I was sitting in the green room of a Canadian television station when Sim Seera walked in. She has such positive energy. Since we were both early for our appearances, we used the time to talk and get to know each other. I liked her immediately, and when she told me her story, I knew I had to share it on Chatter That Matters.

I also wanted to share her energy with an audience, so I taped the interview in front of a packed house at the Convenience Industry Council of Canada's annual summit. This unexpected twist added a new and wonderful dimension to our conversation.

This is Sim's story, an immigrant who came to Canada at a young age after losing her parents in a horrific accident. Tragedy will strike again, but it is through the people she meets along the way, both family and strangers, that guide and help her get to where she is today.

As Sim says in the podcast: "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear."

This week on Chatter that Matters, we explore the profound impact of our surroundings on our health, emotions, and overall well-being. World-renowned architect and thought leader Tye Farrow joins me to discuss how our spaces can elevate our lives, offering more than shelter.

Tye shares insights from his groundbreaking book, Constructing Health, in which he integrates neuroscience with architecture to advocate for salutogenic design—a transformative approach that fosters well-being. From the inspiration of his architect father to his work on major global projects, like a revolutionary cancer centre in Israel, Tye takes us on a journey through his career, highlighting how thoughtful design can be more than a place to be; it can be a place to be healthy, creative and connected.

Tye shares how we can construct health through specific, measurable design qualities and characteristics to enhance human performance in our cities, homes, and places of learning and healing. This includes intergenerational housing that fosters community.

Leah Robinson from RBC joins the show to talk about how financial institutions must, too, march towards a future to provide innovative solutions to homeowners.

To purchase Tye Farrow's best-selling book Constructing Health:  https://www.amazon.ca/Constructing-Health-Built-Environment-Enhances/dp/1487557221

Have you ever watched a movie that lingered in your thoughts long after the credits rolled? That’s exactly how I felt after sitting down with Mitchell Cohen. Many share this sentiment as Mitchell is a true Renaissance man—a thinker, doer, musician, and composer. His mesmerizing cadence makes every moment spent listening to him an absolute delight.

Mitchell has devoted much of his life to addressing one of Canada’s most pressing challenges: affordable housing.

Mitchell's influence is immense as the CEO of The Daniels Corporation, one of the country’s leading builders and developers. His focus isn’t just on constructing buildings; it’s on creating thriving communities. Take Regent Park in Toronto—once a neighbourhood many avoided, it’s now a city's crown jewel. Mitchell’s vision and dedication have transformed it into a place where people want to live, work, and connect, and the project is now a model for city planners worldwide.

I encourage you to share Mitchell’s story with young adults. It’s an inspiring reminder of the power of purpose—how aligning your passions with a meaningful pursuit can shape your life and leave a lasting legacy for others.

To purchase Mitchell Cohen's book Rhythms of Change - Reflections on the Regent Park Revitalization:  https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/rhythms-of-change-reflections-on-the-regent-park-revitalization/9781774585054.html

One of our great behavioural scientists, the bestselling author of Behave, dives to the depths of the science and the philosophy of decision-making to mount a devastating case against free will, an argument with profound consequences. After listening, ask yourself, what side are you on?

Are we indeed the masters of our fate, or is free will nothing more than an illusion? In this week’s episode, I sit down with renowned neuroscientist and Stanford professor Dr. Robert Sapolsky to explore the provocative ideas from his groundbreaking book, Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will.

Sapolsky argues that our choices—from our morning coffee to major life decisions—are entirely shaped by biology and environment, leaving no room for free will. We dive into the science behind human behaviour, the randomness of life, and the implications of viewing ourselves as “biological machines.”

This thought-provoking conversation challenges everything we think we know about accountability, morality, and transformation. Can we truly change? How do we raise children in a world without free will? And could letting go of the notion of free will make the world a more compassionate place?

From personal anecdotes about Sapolsky’s early questioning of faith and free will to his fascinating insights into human biology and culture, this episode will leave you questioning whether you are truly in control—or just along for the ride.

Imagine being Suzanne Heywood, a seven-year-old girl who must abandon all she knows: friends, school, home and surroundings because her parent's dream is to spend three years sailing across the globe, retracing the route of Captain James Cook. Three years turned into a decade and a living nightmare aboard the Wavewalker-A 70-foot sailboat boat, often shared with strangers to help fund the trip. 

The family encounters violent storms and life-threatening injuries, and for Suzanne emotional abandonment, and isolation even within her family. Yet, amidst the chaos, she found solace and determination in education, meticulously crafting her lifeline to escape-a true and powerful story of trauma to triumph, resilience and reclamation.

To purchase Suzanne'e book, https://www.amazon.com/Wavewalker-Memoir-Breaking-Suzanne-Heywood-ebook/dp/B0BZK87N22

This is the extraordinary true story of Tier One Special Forces soldier, adventurer, and world-record breaker Dean Stott. In a gripping retelling of his story, Dean shares insight into his esteemed military career in the British Army, where he conducted deployments to hostile environments, worked within counterterrorism operations in some of the most dangerous places in the world, and survived a horrific parachute accident.

Stott discloses how he continued to fuel his journey of excellence by starting a high-risk security company and becoming the first man to cycle the Pan American Highway in under one hundred days, and raising over a million dollars to support his friend Prince Harry's efforts with mental health awareness charities.

Dean Stott offers an inspiring reminder that we all have the capability to use our inner voices, drive, and instincts to become relentless in our pursuits in life.

A fantastic episode to share with 16+ as Dean’s lessons resonate with all:

You can’t control the uncontrollable—but you can choose how you react to life’s challenges.

 Failure is just experience—as long as you learn and grow, there’s no such thing as losing.

 Actions speak louder than words—if you believe in something, let your actions be the proof.

To buy Dean's book, Relentless, https://www.amazon.com/Relentless-Special-Operations-Record-Breaker/dp/1665725176

Uncover the shocking truth about human and sex trafficking in Canada with survivor Kaitlin Bick who courageously shares her journey from vulnerability to victimization and ultimately to becoming an advocate for others. Kaitlin's raw and honest account of her childhood insecurities, substance abuse, and exploitation provides a deeply personal perspective on the complex factors that can lead to the crimes that were inflicted on her humanity and how hard it is to return your life to some form of normality.

Expert Insights

Carly Kalish, Executive Director of Victim Services Toronto.

Jennifer Price from Women's College Hospital

Why Listen?

Gain a rare survivors’ perspective on human and sexual trafficking

Understand how traffickers’ prey 

Learn to recognize warning signs in your community

Be inspired by one woman's journey from victim to hero

This isn't just Kaitlin's story – it's an important story for all.

Thanks to Kelly Grier and HART: Human Anti-Trafficking Response Team for sponsoring this episode.  To find out more about the work they are doing, https://harthelps.com

To find out more about Victim's Services Toronto, https://www.victimservicestoronto.com

To find out more about Women's College Hospital,  https://www.womenscollegehospital.ca

Reinventing Healthcare, Four Women at a Time. In this powerful episode, I chat with Amy Louis-Bayliss, MD MSCP, and Lindsay Stollery Jephcott, two of four visionary women—three doctors and an entrepreneur—who unite to transform women’s healthcare.

Rather than rushing to build a business, they began by aligning their values and purpose, grounding their venture in a commitment to make a real impact.

Through Lume Women + Health, they tackle a crucial, often overlooked need: personalized healthcare for women. They address menopause, sexual health, and overall wellness with a unique, preventive approach.

At the same time, the episode examines the broader healthcare system’s challenges and the toll on patients and front-line workers alike. It explores the idea that a fusion of private-sector innovation and a shared vision for accessible care could bring scalable, lasting change. This conversation offers an inspiring blend of entrepreneurial grit, health advocacy, and lessons in building purpose-driven partnerships.

And their approach could change healthcare for the better across our country.

To learn more about Lume Women + Health: https://lumewomenshealth.com

I sit down with the remarkable Debbie Travis, a woman who has spent her life pursuing her dreams, taking bold leaps, and transforming television. Debbie is an entrepreneur extraordinaire. We learn about her humble beginnings to becoming a successful model, a world-renowned and beloved television personality, author, speaker, and today running a Villa in Tuscany.

Debbie’s unapologetic honesty shines through as she discusses her challenges and how she turned them into opportunities. Whether you're looking for inspiration, laughter, or ideas on approaching life, you will love hearing Debbie's story as much as I loved interviewing her.

To learn more about Debbie and to buy her new book,

Laugh More: Stories from an Unexpected Life: https://debbietravis.com

In this episode of Chatter that Matters, I take on one of the toughest challenges facing us today, and many would argue one of our biggest problems to solve: affordable housing. First, you’ll meet Calum MacKay, a young man and a captivating storyteller who takes us on his journey of turning the impossible into reality. Living in Vancouver, where home prices are sky-high, Calum and his wife faced the harsh truth that even with their combined incomes, they couldn’t afford to rent, let alone buy a home for their soon-to-be expanded family. But Calum didn’t give up. With a blend of creativity, resilience, and sheer determination, he made homeownership happen in a way that seems almost miraculous. His story isn’t just about luck—it’s about finding innovative solutions in the face of overwhelming odds.

But Calum’s experience is just one side of the story. We then dive into the broader conversation with two experts who offer insights on how we can tackle the housing affordability crisis on a larger scale.

Brad Bradford, a dynamic and forward-thinking city councillor from Toronto, joins us to discuss the political and bureaucratic shifts needed to support housing development. He highlights the importance of breaking down barriers and creating a “culture of yes” where innovative housing solutions can thrive.

Next, Leah Robinson, Vice President at RBC, shares how the bank is stepping up to help homeowners find new ways to afford and optimize their living spaces. Her comments are not a sales pitch but sage and honest advice on how to create multi-generational living and income-generating spaces like laneway homes and rental suites; as she says, this isn't the faint of heart, but with the right collaboration banks, municipalities, and builders you can find and fund your way.

Why You Should Listen:

This episode will inspire you to make the impossible possible and offer actionable insights and ideas for approaching any problem, including owning your own home. 

To find out more about funding your impossible dream:

https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/mortgages/building-your-own-house.html?utm_source=vanity&utm_medium=marketing&utm_campaign=mtg_constructionmortgage