The Smoko Podcast

Toby Michaud: Wildlife biologist, WinSETT, and principal at Linkside Consulting

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 insight.   Toby shares her unique journey from the muddy boots of fieldwork in BC’s coastal wilderness to navigating leadership roles in corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors. She speaks openly about caregiving, chronic illness, and the often-invisible labor of those balancing family responsibilities with demanding careers. Through it all, she brings a perspective rooted in care, adaptability, and a fierce belief in the power of intentional, inclusive systems.   Her work shines a light on how we can foster belonging in STEM and trades, not just with policy but through everyday practices. From trauma-informed facilitation to disability-inclusive workshops, Toby offers tangible strategies for transforming workplaces and learning spaces. She reminds us that equity work isn’t a side hustle, it’s central to how we build futures that are sustainable, empowering, and human-first.   Toby Michaud: www.linkedin.com/in/tobymichaud [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobymichaud] Toby Michaud Facilitation & Coaching [https://www.tobymichaud.ca]   Organizations & Ideas Mentioned in the Podcast: * SOGI 1 2 3 sogieducation.org [https://www.sogieducation.org] @sogi123 * Inclusion Project by Toby Michaud Trauma-informed, access-centered facilitation and training * Marbled Murrelet & Species at Risk work (Aka: yes, the bird is real — and adorable.) * Equity-Centered Leadership Incorporating inclusive systems design, care-based leadership, and anti-oppressive practices in STEM/trade orgs

Chelsea Barron: Red Seal machinist, BCIT Instructor, and advisor for the National Indigenous Tradeswomen Advisory Circle

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 navigating male-dominated spaces, staying true to her identity, and creating safer, more inclusive learning environments.   We dive into the deep legacy of mentorship and community that shaped her; from her grandmother, a residential school survivor, to her mother, a 60s Scoop survivor and how those stories live on through Chelsea’s work. She also unpacks the connections between Indigenous knowledge systems and apprenticeship learning, reframing the trades as a natural continuation of traditional knowledge passed down through community. From classroom courage to shop-floor leadership, Chelsea speaks honestly about the joys and challenges of the trade, why she believes in building not just machines, but futures, and how joy itself can be an act of resistance.     Mentioned in the Episode: * Sugarcane (2024 National Geographic documentary) * Keeper of the Circle * BCIT Women in Trades * Red Seal Certification   Chelsea Barron: Instructor, BCIT Advisor, National Indigenous Tradeswomen Advisory Circle Proud Two-Spirit Machinist & Community Mentor   Support & Follow Smoko: Brought to you by Peggy Workwear: workwear designed by women, for women. From the shop floor to the boardroom, Peggy Workwear creates workwear that fits and functions for your everyday. Whatever that may be! After all, we've been in your boots.  www.peggyworkwear.ca [https://www.peggyworkwear.ca]

Kihana Wilson: The Astro Stud, Astrophysicist, and STEM Communicator

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 theoretical cosmology, large-scale structure, galaxy clustering, and the mysterious realms of dark matter and dark energy. Kihana breaks it all down in a way that even space newbies can understand.   We explore the importance of simulations, her work with protoclusters and the James Webb Space Telescope, and why this moment in astronomy is so exciting. But this episode isn’t just about the cosmos, it’s about community, identity, and the power of showing up authentically in spaces that weren’t built with you in mind.   Kihana opens up about navigating physics and academia as a Black queer woman, building her own support networks, and why she believes in unapologetic representation. Her platform, The Astro Stud, is more than just science communication; it’s a love letter to her younger self and a rallying cry for others who have felt unseen in STEM. With humor, heart, and a whole lot of insight, Kihana reminds us that science should be for everyone, and that you don’t have to shrink yourself to belong.   Kihana Wilson (The Astro Stud): Instagram @theastrostud [https://instagram.com/theastrostud]       Mentioned in the Podcast: * James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) * Argonne National Laboratory * DESI: Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument   Support & Follow Smoko: Brought to you by Peggy Workwear—workwear designed by women, for women. From the shop floor to the boardroom, Peggy Workwear creates workwear that fits and functions for your everyday. Whatever that may be! After all, we've been in your boots. www.peggyworkwear.ca [https://www.peggyworkwear.ca]

Brandy Kawulka: Owner of Tartan Contracting, Host of All Things Renovation Podcast and Journeyman Joiner

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 of transparency and education when dealing with clients. Brandy also opens up about her podcast, All Things Renovation, where she breaks down renovation basics, interviews industry experts, and now, in her latest season, spotlights women in trades to showcase the diverse career paths within the industry. From kitchens and bathrooms to big-picture industry shifts, Brandy is on a mission to educate, empower, and inspire. If you’ve ever thought about getting into trades, managing renovations, or simply love a good story about breaking barriers, this episode is for you. Brandy Kawulka: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandy-kawulka [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandy-kawulka] Tartan Contracting: www.tartancontracting.com [https://www.tartancontracting.com/] All Things Renovation: www.allthingsrenovation.com [https://www.allthingsrenovation.com/]   The Smoko Podcast is sponsored by Peggy Workwear: workwear designed by women, for women. From the shop floor to the boardroom, Peggy Workwear creates workwear which fits and functions for your everyday. Whatever that may be! After all, we've been in your boots.  www.peggyworkwear.ca [https://www.peggyworkwear.ca/]

Lacey Rose & Jess Kaknevicius Co-founders of Women in Wood

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 management of Renfrew County Forests. Lacey and Jess speak to their journey into the forestry sector, their experience, and current responsibilities. We dive into misconceptions of forestry and the role forest management plays in terms of climate change and sustainability.  Lacey and Jess share how their passion for forestry and community building led them to create Women in Wood, a space where women can connect, share stories, and find support in a male-dominated industry. From humble beginnings with a small Facebook group to becoming a global network, Women in Wood has sparked a movement of inclusivity and empowerment. This episode dives deep into the importance of mentorship, representation, and the strength of community. Jess and Lacey talk candidly about their experiences working in the forest, the emotional journey of breaking barriers, and their vision for the future of forestry.    Lacey Rose: www.linkedin.com/in/lacey-rose/ [http://www.linkedin.com/in/lacey-rose/]   Jess Kaknevicius: www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-kaknevicius-00431525/ [http://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-kaknevicius-00431525/]   Women in Wood: www.womeninwood.ca [http://www.womeninwood.ca] www.instagram.com/womeninwood/ [http://www.instagram.com/womeninwood/] www.facebook.com/groups/342181032648888/ [http://www.facebook.com/groups/342181032648888/]   The Smoko Podcast is sponsored by Peggy Workwear: workwear designed by women, for women. From the shop floor to the boardroom, Peggy Workwear creates workwear which fits and functions for your everyday. Whatever that may be! After all, we've been in your boots.  www.peggyworkwear.ca [https://www.peggyworkwear.ca/]