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The Scaries

by RaiseHER Co.

Society & Culture

Season 3

Building Real Diversity in Your Life (feat. Credell Simeon)

This week, we unpack what it really means to “embrace diversity” beyond buzzwords—and why expanding your circle can be an act of growth and resistance. From career boosts to better mental health, they break down the research on why diverse networks matter, then welcome guest Credell Simeon to share practical, human ways to build authentic relationships across difference—without tokenizing, performing, or burning out. If you’ve ever felt stuck in the comfort of familiar circles, this episode is your gentle push (and loving reality check) to choose community that helps you grow. Follow us on Instagram @raiseherco and @scaries.podcast and on TikTok @raiseherco. For those eager to dive deeper, visit www.raiseherco.com/the-scaries/ for all the resources. Brought to you by RaiseHER Community Collective Inc.

Door Openers: Why Mentorship Changes Everything (feat. Ally & Nikita)

Mentorship isn’t a “nice to have.” It’s a door. In this episode of The Scaries, we dig into why mentorship is one of the most powerful, human interventions we have for girls and youth facing adversity. Grounded in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Regina & Area’s 55 Doors Campaign, this conversation explores how one consistent, caring adult can change outcomes tied to belonging, confidence, education, and hope. You’ll hear directly from mentor Ally and her mentee Nikita about what mentorship looks like in real life, why it matters on the hard days, and how doors start to open when someone shows up consistently and without judgment. We break down why mentorship is future-building (not feel-good fluff), why access matters in Saskatchewan, and what it really means to be a door-opener in your own community. If you’ve ever wondered whether mentorship actually makes a difference, this episode answers that clearly: it does. Help open a door here: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/143017 Follow us on Instagram @raiseherco and @scaries.podcast and on TikTok @raiseherco. For those eager to dive deeper, visit www.raiseherco.com/the-scaries/ for all the resources. Brought to you by RaiseHER Community Collective Inc.

The 90s Diet Culture That Messed Us Up (feat. Erika Tkatchuk)

Trigger warning: discussions of diet culture, fatphobia, disordered eating, eating disorders, body shame, and weight loss messaging. We take a trip back to the 90s and early 2000s, when fat-free everything, “nothing tastes as good as skinny feels,” and low-rise jeans conditioned a whole generation to treat our bodies like problems to solve. We unpack diet culture as a system built on patriarchy, racism, capitalism, and control, and we share hard-hitting stats on how early body dissatisfaction and disordered eating begin for girls. Erika Tkatchuk, fitness professional and entrepreneur, also joins us to talk about how “wellness” disguises restriction, why diet culture keeps thriving online, and how we start healing our relationship with food and our bodies for good. Follow us on Instagram @raiseherco and @scaries.podcast and on TikTok @raiseherco. For those eager to dive deeper, visit www.raiseherco.com/the-scaries/ for all the resources. Brought to you by RaiseHER Community Collective Inc.

She Never Just Vanished: The Systemic Scaries of Missing Women (feat. Dr. Lorna Ferguson)

HAPPY SEASON 3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Trigger warning: discussions of violence, loss, and systemic discrimination. On this heavy but essential episode of The Scaries, we dive into the terrifying truths behind Canada’s missing women crisis—specifically in Saskatchewan, where Indigenous women make up just 3% of the population but over 60% of missing cases. With award-winning criminologist Dr. Lorna Ferguson, we explore why the system continues to fail marginalized women, what’s driving this epidemic, and how racial and social biases shape whether a case gets prioritized—or forgotten. We confront the stats, the silence, and the systems that allow women to vanish without a trace or a headline. Dr. Ferguson breaks down the myth of the "runaway," the flaws in media coverage, and the real meaning of being an ethical consumer of true crime. Say their names. Support the search. Hold your systems accountable. Because no woman just disappears. Follow us on Instagram @raiseherco and @scaries.podcast and on TikTok @raiseherco. For those eager to dive deeper, visit www.raiseherco.com/the-scaries/ for all the resources. Brought to you by RaiseHER Community Collective Inc.

Season 2

The Cult of “Community” — Why Women Are Targeted by Cults, MLMs, and Pyramid Schemes (Part 2)

You thought pyramid schemes were a '90s thing? Think again. In this eye-opening Part 2, we unpack how cults, MLMs, and shady "boss babe" pitches are still thriving—and why women are in the bullseye. From sneaky social media tactics to the dark psychology of "community," we pull back the curtain on the red flags you need to spot. Spoiler: it’s not just about leggings, essential oils and protein powder. Get ready for the real tea on empowerment, manipulation, and how to protect yourself (and your group chat). Follow us on Instagram @raiseherco and @scaries.podcast and on TikTok @raiseherco. For those eager to dive deeper, visit www.raiseherco.com/the-scaries/ for all the resources.

The 2025 Federal Election: What Women Need to Know

This election isn’t just about party lines—it’s about your rights. From reproductive justice to gender-based violence, healthcare to childcare, we’re breaking down what’s at stake for women, girls, and gender-diverse folks in Canada’s 2025 federal election. We’re talking global ripple effects (hi, Trump), local policy gaps, and why silence on gender equity is never neutral. No jargon, no fluff—just real talk with a feminist lens on every platform. Tune in, get informed, and vote like the future depends on it… because it does. With special guest Joan Pratchler, MLA, NPD, Regina Rochdale. Follow us on Instagram @raiseherco and @scaries.podcast and on TikTok @raiseherco. For those eager to dive deeper, visit www.raiseherco.com/the-scaries/ for all the resources. **And to be clear: RaiseHER Co and this podcast are non-partisan. We’re not here to tell you who to vote for. We’re here to tell you what’s at stake. And when it comes to supporting women—some parties are clearly leading, and some are barely showing up. That doesn’t mean we’re endorsing anyone. It means we’re paying attention. To what’s funded. What’s prioritized. What’s protected. And what’s conveniently left out. And parties are making announcements every day about their platforms, so we are sharing information as we know it on the day the podcast was recorded (April 15, 2025). That may change over the next days/weeks.

The Forgotten Women of History: Where’s Their Movie?

Why does Hollywood have three separate biopics about Steve Jobs but not one about the women who invented WiFi, GPS, or even Monopoly? In this episode of The Scaries, we’re unpacking the erasure of women in history—why their contributions were overlooked, how their achievements were often credited to men (hello, Matilda Effect), and why we still have to fight for representation today. We’re bringing the receipts, the rage, and the feminist history textbooks to rewrite the narrative. Plus, we pitch three epic biopics that Hollywood needs to make ASAP. Follow us on Instagram @raiseherco and @scaries.podcast and on TikTok @raiseherco. For those eager to dive deeper, visit www.raiseherco.com/the-scaries/ for all the resources.

The Cult of “Community” — Why Women Are Targeted by Cults, MLMs, and Pyramid Schemes (Part 1)

WE'RE BAAAAAACK!!!! Welcome to the dark, twisted world of cults, where manipulation is sold as salvation, and women, in particular, pay the price. In this week’s episode of The Scaries, we investigate why women have historically been drawn into cults—only to find themselves trapped in cycles of coercion, control, and, in some cases, outright abuse. Spoiler alert: this isn’t just a thing of the past. From The Manson Family and Jonestown to the rise of “Trad Wives” and influencer-led digital cults, the tactics remain the same, just with a modern, Instagram-friendly twist. Why are women particularly vulnerable? And how can we spot the warning signs before it’s too late? Tune in for the dark truth, some well-earned side-eye, and the tools to fight back. Because real empowerment never comes at the cost of your autonomy. Follow us on Instagram @raiseherco and @scaries.podcast and on TikTok @raiseherco. For those eager to dive deeper, visit www.raiseherco.com/the-scaries/ for all the resources.

Pop, Power, and Pressure: How 90s Girl Bands Shaped Millennial Women

Ah, the 90s. A time of butterfly clips, chokers, and iconic girl bands that shaped our preteen karaoke dreams. Spice Girls, Destiny’s Child, TLC, Britney, Christina—they weren’t just artists; they were cultural forces who told us we could “have it all.” But what does “having it all” actually mean when you’re constantly told to be confident, independent—and, oh, don’t forget, sexy? Let’s talk about it: 90s girl bands didn’t just serve up bops; they handed us a complicated cocktail of empowerment and impossible expectations. While they sang about girl power and independence, their image was shaped by an industry that leaned heavily on hypersexualization. Britney in a schoolgirl outfit, anyone? These were the formative years for millennials, and the messages we soaked up during sleepovers and school dances left a mark. Studies show that exposure to sexualized media during our teen years leads to increased body dissatisfaction and anxiety. Women who idolized these pop stars were more likely to internalize harmful beauty standards. It’s no wonder imposter syndrome is practically a millennial birthright. The stats back it up: 68% of female performers in 90s music videos were portrayed in sexually suggestive ways. Over 60% of songs by female artists contained sexualized themes, compared to just 30% for men. Eating disorders doubled among teenage girls in the 90s, with media-driven ideals playing a key role. And while these bands gave us the confidence to dream big, the industry reinforced that to succeed, you also had to fit a certain mould—thin, attractive, perfect. Fast forward to today, and the script has evolved... somewhat. We’ve got body positivity warriors like Lizzo and artists like Billie Eilish openly rejecting unrealistic standards. But the tension between empowerment and sexualization hasn’t gone away; it’s just moved to platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Social media lets artists control their narratives, but it also puts them under constant scrutiny from fans and trolls alike. Double-edged sword much? So, where do we go from here? How do we untangle empowerment from the need to be desirable? The 90s girl bands gave us the anthem to dream big. Now, it’s up to us to rewrite the script for the next generation—one where being strong, independent, and unapologetically yourself doesn’t come with a side of impossible beauty standards. Because if we’ve learned one thing, it’s this: real girl power is about owning who you are, no strings attached. Follow us on Instagram @raiseherco and @scaries.podcast and on TikTok @raiseherco. For those eager to dive deeper, visit www.raiseherco.com/the-scaries/ for all the resources.

Sidelined or Spotlighted? The Experience of Women in Media with Sabeen Ahmad

This week, we’re spotlighting the crazy-but-true realities for women journalists—spoiler: it’s not all glitz and glamour. From online harassment to the ever-present glass ceiling, the barriers are real, but so is the bravery of women breaking them down. You’ve seen the stories: Gretchen Carlson and Megyn Kelly calling out harassment, Maria Ressa fighting online abuse, and Lisa LaFlamme facing ageism for simply going grey. And they’re not alone. With courage and solidarity, women in media are stepping up to address sexism, discrimination, and harassment. This week, we had the pleasure of talking to Sabeen Ahmad, a weather and community anchor with CTV and in-game host for the SK Roughriders. Right here in our hometown, Sabeen’s working to reshape this industry—bold, unapologetic, and not backing down. The Stark Reality Despite recent strides, the numbers speak loud and clear: women are still underrepresented in media. Globally, they make up only 37% of reporters, with just 29% of quotes in Canadian news coming from women sources. Not to mention, women in senior management positions are nearly nonexistent in comparison. Sure, some newsrooms are making progress—BBC’s 50:50 Project is a win, aiming to balance their gender representation—but we’re still far from real equality. And it’s not just about representation. The everyday sexism women face in media is relentless. Women are expected to follow ridiculous standards that often have nothing to do with their skills and everything to do with how they look or act. Worse yet, 27% of women believe they’ve missed out on opportunities simply because of their gender. And in the age of social media? It’s brutal. Women journalists are subject to smear campaigns, threats, and harassment at rates that dwarf those faced by men. The goal? Silence. But if there’s one thing these trolls don’t understand, it’s that these women aren’t going anywhere. Real action starts with us. Together, we can create a media landscape that doesn’t just allow women to have a voice but amplifies it. Thanks for joining us on this wild ride of stats, stories, and inspiration. Let’s make the world less scary for the women who bring us the news. Stay tuned, Scaries Fam, because this fight is just getting started. Follow us on Instagram @raiseherco and @scaries.podcast and on TikTok @raiseherco. For those eager to dive deeper, visit www.raiseherco.com/the-scaries/ for all the resources.

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