Outspoken, hip, irreverent – yet enlightening, Cynthia Loyst is the informative host and producer of CP24’s series Sex Matters which airs Thursday & Friday nights at 10:30pm and on Star, Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30pm ET/ 8:30pm PT.

What does a typical Thursday look like for you, starting from when you wake up – to heading to bed?

Well there really is no typical day but this is what my Thursdays should look like if there are no major snags: Get up – cuddle with cat and lover – eat something – go to gym – check email – write down my dreams (serves as either great entertainment or disturbing insight later on) – obsessively (or psychotically, depending on who you ask) write lists & notes  – read my favorite web pages – answer advice questions & write blog (cp24.com/sexmatters) -update twitter(@sexmatterstv) – research stories and potential guests for future shows – work on headlines for the evenings show – work with editor to finalize cutting stories for the show – record VOs, do a read-through with my co-producer Ashlea – get in hair & makeup – greet guests – shoot show – go home – maybe read a few pages of a book – go to bed.

What was your first job out of school?

My first paid job when I finally finished school was at Fashion TV which was so delightful because it was one of the shows that I was a HUGE fan of when I was a kid – not only for the beautiful and sexy runway shows (where else could you see breasts in prime time at that time??!!) but also for the incredible people and stories they revealed. I learned a great deal about character and writing there and I also gained an immense admiration and respect for the multi-talented Jeanne Beker. I will forever be grateful that they took a chance on me.  

What are the 3 skills you require most to do your job well?

Curiosity, Passion and Perseverance.  And a good sense of humour always helps.

What do you love most about your career?

The fact that I get invited in to people’s lives to ask them intimate questions continues to be an incredible honour for me.  I am also thrilled when someone tells me that a story I did helped them see the world in a different way or that some advice I gave really helped them within their sexual life.

Do you have any warnings?

That sounds so foreboding!  I guess the only “warning” (cue the soundtrack “dun dun…DUN DUN) I might have is to be careful to try to keep a work/life balance.  I’ve watched this industry and many others go through incredible challenges over the past few years and the people who seem to have weathered the storm the best are those who have always been invested in their family, friends and personal passions.  But this is my first time since I started working in TV that I’ve been in front of the camera so ask me that question again in a year…

If you could try a different career on for a year, what would it be?

If it was just for a year – I think I’d like to move somewhere hot and exotic (Barbados? Jamaica? Grand Turk?) and open up a smashingly successful cupcake bakery/brunch spot and write erotica on the side.