Forks
by Alexis Hood & Amie Plourde
Forks is a podcast about what happens when life doesn’t go as planned — and how we find our way forward. 🎧 New here? Start with our intro episode: on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Each week, longtime friends and hosts Alexis Hood and Amie Plourde sit down with people who’ve faced tough situations: mental health struggles, addiction, incarceration, divorce, job loss, grief, identity shifts — and chose to build something honest and meaningful in the aftermath. Whether you’re standing at your own crossroads or simply curious about how others rebuilt
Episodes
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Vanessa Vakharia — From Failing Math to becoming The Math Guru, a Rock Star, and a Mission to Heal Math Trauma
In this episode of Forks, we sit down with Vanessa Vakharia, founder of The Math Guru, bestselling author of Math Hacks and Math Therapy, and frontwoman of the indie rock band Goodnight Sunrise. After failing math twice in high school, Vanessa was convinced she “just wasn’t a math person.” Years...
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Beyond the Job Title: Career Coach Lynn Unger on Mindset, Change, and Redefining Success
When career coach Lynn Unger decided to retire, she thought she was closing one chapter — but instead, she found herself facing some of the same questions she’d helped her clients navigate for years: Who am I without my work? What does success look like now? In this conversation, Lynn joins…
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Beyond the Court: Rae Swire on Identity, Change, and Life After High-Performance Sport
What happens when a professional athlete retires — and their identity goes with it? In this episode of Forks, we sit down with Rae Swire, a former Team Canada volleyball player, as she opens up about her emotional transition out of elite sport. From Olympic qualification campaigns and global...
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From the ER to a New Era: Sheila Early and the Birth of Forensic Nursing in Canada
It was supposed to be an ordinary shift in the emergency room. Instead, it sparked a revolution in healthcare. When rookie nurse Sheila Early treated her first sexual assault victim in 1970, she was armed with nothing but a 34-page instruction booklet — and a profound sense of helplessness. Two...
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Dr. Becky Whetstone: Marriage Crisis, Childhood Trauma, and How Humility Heals Relationships
What if the fight in your marriage isn’t just about dishes, distance, or desire — but something deeper you haven’t yet faced? In this revealing episode, therapist and author Dr. Becky Whetstone joins us to talk about what really causes a marriage crisis. Drawing from her decades of work — and her...
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Dana Felske: Single Mom by Choice, Entrepreneur by Vision
What does it take to walk away from a stable career, start a business with your dad, and then choose motherhood on your own terms? In this moving and empowering episode, Dana Felske shares her extraordinary journey—from leaving the banking world to co-founding FutureBook Printing, and later,...
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Yash Preswalla on Skateboarding, Sobriety, and Building Impact from the Inside Out
In this episode of Forks, we talk with Yash Preswalla, founder of Toronto's Impact Skate Club, about how skateboarding became his path to purpose, sobriety, and social change. Yash shares his journey from bar gigs and burnout to building one of Toronto’s most inclusive youth programs. We explore...
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Christie Tait, NP: Migraine and the Journey from Sufferer to Specialist
A Nurse Practitioner specializing in headache and concussion care, Christie Tait has worked in Emergency Medicine at Toronto’s SickKids and Mount Sinai, led the Headache Program at the Neurology Centre of Toronto, and now runs Structure Clinic, a pioneering practice offering comprehensive…
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Shannon Gallagher of Smithery Style: From Burnout to Business Owner
In this episode of Forks, we sit down with Shannon Gallagher, the powerhouse entrepreneur who took a leap of faith to acquire Smithery Style, a Canadian online boutique championing body positivity. Shannon shares her journey from burnout in the corporate world to becoming the new Chief Style…
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Emma Plourde-Doran: Championing Inclusive Education for Students with Autism
In this episode of Forks, Alexis and Amie sit down with Emma Plourde-Doran, an educator who faced a defining fork in the road: follow a traditional teaching path or build a high-support classroom for students with autism, from scratch. Emma took the leap—and it changed everything. Teaching in...
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Terry Pirovolakis: A Father’s Incredible Mission to Treat His Son’s Rare Disease, SPG50
When Terry and Georgia Pirovolakis received the devastating news that their 15-month-old son, Michael, had been diagnosed with Spastic Paraplegia Type 50 (SPG50), a rare neurodegenerative disorder affecting approximately 80 children worldwide, they were determined to find a cure. Refusing to…
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Poetry, Perseverance, and Second Chances with Anne Hood, The Wild Geese Poet
Raised in Yorkshire in the 1950s and 60s, today’s guest—known as The Wild Geese Poet—grew up in a loving but challenging home, shaped by her mother’s undiagnosed schizophrenia. Her story is one of resilience, transformation, and creative rediscovery. After navigating childhood struggles, building…
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Forensic Nursing, Justice and Sexual Education with Hannah Varto
In this eye-opening episode of Forks, we sit down with Hannah Varto, a nurse practitioner and forensic expert dedicated to supporting survivors of violence. From her journey into forensic nursing to launching Canada’s first clinic dedicated to post-violence medical care, Hannah shares her…
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How To Have A Good Day (and How To Have a Bad One) - Frank's Back!
What if the key to having a good day—or a bad one—was entirely within your control? In this episode, we welcome back Frank, an addictions counsellor and expert in human behaviour, to explore the power of automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) and how they shape our reality. 🔹 Key Takeaways: •💭…
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Hots & Nots: Our Current Icks & Obsessions
🎧 In this episode of Forks, Alexis and Amie dive into what they see as hot and not in their world. From celebrity comebacks and self-care trends to bizarre corporate habits and low-stakes cults (yes, really), this conversation is packed with humour, opinions, and a touch of chaos. 🔥 What’s Hot?...
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Alexis’ Update: Losing your job can be a gift + advice for navigating unemployment
In this episode of Forks, we explore Alexis’ journey from job loss to career clarity and why losing your job might actually be the best thing to happen. Discover why job loss can be a blessing in disguise and learn practical tips for navigating unemployment—like mastering networking without…
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Adenike Charles: Fitness, Faith, and Finding Your Path
In this episode, Alexis and Amie are joined by Adenike Charles, founder of Just2Sweat, a fitness and wellness brand that combines exercise, mindset, and faith to inspire transformative change. With her expertise in kinesiology, personal training, and life coaching, Nike shares her inspiring…
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Looking Back: Our Favourite Lessons from Our Guests So Far
In this episode, we take a moment to reflect on the incredible wisdom and insights shared by our guests since we launched the podcast in October 2024. From navigating life’s transitions to redefining resilience, embracing gratitude, and challenging societal norms, we’ve learned so much from these...
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Jessica Diamond, Child Therapist, on Navigating Ontario's Mental Health System and Parenting Neurodivergent Children
What happens when a seasoned child and family expert finds herself unable to help her own child in crisis? That’s the reality Jessica Diamond, mother of three and founder of The Help Hub, faced when her family was met with a fragmented and under-resourced mental health system. Despite her decades...
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Nadine Sookermany: CEO of the Ontario HIV Treatment Network on Humility, Equity, and Navigating Life’s Crossroads
What does it take to lead with humility, foster equity, and inspire transformative change? Nadine Sookermany, CEO of the Ontario HIV Treatment Network, joins us to share her extraordinary journey of advocacy, leadership, and perseverance. From her early work championing women’s health to…
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Co-Parenting Expert Charlotte Schwartz on Raising a Child with Disabilities, and Redefining Success after Career Setbacks
Co-parenting expert and author Charlotte Schwartz, whose book Your Place or Mine? offers an empowering guide for navigating co-parenting after separation, opens up about her transformative journey in this episode of Forks. Charlotte shares how she lost her long-standing role as a senior legal…
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Nelson Soh: Mastering Money, Mindset, and Living True to Your Values
In this episode of Forks, we talk with Nelson Soh—a renowned financial literacy expert, bestselling author, and TEDx speaker—who shares his journey from a CPA focused on career success to championing financial literacy, economic empowerment and living a life true to one's values. With years of...
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The Courage to Save Yourself: Kathleen Killen's Journey from Corporate Leader to Relationship Therapist
How many of us dream of making a change—in our careers, relationships, and as parents—but feel unsure of where to start? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Kathleen Killen, a psychotherapist who truly embodies the courage to change. Facing a traumatic divorce that led to single…
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The Balancing Act: Bipolar 1, Parenting and Work
Alexis and Amie sit down with Mookie, who bravely shares her journey of balancing the demands of work, family, and raising a neurodivergent child and navigating life with bipolar disorder. Mookie opens up about a pivotal week during the pandemic when everything changed for her family and her...
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Part 1: The Beauty of Aging Boldly: Confidence, Advocacy, and Transformation with Tania Lindo
In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Tania Lindo, who shares her journey of embracing aging and reclaiming her power. From becoming a model at 46 to advocating for diversity in corporate spaces, Tania has challenged societal expectations and broken barriers every step of the way. We…
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Part 2: “The Talk”, Racism, Safety and Raising Black Sons with Tania Lindo
In the second part of our conversation with Tania Lindo, we explore a deeply personal story of parenting, resilience, and confronting racial realities. Tania shares the challenges she faces as a Black mother raising her son to navigate safety dynamics that differ from those experienced by White...
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From Prison to Popcorn with Emily O’Brien, CEO of Comeback Snacks
From Prison to Popcorn: The Inspiring Story of Emily O’Brien, CEO of Comeback Snacks In this episode of Forks, we sit down with Emily O’Brien, the remarkable founder and CEO of Comeback Snacks, a gourmet popcorn company with a mission that goes far beyond snacks. Emily opens up about how she…
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Forgiveness and Freedom: From Addiction to Recovery with "Frank"
Can you imagine being able to say that you’ve helped over 10,000 people change their lives? In this powerful episode of Forks, we sit down with “Frank,” an addictions counsellor with 25 years of experience in a men’s residential treatment program, who recently celebrated 30 years of sobriety.…
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Job Loss and Reinvention with Lynn Unger
In this debut episode of the Forks podcast, co-host Alexis Hood reflects on the inspiration behind the show—her own experience with job loss—and welcomes Lynn Unger as the first guest. Lynn, a career coach who guided Alexis through her career transition, shares her personal journey of navigating...
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Introducing Forks
We’ve got a question for you: Have you ever found yourself asking, ‘How did I end up here? Yeah, we’ve been there too. This podcast dives into real-life stories of people who found themselves at unexpected crossroads and had to either step out of their comfort zones or completely rethink their...
About this show
Forks is a podcast about what happens when life doesn’t go as planned — and how we find our way forward.
🎧 New here? Start with our intro episode: on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Each week, longtime friends and hosts Alexis Hood and Amie Plourde sit down with people who’ve faced tough situations: mental health struggles, addiction, incarceration, divorce, job loss, grief, identity shifts — and chose to build something honest and meaningful in the aftermath.
Whether you’re standing at your own crossroads or simply curious about how others rebuilt
Hosted by
Alexis Hood & Amie Plourde