In this episode of Better Than Not, I had the distinct privilege to talk with John Johnstone who is Stó:lō First Nations and works with Multiply and Inner Hope Youth Ministries in BC. I met John after participating in a Blanket Exercise that he hosted. I was so impacted by the event that I invited him to the podcast. We explored themes of identity, reconciliation, and the importance of relationship. John spoke on the significance of invitation, love, and relationship in healing communities, particularly in the context of historical injustices faced by Indigenous peoples. John shared his experiences as part of the 60s Scoop and how it shaped his understanding of identity and faith. Our discussion emphasized the need for uncomfortable conversations in healing relationships that start with an invitation. For more on John, you can find him at www.multiply.net/global-worker/john-johnstone.

In this episode of Better Than Not, I had the pleasure to talk with Pastor Cameron Moore about his journey from Atlanta, Georgia, to Nanaimo, British Columbia, where he is involved in church planting. Cam talked about God's faithfulness throughout his journey and emphasized the need for open conversations about faith in today's society. He shared in his walk from musician to discovering his calling in preaching and church planting. He reflected on the faithfulness of God in his life and the lives of others and encouraged listeners to embrace their calling. Don't miss this episode! To find out more about Cam and his work, you can find him on FB at Hub City Church or contact Cam at [email protected].

In this episode of Better Than Not, I had the pleasure of a return visit with radio personality and political commentator Scott Thompson. Scott talked about the shifting political landscape in Canada including leadership and immigration. We talked about the shift in the housing market, the challenges facing the healthcare system, and the cultural shifts particularly in mental health awareness. Scott addressed the future outlook for Canada, emphasizing the need for innovative policies and productive leadership with a balanced approach to energy and resources. Scott also emphasized the need for results over rhetoric.

In this episode of Better Than Not, I had the pleasure of a return visit with Tizneem Jiancaro, PhD, master coach and engineer. We explored a wide range of topics in this episode including the nature of perception, the evolution of AI, the importance of memory and beliefs, and the journey of self-discovery. Tizneem talked about the significance of mystery in the human experience and the need for purpose in life, ultimately highlighting the intricate relationships between individuals and the systems they inhabit. She also shared an incredible life story. For more on Tizneem, you can find her at www.opennessroad.org.

In this episode of Better Than Not, I had the good fortune of a return visit with renown bassist, producer, composer and arranger Peter Cardinali. Through Peter’s extensive career, he’s been part of the evolution of music recording and seen the changes first hand from analog to digital formats from inside the industry. Peter shared more stories about his iconic $45 bass that is still his bass of choice and talked about his many collaborations with legendary artists. He spoke too on the charm of imperfections in music and one-take recordings, capturing the balance between perfection and rawness and the enduring magic that sometimes gets captured when spontaneous creativity is recorded. For more on Peter, you can find him at www.almarecords.com.

In this episode of Better Than Not, I had the privilege of talking with Tony Keller, long-time columnist at Canada’s national newspaper The Globe and Mail. Tony writes on economics, politics, public policy and international affairs. I invited Tony on to talk about his recent article on immigration in Canada, which is one of the best depictions of what we've experienced that I've read. Tony talked about the historical context of immigration in Canada, the recent shifts in policy, and the implications of these changes to our country. For more on Tony, I encourage you to read his column in The Globe and Mail and his book Borderline Chaos: Understanding Canada’s Immigration Crisis.

In this episode of Better Than Not, I had the pleasure of a return visit with Canadian artist Kirk Sutherland to talk about his world of art. Kirk shared his unique approach to teaching art, emphasizing the importance of observation and the ever-changing nature of color. We talked about the intersection of art and technology, particularly in the context of AI and digital art. Kirk's insights offer a fresh perspective on the relationship between art, science, and the human experience, encouraging us to look beyond the surface and embrace the beauty of the unseen. For more on Kirk, you can find him on Instagram and at www.kirksutherland.com.

In this episode of Better Than Not, I had the distinct pleasure of a return visit with Michael Butler, PhD of Astrophysics. Michael is a speaker with Apologetics Canada. We again explored the intricate relationship between science and God with a particular focus on Michael’s area of expertise—quantum gravity. We discussed how both science and religion seek to explain the world. Michael emphasized the importance of critical thinking in the age of information overload. We explored ideas surrounding infinity, consciousness, and spirituality delving into the complexities of human consciousness, the nature of faith and trust, and the pursuit of knowledge through curiosity. Michael emphasized the need of human connection in understanding all of these concepts. For more on Michael, you can find him at www.apologeticscanada.com.

In this episode of Better Than Not, I had the pleasure of speaking with Sylvain Lapointe, trumpet player and founder of Buzz Brass, an award-winning brass quintet that blends classical chamber music with innovative performance. This is the third episode where I talk with artists who will be part of this year’s Valley Concert Society’s season at the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium in Abbotsford. Buzz Brass will perform on Thursday January 22nd 2026 at 7:30pm. In addition to Sylvain, Buzz Brass is Frederic Gagnon (principal trumpet), Sylvain Arseneau (bass trombone), Blaise Margail (trombone) and Angelica Tombs (French horn). Sylvain shared his journey into the world of brass music describing the essence of chamber music and the creative process behind their show. Sylvain described the joy of performing live and the importance of audience engagement. He also spoke about the future of Buzz Brass as they continue to evolve through their music. For more on Buzz Brass and the musicians, you can find them at www.buzzbrass.com. For tickets to their performance in Abbotsford: www.valleyconcertsociety.com.

In this episode, I had the distinct pleasure to welcome Kristal Toews, Pastor of Discipleship at Northview Community Church, to Better Than Not. Kristal leads the team responsible for the in-depth and remarkable Bible studies at Northview that I've often talked about on the podcast. Kristal talked about her journey in becoming a pastor, growing up in a missionary family, and the impact of cultural exposure on her faith. Our conversation delved into the importance of scripture in discipleship and her involvement and leadership in bringing the Bible studies to Northview. Kristal also emphasized the significance of community in navigating through the spiritual journey. For more on Kristal, you can find her at www.northview.org.