I wanted to tackle loneliness for my holiday special this year as not all of us are surrounded by family and friends. The World Health Organization has declared loneliness a global health threat — as bad for your health as smoking fifteen cigarettes a day. Loneliness is the most significant preventable risk factor for depression, addiction, and suicidality. It increases the chance of early death by 30%, more significant than the risk of obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and excessive drinking.

Loneliness also increases the risk of heart disease, dementia, and diabetes.

My guest this week is Pete Bombaci. Pete aims to make the world happier and healthier by eradicating loneliness. Our show was taped in front of a live audience of Managers from the City of Barrie, the Town of Innisfil and the County of Simcoe.

Pete talked about the GenWell Project, Canada's Human Connection Movement. Pete shares why social connection is the most significant contributor to happiness, empathy, compassion, and resilience, yet our world is more disconnected than ever.

Pete offers simple ideas to make connections more intentional.

Amy Deacon, the Founder and CEO of Toronto Wellness Counselling, joins me to explain why our multi-screening and multi-tasking youth are so lonely and what we need to do to encourage face-to-face connections.

Moments that Matter.

00:00 Tony Chapman's opening – a growing sense of impossibility

02:43 Introduce Pete Bombaci

04:37 Family life – a sister disabled, and the need to make time for others

05:48 Pete's Dad dies and how that impacted his life.

08:49 Working at a bar offered two key insights.

11:32 The great blackout changed Pete forever.

14:40 Major career shift to not-for-profit raised $42M in 3 years.

17:42 Gen World Project: Canada's movement for human connection.

20:43 Research emphasizes the benefits of human connection.

23:25 Shift from reactive to proactive employee support.

26:32 Encouraging team and organization activities for growth.

31:08 Encouraging more in-person interactions for youth.

32:56 What can we do for our kids, our elderly parents, ourselves

35:35 Irony – Pete feels alone trying to create the GenWell Project

36:37 Global health expert outlines the dangers of Loneliness

37:32 Tony shares a story about a lone hiker

40:30 What Leaders can do - Authenticity and consistency are key

42:28 Loneliness and AI

44:20 Navigating post-pandemic challenges requires careful consideration.

45:32 My three takeaways

47:20 Amy Deacon, Founder of Toronto Wellness Counselling, joins the show

48:00 Amy explains why loneliness is so prevalent in the younger generation

49:14 What parents can do to help their children

50:26 Why parents are also part of the problem

I had a profound and heart-wrenching conversation with renowned infectious disease specialist Steffanie Strathdee. Steffanie is Canadian-born and named by Time Magazine as one of the 50 most influential people in healthcare. She has written a book titled The Perfect Predator. A Scientists race to save her Husband from a Deadly Superbug.

Steffanie's story unfolds like a gripping thriller. On holiday in Egypt, with her husband Tom, a deadly Superbug hijacks his body and it has Superpowers. It steals genes from other bacteria and the environment to resist antibiotics.

This Superbug isn't an anamoloy. 5 million people will die from these types of infections in 2024. By 2050, that number is predicted to be 10 million. Why? The misuse and overuse of antibiotics in medicine and animal husbandry.

Tom is airlifted to Germany, where the doctors aren't only perplexed, they are terrified as in the past this Superbog has shut down entire hospitals. They can do nothing, so Tom is Medevaced to the US. Fighting for his life, his organs shutting down, Tom is running out of time. Steffanie is desperate. She sees a psyche, hears about a century-old forgotten cure developed by a French Canadian but must enlist a dream team to try to save his life.

What they uncover might save millions of lives, including yours and mine.

To buy Steffanie and Tom's Book: The Perfect Predator. A Scientist's Race to Save Her Husband from a Deadly Superbug. https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Predator-Scientists-Husband-Superbug/dp/0316418080

Time Code:

00:00 I introduce Stephanie Strathdee, An influential Scientist in infectious diseases.

04:48 Super Bugs are a Global Issue - 5 million deaths

05:57 Why aren't antibiotics working the way they used to? 07:54 Global agencies urge action and lack accountability measures.

10:41 The Perfect Vacation turns on a dime - A Super Bug invades Tom's body 12:40 Epidemiologist in Germany shocked by a deadly antibiotic-resistant bacterium. 15:38 Germans send Tom to the United States; nothing they can do 18:02 Tom is dying; a squeeze from his hand changes everything

24:57 Phage could be the cure but against all odds 29:48 Phage preparation to remove toxic bacteria so treatment doesn't kill Tom 30:52 Steffanie must make a life-and-death decision 34:07 Tom treasures life and moments together; phage therapy is a last attempt.

36:18 Phage saved Tom; can it save you and me?

37:48 Was this a miracle? 39:51 Tony's Three Takeaways 41:51 Tony's holiday message to you

43:50 Tony's Holiday Message

Join me to hear untold stories of the Canadian Pacific Railway and the birth of Canada. Acclaimed Author Stephen Bown shares excerpts from his new book Dominion, vividly describing the price paid to build the CPR and unite Canada. In this monumental saga, we learn about the ambitions, sacrifices, and the crimes against humanity that came with Canada's most extraordinary infrastructure project.

Stephen paints a vivid picture of an era of greed, corruption, destruction, discriminatory labour practices and hubris that almost bankrupted a nation and wiped out the Indigenous Population. Was it worth it? You be the judge.

I ended the show by sharing my thoughts on what Canada needs to do to write its next chapter.

Key Moments

00:00 My opening

03:39 Stephen Bown – Rails and Tales

09:28 Fear of American control led to the need for a Canadian railway

13:10 Allan was influential, wealthy, politically connected, and manipulative.

14:24 Railway through Canadian Shield and financing scandal.

18:43 John A McDonald loses election, Mackenzie and more corruption.

23:34 Railways had devastating effects on Indigenous people.

24:56 Buffalo provided essential resources; extinction led to famine.

28:03 Chinese workers faced exploitation

35:23 Widespread corruption in both public and private sectors.

39:08 Riel's rebellion secured funding for the railway.

41:17 My takeaways

44:21 Tony – What Canada needs to do to write its next chapter

To buy Stephen Brown's book Dominion.

Indigo:

https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/dominion-the-railway-and-the-rise-of-canada/9780385698726.html

Amazon:

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/0385698720?tag=prhca-20

What does it take to be exceptional? Why haven't we closed the gap if diversity has proven to create a more robust and resilient culture and greater profitability? Does that mean others must stand down if you stand for diversity and inclusion? How can you create or contribute to a culture of excellence if the people you count on work remotely? How can an individual make a difference in a world with many headwinds? What does having privilege mean, and why should it be surrendered for the benefit of others? Where do I find trust and a sense of belonging? I am a parent of young children. What education or career do they pursue when AI is stripping away the value and contribution of humans?

I have so many questions about the future of work. I started looking for answers, and a name that came up several times was Dr. Georgette Zinaty. I am glad she agreed to join me on Chatter that Matters. I didn't hold back; she answered my questions with clarity and passion.

Dr. Georgette Zinaty is a leadership and diversity expert, the author of the book 'Why Not You' and the founder of Women Helping Empower Women (WHEW!), a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women leaders and promoting diversity. She is also a TED speaker and Forbes contributor.

This week, she started a new role as Chief of Staff at Myant, a disruptive company driving innovation in advanced material science, integrated systems, and advanced manufacturing to empower a future where humans, animals and the planet coexist harmoniously.

Andrea Barrack, Senior Vice President and lead champion of Corporate Citizenship and ESG at RBC joins the show and we discuss the role that organizations can and must play to ensure everyone, regardless of ethnicity or gender has a seat at the table. We also talk about some of the challenges facing society and what can be done through our collective efforts.

I hope you enjoy both these conversation as much as the learning I garnered from them.

To buy Georgette Zinaty's book Why Not You:

www.whewwomen.com 100% of the proceeds go to support her non-profit Women Helping Empower Women

If you don't have time for the entire episode here are my favourite spots.

I don't have what it takes to lead – 01:00

Dr. Georgette Zinaty Intro 02:35

Dr. Georgette Zinaty Challenges Tony Chapman. 03:04

Tony asks Georgette – did I give my Niece the right advice? 06:38

Remote Working and Culture: 07:21

We learn about Georgette's childhood. 10:11

Those kinds of skills don't expire: 16:51

Importance of Mentorship 19:21

AI and the Importance of Community. 21:43

Does diversity mean your son has to stand down? 25:28

A big idea for all youth – Personal Advisory Board 28:15

What should I do with my privilege? 30:22

We talk about her book: What about you? 32:35

Will AI replace you? 37:59

Gender Gap is widening, why? 47:47

Tony's Three Takeaways 49:21

Andrea Barrack joins the show. 51:36.

Trust is falling in institutions. 53:00

What is our North Star 53:56

Hollowing out the middle class 55:00

What must be done to close the gap? 55:33

Government alone isn't the solution. 57:00

"We, as a society, do not talk about childhood abuse, and worse, many children between the ages of 5 to 18 go through some abuse."

— Deenah Patel [00:33:41 → 00:33:52]

Note: We don't share any details of the abuse; what Deenah shares is her path back.

Deenah Patel has twice joined me on Chatter that Matters to offer advice to help small business owners. When the microphone was turned off, Deenah opened up about her story of being sexually abused as a child, decades of deeply buried trauma and how it surfaced later in her life as severe physical and mental health issues.

I asked Deenah if she wanted to share her story and journey to reclaiming her life and identity, and she said yes in the hope it would help others. Deenah tells anyone seeking her advice, "You are worth finding the way to be better."

Deenah offers many powerful lessons in life for anyone struggling with their identity and self-worth.

1)Everyone is going through something.

2)Permit yourself to care for yourself; don't bury it.

3)Express yourself because you are worth it, and you deserve to be the best

4)Learn how to believe in yourself and believe in your beliefs.

5)You are in control of your future.

Thank you, Deenah, for sharing; I will be the first of many who listen to your story to give you a virtual standing ovation.

Speaking of ovations, at the end of my show, Amy Deacon, the founder and CEO of Toronto Wellness Counselling, joins the show to provide context on overcoming trauma. Amy never disappoints, and her advice is content for all and content that matters.

10 Moments That Matter

1. [00:16] - Introduction and overview of Deenah Patel's story and the topics discussed in the episode.

2. [03:42] - Deenah shares her belief that society does not talk enough about abuse, particularly childhood abuse.

3. [08:52] - Deenah discusses the therapeutic aspect of verbalizing and speaking about her experience.

4. [15:31] - Deenah talks about her fear of regression if she comes in contact with her abuser again but emphasizes her strength and growth since then.

5. [22:09] - Deenah shares her experience confronting her abuser through therapy and letter therapy, setting boundaries and asking to be left alone.

6. [28:17] - Deenah discusses the challenges of coming forward as an adult about childhood abuse, including shame, self-doubt, and fear of judgment.

7. [33:42] - Deenah talks about the need for society to be more punitive towards and address grotesque behavior from adults.

8. [39:05] - Deenah shares her personal journey of helping others overcome traumatic circumstances and the importance of not judging oneself.

9. [42:39] - Deenah discusses her adult-onset childhood sexual abuse, resulting in PTSD and a mental illness.

10. [49:13] - Deenah highlights the challenges of finding the right mental health care and emphasizes the importance of seeking help and finding a practitioner who understands one's needs.

We have a surprise twist in this week's Chatter That Matters. Mark Ferrier steps in as guest host and interviews Tony Chapman on his journey. Mark is a natural; the banter between them is like listening to two close friends, and you will uncover many parallels between their lives and I am guessing yours.

Tony shares a childhood where their family had to deal with emotional uncertainty and dire financial insecurities resulting from his father's failing mental health.

Tony promised himself that he would never put his family in a similar situation and that motivation propelled him into an entrepreneurial journey that has extended over decades.

Tony opens up about his successes and failures, the lessons he learned along the way, and how an unchecked ego cost people their jobs. Tony also expresses his gratitude for everyone who has helped him along the way with a special shout-out to RBC for investing in Chatter that Matters and sharing stories of positivity and possibility.

Tony closes the show talking about why Chatter that Matters, is his labour of love, and his passion for Canada and what must be done to reclaim our dream.

Time Code:

02:02 Why family matters

03:09 Tony's journey, achievements, and lessons summarized.

06:37 Father's spending nearly bankrupts us, sparks change.

10:08 Grade 7 party, $20 payment, discovering radio.

14:35 Radio-inspired purpose: consumer insights, connecting, dreams.

16:48 Tony's first agency - Communique

19:35 Help others is the best reward of all.

24:31 Letting people go is the worst failure of all.

28:36 More change and transformation

30:50 Innovative ideas presented, uncertainty about the future.

34:02 Mentor, moderate, lead, market, sell for attention.

36:57 Overcoming circumstances, changing lives, powerful lessons.

40:29 Tony talks about the Canadian Dream

42:20 Tony talks about Education

45:41 Mark shares the three takeaways

Unveiling a Heartfelt Journey: Love, Family, and Resilience in Military Life. This week, we honour Remembrance Day by shedding light on the selfless commitment and sacrifice of military spouses. My guest is Vicki Cody, author of here memoir "Army Wife: A Story of Love and Family in the Heart of the Army," Vicki shares her experience as an army wife as well as a leader to many in her community.

Our story begins in the summer of 1969 when Vicki crosses paths with West Point cadet Dick Cody. What initially began as a schoolgirl crush blossomed into a profound love story, spanning almost fifty years of marriage. Vicki's steadfast support accompanies Dick throughout his remarkable career, from lieutenant to four-star general and Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army. Her memoir "Army Wife" not only delves into the commitment between spouses but also paints a vivid picture of unwavering dedication to the military way of life. While raising their two sons, Vicki learns to navigate the daily challenges intertwined with the Army's unique demands, including emotional roller coasters, extended separations and frequent relocations. Over more than three decades in an Army family, Vicki embraces her distinct circumstances and discovers joy, self-fulfillment, and pride while steadfastly preserving her identity as a woman, a leader, a successful author and a mentor to many others.

This poignant tale of love, honour and commitment is a unique and fitting tribute to Remembrance Day and the often-untold story of all who support those who serve.

At the 34:21 mark I end the show with my thoughts about November 11 and why this day matters.

Visit Vicki Cody's site to learn more and to buy her books: https://vickicody.com

00:01:01 Admiring thought leaders, overcoming challenges, and a powerful love story. 00:03:25 Appreciating in-depth look at military life. 00:06:47 Dick Cody loved flying helicopters; no turning back. 00:10:50 Opposites attract strict military life versus college parties. 00:17:56 Time to settle down, he was ready. 00:22:28 Resentment over the military's indifferent and precise actions. 00:25:01 Inspirational figure brings an emotional connection to military families. 00:26:44 Army spouse not interested in advocacy role. 00:31:42 Trust, leadership, individuality, and embracing circumstances. 00:34:21 Tony talks about November 11 and why it matters.

Hello everyone,

With so much negativity flooding our feeds and, with it a growing sense of impossibility manifesting into a mental health crisis, I encourage you to listen to this episode to uncover ways in which you can help. This isn't a show about committing suicide; it is about preventing it from happening.

Some sobering facts: for every death by suicide, there are 20 attempts. And with every attempt, on average, 135 people are impacted including family, friends, peers, neighbours etc.

Please share.

Tony

Steve Phillip. From Pain to Purpose

I was on LinkedIn one morning and came across a post by Steve Phillip. It was titled: 'I could have done more.' As a father, it moved me to tears. Steve talked about a phone call on December 4, 2019, that changed his life forever. He found out that his son Jordan, whom he had exchanged texts with the day before, had taken his own life.

Jordan had a fantastic network of friends, was loved and admired by many, and was caring and fun, but he also struggled with his mental health. Jordan had been diagnosed with clinical anxiety and depression in 2015. As Steve says, a lot was happening beneath the surface we didn't see.

Faced with the choice of either sitting on a sofa with a bottle or creating something to prevent other families from having to experience the trauma of losing a loved one to suicide, Steve chose the latter. He committed himself to doing whatever he could to have an impact in terms of reducing suicides so other families didn't have to experience the same pain and grief.

Leaning into the skills Steve had developed in his corporate career – public speaking, leadership, change management – Steve established The Jordan Legacy to provide hope, even a path for people who are feeling suicidal. Their mission is to engage others to move towards a zero-suicide community, which he defines as one in which everyone is willing and able to do all they can to stop preventable suicides.

To find out more about the Jordan Legacy, https://thejordanlegacy.com

To find out more about what RBC is doing to support mental well being with our youth: https://www.rbc.com/en/future-launch/browse-by-topic/mental-well-being/

Today's episode marks my 200th episode of Chatter that Matters. My guest is the marvellous Myra Sable, who, in her eighties, continues to build her gourmet food company, Sable and Rosenfeld, while being a warrior for a better world. And stick around as I introduce her Grandson Julien Sable Alvarado later in the show. Julien is taking over the business.

Mark Twain once said that age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter. Many over sixty would agree, but what about people younger? Do many view older people like they view products in the grocery store marked past due?

One of my goals this year is to counter ageism by sharing stories like this. Myra has been an entrepreneur for over fifty years; work is still her passion and pleasure. We go back to her early days, the many industry tycoons she had to win over, and the shelves she sought worldwide for her delicious condiments and products to today. There are several life lessons in how to dream, do and build. We also experience a different side of Myra - the matriarch of her family, a fearless feminist, and an advocate for a better Canada.

We then shift to a love story between Grandmother and Grandson when Julien joins the show. Hearing them talk to each other is magical, and you will walk away with remarkable insights into building powerful relationships across generations.

Grab some Scottie tissues, as you might cry for joy.

Thank you, Myra and Julien, for making my 200th episode memorable.

I then bring on Prashant Patel from RBC's Wealth Management Group. I wanted to know what is involved in a family business when the goal is to pass the torch versus sell.

To learn more about Sable and Rosenfeld. https://sableandrosenfeld.com

To learn more about RBC's My Money Matters: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/en-ca/my-money-matters/

In front of a live audience at the Convenience Industry Council of Canada's National Summit, I sat down with Jean-François Archambault. JF is a beautiful human being devoting his life to fighting food insecurity. It is also a powerful love story between Mother and Son and how her ten-year unsuccessful battle with cancer took JF to a crossroads, offering two very different paths. The first was to take away his sadness and darkness by ending his life; the second was to do something with it.

Thankfully for millions of Canadians, JF chose to dream big and do bigger. Too many Canadians live paycheck-to-paycheck and rely on food banks, social assistance and the generousity of friends and family to survive. JF dreamed of feeding people versus landfills with the massive amount of food wasted in the hospitality sector.

JF's story is inspiring and remarkable. He leaves his successful career in hospitality to form La Tablée des Chefs, a non-profit organization whose mission can be summed up in two ways. Feed today to fight against food insecurity and educate youth for tomorrow to develop their food autonomy.

What La Tablée des Chefs has done should be studied around the world. In twenty years, they have distributed more than 15 million cooked meals and contributed to the culinary education of more than 50,000 youth by developing their food autonomy through various educational programs.

And what JF teaches all of us is following your heart, understanding the fragility of our time, and dreaming and doing is what inspires change.

I close the show by offering my three takeaways, why being involved in our community matters, and then talking about a hub called My Money Matters that offers financial advice to help navigate the realities of today.

Have Scottie Tissues close at hand and be prepared to cheer for a human who almost said no to his life and is now impacting millions of others.

To find out more about La Tablée des Chefs, click here: https://www.tableedeschefs.org/en/

My Money Matters. https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/en-ca/my-money-matters/

Convenience Industry Council of Canada - https://convenienceindustry.ca/