Homegirl Nation
Being a woman has never been easy and when the going gets tough, we can all use a homegirl to lean on. Join entertainment host Brigitte Truong each week as she meets with courageous guests who have found their lane despite the odds. From business failures to mental health, sex to hate crimes, the candid discussions you hear will give you a new perspective on how freeing and empowering it can be when you own your story. Let’s make it easier to talk about tough things when it comes to womanhood because when we do, we’ll see that we’re more alike and connected than we think.
Homegirl Nation
#56 Emily O'Brien | From Incarceration to Business Innovation
Homegirl Nation is now available to stream on Amazon Music and Audible! Another avenue to find our 5 seasons and counting featuring powerful female voices across Canada just like this week's guest.
Emily O’Brien was on a path that, from the outside, looked pretty typical. She graduated with honours, started a social media agency, and carved out her place in the world. But life has a way of throwing curveballs, and for Emily, one fateful trip changed everything. She found herself as a drug mule, incarcerated, facing the weight of her choices, and navigating a system that rarely offers second chances.
But instead of letting her past define her, she turned it into purpose. From inside prison walls, she came up with an idea that would not only rebuild her life but also open doors for others who had walked a similar path. That idea became Comeback Snacks, a popcorn company with a mission: to fight the stigma of incarceration by hiring and empowering formerly incarcerated individuals. With a bold slogan,"Popcorn so good, it’s criminal," Emily is proving that redemption isn’t just possible; it’s powerful as hell!
Today, we’ll talk about her journey from the innocence of childhood to the pressures that led her down an unexpected road, to what life was really like inside prison, and how she found the courage to start over. We’ll also dive into how she’s challenging perceptions and giving others a second chance through entrepreneurship.
This is a story of resilience, reinvention, and really good popcorn!
Let’s hang out!