Mary Anne Ivison: Sometimes You’re Chicken and They Want Steak

Mary Anne discusses experiencing a layoff during the pandemic, what that felt like, and how she saw it as her chance to figure out what she wanted to do next.

In This Episode

We had the pleasure of speaking with the multi-talented Mary Anne Ivison, who shared with us her incredible journey from radio to podcasting and entrepreneurship.

Mary Anne’s path has been far from conventional. When the pandemic hit, she was laid off from her job in radio, which gave her the chance to reflect on her career and decide what she really wanted to do next. It wasn’t an easy decision, but she decided to take the leap of faith to become her own boss.

Like many entrepreneurs, Mary Anne faced self-doubt, but she found the strength to persevere by building a supportive community around her. She has found that connecting with others who share her passions has been an essential part of her journey.

Through her podcast, Mary Anne has been able to explore topics and engage with guests who inspire her and align with her values. She has also found sponsors who share her vision and support her mission.

Mary Anne’s story is a testament to the power of following your passion, even in the face of uncertainty. Her journey has been full of twists and turns, but she has never let that hold her back. Join us to learn more about Mary Anne’s inspiring story and her insights on entrepreneurship.

First 10 Minutes The hosts joke about their work from home attire. Emily and Mary Anne tell us how they met and that, ultimately, they bonded over annoying their Skate Skiing instructor.

10-20 Minutes Mary Anne shares how she got into radio—from Christmas onesies, to a mullet, and a playskool recorder. We venture into a discussion about layoffs, the pandemic, and bouncing back.

20-30 Minutes The crew discusses how they get out of a funk, how to battle self-doubt, and the importance of having a support network and a plan to help you fight back. Emily, Mary Anne, and Dave share ideas about outsourcing.

30-40 Minutes Mary Anne shares a healthy reframe to deal with rejection—”sometimes you’re chicken and they want steak.” It’s not that you’re not good enough, just that you weren’t the flavour that they needed.

40+ Minutes The conversation wraps up with thoughts about authenticity and trying hard things.

Mary Anne Ivison

Mary Anne Ivison

Voice Over Professional & Podcast Host

Mary Anne Ivison is a trusted media professional with over 12 years of experience in radio broadcasting, television, voice-over, and live-hosting.  In summer 2021, Mary Anne shifted her focus from radio to her own voice-over business, and in 2022 launched her podcast “Let’s Take This Outside”. Mary Anne’s core values are firmly planted in empathy and compassion (thanks Brené Brown!), and she strongly believes that human connection is vital to our collective happiness and success. When she isn’t recording audio, you can find Mary Anne hiking, cycling, cross country skiing or staring at mossy rocks.