Better Already
37 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingA true-life comedy podcast where two friends living far apart talk about the challenges of a global pandemic. Hosted by Kelly- a theatre artist who quarantines with her daughter in the smallish town of Stratford, Canada, and Shannon- big city of Toronto educator, entrepreneur and mother of two sheltering with her Rock 'n Roll hubbie right in the thick of it. We talk about hard things. Our niche is YOU- beautiful people looking to unload in a safe space.
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Episodes
Friday Night Magic
February 12, 2022 09:00 - 25 minutes - 17.9 MBKelly and Shannon are just SO delighted to be sharing the monthly update with you. We admittedly have NO clue what is happening in the world, but who does? I mean, if you do, can you be a guest? We still love therapy, Shannon read a GREAT book, Kelly has a new podcast reco for you. ps, someone has a NEW JOB!! Honestly, we just love talking to each other, and you! stay safe, xo.
"Over For Whom?"
January 15, 2022 02:00 - 29 minutes - 20 MBKelly and Shannon are back with a quick update on the dumpster fire that is Ontario. Updates all around including virtual learning, work, and Kelly's mom. Hard to believe that in our third calendar year of this pandemic we are still confused and plagued by impossible decisions. But little things like recycling and Christmas trees are still top of mind. So much gratitude to those who have continued to ask us about where we are.
… and with that! Season One finale!!
August 07, 2021 07:00 - 28 minutes - 19.3 MBHuge gratitude to the Season One listeners, thank you for joining us on this ride. Kelly and Shannon are going to spend the rest of summer 2021 reflecting and planning for Season Two! In this episode our hosts have two very different experiences driving the wild streets of Toronto. There are some quick sweets and sours (of course!) and a small (large) reminder of our thoughts on vaccination #getit We love you, we thank you. Stay safe!
“You start dying slowly if…”
July 31, 2021 07:00 - 40 minutes - 28 MBA rousing morning discussion on collagen, nails and gut health from two non-experts. Always so much to learn! Shannon’s family takes a trip to Niagara Falls where they all learn they do NOT like haunted houses. We (like you) have a good laugh at the expense of good ole Mr. Amazon. Kelly did a camp drop off complete with a friendly Covid “SWAT” team. Life is slowly returning to normal. A poem from Pablo Neruda to round out the feelings of re-entry to society. It’s normal to bounce between ...
The more things change...
July 24, 2021 07:00 - 37 minutes - 25.7 MBExciting things are happening: the kids are at camp and Kelly went to a play! #happyplace Shannon’s sour involves money - surprise !! Moral of the story, check your bank accounts once in awhile *eyeroll*. Why do we want to cancel our therapy and self care when we are already at our lowest point?? And, a listener shares a sweet!! Hooray
The stress that holds us together.
July 17, 2021 07:00 - 38 minutes - 26.6 MBKelly is struggling with her mom's health. She shares how she is navigating the rocky road of health care for our aging parents. Just remember you are never alone people, you do not have to do anything alone that you do not need to when you have friends.
BACKFLASH! #5 “We had a baby … each!”
July 10, 2021 07:00 - 35 minutes - 24.5 MBShannon has a new microphone, let’s call it new mic #1! Kelly and Shannon revisit how they met. There was even a blog involved, everyone remembers reading “Secret Mother”, right? Have you ever wondered about our theme song? Wonder no more - all is revealed. There is a discussion about the powers of social media and when to unfollow.
BACKFLASH #4 !!! ROADBLOCKS
July 03, 2021 07:00 - 40 minutes - 27.9 MBNOTE: we discuss the existence of Santa/ Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy in this episode #earmuffs. NOTE TWO: the audio quality is not the same as current episodes but it’s also not unbearable 😛 Kelly & Shannon discuss feeling safe vs feeling trapped. But at least it’s Monpoly time at McDonald’s! We are not ready for Halloween mentally or financially, are you? LOTS of Halloween talk! The guilt is killing us. Spoiler alert: Kelly does not like Pinterest. Ambition is nowhere to be found.
Reentry Hiccups
June 26, 2021 08:00 - 41 minutes - 28.3 MBWe are still in recovery from last week’s episode, but things are looking up! Endorphins and dopamine are on the rise via both sport and theatre. Kelly and Shannon discuss the status of their respective second doses - always lots to think (and worry) about! Shannon recruits Kelly to help make a call on a ‘big’ family outing. And, Kelly is shockingly positive about going back out in the big, crowded world. Universal income rears its liberal head again and it reminds Shannon of a time in the n...
We’ve never questioned it this much.
June 19, 2021 00:00 - 37 minutes - 25.6 MBKelly enjoyed the Province’s reopening, Shannon not so much. Emotions are running high, which as usual, are not being eased by the big C-19. Or the government. Spoiler alert: Kelly’s sweet is a purple skidoo suit #truestory.
Hey, Old Friend!
June 12, 2021 07:00 - 37 minutes - 26.1 MBAnd we are BACK! Kelly and Shannon are so thrilled to be sharing with you after a few weeks sabbatical from current episodes! We are feeling the light at the end of the C-word tunnel, are you? Kelly shares about the play she can’t wait to share and Shannon isn’t sure that ballet was a great call for her daughter. We are all mourning the loss of 215 Indigenous lives and encourage you all to dig into Canada’s past and support a better future.
BACKFLASH! #3 "Bringing up Bebe"
June 05, 2021 07:00 - 36 minutes - 25.2 MBAnother “Backflash” episode recorded in the fall of 2020! Kelly and Shannon discuss the european Le creche The French Way Why has the tone changed at the CRA? They made Kelly cry…. In a nice way? Sure sign of the apocalypse. Can the Handmaid's Tale cheer a person up? Shannon thinks not. However, forcing yourself to be horizontal does have its benefits. The finance course Shannon is talking about is with past guest, Heidi Rumohr - Fun! Kelly educates us on the “window tax” and why Shannon’...
BACKFLASH! #2. The one in the Land of Sadness
May 26, 2021 14:00 - 37 minutes - 25.5 MBRecorded in the fall of 2020! Kelly has back pain, and we really wonder why? And how she can heal. Would micro self care do the trick? Bottom line, we all need therapy - and Shannon does not want to provide it to the masses. Kelly’s pod-schoolers are starting to need help, navigating these waters is tough with a capital ‘T’. Kelly’s daughter writes an emotional journal. Setting expectations with pod parents and kids alike, “Has anyone ever lived in a commune?” We have a discussion about w...
The Fruit of the Multi-Tree
May 22, 2021 05:00 - 39 minutes - 27.1 MBWe are about to take a little hiatus, so enjoy the fresh updates!!! Don’t worry, backflashes are on deck. Kelly has a play about to be birthed and so she has to change gears for a hot second!! Go Kelly, Go! Shannon recounts an awesome health and wellness treatment courtesy of her doula, Kelly Maslen. We urge you to fight against virtual learning as a permanent fixture in Ontario. An upcoming guest is announced as well! PS. If you want to know more about coaching from Shannon you can find h...
Money Stories with Special Guest & Money Expert Heidi Rumohr
May 14, 2021 23:00 - 41 minutes - 28.4 MBKelly and Shannon are so thrilled to be interviewing Heidi Rumohr this week! Heidi is a licensed financial advisor and coach whose tagline is “there is more to life than counting calories and paying bills!” Hello, we are in love. We recount the moments in life when our money woes caused us to do some major gut checks.
Money Stories with Special Guest & Money Expert Heidi Rumohr
May 14, 2021 23:00 - 41 minutes - 28.4 MBKelly and Shannon are so thrilled to be interviewing Heidi Rumohr this week! Heidi is a licensed financial advisor and coach whose tagline is “there is more to life than counting calories and paying bills!” Hello, we are in love. We recount the moments in life when our money woes caused us to do some major gut checks.
Australasia
May 07, 2021 21:00 - 38 minutes - 26.8 MBRecounting the generosity of the community when Kelly can’t find a birthday card in her small town. We share a thorough rundown of what we are watching to keep our collective minds off the plague. Recommendations come from ALL the decades - now available on NETFLIX (with an X). Kelly accidentally attended the fringe of an anti-mask rally, not fun. A viewer wrote in - stop the press.
SHOTS! (Or What’s Your Sign?)
May 01, 2021 02:00 - 42 minutes - 29.3 MBThe theme of the week is vaccination!!! Lots of stress, swings and misses, but also lots of needles in the arms! Feels like a slight win buried amidst the difficulties of being back in North America’s longest lockdown. Virtual school is NOT working, and we have some thoughts on that. Robux is our currency now. We are still watching Netflix. P.s. Shannon’s Birthday is coming up and she is a Taurus. Kelly is a Gemini #themoreyouknow
Revolving Door
April 24, 2021 01:00 - 39 minutes - 27.4 MBShannon talks about being a health coach and Kelly is not a fan of militant exercise. So there, CBC! Our sweets involve kids and sunshine. A letter for Amelia and update for Grey Bruce.
Schools Out For...Ever?
April 17, 2021 12:00 - 41 minutes - 28.6 MBKelly and Shannon try to start the episode on a happy note before the ‘real world’ sets in…. Some podcast, TV, instagram account recommendations. Shannon has lost her Airpods, again! What a cliffhanger! A short update for Amelia, our grad student of the future. Spoiler alert: School is virtual again - Welcome to Ontario. Stay safe, y’all!
You can call him God
April 09, 2021 23:00 - 39 minutes - 27.3 MBKelly and Shannon chat to comedian and radio personality, Ian Lynch! The conversation truly reinforces the importance of friendship and the value of keeping kindred spirits in your life. We talk about the impossibility of surviving as a Canadian in show business and also how much we all appreciate good dental care and massages. Ian shares where he was when Covid hit and how it has impacted his career and his extended family.
Skipping a Scene
April 02, 2021 23:00 - 42 minutes - 29.4 MBKelly tells another theatre story that she is reminded of when her alarm fails her. Why are we always rushing? Does anyone know? Shannon shares some of her gratitude practise. A story about a lion mask, #momsagainstcrafts is Shannon’s sweet. Kelly’s brief news recap leads to the ladies talking about their intense dislike of fish AND birds! Plus - a cleaning tip, which we will likely never give again, #momsagainstcleaning.
Screaming Like Wolves
March 26, 2021 23:00 - 44 minutes - 30.7 MBKelly and Shannon recorded this on March 13, 2021 but decided to air it after the interview with Ross Mullan (Episode #13). The themes of our talk, sadly, are timeless regardless of the date we spoke. The frustration of existence moving through the world as a woman can be very frustrating and stories are shared. Shannon shares a story about her young daughter and Kelly reminds us of the importance of her time working at a women’s shelter and explains they aren’t just for physical abuse. Oh, ...
We Just Need Allies
March 19, 2021 21:00 - 43 minutes - 30.2 MBWhen recording what should have been episode 13, Kelly and Shannon got, well, very upset. The state of the world is just too much some days and with so much senseless violence toward women how could we not be outraged? On the heels of our recording, we reached out to Kelly’s theatre school bestie, Ross Mullan, for his account of the vigil for Sara Everard. Ross is a resident of the UK and attended the vigil with a female friend who needed support. Ross is insightful and eye-opening and we ar...
Suddenly It’s Sunny
March 13, 2021 00:00 - 37 minutes - 26 MBKelly and Shannon discuss how long it's been since we last had blood work. Apparently not even free health care can motivate us to actually call a doctor. We talk about wine and sobriety - yes, again. Kelly suggests the Headspace show on Netflix (with an X, ever heard of it?) The show wraps with a tribute to a powerful woman.
The Second Third of February
March 06, 2021 01:00 - 43 minutes - 29.9 MBIs it a full moon? Are the tides changing? They must be. Because we all feel tired with a capital T, which leads us to discussing comfort. Shannon likes cooking shows and Kelly likes online vintage shopping. We give some podcast and movie recommendations, including a discussion of the #freebritney movement. We want you to tag us in everything that makes you laugh on your scroll. Kelly reads a special letter (not from the CRA).
Can I get an Amen!
February 27, 2021 00:00 - 40 minutes - 27.7 MBWe chat to our friend and psychotherapist, Mel, about the common threads for all of us throughout this pandemic. Trauma, alcohol, sadness, moments of intense joy - they are all in there. Opportunity arises but #spoileralert you have to face the tough things. Therapy helps. We recall that wherever you were when Covid struck will be forever burned in our memories. This is the Kennedy assasination of our generation. We revisit the baby group days - how was that a decade ago? Sweets and sours al...
Still Surviving
February 20, 2021 12:00 - 38 minutes - 26.2 MBShannon loves structured fun! And she got just that on her day off ! Hooray! They have a quick career talk - isn’t it funny the way life leads you. And minds are blown as Kelly reveals she skipped grade 5. (apparently not a great idea.) The file folders of memory which leads to Kelly sharing some of her journey caring for her mother. She walks us through how utterly devastating it can be to navigate these waters. You are not alone. Kelly and Shannon ask for your help - what do you want t...
Happy Groundhog Day
February 13, 2021 01:00 - 36 minutes - 25.4 MBKelly tells a fabulous story about the intensity of being an understudy, which Shannon compares to a sales conference. Same Same. It is Groundhog day, isn’t that just delightful. Will the rodent tell us if this nightmare can end? Shannon suddenly finds herself in an anti-mask rally, WTF? Crucifixes, eggs and chanting - oh my! As always we share the sweet and the sour in this wild ride we call Pandemic Parenting.
BACKFLASH! #1. The one in the car.
February 10, 2021 01:00 - 29 minutes - 20.6 MBBack in the day (Sept 19 2020) two friends just went for it. This is what it sounds like when you start before you are ready, and we love it. Kelly and Shannon are telling of their trials with parenting and life during the onset of one of many Covid 19 lockdowns. Why are the government phone lines always busy? Are we calling the wrong number? So much worrying, no real answers, but at least we can laugh (cry?) about it.
BACKFLASH! #1. The one in the car.
February 10, 2021 01:00 - 29 minutes - 20.6 MBBack in the day (Sept 19 2020) two friends just went for it. This is what it sounds like when you start before you are ready, and we love it. Kelly and Shannon are telling of their trials with parenting and life during the onset of one of many Covid 19 lockdowns. Why are the government phone lines always busy? Are we calling the wrong number? So much worrying, no real answers, but at least we can laugh (cry?) about it.
Thanos Snapped His Fingers
February 05, 2021 16:00 - 41 minutes - 28.6 MBSweets and sours abound. Kelly’s happily in the closet, Shannon’s son is bleeding. But her eight year old can sew him a band aid! Kelly has a new parenting schedule, and is learning to adapt. Did you grow up watching Oprah? Because Shannon did and turns out Oprah has some great advice. We need to update Amelia about the vaccine, or lack thereof. Shannon relives a bit of her experiences with Covid and her family. Bottom line: five masks is not too many.
Thank You Water
January 30, 2021 23:00 - 41 minutes - 28.4 MBA round-up of the Every Day Life of Kelly and Shannon - dirty baseboards and curb-side Christmas trees abound. Reminiscing about how our babies are only going to wear Dino shirts and tolerate our company for about three more minutes (thanks, TikTok!) Report cards are getting our new teacher, Shannon, really crying, but Kelly is there to remind her that a surf-and-turf at the Ponderosa is just around the corner. We discuss the parenting technique called The Calm Technique from Jennifer Kolari...
This Is Not Sustainable
January 25, 2021 21:00 - 39 minutes - 27 MBWhich lockdown are we in now? Shannon talks about the shift to virtual learning as a new teacher. Kelly reminds us that managing a child’s homework and screens is a full time job. HOW are we being expected to do so much? Why isn’t anyone doing their French homework? We are having stress dreams, or are they just called regular dreams now? The idea of sobriety rears its ugly head again. Kelly has some intel on the risque new social media - Shannon says “Do Tell.”
Ketchup
January 20, 2021 17:00 - 39 minutes - 27.2 MBAnother recently recorded episode.... Kelly and Shannon are feeling the vibe of “it’s always darkest before the dawn”. We reminisce about concerts and jello shots and the BlogHer ‘13 conference. Yet again we are never surprised by what happens on the news, and give you the not-100percent-accurate roundup on the storming of the capital. You should probably find a different podcast if you are looking for news. Shannon is working as a teacher, and shares what it is like being at home and teac...
"Contagion"
January 16, 2021 02:00 - 42 minutes - 29.4 MBOur 2020 Recommendations (from 2011!) A riveting Contagion review. Kelly wishes she heard about this 2011 banger sooner, which leads us to talking about films that resonate. I don’t think we recap Outbreak properly, does someone want to help us out? There is a monkey, yes? Our film degrees come out to play and we can't help but notice the women of these films are lacking personalities - and antibodies. I mean, who didn't want to be the Pretty Woman.
Amelia, Please Tune In
January 02, 2021 23:00 - 37 minutes - 26 MBWe've decided to publish our most current episode as our first, recorded over Covid Christmas 2020, in order to give you a snapshot of what's happening with us and the global pandemic right now. We started our friendship a decade ago, and this podcast in Fall 2020 - that is when we let you in. Those episodes are up soon! It’s December 23 and there is a lot to do, what else is new? Oh, and where we live in Canada is now "Grey" according to the CCC (Covid Colour Code) but weren’t we alread...