It’s Not That Weird!

He's an OG, he's a fan favorite, and he's back!  Welcome back to the pod CURTIS COLEMAN. Remember Tori's comedian friend who gave us the idea for a group Bumble account? The one who said he's above dating in Windsor? Ya, that one, from Episode 3. He's back, but not to catch up or with any real updates. He was invited to this episode to COMPLAIN. Inspired by a phone call after a long day of being peppy, Tori wanted Curtis back so you could hear the kind of candid conversations they seem to have. One without judgement & a whole lot of bitching. This week's featured artist: HUTTCH! Song 1: Get On With It Song 2: For The Longest Time Follow them everywhere & stream their latest album now!  

We’re back with another interview with someone near & dear to not only Tori, but Windsor-Essex as a whole. Say hi to KEVIN BLONDIN!    Kevin and Tori met in college and became fast work-partners and friends. They were lucky enough to work together after school, even though the environment was less than ideal (they explain). Kevin has done all kinds of media-related work but has most recently dedicated his time to drag photography! But we can't NOT talk about his time working at Disney...we just can't.    Check out his page Sound and City to see his work, and if you’re in Windsor be sure to check out Lavender Promotions for all information on our incredible drag community!   This week’s featured artist: Zainoun!   Song 1: Heart2Heart Song 2: Fix Things

Let’s cut to it - this guest needs no introduction.    If you’ve been on the internet in the past few years, you’ve likely heard the name ZACHERY DERENIOWSKI / MD MOTIVATOR - he’s the one with those viral, feel-good TikToks that always make us cry. Tori is honored to have Zach join her for a sit down chat about what kick started his mental health movement, some of his most memorable and personally impactful experiences & how he manages to stay grounded.   This week's featured artist: New Friends! SONG 1: Waste My Time SONG 2: Ricochet Stream their music now & follow them on Instagram.

EPISODE 24: The Art of OnlyFans & The

Welcome back friends, family & the rest of ya's. It's been a minute since we've had a guy on the podcast, and what a guy to have! Meet JAKE TOWN, certified Tall Dude and probably your favorite bartender. Jake's upbringing was anything but ordinary OR stationary. He & Tori talk about some significant and heavy topics including suicide prevention, men's mental health, and that one time he ran naked through The Bay. You're gonna love him enough to want to check him out yourself over at Funky Chow.   IMPORTANT NOTE: The subject of suicide is discussed in detail in this episode.   This week's featured artist: Brendan Scott Friel!  Song #1 1: Lorelai Song #2: Through the Rain Check out Brendan's website HERE.

And just like that... we're back with our first one-on-one interview of 2023! We get to sort of welcome someone back, as she was one of the mini interviews from the last group episode. You got a glimpse, but we're certain that after this full-length interview you'll also fall in love with BIANCA STEFINA Certified Clinical Trauma specialist - Addiction. Bianca leads her practice with an incredible amount of compassion. Her kindness (she's truly so kind) doesn't stop her from commentating on our distorted ideas of mental health, addiction and much much more. We really think you'll take some valuable information from this one. Check out Bianca's Instagram & Psychology Today pages too!   This episode's featured artist: Bethany D'Alimonte! Song #1: Thinkin' Of You Song #2: In The Bag

WE’RE BACK - WE’RE BETTER - WE’VE GOT A NEW NAME! Thank you for your support and patience. Tori explains the hiatus as well as the reasoning for this new (albeit temporary) name. And to kick off the comeback, she has something really special for this episode.  Instead of the usual one-on-one interview, this episode features 6 mini-interviews with some wonderful women, most of who you haven’t met yet!   Meet MACKENZIE! She and Tori have recently bonded over the majorly significant and majorly brave life-change she has made. You’ll be proud of her too.   Next, BATZY! Batzy is not only a mega interesting person, but she's also Tori’s longtime hairstylist! We all know that our hairstylists are also our closest confidants, so this is a treat. Check out Batzy’s salon Black Swan Salon on Instagram and their website!   You’re gonna love guest #3: NUSSAIBA! Six years ago her and Tori met through work (right here at Blackburn!!) and became pretty instant friends. They talk Nussaiba’s upbringing as “the only Arab in Tennessee” and her recent engagement.   Speaking of confidants, meet BIANCA! She does a much better job at explaining her title, but know that she is one of the people making our world better via her work as a certified clinical trauma therapist. She is lovely and insightful and SPOILER…next episode’s guest! DEFINITELY check out her website.   There’s no introduction needed for this next guest. JENA from Episode 12 joined the group and shared a little (not so little) life update. Let’s be honest: she’s here for a good laugh.   Aaaand last but not least, meet ANA! This brief chat actually makes Tori cry. Ana is resilient and insightful, we can’t wait for her to be back!   This week’s featured artist: Baker Grace! Song 1: Pressure Song 2: Comfortable

Hope you’re ready to *really* talk about how NOT weird we humans are, because we’ve got a therapist in the house!    Please welcome SHANNON DOW (MSW, RSW). She and Tori met at a very “transformative” time and immediately hit it off. While Shannon specializes in trauma and PTSR, she has a real aptitude for spirituality and energy. Hear her & Tori talk about her work, her own healing journey & some of the more “non-traditional” (to the Western World at least) forms of healing (psssst…it’s psychedelics).    Find Shannon on Instagram and Psychology Today!    This week’s featured artist: TALKING VIOLET!   Song 1: Indigo Song 2: Slowdance Stream their album (which is a personal favorite of Tori’s) “Tell Your Friends You Love Them” HERE.

We have our first returning guest for this week's episode, and for good reason! After VANESSA came on the podcast back in March (listen to Episode 5 HERE), her and Tori reconnected in a very special way. This episode sounds more like a co-host discussion than it does an interview. Enjoy them discussing what being single together has looked like, the story of their drunk grandmother from Tennessee and what exactly their "types" are. Like last time, we gotta warn you that there's A LOT of giggling.  Follow Vanessa on Instagram & stay tuned for a fun project from her in the near future!   This week's featured artist: TAYA FANARA! Song 1: Night Shift Song 2: Not Sorry 

Tori didn’t anticipate that this podcast would bring her closer to people from Essex, but evidently, it has!    This week, she’s joined by her longtime (but somewhat long lost) friend, DEEN OOZEER! If the last name rings a bell, that may be because both of his parents are beloved retired grade school teachers. His dad taught AND coached Tori and holds a very special place in her heart. Deen talks about the reality of having such influential parents, what it’s like being a person of color from a small town and candidly tells the story of his adoption. Enjoy!   This week’s featured artist: DVO! Song 1: S.T.O.W. Song 2: Company Follow him on Instagram and stream his music HERE.  

Hope you’re having a great September! Time has gone by in a very weird way for Tori, which she explains in the intro of this episode. As always, thanks for the love and support y’all.   We’re excited to present a lovely interview with a lovely woman, CHESLEA FREEZE! Yes, CHES-LEA. If you’re a local who likes yummy things, you’re likely familiar with her bakery Kings Bake Shop! It’s one of Tori’s favorites, and she is honored to have her here to talk her start in the game, her quick marriage, tiny home, and being a young (& successful) business owner. She is truly a joy to listen to, which is really all we need right now.   Follow Kings on Facebook, Instagram & Tik Tok!    This week’s featured artist: April Shaye!    Song 1: California Dreams (Summer Remix) - ft. Karepa Song 2: Second Chances

Welcome back! Let's just get right into it! This week's guest is none other than Tori's own sister, TAYLOR BENNETT! Try to follow along in the intro when Tori explains a bit of their family tree (or as Jay says, "it looks more like a family bush"). Taylor is certainly Tori's closest sibling and it's a joy to hear them reminisce on their childhood, discuss how they're alike but VERY different, and talk a little smack about their loved ones.  For resources on domestic abuse / family violence in your area (Canada), click HERE. For information on Hiatus House (Windsor) and their services, click HERE.   This week's featured artist: Christee Palace! Song 1: What Have You Done To Me Song 2: Jekyll & Hyde Me  Stream her music everywhere & follow her on Instagram!

New & old listeners - welcome to Episode 15! We’re a little overwhelmed (in a *mostly* good way) at the response from last week’s episode. Tori discusses it - listen nicely.    Tori & her guest get RIGHT into the heavy stuff this week. We are pleased to welcome SHAYLA BOOSE to the podcast! Shayla & Tori met in college and right away liked each other. Listening to Shayla talk relationships, living ALL OVER Windsor, traveling the world & motherhood should give you a good idea why.    Shayla runs a wedding stationary business called Mrs. Prints Charming that you MUST check out. See some of her work on her Facebook or Instagram pages - we're sure you’ll be impressed.   This week’s featured artist: JOSIE ELYSIA!  Song 1: The Cave Song 2: Out Of My Head And check out Josie’s beauty page too…she truly does it all. 

First off, HUGE thanks for continuing to stream the podcast even during Tori’s little hiatus. The support coming in over the past few weeks has been invaluable to her.   Joining us this week is badass mother, feminist, and high school friend of Tori, CAMERON BASTIEN! Cam and Tori didn’t really have a relationship until recently actually, when they realized how similarly they feel about important issues AND share the same sentiments towards the people of their hometown. She has some incredible insight on "controversial subjects" and such strong conviction, you’d have no idea she’s like…5 feet tall, lol.   We love her, and we love you for listening. Enjoy!    This week's featured artist: MZTF Song 1: Liar Song 2: Luna (with SKINWOLFF & Tony Coates)

We've got another OG podcast supporters in the house! Tori is honored to interview her "closest non-friend", JOSH LOWE! He's every bit as charismatic as the front man of a band should be, and we guarantee you'll have a laugh. In between discussing being raised by a single mom and what it means to live a "meaningful life", they rip through subjects like early porn exposure, organized religion and how much Tori hates frogs. You're also going to hear our first, "wanna hear a secret?"....and it's a good one. Do yourself a favor and check out Josh's band RIVERSIDE DRIVE, who is this week's featured artist! Song 1: Now or Never Song 2: 401 East Stream their EP "Better Days" HERE.  

If you're also getting your ass kicked by seasonal allergies, let this episode be your pick-me-up! Tori is joined by her oldest friend (friends for the longest, not the eldest) JENA FROESE! This is another episode full of laughs and inside jokes/stories that they do their best to explain, while rarely staying on topic. They touch on some heavier stuff, like losing a parent to cancer & the scary story of giving birth. But there is FAR more goofy content, like how Tori *accidentally* committed a B&E on Jena's workplace and once stole a very sentimental eraser.  ENJOY!    This week's featured artist: Electric Treasure Song 1: Feelsgood Song 2: Dreaming  

ELEVEN EPISODES? That's wiiiiiild!   This episode is in TRUE Tori fashion - lots of laughs, some personal revelations, inappropriate conversation, etc. etc. We're excited to have the tall & talented AMARI JONES with us for this episode! Tori came to know him when he performed (and absolutely obliterated) a local amateur comedy contest. You'll hear his natural humor and charisma when he talks about being a certified mama's boy, loving older women & being "toxic" (his words).    This week's featured artist: Mugelezi! Song 1: Give Up For Love Song 2: FREQUENT Stream his music at the link above & follow him on Instagram!

Happy June friends! We can't believe it's already June...time is strange...yada yada yada. Tori is so excited to present this interview with the sweet, spunky and badass TAWNYA JACOBS! She discusses the terrifying experience of battling breast cancer at such a young age, in the middle of a pandemic, after just losing someone close to her from the very same thing. Somehow she did it with true grace, and we're so happy to have her here telling her story. Make sure you check out her Instagram page dedicated to sharing her journey! For BreastCancer.Org's Brest Self-Exam guide, click HERE. This week's featured artist: Tayler Lynn!  Song #1: Play It Safe Song #2: I Tried

We're going to go ahead and give you a laugh warning for this episode... not just because you'll laugh, but because a lot of laughing goes on, and it's a bit loud.  Tori is joined by her good friend CHELSEA VICTORIA! They met in school but bonded quick, thanks to some college club scandal and mutual love of obscure pop culture. You'll fall in love with her and understand why Chelsea is dubbed the ultimate hype girl (psssst...she even helped this podcast come to be).    This week's featured artist: Alexa Carroccia! Song 1: Camille Song 2: Parker  

Happy May y’all!  It’s a pleasure to welcome DAVE NISBET to the podcast! He and Tori have been acquaintances for awhile now, but you’d have no idea based on this interview that this was their first time meeting in person. The conversation flows from his extremely interesting family, leaving a church (that he outright calls a cult), and why being “trailer trash” is quite a blessing.    Dave also provides the music on this week’s episode! Song #1: Wild - Case the Joint Song #2: III/Fake - DTB