My favourite question from strangers who stop me on the street these days is “How are you enjoying ‘retirement’”? I am quick to smile, then laugh, then set them straight (especially on the local TV salary side). I am working harder now than ever before but with 3 additional hours of sleep a night, although some nights are more restless than others. I still find it difficult to shut my mind off and the constant tracking of the “to-do” list. Building a business is crazy tough!

I had the chance this weekend to profile the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards for the National Arts Center. I had never attended the gala and was incredibly inspired learning what Canadians have accomplished on the world stage. The performing arts were front and center, from theatre to film, comedy to dance and everything in between. I was educated, motivated and moved by the lifetime achievements of those being recognized. While I tweeted and posted throughout the night, I did love this shot I captured of friends convincing musicians and honourees Tegan & Sara to pose for a picture.

I’ll also have a chance this week to speak on behalf on behalf of Team Canada about the Maccabiah Games, join Mark Sutcliffe on the Lunch Bunch and host the annual “Take A Swing At Cancer” Golf event.

As for the “Living Your Life with Lianne Laing” podcast, I’ve had some great feedback about how engaging and insightful David Segal, the founder of David’s Tea and Mad Radish comes across. There is a wonderful entrepreneurial aspect to the chat but with the underlying focus of health wellness and what consumers are looking for. The podcast is now out on all my platforms!

This week’s episode is my chat with former NFLer, CFLer, comedian, podcaster and firefighter Mark Hatfield. I was a guest on Mark’s podcast, The Hatfield Trip, just days after I left CTV Morning Live. The experience of being in a podcast setting on his show helped solidify my desire to create my own. It had been on my wish list of things I wanted to do, and so it was quite special to have the roles reversed. His is the ultimate story of perseverance and never giving up on a dream – no matter how far-fetched it may seem. It’s quite an emotional journey of how this non “all-star” fulfilled a promise of making it to the big league. The podcast goes live on Thursday.

I have had some exciting movement with my “Awaken A Better You Wellness Cruise.” There is a buzz around the concept, the experts, the ship, the cities and the list goes on. Please take the opportunity to check out the cruise website. The pressure is on to confirm pulling the ship from the fleet.

Have a great week everyone and I’ll touch base next Monday!

Lianne xo