At Rose Boreal, we are excited to conduct a series of interviews with inspiring women who have chosen a path less traveled and, in so doing, have had a significant impact on the world around them. Each of these women teaches us how to broaden our outlook, live more in rhythm with our true calling, and be of service within our community. From documentarians to social innovators to sports and outdoor enthusiasts, we will shine a light on how these women forged their path while uncovering some of their biggest motivators and, of course, their favorite go-to snack!
This past August, I had the privilege of interviewing podcaster, director, documentarian, and social innovator Joanie Lacroix. A mum of two young children, Joanie has most recently been developing a series of self-funded documentaries on heavy-hitting subjects, notably assessing our current education system and healthcare system while delving into holistic discussions on topics such as menstrual cycles from a contemporary lens.
In body and spirit, Joanie is both gentle and a force to be reckoned with. Beginning her day with a run through the mountains followed by a dip in the lake, she has embraced country living since moving to the Quebec Laurentians during the pandemic, where she has also found a vibrant community of dynamic women. It is, therefore, no coincidence that themes of nature feature strongly in each episode of her documentary series, Pastel Fluo (available on TOU.TV and TV5 Monde in French only). Each episode is beautifully captured with stunning imagery and protracted pacing, immersing the viewer in each topic. In essence, Joanie believes that many attributes of ourselves and our society would function more efficiently, effectively and joyfully if we spent more time observing nature and understanding our roles within it.
Joanie is determined to leave each of her viewers motivated to take action on what matters most to them. Whether she is speaking to a friend about their breast cancer diagnosis or another about their loss of eyesight due to a degenerative disease, she is careful to highlight how these women were compelled to accept life’s misfortunes and their journey through acceptance and change. Through her podcast Renaitre a Soi (Reborn into Onself) and docuseries Pastel Fluo, she hopes to raise awareness and invite change among individuals and within communities.
Rethinking Education in a Changing World is the first episode of season two of Pastel Fluo. It takes a deep dive into the changing needs within the classroom for both students and teachers. As a mother herself, Joanie became interested in education, concerned that a generation of young learners and teachers were at a breaking point. She interviews educators, social scientists, and neuroscientists who discuss the development of the young brain and behaviors within the learning environment. These learning specialists have observed failure in focusing too much on achieving good grades. Instead, they see a greater need for building curiosity and enthusiasm for learning that will build synaptic connections more quickly and profoundly, secrete dopamine (the pleasure hormone), and create inner motivation rather than external reward.
A moment that changed her.
As a former TV and marketing producer throughout her 20s, Joanie knew there was a different path for her, one that would speak more to her core beliefs. While she was stimulated by her former work, she didn’t feel like she was contributing to the world meaningfully. Then, when Joanie was in her early 30s, she gave birth to a baby boy who was born with numerous health complications, and soon after, tragically, he died. The loss of her son (and later, a miscarriage at six months) shined a light on her own mortality and vanquished any fears she previously had to follow a new direction and develop a creative project of her own that addressed serious problems within our society. She says,
“It was like all of my fears disappeared, and I said to myself, I want to contribute in my own way. How can I use my talent and my knowledge and put that in service for a better world? And Pastel Fluo started like that. Initially, we were making short documentaries on people who were trying to change their world for the better, but then the project got bigger and bigger and now we are shooting the second series of 12 documentaries. Each documentary is meant to raise our awareness about a subject with the intention of how we can, individually and collectively, be part of the solution [for a better planet].”
Over the years, Joanie noted that many of the people she interviewed for her podcast and docuseries have made changes due to some amount of trauma within their own lives. On experiencing her own grief, she says:
“I have a serenity inside of me that wouldn’t exist if I hadn’t been through that [loss]. I know there is a strength inside of me that will always be there. I have always been spiritual but after those experiences, I don’t put my energy on things that dimmish my life.”
The mission of Pastel Fluo, she says, is to raise awareness and inspire change that we want to see in the world. And because the docuseries is self-funded, she is free to create 100% in line with her beliefs and vision and within her own creative limits. She views each episode as a gift she offers the world, and in turn, she says that the response has been incredible. Inspired viewers have already developed numerous initiatives based on what they’ve seen. Joannie runs workshops and conferences to help spread the word, assist others in making changes in their lives or communities, and help fund future projects.
The second episode of Pastel Fluo, The Revolution of the Feminine and the Menstrual Cycle, is equally impactful. She underscores the importance of introducing more feminine energy within the societal structure that has too long favored the masculine. She discusses how each of us is comprised of both: determination, action, and rational thought but also intuition, empathy, emotional intelligence. Like nature, she says, each human being is cyclical, and we become more in tune with ourselves through understanding and respecting the seasons of our lives. Following this rhythm per the menstrual cycle can help women embrace their monthly period rather than constantly being at odds with something they must endure.
What tips do you have for women in terms of their emotional or physical fitness?
“On both a physical and emotional level, connecting with nature is so important for our well-being. Like in nature, where each plant, moss, tree has a role, each one of us has a role and gift to give the world. And again, we don’t always have to be in action. Nature isn’t always in summer. We can be in winter and rest and create. So yeah, I think walk in nature, breathe in nature…Both times that I experienced my grief, it was in the winter. I would just lie in the snow and cry and cry and I felt like nature was taking care of me.”
On the importance of Community:
“Community for me has been my big revelation [since moving up north]. It’s so strong here and I love it. Community for me means you don’t have to carry the world on your shoulders. Community, for me, is the future… For Pastel Fluo, it’s a community of people who are creating a movement. People who come to see these films realize they are not alone in their vision. We are like an orchestra; we all have our instruments. Our job is not to be the orchestra but to play our instrument. I make documentaries, and I do conferences; that is my talent and creativity. But for someone else, it’s to take care of children. So it’s reassuring and full of hope to remind us that we all have our medicine. And to draw a parallel again to the forest, the more the forest is diverse, the more resilient it is.”
At Rose Boreal, you are regarded as a leader/pioneer/mentor in your own right. How does that resonate with you?
“I feel honored, but at the same time, I feel in service. That posture is important. To feel in service to something bigger than ourself.”
What are you most passionate about in life?
“How spirituality can be revolutionary. Connecting with yourself and, working on yourself, and listening to your body and your heart, you always have the right answer that serves the rest for the world. Spirituality is a political act to me.”
Can you tell us about any future projects you have ahead of you that we should look out for?
“Season 2 of the docuseries will be out in fall and winter 2024 [two episodes are currently available]. One of the documentaries will investigate Integrative Health and air in November. The following documentary will be on conversations with Anishinaabe First Nations, their outlook on nature and how they can teach us how to take better care of the earth.”
In the coming years, Joanie will also focus on offering workshops to businesses to help employers build better mental health within their professional settings. In addition, Joanie runs workshops and conferences in line with topics addressed in her documentary series. All upcoming events, workshops, and docuseries viewings can be found on her website, www.pastelfluo.com.
Mini Questions for Joanie:
Who or what makes you laugh the most (person, film, book, comedian)?
My children. It’s how they think and when they bring me into their world.
What is your favourite book or movie?
A New Earth: Awakening Your Life’s Purpose by Eckhart Tolle and The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know is Possible by Charles Einstein
What is your current go-to snack?
Kale chips with nutritional yeast. I make them every week!
If you could say one thing to your younger teenage self, what would it be
Intuition is intelligence.
When/Where have you experienced the most peace/joy?
In nature. When I run in the forest and swim in the lake in my “Basin D’amour.”
What is your favourite travel destination?
India and Bali were important trips in my 20s. I’m going to Costa Rica and I’m ready for some Pura Vida.
Website: www.pastelfluo.com
Instagram: Pastel Fluo
Youtube: @PastelFluo
