Every episode of BeCause & Effect ends with a set of questions we call Just BeCause. It’s the same seven questions asked of all of our guests.

Today’s show is both a highlight episode, showcasing some of the best answers to the Just BeCause questions, and an exclusive, unreleased Just BeCause with Mr. Ron MacLean as well.

We were able to talk to Ron MacLean at a fundraising dinner for the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre earlier this year, where Ron co-hosted the event with Jann Arden.

For those who don’t know, Bruce Oake lost his life to a battle with a heroin addiction many years ago and the Oakes founded the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre in his name.

For those who don’t know Ron MacLean, he’s a Canadian Broadcasting icon, known best for his work on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada and as a part of CBC’s Olympics coverage since 1988.

I sat down with Ron before the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre fundraiser here in Winnipeg, so our discussion revolved around Bruce’s life, the Oake family’s journey, and how addiction has affected so many of us, including Ron himself. But we also talk about Hockey Night in Canada, Roger’s Hometown Hockey, and his monumental career, and so much more.

Later on in the episode we’ll share some of my other favorite Just BeCause segments with previous guests, including Scott Oake himself.

So without further ado, here’s Ron MacLean, Just BeCause.

Kai Madsen is celebrating quite a few milestones this year: 50 years since he started volunteering with the Christmas Cheer Board, 25 years since he became their Executive Director, and 100 years that the organization itself has been in operation.

Kai and the more than 5,000 volunteers annually have been such an incredible force in our city, bringing holiday cheer to under-served families for such a long time, and they’re still going strong.

I sat down to talk with Kai Madsen, Executive Director of the Christmas Cheer Board, to talk about a lifetime spent giving back, the personal value of volunteerism, and how the Cheer Board has affected thousands of Winnipeggers over the last century.

Jeff Newman and Stephanie Scott learned a lot while working on their show First Contact. The reality style TV show brought Canadians from similar backgrounds together to learn about Indigenous culture and attempted to shatter their racist beliefs.

As filmmakers, their goal is to educate not only the participants on the show, but people worldwide by shining a light on prejudice, stereotyping, and racism across our country.

I sat down with both Jeff Newman and Stephanie Scott, Director and Executive Producer on First Contact, to talk about the trials and tribulations in making the show, Canada’s long history of individual and systemic racism, and the importance of listening to one another, to learn and grow.

Oly Backstrom has been with SCE Lifeworks for a quarter of a century. 25 years of providing inclusive supports and services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

As President and CEO of SCE Lifeworks, Oly has found meaning and purpose in helping others and educating communities on the abilities of all.

I sat down with Oly Backstrom, to talk about how businesses thrive when they hire inclusively, social evolution over the last two and a half decades, and his career building up and supporting people with developmental disabilities.

Jim Gauthier went from humble beginnings, to successful businessman, to one of the most giving and philanthropic people in Winnipeg. The Association of Fundraising Professionals even awarded Jim their Outstanding Philanthropist for 2019.

Jim and his late wife Joyce gave back as soon as they were able to, first as founders of The Dream Factory, and as well as supporters of many causes and organizations over the years, including the Humane Society and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

I sat down with Jim Gauthier, AFP’s Outstanding Philanthropist of 2019, to talk about how he got started, the importance of family and supporting community, and his philosophy of giving back to the community that gave him so much.

When one of Paige Procter’s loved ones got a cancer diagnosis, she turned her grief into something positive, and her community of Gross Isle Manitoba has now raised over 130,000 dollars for Cancer Care.

Through the Coffeehouse to End Cancer fundraising concerts, Paige and her team of volunteers have brought their friends, and family, and community together for a day of local artists performing and keynote presentations for nearly a decade now.

Paige was awarded the Association of Fundraising Professionals 2019 Emerging Leader in Philanthropy Award for her work, and she is honored by the recognition.

I sat down with Paige to talk about philanthropy, her motivation as a young woman to start such a successful fundraiser, and how her life has been changed by the stories of the cancer survivors she’s met.

Clare MacKay knows how, and why people gather. The public spaces provided through the Forks in Winnipeg are world-class and bring in people from all over the globe.

Clare’s role as VP, Strategic Initiatives as well as Executive Director of The Forks Foundation has meant she’s front and centre of the Forks’ incredible growth for nearly two decades.

I sat down with Clare Mackay, to talk about The Forks’ evolution from ancient meeting place to its modern model of success, the issues facing our city and what we can do, and the value of partnership and cooperation. 

Stephen Borys is one of the leading and most educated voices in art and art history in the country. He holds a PhD in Art and Architectural History from McGill, a MA in Art History from the University of Toronto, on top of being the curator or curatorial assistant at many acclaimed museums and galleries across North America.

In his current role as the Director and CEO of the Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG) he’s been tasked with building Canada’s first Inuit Art Centre, slated to open in 2020.

I sat down with Stephen to talk about storytelling through art, educating our youth in the language of artistry, and the importance of giving a platform to indigenous artists to showcase their beautiful works.

Joy Loewen is living a life in service of others. As the Acting Executive Director of The National Screen Institute, she and her team are empowering Canadians all across the country to tell their stories, and find careers while doing so.

As a volunteer and board member for countless organizations in her city, Joy has made it a priority in her life to help lift up those in need.

I sat down with Joy, to talk about the importance of giving a hand up to others, bringing out their potential, and how everyone has a story to tell.

Dayna Spiring knows how compelling Winnipeg is when it comes to business opportunities, tourism, and leisure activities. As the President and CEO of Economic Development Winnipeg Inc, Dayna knows what it takes to be a great city. 

She also knows there’s a lot to be excited about in the city, not only for tourists visiting, but for the people living here as well – just think about the whiteout parties from a few years ago! Dayna is an avid volunteer and devotes much of her time to make Winnipeg better. She is currently the vice-chair of the Winnipeg Football Club’s board of directors, and was the first-ever woman to server on the CFL’s board of Governors.

I sat down with Dayna Spiring, to talk about what makes a city thrive, the evolution of Winnipeg, and the importance of breathing more life into the core of our city.