She’s a soap icon and a changemaker. Tonya Williams joins Janette to reveal how she went from Young & the Restless to revolutionizing Canadian film with Reelworld.
In this powerful episode of Janette’s TV Podcast, Janette chats with legendary actress, producer, and activist Tonya Williams. Best known for her groundbreaking role as Dr. Olivia Barber Winters on The Young & the Restless, Tonya opens up about the journey that led her to found the Reelworld Foundation—one of Canada’s leading platforms for championing BIPOC voices in film and television.
From early days on Polka Dot Door to winning NAACP Image Awards and launching Access Reelworld, Tonya shares how her lived experiences, artistic choices, and unshakable drive to open doors for others shaped her legacy on both sides of the camera.
Whether you're an artist, activist, or audience member, this candid conversation will leave you inspired and empowered to raise your voice, challenge the system, and make room for the stories that matter.
🔔 Subscribe for more powerful interviews with trailblazers across entertainment, lifestyle, and social change.
🎙️ Watch Now: YouTube.com/JanettesTVPodcast
📲 Listen on Spotify: Spotify.com/JanettesTVPodcast
🎞️ More About Tonya: Reelworld.ca
💻 Follow Janette: Instagram.com/JanetteBurke | LinkedIn.com/in/JanetteBurke
Follow Tonya on Instagram - Instagram
the Vaughan International Film Festival (VFF) 2025 Red Carpet Awards Gala
www.vaughanfilmfestival.com
Sign up to become a member of Janette's TV Youtube Channel!
https://www.youtube.com/@JanettesTV/videos
Popular Podcasts
NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal
Gregg Rosenthal and a rotating crew of elite NFL Media co-hosts, including Patrick Claybon, Colleen Wolfe, Steve Wyche, Nick Shook and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic get you caught up daily on all the NFL news and analysis you need to be smarter and funnier than your friends.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com