In this episode of Raise It Up, I sit down with Jessie Cruickshank to talk about carving your own lane as a woman, a mom, and a creative force in entertainment. From hosting the Golden Globes red carpet to touring as a stand up comedian and building Canada’s top comedy podcast, Jessie shares what it really takes to stand out in competitive industries while raising three kids. We get honest about balancing motherhood and ambition, why touring can feel easier than parenting, and how giving your partner space to bond deeply with your kids can be one of the greatest gifts in a working mom household.

Jessie opens up about growing up in the shadow of a beautiful older sister, discovering humor as her superpower, and building a career by asking different questions and not caring what people think. We talk about launching and scaling creative projects as a woman entrepreneur, raising kids in the public eye, trusting your instincts over rigid goal setting, and following the spark that fuels long term success. This conversation is a powerful reminder that mindful entrepreneurship for women is not about perfect balance, but about listening to your gut, protecting your joy, and redefining high performance on your own terms.

Tune in to this episode of Raise It Up and share it with a working mom or female founder who needs the reminder to trust her spark and raise it up in life and business.

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Links:
Website: http://www.danikagan.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniskagan
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danikagan
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danikagan

In this episode of Raise It Up, I sit down with Negin Chelehmalzadeh to share her powerful story of survival, resilience, and rebuilding after years of trauma, abuse, and loss. Negin takes us through her early life, the realities of growing up in a restrictive environment, and the devastating experiences that shaped her sense of safety, identity, and worth. She reflects on how isolation, shame, and systemic failures followed her into adulthood, and how small but life changing moments of human care and connection ultimately kept her here.

We also talk about what came next, including motherhood, finding true safety, and turning lived experience into purpose driven entrepreneurship. Negin shares how becoming a mother shifted everything and how healthy partnership redefined love for her. She built PathPal to create community, on demand support, and accessible tools for people navigating grief and loss. Together, we explore the limits of traditional systems, the importance of being seen, and why building scalable businesses and financial power matters for women who want to create lasting change for themselves and others.

Tune in to this episode of Raise It Up, and give it a share to support the conversations that help women raise their lives, their families, and their impact.

Guest Links:

Website: https://www.negincheleh.com/
https://www.mypathpal.com/

Instagram: @pathpal_community
@neg_in_wonderland

Links:
Website: http://www.danikagan.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniskagan
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danikagan
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danikagan

In this episode of Raise It Up, Dani sits down with Ally Zeifman Mamalider, second generation founder and president of Organic Traditions, to talk about what it really takes to step into a family business and lead it into its next era. Ally shares why she intentionally built experience outside the company before joining, how she earned trust inside an existing team, and what it looked like to transform a passion driven brand into a focused, scalable business. The conversation explores leadership, culture building, financial clarity, and the long game behind what often looks like overnight success.

Ally also opens up about growing a CPG brand through COVID, simplifying a complex product portfolio, and making bold decisions before she felt fully confident. As a mom of two, she reflects on building a business while raising young kids, working alongside her husband, and learning how to balance ambition with presence. This episode offers grounded insight on focus, discipline, and redefining success across business, motherhood, and personal growth.

Tune in to hear this conversation and leave a review to help more women discover Raise It Up!

Guest Links:
Website: https://organictraditions.com/en-ca
Instagram: @organictraditions
TikTok: @organictraditions

Links:
Website: http://www.danikagan.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniskagan
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danikagan
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danikagan

In this episode of Raise It Up, I sit down with Janany Jayanthikumar, a social worker, educator, and trauma and attachment expert, to talk about how unresolved trauma shapes identity, leadership, and motherhood. Janany shares her personal experience of uncovering childhood trauma later in life and how that process shifted the way she relates to herself, her family, and her work. We discuss what it means to move out of survival mode and into a life led by clarity, safety, and self trust.

We explore how trauma shows up differently depending on when it occurs, why healing is rarely linear, and how early attachment patterns quietly influence how women lead, love, and build. We also talk about entrepreneurship as a powerful mirror for inner work, especially for women who are building businesses while raising families. Janany shares why so many founders feel stuck in over-functioning and self doubt, and how rebuilding self image and nervous system safety can create more ease and sustainable growth.

Tune in to hear this conversation and join me for an episode centered on healing, leadership, and raising the next generation with intention.

Guest Links:
Instagram: @janany_jay

Links:
Website: http://www.danikagan.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniskagan
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danikagan
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danikagan

In this episode of Raise It Up, I sit down with Lexi Miles Corrin to talk about what it actually takes to build and scale a business while raising a family. Lexi shares the real story behind growing Waxon from an idea into a national franchise, including why full commitment during launch matters, how small consistent action builds momentum, and what most people do not see in the early years of growth.

We get into leadership, hiring, and the responsibility that comes with building teams and culture. Lexi explains how she approached franchising, why clarity and core values matter when managing people, and how being decisive with hard conversations protects both the business and the humans behind it. We also talk about motherhood, support systems, and identity shifts as the business evolves. Lexi opens up about raising four young kids while scaling a company, the importance of asking for help, and what it looks like to sit in transition without rushing the next chapter.

Tune in to hear this full conversation and join me for an episode grounded in leadership, growth, and building a life that works alongside business.

Guest Links:
IG: @waxon
@leximilescorrin
Website: waxon.ca

Links:
Website: http://www.danikagan.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniskagan
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danikagan
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danikagan

In this episode of Raise It Up, I sit down in person with entrepreneur and new mom Michele Romanow for a clear and practical conversation about growth in both business and motherhood. Michele shares why challenges never disappear, how resilience is built through repetition and curiosity, and why founders who move quickly and stay engaged with the process tend to thrive. She also reflects on the key experiences that strengthened her confidence as a leader and what she looks for when evaluating strong entrepreneurs.

We also talk about her first months of motherhood, including breastfeeding hurdles, filming Dragons’ Den shortly after birth and the identity shifts that happen when you want to be fully present at home, while still building and advising. Michele offers a grounded perspective on support systems, focus, and how she hopes to raise her daughter to be brave and thoughtful in a world that is rapidly evolving with AI. The conversation brings together the honest and actionable realities of entrepreneurship and the early chapters of motherhood.

Tune in and share this episode with another female entrepreneur in your community who would appreciate it!

Guest Links:
Instagram: @micheleramanow

Links:
Website: http://www.danikagan.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniskagan
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danikagan
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danikagan

In this episode of Raise It Up, with Dani Kagan, I sit down with Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe, an expert in stress, resilience, and performance, to unpack what it really means to do hard things and stay grounded through it all. Dr. Robyne shares how resilience isn’t something we’re born with but a skill we build through our daily habits, mindset, and relationships. Together, we explore how the way we speak to ourselves shapes our ability to handle life’s challenges, and why self-compassion is often the key to bouncing back stronger.

Dr. Robyne walks me through her five pillars of resilience (belonging, perspective, acceptance, hope, and humour) and how each one helps us feel more steady and less reactive. We also talk about the importance of recovery as part of high performance, and how gentleness with ourselves can create a more sustainable path to success. From managing stress in motherhood to redefining what “doing it all” really looks like, this conversation is a reminder that showing up with presence for ourselves and the people we love is what matters most.

Listen now and share this episode with a friend who could use a reminder that real resilience starts with how we care for ourselves.

Guest Links:
Website: https://drrobyne.ca
Instagram: @dr_robynehd

Links:
Website: http://www.danikagan.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniskagan
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danikagan
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danikagan

In this episode of Raise It Up, with Dani Kagan, I sit down with peak performance and mindset coach Hina Khan, a former psychotherapist and bestselling author of A Return to You. We’lI talk about how our self-image shapes the way we live, lead, and parent, and why true success begins when we align who we are with who we want to become. Together, we explore how to design life from your future self, find balance between motherhood and ambition, and let go of guilt and “shoulds” in favor of clarity and choice.

Hina also shares her signature 6 a.m. morning routine, that helps women start their days with focus and intention, and I reflect on my own journey to make wellbeing my top priority. This conversation is a powerful reminder that peak performance isn’t about doing more, it’s about becoming more of who you already are.

Listen now, make sure you're subscribed and share this episode with someone who’s ready to live and lead with intention.

Guest Links:
Website: https://www.hinakhan.ca
Instagram: @coachwithhina

Links:
Website: http://www.danikagan.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniskagan
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danikagan
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danikagan