Women on Wisdom

Episode 1: Why We’re Here — The Story Behind Women on Wisdom (w/ Patricia Polischuk and Kirsten Stanger)

Episode Summary

It's our inaugural episode of Women on Wisdom, and Sandra is joined by co-hosts Patricia and Kirsten as they peel back the curtain on why Women on Wisdom exists and what they hope to spark through this podcast. With over 60 years of combined leadership, life, and coaching experience across three generations, the conversation is raw, honest, and deeply personal.

Episode Notes

It's our inaugural episode of Women on Wisdom, and Sandra is joined by co-hosts Patricia and Kirsten as they peel back the curtain on why Women on Wisdom exists and what they hope to spark through this podcast. With over 60 years of combined leadership, life, and coaching experience across three generations, the conversation is raw, honest, and deeply personal.

We talk about:

• The story behind our friendship and how it’s evolved over two decades
• Why we believe it will take 124 years to close the gender gap—and why that’s unacceptable
• What it means to claim our wisdom (and yes, even our crone status)
• Personal stories of being undermined—and unintentionally undermining other women
• The unfiltered truth about burnout, menopause, intuition, motherhood, caregiving, and career
• Why we need to tell different stories if we want a different future for our daughters—and ourselves

We laugh, reflect, challenge ourselves, and invite you to do the same.

Whether you’re entering the workplace or exiting it, feeling stuck or rising fast, we’re here to say: you’re not alone. Women on Wisdom is about amplifying real stories, reclaiming our voices, and bridging the gap—one woman at a time.

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.