That Digital Take

Kristen MacLellan, founder of Toronto talent and digital management agency Yesterday, joins That Digital Take to break down the business side of the creator economy — from how brand deals actually get negotiated to what managers are doing behind the scenes that creators never see. Kristen shares what makes a creator genuinely bookable right now, where creators are consistently leaving money on the table, and the subtle red flags that make brands and managers walk away. She also gets into rate setting, AI's impact on contracts, and what types of creators she sees winning over the next two years. If you work with brands, want to, or are thinking about what sustainable growth actually looks like — this episode is for you.

Podcast consistency, creator growth, and the moment most people quit — That Digital Take hits 60 episodes and is now officially on iHeartRadio. Host Torri Webster shares a real life update: working with Robert Pattinson in London, Coachella, the Gillette Venus event, and what happens when success moves faster than you can process it. This week's topic: why most creators quit right before momentum hits — and what the quiet phase is actually building.

What happens when a viral country song gives you everything, and then you walk away from it? Robyn Ottolini is the trucker's daughter from Uxbridge, Ontario who turned a TikTok moment into a platinum record, a Warner Nashville deal, and a spot opening for Shania Twain and Tim McGraw. Then she left her label, switched management, and quietly started over. Out of that uncertain chapter came one scribbled notebook line — "I guess I'm growing down" — a home-recorded demo she posted with zero rollout strategy, and 20,000+ fan-made videos that followed. In this episode, Robyn joins host Torri Webster to talk about the catch-22 of breakthrough success, what it actually felt like to go independent, and why the demo version of a song sometimes hits harder than the polished studio cut. The full studio version of "Growing Down (Into The Roots)" is out March 20th, and Robyn performs at the JUNO Kickoff Concert in Hamilton on March 26th. We get into: • Why "F-150" was both the best and worst thing that ever happened to her • What "growing down" actually means — and why she thinks it's better than growing up • Posting a raw, unproduced demo and watching it explode • Leaving a major label and rediscovering her creative identity • Turning 30, writing confessional country, and building a career entirely on her own terms • Her relationship with TikTok, algorithms, and staying authentic in a changing industry If you've ever felt like you were chasing a version of success that didn't quite fit — this one's for you. 🎵 "Growing Down (Into The Roots)" — out March 20 🎤 JUNO Kickoff Concert, Hamilton — March 26 🎧 Follow Robyn Ottolini: https://www.instagram.com/robynottolini/

Brandi Leifso started Evio Beauty from a women's shelter at 21 with a bootlegged Photoshop. Now she's in 460 Shoppers Drug Mart locations and has a debut book. This is what Fearless Choices actually look like. -- What does it look like to build a globally recognized beauty brand from a women's shelter with nothing but a laptop and a borrowed idea? This week on That Digital Take, we sit down with Brandi Leifso, founder of Evio Beauty, impact entrepreneur, and author of the debut book Fearless Choices: How to Reclaim Your Power One Decision at a Time, for one of the most honest, grounded conversations we've ever had on this show. Brandi's story isn't a highlight reel. At 21, she left an abusive relationship and found herself starting over with almost nothing. What came next wasn't a cinematic turning point — it was a series of small, quiet, often uncomfortable decisions that slowly built something extraordinary. Today, Evio Beauty is a Canadian-founded, impact-led skincare and beauty brand stocked in hundreds of Shoppers Drug Mart locations across Canada, with a mission rooted in giving back to women from day one. In this episode, we go deep on the decisions nobody posts about — the vending machine fail, the early funding hustle, the Michelle Phan full-circle moment, and what it really took to land a major retail partnership at scale. Brandi also opens up about writing Fearless Choices, why she deliberately wrote a book that grounds you instead of hypes you up, and what she's still navigating in this chapter of her life. If you're a founder, a creative, or someone who has ever felt stuck choosing between who you are and who you're becoming, this one is for you. 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 2:15 — What does courage actually look like in hindsight? The mindset shift from survival to building 7:32 — How Brandi funded Evio Beauty without telling anyone where she was living 11:07 — The Michelle Phan full-circle moment that changed everything 19:49 — The vending machine: a business decision that didn't work (and what it taught her) 24:23 — Why "grow at all costs" is a red flag, and how the founder era has shifted 26:38 — Is there still space to build in beauty in 2026? On the Girl Boss era and what replaced it 29:28 — "Always listen to the market" — staying agile enough not to sink 32:01 — Luck, preparation, and the Disney press trip moment 32:50 — Building a brand by women, for women — and the give-back from day one 37:00 — Setting boundaries around your founder story: keynoting Shoppers and reclaiming your narrative 44:42 — Mo money, mo problems: the hard parts nobody actually posts IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER: Building a mission-led beauty brand from zero resources The difference between an impulsive decision and an intentional one How to rebuild self-trust when it's been broken Scaling into major Canadian retail (460+ Shoppers Drug Mart locations) Balancing profit and purpose without compromising either Differentiating in a crowded eye patch and skincare category Why women feel pressure to make the perfect decision, and how to unlearn it Founder mental health, boundaries, and what the glow-up really costs Key lessons from Fearless Choices, the book 🔗 CONNECT WITH BRANDI LEIFSO 📖 Fearless Choices — available now 🌿 Evio Beauty: eviobeauty.com 📸 Instagram: @brandileifso | @eviobeauty That Digital Take is a Canadian podcast at the intersection of business, digital culture, and the real conversations happening behind the brand. New episodes drop weekly. #ThatDigitalTake #BrandiLeifso #EvioBeauty #FearlessChoices #CanadianFounder #WomenInBusiness #BeautyBrand #ShoppersDrugMart #ImpactEntrepreneur #FounderStory #PodcastCanada #SmallBusinessCanada #WomenEntrepreneurs #PersonalDevelopment #SelfHelp

What does it actually take to build a fitness brand from scratch... no gym, no studio, just Instagram Lives and pure energy? This week on That Digital Take, we sit down with Toronto fitness founder Liv McIlkenny, the force behind Liv Sweaty, to talk about the real business of wellness, building community in the digital age, and what no one tells you about turning your passion into a paycheck. Liv went from a 7-minute lockdown arm series on Instagram Live to full Zoom classes, park workouts, sold-out challenges, and one of Canada's fastest-growing digital fitness communities. Before that? Three years as a top SoulCycle instructor mastering the art of high-energy, rhythm-based movement. Then she bet on herself, and built her own lane. In this episode, we get into everything: Fitness & Mindset - What the "fitness girl" label gets wrong, how to stay high-vibe when your numbers dip, protecting yourself from comparison culture, and what actually happens when motivation disappears. Business of Wellness - How Liv turned sweat sessions into a real revenue model, why she chooses long-term brand partnerships (think Hoka, Red Bull) over one-off deals, how to price yourself as a wellness creator, and whether brands have ever tried to control her body narrative. Manifestation & Alignment - What manifestation actually means in practical terms, vision boards vs. execution, and the thing she manifested that genuinely shocked her. Community & Authenticity - How she bridges her private and "branded" life online, navigating breakups and real moments publicly, and what a community member once said that she'll never forget. Rapid Fire - 5am workouts or late-night gym? Cold plunges? Would she date someone less disciplined than her? What era is she in right now? If you're a fitness creator, wellness entrepreneur, aspiring founder, or someone building a personal brand online - this episode is your blueprint. Subscribe, rate, and leave a review. New episodes every week on That Digital Take. Follow That Digital Take: @thatdigitaltake Keywords: fitness entrepreneur podcast, wellness creator business, how to build a fitness brand online, Liv Sweaty, SoulCycle instructor turned founder, digital fitness community, manifestation business, personal brand fitness, Canadian fitness podcast, wellness business model, brand partnerships fitness creator, That Digital Take podcast

Welcome back to That Digital Take and welcome to 2026. In this first episode of the year, I’m catching you up on where I’ve been, what this season of life looks like right now, and why the podcast is entering its next era. January was supposed to be a mental reset… but somehow it turned into Miami slow living, early wedding planning, Vancouver film sets, Whistler influencer trips, and an Apple TV press day in LA brushing shoulders with the stars. We’re talking: ✨ my “soft launch” into wedding era (engagement party is locked) ✨ visiting Adam on set and why watching someone you love live their dream is everything ✨ influencer trips in 2026… are they still this fabulous? ✨ what’s changing on That Digital Take this year (more guests, more celebrity + culture, more creator economy conversations, more Toronto + Canada stories) Plus, we’re ending with a few new-year favourites and obsessions, from Moroccanoil lip balms to CapCut desktop edits to the 5 Minute Journal keeping me grounded while traveling. This is the start of something really special. If you’ve been here since the beginning, thank you. If you’re new, welcome to the next era of That Digital Take. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend.

In this powerful episode of That Digital Take, Torri Webster sits down with beauty founder Haley Bogaert to unpack how makeup became more than just a career. It became a tool for healing, confidence, and rebuilding after profound personal loss. Haley shares how developing a daily beauty routine during one of the hardest seasons of her life gave her structure, grounding, and a renewed sense of purpose. What began as a deeply personal ritual eventually evolved into a mission: helping others feel seen, strong, and confident through beauty. We dive into: How makeup routines can create emotional stability and self-trust Turning personal resilience into a purpose-driven beauty brand The power of one-on-one artistry and why brows became her signature Expanding a beauty business with intention, from services to products Building community, confidence, and connection through beauty What it really takes to grow a modern beauty brand rooted in empathy This episode is a must-listen for beauty lovers, founders, creatives, and anyone navigating reinvention, proving that sometimes the most impactful businesses are born from the most personal moments. 🎧 Listen now for an honest, inspiring conversation about beauty, resilience, and building something meaningful.

✨ I’M ENGAGED! The FULL Behind-the-Scenes of Our Proposal, My Ring, and All the Sparkly Details ✨ This week’s episode is extra special, I’m finally sharing the entire behind-the-scenes story of my engagement. From how Adam planned the proposal, to my reaction, to the meaning behind my dream engagement ring, I’m taking you through every emotional, magical, sparkly moment. If you love engagement stories, proposal planning, diamond details, ring shopping tips, or wedding content, this one is for you. 🤍💍 In this episode, I’m opening up about: 💍 How Adam planned the surprise proposal ✨ The hidden details I had no idea were happening behind the scenes 🔎 How we chose my engagement ring 📸 The full proposal moment... what you DIDN’T see online 🤍 Why this chapter feels so meaningful for us 👰‍♀️ Our early wedding planning thoughts + what’s next Whether you're newly engaged, manifesting your moment, or just here for the romance and sparkle, I hope this feels like a warm, cozy, personal catch-up between friends. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and leave a comment — tell me your engagement story, your dream ring, or your favourite part of the episode!

Today on That Digital Take, we’re diving deep into something every creator, student, and young professional has felt: the pressure to keep up online, especially when it comes to money. Social media tells us we’re “behind” long before our bank accounts do. From seeing constant travel, apartment makeovers, brand deals, and “glow-up content,” it’s no surprise that so many of us tie our financial worth to our online worth. I’ve been there, overspending for optics, chasing the highlight reel, and losing track of real financial stability. That’s why today’s conversation is such an important one. I’m joined by financial expert and RBC partner Melissa Leong to break down RBC’s new report: The Cost of Keeping Up: How Social Media Shapes Gen Z’s Money Mindset. And trust me, the findings are WILD: • Nearly half of Gen Z think about money every day • 1/3 have skipped meals to save money • 64% feel financially behind because of what they see online We unpack how social media fuels comparison culture, why the “keep up” cycle is so emotionally draining, and how to build real financial confidence in a digital world. Melissa also shares practical tools from the report, like “Press Pause” strategies, feed audits, the two-day rule, accountability groups, and financial goal-setting tips that actually stick. If you’re a creator, entrepreneur, student, or young person navigating money + media at the same time, this episode is a MUST-listen. In This Episode We Cover: • Gen Z’s financial reality: stress, expectations, and the income gap • How social media affects spending habits + self-worth • The psychology behind comparison and online pressure • Creator-specific money challenges: optics vs. stability • Melissa Leong’s “Press Pause” framework for financial clarity • Building healthy money habits: automation, intention, and community • How to set goals based on your real life — not the algorithm Featured Guest: Melissa Leong Financial expert, speaker, bestselling author, and RBC partner sharing insights from the new RBC report: The Cost of Keeping Up. Read the full report here ➝ rbc.com/genzmoneymindset Key Topics for Search: Gen Z money stress, social media comparison, financial anxiety, money mindset tips, creator finances, how social media impacts spending, RBC Gen Z report, Melissa Leong interview, financial confidence, budgeting tips, digital wellness, online comparison culture, money and mental health, financial independence in your 20s, money advice for creators. Final Thoughts Success doesn’t come from keeping up, it comes from slowing down, setting intentional goals, and building confidence in your own lane. This episode is all about reclaiming your financial clarity, separating your real life from the online highlight reel, and learning how to press pause when the digital pressure gets loud. If this conversation resonated with you, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more weekly deep dives into digital culture, creator life, and the stories shaping our online world. Thanks for listening — love you, mean it! See you next week on That Digital Take.

Welcome back to That Digital Take! Today’s episode is half October Faves… half creative self-intervention. 😂 This month has been VERY Toronto coded — Blue Jays playoffs at the Rogers Centre, fall food cravings, Thanksgiving comfort cooking, and an unexpectedly terrifying content trip to a cranberry bog in rural Quebec with Ocean Spray (yes… the viral 2007 commercial recreation… yes, it went VERY viral). PLUS — I’m talking: • sustainable luxury fashion in Toronto (VSP Consignment girlies… if you know, you know) • my new must-watch obsession → TASK on HBO / Crave • AND we’re diving deep into something trending all over TikTok: asking AI to reveal our “creator curse” This week… mine was Restless Brilliance. Which sparked a whole conversation around blindspots, burnout cycles, creative reinvention, over-optimization, perfectionism, and how creators (and entrepreneurs) can actually grow by getting brutally self-aware. --- Toronto creator podcast, Blue Jays playoffs, MLB Toronto Blue Jays, VSP Consignment Toronto review, sustainable fashion Toronto, fall trends 2025, influencer blindspots, TikTok creator burnout, content creator mindset, creative entrepreneurship, TASK HBO review, Ocean Spray cranberry bog, viral content strategy tips, how to grow on social media 2025, AI creative prompts, what is my curse trend TikTok

Everyone asks me how I make my videos feel so polished. The truth? It’s not the camera or the gear — it’s the edit. In this episode of That Digital Take, I’m breaking down the real difference between content that scrolls past and content that stops the scroll. Whether you’re new to social media or finally ready to uplevel your production game, this guide will teach you how to edit your first high-quality video from start to finish. What You’ll Learn: Why editing = storytelling (and why that keeps people watching) My full step-by-step workflow — from organizing raw footage to adding final polish How to use CapCut Desktop effectively Tips to build pacing, energy, and brand consistency in your edits Why great editing works across TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and podcast clips Key Takeaways: ✔️ Editing isn’t about perfection—it’s about clarity and connection. ✔️ A simple workflow saves hours and boosts consistency. ✔️ Start with cutting, pacing, and text — then layer in advanced techniques later. If you’ve ever asked, “How do I make my videos look this good?” — this episode gives you the roadmap. #ContentCreation #VideoEditingTips #CreatorPodcast #ThatDigitalTake #CapCutTutorial #EditingWorkflow #SocialMediaTips #CreatorEconomy #VideoEditing #ContentStrategy

Everyone’s talking about fall resets—from skincare routines to cozy closets—but what about a creative reset? In this week’s episode of That Digital Take, Torri Webster dives into how creators, marketers, and digital entrepreneurs can refresh their workflows, routines, and strategies for Q4. We break down: ✨ Why fall is the ultimate reset season (hello, back-to-school energy) ✨ How to adapt to TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube algorithm shifts this season ✨ Practical tips to spark creativity without burning out ✨ Sustainable routines and tools that actually stick (3-2-1 method, AI hacks, seasonal SEO) ✨ Why simple, cozy content often connects deeper than polished perfection Whether you’re chasing algorithm updates, brainstorming your next viral trend, or just looking to enjoy the process of creating again, this episode is your guide to resetting your content strategy this fall. -- fall reset 2025, creative reset tips, content creator routines, TikTok algorithm fall 2025, Instagram Collab strategy, YouTube Shorts SEO, Q4 content ideas, digital marketing fall trends, cozy creator reset 🎧 Tune in to learn how to reset your creative process, align with what platforms are rewarding, and step into Q4 feeling refreshed and inspired.

Today on That Digital Take, I sit down with actor and influencer Paige Evans—one of Toronto’s rising stars making waves on screen and across social media. From her standout performances in film and TV to building a loyal audience of over 1.6 million on TikTok, Paige has mastered the art of balancing two worlds: acting and influencing. In this episode, we dive into her journey from Toronto beginnings to her new role on Revival, plus the realities of the audition grind, staying authentic online, and how digital presence shapes opportunities in Hollywood. What we cover in this episode: - Paige’s acting journey & origin story Behind-the-scenes audition stories and on-set lessons - How her influencer background shapes her acting career - Balancing life as both an actor and digital creator - Building a TikTok following of 1.6M+ and what it means today - Advice for aspiring actors and creators chasing their big break - Insights on her new project Revival - Fun rapid-fire Q&A: dream collabs, green room must-haves, and more Whether you’re passionate about acting, curious about the creator economy, or just love hearing real talk from rising talent—this is a must-watch conversation. 👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you never miss an episode of That Digital Take! -- Paige Evans interview, Paige Evans actor, Paige Evans influencer, TikTok actors, Canadian actors 2025, Toronto actors, audition stories, Revival show Paige Evans, creator economy podcast, That Digital Take podcast.