bend. the podcast: Recent Episodes
Bend Wellness
Lifting this weight.
Join us for this weeks episode where we speak with accountant Michele Quigg, CPA, CGA, from MQ accounting about financial wellness. This episode is co-hosted with the lovely Erin McCarthy from Erin McCarthy Mindfulness.
We discuss the profession of accounting, how she got to where she is and what drew her to the profession. She explains that accounting is not just about numbers and filing taxes, but also about connection with clients and understanding their businesses. She discusses how her decision to start her own business helped to inform her work and ability to relate to other entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Michele talks about the role of ethics in accounting, the importance of saving for retirement, and the role wellness has in finances. Wellness, she says, is about having the freedom to do what makes your soul happy.
Find out more about Michele at:
https://mqaccounting.ca IG: @mqaccounting
To Belong
Join us for our second conversation this season with The Table Community Food Centre. Emmet Cameron and Youssef Sawan join us with co-host Elle Halladay for a discussion about belonging, wellness and various supports The Table has to offer.
We discuss why a community food center is about more than just food or a meal. It’s being able to connect with people, understanding the supports that are available in the community, and providing a space to be human.
We dive into the topic of belonging; why it is important what are the things that make you feel like you belong and what are the barriers to belonging?
To find out more about The Table Community Food Centre check out www.thetablecfc.org
Thanks for listening.
Healing Through Art
Join us for a beautiful conversation with Nancy Mike, an Inuk Research Associate and Artist.
We explore her work, and how and where the seeds of her creativity were planted. We discuss how engaging in art can provide us with a space for healing, and how we can find comfort and inspiration in art as a response to adversity, loss, grief and challenges.
"...sometimes the only way to endure suffering is to transform it into art." - Suleika Jaouad
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Knowing Yourself
Join us for an informative and empowering conversation with pelvic health physiotherapist and educator, Andrea Picket.
Andrea speaks to us about an area of our health that is often not given the attention it needs, our pelvic floor.
We question why this area of our health isn’t explored at an earlier age, talk about kegel exercises, and how various traumas can impact this area of our bodies.
We discuss how developing an understanding and educating ourselves on our pelvic health can give us a sense of control over our bodies, validate our experiences and make us feel empowered.
Find out more about Andrea and her practice at www.appelvicphysio.com
In this episode we speak to Ashley Belhumeur, Assistant Manager of The Oaks Residential Services with the Shepherds of Good Hope in Ottawa. Deb is joined by Lisa Gregoire as co-host.
Ashley speaks to us about what The Oaks and The Shepherds of Good Hope do in the community of Ottawa and what the harm reduction approach is. She speaks about the impact these programs have on the folks they support and the importance of meeting people where they are.
Learn how these programs can help individuals gain back their humanity, dignity and allow themselves to express vulnerability in a safe space.
Thank you to The Oaks and The Shepherds of Good Hope for their time and the work they do.
Prison Yoga Project
Join us for an inspiring and insightful conversation with Tara McCaffery, a counsellor and ‘Prison Yoga’ facilitator at the Nanaimo Correctional Centre.
Tara started realized through her own journey that traditional talk therapy wasn’t enough and eventually found her missing piece, reconnecting with our bodies.
We discuss what trauma informed yoga is, how it is implemented in the correctional system through the prison yoga project, and the therapeutic and restorative processes that happen as a result.
Tara shares an inspiring true story that encourages us to see prisons as places with the potential to help people heal and grow. A radical and hopeful perspective.
Find out more about the Prison Yoga Project at www.prisonyoga.org
Sound Unbound.
Join us for an amazing chat about music therapy with Rebecca Worden BMT, RP, MTA, co-hosted by Haley Bowes from Aruma!
We discuss the intoxicating quality of music and what we can experiencing by immersing ourselves in the experience.
Rebecca discusses the power of imagery, and explains music’s ability to be a metaphor for us, packed full of meaning, and leads us through a lovely guided practice. The intersection of science and the creative arts is paving an exciting future for mental health care, and music has a lot of value for our own mental health and wellbeing.
We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we do!
Find out more about Rebecca at https://wordenrebecca.wixsite.com/website
*the song shared by Rebecca is: La fille aux cheveux de lin “The girl with the flaxen hair” By French composer Claude Debussy Licensed to share through Creative Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/legalcode
In this episode of the podcast we dig into the complexities of food justice. This week Deb is joined by Dr. Josie Wittmer of @mightyvalleycoffee, as co-host, and we speak to Coral Sproule and Ramsey Hart of The Table Community Food Centre in Perth, Ontario.
Tune in to expand your knowledge about the intersectional issues surrounding food justice. We talk about how Community Food Centres are working to affect change at every level while navigating the unjust food system that exists.
This is a rich episode; one that teaches, challenges and, hopefully, leaves you feeling like you may want to be a part of this kind of social and political change.
Plug into yourself. Join us for a conversation with Bobbi McDougall.
In her own words, Bobbi is on a mission is to help people find, honour and listen to their inner voice of authenticity through greater consciousness, so that they can feel empowered and present lives anchored in love.
Bobbi says, our bodies tell our stories. She shares her thoughts on what it means to be in your body, the power of pause, and the importance of making space for all the emotions we experience.
To her, wellness means finding contentment and ease, and a safe space within ourselves.
Find out more about Bobbi here: IG: @bobbimcdougall www.aruma.ca
Thanks for tuning in.
Right Livelihood, Mighty Coffee.
Join us for our season 2 finale as we engage in a very big chat with Jarred Lee & Dr. Josie Wittmer of Mighty Valley Coffee.
Find out more about each of them, how this work evolved and learn about the social welfare and environmental principals that have informed their business.
We dig in and discuss how coffee, politics, environmentalism, Buddhism, academia and feminism intersect and talk about how and why wellness is political.
You won't want to miss this one. Brew up a hot mug and tune in.
Find Mighty Valley Coffee online at: www.mightyvalleycoffee.com IG: @mightyvalleycoffee
To Have a Room
In the latest episode of the podcast join us for an insightful conversation with Elle Halladay where we discuss the complexities of rural youth homelessness.
We unpack the myths and stereotypes that many of us have about what it means to be homeless as a young person. We discuss the challenges of finding stable housing, the barriers that youth face, and importantly, the resiliency and strength that Elle sees in the young people she supports.
This conversation makes us reflect on some things that we often take for granted; to be able to sleep safely through the night, to be able to close your door, to have a room.
A truly disruptive chat.
Cornerstone Landing is a community based non-profit organization that provides assistance to youth 16-24 who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Lanark County. To find out more about Cornerstone Landing Youth Services you can visit: www.cornerstonelanding.com
Body Poet
In this week’s episode of the podcast we have a delightful chat with Registered Massage Therapist and Entrepreneur Emilie McKay from McKay Massage Therapy and The RMTpreneur.
We talk with Emilie about how she came to be an RMT, who needs a massage, the benefits of this kind of therapy.
We also explore her new offerings through The RMTpreneur, where she supports folks as they navigate the complexities of running a health care business.
If you need an infusion of joy - and really, who doesn't at the moment - then you won't want to miss this conversation.
Find out more about Emilie and her offerings at: www.mckaymassagetherapy.com www.thermtpreneur.com
Remaking Wellness In this week’s conversation we talk with Biatris Lasu, (@theminimalistsyogi) founder of Women of Colour Remake Wellness.
Biatris talks to us about WOCRW, a platform for resources, information and action steps to support BIPoC women in the health and wellness space. She shares her reasons for founding WOCRW, some of the current things she is working on, and what keeps her going.
We talk about why such a platform is necessary, and the importance of people seeing themselves reflected in wellness spaces and to feel comfortable entering these spaces.
Our conversation also touches on the benefits of being in nature, pandemic pets and - as a bonus, tune in to hear about some of her favorite hiking trails.
Find out more about Women of Colour Remake Wellness visit: IG: @womenofcolourremakewellness www.womenofcolorremakewellness.com
The Other Side of Life
This episode of the podcast sees us having an intimate conversation about death with a beautiful guest.
Christiane Zeithammel of Death Doula Ottawa walks us through what it means to be a Death Doula, what drew her to this work, and why she feels it is so important.
Christiane shares about her work, coaching dying persons and their families through the phases of dying, emotionally, spiritually & physically. She discusses how a big part of her job is just to be there; to listen with an open heart and give people her time and attention. This work, she says, makes her aware just how precious life it.
Tune in to hear about this fascinating work, why she sees herself as a pioneer, and to find out what the dying have to teach us all about living.
To find out more about Death Doula services in Ottawa visit : www.deathdoulaottawa.ca
Corrie Rabbe: That Gut Feeling
In this episode of Bend we have a fascinating conversation with Corrie Rabbe, Certified Nutrional Practioner, Herbalist and fermented food expert.
She talks to us about nutrition, fermentation, and how she believes that gut health is the basis of good health. Corrie discusses ways we can improve our digestion and gut health through fermented foods and gives the tip of simply chewing our food more.
We discuss how you might introduce fermented foods to your diet, make them yourself, and where to find them locally. She also touches on what to watch out for on labels when shopping for our health foods.
Thanks for tuning in!
Find out more about Corrie here : www.radical health.ca IG: radical_health
This week's episode of our podcast is a pretty special one.
Throughout the past year we've thought a lot about young people and all they've had to endure during this prolonged pandemic. In the latest episode of bend. the podcast, join us as we speak to a group of 5 friends, Perth and District Collegiate Institute Grade 12 students - all of whom have had to navigate their senior years of High School during these challenging times
Listen to what they were thinking a year ago, how things have unfolded for them and listen as we ask them what people don't get about teens right now.
Thanks to this exceptional group for an open, honest and insightful conversation.
As we stare down the challenges of another stay at home order and another round of remote learning here in Ontario (and beyond), please extend some compassion and kindness to the young people in your life.
Thanks for listening.
This weeks episode we speak with a creative and talented local business owner, Amy Kelly from The Plaid Cow.
Amy describes herself as a Fabric Enthusiast and as a Sewist: someone who makes things out of beautiful fabric. We talk about the evolution of her business, how social media has helped her grow her customer base, and the vulnerability that goes along with being honest and authentic online.
Colours and fun patterns are defining characteristics of many of Amy’s pieces. Amy shares her love for different fabrics, patterns, and a pop of colour. We discuss the importance of colour; a good reminder that colour has the power to bring us joy and energy.
A truly fun and inspiring chat with a lovely and creative women.
Find out more about Amy and her business The Plaid Cow www.the plaidcow.ca IG: the_plaid_cow
‘A Woman Who Serves’ Join us for this week’s episode as we explore the work of a Birth Doula, Kaitlin Hussein. Kaitlin is a registered massage therapist, doula, and child birth educator. Fuelled by her passion, Kaitlin now owns and operates her business, Flourishing Families in Perth, Ontario.
In this conversation we explore what wellness in birth can look like. Kaitlin reminds us that throughout history, women commonly supported each other’s births, providing love, care and wisdom. She teaches us about the role of a Doula, meaning ‘a woman who serves’, and discusses the emotional, physical and informational support Doula’s can provide to people as they navigate the birthing process, both virtually and in-person. She describes her role as the “glue in the background”, “pouring love in the room" and dismantling fear; a inspiring, heartfelt and genuine chat.
You can find out more about Kaitlin and her business at: www.flourishingfamilies.ca IG: flourishingfamilies.Perth
Often when we think about wellness, we think about life; about being alive. This week we explore what it can mean in death and burial practices.
In this episode we talk to "cofineer" Donna Klassen from Earth Bound Coffins about her work as a carpenter building simple wood coffins, what a natural/green burial is, the slow death movement and some history about the evolution of death care. Hear how her business is a reflection of living the simple life, chopping wood, carrying water, and how she is helping people find meaning in periods of grief and loss.
This is a conversation that can truly challenge your ideas about life and death, reminding us of the beauty and harmony of the circle of life, dust to dust. A truly interesting, thought provoking and touching conversation.
Thanks for listening.
Find out more about Donna and her business at www.earthboundcoffins.ca
To Take Care of the World
Join us for an honest chat with Jackie Schoemaker Holmes, PhD. A woman, mother, sociologist, poet and empowerment specialist.
We talk about her own journey into motherhood and how her experience with post partum depression and anxiety birthed a business and community in which she has the opportunity to meaningfully support and empower women.
We talk about the complexities of being a woman, the experiences and emotions that can show up throughout the journey of motherhood, and the the impact motherhood can have on our identity. Jackie talks about shame and judgement and how motherhood can easily get tangled up with both. Jackie says, “no one can define what it means to be a mother for me, and since I made that decision, I have never felt more empowered.”
This episode spoke to each of us as women, though our experiences and stages of life are different - a truly vulnerable chat. We hope it will do the same for you, regardless of the perspectives you bring to the conversation
Find out more about Jackie here: www.empowermentforresilience.com IG @empowermentforresilience @eatingheryoung
“I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.” Audre Lorde
This quote keeps coming to mind as we reflect on this conversation with Laura Wilcox, friend, entrepreneur, activist and overall wonderful woman. In this episode we talk to Laura as she discusses a new non-profit she is building with community members, Stir It Up Collective, whose goal is to support womxn who are recovering from sex trafficking.
Laura talks about what human trafficking is, how she came to start this initiative, and their goals moving forward. We discuss sex work verses sex trafficking, challenge our own biases, and question why blame and shame is often directed at womxn and their bodies.
To her, wellness means feeling ease, “that peace inside...kind of like finding home within ourselves”. Finding things that bring you moments of joy.
Thanks for the thought provoking and inspiring conversation, Laura.
Thanks for listening.
The Practice of Showing Up
This weeks episode is an inspiring conversation with Taucha Post from ADHD Yoga.
From a young age, Taucha always felt different. ‘Easy things’ that she saw her peers doing with ease were really hard for her, and she felt like she was always working way harder than anyone else to get the same results. She started making sense of her struggles by thinking of herself as a ‘stupid person who works hard’. She couldn’t make any other sense of what she was experiencing. It wasn’t until years later, during her professional career as a speech therapist, that by chance she was listening to an episode of The Current on ADHD and the lightbulb started going off for her, ‘this is me’ she realized.
Taucha walks us through what led up to her diagnosis and her experience of having ADHD, and about how ADHD, as a neurological issue, is different for women in very important ways. We dig into the role hormones play, the challenges ADHD presents and the things, for her, that have been particularly helpful.
We talk about the practice of showing up, even when that means you're a bit of a mess - and building self kindness as you do so.
If you want to find out more about Taucha or connect with her, check out: IG: @adhd.yoga www.adhdyoga.ca
“The humble act of putting one foot in front of the other transcends age, geography, culture and class, and is one of the most economical and environmentally responsible modes of transit.” Dan Rubinstein
In this episode we chat with Dan Rubinstein, author of Born to Walk: The Transformative Power of a Pedestrian Act. Dan speaks about the benefits and power of connecting with our own two feet and getting outside, on both land and water. His passion for movement has led him to a deeper understanding of the power of walking, importance of taking in our surroundings at a slower pace, and the impact of nature on our minds and bodies.
Through his more recent passion, Paddle-boarding, he has been able to experience his world, locally and internationally, exploring the different perspective that being out on the water gives us. He says, “Water is big, water is powerful, water is so much more than us, and being out in it you see yourself as one small part of a much larger thing. And that sense of perspective is incredibly grounding and helpful for framing yourself and your challenges in a deeper way.”
He says, the more we pay attention to walking and water will be good for our planet. We agreed, and can’t wait to share this episode with you.
Thanks for listening.
Choosing You ✨
In this weeks episode we chat with Haley Bowes, co-owner of Aruma: A Place for Heath and Happiness.
We discussed how her and her team have led Aruma through the pandemic so far by shedding old layers and growing new ones along the way. She talks about how through this pandemic she has learned the value of surrendering, and letting be what will be.
Through Haley’s work as a counsellor and the work done at Aruma by all their practitioners, a main goal she said, is to help people learn to thrive, not just survive. She talks about the importance of good communication, choosing yourself first & taking care of your whole being; physical, spiritual, emotional & mental.
We hope you enjoy this chat with Haley. To find out more about her and Aruma check out: www.aruma.ca IG: @haleybowes IG: @arumaplace
This episode marks the end of season 1! Thanks for tuning in 🎤
Bend. The Podcast
Meaningful change begins with open conversations, sitting in community with people and getting uncomfortable about difficult things.
On this week’s episode of the podcast we talk with Aisha Toor.
Listen in as Aisha shares her experience immigrating to Canada as a child, growing up and living rurally as a person of colour, and the costs of not seeing yourself reflected in the community around you.
Aisha talks about how she has consciously and unconsciously tried to fit into the fabric of her community, often by hiding parts of herself. She reflects, from a young age you learn to hide your differences, hide a part of yourself, as a way to protect yourself.
Aisha asks a powerful question when it comes to wellness: how can one be well, when you’re not fully able to be yourself?
Thanks for tuning into this episode of Bend. The Podcast.
We hope you enjoyed it.
Shulamit Ber Levtov
Completing the stress cycle: soothe, nourish, discharge.
In this conversation with Shula she reminds us of the importance of a pause, going slowly, & the importance of having faith that everything will be ok.
We dive into the stress cycle discussing why it so important to fully metabolize our stress and understand the difference between stress and stressor.
We discus why burn out & pandemic fatigue are effecting women at a higher rate than men, what the term “she-session” means and what the 6 month wall is.
When asked what wellness means to her, she states: “Taking the next right action with an open heart, with as little clinging to the fruits as I can, is the best way to be well”.
For more information on Shula and her offerings visit https://www.shula.ca
Thanks for listening.
For more information on topics covered:
https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-with-emily-and-amelia-nagoski-on-burnout-and-how-to-complete-the-stress-cycle/
https://www.selahcounseling.cloud/blog/the-threshold-theory-of-embodied-experience?fbclid=IwAR3ySW1te7n8FfZDLnJCA0VHMims5EO7pdNm7hf9cw1MrdvpbRo1NyypSbM
https://www.minlodge.com/
https://legacyofhope.ca/
https://parents-together.org/these-tweets-about-pandemics-6-month-wall-are-exactly-what-we-all-need-to-hear-right-now/
A Monkey On My Back ADHD: challenges, gifts & chasing the mirage.
Join us for an honest conversation with someone who has lived experience with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He talks honestly about his struggles, how he manages his symptoms and discusses why it took him about 47 years to be diagnosed.
He describes his experience as feeling like he was always chasing a mirage in the desert, trying to solve his own puzzle with a monkey on his back.
He discusses how ADHD lives in the both the body and the mind, showing up as hyperactivity or hyper-focus, which can often be misunderstood. He describes the challenges he has experienced because of ADHD, and also the many gifts it has given him.
Challenge your ideas about what it means to be well and find inspiration in his story.
Liza Gregoire; on being brave, funny & new ✏️ Art & the Creative Process
Recently we had the privilege of chatting with award winning writer, Lisa Gregoire.
Our conversation explored her creative process and art as a way to shift our perspectives and illuminate meaning. We discussed her transition from journalist to writer of fiction and she shares why she thinks humour is important to thread throughout her work; now more than ever.
Lisa also tackles the question, is there really such a thing as a true fiction story?
Some of her publications mentioned are Agnes and True ( https://www.agnesandtrue.com/the-leave/ ), Ecology issue of Qwerty magazine (out of UNB: https://www.qwertyunb.com/) and Issue #74 of Calgary's filling Station magazine (http://www.fillingstation.ca/)
Lynn Keane On courage & resilience. “You must do the thing you cannot do”
Lynn is a mother, speaker, advocate for mental health, youth suicide prevention and racial justice. She is a marathon and iron man completer, and all around a wonderful woman.
Since losing her son Daniel by suicide in 2009, Lynn has dedicated her life to sharing his story. Lynn has turned her son's story into a call for action to re-examine how we view and treat mood disorders, as well as challenge the long believed myths about addictions and disorders of the brain. In the conversation we talk to Lynn about her journey through grief, and the role of courage, resilience and hope. She shares the importance of movement, speaking, writing and talks about how they became powerful tools for her healing process. You can find out more about Lynn at www.lynnkeane.ca or on Instagram @lynnkeane_7
Amy C. Willis On sobriety, addiction, & drinking culture.
In this episode of Bend, we chat with Amy C. Willis, sobriety and mindset coach and owner of Hol and Well, tackling the controversial topic of alcohol. We discuss the culture of drinking, what being sober curious means, and how alcohol has made its way into mainstream culture specifically the wellness industry.
Amy talks about addiction as a house with many doors. She talks openly about her own journey to sobriety offering insight into the language used in addiction such as the term “alcoholic”, the use of the disease model in addiction, and the importance of connection and community.
Perhaps this conversation will cause you to pause and question your own relationship to alcohol and ask yourself why how and why this substance has become such an ingrained part of our culture.
Listen until the end for a special offer from Amy.
You can find out more about Amy and her mission at: www.holandwell.com IG: msamycwillis
Happy listening.
Alexis Officer : Art & Science- On movement, our bodies response to pain and the connection between art & science as it relates to our wellness.
In this week episode we talk with Alexis, owner of Art & Science Physiotherapy & Pilates to chat with her about movement, our bodies response to pain and the connection between art & science as it relates to our being.
We talk about what it means to be a physiotherapist, how Alexis got to where she is, owning a business, how she helps people with their pain, and integrating Pilates into her work.
The conversation touches on wide ranging topics including posture, the role of breath in our overall health, the history of Pilates, and why women’s bodies crave different types of movement & exercise at different times.
Find out more about Alexis and the services she offered locally in Smiths Falls, Ontario & Virtually at: www.artandsciencephysio.com IG: @artandsciencephysio
Jennifer Baron 🍂 our latest podcast guest.
A teacher, environmentalist, and outdoor education enthusiast and expert.
This woman is helping change the future by teaching her students about our interconnectedness to nature and the world around us.
Taking her classroom outside, she teaches her students how to learn from nature & respect the land through environmental and Indigenous lenses. In a time when we are being told that outdoor air is better than indoor air, and leaves and pine cones are less of a threat than Lego blocks and shared pencil crayons, she’s stressing the importance and value of getting kids outside.
One of the best things we can do for the future of our planet is to educate the next generations from an environment lens, to show them that we are all connected, that caring about the environment and our planet is as important as caring for ourself.
Thanks Jennifer for being on the front lines and tackling this head on.
You can find Jennifer on Instagram @ecoinquiry and read her recent article on ETFOVoice.ca entitled “Math on the Land”.
Dan de Luis! We sat down for a conversation with Wim Hof Expert Dan de Luis for a conversation about stress, the power of our own breath, cold therapy and why it’s important to have a growth mindset
Dan is a stress reduction specialist, mindfulness, meditation and yoga teacher, Wim Hof Method instructor and studio owner in Brockville, Ontario. Dan has taught all over the world, including work with professional athletes and government organizations.
In this conversation Dan takes a dive into the Wim Hof Method and how it works to help us reduce stress & inflammation in the body.
Listen to our conversation and check Dan out at: @dan_deluis www.subramanyayoga.com www.wimhofmethod.com www.onlineyoga.com
Erin McCarthy joins us for a conversation on mindfulness, the philosophy of happiness, concussion recovery & being your own best friend
Our conversation was full of inspiration & knowledge touching on who she is and what led her to where she is now. She discusses mindfulness and philosophical counselling and explains how they can help shift our lives and perspectives. Erin is also a teacher of mindful self compassion and speaks to the power of being our own best friends.
Check out Erin’s website for her new concussion recovery program or to grab "The Calm Concussion Recovery Tracker" made to support people in their healing journey.
Find out more about Erin on her social media pages (IG: @erinmccarthymindfulness) or website including her individual coaching services & upcoming programs; www.erinmccarthymindfulness.com
An activist, speaker, social justice advocate, and most importantly a father. Calvin Neufeld is an advocate for animal rights, human rights, sexual and gender minorities, racial minorities, physically, mentally and economically disadvantaged people and absolutely everybody else. Calvin is also the founder of Evolve Our Prison Farms, a campaign for innovative agriculture and compassion based rehabilitation on Canada’s prison farms.
Calvin covers everything from prison farms, to lessons from his mother, to his perspective of what it means to be well. He tells us that it’s important to open our eyes to the suffering of others and to not turn away when times get hard. www.calvinneufeld.com
Bend, The Podcast: Launching October 2nd. We can’t wait to share wonderful conversations with you.