Podcast
Settle Down
Hosted by Settle Down Pod · EN
The tea is on! Guided by the experiences, perspectives and stories of First Nations and Métis women, Settle Down is hosted by strong Indigenous business owners sharing their roadmap to entrepreneurship — a vulnerable, real and endless journey of lessons learned.
16episodes
Episodes
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Breaking Cycles, Building Legacy: An Interview with Georgina Lightning - Episode 12
4w ago01:31:51Tap to summarizeIn this powerful season finale of Settle Down, the aunties sit down with legendary actor, filmmaker and matriarch, Georgina Lightning, for one of the most raw, emotional and inspiring conversations of the season. From hilarious rez stories and motherhood moments to deep conversations about intergenerational trauma, healing, storytelling and legacy, Georgina opens up about everything: surviving cancer, confronting complex PTSD, raising children while breaking cycles, and why Indigenous stories are one of the most powerful natural resources we have.This conversation dives into the realities Indigenous creators face in film and television, the fight for funding and representation and Georgina’s bold vision to make Alberta the Indigenous film capital of the world. Along the way, the hosts reflect on parenting, identity, healing, entrepreneurship and what it means to leave something better for the next generation.Please note: This episode contains discussions of suicide, sexual assault and trauma, if you are distressed, please reach out to the distress line at 988.Settle in for a beautiful, emotional and unforgettable end to Season One.
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More Than a Destination: An Interview with Chelsey Quirk - Episode 11
May 501:13:19Tap to summarizeIn this episode, the hosts sit down with Chelsey Quirk, CEO of Indigenous Tourism Alberta, for a dynamic conversation about the future of Indigenous tourism - and the responsibility that comes with it.From her journey through government, corporate spaces and now leading an Indigenous-led organization, Chelsey shares what it takes to navigate leadership, community expectations and the pressure to grow, while staying grounded in values.Together, they unpack: Why Indigenous tourism is about far more than travel - it’s economic development, storytelling and reclamation The tension between authenticity and commercialization The realities of balancing motherhood, leadership and community responsibility How Indigenous entrepreneurs are redefining success on their own terms Grounded in humour, honesty and a whole lot of heart, this episode is a reminder that the work isn’t just about building businesses - it’s about building futures.
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Identity Isn't a Checkbox - Episode 10
Apr 2801:27:13Tap to summarizeWhat starts with hot flashes and laughter quickly turns into one of the most raw and complex conversations yet.In this episode, the hosts dive into identity, what it means, who defines it and why it is never as simple as a checkbox. Through powerful personal stories, they unpack the realities of being Indigenous women navigating systems that were never designed for them, including status cards, band membership, Métis identity and the lasting impact of colonial policies.From reconnection journeys to the emotional weight of not feeling like enough, this conversation does not hold back. The hosts explore lateral violence, the rise of pretendianism and the tension between protecting community and making space for those finding their way back.They ask the hard questions: Who gets to claim identity? At what cost? What responsibility comes with it? And how does it shape the businesses they are building and the futures they are fighting for?Grounded in honesty, humour and lived experience, this episode reminds us that identity is layered, evolving and deeply personal.So settle in. This one goes deep.
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We're Allowed to be Angry - Episode 9
Apr 2101:07:29Tap to summarizeThis episode of Settle Down dives headfirst into a conversation many people avoid but every Indigenous woman knows intimately: anger.What starts with a hilarious story about teenage rebellion quickly shifts into something deeper and more complex. Shani, Felicia, Vanessa and Mal unpack what it really means to feel, suppress, express and channel anger, especially under the weight of stereotypes that label Indigenous women as “too much” the moment they speak up.From navigating patriarchal workplaces and being dismissed as “the angry one,” to confronting systemic barriers in business, government and everyday life, this episode pulls no punches. The hosts explore how anger is often rooted in grief, injustice and generations of lived experience, recently from surveillance of Indigenous leaders to ongoing inequities that still show up today.But this isn’t just about rage, it’s about what you do with it. Whether it’s transforming anger into action, using it as fuel for entrepreneurship and advocacy, or reclaiming it as a valid and necessary response, each host shares a different relationship with anger, and why all of them are valid.Grounded in powerful cultural teachings about release, ceremony and community care, this conversation asks a bigger question: What if anger isn’t the problem...but the catalyst?Honest, raw, and at times uncomfortable, this episode is a reminder that anger can be a force for accountability, change and ultimately—healing.
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Reclaiming the Role of Our Fathers and Men - Episode 8.5
Apr 1400:36:25Tap to summarizeThis week, Settle Down shares a powerful bonus episode: the full, heartfelt conversation between Vanessa and Teresa on the role of Indigenous fathers and male role models.What begins as a reflection on traditional fatherhood, grounded in community, responsibility, and cultural teachings, unfolds into a deeply personal and honest dialogue about loss, identity, and healing. Together they explore how colonial systems disrupted men’s roles in family and community and how many are now finding their way back through culture, ceremony and connection to the land.At the heart of this episode is hope. Through stories of nephews, sons, and grandsons reclaiming their purpose, Vanessa and Teresa speak to the quiet strength of men who are stepping into both provider and caregiver roles, often while navigating grief, forgiveness and generational trauma. They highlight the importance of spirituality, the guidance of Elders and the simple but profound teachings (like forgiveness and reconnection) that help rebuild identity and belonging.This conversation is raw, reflective and deeply moving, a reminder that healing is happening, that roles are being reclaimed and that the fire within each of us can always be rebuilt.We’ll be back next week with a new episode. Until then… settle down.
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Deadly Uncle Energy with Patrick Twinn - Episode 8
Apr 701:12:34Tap to summarizeIn this very special episode, the Aunties welcome their very first guest (and first official “deadly uncle"), Patrick Twin, Director of Indigenous Relations at ATB. From humble beginnings to leading conversations on Indigenous economic reconciliation, Patrick shares a powerful journey rooted in culture, community, and connection.Together, they unpack what economic reconciliation really looks like in practice, breaking down systemic barriers like access to capital, the impacts of the Indian Act, and why culturally informed financial systems matter for Indigenous entrepreneurs. Patrick also offers real, practical advice for those looking to start or grow a business, and how to navigate systems that weren’t built for us.Beyond business, this episode goes deeper. Patrick opens up about reconnecting with culture, the role of Indigenous men as providers and protectors, and the responsibility of raising the next generation with balance, love and strength. In a deeply moving moment, he shares the story of his daughter and the teachings that reshaped his perspective on resilience, gifts and purpose.This conversation is honest, emotional, and full of “little berries”, insightful teachings about leadership, relationships and what it truly means to build bridges between worlds.
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Episode 7 - Leadership Without Power
Mar 3100:58:48Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Settle Down, the Aunties dive into Indigenous leadership: the good, the hard and the deeply complicated. What starts with laughter and venting about frustrating moments quickly unfolds into a powerful conversation about what it really means to lead with community, not ego.From navigating the weight of representing your people in every room, to challenging western ideas of power and hierarchy, the hosts share honest stories from their own businesses and lives. They unpack concepts like servant leadership, relational accountability and the constant tension between profit and purpose — while keeping it real about burnout, boundaries and the pressure to “hold it all together.”The conversation also takes a sharp turn into the systems that are supposed to support Indigenous entrepreneurs, but often don’t. From barriers to government contracts to “pay-to-play” certification models, the Aunties speak candidly about access, inequity and why being “at the table” still feels out of reach.Grounded in humour, honesty and powerful cultural teachings, this episode is a reminder that Indigenous leadership isn’t about power, it’s about people, purpose and planting seeds for future generations.So settle in… and settle down.
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Episode 6 - The Continuation of AI with Heart
Mar 2401:05:13Tap to summarizeAI, art, and the future of our voices - this continuation of last week's episode of Settle Down dives into it all. From hilarious AI-generated self-portraits to deep conversations about data sovereignty, Indigenous knowledge, and the impact of tech on our land, the Aunties keep it real. Can AI ever strengthen our relationship to the land - or is it replacing it? Honest, funny, and thought-provoking, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.
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AI With Heart - Episode 5
Mar 1701:01:56Tap to summarizeAI is everywhere—but what happens when Indigenous women start shaping it?In this episode of Settle Down, the Aunties dive into the future of Indigenous-led artificial intelligence - from moderating online racism to protecting culture, data and languages. Shani shares the story behind her groundbreaking AI project, wâsikan kisewâtisiwin, and the group explores what it means to build technology through a matriarchal lens.It’s a real conversation about opportunity, fear, data sovereignty and why Indigenous voices need to be involved in shaping the tools that will shape our future.Settle in. This one goes deep.
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Who's your safe person? (And when should you use an NDA?)
Mar 1000:07:20Tap to summarizeWe’re taking a short breather this week, but we didn’t want to leave you hanging. In this bonus clip from Episode 2, the Settle Down Aunties dive into a question every entrepreneur wrestles with: Who can you trust with your big idea?The Aunties talk non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), red flags, safe people, and the balance between protecting your idea and believing in abundance. Is an NDA the answer? Can you trust your gut? Or is entrepreneurship really about finding people who share ideas just as openly as you do?We'd love to hear your thoughts too!
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