Workplace comedy plus menopause chaos: Small Achievable Goals could be your new favourite show
Everything about Baroness Von Sketch Show alums Meredith MacNeill and Jennifer Whalen's new series.
Small Achievable Goals, CBC's new comedy from Jennifer Whalen and Meredith MacNeill, both of Baroness von Sketch Show fame, explores the messy realities of midlife and perimenopause through the eyes of two very different women working at a podcast production company.
What is Small Achievable Goals about?
Julie Muldoon (Whalen) has a loving husband, a great career and an award-winning podcast under her belt. But it all comes crashing down when her own body threatens her perfect life with hot-flash flop sweats, lacklustre libido and unexplained rage. On her 50th birthday, she comes to work expecting a promotion only to discover she's been passed over for a younger colleague. Meanwhile, the insults keep piling on: her own show has just been cancelled and she's now producing a new podcast with a host who has few personal boundaries.
Kris Fine (MacNeill) is outgoing, impulsive, compassionate and a friend to everyone. She's never met a person she wouldn't hug (except Julie, who'd like some personal space, please). After years of working as a make-up counter salesperson for minimum wage, Kris has reinvented herself as an influencer-turned-podcaster, while juggling the hectic life of a single mom. She is levelling up and nothing can stop her. Period. Actually, her period is exactly what stops her. Or rather, a period that won't stop.
Where can I watch the trailer?
Want to know more before the show starts? Check out the trailer below:
Who is in Small Achievable Goals?
Small Achievable Goals features Jennifer Whalen (Baroness Von Sketch Show) and Meredith MacNeill (Baroness Von Sketch Show, Pretty Hard Cases) as main characters Julie Muldoon and Kris Fine.
Alexander Nunez (Moonshine, Avocado Toast) plays Evan, the Managing Director of The Podcast Folx, Paul Braunstein (Hudson & Rex) as Mo, the HR Manager, Jon Dore (Humour Resources, The Lake) as Julie's husband, Pete, and Tricia Black (Pretty Hard Cases) as Robyn, a Millennial, queer, non-binary, polyamorous producer at the podcast company.
Rounding out the cast are Leslie Adlam (Bria Mack Gets a Life), Kevin Whalen (Baroness Von Sketch Show, Handmaid's Tale), Peter Keleghan (Murdoch Mysteries, Workin' Moms), Georgie Murphy (SafeHaven, Gen V), Kiori Mirza Waldman (No Idea!) and Evan Mok as additional supporting characters.
And look for some surprise cameos as the season progresses, including iconic Canadian musician Peaches and fashion aficionado Jeanne Beker.
Where was Small Achievable Goals filmed?
Season 1 of Small Achievable Goals was filmed in Hamilton and Toronto (studio) in October and November 2024.
Who wrote the series' theme song?
"I Feel It All" by indie icon Lesley Feist is the theme song for Small Achievable Goals. Four unique covers of the song —recorded by Peaches, who also guest stars this season — were tailored to match the tone of different episodes.
Listen up for the original Feist version that closes out the premiere.
Why a comedy about menopause?
"If half of the world is going through it, and the other half knows someone in it, and it's a word we can barely spit out, then I think we need to do a show about it," says MacNeill.
Half of the population experiences menopause, but the symptoms — which can vary wildly from person to person — are poorly documented, understood or discussed. Meanwhile, people most likely experiencing these symptoms (aged 45-55, an age when most experience perimenopause) are the fastest-growing segment in the workforce.
Small Achievable Goals tackles this universal experience with humour. As Julie and Kris become co-workers and then allies, their friendship is the key to finding solace and strength while surviving the hormonal roller coaster of midlife.
How to watch Small Achievable Goals in Canada
Watch Small Achievable Goals free on CBC and CBC Gem starting February 25.
CBC Gem is available for free as an App for iOS, tvOS, Fire TV, Android TV, Android phones and tablets, LG and Samsung Smart TVs, Roku, and Xbox One/S/X.