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
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
Are You A Charlotte?
In 1997, actress Kristin Davis’ life was forever changed when she took on the role of Charlotte York in Sex and the City. As we watched Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte navigate relationships in NYC, the show helped push once unacceptable conversation topics out of the shadows and altered the narrative around women and sex. We all saw ourselves in them as they searched for fulfillment in life, sex and friendships. Now, Kristin Davis wants to connect with you, the fans, and share untold stories and all the behind the scenes. Together, with Kristin and special guests, what will begin with Sex and the City will evolve into talks about themes that are still so relevant today. "Are you a Charlotte?" is much more than just rewatching this beloved show, it brings the past and the present together as we talk with heart, humor and of course some optimism.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.