Latest news with #SmallAchievableGoals
CBC
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Small Achievable Goals's costume designer on the show's sexy mid-life style — and most iconic looks
For Nicole Manek, great costume design isn't just about technical expertise — it's about having an understanding of an actor's physicality, presence and character-building process. And when it came to creating the looks for CBC's new comedy series Small Achievable Goals, she had a wealth of experience to draw from. Manek's partnership with comedians and showrunners Meredith MacNeill and Jennifer Whalen began on the Baroness Von Sketch Show and has since blossomed into what she describes as "a psychic costume connection." This helped Manek and fellow costume designer Anya Taraboulsy craft a wardrobe for Small Achievable Goals that supports the storytelling — and is also quite fabulous. Like the best on-screen fashion, the looks in Small Achievable Goals are rooted in reality but dialed up just enough to feel iconic. CBC Life recently caught up with Manek to discuss her approach to the new workplace comedy, plus some of the most memorable looks in the series. She also shared the real-life inspiration behind Kris and Julie's wardrobes, and the TV magic behind that (deeply relatable) hot flash–drenched blouse. This interview has been edited and condensed. I'm interested in your first steps as a costume designer. Where did you find your initial wardrobe inspiration for the main characters in Small Achievable Goals? I do try to draw from real people for inspiration, because I think it's just the most accessible way to start the conversation with actors and producers and directors. So for Kris, she's an influencer. But then what does that look like to be in the influencer space in mid-life, but sort of like trying to feel more youthful? It felt Kardashian-esque to us. It felt Nicole Richie … but missing the mark. Kris would be like, "Oh, I love the way Nicole Richie dresses." But she never quite got it. She just took it to a slightly trashier place — she never got the classy part. She doesn't have the restraint of Nicole Richie. She's really thinking about what other people who she wants to emulate are wearing, and she's trying to mirror that. And what about Julie? What was your real-life inspiration for her? Julie is sort of that grown-up Gen-Xer who bought the "right" pieces. She's really practical and smart, and she has good style. And she's slowly accumulated great pieces that she's kept folding into her wardrobe. I did take some inspiration from the creative director of J. Crew [Olympia Gayot]. She's got great style; it's preppy, but in a way that's so palatable through a rock and roll lens, which is Julie. Clothing plays a key role in magnifying Kris and Julie's experiences of menopause and perimenopause. I'm thinking of the hot flash–soaked, see-through blouse — how did you create this look that's so relatable to so many people? Yeah. I mean, the wet shirt, it's TV magic, right? But it was the point of huge discussion and huge preparation for that fitting. We had probably 12 different shirts to try on. And we wet them all because we really didn't want to tell that story of when you have that hot flash and you're really soaked — we wanted to see it. And it was important that that shirt was just right. It was really important to Jen [Whalen], and there was a lot of talk about the way it goes from being put together at the beginning — and this hopeful moment and this hopeful day — to the way it comes apart. And that rack of white outfits for Kris to wear in the photo shoot. I mean, that period-stain incident just seems like a stress dream that people are gonna start having after watching that episode. How did you decide on the hero dress? So the idea was that someone younger — and a little clued out to the problems of menopause — picked these dresses. We've all been in those moments where someone wants us to wear something that they think is cool, where we're like, "Oh my god, this is so terrible." So that's what we wanted to capture for Kris — that it really wasn't her style, but it was something that a younger stylist thought was her style. Even with these more comical looks sprinkled in, you kept Kris and Julie looking very sexy and really amazing throughout the series. That's not always the case when women over 30 are portrayed on TV — there tends to be an invisibility factor. Meredith [MacNeill] did really want to explore this idea that Kris dresses for the male gaze. [This] part of her menopause journey is that she's very horny and she really wants dates. So I think that sexiness comes from that. Kris is actually putting herself out there and trying to be sexy in her own way. Whereas with Julie … when you just dress however you want, and you are just so cool, it just looks amazing. I think the key to this phase of life — which I'm also in — is just really doing what you want, wearing exactly what feels comfortable to you … rejecting that idea of age-appropriateness that's just so boring and not real. A lot of women who are in a similar time of their lives will see themselves in these characters. What inspiration do you think they can pull from these looks? I think the key to this phase of life — which I'm also in — is just really doing what you want, wearing exactly what feels comfortable to you … rejecting that idea of age-appropriateness that's just so boring and not real. To get through this time, you should just do whatever you need to do to feel great. If that's wearing a rock tee and crappy jogging pants, do it. And if it's putting on the smallest, tightest dress from Reformation, you should do that too. But be prepared to take it off when you get hot.
CBC
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Small Achievable Goals puts a mid-life twist on the coming-of-age sitcom
Social Sharing The new sitcom Small Achievable Goals is sort of a coming-of-age story — but instead of dreading their periods, the two lead characters are dealing with another major, yet little-talked about fact of life: menopause. The CBC original series stars Baroness Von Sketch alums Meredith MacNeill and Jennifer Whalen as Kris and Julie, colleagues who are opposites in almost every way as they try to make a podcast together, while also struggling with the ways their bodies are changing every day. The show is now available to stream on CBC Gem. Today on Commotion, screenwriter Catherine Hernandez and entertainment reporter Teri Hart join host Elamin Abdelmahmoud to share their thoughts on Small Achievable Goals, We've included some highlights below, edited for length and clarity. For the full discussion, listen and follow Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud on your favourite podcast player. WATCH | Today's episode on YouTube: Elamin: Catherine, how did you feel watching the first few episodes of Small Achievable Goals? Catherine: You know, it's ironic it's called Small Achievable Goals because it's quite the feat, putting this kind of content on television. As a TV writer, I know firsthand the uphill battle it is to convince networks about the commercial viability of these kinds of stories. And my first thought was, please let this pave the way for more content about women's bodies and the bodies of anyone who has a uterus. I'm so jazzed about it that I'm having, like, a hot flash right now. Elamin: That's the right level of jazzed to be about the show. It is funny from the first moment that you meet these two women on the street…. This is a show about creative women in the entertainment industry. That is also both of you. I wonder if there's an example of a moment that maybe really resonated with you, Teri? Teri: Yeah, I think that B story really supports the A story in the fact that they're in transition everywhere in their life. It's not just their bodies that are transitioning, but the world is asking them to be different also. It's not just enough for Kris to be a TikToker. She has to transition into also being a podcaster, something she's never been before. It's not enough that Julie is an award-winning podcast producer of serious material. That doesn't sell anymore, so she gets relegated to producing Kris's not-so-serious podcast. And I think that is what happens. Yes, we're dealing with perimenopause in Small Achievable Goals, but we're also dealing with ageism. And that is not only unique to women. I think that the world asks people to transition, and I think that's kind of an "in." If some men are listening to this and saying, "Perimenopause, what? I don't want to know about that. That doesn't affect me." Well, A) it does affect you. And B) it's not just about that. It is about all kinds of transitions into our kind of the third act of life. Elamin: I've got to say, Teri, as you mentioned all of these transitions, I'm thinking of your career — the ways that covering entertainment has entailed different things over the last 20 years or so, you know? Like, "Here's a new platform. Go master it. That's where the audience is." And it's just kind of repeatedly that, over and over again. Teri: Yeah, I've avoided dancing on TikTok so far, but I am not ruling it out. Elamin: I think you'd be great at it, just saying, if you want to be. Catherine: I vote for it. Tap in. Elamin: Catherine, let me ask you the same question. This is a show about women in the creative industry. What are some of the examples from the show that are maybe resonating with you? Catherine: Well, there's a scene where Kris [is] dealing with abnormal bleeding during a photoshoot, and wardrobe only has a rack full of white outfits for her to wear. And that really— the only way I can describe it is that it really hit me in the "emotional gonads." What we do to hide what is stigmatized, especially in the entertainment industry, just so that we can do our jobs, it's absurd. I recently worked as a showrunner, and every time the director called "cut," I had to run outside to feel the cold air on my face. And at first, I pretended that I was just getting something outside. But then … I was like, why lie? Why am I lying? My changing body is nothing to be ashamed about. Teri: It's been so fascinating for me as a woman to see all the period positivity that's out there for younger girls now — like, shout it from the rooftops. You have your period. Versus when I was coming of age … the whole thing was camouflaging pads and tampons, so they had flowers, and they had their special case that nobody knew you were even carrying it. So, I mean, period positivity has changed around women's bodies. Now let's try to do the same thing. And I think Small Achievable Goals is doing that — maybe hence the title, it works on many different levels — of talking about perimenopause, and what then leads us to a post-menopausal life.
CBC
26-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
New sitcom Small Achievable Goals wants to make menopause funny, not taboo
Jennifer Whalen and Meredith MacNeill, co-creators and stars of CBC's Small Achievable Goals, are also widely known for the Baroness Von Sketch Show. They spoke with CBC's Eli Glasner about why they created a show about menopause — and why they chose comedy to start the conversation.
CBC
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Am I dying or is it perimenopause? Blood, rage and other surprises in Small Achievable Goals
Julie Muldoon has spent decades curating the perfect life: a loving husband, a great career, and a Peabody Award-winning podcast. But on her 50th birthday, everything implodes. Her body betrays her with hot flashes at the worst possible moment, her internal filter suddenly becomes very external and her rage erupts in front of her entire office. Julie has a meltdown at the office | Small Achievable Goals 2 hours ago Duration 1:27 To make matters worse, she's just been paired with new colleague Kris Fine, a TikTok-famous midlife beauty expert whose first day on the job involves an unexpected period disaster and a much younger co-host. Welcome to Small Achievable Goals, CBC's new comedy, where menopause doesn't politely knock — it kicks down the door. Created by Baroness von Sketch Show alumni Jennifer Whalen and Meredith MacNeill (who, alongside Carolyn Taylor and Aurora Browne, memorably captured perimenopause confusion in their "Is it?" sketch), the series brings their signature wit to the messy reality of midlife change. Between Julie's hot flashes and Kris's non-stop periods, the show captures what millions of people are experiencing behind closed doors (or, in Julie's case, very publicly, in a white dress). If any of this sounds familiar, you're part of a massive club that's finally getting loud about it. While celebrities like Naomi Watts and Halle Berry are using their platforms to spotlight menopause awareness, the numbers tell an even bigger story. According to the Menopause Foundation of Canada, 10 million people over 40 are experiencing this transition — that's one-quarter of the Canadian population. While every journey is unique, most people (95 per cent) will experience an average of seven out of a possible 30 symptoms. Most of us know about hot flashes and mood swings, but what about frozen shoulder? Electric shocks? Phantom body odour? That insatiable, itchy ear canal that makes you want to stick a crochet hook in (despite your better judgment)? If you're reading this and thinking, "Wait, that's a menopause symptom?" you're not alone. "The conversation is only now beginning about the impact of hormonal change during perimenopause," says Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe, Menopause Society-certified family doctor and Medical Director of Primary Care Outreach at Women's College Hospital. "Many people feel blindsided by symptoms they never expected." Since so many of us are Googling symptoms at 3 a.m., wondering if we're dying or just in perimenopause (spoiler: this is a trending search term), we figured it was time for a no-BS guide to the weirdest, least-discussed menopause symptoms. Let's get into it. Perimenopausal depression and emotional symptoms: What's normal? Perimenopause, which typically starts in your 40s can be a time of intense emotional turbulence. As Small Achievable Goals illustrates through Julie's epic workplace meltdown, those moments of losing your cool aren't just about stress or poor anger management — they're chemistry. "The mental health and mood changes during this time can be very significant and really impact well-being and general functioning," explains Dr. Wijayasinghe. "When estrogen levels drop, they affect serotonin production, our key mood-regulating brain chemical." The result? A spectrum of emotional symptoms that can blindside even the most put-together people: sudden anxiety, unexplained irritability, and mood shifts that often mimic clinical depression. Even doctors sometimes struggle to determine whether symptoms stem from hormonal changes or depression — and sometimes it's both. These shows and discussions are becoming more common, and that's great. It can be validating when so often, women are invalidated in medical settings. - Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe Add in nights of disrupted sleep (thanks, 3 a.m. hot flashes), an array of physical symptoms like dizziness and joint pain, and what Dr. Wijayasinghe calls "carrying so much" (caring for kids, aging family members, demanding careers). It's no wonder Julie and Kris struggle to keep it together at The Podcast Folx. From frozen shoulder to itchy ears: The perimenopause symptoms you might find surprising While many midlife women look forward to official menopause — that milestone marking 12 months without a period — the journey there can feel like your body's writing its own surreal comedy series. Dr. Wijayasinghe explains that perimenopause can be a real rollercoaster due to the hormonal ups and downs. "Some cycles can actually produce more estrogen, which thickens the uterine lining and results in heavier bleeding. At the same time, declining estrogen can thin the lining, leading to unpredictable periods." Conditions like fibroids and polyps also become more common, making monitoring changes crucial. According to the Canadian Menopause Society, perimenopause's most surprising guest stars include: The physical plot twists: That mysterious frozen shoulder (technically called adhesive capsulitis) that shows up uninvited, making your arm stiff and painful. While doctors aren't entirely sure why it targets women during perimenopause, it's likely another gift from our fluctuating hormones. Add joint and muscle aches and suddenly basic tasks feel like Olympic events. The neurological novelties: Your nervous system gets in on the act, too. Some people experience electric shock sensations (like sudden jolts under the skin), unexplained episodes of dizziness, and even tinnitus — that fun ringing in your ears that makes you wonder if you accidentally joined a rock band. The sensory surprises: If your skin suddenly feels like bugs are crawling on it (there's a medical term for this: formication), or your ears become inexplicably itchy, blame those same hormonal changes affecting your skin's hydration levels. As Dr. Wijayasinghe explains, "Decreasing estrogen levels can lead to reduced skin hydration, resulting in dryness and itchiness." While these symptoms might seem like a cruel practical joke, they're your body's response to hormonal fluctuations. Breaking the silence together More than just personal challenges or a "women's issue," perimenopause and menopause are workplace issues, too. Women in this stage of life are at the prime of their professional lives; they're the backbone of companies, industries and the economy. According to the Menopause Foundation of Canada, unmanaged menopause symptoms cost the Canadian economy an estimated $3.5 billion annually, with one in 10 women leaving the workforce entirely due to their symptoms. That's where Small Achievable Goals breaks new ground. Despite their initial clash, Julie and Kris discover the only way through this challenging transition is together. While their symptoms and experiences differ — Julie battles rage and libido issues while Kris fights for medical support — their unlikely friendship offers something the medical system often can't: validation, humour and understanding. Bonding over middle age and menopause at work | Small Achievable Goals 2 hours ago Duration 1:45 "Women deserve to feel healthy, and they should not suffer in silence," says Dr. Wijayasinghe. "These shows and discussions are becoming more common, and that's great. It can be validating when so often, women are invalidated in medical settings." Getting help: Your achievable goal While Small Achievable Goals mines comedy gold from Kris and Julie's struggles to get medical support, Dr. Wijayasinghe emphasizes that help is available. "There is preventative care, lifestyle choices and safe and effective treatment options to help women thrive during their menopausal years. Talking to your healthcare practitioner is a great first step." "If you don't feel like yourself, that's a good reason to seek care," she says. "Most people experience a constellation of symptoms, and there's no one-size-fits-all experience." Her advice for that first doctor's appointment? Come prepared. "Set up an appointment specifically to discuss perimenopause, so it doesn't get buried among other concerns," suggests Dr. Wijayasinghe. "Going in with information can help close the communication gap with your healthcare provider." This is especially important for new symptoms that appear in midlife. "If you're experiencing anxiety or depression for the first time in your forties or fifties, that might signal hormonal influence," she explains. "But it's our job as clinicians to rule out other causes first." Dr. Wijayasinghe recommends visiting the Menopause Foundation of Canada website, which offers a comprehensive symptom tracker that you can bring to your healthcare provider. The Canadian Menopause Society provides an evidence-based treatment guide listing available Canadian options for medication and therapies to help start the conversation. Watch Small Achievable Goals on CBC Ready to feel seen? Small Achievable Goals, now streaming on CBC Gem, is perfect for your next hot-flash-induced 3 a.m. binge-watch. Because sometimes the best medicine is knowing you're not alone — and having a really good laugh about it. CBC Gem is available for free as an App for iOS, tvOS, Fire TV, Android TV, Android phones and tablets, LG and Samsung Smart TVs, Roku, and Xbox One/S/X.
CBC
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Managing the messiness of midlife and menopause on CBC's Small Achievable Goals
Jennifer Whalen and Meredith MacNeill are back with a new workplace comedy. Small. Achievable. Goals. If you've just done a deep dive into menopause and felt despair for the life-altering symptoms and physical changes that could last as long as 10 years, you need to focus. Focus on the small things you can handle, one at a time. And maybe even make a show about it. Meredith MacNeill and Jenn Whalen, show creators and performers, speak from experience. Whalen came up with the show title during the pandemic while freaking out after reading about perimenopause and menopause. She got depressed. Her husband was surprised: "You're a fighter," he had said to her. "And so we were literally sitting on the couch drinking a bottle of wine — as you do during the pandemic — and I said, 'It's just too overwhelming,'" Whalen said. "'It's like, I need to break it into smaller parts. Some small, achievable goals.'" "And we realized (later) the acronym is SAG, which really made me laugh," she quipped. A workplace comedy — with a healthy dose of body humour — was born, with Whalen starring alongside her frequent comic collaborator Meredith MacNeill. Embed | Other Both alums of the Baroness Von Sketch Show — a twisted and absurdist comedy considered a successor of The Kids In The Hall — Whalen and MacNeill have a track record for exploring the hilarity of freaking out and melting down. And the first episode of Small Achievable Goals does not disappoint. Whalen's character Julie, and MacNeill's Kris, both have meltdowns. Julie has just been overlooked — again — for a major promotion; Kris is fed up with being ignored as she faces a health crisis. Julie yells at her colleagues in an all-company meeting; Kris loses it at a self-checkout. Aside from being hilarious — the crew was breaking up while MacNeill was shooting her scene, awkwardly stuffing her legs into an adult diaper — meltdowns are also refreshing. You get to say the things you're not allowed to say, Whalen pointed out. And MacNeill admitted she had always been drawn to that power, from growing up with The Carol Burnett Show or even admiring characters such as Miss Piggy from The Muppets. "I was so attracted to watching women in public spaces lose their shit," MacNeill said. "What does it look like, that type of freedom? What does that type of freedom look like to say exactly what you want, but you're putting it in a society where you're not supposed to?" "And then you have two characters (Julie and Kris) and what they're freaking out about is real," she added. "And so what do those meltdowns look like? Obviously, in our show, hopefully hilarious and weird." And the interesting thing about freaking out — people might actually start treating you better. "When I have had meltdowns, yes, people are much nicer to me and there is a stronger boundary. I'm going to do it more," Whalen joked. The show doesn't despair about menopause or aging itself — instead, it looks at how we respond to those things. MacNeill and Whalen's characters have to hide in the bathroom as they try to get their symptoms under control; they don't want to look unprofessional on the job. But why be ashamed? Or pretend it isn't happening? Among women themselves, it's a part of bonding and backing each other up. "I just feel like talking through things like major life experiences with my female friends is huge," Whalen said. "There is something about that shared experience, and the fact that your girlfriends will always be like, 'Give it to me straight,' like, 'I want the darkest, dirtiest, grossest part' … And we laugh about it, we feel better." Menopause symptoms span a wide range of physical and mental symptoms, which may include irritability and moodiness. But it also lands during a certain era of a woman's life — she's at the top of her game, MacNeill pointed out, she's accomplished and confident. Is it fair to say that some of that "irritability" might also be a person who's just flat-out tired? And less willing to accept some of the unfair standards in their personal and professional lives? There is something about that shared experience, and the fact that your girlfriends will always be like, 'Give it to me straight,' like, 'I want the darkest, dirtiest, grossest part' … And we laugh about it, we feel better. - Jennifer Whalen MacNeill sees that dynamic. Perhaps middle-aged women are dismissed as "crazy" or pushed out of the spotlight due to the fact they are more outspoken, and care less what people think. Women are suddenly "at the strongest and most joyful we've ever been," she said, but also shedding unnecessary burdens. It's almost like coming full circle, Whalen pointed out. She remembers her teen angst — the willingness to call out unfairness in the world, and being dismissed as "just an angry teenager." But that sense is returning. And Whalen doesn't need a full-blown meltdown to set boundaries — no matter how funny that might be. Perhaps it's as easy as setting some small, achievable goals. "I feel like with each passing decade, I become more sure of myself," Whalen said. "I know more of who I am, and it's easier to say no to things I don't want to do." Watch Small Achievable Goals streaming now on CBC Gem. CBC Gem is available for free as an App for iOS, tvOS, Fire TV, Android TV, Android phones and tablets, LG and Samsung Smart TVs, Roku, and Xbox One/S/X.
