TELUS Talks with Tamara Taggart: Recent Episodes
TELUS
Each week, TELUS Talks with Tamara Taggart will bring exclusive conversations with experts and influencers making a difference for Canadians right now. From health and wellness, to community, to social responsibility, we’ll share stories, bust myths, provide simple and practical tips, and deliver information of value to Canadians.
Sport can be a turning point and a lifeline for so many young people. Taylor McPherson knows firsthand how powerful that lifeline can be. From a wrestling mat in Calgary to co-founding initiatives that bring sports to rural communities, Taylor is making sport more accessible for Indigenous youth. She believes sport can build identity, confidence and connection. We dive into why representation matters, how we can continue breaking barriers and what’s possible when young people are given the space to thrive.
Rivers are vanishing; not just from our landscapes, but from our imaginations. Acclaimed author and Cambridge University professor Robert Macfarlane explores the deeply moving idea at the heart of his new book, Is a River Alive? He shares stories from Ecuador, India and Canada—where rivers have been granted legal personhood and recognized as living beings and asks us to reconnect with nature in a deeper way.
Indigenous women are reshaping the film industry one story at a time. We sit down with filmmaker Jules Koostachin to talk about her new documentary Niimisak: Sisters in Film, a celebration of the women who paved the way and those continuing to break new ground. From cinematic legends to emerging voices, Jules highlights the talent, resilience and creative force of Indigenous women behind the camera. We explore what meaningful representation looks like, the systemic barriers that still exist, and how we can build lasting opportunities for Indigenous women in film.
Human trafficking is happening all over Canada and is hidden in plain sight. Filmmaker Viveka Melki shares the stories behind her new documentary Butterfly: Into the Maze of Human Trafficking, which follows three women who survived being trafficked across Western Canada. We dive into the strength it takes to survive, how storytelling can become a tool for healing and how we can recognize when human trafficking is happening in our own communities.
Feeling overwhelmed, stuck in your head, or ruled by your emotions? Ethan Kross wants you to know there is a way forward. As a psychologist and best-selling author, Ethan shares his practical tips for managing your emotions before they manage you. He dives into science-backed tools to help you calm your mind, reframe your thoughts, and reshape your environment for greater clarity and control.
What can a dead tree teach us about grief? Tessa McWatt shares how the natural world—especially the metaphor of the “snag,” a standing dead tree—helped her navigate the slow loss of her mother to dementia. As her mother’s memory faded, the forest became a guide for Tessa, showing that death is not an end, but part of a continuous, connected cycle.
What if the key to getting unstuck isn’t doing more—but doing differently? Jesse Lipscombe was on track for the Olympics when a mini-stroke changed everything. He shares how that life-altering moment sparked a shift from chasing goals to embracing doing creating a blueprint for moving forward with curiosity, clarity and confidence.
What does it take to turn big dreams into reality — and stay true to who you are along the way? Vogue fashion journalist and author Christian Allaire shares his journey from growing up on a reserve in Canada to becoming one of the most exciting voices in fashion today. We talk about the power of Indigenous representation in style, and how determination, creativity, and cultural pride fueled his rise. Whether you dream of breaking into fashion or chasing any big goal, Christian’s story will leave you inspired to dream bigger.
What if the reason you’re stuck financially has nothing to do with money? We sit down with financial educator and author Jessica Moorhouse to explore the emotional and psychological roots of our relationship to money. Based on her new book Everything but Money, we unpack how shame, trauma, family history, and systemic inequality shape our financial lives—and why traditional advice like “just budget better” often falls short.
Why does life today feel so overwhelming? Steven Heine wants to answer this question by helping you better understand your own brain. As a social and cultural psychologist, Steven explains why so many of us feel anxious, disconnected and unsure of our purpose. We discuss how our brains are wired to crave meaning, why freedom often brings anxiety, and how we can rebuild a sense of purpose when life feels chaotic.
There’s a side of the opioid crisis most people never hear—the view from inside. Garth Mullins is a podcaster and author who has experienced addiction, incarceration and loss, and he wants to shift the focus to saving lives. We explore why harm reduction is essential, how the war on drugs has failed communities, and what a health-based, compassionate response could look like.
Microplastics are found on every corner of the planet – even in our own bodies. Holly Hogan has seen the far-reaching impacts of ocean plastics first hand. She is a seabird biologist with over 30 years of experience and the author of Message in a Bottle: Ocean Dispatches in the Age of Plastic. Holly shares powerful stories about the devastating effects of plastic on marine life, how microplastics are impacting human health and how we can reduce plastic in our everyday lives.
Christopher Merasty believes that true healing for men could transform entire communities. In 2020, he founded Men Of The North with the goal of providing accessible, culturally-grounded mental health resources for men. We discuss how his programs are changing lives in his community, the urgent funding needs for men’s mental health resources and why men’s healing is essential for safer, healthier communities.
Born without an outer right ear, Kate Gies spent the better part of her childhood being told she needed to be fixed. She underwent 14 reconstructive surgeries in the attempt to achieve a “normal” appearance for a non-medical issue. Kate joins us to question the foundation of what we deem acceptable for our bodies, share her experience in the medical system and discuss her new memoir – It Must Be Beautiful to Be Finished.
Lung cancer is on the rise, even among those who have never smoked. Dr. Stephen Lam is a respirologist with the BC Cancer Research Centre, and has dedicated his career to lung cancer research and early detection. Stephen dives into the role of AI in predicting lung cancer risk and practical strategies to safeguard your lungs.
Why are women’s bodies, particularly breasts, both a source of empowerment and controversy? They are commodified, censored and debated. Sociologist and author Sarah Thornton joins us to explore how women’s bodies shape entire industries—from healthcare to fashion. Sarah also dives into her new book Tits Up: What Sex Workers, Milk Bankers, Plastic Surgeons, Bra Designers, and Witches Tell Us about Breasts.
Dr. Lori Brotto, renowned women’s sexual health expert and UBC professor, joins us to break down the changes menopause brings—and how to navigate them with confidence. From explaining a shifting libido to managing discomfort, Lori shares insights packed with practical advice you won’t want to miss.
Did you know women are almost twice as likely as men to develop dementia? Dr. Saskia Sivananthan, neuroscientist and CEO of the Brainwell Institute, dives into the science of brain health. She breaks down why dementia rates are higher in women and, most importantly, what we can do to lower our risk.
What if your biggest craving led to a successful business idea? When Lilian Umurungi-Jung was pregnant, she found it difficult to find nourishing food products and decided to make her own snacks at home. As the owner and founder of Mumgry, Lilian’s business makes nut butters that are delicious, nutritious and have simple ingredients. She shares how her Rwandan food traditions shaped the flavors of Mumgry and how she built a purpose-driven, Canadian brand from the ground up.
Are you tired of the endless cycle of dieting, guilt and food rules? Shana Spence is a registered dietitian nutritionist and she dives into how to heal your relationship with food to reclaim the joy of eating. Shana breaks down why diet culture is so pervasive, how it harms our mental and physical health, and what we can do to unlearn restrictive food rules.
Social media can distort the reality of life in many different ways – motherhood is no exception. Sara Petersen is an author and culture writer with a love/hate relationship with ‘momfluencers’, where the private work of mothering is turned into a public performance. The message is simple but fraught: we’re all just a couple of clicks away from a better, more beautiful experience of motherhood. We discuss how momfluencer culture impacts women psychologically as consumers, as performers of their stories and as mothers.
More competition among internet providers means more innovation and choice for Canadians. Zainul Mawji joins us to explain how TELUS is standing up for Canadians’ right to choose their Internet provider. As the Executive Vice-president of TELUS and President of TELUS Consumer Solutions, Zainul unpacks the federal government’s recent appeal asking the CRTC to exclude TELUS from offering home Internet services to consumers in Ontario and Quebec and how this could impact Canadians.
For the first couple of weeks of January, we’re revisiting some of our most popular episodes from 2024. Take another listen to our conversation with Tanya Talaga. For Tanya, memory is not just about the past. It’s a tool for survival and resistance. Remembering and honouring ancestors through stories ensures that their spirits and wisdom continue to guide future generations. Tanya reflects on how reclaiming Indigenous family histories opens the door to understanding the real, often untold, history of Canada.
For the first couple of weeks of January, we’re revisiting some of our most popular episodes from 2024. Take another listen to our conversation with Dr. Jen Gunter. She has made it her mission to change how we think about menstrual health as a key component of overall wellness. So much of what we know about menstruation is a myth or simply false. As a renowned gynecologist and author, Jen also dives into the history of why so many people are afraid to talk about their periods.
Money is more than dollars and cents—it's about strategy. Mark Ting is a life-long entrepreneur who understands that financial planning can be complicated. When it comes to personal finance, Mark says we all need to hope for the best but prepare for the worst. He shares his own tried-and-true personal finance strategies, how to deal with inflation costs and how beginners can grow their investment portfolio.
Can we train our immune systems to overcome food allergies? Dr. Edmond Chan is the Head of the Division of Allergy in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of British Columbia and is leading an immunotherapy program to help children overcome their food allergies. We discuss how immunology is reshaping lives and offering hope to many people with life-threatening food allergies.
For R. Renee Hess, a chance encounter with Pittsburgh Penguins fans led to a lifelong passion for hockey. She has become a passionate advocate for Black women in hockey through education, representation and community building. Renee discusses her new book Blackness is a Gift I Can Give Her: On Race, Community and Black Women in Hockey and how she’s making hockey a safe space for Black women and girls.
Quit the seemingly endless cycle of online outrage and unproductive arguments. Aftab Erfan is the executive director of the SFU Centre for Dialogue and she is passionate about constructive conflict resolution and helping people build their communication skills. We discuss the art of constructive dialogue and how we can build space for healthy conversations in our own lives.
On the outside, David A. Robertson has a loving family, a successful career as an author, and a platform to promote Indigenous perspectives, cultures and concerns. On the inside, he lives with “little monsters”: chronic, debilitating health anxiety and panic attacks accompanied, at times, by depression. David shares his mental health journey and his brand new book All the Little Monsters: How I Learned to Live with Anxiety.
This episode contains a discussion of potentially distressing topics, such as suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available 24/7 by calling or texting 9-8-8.
First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in Canada have a long tradition of military service. The challenges they faced often extended to their post-service life, as many Indigenous war veterans didn’t receive equal treatment compared to other veterans in Canada. Clarence Wolfleg Sr. is a deeply respected veteran and Elder from the Siksika Nation and he joins us to discuss his decades of work building financial and community support for Indigenous veterans.
Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa dreamed of becoming a doctor her entire life. But as a psychiatry resident, Chika quickly learned that medical school and a medical career are not immune to systemic discrimination. She discusses her journey through medical school and residency, advocating for change and her new memoir: Unlike the Rest: A Doctor’s Story.
Why are women still fighting for equality in 2024? Elizabeth Renzetti is an award-winning journalist who has spent decades reporting on women’s rights in Canada. She shares her candid insights on what needs to change, the barriers women still face and why the fight is far from over. We also dive into Elizabeth’s new book What She Said: Conversations About Equality.
What does it take to live a life of constant adventure and exploration? Frank Wolf is one of Canada’s most prolific adventurers, trekking thousands of kilometres across the world’s wilderness every year. As a writer and filmmaker, Frank is also passionate about the power of storytelling to foster connection between people. He joins us to discuss his unconventional lifestyle, exciting expeditions and his new book Two Springs, One Summer: A Year Inside the Life of a Chronic Adventurer.
When Reuben Coe sent his brother Manni a desperate text message during the peak of the pandemic, it sparked an extraordinary journey of rescue and recovery. After a year of living alone in care, Reuben was isolated and deeply depressed. Manni knew his brother needed help and the family came together to heal. Hear the inspiring story of one family's fight to save their loved one with Down syndrome, or "up syndrome" as Reuben prefers.
Is your endless to-do list keeping you from just enjoying life? Tamu Thomas wants women to reclaim a more balanced approach to work and life and let others feel good about pitching in. She shares her own journey with burnout and the social factors that make women more susceptible to overdoing it.
Carolyn Roberts is challenging the colonial foundations of Canada’s education system. As an Indigenous academic and educator, Carolyn has firsthand experience in the classroom. We explore the impacts of colonialism on curriculum, offer practical strategies for creating more inclusive and equitable learning environments, and discuss Carolyn’s new book Re-Storying Education: Decolonizing Your Practice Using a Critical Lens.
For Tanya Talaga, memory is not just about the past. It’s a tool for survival and resistance. Remembering and honouring ancestors through stories ensures that their spirits and wisdom continue to guide future generations. Tanya reflects on how reclaiming Indigenous family histories opens the door to understanding the real, often untold, history of Canada.
Valérie Courtois is building a social movement for environmental conservation. For more than 10 years, she has been the executive director of the Indigenous Leadership Initiative and has been an advocate for Indigenous-led conservation. We discuss Valérie’s career, the importance of Canada’s boreal forests, and the role of conservation in truth and reconciliation.
Coercive control—subtle, persistent abuse that manipulates and dominates victims—is being recognized as a serious form of abuse in Canada. Angela Marie MacDougall is the executive director of Battered Women’s Support Services and is helping women escape violent relationships. She joins us to share her thoughts on coercive control and how we can better support survivors of gender-based violence.
Back to school can be a stressful time for the whole family. We’re taking another look at our episode with Dr. Ellen Choi, an expert on mindfulness. Dr. Choi felt like she had been moving through her life on autopilot. Through mindfulness and meditation, and removing the burden of perfection, she was able to connect with herself and learn how to live with intention and purpose. She joins us to discuss how everyone can develop their own personal practice.
With young men in the grip of a loneliness epidemic, Ruth Whippman asks: How do we raise our sons to have a healthy sense of self? As an essayist, culture critic and mother of three boys, Ruth discusses the impossibly contradictory pressures boys now face and how parents can nurture empathy, positivity and compassion in their sons.
What do animals know that we don’t? Martin Wikelski has spent his professional career trying to answer this question. He’s the director of the Department of Migration at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior and also pioneered ICARUS, a system for continuously tracking thousands of animals from space. Martin discusses his work in animal tracking, how animals can help us with our response to climate change, and his new book The Internet of Animals: Discovering the Collective Intelligence of Life on Earth.
Have you ever felt constantly confused in a relationship, with someone treating you hot and cold or blaming you for things that weren't your fault? For Bren Worthington, becoming a mother helped her recognize the narcissists in her own life. We explore how to identify narcissistic behaviours and cope with the aftermath of abuse.
For many years, melanoma was considered a death sentence. But in the last decade, huge strides have been made in skin cancer treatments. We sit down with the Save Your Skin Foundation to discuss the role of patient advocacy in improving cancer patients’ lives. Founder Kathleen Barnard is a melanoma patient and awareness advocate, and Dr. Alison Weppler is an oncologist specializing in skin cancers. We discuss the life-changing impacts of immunotherapy, skin cancer prevention and their work raising skin cancer awareness across Canada.
Where would human evolution be without the female body? Despite the invaluable ability to create life, Cat Bohannon says the female body has been historically overlooked in medical research. As an author and researcher, she wants to close the gaps in our understanding of the female body by taking a trip through time. We unpack medical bias, sexism and Cat’s book Eve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution.
The weeds in your garden have a fascinating personal history. Jessica J. Lee is challenging us to reframe our ideas of the natural world. As an environmental historian, she is an expert in exploring the entangled relationships between people and plants. We discuss Jessica’s fascination with the language used to describe plant species, such as "invasive" and "native” and dive into her new book Dispersals: On Plants, Borders, and Belonging.
From ancient Greece to modern media, rhetoric has played a massive role in how we perceive reality. Robin Reames is a rhetorician, author and professor at Indiana University and she argues that understanding rhetorical techniques helps us avoid being manipulated by authority figures who don’t have our best interests at heart. Robin discusses how we can decode rhetoric and talks about her new book The Ancient Art of Thinking For Yourself: The Power of Rhetoric in Polarized Times.
What if the key to addiction recovery lies not just in treating symptoms, but addressing long-buried trauma? In this episode, we speak with Dr. Alana Hirsh, a Vancouver physician specializing in trauma-informed addiction treatment. Through moving patient stories and her own experiences, Alana shares how a trauma-informed lens is transforming healthcare for her patients and is a crucial step toward holistic healing.
When Miranda Newman was growing up, her mother didn’t know if Miranda needed ‘a psychologist or an exorcist.’ It took years for Miranda to be diagnosed with borderline personality disorder - an explanation for the complicated way she moved through the world. Miranda discusses her experiences navigating the Canadian mental healthcare system, her work breaking the stigma around her diagnosis and her new memoir Rough Magic: Living with Borderline Personality Disorder.
Indigenous peoples have used fire to shape landscapes for millennia, but centuries of colonial fire suppression policies have disrupted these relationships. Dr. Amy Cardinal Christianson is a fire research scientist and expert in Indigenous fire stewardship. She is working to restore the relationship between Indigenous communities and fire. We discuss the concept of ‘good fire’ and its potential to preserve forest health.
How can we get ourselves in the right headspace to lead? The importance of leaders having leadership skills can’t be overstated. Dr. Diane McIntosh joins us to discuss the psychology of a successful leader, how to create a thriving work environment and her new co-authored book, You Belong Here: How to Make People Feel Safe to Be Their Best, Take Bold Risks, and Win.
For as long as Kate Manne can remember, she wanted to be smaller. Even as a feminist philosopher, she wasn’t exempt from the cultural conditioning that drives so many of us to a negative body image. Kate draws on her research from her new book, Unshrinking: How to Face Fatphobia, to discuss what fatphobia is, how it works and why it’s a vital social justice issue for everyone.
Psychiatrists Dr. Benjamin Rosen and Dr. Andrew Howlett believe the mental health of fathers is a wellness indicator for the whole family. Why then, do so many dads feel shame about caring for their mental health? Benjamin and Andrew discuss this stigma, how the brain is impacted by becoming a dad and why they founded the Fathers’ Mental Health Network.
After bringing home two Olympic medals, Stephanie Labbé wants to make it easier for athletes to speak about their mental health. There were many ups and downs on Stephanie’s journey to the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics. We discuss how she learned to manage mental health challenges, the future of Canadian women’s soccer, and her brand new documentary Shut Out.
What started as a casual effort to increase disability awareness turned into a social media following of almost 100,000. Ashley Harris Whaley launched her ‘Disability Reframed’ Instagram account in 2020, and as her following grew, she also published her first children’s book, I Am, You Are, to help children and adults have meaningful discussions about disability and ableism. Ashley discusses her grassroots activism, the importance of representation and her experience parenting with a disability.
Anyone who has ever read to or with a child—parent, family member, teacher or friend—knows books leave lasting impressions. Tasha Spillett is a New York Times bestselling author with a passion for writing for children. For Tasha, books have the power to instill empathy, affirm, teach, transport and inspire action. She discusses her journey to becoming an author and her newest book Beautiful You, Beautiful Me.
Race, Black masculinity, hip-hop culture, and education have an intricate relationship with one another. Matthew R. Morris is an educator and author who has dedicated much of his work to exploring racism in Canada’s school system. We discuss how we can make the classroom a more inclusive space, a phenomenon Matthew calls the Fresh Prince syndrome, and Matthew’s new book: Black Boys Like Me: Confrontations with Race, Identity, and Belonging.
Could a simple swab replace painful biopsies and transform uterine cancer screening? Dr. Aline Talhouk is a leading researcher developing new screening methods for endometrial cancer. Aline's non-invasive approach could offer millions of at-risk women an easy way to get screened. She discusses how her work aims to catch this little-known but common cancer much earlier and why endometrial cancer often flies under the radar.
Schizophrenia is one of the most misunderstood mental disorders. With plenty of misinformation and stigma, it’s important to have a grasp of schizophrenia and its impacts on people’s lives. Dr. Diane McIntosh joins us to explain the difference between schizophrenia and multiple personality disorder, explore the spectrum of symptoms and treatment approaches, and advocate for empathy and support for individuals living with schizophrenia and their loved ones.
Helen Knott’s mother and grandmother passed away within six months of each other. In addition to losing two matriarchs in her life, Helen had to step into the shoes of her loved ones and fulfill new family responsibilities. Her new memoir, Becoming a Matriarch, is an exploration of grief, love and legacy. She discusses the journey of becoming a matriarch, learning to process loss in a healing way and honouring the wisdom of those who came before her.
Men are facing a mental health crisis and Dr. John Ogrodniczuk says many of his patients felt they couldn’t seek help because of narrow ideas of what it means to be a "real man." As a professor of psychiatry and founder of HeadsUpGuys, John is working to make mental health resources more accessible to men across Canada. He wants men to know that asking for help is not a sign of weakness.
For many living with chronic pain, the goal has often been to find an elusive "cure". But what if our understanding of pain itself needs rethinking? In 2008, Simon Paradis fell off a scaffold, causing severe injuries to his brain and spinal cord. Despite making a strong recovery, he lives with chronic pain every day. As a team, he and his wife, Kara Stanley, explored a variety of pain management tactics, including mindfulness and movement. They discuss their research journey and their new book The Pain Project: A Couple's Story of Confronting Chronic Pain.
Every person alive has benefitted from the menstrual cycle, and yet there is so much shame surrounding periods. Dr. Jen Gunter has made it her mission to change how we think about menstrual health as a key component of overall wellness. So much of what we know about menstruation is a myth or simply false, and as a renowned gynecologist and author, Jen dives into this, as well as the history of why so many people are afraid to talk about their periods.
Loneliness rates are increasing steadily across the globe, in what experts are calling the loneliness epidemic. With social media on the rise, face-to-face interactions have become less common. Dr. Diane McIntosh joins us to discuss how we can better prepare for this epidemic, how loneliness can impact our health and the value of strong social connections.
Tobias Dengel believes voice technology is poised to completely transform how we interact with apps, services and even entire industries. As someone who has been working with digital technology for decades, Tobias predicts a major shift from conversational assistants to devices that combine voice, visuals and more. He joins us to talk about his work developing voice technology with WillowTree and his new book: The Sounds of the Future.
As a kid, Mark Stoddart says he had a basketball in one hand and an art portfolio in the other. Now his artwork is permanently installed in Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena. With a career spanning over three decades as a visual communicator, graphic designer, and painter, Mark’s work illustrates the history of Black athletes, entertainers, and public figures. He discusses the importance of perseverance and his passion for mentoring the young artists of tomorrow.
Valerie Jerome grew up in Canada’s fastest family. As the granddaughter of John “Army” Howard, Canada’s first Black Olympian, Valerie says she was “blessed” with genes for speed. She was only 15 years old when she competed in the 1960 Olympics in Rome. Her brother, Harry Jerome, was one of the most recognizable Black Canadian athletes in the 1960s. This week, Valerie discusses her heroic family’s history and the racism they fought along the way - from their community, the press, their country, and even inside their family home.
When Kathy Wagner’s son, Tristan, began experimenting with drugs at the age of 14, she told herself it was just a phase. But by the time he was 15, she had to face the gravity of Tristan’s addiction. Kathy opens up about the early signs that her son was at risk, the grief of losing him to an accidental fentanyl overdose, and how she began healing while writing her book, Here With You: A Memoir of Love, Family, and Addiction.
With the rapidly rising cost of living, immigrating to Canada can be challenging. Now imagine going through those same challenges without speaking English or French or having a network to support you. Anila Lee Yuen, the CEO of the Centre of Newcomers in Calgary, helps people build their new life and overcome the challenges of finding community, acquiring housing and navigating the job market.
The Arctic is evolving every day. New shipping lanes are opening, remote minerals are becoming accessible and tourism is taking off. How can Canada make sure it's prepared for this emerging Arctic economy? Clint Davis is a leader in Indigenous economics and a member of the TELUS Indigenous Advisory Council. He discusses the opportunities and challenges that come with developing the north.
Everyone has a relationship to pop culture. Whether you’re a casual fan or superfan of your favourite actor, musician or athlete, we all have interests that connect us. Throughout her life, Jen Sookfong Lee has seen how Canadian pop culture staples, such as Hockey Night in Canada, can create community across different walks of life. On this week’s episode, Jen discusses her memoir Superfan: How Pop Culture Broke My Heart and how pop culture reflects our society.
As a Black child adopted at birth by a white family, Harrison Mooney grew up with a desire for belonging and looked for cultural connection. His memoir, Invisible Boy, explores his experience as a transracial adoptee. Harrison discusses how being separated from his birth culture and community had an impact on his sense of self and how we can work harder to centre adoptee voices.
Like many Canadians, farmers across the country are experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression and burnout. Megz Reynolds, Executive Director of the Do More Agriculture Foundation, says there is an intense stigma surrounding mental health care in agriculture. She discusses the unique stressors facing Canadian farmers and the need to make mental health support more accessible.
Every 22 minutes, a Canadian woman dies of a heart attack. But the majority don't have to. Dr. Tara Sedlak is one of the few certified women’s heart health cardiologists in Canada and is a fierce advocate for education and awareness. She discusses how heart disease can show up differently for women and how we can improve our heart health every day.
Steven Nitah believes Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) are the future for Canada’s conservation efforts. As a leader in this space for more than 10 years, Steven has seen firsthand how IPCAs benefit biodiversity and advance reconciliation.
Dr. Ellen Choi felt like she had been moving through her life on autopilot. Through mindfulness and meditation, and removing the burden of perfection, she was able to connect with herself and learn how to live with intention and purpose. She joins us to discuss how everyone can develop their own personal practice.
Minna Dubin realized “mom rage” was an international phenomenon after publishing an opinion piece in the New York Times. Titled The Rage Mothers Don’t Talk About, the piece received an outpouring of positive responses from mothers. Minna decided to do more research and found that mom rage was something entirely different from regular anger or frustration. In this week’s episode, she shares some of her surprising findings, and how it all culminated in her new book: Mom Rage: The Everyday Crisis of Modern Motherhood.
Thousands of Canadians don’t have regular access to a vet for their furry family members. With such a concerning shortage across the country, vets are often overworked, and pet owners are stressed out. Dr. Koharik Arman is the Director of Virtual Vet care at TELUS Health MyPet. She says telemedicine is allowing vets to treat minor issues remotely and is enhancing the ecosystem of pet care.
In a world changed by the COVID-19 pandemic, one question looms: are we ready for something like this to happen again? Dr. Michael Osterholm is an internationally recognized epidemiologist and has witnessed trust in public health crumble and the rapid spread of misinformation, which makes him wonder how we would all handle another pandemic in the future.
Chelsea Conaboy knew things would change when she had kids, but she never anticipated how different she would feel. New parents undergo major structural and functional brain changes, driven by hormones and the flood of stimuli a baby provides. As an award-winning reporter, Chelsea decided to dive into our society’s ideas of mothers and what they should be. She discusses her new book, Mother Brain: How Neuroscience Is Rewriting the Story of Parenthood, and the overwhelming nature of becoming a parent.
Throughout her career, Dr. Diane McIntosh has seen the profound impact that gender roles have on both women’s and men’s mental health. She says the stigma surrounding vulnerability often discourages men from reaching out for help. In a new episode of Your Brain, Diane shares the importance of embracing vulnerability, seeking help and fostering supportive communities for your well-being.
Danny Ramadan wants the world to see him in his power. As a queer refugee from Syria, Danny aims to use his life as inspiration and spread joy through his writing and his advocacy work. He discusses his new book, The Foghorn Echoes, and his fundraising efforts to help other LGBTQ+ people from around the world seek refuge in Canada.
As an award-winning writer and translator, Wayne Grady’s fascination with language encouraged him to document the words we all began to use during the pandemic and how they were changing the way we communicate. On this week’s episode, Wayne discusses his newest book Pandexicon: How the Language of the Pandemic Defined Our New Cultural Reality, and the new vocabulary that came with the COVID-19 pandemic.
To this day, Phyllis Webstad still gets social media comments claiming residential schools were not real. After 10 years of sharing her experiences at St. Joseph's Mission Residential School and her orange shirt story, she no longer believes it’s her responsibility to convince non-Indigenous people of the truth. In this week’s episode, Phyllis gives listeners the opportunity to listen to her story and reflect on their own role in truth and reconciliation.
Eric Garcia grew tired of seeing narrow-minded portrayals of autism on television and in film, while his own life as an autistic person looked entirely different. His career as a journalist and writer led him to publishing We’re Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation — an investigation into the complex realities of life on the spectrum
Wildfires are becoming a bigger part of our lives in Canada and across the world. Dr. Michael Brauer says it’s time to adapt our lifestyles to these environmental changes. As a professor at the University of British Columbia’s School of Population and Public Health, Dr. Brauer specializes in air quality and health and provides some tips on how to make improvements in your life.
Dr. Diane McIntosh thinks you should take a hard look at your sleeping habits. In the new installment of Your Brain, we dive into the profound impact of sleep on our physical, mental and emotional well-being. We discuss cultivating healthy sleep habits, fighting off insomnia and optimizing the quality of our rest.
“The commonality between Indigenous entrepreneurs is we've all got a history that is relatable,” says Geena Jackson. Geena is the creator of Bears’ Lair, a new reality show on APTN similar to Dragons’ Den, that gives Indigenous entrepreneurs a platform to pitch their business ideas. With more than 13 years of experience in economic development, Geena is a passionate supporter of Indigenous voices. She speaks with Tamara about teaching business basics across Canada and creating a bright future for Indigenous enterprise.
Parenting teenagers can be a delicate dance between providing support and allowing space for independence. Lisa Damour, a clinical psychologist and New York Times bestselling author, has dedicated her career to helping parents understand their teenagers. Lisa speaks with Tamara about guiding teenagers through powerful emotions and her new book: The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents.
What secrets do the brain hold? It’s the most complex part of the human body and it can sometimes be difficult to understand our own thoughts and feelings. That’s why TELUS Talks with Tamara Taggart is launching a new miniseries called Your Brain. Once a month, Diane McIntosh will join Tamara to demystify different parts of the brain and their many functions. As a highly respected psychiatrist, author and member of the TELUS team, Diane shares her knowledge of emotional trauma, PTSD and how to begin healing from traumatic events.
Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe, award-winning psychology instructor and author, wants everyone to know that stress is a part of who you are. As someone who has experienced significant obstacles throughout her life, Robyne has learned to use stress as a biological tool to navigate the world. She shares insights from her new book, Stress Wisely: How to Be Well in an Unwell World, about how each of us can make stress an ally in our daily lives.
Amanda Lewis, long-time Toronto book editor turned author, knew she needed a career change after she dreamt of a peaceful walk on a forest path. After moving to Vancouver, Lewis began healing from burnout by hunting down British Columbia’s biggest trees. Her book Tracking Giants: Big Trees, Tiny Triumphs, and Misadventures in the Forest, details Lewis’ journey finding B.C.’s “Champion Trees” and reveals that sometimes it's the smaller joys that make us feel more connected to the natural world.
Anita Nowak, author, professor and empathy expert wants everyone to understand the life-changing nature of empathy. In her new book, Purposeful Empathy, Nowak says we’re all born with the capacity for empathy but we can choose to strengthen this innate trait. With something as simple as smiling to strangers in public, we can flex our empathy like a muscle. For Nowak, a strong sense of empathy can teach us to be kinder to ourselves while making the world a more understanding place.
Dr. Travers, professor of sociology at Simon Fraser University, has something they’d like anyone spending time with children to keep in mind: assume that there are trans kids in every group. The author of The Trans Generation: How Trans Kids (and Their Parents) are Creating a Gender Revolution talks about what life is like for trans kids, how to be an ally – and why it’s time we all questioned our society’s binary gender norms.
Canadian author Yasuko Thanh was already an award-winning novelist and short-story writer when she decided it was time to tell perhaps her most compelling story yet – that of her own life from high-school dropout living on the street to successful author. She shares how writing her memoir, Mistakes to Run With, helped her make peace with the past, heal family wounds and embrace her future.
Harvard-educated psychiatrist, scientist and bestselling author Dr. Shimi Kang is passionate about helping parents and children enjoy better mental health and well-being in our digital age. Dr. Kang discusses her new book, The Tech Solution, how social media can affect growing brains – and what parents can do to help their children (and themselves) to develop healthy tech habits.
When First Nations consultant Chastity Davis found herself confronted with discrimination during the hospital birth of her son last year, she vowed to use the experience to advocate for culturally appropriate healthcare for Indigenous women. Chastity shares how Indigenous women can find support through their birthing journeys, and how we can all help advocate for the health and wellbeing of Indigenous mothers, sisters and girls.
If you’ve been feeling more stressed and anxious over the past three years, you’re not alone. Paula Allen, who leads a team of researchers and data scientists at TELUS Health, says there’s been a measurable decline in mental health among working individuals around the world. She shares her insights into what’s behind that worrying trend, explains what employers can do to nurture psychological safety and what employees can do to advocate for their own wellbeing.
We all experience self-doubt from time to time, but when do feelings of insecurity cross the line into self-sabotage? Clinical and forensic neuropsychologist Dr. Judy Ho, author of Stop Self-Sabotage, discusses how to recognize when you’re getting in the way of your own success and happiness.
Author Sheri Segal Glick was just 10 years old when a passing comment by an adult about her body triggered a lifelong battle with anorexia that continued for decades. She shares her personal journey through disordered eating and body image battles, how she learned to embrace recovery, and why she decided to share her story with others in her new memoir, The Skinny.
In honour of Mother’s Day, we’re digging into our archives and revisiting one of our most popular episodes from 2021, featuring a conversation with Amanda D. Watson, author of The Juggling Mother. Amanda and Tamara share a heartfelt discussion about the modern pressures of motherhood and how we can tackle society’s skewed expectations around “having it all.” Have a good listen – and then go hug your mom.
When choral conductor Amelia Nagoski ended up hospitalized because of burnout, she and her twin sister Emily Nagoski, a well-known sexual health educator, decided to research what causes the all-too-common condition – and learn how to fix it. Amelia discusses how their 2019 bestselling book, Burnout, introduced readers to the concept of human giver syndrome; how tuning in to your body is key to managing stress; and why we all need a “bubble of love” to feel healthier, happier and supported in our lives.
After working with people from all walks of life, psychotherapist Katherine Morgan Schafler realized something – from addiction recovery houses to Wall Street boardrooms, perfectionism was everywhere. She began to wonder: What if it were actually a healthy part of being human? The author of The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control discusses the five different types of perfectionists and how to cultivate healthy perfectionism to live with less guilt and more happiness.
From her first period at the age of 11, author Charlene Carr was plunged into a cycle of pain. But it was only many years later, when she was struggling to conceive, that she finally received a diagnosis of endometriosis – a condition in which uterine cells grow in other areas of the body. She discusses how her life has been shaped by the disease, what she wants other women to know about their health, and how she turned her painful experiences into a source of inspiration for her bestselling novels.
We welcome back Psychiatrist and TELUS Chief Neuroscience Officer, Dr. Diane McIntosh, to help us explore the complicated world of burnout. Dr. McIntosh speaks openly about her personal experience with burnout and shares how we can identify and then break out of a harmful cycle.
Adriana Barton, best-selling author of Wired for Music, spent 17 years of her life as a cellist, entrenched in the demanding world of elite classical music, before leaving it for a career in health and science journalism. She shares how she rediscovered her passion for music, what she learned about its remarkable effects on our emotional and psychological health, and how we can all use our inherent musicality to live happier, healthier lives.
As an award-winning journalist, Angela Sterritt is passionate about shedding light on racism and discrimination faced by Indigenous peoples and helping give voice to the underrepresented. She talks about the challenges of trauma-informed reporting, her mixed Gitxsan and settler heritage, and how she’s exploring the topic of Indigenous identity through her new podcast, Land Back.
Roee Ben-Eli loves being a nurse – but thinks health practitioners are going through a tough time right now as we continue to wade through the pandemic. The Director of Strategic Programs at TELUS Virtual Healthcare discusses how new technologies can transform the patient and care experience, why we need to integrate new ideas and models into patient care, and what you can do to help relieve pressure on one of our greatest professions.
Lise Birikundavyi, the first Black woman to head a venture capital fund backed by an institutional investor in Canada, shares how to help build successful entrepreneur-led businesses, deliver returns to investors and increase diversity in the venture capital ecosystem.
Dr. Aubrey Fine often calls on some special assistants skilled in supporting mental health and well-being: animals. The leading expert in human-animal interactions shares his journey from dog-phobic child to dog-loving adult, the science of why spending time with animals is good for you, and how just a few minutes of watching critters on-screen can bring some calm to your life.
Trauma doesn’t just live in the mind, it’s also stored in the body. That’s the message shared by clinical psychologist Dr. Arielle Schwartz, creator of Resilience-Informed therapy, who shares her wisdom about releasing the pain of the past to enjoy a more joyful and resilient future.
Spending time in nature doesn’t just feel good – it’s also good for you, says Vancouver-based physician Dr. Melissa Lem. The founder and director of PaRx, a nature prescription initiative with the BC Parks Foundation, discusses the physical, emotional and mental health benefits of spending time in nature and why you might just leave your next check-up with a prescription for the outdoors.
Clinical psychologist Dr. Miriam Kirmayer is passionate about helping people build stronger, healthier social connections. One of the only licenced clinical psychologists to specialize in friendship therapy, she shares her insights on how to combat loneliness, why not everyone needs a BFF, and how conflict can actually strengthen a friendship.
Tara McGuire, author of Holden, After and Before, experienced every parent’s nightmare when her 21-year-old son, Holden, died of an overdose in 2015. She shares how she wrestled with guilt, how she keeps her son’s memory alive – and how she transformed her grief into meaning.
President and CEO of the Forest Products Association of Canada, Derek Nighbor, shares how sustainable forest management practices are leading to big gains for our economy, our communities and the planet. He discusses exciting developments in carbon-capture building materials, how sustainable forest management is supporting Indigenous reconciliation – and what really goes into the price of a 2x4.
Canadian Premier League soccer goalkeeper Marco Carducci is an elite athlete – but despite being the picture of health he was diagnosed with testicular cancer earlier this year at the young age of 25. Now that he’s successfully completed treatment, he’s passionate about encouraging other young men to recognize the signs of cancer and to seek out medical help early. He joins us to talk about his health journey, his newfound passion for health advocacy, and what the experience of this past year has taught him about life – on and off the soccer pitch.
Clinical child psychologist and best-selling author of Raising Human Beings, Dr. Ross Greene, returns to share insights on supporting our kids in a post-pandemic world. He talks about creating the evidence-based Collaboration & Proactive Solutions (CPS) model of care, what’s behind an increase in behavioural challenges in schools – and why caregivers need to replace fear and punishment with collaboration and compassion.
Psychotherapist, grief expert and bestselling author of Every Family Has a Story, Julia Samuel, says healthy grieving can lead to growth. The UK’s leading grief expert, who remains close to Prince William and Prince Harry, shares how families can support one another through loss, how to speak with children about death, and why allowing yourself to experience the pain of grief can connect you to greater healing, joy and love.
Clinical counselor Kelly McDaniel, author of Mother Hunger, discusses why secure maternal attachment in childhood is critical to emotional health and well-being in adulthood. She shares how societal pressures and patriarchal attitudes have hindered women’s natural mothering instincts, how “mother hunger” can affect women’s adult relationships, and how to break the cycle of trauma to enjoy greater health and well-being.
Award-winning writer, digital entrepreneur and therapist Erin Falconer, author of How To Break Up With Your Friends, shares insights and tips on how to nurture healthy, supportive friendships – and how to set healthy boundaries. The founder of PickTheBrain.com discusses the importance of building authentic connections with people, how to show up as a better friend, and how to recognize when it’s time to say goodbye.
Science journalist and author Catherine Price thinks it’s time you had more fun – for your own good. The author of The Power of Fun and How to Break Up With Your Phone explains how experiencing moments of playfulness, connection and flow can lead to a happier, healthier and more productive life. She shares the benefits of fun, and gives some tips about how adults and children alike can get more of it by setting healthy boundaries with technology.
Since September 16, Iran has been engulfed in waves of women-led protests, sparked by the death of 22-year old Mahsa Amini after she was arrested by the country’s morality police for improperly wearing a hijab. Canadian-raised Jasmin Ramsey, Deputy Director of the New York City-based Center for Human Rights in Iran, takes us through the country’s turbulent history, shares stories of the brave Iranian women and men who are fighting for freedom, and calls on the international community to support this unprecedented movement against oppression.
Clayton Thomas-Müller found healing in his Cree heritage, and now he’s working to heal the earth. The best-selling author of Life in the City of Dirty Water, and award-winning director of the documentary of the same name, is an internationally recognized activist for Indigenous rights and the environment. He shares his journey through intergenerational trauma, his transition from fighting gang life to fighting for human rights – and how Indigenous knowledge can help us all address climate change.
Radiologist and patient advocate Dr. Paula Gordon is on a mission. The former Director of the Breast Program at BC Women’s Hospital is a tireless champion for improving breast cancer screening for women across Canada. In this eye-opening discussion that every woman needs to hear, she explains why early screening and detection is critical, why all women should perform breast self-exams – and how patients hold the power to change the current system.
World-renowned physician and author Dr. Gabor Maté has devoted his life to helping others heal – from illness, addiction, childhood trauma, and more. Now, in his new book, The Myth of Normal, he reveals why it’s time for Western society to heal itself from toxic cultural stresses. He shares his insights into why loneliness, inequity and chronic stress have taken a physical toll on our bodies and minds, and how we can find our way to health and healing by reconnecting with our natural human instincts.
On the outside, Dr. Shefali Tsabary looks like she has it all: a full family life, and a thriving career as a renowned psychologist and bestselling author. But she had a radical awakening when she realized she had been living her life in response to external pressures and validation. She shares her journey to living a more authentic life, her insights on conscious parenting, and dissects the messaging and narratives that hold women back from living fully and freely.
When his nine-year-old daughter started displaying symptoms of anxiety during the pandemic, Dr. Matthew Chow’s work in child and adolescent psychiatry took on a whole new level of urgency. In this frank discussion, the former president of Doctors of BC opens up about his family’s mental health journey, his passion for supporting young people and his optimism about the resiliency and open mindedness of the next generation.
Getting ready for a job interview is full of stress, but for a young adult with ADHD, says our guest Dr. Elisabeth Hall, the anxiety can be compounded by the challenges of misplacing items on the way out the door – and then missing the bus. Dr. Hall, a psychiatrist and founding medical director of the Vancouver Coastal Health Adult ADHD Clinic, shares insights on recognizing and supporting kids and adults with ADHD, what to do if you’re concerned – and how to find help if you need it.
With a background in the arts and sciences, and steeped in the traditions of both Anishinaabe and European cultures, Dr. Lisa Richardson brings a unique perspective to her role as a clinician-educator and associate Dean of Inclusion & Diversity at the University of Toronto. A tireless advocate for equal access to health care, she explores how traditional teachings and artistic principles can provide a more holistic perspective of the patient experience.
When it launched in March 2020, the RepresentAsian Project quickly attracted attention as a voice for the frustrations and joys of being Asian in North America. Its founder, journalist and therapist Madelyn Chung, a second-generation Chinese Canadian, discusses why she felt moved to create the online platform, the emotional and psychological impacts of anti-Asian racism – and why now, more than ever, we need to celebrate the diversity and pride of the Asian diaspora.
Medical device engineer Derek Sham was shocked that no one was properly addressing the pelvic floor disorder his grandmother experienced. As she went through failed treatments and surgeries, he vowed to prevent more women suffering the same fate. With his company Cosm, Sham is using data-driven diagnostics to create personalized prosthetics for pelvic floor disorders. He discusses the high prevalence of the issue, his grandmother’s legacy, and why we must address the stigma around gynecological health.
In her book, Kiss the Red Stairs, Marsha Lederman wrestles with the dark history of the Holocaust that haunted her childhood, uncovering details about her parents’ survival and the ways their trauma lives on in her own life. In this week’s episode, Lederman discusses the miracle of her own existence, the real impacts of intergenerational trauma, and why the memory of the Holocaust must be kept alive.
In 2015, award-winning photographer, activist and entrepreneur Maayan Ziv had a eureka moment after confronting stairs at a restaurant. Maayan, who has muscular dystrophy, was forced to navigate her wheelchair through a back alley filled with garbage bins to join her group. That experience inspired her to create Access Now, a popular app for finding and rating accessibility in cities around the world. She shares her journey from artist to entrepreneur, and why accessibility matters for everyone.
At the age of 8, Lex Gillette received devastating news: he was going blind. Over the course of a few months, he lost all of his sight – but not his vision. Thanks to the support of his mother and grandmother, he not only defied expectations, but surpassed them. The athlete, author and motivational speaker discusses his path to becoming one of the world’s most decorated Paralympians, and shares his powerful message for how everyone can soar to great heights.
Chenny’s picked a big challenge for herself…creating a more equitable healthcare system. In this episode, Tamara joins CEO of Gotcare, Chenny in a conversation about how virtual healthcare providers are transforming how home care is delivered. It isn’t just systems that need to change but the culture that surrounds them. Learn how Gotcare utilizes patent-pending technology to enable increased patient access, reduce the cost of delivery, pay frontline workers.
The classic image of the sleepy teen who can barely get out of bed isn’t just a tired cliché. It also captures a very real and urgent problem in our society, say sleep consultants and psychotherapists Heather Turgeon and Julie Wright. The bestselling authors of The Happy Sleeper and Generation Sleepless join Tamara to discuss the hidden epidemic of sleeplessness among high schoolers, why that’s a concern, and what needs to change so we can all enjoy the health benefits of a good night’s sleep.
Faced with a lack of diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry, award-winning Canadian TV director and screenwriter Nathalie Younglai decided to do something about it. The founder of BIPOC TV and Film shares her journey from harpist to creator, the changes that need to happen in the screen industry, and the small steps we can each take to help push for an entertainment industry that reflects us all.
Alvin Law has an enviable career as one of Canada’s most sought-after inspirational speakers and bestselling author, and enjoys a loving family life. But in 1960, when he was born without arms as a result of the infamous morning sickness medication thalidomide, many viewed his future success as impossible. He sits down with Tamara to share his passion for challenging labels, discuss his incredible life story from abandoned infant to two-time Hall of Famer – and show off his amazing drumming skills.
For author Melissa Febos, memoir isn’t just personal – it’s political, powerful and transformative. The associate professor at the University of Iowa and bestselling author of four books, including Girlhood and Body Work, sits down with Tamara for an intimate discussion about confronting societal taboos; sparking necessary conversations about women’s bodies and sexuality; and why sharing shame and trauma can build, and heal, community.
Over the past decade, award-winning reporter Brandi Morin has been sharing stories from the frontlines of Indigenous issues, helping to spark change and Reconciliation. The self-described justice journalist and author of Our Voice of Fire sits down with Tamara to share her journey from teenage runaway to renowned reporter, her traumatic experience as a survivor of gender-based violence and why the work of healing is essential for us all.
Since its creation in 1876, the Indian Act in Canada has shaped, controlled, and constrained the lives and opportunities of Indigenous Peoples and is at the root of systemic racism in this country. Today, Bob Joseph, the bestselling author of 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act, joins Tamara in a discussion about understanding the Act and its far-reaching effects while exploring ways to dismantle it for good.
From catastrophic flooding and deadly wildfires to life-threatening heat domes and crop failures, the effects of climate change are being felt around the globe. And, as Dr. Britt Wray, author of Generation Dread, tells Tamara, it’s taking a toll on our mental health. In this week’s discussion, the postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine shares insights on shedding the doom and overcoming eco-anxiety – and why our planet’s future depends on it.
Born and raised in Haida Gwaii, Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson is many things: a member of the Raven Clan from the Haida Nation, an award-winning singer, a prominent environmental lawyer and an activist. But, as she explains to Tamara, she simply calls herself an advocate for the earth and culture. She shares how she brings her unique perspective to her wide-ranging work, from her musical collaborations with rock star Bill Henderson to her historic legal victories for Indigenous People’s rights.
An unexpected conversation about standing up against violence can lead to more awareness. On today’s episode, Tamara meets David Stevenson, the CEO of the Moose Hide Campaign. The program started 10 years ago as a way for men to symbolize their support for ending violence against Indigenous women, by pinning a piece of moose hide to their clothes. Since then, David and his team are working with leaders and Canadians to build safer neighbourhoods and contribute meaningful actions toward Reconciliation.
When Jessica Moorhouse graduated in the midst of a recession armed with a BFA in Film Studies, she realized she was in dire need of money management skills. Fast-forward 13 years, and today she’s an accredited financial counsellor, recognized millennial money expert and host of the hugely popular More Money Podcast. She sits down with Tamara to share her essential tips for money health, and discuss how her journey from arts kid to personal finance guru shows how anyone can achieve financial literacy.
Zakia Karmal doesn’t fit the stereotype that most people associate with substance addiction. Young and raised in a loving and successful family, she nevertheless found herself battling a cocaine and alcohol addiction that spiraled out of control. Now celebrating a year of sobriety, Zakia sits down with Tamara to talk about her journey to rock bottom, finding the strength to ask for help – and why she’s passionate about speaking out against addiction and stigma.
Neuroscientist Dr. Olav Krigolson first joined Tamara in 2020, a couple of months into the pandemic. Some things have changed since then: We’ve got vaccines, lockdowns have eased and mask mandates are ending. But for many Canadians, the anxiety hasn’t waned. In this insightful chat, Dr. Krigolson explains why this time of transition can feel scary, how the past two years could continue to affect our mental health in the coming years – and shares three things you can do to keep your brain healthy.
As a celebrity tribute artist, Jaylene Tyme has made a name embodying iconic performers such as Barbra Streisand, Dolly Parton and Marilyn Monroe. But, as she tells Tamara, her proudest achievement has been playing herself. She shares her journey to living her truth, from her early years as a child of the Sixties Scoop, through a battle with drug and alcohol addiction, to reigning queen of the Vancouver drag scene – and ultimately, to claiming her identity as a proud, Indigenous, Two-Spirit trans woman.
Award-winning Canadian actor and doctor Evan Adams joins Tamara to explore his early career accomplishments and health advocacy work. He shares his inspiring journey growing up on the Sunshine Coast of B.C., breaking into film, and eventually becoming a leader in public health. Dr. Adams’ determination to make healthcare spaces safe for Indigenous people led to the creation of the first-ever Aboriginal Health Physician Advisor role for the BC Ministry of Health. Today, he continues to pave the path for improving the health and wellbeing of all Canadians.
Jim Stickley has stolen credit cards, hacked Social Security numbers, robbed banks and created fake ATMs. But he’s no criminal. As a cyber security expert, he’s been hired to test the security of everything from government agencies to tourist resorts. As he tells Tamara, there are some dark places out there on the web and plenty of traps to fall into. In this eye-opening chat, he shares valuable tips on how to protect yourself, your family and your identity from the clutches of cybercriminals.
If there’s one thing that gets Wildlife Conservation Society Canada’s Peter Soroye buzzing, it’s bees. The Ottawa-based conservation biologist and advocate studies how pollinators are affected by climate change, and the critically important role they can play in our ecosystems. He joins Tamara to discuss why pollinators are so important to humans, the small but meaningful actions we can each take to help them thrive – and his particular fondness for bumblebees, aka “the teddy bears of the skies.”
Sara Wachter-Boettcher’s career started in content strategy and consulting on inclusive and ethical design in tech, but she became concerned by the workplace frustrations people shared with her. In 2020, she founded leadership development company Active Voice to help build more inclusive, equitable workplaces. The author of Technically Wrong sits down with Tamara for a wide-ranging discussion about the post-pandemic future of work, setting healthy boundaries – and the power of acknowledging our feelings.
Any caregiver of a child with a learning difference, like dyslexia or ADHD, knows the challenges of trying to meet their needs. As Rachel Forbes, Executive Director of the Learning Disabilities Society (LDS) tells Tamara, getting a timely diagnosis and support can be out of reach for many. In this week’s discussion, you’ll learn about what learning differences are and how to recognize them, and discover the network of support available through LDS. Plus, you’ll meet an adorable robot called QT.
For the past 12 years, Iceland has ranked at the top of the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report. This week, the country’s Canadian-born first lady, writer Eliza Reid, speaks to Tamara about her surprising journey from Ottawa hobby farm to sharing a life with the president of Iceland, how she’s redefined the role of a First Lady, and why she was moved to capture the stories of Iceland’s extraordinary women in her book, Secrets of the Sprakkar.
Joanne Lee Molinaro – aka The Korean Vegan – has captivated her 4 million online fans with her unique recipe of personal storytelling, plant-based recipes and cultural pride. The former corporate lawyer–turned–bestselling cookbook author sits down with Tamara for a wide ranging discussion about life as an Asian American, navigating prejudice and disordered eating, and finding TikTok stardom through Korean cuisine.
Eternity Martis was unprepared for the level of racism, gender-based violence and anger she encountered as a mixed-race Black woman on a predominantly white campus. In her memoir, They Said This Would Be Fun, the award-winning Toronto-based journalist and author confronts her experiences, tying them to the systemic issues plaguing students today. She joins Tamara for a frank discussion about race, identity, anger and the worrying growth of white supremacy.
When Tristan Jagger learned that one in nine families in B.C. are food insecure, she was determined to do something to help. The fundraising professional tells Tamara how she discovered an elegant solution: an app where volunteers select one-off tasks to transport surplus directly from vendors to nonprofit community partners. Since March 2020, Vancouver Food Runners has redirected over 1 million pounds of surplus food from businesses, the equivalent of 833,333 meals – one click at a time.
Parents have many concerns around COVID’s effects on the mental health of youth. But child and adolescent Psychiatrist and Suicidologist Dr. Tyler Black notes the situation isn’t all bad (or good). The UBC professor and former medical director of emergency psychiatry at BC Children’s Hospital shares his insights, informed by 12 years of clinical practice, along with urgent calls for systemic change to make mental health care accessible for everyone who needs it. Need help? Call Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868.
From fast fashion to fast food, it’s easy to get caught up in a cycle of consumption. This week, Tamara talks to Tara McKenna, author of Don’t Be Trashy and founder of the Zero Waste Collective, for tips and inspiration on living with less waste and more purpose. By embracing quality over quantity, curation over clutter, McKenna shares how we can all make small, meaningful changes that not only benefit our planet, but bring us more joy.
Even before COVID-19, older adults in Canada faced higher rates of depression, isolation and loneliness. This week, Tamara speaks with Dr. Joy Masuhara, an LGBTQ+ trailblazer and family physician with Vancouver Coastal Health, who has devoted her long career to caring for elders. They discuss Dr. Masuhara’s work as an advocate and healthcare provider for racialized seniors, the critical role of community care, and the steps we can all take to improve the lives of seniors in our communities.
There’s the perfectly Instagrammable version of motherhood, and then there’s the reality of what that drive to be perfect does to a woman’s mental health. In this episode, Tamara engages Amanda D. Watson, bestselling author and lecturer, in a frank discussion about the unrelenting pressures of motherhood and how to address them with honesty and a feeling of community.
As the World Juniors approaches, the mental well-being of elite athletes is in the spotlight. In this episode, Corey Hirsch, Olympic Silver Medalist and former NHL goalie, tells his mental illness story, and joins Dr. Diane McIntosh, psychiatrist, author and TELUS’ Chief Neuroscience Officer, for a spirited discussion with Tamara. Together, they highlight the courage and resilience of people who experience mental illness, offer ways to find support, and share how we can all prioritize our well-being.
Governor General award-winning Winnipeg author and sought-after speaker, David A. Robertson has published over 25 books, including many children’s stories. David talks to Tamara about his Norway House Cree Nation identity, which he learned about later in life, and he delves into how writing about the love, culture, and resilience of Indigenous people is one of the many ways he honours his family’s history and connects with people from all backgrounds.
Marc Brackett is a research psychologist, Founding Director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and Professor in the Child Study Center at Yale University. He’s also the best-selling author of Permission to Feel, which describes his evidence-based approach to social and emotional learning. Marc breaks down what it means to ask “how are you today?” and how we can begin to answer truthfully as we learn to explore, understand and regulate our own emotions.
When Ashley Bristowe was told her son, Alexander, would never walk or speak as a result of a rare genetic disorder, her life changed forever. Ashley’s memoir, My Own Blood, chronicles her years as Alexander’s caregiver and advocate, in a Canadian system that often disregards disabilities. Today, Alexander has subverted expectations and regularly attends school and loves to swim. And the University of Alberta now includes Ashley’s book in their curriculum; an important step toward change.
Writer and Director Michael Mankowski and producer Charmaine Hammond created the animated short film Back Home Again to show the world how a community could come together and rebuild after a devastating wildfire. The film, set in Fort McMurray in Northern Alberta, has an all-star voice cast and a universally hopeful message, and Michael and Charmaine aim to use it to build mental health awareness. They share their 5-year journey with Tamara and their messages of community, vulnerability and recovery.
Amy Chan is an author, speaker, entrepreneur, mental health advocate and the Founder of Renew Breakup Bootcamp, the world’s first and only breakup bootcamp. After leaving the corporate world, Amy’s company grew to success and has been featured across national media including Good Morning America, Vogue and the front page of The New York Times. In this episode, she shares how to create resilience after a breakup and stay open to new relationships, even when you’re in emotional pain.
Fabrice Grover is a non-profit specialist who has worked in the communications industry through some of the most vital global initiatives, such as the UN Climate Change Conference and World Humanitarian Day. He is instrumental in developing Innovations for Learning in Canada, the world's largest virtual reading program for children. In this episode, he explores the significance of developing early literacy programs in under-resourced communities and truly how fundamental it is for our future generations.
Schuyler is the first openly transgender athlete to compete in any sport on an NCAA Division 1 men’s team. In this episode, he explores his historic choice to transition, showing all of us how to honour our authentic selves. His advocacy has since evolved into rallying for inclusion, body acceptance and mental health awareness. His novel, Obie Is Man Enough, navigates through the life of a young trans athlete who dives headfirst into facing his scariest challenges with resolve, humour and grace.
Social entrepreneur Suzanne Stevens calls for purpose and giving back to become more embedded in our businesses and our culture. In this episode, Suzanne dives into her initiative YouMeWe, and showcases the plethora of opportunities for social change and how to truly connect our actions to what we care about. She urges us to view giving as a long-term commitment, but to keep it simple - whether as a customer, entrepreneur or large business - and look for ways to contribute meaningfully.
Nick North was assigned female at birth, had four children and came out as a transgender man in his 30s. In this episode, Nick explores themes of traditional masculinity, femininity, and assigned gender roles and encourages parents to create a safe space for their children to question everything. His documentary, Just Another Beautiful Family, showcases his transition and gives an honest depiction of what’s possible for ourselves and those we love when the right support and tools are in place.
In 2016, Judge Marion Buller was appointed the Chief Commissioner of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The inquiry looked into the systemic violence against Indigenous women, girls and two-spirited people, and it was the first of its kind in Canada. Judge Buller describes her experience of hearing over 2,300 people sharing their truths and says some stories will stay with her forever. The report also made calls for justice that all Canadians can work on together.
RoseAnne Archibald made history by becoming the first woman to serve as National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. She shares her perspective on the upcoming National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and says it gives non-Indigenous Canadians a day to reflect on why we have this new statutory holiday. She asks allies to pressure the government to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and shares her vision of a healed Canada 100 years from now.
Rebekah Taussig wrote Sitting Pretty, a memoir about having a body that looks and moves differently in the world. She recognized that disabled lives are almost always portrayed as tragic or triumphant when actually the experience of having a disability is quite ordinary. She challenges some of the attitudes people have toward disabilities, many under the guise of empathy, and posits that ultimately we all live in bodies that age, are vulnerable to sickness and move in and out of disabled states constantly.
Andrea Paquette founded the Stigma-Free Society in 2010 after being hospitalized for bipolar disorder and losing her home. She was hoping to address the significant stigma around mental illness, and created customized workshops, mental health toolkits and presentations to support people too embarrassed or ashamed to speak up about their experiences. Andrea believes that the more we remove judgement and encourage people to share their stories, the more educated and understanding we’ll all become.
Dr. Dominik Nowak joins us again to talk about how “social prescribing” can complement medical treatment and help provide better health outcomes for everyone. Social prescribing addresses issues like loneliness, poverty, and job insecurity and ties them into formal recommendations from health professionals for mental and physical support resources. You get a more holistic approach to your health, and your community benefits from greater overall wellbeing.
The son of a residential school survivor, artist and master carver Carey Newman has spent the past decade working on The Witness Blanket, an art installation created with artifacts gathered from Indigenous communities across the country that have been affected by Canada’s dark legacy of the residential school system. In this episode, he speaks about his process of creating the piece, the profound impact of bearing witness to the stories of survivors, and why we need truth before we can achieve reconciliation.
When hockey player Kori Cheverie became Assistant Coach of the Ryerson Rams in 2016, she made sports history as the first woman to hold that role with a men's university-level hockey program. Kori shares her trailblazing experience, the differences between coaching women’s and men’s teams, and why professional sports could benefit from more diversity.
Tackling misinformation has long been a passion for health policy expert and bestselling author Timothy Caulfield, and the COVID-19 pandemic is providing ample opportunity to further his research. In this episode, Timothy discusses the importance of fact-checking medical advice from celebrities, why we should avoid social media influencers who are peddling miracle cures, and how we all can make informed decisions when it comes to our health.
For the past 20 years, Saleema Noon has been a driving force in helping kids and their parents navigate the topic of sexual education, something that has changed dramatically since the introduction of the internet. Saleema speaks on the different ways to teach consent, body science and sexual health, and takes a look at some of the questions being asked at all ages in the classroom.
When storyteller, activist and self-proclaimed “road dog” Ivan Coyote found their travel plans put on hold due to COVID-19, they began writing replies to the stack of letters fans had sent them, unaware that this heartfelt correspondence would become the core concept of their new book, Care of. In this episode, Ivan speaks to Tamara about how storytelling and conversation can spark powerful connections with others and even show us the potential for our own future.
If you’ve ever googled your own symptoms you know first hand that the internet is a minefield of shady advice, influencers selling miracle cures and sites that are adamantly against modern medicine. Luckily Dr. Jen Gunter, affectionately known as “Twitter's Resident Gynecologist” is on our show this week to educate listeners on the right way to research and advocate for their health, as well as delving into why we need to normalize the conversation about menopause.
Cheekbone Beauty founder Jenn Harper didn’t just decide to start a sustainable, cruelty-free beauty brand that gives back to the Indigenous community: it came to her in a dream. Now she’s helping Indigenous youth feel beautiful in their skin, and her products are on the shelves of some of Canada’s largest beauty retailers. She joined Tamara to talk about being an Indigenous business woman, honouring her family, and why representation in every industry matters.
When most of us hear the words virtual reality we think of futuristic technology and bulky headgear. But artist and technologist Amelia Winger-Bearskin sees VR as a way to connect to a fully sensory form of story-telling, and a tool to help amplify marginalized and remote voices. She spoke to Tamara about how equitable access to innovative technology can help create a friendlier, more just future for everyone.
Few writers can boast a publishing schedule like Dene storyteller Richard Van Camp, who published twenty six books in as many years, including novels, children’s literature, and graphic fiction. But Richard has a not-so-secret method for developing stories: he listens. He spoke with Tamara about how the people in his family and community are bursting with stories he couldn’t wait to tell, and how he treats each one they share with him as a gift.
For LGBTQ2+ individuals facing persecution and state-sponsored violence around the world, Rainbow Railroad can provide a pathway to a better life. They partner with local and international organizations to relocate and support queer people whose lives are in danger. Managing Director WInnie Luk spoke to Tamara about the role of the media in bringing attention to the cause, the challenges connecting globally during the pandemic, and how we all can help.
You might know author Eden Robinson from the feature film adaptation of her novel Monkey Beach, or from the binge-worthy CBC series based on her Trickster trilogy. But the Eden that Tamara spoke to was someone painfully and hilariously honest about the messy inner world of a writer. From using writing to weather the pandemic to taking comfort in the storytelling traditions of her Haisla and Heiltsuk family, Eden makes the case for following your muse.
When Dr. Daniel Kalla isn’t leading the emergency department at Vancouver’s St. Paul’s Hospital, he pens best-selling thrillers that take us behind the curtain of global medicine. His new novel, Lost Immunity, arrives at just the right time, capturing the trials and tribulations of a public health officer tasked with defeating a terrifying new pandemic. Sound familiar? Dr. Kalla speaks with Tamara about how he uses fiction to exorcise our medical anxieties and fears.
We’re over a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, and we’re all missing our friends. Journalist and author Kayleen Schaefer has written two books about the power of female friendship, and she joins Tamara to talk about how women can support each other at home and in the workplace, the role sexism plays in keeping women apart, and how we can all nurture profound (but not perfect) relationships with the people who matter most.
Some days it feels impossible to fit everything into 24 hours, but award-winning novelist, journalist and mother Karma Brown believes most of us can find one hour that’s just for us. She joins Tamara to discuss her latest book, The 4% Fix, her path to becoming an author and how simple things, like setting your alarm a little earlier, can get you closer to achieving your goals.
It’s our second Mother’s Day in a pandemic and moms are struggling more than ever to balance parenting and work responsibilities. Two TELUS leaders have taken the initiative to create the Mama Bear program, a community that uplifts, empowers, and celebrates the challenges and capabilities of working mothers. Kate Evans and Angelica Victoria are using the virtual tools we’ve all been using for over a year to create an inclusive, positive space for mothers to share, without judgement or sugar coating.
A lot has happened since Tamara last spoke to Dr. Michael Osterholm, infectious disease expert, in July of 2020. Since then, he’s become part of President Biden’s transition team, advising him and his cabinet on the pandemic and the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. He joins us again to discuss the variants cropping up across the globe, the vaccination efforts in the US and Canada, and the challenges we all face in preparing for life after the pandemic.
Jen Bennett from Google joins Tamara in a special Earth Day episode to discuss how leading industries around the globe are digging into new environmental goals, why this is linked to addressing social inequality, and how there’s never been more opportunities for business owners, and really, all of us, to make intentional, sustainable choices about the future of our planet.
Sarah Wilson, author of “This One Wild and Precious Life: A Hopeful Path Forward in a Fractured World”, spent the past year watching as wildfires, the #MeToo movement, and a global pandemic rocked her home country of Australia. She saw the need for a new path forward, and joins Tamara to discuss the urgency of climate change, finding strength and human connection in rage, and the science behind how hiking in nature calms anxiety.
Dr. Silke Appel-Cresswell leads the BC Brain Wellness Program in Vancouver and studies how diet, exercise and social connection might prevent chronic brain disorders. It won’t be shocking to hear her describe an ideal diet full of fruits, vegetables and healthy fats, but what may be common sense is still hard for many of us to adopt. Tamara talks to the doctor about how preventative measures could lead to all of us living longer, potentially disease-free lives.
Wes Hall has worked hard to go from the mailroom to the boardroom in corporate Canada, but in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, he knew he had to use his status and connections as a Black leader to help make a bigger change in this country. So he created the BlackNorth Initiative, to bring Canadian executives together and pledge to end systemic racism. Hall has a powerful message to share about why it’s our responsibility to fix the broken system we have inherited.
For many of us, the past year has been marked by a constant barrage of uncertainty, stress and fear -- and now, even with several different vaccines approved for use in Canada, some people are still feeling hesitant to get vaccinated. In this episode, returning guest Dr. Diane McIntosh, TELUS’ Chief Neuroscience Officer, breaks down the root of these fears, and what we can do to make the best decision for ourselves, our families and our communities.
Dr. Yona Lunsky has dedicated her career to understanding the mental health needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Recognizing the unique requirements of this community, and how the healthcare system has become significantly more difficult to navigate in the midst of the pandemic, she speaks to the ableism that is deeply rooted in our society, and why we need to include those with developmental disabilities in our plans for the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
Farah Mohamed founded G(irls)20 to amplify the voices of young women from G20 countries, and encourage a new generation of leaders through education, entrepreneurship and global experiences. Farah speaks about how the pandemic has disproportionately affected women around the world - at home and at work - and the hope she still has that girls and women are finding new ways to lead through this crisis and beyond.
One of our favourite guests - Dr. Diane McIntosh - returns to answer the question: what is depression? Dr. McIntosh is a Psychiatrist, bestselling author and TELUS’ Chief Neuroscience Officer, and she says that even though depression and anxiety can show up in numerous ways, there are common symptoms to look for. She also debunks some of the myths around mental health.
Rosemary Sadlier is an author, educator and past president of the Ontario Black History Society, where she was instrumental in establishing Black History Month in Canada. She has been a fierce advocate for reforming the education system to include the history of African Canadians and speaks out on systemic racism and the erasure of Black history. Rosemary talks about how Black History Month was never created to be the only time we talk about Black history and why it needs to be a yearlong conversation.
Koa Beck is the former editor-in-chief of Jezebel and author of the new book White Feminism, a discussion about race, empowerment and inclusion. In 2013, Koa wrote an essay that went viral on the phenomenon of “passing” and getting more credibility if seen as a white, straight person. In her recent book, she describes ‘white feminism’ as a specific approach to achieving gender equality that views men as the comparison for equality instead of breaking down race, sexuality and income barriers.
Deborah Flint joined the Greater Toronto Airports Authority as President and CEO only six weeks before the pandemic hit. She says the aviation industry has never experienced anything like this, and its future depends on health and technology innovation. Toronto Pearson has brought in new protocols to make it one of the healthiest airports in North America, and Deborah says a strong aviation sector is pivotal to Canadians, not just for personal travel, but for our economy and to compete in the world market.
Helen Knott is a social worker and author of the critically-acclaimed bestseller In My Own Moccasins. Her memoir is an unflinching account of addiction, intergenerational trauma and sexual violence. But it’s also about the power of ceremony, the love of family and redemption. Beautifully written, her memoir shares experiences we often don’t hear from such a personal perspective. Helen says there are countless powerful stories from Indigenous women, but we’re only just now beginning to listen.
Across the country, homeless and at-risk Canadians suffer from limited access and other socioeconomic barriers to healthcare. But mobile health clinics are changing that, bringing healthcare right into a patient's neighborhood. Dr. Andrew Boozary is a primary care physician and an executive director at UHN which manages the internationally recognized Toronto General Hospital. He says mobile health clinics offer a more equitable delivery system now and after COVID.
Registered Dietician and author of Good Food, Bad Diet, Abby Langer has made it her life’s mission to debunk fad diets. For more than 20 years she’s watched people struggle with food and their bodies. Her new book examines the negative core beliefs holding us back and weighs the emotional, physical and social costs of focusing on dieting. She asks us to be kind to ourselves, stop obsessing about numbers and to look inside ourselves before jumping on a new way of eating.
Through his extraordinary, best-selling memoir, From the Ashes, Métis-Cree-Scot author, Jesse Thistle, chronicles his life on the streets and how he overcame trauma and addiction. The former high school dropout turned Indigenous scholar and Ph.D. candidate shares his theories with Tamara on the effects of intergenerational trauma, systemic racism and what it has been like for him to carry the weight of his ancestors' history.
Dr. Ryan Hamilton is a sports psychologist and mental health performance consultant with both the NHL and the International Ice Hockey Federation. This year, he was part of the teams that led the Tampa Bay Lightning to win the Stanley Cup and Team Canada to win Gold at the World Juniors Hockey Championship. He talks about how he creates the right psychological environment for winning and shares the skills he teaches athletes that can benefit all of us, like mindfulness and tolerance for uncertainty.
The UN predicts we’ll need to feed 10 billion people by 2050. Currently, the worldwide agriculture industry is trying to balance profitability with sustainability, maintain regular food supply, and manage depleted water and soil systems. Chief Strategy Officer for the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute, Ted Bilyea, discusses how new technologies streamline the end-to-end farming experience, giving us new ways to produce more with less. He explains how all of this directly impacts the food on your table.
The introduction of 5G will make the world profoundly more connected. To understand what that truly means, we speak with Eros Spadotto, Executive VP of Technology Strategy and Business Transformation at TELUS. He explains that 5G is not just another “G”, but a fundamentally different mobile network unlike anything we’ve experienced. It will transform businesses and provide limitless possibilities for average Canadians.
Opioid deaths are on the rise in Canada, with 2020 setting record highs. Dr. Mark Tyndall is an epidemiologist, infectious disease specialist, as well as the former head of the BC Centre for Disease Control. His current focus is on addiction, drug overdose and policy and he’s pulling back the curtain on his work to talk about the importance of harm reduction and how a little compassion can go a long way in supporting vulnerable Canadians.
CBC Dragon, tech entrepreneur and Club Penguin creator, Lane Merrifield is back to talk about how to be a successful entrepreneur and make a difference in the world at the same time. Lane believes the best business ideas have social innovation at the core, are born from change and crisis and are critical to Canada’s economy. He also gives our listeners insider advice on how to get from idea to execution, while sharing stories of his own beginnings.
Dr. Samir Sinha is the director of geriatrics at Sinai Health in Toronto and a passionate advocate for seniors. He shares some sobering stats about the effect COVID has had on seniors and a new survey that reveals more than half of Canadians say the pandemic has changed their opinion on where they want to age. Recently, doctors have become proficient in delivering virtual care, giving seniors more options to live at home longer, so the time to rethink elder care is now.
Pete Bombaci is the founder of the GenWell project, a movement that aims to help people understand that human connection is the single most important thing we can do for our happiness. It’s obvious the pandemic is robbing most of us from true connection - from seeing loved ones in person, to interacting with co-workers, even chatting with a barista. However, one of the most powerful outcomes of our collective situation is that we’re learning how to use technology in more positive ways to stay connected.
Psychologist and author Dr. Steven Taylor has been studying the psychological footprint of pandemics and sees strong parallels between the Spanish flu from 100 years ago and COVID-19 today. Dr. Taylor shares his insights on the problematic behaviours and mental health challenges we’re seeing now and could see in the future, but he also outlines the promise of post-traumatic growth, which could mean many of us come through this pandemic feeling a greater sense of resilience.
Tara Mohr is a groundbreaking women’s leadership expert, certified coach and the celebrated author of “Playing Big”. Her work has been featured on Oprah.com, Goop and in the New York Times. Tara shares what it means to play big in life, even when we’re in the middle of a pandemic. She discusses the messy phase of transitioning from one life stage to another, and how powerful this moment can be when you have the practical skills to make the right changes.
Between the flu and COVID-19, Canadians will be hit by a double wave this fall. Dr. Dominik Nowak is a national leader in primary care and health strategy and lead physician for the TELUS Medical Advisory Council, helping organizations across Canada create a proactive pandemic response. Dr. Nowak emphasizes the importance of the four simple actions we can all take to stay well, save lives and reduce stress on our healthcare system.
Dr. Wendy Craig, head of Psychology at Queen’s university, and Matthew Johnson, Director of Education for MediaSmarts, share their media literacy and anti-cyberbullying expertise with parents. They offer suggestions on how to approach conversations with your children about being online and share how it’s less about screen time and more about instilling the critical thinking and ethical decision-making skills we all need to navigate the internet.
Eight years ago, Carol Todd’s 15-year-old daughter Amanda took her own life after suffering through cyberbullying and sexual harassment. From this unthinkable tragedy, Carol found she could help others by sharing Amanda’s story around the world. The new documentary Dark Cloud examines the epidemic of cyberbullies and their targets, and in it Carol asks parents to learn more about online safety, mental health and raising resilient kids.
Soprano Ambur Braid wants you to remember how music can take you to a better place when everything feels terrible. Tamara talks to Ambur about her small town roots, how she’s coping with an interrupted international career and why opera should be in our pandemic self-care kit.
A group of Harvard students have created a new online community called Dear Canada that connects people of all ages across the country with virtual postcards. Founding members Katherine and Aysha explain why they wanted to create a platform that uses the spirit of social media in useful ways. Both feel that social content can sometimes be weaponized, so on Dear Canada, they’re asking Canadians to reflect on this unique time we’re in while leaving behind positive content for future generations.
Judith Heumann is an internationally-recognized author and leader in the Disability Rights movement. She served in both the Clinton and Obama administrations and was a key figure in the Netflix documentary Crip Camp. She believes we must keep telling the stories of people living with disabilities to create change. Judith and Tamara discuss advocating for legal, educational and economic rights and how we all need to check our intentionally and unintentionally ableist actions.
For almost a year, Hilde Fålun Strøm and Sunniva Sorby have lived in a tiny hunter’s cabin in the high Arctic, with no running water or electricity, and with polar bears as their nearest neighbours. They’ve battled hurricane winds, bone-chilling temperatures and months of darkness, but it’s all in an effort to raise awareness for climate change. As citizen scientists, they host video chats with classrooms around the globe, encouraging students to care about the earth’s future.
Never before have so many of us experienced so much uncertainty, loss, and grief all at the same time. We can grieve when we lose a loved one, but we can also grieve the loss of a job, a plan or a way of life. Grief expert and author Claire Bidwell Smith talks with Tamara about the connection between grief and anxiety and how meditation and ritual can ease our anxious thoughts. Claire suggests that if we could accept the grieving process as a normal part of life, it has the potential to be transformational.
As the social justice movement gains enormous traction, Canadians are reflecting on the racism experienced by Indigenous Peoples across the country. Chastity Davis has extensive experience acting as an empathetic and consultative bridge between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, communities and companies. Besides education and policy change, Chastity says the key to lasting change is making space for Indigenous voices.
George Floyd’s death sparked worldwide protests and fueled open conversations about systemic racism and white privilege. Vancouver-based diversity and inclusion consultant Cicely Belle Blain unpacks how the social justice conversation is unfolding in Canada, the meaning of privilege and unconscious bias, and how Canadians are both participating in and impacted by racism.
In Chechnya, LGBTQ+ people are living in fear of being discovered and killed, just for being who they are. A group of activists are risking their lives to create safehouses to help persecuted Chechens escape. Oscar-nominated filmmaker David France discusses his documentary Welcome to Chechnya, which is a tribute to the human spirit. While we celebrate Pride this year, we are reminded that hard-fought rights can be reversed and that we must speak up in defense of those who are vulnerable.
Experts knew it wasn’t a matter of if, but when a deadly virus like COVID-19 would hit. Dr. Michael Osterholm, Director of the Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, weighs in on why the pandemic still caught us off guard and how the interconnectedness of our global economy is making the impact worse. There are no easy solutions, but Dr. Osterholm discusses some simple ways we can reduce the spread.
Restaurants are part of the social fabric to many communities and give cities their unique personalities. But across the country, few industries have been hit harder by COVID-19 than hospitality. Restaurants are vital - they hire locally, keep neighbourhoods thriving and support many aspects of our economy - and today, they’re performing herculean feats to keep their doors open. Tamara sits down with two owners to talk through the challenges they’ve faced with nation-wide shutdowns and gradual re-openings.
COVID-19 has had a profound impact on the global economy. Everyone is feeling the effects - from families, to small businesses, to big companies. The Honourable Perrin Beatty is CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and is uniquely equipped to discuss where our nation’s economy is headed. Perrin links our adaptability to major events in the past and explains that although our new normal will look different, we can help our communities adjust.
We’re four months into this pandemic, and our mental health is being pushed to the limits in new ways. It’s getting harder to stick with the routines and behaviours that keep us stable, and tense conversations with friends, family members and strangers on social media are making things worse. Psychiatrist and TELUS Chief Neuroscience Officer Dr. Diane McIntosh joins Tamara again to share advice for keeping ourselves and our loved ones mentally healthy.
COVID is turning regular business owners into skilled technologists, as the digital wave continues to change how we live and consume. CBC Dragon, tech entrepreneur and Club Penguin creator, Lane Merrifield talks with Tamara about how businesses are navigating the pandemic and why it’s not a bad thing if your kid is spending more time playing video games.
Are you sifting through COVID-19 articles to get to the right info? For award-winning health reporter and columnist for the Globe and Mail, André Picard, there may be an abundance of headlines on the pandemic, but it’s a once-in-a-century event that can’t be underplayed. Throughout his 40-year career, Picard has covered almost every infectious disease. He takes us through the most pressing issues facing healthcare in Canada, simplifying the daily bombardment of news into facts and common sense.
Traditional gender expectations remain largely unchanged, decades after women entered the workplace in droves, and it’s not fair for anyone. Brigid Schulte, author of Overwhelmed: How to Work, Love and Play When No One Has the Time, breaks down these unrealistic standards and pushes all of us to have the right conversations to reset our family dynamics.
In this episode, Tamara sits down with Eva Holland, the author of Nerve: A Personal Journey Through the Science of Fear. Eva talks about the lessons she learned from facing her own fears, where phobias come from, why we feel fear in the first place and how it can save us.
In this episode, Tamara sits down with child psychologist and best-selling author, Dr. Ross Greene, to talk about parenting during the pandemic. Dr. Greene explains that even though being a parent while we’re physically isolating is tougher, we need to give ourselves a break. It can be an incredible opportunity to get to know your kids better, recognize their resilience and manage the expectations you set for yourself.
In this episode, Tamara sits down with Dr. Gabor Maté, renowned speaker, best-selling author and retired physician with extensive expertise in addiction, stress and childhood development. Dr. Maté explains the science behind stress and trauma and how the body and mind are connected when we’re doing the work to heal.
In this episode Tamara Taggart sits down with Dr. Elka Walsh, a leader in education and the President & CEO at UDiscover Learning Inc. Dr. Walsh draws on her over 20 years of experience as an educator to talk about the changes our education system has seen in the past few months. She explains why now is the perfect time to rethink our education models, how online learning is helping our kids grow as independent thinkers and what two things parents should be focusing on at home with their child’s schooling.
In this episode, Tamara sits down with Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, authors of the #1 New York Times Best Seller, Designing Your Life. They talk with Tamara about how we can use design thinking principles to thrive at any age and any stage in life, even now. With theories rooted in design thinking and science, they explain how to overcome dysfunctional beliefs, why setting small goals is important and how to make life’s tough questions less daunting.
In this episode, Tamara sits down with Dr. Maryam Zeineddin, a family physician with particular interest in preventative health and lifestyle counselling. Maryam demonstrates the importance of mental health in medicine, explains how we can take ownership of our own well-being and gives tips on how to practice self-care while isolating at home.
The role of virtual healthcare has become increasingly important in recent months and in this episode, Tamara sits down with Juggy Sihota, Vice-president of Consumer Health at TELUS, to talk about how it’s changing the health landscape in Canada. Juggy talks about why digital solutions can be used to complement traditional, face-to-face care and explains how TELUS is helping transform the way Canadians access healthcare.
In this episode, Tamara sits down with Angela Marie MacDougall, Executive Director at Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS), an organization that educates, advocates and supports people leaving abusive relationships. Angela describes why her team was able to prepare for an increase in calls when COVID-19 hit, how detrimental social isolation can be for those living in vulnerable situations and what we can do to help. BWSS is available at 1-855-687-1868 or bwss.org.
In this episode, Tamara sits down with Dr. Joshua Tepper, family physician, and President and CEO of North York General Hospital in Toronto. Dr. Tepper pulls from his extensive medical background and on-the-ground experience leading a hospital to talk about the weight of the pandemic on the healthcare system. He describes the challenges that still exist and tells us that we don’t yet know what “the new normal” will look like.
In this episode, Tamara sits down with Alisa Simon from Kids Help Phone to talk about how young people are coping with social distancing and isolation. The demand for professional counselling has grown exponentially during the pandemic and Simon shares what we can do to help make sure every young person knows they have someone to talk to. Kids Help Phone is available at 1-800-668-6868 or kidshelpphone.ca.
In this episode, Tamara sits down with Dr. Olav Krigolson, a neuroscientist who specializes in human learning and decision-making. Dr. Krigolson uses research to explain the effects of social isolation on our brains, why we might be making impaired decisions while we’re physically distanced from friends and family, and what we can do to keep our brains healthy.
In this episode, Tamara sits down with Joy Bowen-Eyre, the CEO of The Alex, a non-profit organization in Calgary that delivers health and social services to vulnerable communities. Joy and Tamara talk about how the not-for-profit sector has been helping Calgarians during the pandemic and what we can all do to safely support each other while we’re social distancing.
In this episode, Tamara sits down with Kelle Hampton, New York Times best-selling author and lifestyle blogger, who writes about enjoying the simple things in life as she raises three kids. Kelle reminds us to recognize and appreciate everyday moments as she and Tamara chat about slowing down, rediscovering what makes us happy and doing three simple things to enjoy life right now.
In this episode, Tamara sits down with Canadian YouTube sensation, Ariel Bissett. With over 170,000 followers, Ariel is a reader, writer and filmmaker, recommending books to the masses and interviewing notable figures like Bill Gates, Michelle Obama and Margaret Atwood. Tamara and Ariel share their book recommendations and talk about how reading and writing can help us stay connected while we’re social distancing.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve heard over and over again about the importance of washing our hands, but what about our phones? In this episode, Tamara sits down with Managing Editor of MobileSyrup, Patrick O’Rourke, to talk about why we should be keeping our devices clean, what the best method is for cleaning them, and how we can best use technology while we’re socially distancing.
In this episode, Tamara sits down with B.C. Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, to update Canadians on the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Henry emphasizes the continued importance of physical distancing, what we can do to flatten the curve and how much longer we’re expected to be in isolation.
In this episode, Tamara Taggart sits down with respected entrepreneur and best-selling author Arlene Dickinson. Known for her roles on Dragons’ Den and the TELUS Pitch, Arlene shares advice to new and veteran business owners on how to weather a crisis. She talks with Tamara about her own personal journey and why now is the time to get to know yourself, your special skills and figure out what matters most in your life.
In this episode, Tamara Taggart sits down with financial advisor and best-selling author, Maili Wong, to talk about financial health in a time of crisis. Maili compares the current economic climate with financial crises of the past and explains how you can take a “smart risk” approach to your investments.
In this episode, Tamara Taggart sits down with Desiree Nielsen, a registered dietician, published author and television host. Desiree tells us how to keep food simple during quarantine, what we can eat to support our immune systems, and how to embrace wellness while we’re facing unusual circumstances.
Tamara and Hayley talk about how to stay healthy and active during the COVID-19 crisis, and how the pandemic is affecting the world of sports.
The COVID-19 pandemic has rattled many of us as we struggle to adapt to a fast-changing world. For Leisse Wilcox, there is familiarity amid the uncertainty.
On this first episode of TELUS Talks with Tamara Taggart, Dr. Diane McIntosh, TELUS’ Chief Neuroscience Officer, gives practical advice on how Canadians can best manage their mental and physical well-being during the COVID-19 global pandemic.