In this edition of Wisdom Moments, Sandra Boyd is joined by Kirsten Stanger, co-founder of TalentWise Collective, for an honest and practical conversation about career management and taking ownership of your professional journey.

They explore why so many people spend years managing their jobs but never their careers, the unique challenges women face around self-promotion and visibility, and why reflection, reputation, and networking are essential for long-term success.

This episode offers actionable insights for anyone navigating uncertainty, career transitions, or simply wanting to be more intentional about where their career is headed.

Listen to more conversations that support clarity, confidence, and career ownership on the Women on Wisdom podcast.
https://linktr.ee/womenonwisdom

In this edition of Wisdom Moments, Sandra Boyd examines the growing tendency to label people as narcissists in online discourse and everyday conversation. While narcissistic behaviour exists on a spectrum, true Narcissistic Personality Disorder affects only a small percentage of the population.

Sandra reflects on how casually applied labels oversimplify complex human behaviour, contribute to mental health stigma, and disproportionately harm women, especially female leaders, mothers, and women who are speaking up and setting boundaries.

This conversation is a call for greater awareness, responsibility, and care in how we talk about mental health, power, and behaviour.

Listen to more conversations that challenge assumptions and invite deeper wisdom on the Women on Wisdom Podcast:

https://linktr.ee/womenonwisdom

What happens when three senior women leaders leave corporate life and build a business from scratch?

Sandra Boyd, Patricia Polischuk, and Kirsten Stanger reflect on their first year as co-founders of TalentWise Collective, sharing the lessons no one talks about.

From burnout and self-doubt to healing professional relationships and finding new confidence, this conversation explores what it really means to start an entrepreneurial journey.

You’ll hear about:

• The courage it takes to step out of corporate security
• The hidden emotional toll of entrepreneurship
• Navigating grief, caregiving, and exhaustion while building a company
• Why trust and psychological safety matter more than titles
• The myth of “having it all figured out”
• When to let go, and when to lean into leadership
• Why it’s never too late to begin again

This episode is a reminder that entrepreneurship isn’t a straight line, it’s a deeply human journey. One built on resilience, reflection, and the decision to keep moving forward, even when the path isn’t clear.

Our guests this week:

Patricia Polischuk is the Co-Founder and COO of TalentWise Collective, a boutique firm that curates leadership development, coaching, and HR advisory solutions through a trusted network of experts. She leads the firm’s strategy, operations, and community of coaches, shaping high-impact programs for clients across sectors. Recognized for her leadership and community contributions, Patricia has received a Distinguished Governor’s Award from Wilfrid Laurier University and multiple nominations for community leadership and internal recognition awards. She is a trusted advisor and connector, known for her human-centred approach and commitment to helping people and organizations thrive.

Patricia's LinkedIn can be found here.

Kirsten Stanger is a seasoned people strategist and Co-Founder of TalentWise Collective, where she helps organizations and leaders unlock their full potential. With more than 25 years of experience spanning corporate and not-for-profit sectors, Kirsten’s career has focused on leadership development, culture transformation, change management, and career transition. Known for her genuine, empowering, and engaging approach, Kirsten brings curiosity, humour, and heart to every room she’s in. She designs and delivers programs that turn insights into real-world results—helping teams strengthen trust, collaboration, and performance.

Kirsten's LinkedIn can be found here.