Real Talk – Read
This is where raw honesty meets thoughtful, unfiltered writing.
Curated by Michelle Budiwski, this space brings together articles, personal stories, reflections, and commentary on the topics that matter—health, politics, relationships, mental health, and the realities of everyday life.
Every piece is grounded in lived experience. No fluff. No pretending. Just honest perspectives, hard conversations, and the lessons that come with them. Whether it’s a personal journey, a deep dive into an issue, or a candid reflection, the goal is simple: to inform, challenge, and connect.
If you’re looking for real insight—not curated perfection—you’re in the right place.
Stay, read, and be part of the conversation.
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Blogs | Business | Career | Education and Training | Leadership | Read
The Hidden Accelerator: Continuing Education as a Catalyst for Growth & Sustainability in Post Secondary Institutions
Michelle Budiwski, MBA (HRMgt), PMP When COVID hit in 2020, it didn’t just disrupt industries. It forced many of us to completely rethink who we were professionally. For me, it meant the collapse of nearly 30 years of entrepreneurship overnight. At the time, I was operating three businesses, including an escape room facility and design…
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Blogs | Brandon | Business | Career | Charity | Education and Training | Entertainment | Family | Gaming | Read
Escape the Ordinary: From Puzzle Rooms to Purpose
In August 2016 I started, Escape the Final Countdown, in Brandon Manitoba. I hadn’t even heard of an escape room in May of that year but when travelling to the East cost with my 11 and my 22 year old, we discovered them while looking for some interactive family fun. I was hooked. We played…
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The Hidden Accelerator: Building Capacity for the Future of Continuing Education
Michelle Budiwski, MBA (HRmgt), PMP Post-secondary education has always been a cornerstone of community growth, economic development, and social progress. Within that system, Continuing Education (CE) has played a vital and evolving role—extending access, responding to community needs, and creating pathways for lifelong learning. Its strength has always been its adaptability: meeting learners where they…
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Blogs | Family | Health | Mental health | News | Politics | Read | Relationships | Women
I have a stalker
I Have a Stalker I have a stalker. An online stalker. It started last September. Right after the murder of Charlie Kirk. Like millions of others, my Facebook page discussed it. And like I always do when violence occurs, I was very clear: there is never an excuse for murder. I condemned the killing without…
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Blogs | Education and Training | Entertainment | Family | Gaming | Read | Students
My Love of Hollow Knight By Ivan Budiwski
My Love of Hollow Knight By Ivan Budiwski I bought Hollow Knight about two years ago and when I did, I found the game very enjoyable but struggled a lot with it. This was the first time I have ever played a game like it, so I didn’t know what to expect. I beat…
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Uncle DON wants you! (To spread his propaganda)
It doesn’t surprise me at all to suddenly see social media flooded with propaganda accusing Canada and Denmark of crimes against the U.S. It doesn’t surprise me, nor should it surprise anyone who has studied history beyond the 9th grade. It’s what fascists do. It’s literally #Fascism101, right out of Adolf’s playbook—although he didn’t have…