the forestry sector. Jess is the CEO of Forest Canada, a national leader in restoration, education, and community engagement. Lacey is a registered forester responsible for the long-term forest managemen
Sophia Malbarosa (Pia Builds): Carpenter, Professor at Humber College, Set Designer & Multi-disciplinary Artist
Sophia Malbarosa (Pia Builds): Carpenter, Professor at Humber College, Set Designer & Multi-disciplinary Artist Oct 8, 2025 3299 Take a break, we’re on Smoko! This week we sit down with Sophia Malbarosa known online as Pia Builds. Pia is a multidisciplinary artist turned carpenter, professor, and advocate for representation in the trades. Pia’s story begins with her first love: dance. After injuries sidelined her dream of becoming a professional ballerina, she sought new ways to channel her creativity, which led her to disc
Polly Britten: 2023 Churchill Fellow & Women in Trades Advocate
Polly Britten: 2023 Churchill Fellow & Women in Trades Advocate Oct 1, 2025 3033 Take a break, we’re on Smoko! This week we sit down with 2023 Churchill Fellow Polly Britten, a woman in trades advocate. Polly speaks to her involvement in the NextGen Tradies - Try a Trade Program, as well as her transformative research on gender equity in skilled trades education.Polly’s study, aimed to highlight how we can create a more inclusive and empowering future for young people in non-t
Aria Joughin: Founder of Make With Hardware & Learning Center
Aria Joughin: Founder of Make With Hardware & Learning Center Sep 24, 2025 2533 Take a break, we’re on Smoko! We’re honoured to sit down with Aria Joughin, the founder of Make With, a queer-owned learning center dedicated to equipping individuals—especially women, queer, trans, and BIPOC folks—with essential hands-on skills in home maintenance, repair, emergency preparedness, and self-sufficiency.  Aria shares the story behind the creation of Make With, born from a moment of
Rosa Fragomeni & Mathilde Tremblay from the Student Association for Geography and Environment
Rosa Fragomeni & Mathilde Tremblay from the Student Association for Geography and Environment Sep 17, 2025 2895 Take a break we’re on Smoko! This week we’re joined by Rosa and Mathilde, co-presidents of the Student Association for Geography, Geomatics, and the Environment (SAGE). Together, they share their passion for environmental science, their leadership journeys, and the transformative impact of building a thriving student community focused on sustainability and interdisciplinary collaboration. Mathilde
Lindsay Reynolds: Civil Engineer, Women in construction advocate and Host of She Wears Work Boots Podcast
Lindsay Reynolds: Civil Engineer, Women in construction advocate and Host of She Wears Work Boots Podcast Sep 10, 2025 2786 Take a break, we’re on Smoko! We’re joined by the multi-talented Lindsay Reynolds, the founding president of Hancock & MacArthur, and the host of the She Wears Work Boots podcast​.  From her early days studying civil engineering to finding her passion on active construction sites, Lindsay shares candid reflections on overcoming the fear of failure, discovering her love for project management,
Emma Priestner: Welder, Technical Education Specialist at CWB Welding Foundation and founder of Hashiriya Ladies
Emma Priestner: Welder, Technical Education Specialist at CWB Welding Foundation and founder of Hashiriya Ladies Sep 3, 2025 2412 Take a break, we’re on Smoko! We’re joined by Emma Priestner, a Technical Education Specialist with the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) Foundation and a driving force behind transformative initiatives like the Women of Steel program. Emma shares her inspiring journey, from her first welding certification experience at a Women of Steel workshop to becoming a leader shaping the future of trades educat
Carly Steiman: Electrician, Owner of Lady Electric, and Founder of Workbee
Carly Steiman: Electrician, Owner of Lady Electric, and Founder of Workbee Aug 27, 2025 3425 Take a break, we’re on Smoko! This week we sit down with Carly Steiman, an entrepreneur and a licensed electrician with nearly 20 years of experience, eight which operating her residential electrical business Lady Electric. Carly specializes in lighting consulting and smaller scale jobs. Carly shares her story of discovering her passion for electrical work, starting her career right after high sch

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