Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 69
Date: May 23, 2023

Participants: John Webster, Elise Seifert, Sheila Webster and Julie Wilson
Guest: Shereen Samuels

Start times and Segments:

[0:00:35] What’s On Your Mind: We found a social media post that gives us fun ideas for a summer eco bucket list – from beach clean-up, to hiking, to farmer’s market and more.

[0:11:21] Expanding Minds Interview: [Social Wellness] We interview Shereen Samuels about differences between not racist and anti-racist. Trying to be not racist puts an enormous amount of pressure in the wrong place. It implies that racism comes from individuals. Racism is built right into the systems and structures. Anti-racism is saying that my participation in the system doesn’t end with me saying I am not racist. With an anti-racist approach we say, regardless of what I as an individual believe, I understand that the structures are built to trust some people more and other people less, and to give some people more power and other people less. If I know that to be true, then it’s not just my job to not see colour but to look at the ways the structures are unfair or unequal and do what I can as a person to change that, so that people do have equal access and can be heard. Shereen sees community as the foundation of how to think about this. We want our communities to be healthy and connected, and we want people to thrive in our communities.

[0:31:29] The Retired Artist: Sheila is a retired artist, dancing through life. With Cameron juggling many balls in the air, Sheila drops in to talk about feeling the music (and choreography).

[0:35:42] Move That Body: What is exercise snacking? Here’s a hint: it feels great instead of tasting great.

[0:40:18] Running Popup: Exercise continues to surprise John in a good way. There are times when he is tentative heading out for a run. Things go well on many of those occasion and he’s rewarded, body and mind.

[0:*] Flipside of the Coin: We took a good amount of time to visit an art gallery for the first time in a while. What an enjoyable experience. Thanks Butter Gallery!

Guest Information: Shereen Samuels has over 23 years of experience in DEI workplace initiatives, including change work, curriculum development, and group process facilitation. She’s worked on leadership, policy development, strategic planning, communications, board governance, and risk management. She has extensive experience in senior management and academic research. Shereen identifies as a Black, queer, first-generation immigrant ciswoman of South African heritage. She is the creator of the Meaningful Inclusion Matrix, a framework to guide organizations in becoming more inclusive.

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Thanks for joining us,
(-(-_(-_-)_-)-)   Your wellness check-in team
John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila, Elise, Isabelle and Julie