The WAHL Show: Recent Episodes
Mike Wahl Ph.D.
The WAHL (Wellness and Healthy Lifestyle) Show brings listeners information they need to know about what's new and relevant for improving and maintaining their physical and mental health. By talking with experts in medicine, research, private practice and other relevant areas, Dr. Mike Wahl will help guide the listener through the confusing topic of Health and Wellness with the goal of building knowledge and be empowering them to make better lifestyle choices.
In this episode of The Wahl Show, host Dr. Mike Wahl explores the transformative world of adventure therapy—a groundbreaking approach that integrates the therapeutic benefits of nature and physical activities into the healing process. With historical roots in the Outward Bound model and innovative 'tent therapy' practices in the United States, adventure therapy has evolved into a powerful method for addressing trauma, anxiety, depression, and more. Dr. Wahl is joined by Olivia Smith, a newly established adventure therapist in town, who brings a wealth of knowledge from her recent graduation in Counseling Psychology from New York University and extensive training as an outdoor adventure guide. Together, they delve into how adventure therapy works, the types of activities involved, and its profound impact on mental health. Olivia shares her insights on how nature can facilitate healing, drawing from her experience and the natural beauty of Canada's landscapes. This episode highlights the incredible benefits of combining nature's calming effects with therapeutic practices, offering a unique and holistic approach to mental health. Tune in for an enlightening conversation on The Wahl Show, on the Stingray Podcast Network and VOCM
Guests
Jaclyn Sullivan, Hope Air - Director of External Relations, Atlantic Canada (Seg 1&4)
Gary - Hope Air client (Seg 2&3)
Guests
Dr. Christine Palmay, a family medicine physician at Midtown Health and Wellness Clinic in Toronto
Maaike de Vries, Health Systems Researcher, Signal49 Research
The Future of Healthy Aging: Conversations with Dr. Mehmood Khan & Dr. James Kirkland | The Wahl Show How can we not only live longer but live better? In this episode of The Wahl Show, Dr. Mike Wahl takes you inside the Global Health Span Summit in Riyadh, where the world’s top minds are reshaping our understanding of aging and longevity. First, Dr. Wahl sits down with Dr. Mehmood Khan, CEO of Hevolution Foundation, an organization dedicated to advancing the science of healthy aging and democratizing longevity for all. They discuss the latest breakthroughs in longevity research, the ethical questions surrounding extended lifespans, and why extending health span—the years we live in good health—is just as important as increasing lifespan. Next, Dr. Wahl speaks with Dr. James Kirkland, a world-renowned Canadian researcher and Professor at the Mayo Clinic, whose pioneering work on cellular senescence is transforming how we approach aging-related diseases. From reversing age-related decline to repurposing organs for transplant, Dr. Kirkland shares insights into the science that could change how we age—and how soon these advancements might become a reality. 🧬 In This Episode:
✅ What is health span, and why is it more important than lifespan?
✅ The role of cellular senescence in aging and disease prevention
✅ Cutting-edge research that could revolutionize medicine
✅ What you can do today to improve your health span and quality of life 📌 Don’t miss this fascinating conversation about the future of aging science and what it means for all of us. 🔔 Subscribe & Follow: Stay connected for more deep dives into the science of longevity, wellness, and health innovation. #HealthSpan #LongevityScience #HealthyAging #HevolutionFoundation #MayoClinic #DrMehmoodKhan #DrJamesKirkland #TheWahlShow #HealthExplored #Wellness #AgingScience See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
with 3x National Canadian Champion 🥇
2024 WAKO Athlete of the year
Hady Tarek, kick boxer
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Get ready to embrace the great outdoors as we welcome a special guest on today's episode! Join us as we chat with Professor TA Loeffler, a distinguished expert in human kinetics and recreation at Memorial University. With a passion for adventure and a deep connection to nature, Professor Loeffler will be your guide to the exciting summer outdoor activities waiting to be discovered in our beautiful province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
From hiking scenic trails to kayaking along picturesque coastlines, she'll unveil the wonders of outdoor exercise and its myriad benefits for both body and mind. Tune in as she shares valuable insights on how to maximize your summer activities, make lasting memories, and foster a deeper appreciation for the stunning landscapes that surround us. Whether you're a seasoned explorer or new to outdoor adventures, Professor Loeffler's expertise will inspire you to step outside, breathe in the fresh air, and embrace the joy of active living in the great outdoors.
Don't miss this engaging conversation filled with practical tips, exciting suggestions, and a whole lot of enthusiasm for a summer filled with exploration and fun.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nutrition. Exercise. Whatever keeps you feeling great, Join Dr. Mike Wahl as he breaks down what’s new in Health and wellness.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nutrition. Exercise. Whatever keeps you feeling great, Join Dr. Mike Wahl as he breaks down what’s new in Health and wellness.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nutrition. Exercise. Whatever keeps you feeling great, Join Dr. Mike Wahl as he breaks down what’s new in Health and wellness.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nutrition. Exercise. Whatever keeps you feeling great, Join Dr. Mike Wahl as he breaks down what’s new in Health and wellness.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode we delve into the remarkable and often overlooked realm of fulfilling seniors' dreams through the lens of 'We Are Young,' a pioneering charity making significant strides in this area. Guests Katie and Kerry share their journey, from the inception of their organization to the heartwarming stories of dreams realized, offering profound insights into the impact of their work on seniors and the wider community. The discussion not only highlights the transformative power of such gestures but also addresses the societal perceptions of aging, underscoring the importance of intergenerational respect and connection. This episode is a touching reminder of the capacity we all have to bring joy and fulfillment into the lives of those who have spent a lifetime contributing to ours, encouraging listeners to reflect on the value of every individual's dreams, no matter their age.
In this episode, we dive deep with artist Kim Morgan to explore her latest exhibit, "Blood and Breath, Skin and Dust." Join us as Kim shares her journey into the art world, the fusion of science, medicine, and creativity that fuels her work, and the profound inspirations behind her thought-provoking pieces. From the cellular detail of "RBC1 and White Blood Cell" to the immersive "Breath Wall," we uncover the meanings, motivations, and messages Kim aims to convey about the human body and existence. Discover how this exhibit challenges viewers to see beyond the surface and reflect on the essence of life itself.
In this captivating episode, we dive deep into the essence of the Blue Mind theory with our special guest, Dr. Wallace J Nichols, a renowned marine biologist and the visionary author behind the transformative concept that explores the profound impact water has on our mental and physical well-being. Join us as Dr. Nichols unravels the science and spirituality connecting humans to water, sharing groundbreaking insights and personal stories illuminating how proximity to water can reduce stress, enhance creativity, and foster a sense of tranquillity. Whether you're a swimmer, surfer, or simply someone who finds peace by the water's edge, this conversation will inspire you to seek out your next blue space and experience the therapeutic power of water. Tune in to discover how embracing the Blue Mind can lead to a deeper, more joyful engagement with the world around us.
In this captivating episode of "The Wahl Show," host Dr. Mike Wahl explores the transformative power of artificial intelligence in healthcare, focusing on its application in combating diabetes and cancer. Our esteemed guests, Dr. Meshari Alwashmi from Amplify AI and Daniel Bojar, Ph.D., from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, share their pioneering research and insights into how AI is not just a tool of the future, but a present-day ally in diagnosing, treating, and understanding complex health issues. Through their conversation, listeners will discover the innovative ways AI is being harnessed to detect diabetic foot complications and analyze cancer-related carbohydrate signatures for early detection. This episode promises to enlighten and inspire with a glimpse into how AI is shaping the future of medical science and patient care.
n this episode of The Wahl Show, join Dr. Mike Wahl as he dives into the transformative '12 Neighbours' program in Fredericton, New Brunswick, where visionary founder Marcel LeBrun shares the journey from combating homelessness to fostering a community of empowerment, dignity, and improved health outcomes. We will also chat with Mayor Al and discover how this innovative model not only provides stable housing but also integrates personal and professional growth opportunities, offering a blueprint for communities across Canada to address affordable housing and social enterprise. This compelling conversation highlights the intrinsic link between housing stability and overall health, showcasing the power of community-driven initiatives in creating sustainable change and nurturing human potential.
In this enlightening episode of The Wahl Show, Dr. Mike Wahl sits down with Mary Lou James, the dynamic owner and founder of Exhale Pilates. Delve into the transformative world of Pilates and discover its unique approach to harmonizing physical and mental well-being. Mary Lou shares her extensive experience, shedding light on the philosophy, benefits, and common misconceptions of this holistic practice. Tune in for an inspiring discussion that's sure to ignite a passion for Pilates in enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
Join Dr. Mike Wahl in a compelling episode with Dan Meades, a renowned expert in poverty reduction. Explore the intricate relationship between poverty, housing insecurity, and their impacts on health and community. Dan shares deep insights from his work at the Transition House Association, offering real-world solutions and inspiring change. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on tackling some of society's most pressing challenges.
Dive into the festive spirit with Dr. Mike Wahl on a special holiday episode featuring guests Josh Smee, Sonia Smith, and the delightful Santa Claus. Explore the season of giving through the lenses of community action, charity, and the joyous traditions of the holidays. From addressing food insecurity with Josh to celebrating community support with Sonia, and a magical touch from Santa, this episode is a heartwarming blend of goodwill and cheer. Tune in for an uplifting journey that captures the true essence of the holiday season.
Join Dr. Mike Wahl on 'The WAHL Show' as he delves into a comprehensive discussion on maintaining wellness during the holidays with three esteemed experts: Gill Whelan, Andrea Stokes, and Shannon Edison. This episode offers a holistic approach to holiday health, blending physical activity guidance from Whelan, intuitive eating strategies from dietitian Stokes, and mental well-being insights from psychologist Edison. Listeners will gain practical tips for balancing festive indulgence with health and well-being. Tune in for an enlightening conversation that promises to transform your holiday experience.
In this episode, we delve into the impactful 'Diabetes for a Day' campaign, initiated by Kevin Peters after his daughter's Type 1 diabetes diagnosis. We're joined by board members Mark Collett and Natalie Hand, discussing how the campaign promotes healthy living and diabetes prevention in Newfoundland through community partnerships. Additionally, Nurse June Tavenor provides insightful information about diabetes, enhancing our understanding of this chronic condition. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in health advocacy and community involvement in diabetes awareness.
In this enlightening episode of The Wahl Show, host Dr. Mike Wahl engages with Emily from SWAP and Jeff from U-Turn to explore addiction and recovery. Discover the impactful roles of these Newfoundland-based harm reduction and support programs in aiding individuals and communities grappling with addiction. Listen as we uncover the challenges and solutions in dealing with addiction, providing hope and resources for those in need. Join us in a conversation that sheds light on the path to recovery and the power of community support.
Dive into the adventurous world of Mike Corey, the Emmy-winning host of "Fearless and Far," in our latest podcast episode. Join us as we explore Mike's incredible journey from a biology graduate to a renowned adventure travel TV host and content creator. Discover the inspiration behind his daring expeditions and unique travel style, where he embraces cultures, creatures, and locations most people avoid. Learn how Mike's passion for conquering fears and pushing limits has led to his YouTube channel's success and his ventures into hosting thrilling TV programs and podcasts. Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with tales of Mike's extraordinary experiences, and gain insights into living life fearlessly and far.
In this engaging episode, we visit the Residence at Littledale, a vibrant senior living community, to explore the secrets of aging well. We speak with their expert dietitian and exercise specialist, along with several inspiring seniors, to uncover practical tips on nutrition, physical activity, and mental wellness for the elderly. Dive into our conversations that blend professional insights with real-life experiences, highlighting the importance of a holistic approach to health and happiness in our later years. Tune in for an enlightening journey into the art of aging gracefully, filled with valuable advice and heartwarming stories from the residents of Littledale.
Join us in this enlightening episode as we explore O'Brien Farm, a historic gem nestled in St. John's, Newfoundland. Discover how this traditional Irish-Newfoundland farm, spanning 31 acres, blends history, heritage, agriculture, and environmental stewardship. We dive into the farm's community-focused initiatives, including hands-on educational programs at their Learning Centre, tranquil community gardens, and their New Found Farmer program, all set within the peaceful oasis of the city. Tune in for an insightful conversation about connecting with our roots, sustainable agriculture, and the unique blend of past and present at O'Brien Farm.
Explore the groundbreaking CanTreatCOVID study, a Canadian initiative targeting COVID-19 treatment in community settings. Learn about the study's approach to combating COVID variants and its focus on preventing long COVID. Join us as we delve into this adaptive trial's impact, featuring insights from lead scientist Dr. Peter Daley
In this episode, Dr. Mike Wahl welcomes Dr. O'Keefe and Dr. Yue to delve into the world of allergies, with a focus on environmental triggers in Newfoundland and Labrador. The conversation covers the basics of allergies and their mechanisms. Dr. Yue and Dr. O'Keefe shed light on local allergens like pollen, dust mites, and pet dander, highlighting the challenges posed by the region's unique environment. Symptoms are explored, with a discussion on distinguishing allergy signs from other health issues. Valuable tips on symptom management are shared, including avoidance, medication, and immunotherapy. The experts reveal the rewarding aspects of their roles, particularly in improving patients' lives. The episode concludes with a call to seek professional help for allergies.
Join Dr. Mike Wahl as he explores the therapeutic world of photography in this captivating episode. As the host, Dr. Wahl engages in insightful conversations with seasoned photographers who share their perspectives on how photography can positively impact our well-being. From the meditative aspects of taking a photo to the creative expression it fosters, discover how this art form can enhance mindfulness, reduce stress, and cultivate a deeper connection with nature. Tune in to hear from photographers who've journeyed around the globe, captured local landscapes, and found happiness through the lens. If you're seeking innovative ways to boost your health and wellness, this episode will inspire you to view the world through a different frame.
Join us as visit the HMCS Cabot and navigate the experiences of members of our Navy when it comes to healthy lifestyle in the service. Explore the strategies these officers employ to smoothly transition between naval duties and onshore life while maintaining their health. Delve into the unique challenges they face and the resources provided by the navy to support their well-being onshore.
Join us in this captivating episode as we delve into the fascinating world of Newfoundland's culinary landscape with Lori, an accomplished chef, forager, and author. In an engaging conversation, Lori discusses her evolution from restaurant kitchens to exploring the wilderness for locally sourced ingredients. She shares her experiences as a TEDx speaker representing Newfoundland, giving insight into the province's rich cultural heritage and the importance of connecting with the land. With anecdotes from her TV show and book, Lori reveals the magic of foraging and its role in sustainable, health-conscious eating. Discover the resources, stories, and experiences that have shaped Lori's journey, providing you with a deeper appreciation for the vibrant food culture of Newfoundland and the joy of reconnecting with nature's bounty. Tune in to explore the world of wild ingredients, traditional practices, and the heartwarming stories that make Newfoundland's food culture truly exceptional.
In this episode of The WAHL Show, we delved into the impactful work of Young Adult Cancer Canada (YAC) and the profound experiences of young adults facing cancer. Dr. Jenna D'Agostino, a clinical health psychologist, highlighted the unique challenges young adults encounter and the crucial role of peer support in their journey. Geoff, an inspiring survivor and YAC advocate, shared his incredible story of resilience and the transformative impact of YAC's community. Celine, another survivor, revealed how YAC's support groups played a pivotal role in her healing process. These narratives underscore the importance of YAC's mission in providing a platform for connection, empowerment, and hope.
Get ready to embrace the great outdoors as we welcome a special guest on today's episode! Join us as we chat with Professor TA Loeffler, a distinguished expert in human kinetics and recreation at Memorial University. With a passion for adventure and a deep connection to nature, Professor Loeffler will be your guide to the exciting summer outdoor activities waiting to be discovered in our beautiful province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
From hiking scenic trails to kayaking along picturesque coastlines, she'll unveil the wonders of outdoor exercise and its myriad benefits for both body and mind. Tune in as she shares valuable insights on how to maximize your summer activities, make lasting memories, and foster a deeper appreciation for the stunning landscapes that surround us. Whether you're a seasoned explorer or new to outdoor adventures, Professor Loeffler's expertise will inspire you to step outside, breathe in the fresh air, and embrace the joy of active living in the great outdoors.
Don't miss this engaging conversation filled with practical tips, exciting suggestions, and a whole lot of enthusiasm for a summer filled with exploration and fun.
Join Dr. Mike Wahl on The WAHL Show podcast as we explore the world of sustainable farming and dive into the secrets of prepping new gardens for the summer season in picturesque Newfoundland. Our guest, Nathan Genge, founder of Kingfisher Farms in Gambo, shares his expertise on sustainable practices, gardening tips, and how his farm is redefining agriculture. Discover how to embrace the magic of successful gardening while living sustainably. Get ready to level up your gardening game and make a positive impact on the environment
Newfoundland is known for its comedy. Join us as we see why laughing is a great way to stay healthy and happy with some of our talented comics here in the province. We chat with Scientist Michelle Ploughman who conducts a laughing experiment on the crew from the Best Kind Comedy tour, chat with the one and only Mary Walsh and do laugh Yoga with Shawn Majumder!
We travel across our province to learn how the changing climate is impacting our lives. First we visit our friends at the Museum of Nature in Ottawa to learn more about climate change and plastic pollution. We then witness first hand how environmental challenges like melting sea ice in the north to plastics in our oceans are impacting our environment and ultimately our health.
Joining us today are the creative forces behind our Health and Wellness NTV series the WAHL Show - soon to be named Health Explored in Season 2. Our guests are Braeden King, Founder and creative mastermind of ThereMedia, and James MacKinnon, an accomplished cinematographer and Banff Center for Arts and Creativity alumnus.
Together, they'll be sharing their unique experiences of working on our show, shedding light on the storytelling process, and giving us an exclusive look at the magic that goes into creating a captivating production. As we embark on a global journey to explore wellness practices around the world, Braeden and James will also share their excitement for what lies ahead.
Join us on the WAHL Show as we go behind the scenes with Marc Champagne, founder of Behind the Human. In this episode, we explore Marc's journey and gain insights into what makes successful individuals tick. From his passion for learning to his dedication to growth, we dive into the key themes and patterns he's observed in his interviews with high-performing individuals. We also discuss the importance of being intentional about the stories we tell ourselves and cultivating a growth mindset. Lets get your mental fitness routine going! Now available on all streaming platforms and www.vocm.com
Looking to improve your health with temperature therapy? In this week's episode of our podcast, we explore the fascinating world of hot and cold therapy, and the ways it can benefit our health.Our first guest is Ryan Markham, owner of Markham Works.
Ryan shares with us his knowledge on the benefits of sauna and hot and cold contrast bathing. He explains how heat therapy can help us relax, alleviate pain, and improve our overall well-being. Ryan also discusses the effectiveness of alternating between hot and cold temperatures for improving blood circulation, immune system function, and stress reduction.
In the second half of the episode, we speak with Jon Power, a Thermophysiologist from the National Research Council. Jon sheds light on the dangers of cold exposure in its extremest form, including cold shock and hypothermia. He also shares tips on how to stay safe while enjoying winter activities in Canada.
Join us as we learn from our experts about the fascinating world of temperature therapy, and the ways it can help us improve our health. Available on all streaming platforms and VOCM.com!
In this episode, we have a very special guest, Jason Piercey. Jason is an inspiring individual who has undergone a remarkable recovery from a serious injury. Today, he joins us to share his story and the lessons he has learned along the way. We'll be diving into the challenges he faced, the hard work he put in, and the love and support that helped him become stronger each day. Join us as we learn from Jason's journey and discover the valuable insights he has to offer.
Join us this epsiode where we sit down with Nick Mercer and Cassandra Stockley, two individuals who have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field of brain injury and concussion.
Nick Mercer, a former hockey player and coach, suffered a life-changing concussion that ultimately forced him to retire from the sport he loved. His journey to recovery was a difficult one, but it ultimately led him to become an advocate for concussion awareness and prevention.
Cassandra Stockley, the executive director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Brain Injury Association, has dedicated her career to supporting individuals and families affected by brain injury. Her expertise and insights shed light on the many challenges and complexities of this condition.
Together, Nick and Cassandra share their experiences and expertise, exploring the impact of concussion on individuals and families, the latest research and treatments, and strategies for prevention and recovery. This is an episode you won't want to miss, so tune in to and join the conversation.
In this episode, we explore the topic of cannabis with Chris Crosbie, COO of Atlantic Cultivation, discussing what consumers need to know. We also speak with Waseem Abu Ashour, a PhD candidate, who shares insights on an upcoming research study on cannabis impairment. The study is led by researchers at Memorial University in collaboration with Atlantic Cultivation Inc., and is looking for adults aged 19-65 who consume cannabis less than once a month and at least once in their lifetime. The study aims to determine the degree of impairment in adults after cannabis use, studying the effects over several time periods and administering various tests. If you're interested in participating, contact the study team at (709) 769-6149 or wmaa75@mun.ca. If you have questions about your rights as a research participant, contact the Health Research Ethics Authority at (709) 777-6974 or info@hrea.ca.
Tune in to this informative episode on cannabis to learn more about the upcoming research study and gain insights from industry experts. You can find this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, VOCM.com, and Speaker. Don't miss out on this informative discussion!
The Wahlshow is back for another season with a jam-packed episode featuring Dr. David Behm, one of the world's leading experts on exercise science and human performance. In this episode, Dr. Behm joins us to share his knowledge and insights on the importance of exercising properly. He delves into the different aspects of a well-rounded exercise program, including resistance training, cardiovascular training, stretching, progression, and foam rolling. Whether you're an experienced athlete or just starting out on your fitness journey, this episode is packed with valuable information that will help you get the most out of your workouts. So tune in, take notes, and get ready to learn from the one of my mentors - Dr. David Behm. Available on all major streaming platforms.
Newfoundland and Labrador was ranked the happiest province in Canada! That’s good news because quite often we are at the bottom of the scale when it comes to health… but is there a link between happiness and health? And is there an opportunity to leverage our happiness to improve our health. Well to find the answer I had to look halfway around the world.
The Kingdom of Bhutan is a landlocked country in the Eastern Himalayas, located in South Asia between China in the north and India in the south. It is a mountainous country. Less than a million people live in Bhutan but this small nation is making an impact globally when it comes to how we measure health.
Gross National Happiness is something you may not have heard about before, but it was first coined by the 4th king of Bhutan in the 1970s. The premise of gross domestic happiness is that sustainable development should take a holistic approach towards progress in the country and give equal importance to non-economic aspects of wellbeing. For example, in Canada we measure the GDP or gross domestic product and financial scales but don’t consider this holistic view on how we judge our progress. This approach to Gross National Happiness was adopted by the UN a decade ago to help guide other countries achieve what Bhutan has for its people.
The Gross National Happiness Index is a single number index developed from 4 pillars and 9 domains.
Those pillars include good governance, sustainable socio-economic development, cultural preservation, and environmental conservation.
While the nine domains are:
•psychological wellbeing,
•health,
•education,
•time use,
•cultural diversity and resilience,
•good governance,
•community vitality,
•ecological diversity and resilience,
•and living standards.
The domains represents each of the components of wellbeing of the Bhutanese people, and the term wellbeing here refers to fulfilling conditions of a "good life".
When we look at the challenges facing our province, in particular when it comes to the social determinants of health, wellbeing and quality of life - I was intrigued to learn more about this philosophy.
So we reached out to Dr. Chencho Lhamu who is an educator who received her doctorate from my alma mater UNB. Her doctoral thesis focussed on Conceptions of Happiness and she has written articles on educating for happiness. Currently she is the program director for the Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy. We coordinated our schedules - with the time change and had a call at midnight our time and 9 am her time! This was one of the most interesting interviews we have had on the show so I hope that you enjoy, and it helps shift your perspective that there are other things we should be looking at other than just economic prosperity if we want to live a good life
The pancreas is an important organ of the digestive system. It is often referred to as the “hidden organ” because it is located deep within the abdomen, behind the stomach and in front of the spine. its an important organ in digestion and metabolism of glucose
The word “cancer” is used to describe a group of diseases in which the cells are abnormal, grow out of control, and can spread. Pancreatic cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow out of control in the tissue of the pancreas and form a tumour. A tumour is an abnormal growth of tissue in any part of the body.
Pancreatic cancer usually does not cause symptoms or, if it does, they are so vague that they are often overlooked or associated with another potential cause. As a result, approximately 50 percent of pancreatic cancers will not be identified until they have already metastasized (spread to other parts of the body) significantly reducing the chances of survival for patients.
Currently, there is no effective screening test to identify pancreatic cancer. The pancreatic cancer survival rate is one of the lowest of common cancers. Individuals must learn to listen to their bodies and be their own best advocates.
Join us on this World Pancreatic Cancer Day as we chat with Connie Walsh, Nurse and pancreatic cancer survivor as she shares her personal experience with pancreatic cancer. We will finish up with Stefanie Condon-Oldreive- Founder and Director, Craig’s Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society who will shed light on this disease and the efforts being made by researchers and charities to reduce its devastating impact on patients and their families.
The ECT Ultra is a 50km race along the East Coast Trail starting in Pouch Cove at sunrise, and ending at sunset in Quidi Vidi. In 2013 Rob Briggs and Caroline McIlroy entered the 125 km Canadian Death Race. They had never done a trail run over 30 km before and realized they quickly needed to up their game. They decided to run from Pouch Cove to Quidi Vidi along the East Coast Trail. As they ran the route, they realized that it would make a fantastic, challenging and fun race. Exhausted but happy at the end, they enjoyed a pint and some hot food. Rob had recently returned from the UK where fell (hill) races are all about the race not the extras such as race food, medals, T-shirts etc. Rob had seen a race advertised as 5 pounds entry, Curly Wurly for all finishers. So that is the race philosophy: the race itself is the fun event, the finish line is inside the Inn of Olde where anyone who finishes gets a Curly Wurly, and everyone gets homemade chilli and can enjoy a beer while they wait for the other finishers.
With an estimated 20 million participants since 2010, trail running has been one of the world’s fastest growing sports, according to the International Track and Field Federation. So today we are going to talk with Don Clarke the Director of Sales, Marketing and Communications & Community Events Coordinator at The Outfitters, Adventure Gear & Apparel and organizer of the ECT Ultra to learn more about the event itself and in the second part of the show we will chat with Lindsay Baird who was a first time participant in the ECT 50 this year. She’ll share her preparation, highlights and tips for those looking at starting trail running or looking to tackle next years race.
In this episode we are joined Angela Crockwell executive director of Thrive to discuss the important work they do in our community. We are then joined by Justin Billard and Matt Miller who are MUN Medical Students and part of the MUN MED Adventure Sports Club. They are hiking signal hill each day of October to raise funds for Thrive.
Coming home at the end of a long day to a pet that is waiting to see you helps our mental health and also our physical health if that pet needs a walk. But having a pet goes beyond just caring for the animal by feeding it and getting its shots. Pet health is a new area of research that is gaining attention. That could be because many of us are learning more and more about our health each day. So today we are going to talk with Faith Warren who is the manager of the dog house - she will re-enforce why having a pet - in particular a dog is so good for our overall health. We are then joined by Sarita Pellowe - who is a researcher and founder of East Coast canine dog training. Sarita is currently enrolled in her second Masters degree at Memorial University - this time she is studying under the Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology Program, and her research is investigating the links between gut microbiota and anxiety/aggression in dogs. We Recently featured the folks at Nucliq biologics as we spoke about human gut microbiome but now we are learning that that extends to our furry friends as well. lets check in with Faith from the Dog house to see why having a pet is a healthy choice for many of us…..
Suicide ranks among the top 20 causes of death globally. It’s estimated that globally 703,000 people die by suicide each year (WHO). In Canada 11 people die of suicide each day and the rate in Newfoundland and Labrador is even higher.
A third of all deaths by suicide in Canada are between the ages of 35 and 45. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in youth and young adults between 15 and 34.
The slogan of this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day is “Creating Hope Through Action”; by listening to survivors and those affected by suicide, sharing resources, and advocating for systemic changes in suicide prevention, we can create a future where every person experiencing suicidal thoughts feels supported and finds hope. Each year the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) recognizes 7 Canadians whose work has helped to advance the mental health agenda across the country.
Joining us in this episode is Chief Medical Officer Dr. Allison Crawford of Talk Suicide to help us better understand suicide and the resources available to support those who need help. This episode will also highlight the important work done by dedicated volunteers like Steve Tizzard, recent recipient of the Workplace Mental Health Champion Award and Wyatt Higdue a mental health hotline volunteer.
In this episode we chat with my friend Mike Dawe, who after a cancer diagnosis focussed his sites on competing in an IronMan competition. This is an amazing story of overcoming adversity and focussing on the positive in the face of a potentially life threatening illness. We chatted about his journey and how Young Adult Cancer Canada is supporting his mission and sharing his story. Its one you won't want to miss!
Cancer isn’t just one disease- it’s more than 100 diseases. Cancer research is important to help us better understand these diseases and reduce their immense human and economic tolls. More than 200,000 Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer this year and the support services they both deserve and require come with a significant cost.
According to Charity Intelligence, The Canadian Cancer Society has raised $122.7m so far in 2022. Of this $46.8 million was invested in research and 52% in support programs like online resources, telephone counselling, transportation and accommodation, free wigs and prosthetics, and other services.
The Polka Dot Trot is a 5km walk that raises money for all cancers and all funds stay in the province of Newfoundland & Labrador. This is the 6th year for the event and for the first time it will be held out of the city, beginning in Paradise Park and walking around Octagon Pond. Registration is now open and the event is on October 16th.
The Terry Fox Run has raised $850m to date, and funded over 1300 research projects. Of the almost $26 million fundraising dollars so far for 2022 the Terry Fox Foundation and TFRI has distributed over $16m in support of international cancer research organizations. This year’s local run will be held on Sunday, September 18 at Quidi Vidi Lake - St. John's Regatta BoatHouse. Registration opens at 10:00 am.
The Public Conference on Cancer is a free and virtual conference designed for the members of the general public in NL scheduled for October 15. This conference is co-organized with the public members (cancer patients or their family members) in the Public Interest Group on Cancer Research. Attendees will hear about lived experiences of cancer patients and family members, cancer screening programs and services and the important role of patient-public members in research, outreach and health-care related improvements.
Join us this episode as we learn more about these local cancer initiatives and how we can get involved in supporting them. Our guests include Rebecca (Kirby) Browning, Cancer Care Foundation, Sarah Neil from the Canadian Cancer Society, Debbie Curtis, Terry Fox Run and Dr. Sevtap Savas, Public Conference on Cancer.
Soapbox Science is a novel approach to showcase women and non-binary scientists and the exciting science they do. In 2021 a total of forty-five in-person and online events were held around the world Since 2011 Soapbox Science has featured over 1500 scientists and reached 150,000 members of the public! Following the format of London Hyde Park’s Speaker’s Corner, which is historically an arena for public debate, Soapbox Science events provide everyone with an opportunity to learn from, question and interact with leading scientists. It’s hoped that these exciting events will inspire people who don’t normally get exposed to science and make science accessible to anyone, irrespective of education or financial means.
There are far fewer women in leadership positions in STEM fields than men, with gender disparity being particularly wide in Newfoundland. Dr. Sarah Sauvé, Özgen Demirkaplan and Christina Prokopenko, are bringing the first Soapbox Science event to Newfoundland this year. It will consist of three parts featuring 3 scientists in each session who will talk about their exciting work and their personal experiences as a woman or non-binary in a STEM field. Everyone is welcome to register for any or all of these online events to learn more about the latest cool science happening right here in the province!
Joining us for this episode are Dr. Sarah Sauvé, event organizer and two of the presenters at this year’s event, Dr. Sevtap Savas and Sarita Pellowe. We will learn more about Soapbox Science and be introduced to some of the exciting work being done right here in Newfoundland & Labrador. Lets check it out
Monkeypox was first identified in a lab nearly 70 years ago among research monkeys (hence its name). It occurs primarily in tropical rainforest areas of central and west Africa but has been occasionally exported to other regions. It’s gotten little global attention until the recent rising cases in countries in Europe, the U.S. and Canada.
Monkeypox virus is transmitted from one person to another by close contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated materials such as bedding. Typical symptoms include fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes and may lead to a range of medical complications.
We have been hearing alot about the virus in recent weeks so joining us today is Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, Newfoundland and Labrador's Chief Medical Officer of Health to help us better understand the Monkeypox virus, what is happening around the world and at home and what we and our public health agencies can do to control its spread and manage its treatment.
We often tend to blame our poor health outcomes mainly on the healthcare system. But we are quickly learning that here in Newfoundland and Labrador that social, economic, and environmental factors, which are called the social determinants of health account for 60% of the impact on our health. Where and how we live, work and play and inequalities in healthcare access are all key factors. Our genetic makeup and our biology only influence about 15% of our health outcomes while 25% of the impact is related to our health system.
Since November 2020, Health Accord NL has gathered evidence, focused its work in six committees and four working groups, and engaged with thousands of people across the province. It has developed 57 Calls to Action. The conclusion of the work of Health Accord NL is that we can improve the health, health outcomes, and health equity of the people of the province by assessing and intervening, as appropriate, in the social, economic, and environmental factors that impact our health with support by adequate resources from a higher quality health system that rebalances community, hospital, and long-term care services.
What will a rebalanced system look like? How will it be developed, managed, funded and evaluated? Join us today as we welcome back Dr. Patrick Parfrey and Sister Elizabeth Davis to walk us through the findings and recommendations in the Health Accord NL Report.
The human gut is complex and our gut microbiome is unique to each of us. Many people think of their gut as their stomach but it’s actually a long passage leading from the mouth to the anus. We have more than a trillion microbial cells present in our guts which collectively makeup our Gut Microbiome. Research to date suggests that the gut microbiome impacts whole-body health including immunity, heart and brain health, physical endurance, improved mood and sleep, effective digestion and mental health. Any imbalance of good and bad microbes in the gut may contribute to weight gain, high blood sugar, high cholesterol and many serious health conditions.
Join us as we chat with Dr. Nikitha Kendyala and Dr. Purvikalyan Pallegar founders of Nucliq Biologics to learn more about gut health and the latest advancements in developing microbiome-based personalized therapeutics and diagnostics that leverage the knowledge of molecular and functional interactions between microbiome and the human body and the power of artificial intelligence.
The most commonly accepted components of compassion are:
An emotional response (concern)
A cognitive response (perception of suffering)
A motivational response (desire to see suffering relieved)
Empathy generally precedes compassion. It is the ability to understand what the other person is feeling, see things from their point of view and perhaps even see yourself in their situation without necessarily desiring to do something about it. Functional MRI’s have demonstrated that when you have empathy it activates the pain centre in the brain “feel your pain” When you take action it activates a different part of your brain – reward centre. Empathy hurts – compassion heals. It is the motivation to go beyond merely empathizing and see the pain diminished or the suffering relieved that distinguishes compassion from empathy. As one writer put it “empathy hurts - compassion heals”.
In 2018 Drs. Steve Trezciak and Anthony Mazzarelli published Compassionomics: The Revolutionary Scientific Evidence that Caring Makes a Difference, a book based on their two-year journey utilizing biomedical evidence in which they conducted the largest systematic review of the literature related to acts of compassion in healthcare. Their research showed that compassion has a direct, undeniable impact on health outcomes of patients, burnout in practitioners and cost reduction in health care systems.
Compassion is a skill and not a trait. For most of us it can be taught. It’s good for both our physical and mental health. Helping others feels good, contributes to our happiness and sense of purpose and meaning in life.
Join us as we explore compassion with Dr. Francis Scully, professor, researcher and founder of BeCompassionateNL. We’ll examine the nature of compassion, our ability to learn how to be more compassionate, its potential impacts on our personal health and how we can build more compassionate communities.
In this episode we hear about a new book called a Life Spent Listening by local author and psychologist Dr. Hasan Khalili. His book is a unique and engaging perspective of humanity – a journey to wisdom shared through stories of self-awareness, acceptance, and discovery, by acclaimed psychotherapist Dr. Hassan Khalili.
In A Life Spent Listening, Dr. Hassan Khalili reflects on four decades of being a frontline community psychotherapist and shares the wisdom he has learned over the years. By inviting the reader into his own life and the lives of his patients, Dr. Khalili explores the human condition and explains his concept of the grid as a guiding principle in his psychological practice. The book takes us from his experience as a young Iranian immigrant in Newfoundland and Labrador to his role as one of the top psychologists in the province, by way of his adventures hiking Machu Picchu and Mount Kilimanjaro. Dr. Khalili illuminates what it means to seek contentment and how we hold the key to our own happiness.
Eye health matters. The brain uses our eyes to help us to see. Eyesight is connected to brain development. We’ve all heard the expression that the “eyes are the windows to the soul” but little did some of us know that the eyes are a window to our overall health. We don’t generally think about an eye exam saving your life but a comprehensive eye exam can provide important clues in identifying serious underlying health conditions like tumors, aneurysms, MS, Parkinson’s disease and diabetes. Diabetes, the number one cause of blindness in Canada, is expected to rise to nearly 14 million by 2026. 20% of newly diagnosed diabetes cases show that the damaging effects of diabetic retinopathy have been occurring for 4-7 years prior to diagnosis.
From six months on we should be working with professionals to monitor eye health in our children. Studies show that 80 percent of what a child learns in school is information that is presented visually. Vision or eye health problems can affect their ability to retain, learn and perform basic tasks. 61% of parents mistakenly believe they’d know if their child had a vision issue.
As we grow older, our eyes may look the same but their functionality changes affecting our colour detection, adjustment to light levels and tear duct issues leading to dry eyes. We may need intervention to deal with glare and ocular diseases like cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration which can lead to vision impairment and affect our daily activities. Seniors with vision or eye health problems experience twice the number of falls, 3 times the incidence of depression, have double the mortality rate and are admitted to nursing homes 3 years earlier.
Join us as we chat with Dr. Clare Halleran, owner of East Coast Eye Care in Clarenville, Newfoundland about the importance of eye health, what we should know about it and what we can do to protect it.
Nature time has been scientifically proven to have positive effects on your health from a healthier heart and immune system and reduced stress in adults, to better eyesight and brain power in kids. Nature prescriptions are among the top global wellness trends. Canada has now joined countries like the UK and others to invest in park prescription pilots to help address mental and physical health problems and their impact on the health-care system.
Forest Therapy, a research-based framework for supporting healing and wellness through immersion in forests and other natural environments is a practice inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku, which translates to “forest bathing.” 90% of people indicate that they are happier after just 15 minutes of sitting in a forest. Nature therapy increases a sense of well-being, improves concentration levels and physical health in adults and children and generally reduces stress and helps people live longer lives.
Join us today as we chat with Dr. Shannon Johnson, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Dalhousie University about the PaRx parks prescription program driven by health-care professionals who want to improve their patients’ health. Learn about her role as a key Maritime PaRx launch coordinator and why this novel program is endorsed by Maritime medical associations and practitioners.
We are also pleased to be welcoming Tina White, a certified Forest & Nature Therapy Guide here in Newfoundland & Labrador who will share insights of the many benefits of nature therapy. We’ll learn about the practice of forest bathing and how she became involved and inspired to become a certified guide.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about the scientifically proven benefits that you can have by simply making nature time an integral part of your healthy lifestyle routine.
Food loss and waste has become a global problem. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization, wasted food costs the global economy around $2.6 trillion US each year. Nearly 60% of food produced in Canada is lost or wasted annually producing approximately 56.6 million tons of carbon dioxide. Food that ends up in landfills creates methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that is 25 times more damaging to the environment than carbon dioxide.
In addition to environmental concerns, estimates are that 1.4 million Canadian kids don’t have access to healthy food. By taking a few simple steps to prevent food loss from the production to procurement to storage and consumption it’s estimated that 32% of food waste could be rescued and 4 million Canadians could have access to healthy food in addition to the 1.4 million Canadian kids. In addition to steps we can all take at home to prevent overbuying, improper storage and waste approximately 127,177 businesses are potential donors of surplus edible food within Canada’s food industry.
Join us this week as we welcome Andrew Williams, Newfoundland & Labrador Food Rescue Operations Program Director, Second Harvest, to learn more about this new initiative in the province that makes it easy for businesses to donate food surpluses to community organizations, ensuring that food isn’t wasted and that nutritious food makes its way to people who want it.
Also joining us is Jaime White, Loop Resources, Co-founder and Project Director who will tell us about how they help close the loop on organics waste disposal in the food supply industry, by diverting unsaleable food from the landfill back to the beginning as feed and compost at local farms.
According to Food First NL, food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.
Food self-sufficiency was traditionally higher in the province as people hunted, fished, foraged and preserved wild food. Things like the rising costs of gear, demands on our time and the unpredictability of the impacts of climate change on our waters and migratory patterns have all affected our access to reliable food supplies. Newfoundland is cut off from Canada by an ocean and Labrador consists of many isolated towns. Food, which is frequently transported by ferry or plane, can not only take a long time to get to us, but also cost more and be less fresh when it arrives.
To achieve optimal food security in our province, we must build a healthy and sustainable food system. The provincial government has committed to increasing the province’s self-sufficiency by working with farmers and other partners. Food First NL is a provincial, non-profit organization that works with a network of 300 organizations and individuals in communities in Newfoundland & Labrador to improve food security.
This week we welcome Joshua Smee, CEO of Food First NL. to learn more about the challenges of food security in Newfoundland & Labrador and what Food First NL is doing to increase understanding and awareness, build strong and diverse networks and support action across sectors at the local, regional, provincial, and national levels, to improve food security in the province.
Cancer isn’t just one disease- it’s more than 100 diseases. More than 200,000 Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer this year in spite of the fact that 4 in 10 cancer cases are preventable. Understanding the risk factors and making appropriate lifestyle changes is the key. A study conducted by Calgary researchers found that “the top five preventable risk factors for cancer are smoking cigarettes, physical inactivity, excess weight, low fruit consumption, and sun exposure. And the most preventable cancer was cervical cancer, thanks largely to the HPV vaccine”.
This week we are pleased to welcome Dr. Sevtap Savas, of the Division of Biomedical Sciences in the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial University for an important discussion on cancer rates in Newfoundland and the Public Interest Group on Cancer Research, a province-wide partnership between researchers, health professionals and members of the public focused in the needs and priorities of cancer patients and their families.
Janine Taylor-Cutting, Counselling Therapist, Patient Advocate and Cancer Survivor will join the conversation to share her personal experience as a stage 3 cancer survivor. From diagnosis through treatment to post-discharge from the cancer care system, patients and their families are faced with sometimes overwhelming challenges and ongoing difficulties. Learn what her first hand experience has taught her about the needs and priorities of cancer patients in Newfoundland and Labrador.
With our province having the highest rates of cancer in Canada you can’t afford to miss this important episode.
Each year, an estimated 35,000 cardiac arrests and 62,000 strokes occur in Canada. It’s estimated that heart disease, stroke and related conditions take a life every 5 minutes. Approximately 1.6 million Canadians are living with heart disease and stroke. Much of the cause of these staggering numbers is related to lifestyle.
According to Heart & Stroke Canada prevention is the key. In addition to the early detection and management of medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol you can also adopt healthy lifestyle changes to help reduce your risk of heart disease. The heart beats about 2.5 billion times over the average lifetime, pushing millions of gallons of blood to every part of the body. It’s the most important muscle in the body and yet, in spite of the fact that 80% of premature heart disease and stroke is preventable, many of us don’t know enough about the risk factors, causes, signs and nature of heart disease.
So today we welcome Opal Desmarais, Senior Manager of Health Systems, Heart & Stroke, Rodolfo Pike, a Nurse Practitioner, Eastern Health and Linda Green who is living with heart failure. They will teach us about heart health, the risk factors, prevention, heart failure and more from those on the front line.
The world's 7.9 billion people currently consume more than 1.7 times what the Earth can supply. It is estimated that we will need to produce 70% more food to feed an estimated 9.8 billion people by 2050. With predictions that regions of the world will face increasing flooding, droughts and other negative impacts of climate change that will not only impact crop production, but also reduce the amount of habitable land available for farming, it is clear that if food production is to remain sustainable, new approaches will need to be incorporated both on an international and on a local level and that there is a role for each of us in addressing this potential crisis.
This week we are pleased to welcome Michelle Vergera and Tony Audin of REVIVE, a Costa Rica based initiative that revives communities through collaborative relationships. With regenerative agriculture, producers are not just sustaining the current land resource so that it can continue to be used in the future, but are actually improving what is there, leaving it better for the next generation. We then visit with Nathan Gidge from Gambo Newfoundland and find out about his sustainable food production project called Kingfisher Farms.
The FDI World Dental Federation defines oral health as a “multi-faceted and includes the ability to speak, smile, smell, taste, touch, chew, swallow and convey a range of emotions through facial expressions with confidence and without pain, discomfort and disease of the craniofacial complex (head, face, and oral cavity). Oral health means the health of the mouth. No matter what your age, oral health is vital to general health and well-being.”
With news coming from the our federal government around new coverage for dental care is bringing attention to this often ignored aspect of our health. According to the “State of Oral Health in Canada” report, “most oral health conditions are preventable and treatable if detected early.”
What we may not know is that oral disease can affect every aspect of your life, including personal relationships and self-confidence. It can lead to pain, anxiety, disfigurement and acute/chronic infections. It can also disrupt your sleep and affect how or what you eat — all of which can impact your overall quality of life.
You may find it surprising that seven out of 10 Canadians will develop gum disease at some point in their lives. Understanding the health and lifestyle risk factors and adopting a good oral health hygiene practice will help us not only maintain good oral health but avoid many of the associated health issues that can occur as a result of oral health disease.
This week we are joined by Katherine Peddle, a Registered Dental Hygienist with the Newfoundland and Labrador Council of Health Professionals and founder of Mobile Smiles and Cindy Holden, who is also Registered Dental Hygienist, who convenes the Research Exchange Group on Oral Health at Memorial University to discuss oral health, its impact on our overall health and important research that is not only addressing some of the specific challenges in our province but influencing dental health policy.
Join us as we look back on the amazing second season of The WAHL Show. We re-visit some of our favourite conversations. The show looks at key messages around mental health, health of our province, physical health and health literacy. Check it out!
Covid lockdowns and the absence of social interaction have all contributed to expanding people’s concept of health to encompass more than just the absence of bodily illness. Wellness is about a proactive approach to living a healthy lifestyle. Self-care, in its many forms, is now increasingly seen as something that’s necessary, rather than as a personal indulgence.
One of the ways that people are caring for their mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing is by traveling. Two-thirds (66 percent) of respondents in one survey said, “they didn’t realize how important travel was to their wellbeing until it was no longer an option”. Seventy-nine percent of travelers, “agree that travel helps their mental and emotional wellbeing more than other forms of self-care.” The idea that wellness travelers are a small, elite and wealthy group of leisure tourists who visit destination spas, health resorts, or yoga and meditation retreats is no longer accurate. Wellness travelers comprise a much broader and more diverse group of consumers with many motivations, interests and values.
Joining us today is well-known British-Canadian television personality, entrepreneur and author Debbie Travis. She joins us from her beloved Villa Reniella located in the heart of Tuscany, Italy. Debbie will share her thoughts on health and wellness, Italian life lessons and tell us about her unique Tuscan Wellness Retreat.
This episode focuses on the topic of Plant-Based Eating. It’s a huge trend that is become a shift in the way we eat. More than 40% of Canadians are incorporating more plant-based foods in their diets. There are around 2.3 million vegetarians and 850,000 vegans in Canada. And as we will learn in this show, increasing plant-based choices in your diet can offer many health benefits including helping to prevent and manage chronic diseases and even providing performance-enhancing effects for various types of exercise. I however have seen the vast array of information on the topic in the popular media so wanted to get the right info from the experts in the field
Joining me first is Dr. Hana Kahleova, MD, PhD, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, she is an author and a researcher into this very topic. She joined me from her office in Washington DC to share more about her work. We the spoke with Pierre Fobert, Acting Program Director, Sustainable Protein Production National Research Council – he will share how industry and agriculture are embracing the increase in plant based nutrition and what it means for our economy here in Canada. Lastly I was joined by Jason Callahan who chose a vegan lifestyle 9 years ago. He joined me to share his experience and clarify some common misconceptions.
Since we were children, we are told to get a good night’s sleep yet over 40% of us struggle with getting to sleep or staying asleep. It might be a stressful day on your mind, too much coffee in the afternoon, a shift change or poor health that’s messing with your ability to rest. You might have tried counting sheep or medications, had sound machines or black out blinds or just decided to turn on the tv instead of tossing and turning. Whatever the reason – many of us struggle with sleep even though we all know deep-down its essential.
World sleep day is March 18th and is organized by World Sleep Society, an international association whose mission is to advance sleep health worldwide. They help educate the population on important questions like:
How does quality sleep help maintain mental health?
How might better sleep help people focus during the day?
Or how might fatigue weigh us down physically, mentally, and emotionally?
So in this episode, we are talking all about sleep and fortunately two very special guests. First, we have a colleague of mine from Memorial University – Dr. Sheila Garland who is a professor of psychology. She is an expert in sleep research and runs the sleep, health, and wellness lab at memorial university. After we speak with Dr. Garland, we chat with Dr. Julie Carrier who is regarded as a leading researcher in sleep at the center for advanced research in sleep medicine at the Universite de Montreal. She is also one of the minds behind the “sleep on it” campaign from the Canadian Sleep society. Together these two experts will help us understand the many reasons why sleep is a foundational pillar of human health and why to function at our best – we need to get enough rest!
The relationship between animals and humans goes back thousands of years and has been mutually beneficial for both of us. Dogs are provided and safe warm place to live surrounded by their pet parents love but they also give us a lot and not just company. Research shows that letting a dog can reduce blood pressure, improve mental health and in particular during the pandemic - ease stress and provide companionship. Data shows that per owners may have fared better these last few years because of their furry friends.
So in this episode we talk with Dr Carolyn Walsh who co-founded the "Canine Research Unit" lab at Memorial University. Their research focus is on the social behaviour of domestic dogs, and the relationships between hormones such as stress hormones and our feel-good hormone oxytocin, as well as dog personality, and behaviour. She will walk us through why dog ownership may have some unexpected positive health benefits. We’ll finish our show talking with Sandy Delaney from the newfoundland athletic dog association and learn how dogs and their humans can get active with their program.
As a population we are starting to learn how our planet impacts us and in particular our health. Climate change affects the social and environmental determinants of health – things like clean air, safe drinking water, sufficient food and secure shelter are all vital to our survival. With increasing pollution we are seeing increased respiratory and cardiovascular disease, injuries and premature deaths from extreme weather events, changes in our food access, water-borne illnesses, and their associated mental health issues. When put together these contribute to the death of around 13 million people each year.
When we look at our climate we see that major floods have more than doubled, severe storms have risen by 40% and there have been major increases in droughts, wildfires and heatwaves and in the last 20 years climate related disasters have doubled.
Now When it comes to our health – we have some real challenges – there are infectious diseases like Covid-19 which came from animals, food safety challenges when we think of wet markets around the world, and we are even seeing an increase antimicrobial resistance menaing our antibiotics can’t do their job – all of these examples provide increasing evidence that human, plant and animal, and environment health are connected in more ways than we ever imagined. So much so, that global examples abound of disruptions in one species or ecosystem can reverberate throughout the rest of the “system,” even half a world away. That’s why today we are going to investigate a philosophy called “One Health” and with us is an expert in the field Dr. Cate Dewey. She is a professor, the vice president (academic) at the University of Geulph and a driving force between the One Health program at their university. She joined me to share more about one health and what it means for us and the planet.
The Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games are underway and Team Canada has 215 athletes competing in 14 sports. This is Canada’s third largest Winter Olympic Team ever, just behind the 225 athletes named for Pyeong Chang 2018.
In this weeks episode I reached out to two people from our province who know what is going through our athletes heads as they compete on the world stage. Not only have they attended the Olympics as athletes but they have brought home hardware!
Our first guest we get to hear from Kaetlyn Osmond who is originally from Marystown Newfoundland. She was Canada's first ladies' World Champion in 45 years when she won in 2018 and received the Order of Newfoundland.
At the 2014 Sochi Olympics she brought home a silver medal for the team event in figure skating and then in the 2018 PyeongChang, Winter Olympics, South Korea she brought home a gold (team event) and bronze from the singles event. If you tune into the Olympic figure skating this week you’ll hear her commentating the competition. She joined me from her home in Edmonton to talk all about her Olympic experience.
Next we chatted with Jamie Korab who was born in Harbor Grace and was the lead for the gold medal-winning Canadian men's team at the 2006 Winter Olympics On team gushue. Jamie is now a City Counsellor here in St. John’s and we've been friends since the world juniors. He shares his Torino experience and what it felt like to bring home the gold.
Canada now has more people over the age of 65 than we do under the age of 15. That means the types of health challenges we see in our hospitals and primary care settings are likely to change over the coming decade. One condition that impacts many of us and our families is called dementia.
The term "dementia" doesn't actually refer to one, specific disease. Rather, it's an overall term for a set of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain.
Dementia however, is not a normal part of aging.
Almost 40% of people over the age of 65 experience some form of memory loss. When there is no underlying medical condition causing this memory loss, it is known as age-associated memory impairment.
Age-associated memory impairment is part of the natural process of aging. For most people, memory generally remains strong as they get older, and doesn't decline rapidly or substantively.
However, brain diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are different.
Because of the effects of dementia, a person’s ability to communicate may become impaired, making it difficult to talk with them. But this doesn't meant they should be ignored.
It's important to try to reach the person in whichever way you can – and there are many ways to do so.
We have to remember that that all persons with dementia have the right to be treated with respect and requires some training and coaching to be effective. That’s why today I have two experts on the show. Our first guest is Dr. George Heckman – Dr. Heckman is the Schlegel Research Chair in Geriatric Medicine and Associate Professor in the Department of Health Studies and Gerontology at the University of Waterloo, and an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at McMaster University. He is a geriatrician and will help us understand dementia and Alzheimer’s. We will then meet up with Michelle Heyer who is the Director, Seniors Care in the Schlegel Centre for Advancing Seniors Care at Conestoga College. In Michelle’s role at Conestoga, she is dedicated to helping prepare healthcare providers to care for older adults with complex needs through gerontological research and education. Michelle will tell us about her groups project called Canadian Remote Access for Dementia Learning Experiences which is a free online dementia care program for those supporting individuals with dementia.
The pandemic has had a lot of impacts on us - especially on our children's development and education - one way we may not have thought about is how the lack of physical education can actually impact how young people learn to move - and not just now - but for the rest of their lives.
Being able to roll, hop and throw are all motor skills that the body has to learn - and for many young people - their only exposure to these types of skills are through physical education. Kids don’t move as much as they used to with increases in screen time soaring so learning how to move at school is becoming more important than ever. Just like reading where literacy is improved with education and practice - physical literacy also needs regular exposure.
Physical literacy is defined as the ability to move with competence and confidence in a wide variety of physical activities in multiple environments that benefit the healthy development of the whole person.
Today we chat with David Arsenault - who after climbing to the highest levels of elite althlete training and competition decided that he would take his talents and use them to train those individuals where he can have the greatest impact and that audience was children. he runs a charitable organization called champions for life which is dedicated to helping children to develop physical literacy through their schools, communities, and families - especially in at-risk communities.
He shares why physical literacy might be the most important subject in school for our long term health.
Recently the world health organization has released a new study the links alcohol with cancer. This isn’t a new finding but re-enforces that there may be risks around drinking that many of us don’t know about. Alcohol is has been identified as a carcinogen which can mutate DNA and lead to different forms of cancer. In recent years the link between cancer and humans is raising some alarm bells and begging the question – should we be more informed about its risks? Alcohol is a very common part of socializing in Canada in particular in Newfoundland and Labrador.
We celebrate our favourite occasions with a glass of champagne, have a beer watching the game, or open a bottle of wine and a dinner party. In our most recent episode we focussed on how much of a risk does it actually pose to us and... if alcohol is cancer-causing how come only 1/3 of us know are aware of this fact?
I wanted to find out more – so to get more information I reached out to Elizabeth Holmes who is the Senior Manager of Health Policy at the Canadian Cancer Society and Nancy McKay who is the chair of the board for the Canadian Cancer Society in New Brunswick and a long time participant in their event called “Dry February” which encourages abstaining from alcohol for the month in order to raise awareness and funding for research.
Join us as we chat about intuitive eating with Registered Dietitian and founder of Mindset Nutrition and Wellness Andrea Stokes. She guides us through what intuitive eating is and some simple tips people can apply when learning how to identify the foods that make us feel best.
It’s the time of year when everyone decides to get healthy and New Years resolutions are everywhere… for now. Give it a few months and they are often a thing of the past. The reality is – especially when it comes to our lifestyle – that many of the habits we hope to engrain like eating better, exercising, drinking water, or getting enough sleep are good for us and shouldn't be avoided.
So why do we sabotage our own best intentions? and how can we eliminate procrastination from our lives for good? Today we have Dr. Timothy Pychyl who is a professor at Carleton University, and author of the books "Solving the Procrastination Puzzle" and "Procrastination, Health, and Wellbeing". His work is based on current psychological research and provides clear strategies for change. He will walk us through how we can disrupt self-destructive ideas and habits and move into freedom and accomplishment.
We met recently at a conference so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to ask him to join us on the show. Thankfully he agreed and we had a fantastic chat full of lots of interesting concepts for us to apply. If you are a busy person or someone who tends to procrastinate then be sure to check it out!
In our annual episode on the gifts of giving we speak with several community members about their generousity for those in need. From help for seniors to those at the Gathering Place, our guests showcase the real meaning of the holidays. This show also includes a welcome from our Mayor Danny Breen and a visit from Santa Claus himself!
It’s the holidays and it’s a happy time for many of us. It’s also a time when our mental health can be challenged either by busy schedules or a reminder that we don’t have the close connections we may want in our lives. As many of us celebrate many struggle with their mental health, dealing with anxiety or loneliness – especially with travel still being difficult and a second year of pandemic holidays.
So today we are going to have three guests who are experts in the field of mental health. First, we will revisit an episode I recorded with Dr. Jacqueline Olds and Dr. Richard Schwartz who are authors and Harvard professors on the topic of loneliness. Then we will talk with my friend Julie Dwyer who is the founder of Ease Mindfullness and currently completing her PHD in the field.
Check out these conversations and learn how we can combat loneliness and stress this holiday season.
Join us as we talk about the gift of giving with local charities and organizations doing good this holiday season. We talk with the Association for New Canadians, the Single Parents Association of Newfoundland, Foodfirst NL and the VOCM Cares Foundation. Check it out!
An estimated 179,000 people in the province live with pre-diabetes, diabetes, or are undiagnosed. Newfoundland and Labrador still tops the list with the highest rates of diabetes in the country, according to a new report from the Canadian Diabetes Association.
About about 35 per cent of the population — are either living with pre-diabetes, diabetes, or undiagnosed diabetes.
So today we are going to talk with Registered Dietitian Adrianna Smallwood who will walk us through what we should do to ensure we have the right nutrition when facing diabetes. We are then joined by Kevin Peters who is the founder of Diabetes for a day – a charity that funds research for type I diabetes by helping organizations learn healthy habits to keep them healthy.
November is Pancreatic Cancer awareness month and we are featuring two special guests on the show. First we are joined by Dr. Anish Kirpalani who is the Chair of the Board of Pancreatic Cancer Canada. He is a practicing radiologist and researcher and has become a fierce advocate for improving pancreatic cancer outcomes after diagnosing his mother with terminal pancreatic cancer.
Joining him is my mother, Sharon Wahl. As many of you in my network know, I lost my father 8 years ago to this terrible disease. Since then my mother and my sister have raised awareness in Fredericton and I have tried to do the same in Newfoundland through our Purple Lights for John Campaign. This campaign has lit many of the buildings in our home towns purple and many of our friends and local businesses have participated to shed light on the disease.
In todays fast paced world we tend not prioritize our own health. Often that is amplified for those who are responsible for others in the work place or in life. The hardest part about leadership is to lead ourselves. And there are specific skills and strategies we all need to employ if we are busy but still want to function at our best.
A new study called the Development Dimensions International’s Global Leadership Forecast 2021 Found that of thousands of business executives and HR professionals around the world found leaders and employees are burning out at record rates, and that most executives don’t think they are effective at leading virtually.
•Nearly 60% of leaders reported they feel used up at the end of the workday, which is a strong indicator of burnout.
•Approximately 44% of leaders who feel used up at the end of the day expected to change companies in order to advance; 26% expected to leave within the next year.
•Only 20% of surveyed leaders believed they were effective at leading virtually.
With me today to talk about this philosophy is my long time friend and colleague Jean Francois Thibeaout or JF as I have always called him. He is a a lifelong student of human development, and is also an associate and facilitator at Axellite Leadership and co-founded the innovative “Lead Yourself UP” program on the back of one clear concept: high-performance leadership starts with leading the self first.
His approach to developing leaders leverages business strategy, energy management, neuroscience, functional medicine, emotional intelligence & more. JF has been helping people for the last 20 years so today he gets to help all of us…check it out!
Its Halloween or what was once known as all hallows eve. It the the time of year when the wind get colder, the nights get darker and orange jackolanterns light you trick or treating path. It’s a celebration of all things spooky…. Where the hair stands up on your arms, a chill goes down your spine and you sense that there might be something right behind you. Today we are going to look at Halloween and what happens to our bodies when we are scared… why does our heart race, our breath get faster, and we jump at the slightest of sounds. Once we know how and why we are scared lets find out what has scared us here at home for generations with some of our favorite ghost stories and urban legends. Many of us have had a visit from the old hag late at night, some have heard tales of fairies and there are even new tales being spun about red eyes staring down from abandoned towers….
Well - If you’re like me and prone to getting a good fright from goblins, ghouls and other spooky characters at Halloween, then Dr. Jacqueline Blundell can explain the science behind your fear.
It’s a topic she’s been studying since 1998, first as a student in the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, and now as an associate professor in the department. Her current research looks at the long-term effects of fear and she will walk us through why we can’t sleep when we hear a bump in the night.
Once we understand our fear we will talk with Katie Crane who is completing her PhD in Folklore and is an expert in urban legends here in the province. She shares one of her favourite stories here in NL that might just make you avoid abandoned mills forever.
We finish off by chatting with the Meddling Kids - Bri and Cord who tell us about their adventures in the world of scary stuff including advice around the old hag, fairies and other spooky things. Check it out!
Today we learn about the power of music and how it impacts our health. We are joined by Dr. Ben Zendell who researches how playing music reduces our likelihood of dementia and other forms of cognitive decline in our older age. We are also joined by Newfoundland and Labradors favourite son of music - Alan Doyle. He talks about how music and his community helped shape his career and why he started the "A Dollar A Day" foundation to support mental health. Music is Medicine and this episode shows us why.
In todays episode we discuss young adult cancer and the impacts it has on young people when fighting this battle. We were joined by Dr. Sheila Garland who is a professor of Psychology and cross appointed to Oncology for her work studying the impacts of cancer on peoples lives and the recent PRIME study she completed with YACC. Joining her was Mark Collett who is the COO of the Crosbie Group. Mark has an extensive history in oil and gas and is an opinion columnist for CBC on his industry. Mark raised over $265,000 for his recent @yaccshave event!
In this episode we are going to talk about skateboarding and the social and health benefits of the sport. You might not have realized that skateboarding is one of the newest Olympic sports. When I grew up skateboarding was something that would get you in trouble if you were on public property but today there are skateparks throughout our communities and more people than ever skating. Today we are going to take an interesting look at the sport. First we are going to chat with @b.j.randell who has recently started a program called #Skate101. This program teaches youth how to skateboard and teach them the basics of the sport and the etiquette of the #skatepark. He is also an advocate for breaking down barriers in the sport holding girls only skate classes to help equal out the ratios on the ramps and in the bowls. If what BJ tells you gets your interest sparked in trying the sport then Jon Loder, owner of @relic.supply, is also going to join us to give us the basics of buying a skateboard and what you should know when picking the one that’s right for you. Finally in the second half of the show we have my mentor in kinesiology Dr. David Behm who is an expert in neuromuscular physiology. He is going to break down what is happening in our bodies when we learn new skills skateboarding. He’ll also share what physiological requirements are necessary like balance, coordination, strength and power in those athletes we watched on the world stage.
In this episode we are talking about an extremely important topic in our province and that is our population state of health and our health care system.
For a bit of background - Newfoundland and Labrador has startling health statistics - We have Canada’s worst life expectancy, as well as highest rates of chronic disease. We have have the worst performance of a health care system in Canada in spite of a 232% increase in health spending since 1981. That means that dollar for dollar we have the worst value for health spending in the country.
Newfoundland has also experienced a swing in its population demographics where we now have a low proportion of children, and a high proportion of seniors.
One of the main factors identified is that our health care system is a 50-year-old institution- based system with an imbalance between community- based services and hospital services
In response to these startling health care facts - On November 5, 2020, the Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services, announced that Dr. Patrick Parfrey and Sister Elizabeth Davis had been appointed Co-Chairs for the Task Force on Health, known as Health Accord NL.
In this episode we talk about traumatic injuries and what it takes to recover. First we speak with Brandon Chase who after a terrible car crash is on the road to recovery even though his prognosis told him otherwise. We are then joined by professional skier Dave Whelan who following a ski incident in the back country of Austria has returned to sport and has some words of wisdom for those facing recovery. Finally we are joined by international motivational speaker Candace Carnahan who's message of safety and personal responsibility has resonated with her audiences around the world. It's amazing episode of triumph over adversity and a reminder that our health is always changing.
In this episode we dive into the world of legalized cannabis in Canada. We are joined by experts in cannabis including policy evaluation (Dr. Jennifer Donnan), production and distribution (Chris Crosbie - COO Atlantic Cultivation) and medical research (Dr. Curtis French). We will learn all about cannabis, what it is, what it does and how legalization aims to protect the safety of the consumer. We also highlight the need for education and share some of the exciting medical research underway to leverage the various medicinal characteristics of cannabis.
This years health budget in NL took some significant steps forward to improve the future health of the province through the promotion of health and wellness. Premier Andrew Furey and Health Minister John Haggie join us to talk about everything from the health spending tax credit, the sugary beverage tax and more.
In this episode we talk about the new announcement that the Canada Games will be coming to St. John's in 2025. In this episode we talk with Premier Andrew Furey as well as Mayor Danny Breen on what these games mean to our city. We are then joined by Assistant Chef de Mission of this years Canada Games Team for NL - Tom Godden and then athlete Nathan Young who has participated in previous years and gone on to accomplish amazing things in his sport of curling.
Well it’s a go…. The Royal St. John's Regatta will be going ahead this year and although its not its same old self we are happy to see it back. For many of us we have grown up around the pond for that special Wednesday in August winning teddy bears and eating some not so healthy but good all the same foods, later in life we may have played regatta roulette hoping our meteorologists called it right.. For many, and I am fortunate to include myself in this group, it is a day you work the whole summer for and for the best teams out there the whole year.
The Royal St. John’s Regatta is the oldest organized sporting event in North America. It has been a part of Newfoundland history for over 200 years. The first record of an organized event was in 1816, but rowing matches were common among ships crews in St. John’s Harbour since at least the 1700’s. Sometimes the Regatta draws crowds of up to 50,000 people annually to the shores of Quidi Vidi Lake. It is widely known as “The Largest Garden Party in the World” when the world is normal.
Although the format has changed this year where the event will be televised and individuals are being told to not come down to watch in person due to the pandemic we still get to see our friends, family and neighbours out there for a one last spin up the pond. Well today I have some very well known rowers in our community – first is Campbell Feehan who was part of the outer cove middle cove logy bay crew that restored the record to the area in 1982 after their communities longstanding record was broken in 1981. He has been active in the sport ever since commentating the regatta and sitting on the regatta committee as well. We will then chat with James and Dan Cadigan both seasoned rowers in the regatta and James holds the honor of being part of the 2007 crew that set the record that currently stands.
Trail running is becoming a big thing here in the province. With the east coast trail going down our eastern shore of the Avalon with hundreds of kilometers of challenging terrain and similar scenes emerging all across the province I though it was time to learn more. People are running all year round now on these trails and we all know about the amazing participation in the teleten each year so it’s a topic that is familiar to many of us.
You might have heard of Dan Meades. He was actualyy paralzyed by an autoimmune condition called guillian barret syndrome about 7 years ago. He had to relearn how to walk and move and now is running over 100kms in a single race. He is business person, social activist, lululemon ambassador and a coach for the run experience so he was the perfect person to chat with about what trail running is and how people can get started. Of course as a wellness show we have to balance all that great activity with a touch of injury prevention so I reached out to Cillian Harnet who is a physiotherapist at Villanova physiotherapy whose recent blog post called 3 tips to help prevent injuries in runners caught my attention.
Join us on the @wahl_show as we talk with Dr. Art Rideout and Dr. Allison Furey about their recent trip to Ontario to offer medical relief for our neighbors. In this episode these physicians share why they answered the call for help from our Ontario neighbors as their stressed medical systems copes with the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Today we are revisiting my friend Shawn Dawson who is a local forager and author here in Newfoundland. He shows us many of the local foods we can forage here locally and shares some of the tips and tricks from his new book "The Foragers Dinner". We end our show by visiting the talented Matthew Swift – chef from Terre Restaurant in Downtown St. John’s who uses a lot of local ingredients in his menu.
With an estimated 1 in 4 Canadians getting a form of skin cancer we decided to go deeper to understand the risks of sun exposure and how to maintain healthy skin. We were joined by Dr. Ian Landells, dermatologist - past president of the Canadian Dermatology Association and founder of the Landells Clinic to learn more about skin cancer and the sun. We also chat about acne and healthy skin as we age. Check it out!
In this episode we chat with Drs Richard Schwartz and Jacqueline Olds who are both authors, Professors at Harvard Medicine and practicing Psychiatrists. They have written several books on the topic of love and loneliness and joined me to talk about the impact the pandemic has had on us and what we should do as we re-emerge into a social world. Also in this episode we chat with Brieanna Angel who is the community health organizer for the Canadian Red Cross about a new program called friendly calls. This program connects those who are struggling with loneliness with volunteers for regular conversations and company.
Canada has one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the world, with an estimated 90,000 Canadians living with the disease. On average, 12 Canadians are diagnosed with MS everyday. Most people are diagnosed with MS between the ages of 20 and 49 and the unpredictable effects of the disease will last for the rest of their lives.
MS is unpredictable and may cause symptoms such as extreme fatigue, lack of coordination, weakness, tingling, impaired sensation, vision problems, bladder problems, cognitive impairment and mood changes. Its effects can be physical, emotional and financial. Currently there is no cure, but each day researchers are learning more about what causes MS and are zeroing in on ways to prevent it. Two of those research are right here at home at Memorial University and have the distinguished recognition as Canada Research chairs which is federally funded research program awarded to those who are leaders in their field Dr. Craig Moore and Dr. Michelle Ploughman.
Inclusivity means creating new spaces that fit individuals needs instead of trying to fit that individual into what already exists. Transgender health is no different. For those who are transgender or just need to know more our conversation with Dane Woodland who is an transgender advocate and fitness expert and Gemma Hickey - Human rights advocate and author will help. We talked about health care, fitness, sports and how access and being able to participate are crucial elements of health and inclusivity.
We’ve all seen crime shows like Bones and CSI with forensic experts are able to solve a crime by analysing biological clues. Those experts that analyze bones are able to determine age or biological sex or any other clues that bone is hiding are called forensic anthropologists.
Forensic anthropology is the application of the science of physical or biological anthropology to the legal process. Physical or biological anthropologists who specialize in forensics primarily focus their studies on the human skeleton and it just so happens we have a new expert in town - Dr Janna Andronowski.
In this episode we discussed a lot of topics but what I think you will find is that the body and in particular our bones can tell us a lot about our health and our habits can have a huge impact on our body.
Vaccine hesitancy, also known as anti-vaccination or anti-vax, is a reluctance or refusal to be vaccinated or to have one's children vaccinated against contagious diseases. People who conform to this view are commonly known as "anti-vaxxers". The term encompasses outright refusal to vaccinate, delaying vaccines, accepting vaccines but remaining uncertain about their use, or using certain vaccines but not others. Arguments against vaccination are contradicted by overwhelming scientific consensus about the safety and efficacy of vaccines. The World Health Organization views vaccine hesitancy as one of the top ten global health threats.
This weeks show features two experts on vaccines who help clarify how these vaccines were developed, their safety, and efficacy. It’s an important episode for those looking to understand the state of current research and how Covid-19 vaccines can change the face of the pandemic.
In this episode we speak with 4 leaders in health Dr. Shannon Edison (Clinical Psychologist), Gill Whelan (Wellness Expert), Dr. Rod Russell (Virus Researcher) and Dr. Janice Fitzgerald (Chief Medical Officer) about how Covid-19 has changed the fields they work in and we live in.
This episode marks the end of season 1 of the WAHL show. In this show we go back and hear some of our favourite clips from the last 6 months!
We have just finished celebrating St. Patrick’s Day here in Newfoundland and Labrador and for one day at least we all get to be Irish. The reality is though – that there may actually be a surprising amount of Irish heritage here in our province compared to almost anywhere else in the world and that has to do with some of the first people to help found the province from the Southern British isle. Now, of course that doesn’t apply to all of us, but it does encompass a good proportion and that offers an opportunity to study our genetics in a unique way that can better help us understand our health and diseases which may be specific to our genes. In this episode we talk with Dr. Kathy Hodgkinson from @memorialuniversity and Dr. Rick Leach from @sequencebio about the amazing genetic research happening here at home!
In this episode we speak with Jon Reid MScKin. He is the Director of Atlantic Pro Sports and comes from a sport background. He played Junior and University hockey and has coached athletes of all ages since graduating with his Master's Degree in Applied Exercise Physiology. He talks about what athletes should focus on when training from home and sports and gyms are closed. It's a great conversation on what athletes young and old should keep in mind in this new normal.
Today we are going learn about the how recreation NL is celebrating its 50 year anniversary by promoting wellness in our province.
For 50 years, RecreationNL has been a dedicated team of wellness supporters who believe in the body, mind, and soul benefits that come from making ‘you’ time, via activities of any kind. As a not-for-profit organization, our vision is to develop a province of engaged communities where all people embrace the benefits of recreation to enhance their quality of life.
They turn 50 years old they are launching a year-long campaign that focuses on improving the health of our body, mind, and soul for everyone in the province. They have partnered with 18 community members who will serve as Wellness Ambassadors throughout the year and provide us with helpful information that we can use to improve ourselves both physically and mentally.
In this episode we hear from 4 of these ambassadors - Paddy Daly - host of VOCMs open line, Petrina Bromley - Broadway star of Come From Away, Rod Snow - Rugby Canada Hall of Famer and Jodi Cooke - News Host and action sport athlete.
Today we are going to talk about autism spectrum disorder or ASD. It is something that we are hearing more about, so today we get the facts from those that are the experts, both professionally and with lived experience.
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ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts brain development. The result is that most individuals experience communication problems, difficulty with social interactions and a tendency to repeat specific patterns of behaviour. They may also have a markedly restricted range of activities and interests.
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Individuals on the autism spectrum tend to have varying degrees and combinations of symptoms and therefore, treatment must be specific to the individual. It is also important to keep in mind that children, teens and adults with autism vary widely in their needs, skills and abilities. There is no standard “type” or “typical” person with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
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According to the National ASD Surveillance System 2018 report, an estimated 1 in 54 children and youth between 5 and 17 years of age have been diagnosed with ASD but those rates are even higher here in newfoundland as we will hear.
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Today will talk with Paul Walsh – CEO of the @autismsocietynl. He will tell us about the amazing work they do. We also talk with Michael So who has ASD and overcome many obstacles on his journey to graduating from university and working in the community.
It's been about forty years since the term work-life balance was first used. Since then, it has been used broadly to refer to everything from the need for more leisure or family time to self-care. These days, we are not only working more and connected to our jobs via technology - but we may be working from home, or as our guest today describes it, living at work!
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There is a new term on the block and that’s called work life integration. According to UC Berkeley's School of Business, this is an approach that creates more synergies between all areas that define 'life': work, home/family, community, personal well-being, and health.
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Today we are going to hear from @gregfsmyth who has worked in several industries ranging from oil and gas here at home and the gulf of Mexico, to high tech in Silicone Valley where he led a team for Tesla. He will share his journey and what he has learned about ensuring balance and healthy lifestyle into his family’s day to day. He will also share how the sense of community here in NL has inspired him to keep Newfoundlanders connected around the world through his organization @global.nl – allowing us to tap into what might be our most valuable resource we have here in the province – each other.
Valentines day is upon us and it is a day that reminds us that love is something worth celebrating. It’s also a day that can be hard on folks who are isolated and those in relationships which need a bit of help. The reason why love is so confusing is that it is complicated on many levels - even physiologically.
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Our bodies act differently when we are in love, our brains think in strange ways and our heart actually does beat to a different drum. Behind all of these changes is a whole field of science and today we are very fortunate to have a global expert on the topic with us to talk about his research and practice.
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In this episode we talk with Dr. Richard Schwartz, who is an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School (@harvardmed) and a consultant to McLean and Massachusetts General (MGH) hospitals his area of practice and research is into issues surrounding social isolation, loneliness, social connection, and lasting marriage.
For those facing mental health challenges there are community supports available to help you. In this episode we speak with Glenn Roil - mental health advocate and Bailey Reid from the Canadian Mental Health Association to share more about the challenges we face with respect to mental health and what tools are available to both individuals and organizations looking to address these challenges.
Social media was created to connect people but it is having some unexpected consequences for our mental health, especially in children and adolescents. With 45% of children reporting being online constantly and another 44% reporting frequent social media checks a day there are some things that both parents and children should know about how to use social media safely.
New research is showing that social media use – when left unchecked – can increase rates of depression and anxiety in youth and creates a fear of missing out and an opportunity for online harassment.
Today, I am excited to have two experts on the topic to share their knowledge with us.
Bailey Parnell is the CEO of SkillsCamp and was named one of Canada’s 100 most powerful women. She has had a TEDx talk on mental health and social media use with over 2 million views and has earned a masters degree on the topic in the academic field. In this episode she shares her 5 steps to safe social media use.
We are also joined by Dr. Meg Seymor. Dr. Seymour received her Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Michigan and is a Senior Fellow with the National Center for Health Research in Washington DC. Her work focuses on the intersection between physical and mental health. She is an author of their recent literature review on social media and mental health in young people.
Check out Coach Chris Wilson from Critical Bench on the show as he talks exercise at any age. Coach Wilson is a fitness expert with over 750,000 followers on his teams YouTube channel. We worked together in the USA at the start our careers so we caught up to chat training as we get older. He shares tips for youth, those going though mid-life and for seniors in this episode.
Tonight’s episode features Lorna DePetrillo Registered Dietitian. We talk about intuitive eating, challenging the diet culture and making peace with your food. Lorna is the owner of the Yoga Vine Integrated Health Studio and a registered dietitian.
In this episode Jason Power explains how he has taken a positive outlook to a most challenging of medical battles and what we can do shift our perspectives in our everyday lives as we face a new year.
Join us as we share 12 stories of holiday kindness. From giving holiday present money away to the needy to simple gestures - this episode will warm your heart and remind you of the true meaning of the holidays with a special message from Santa to close the show.
Navigating healthy living over the holidays can be a challenge. Today we have 3 experts to help us understand how we can do our best. First we have Adrianna Smallwood a register dietitian who will help us navigate healthy eating. We are then joined by Dr. Meshari Alwashmi with some great wellness tech gift ideas. Finally we are joined by Julie Dwyer who reminds us about the importance of maintaining our mental health.
Professional basketball player and Newfoundlander Carl English shares his path to the highest levels of basketball and his career. He also shares about his book Chasing a Dream and his new basketball academy C23.
Premier Andrew Furey shares his unique perspective changing roles from an orthopaedic surgeon to the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. He shares his approach to wellness, his goals for the provinces health and an update on the pandemic and vaccination schedules.
In this episode we shed light on pancreatic cancer - a devastating disease that has not seen improvement in patient outcomes for over 4 decades. We spoke with Dr. Anish Kirpalani who is the chair of Pancreatic Cancer Canada about their work in advocacy, research and patient support as well as what we need to know about pancreatic cancer, including signs, symptoms and treatments. We then chat with my mother, Sharon Wahl, who shares her experience living through pancreatic cancer with my father who passed from the disease. She also shares how that event spurred her to lead an awareness campaign called Purple Lights for John in Atlantic Canada that lights up homes and businesses in an effort to increase visibility of the disease and raise funds for research.
In this episode we talk with researcher Dr. Diana DeCarvalho who studies ergonomics at Memorial University and Erin Bradbury, ergonomics lead for Memorial University. They walk us through what we need to know about at home office setups and how we can avoid injuries while we work from home.
In this episode we talk to the Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Health the Honorable Dr. John Haggie about the importance of the flu shot - especially this year during the pandemic. He talks to us about what the flu shot is, how it works, its safety and how to use the new Government of Newfoundland program to get it. It's and episode we should all hear so we can keep one another safe this flu season.
In this episode we talk with counsellor and tension relieving exercise expert Carolyn Hapgood about how she helps her patients with exercises that help the body and the mind. She shares the relationship between the body and the mind and how stress manifests physically. She also shares her approach to using exercise to relieve tension in the body through a specialized form of exercise and movement.
Eating right and getting exercise during pregnancy can be challenging but extremely beneficial for expecting moms. In this episode Dr. Justine Spencer walks us through the benefits of physical activity before, during and after pregnancy to help keep new and expecting moms moving. Then Jessica Tong RD helps listeners navigate healthy eating, including food cravings, dealing with nausea and digestive issues and other relevant food related topics.
Ben Prentiss - founder of Prentiss Hockey Performance is widely regarded as the leading authority on hockey training. He has trained NHL hall of famers, MVPs and athletes from all 30 NHL teams. He walks us through what young hockey players need to know when training in the off season.
Join us as two experts in the world of online wellness walk us through the rapid evolution of the field in the last 6 months. Our first guest is Peter Barbour has created an online platform for connecting his patrons with health experts in all areas of the the field. He shares how removing barriers promotes healthy communities. Next Gill Whelan takes us through her rapid expansion in the world of online fitness and her philosophy to achieving true health.
Today's guests are two success stories in the world of wellness. Derek Bishop has lost of 70 lbs and kept it off by adopting a balanced lifestyle that includes proper nutrition and regular exercise. He has kept the weight off for 7 years, as has out other guest radio host Greg Smith. Greg has lost over 120lbs by completely revamping his lifestyle. Check it out and see what practical tips they share.
Obesity impacts 2 in 5 people in Newfoundland and over 70% are overweight. In this episode we speak with Dr. Laurie Twells who helped write the new obesity management clinical guidelines for Canada about what patients need to know about obesity. We are also joined by Dr. Farrell Cahill who's area of expertise is obesity and food addiction to talk about how these guidelines could shift treatments and outcomes for patients for the better.
This episode marks the 6 month anniversary of the WAHL show. In this episode we put together our favourite moments of the first 6 months and chat mental health, nutrition, exercise and more!
The importance of health in the work place is becoming more apparent now than ever. Today we talk about the value of corporate wellness with Paul McCloskey who was a Senior Leader in the private sector who made wellness a business priority and Veronica Marsden who has 30 years of experience delivering corporate wellness. They share their perspectives on why wellness is important and what the new trends are in the industry given the new normal.
Our two guests are experts in the world of diabetes. Our first guest is Dr. Bajaj from Diabetes Canada. He wrote the clinical practice guidelines for diabetes management and walks us through what we should know about the disease. Our second guest is Kevin Peters who learned more about diabetes after his daughter was diagnosed with Type I diabetes. He has since started and awareness campaign and charity to raise money for research called Diabetes for a Day. Check it out!
Elke Dettmer was one of the founders of the East Coast Trail and is the owner of Points East Guest House in Pouch Cove. She shares her experience coming to Newfoundland and seeing the potential for adventure tourism and world class hiking. We chatted at her home on the ocean as she shared amazing stories of her time here and in nature.
Television and film star Alan Hawco spent some time explaining his philosophy towards healthy living while balancing a busy career. Alan is known for many of his action star roles and that requires him to eat well and exercise. He shares some tips he has learned over the years to keep trim, alert and mentally strong when juggling roles.
Jesse Stirling explains why meditation is good for the body and the mind. Jesse has worked with countless experts in the field of mindfulness including best selling authors, speakers and more. He has spoken extensively on the topic on his show Meetings with Remarkable People and on the TED stage. As a special bonus, Jesse walks listeners through a simple guided meditation they can do each day!
Join us as we speak with Chiropracter Brianna Hynes and Accupuncturist Chris Lim. They walk us through the benefits of alternative therapies for a host of conditions including aches and pains, stress, sleeping and more!
Dr. Vivian Brown is a family physician in Toronto. She is a well known national and international speaker and author of a Women's Guide to Healthy Aging - Seven Ways to Keep you Vital, Happy and Strong. She joined us to share how women can become and stay healthy as they age.
Osteoporosis impacts many of us as we age. In today's episode we spoke with Dr. Chris Kovacs who is an endocrinologist who specializes in the topic. He walks us through the warning signs, treatments and how a healthy lifestyle including a proper diet and exercise can help protect individuals from the harmful effects of osteoporosis. We also visit with Shane Monahan from AgeRight health and fitness who shows us some simple exercises we can do, regardless of our age!
With the Atlantic bubble opening and Covid-19 becoming a new reality we talk with Dr. Victor Castro Lima who is an infectious disease physician in Sao Paulo Brazil about the pandemic which is devastating that city. We then talk with Mary Anne Phillips from NL who works in Houston about their experience with record daily cases. Finally we speak with Dr. Janice Fitzgerald our Chief Medical Officer of Public Health here in Newfoundland about what is next for us and our province.
We talk to Reggie Lawrence from Satori Elite Athletics about the health benefits of Tae Kwon Do. He talks about the value of TKD as a form of exercise, the power of mindfulness and proper nutrition. Reggie was a national and international level competitor for Canada in the sport and a 5th dan black belt. Check it out!
In this episode of the #HealthAndWellness Show we were joined by Adam Churchill of Avalon #mountainbike Association. He taught me some basics of the sport as we bikes through 3 Ponds Barrens. He shared why he loves the sport, the health benefits it provides and some safety tips for the trail. He also shared his association’s mission to help provide proper trail systems across the Avalon.
Also in this episode Mark Dobbin shared his vision of a formal mountain bike trail system in the White Hills area and how that could help tourism in our province while improving the health of our community!
Join us tfor an important episode as we talk about cancer and what you need to know. Cancer impacts 1 in 2 Canadians and there will be over 225,000 new cases of cancer this year in our country. In tonight’s episode we will discuss the impact of cancer in vulnerable populations, cancer treatments, lifestyle that impacts our outcomes, and what’s new in cancer treatments. We are joined by two experts:
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Dr. Matthew Follwell who is the Chief of Oncology at the Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Program. He completed his medical school at Western University and his residency at the Princes Margaret Hospital in Toronto and a fellowship at the BC Cancer Agency. His research interests are focused on radiation oncology, the role of advanced imaging techniques in the delivery of personalized, image-based radiotherapy.
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Dr. Stephen Quigley is a liver and pancreas surgeon at Eastern Health. He was trained at Memorial University and completed his residency at the University of Calgary. He completed a liver and pancreas surgery at IU Health in Indianapolis, Indiana and will be starting a masters degree in patient safety and health care quality at John Hopkins University.
Shawn Dawson (@flossmandandycabbage) took us on a foraging adventure last week as we learned about all of the amazing foods in our own backyards .... literally.
In this episode we have the Hon. Bernard Davis - Minister is Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador on the showz He will talk about all of the amazing adventure tourism options we have right here at home this summer when we take our “Staycations”. Minister Davis walks us through the countless options we have for hiking, boating, kayaking, ATV adventuring, fishing and foraging, as we compare notes on our favourite destinations in the province.
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On the second half of the show we are joined by Rene Ritter who is a wilderness medic and outdoor educator. Rene has completed long distance expeditions in Greenland and the arctic, the most recent supported by Canadian Geographic Society. Currently he is running an outdoor education business and sea kayaking tour company based in Cape Broyle. He will talk about how to be safe when we are out enjoying our beautiful province this summer with some essential tips for getting the most out of your adventures!
In this episode we chat with Explorer and Recreation Professor Dr. TA Loeffler who brings 30 years of expertise leading people through significant life-changing experiences to every facet of her work. TA’s work and adventures have taken her to 52 different countries and all seven continents. TA has completed 6 and 4/5 of “The Seven Summits,” the highest peak on all seven continents. With her is Dr. Hassan Khalili a psychologist who has hiked around the world include the El Camino, the Inca Trail, the Silk Road, Kilimanjaro and Antarctica. They will walk us through the physical and mental health benefits of being in nature - and how we can enjoy the outdoors even during the pandemic.
Health eating is especially important where we are spending extra time at home these days. The fridge is within reach and our food habits are changing. You might also be feeling a very real pull to the cookie jar and there may be a good scientific explanation for that. With us to chat is Medical Researcher Dr. Farrell Cahill who studies food addiction and Jessica Tong RD who is a nutrition expert and health eating advocate.
Todays topic is nutrition and healthy eating. It’s a two part episode where in the first half I will walk you through the basics of nutrition and how we need to balance our eating to be healthy and have energy. In the second part of the show, we will be joined by Registered Dietitian Adrianna Smallwood who is the spokesperson for the Deititians of Canada here in Newfoundland – she is going to give us some great tips on how to eat healthy as we physically distance.
This episode is all about mental health with special guests Juno Award winning signer/songwriter Amelia Curran and entrepreneur Don-E Coady. We discuss their grass roots mental health advocacy organization "It's Mental" while discussing tactics around keeping our mental health in check during Covid-19 physical distancing.
Stretching is good for the body and the mind. In this episode we talk with Dr. David Behm, Professor at Memorial University, researcher and author as well as Jill Holden, owner of Modo Yoga St. John's and Yoga instructor on why stretching should be a part of our daily routine.
This weeks episode talks about how we can exercise at home given the new “stay at home” recommendations for Covid-19. This episodes guests are Dane Woodland who is a personal trainer and group fitness instructor at Max and an ambassador for Lululemon. He has worked with a broad variety of clients and has also coached athletes in a variety of sports in national and international competitions, and Dr. Vic Sajhapal who is an adult and pediatric orthopedic surgeon at eastern health who happens to have an extensive background in competitive athletics and exercise. Together they will talk with Dr. Mike Wahl about what you need to do to get healthy and effective exercise at home.