⚠️ Content warning: In this episode, we talk openly about abuse, alcoholism, and death. Please take care while listening.

We’re back with our first guest of 2026, and it is none other than Lynn Johnston, the Canadian comic strip artist behind For Better or For Worse.

At its peak, For Better or For Worse was read by more than 230 million people worldwide and became beloved for its groundbreaking concept: characters who aged in real time over the 29 years the strip ran. Lynn Johnston is a celebrated Canadian storyteller and artist who used her work to explore real-life issues including love, grief, family dynamics, abuse, and LGBTQ+ identities, at a time when being openly gay was far less accepted.

In our conversation, Lynn shares what it was like growing up in a wildly creative family where her brother was favoured, and how she often felt she never lived up to her mother’s expectations. She speaks candidly about the unexpected sense of relief she felt after her parents passed away, no longer living under the weight of her mothers expectations. Lynn also opens up about her first marriage, the abuse she experienced, and how she grew through single motherhood.

While our conversation naturally touches on For Better or For Worse, it is ultimately about much more than comics. It’s a celebration of who Lynn Johnston is, and the life experiences that shaped her into the Canadian treasure she is today.

🔗 Links from the episode

For Better or For Worse

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YouTube

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See you next Tuesday!

xx Hannah Octavia

(Theme music curtesy of Fran Lusty's song, Functioning Adult)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Seasoned Professional, I am so glad you are here!

This podcast explores the lives, lessons, and growth of people navigating their personal and professional journeys. In this solo episode, host Hannah Octavia reflects on her path as a podcaster and shares meaningful updates from her life, including her recent move back to Canada and the realities of maintaining a long-distance relationship.

Hannah dives into the importance of community support, celebrates reaching a fundraising milestone for the Little Princess Trust, and looks ahead to what’s coming for the podcast in 2026, more interactive content and a renewed focus on uplifting Canadian voices. She also opens up about the surreal experience of interviewing her idol, Lynn Johnston, and why vulnerability in content creation can lead to deeper, more authentic connections.

Thoughtful, honest, and reflective, this episode sets the tone for a year centered on growth, gratitude, and celebrating the people who inspire us.

🔗 Links from the episode

I Donated 12 Inches of My Hair for Cancer: A Conversation with Simon Webster

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Interested in being a guest on the podcast?

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See you next Tuesday!

xx Hannah Octavia

(Theme music curtesy of Fran Lusty's song, Functioning Adult)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎥 This is a visual episode, don’t miss the full experience on YouTube, linked below!

For the final episode of 2025, I step out of the studio for a special on-site conversation with Simon Webster.

A few months ago, I felt the pull to donate my hair again, but this time, I wanted the cut to have a deeper impact. That led me to The Little Princess Trust, a charity providing free, real-hair wigs to children and young people experiencing hair loss through cancer treatment and other conditions. I decided to donate my hair and raise funds to support their work.

To do that, I needed the right hairdresser, someone with both skill and a story to tell. Enter Simon Webster. With 40 years in the hairdressing industry, three salon owners under his belt, and work spanning fashion weeks, session styling, music videos, and personal creative projects, Simon is the definition of a seasoned professional. His current salon, Simon Webster Hair, is based in the North Laine of Brighton.

We talk about hair, creativity, music, working with clients with cancer, and the profound impact a small act, like styling a wig, can have on someone’s life. This episode is a powerful reminder of how craft, care, and purpose intersect.

🔗 Links from the episode

Donate to The Little Princess Trust

Simon Webster Hair

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YouTube

📲 Find Seasoned Professional on social media!

Instagram

TikTok

Interested in being a guest on the podcast?

Click to apply!

See you next Tuesday!

xx Hannah Octavia

(Theme music curtesy of Fran Lusty's song, Functioning Adult)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.