Empathetic Witness

If this podcast resonates with you, please subscribe and share it with your friends.  

My guest is Indigenous chef, Shane Chartrand, he is the Executive of Indigenous Programming for Banff Hospitality Management.

Evidently as we talked about food, the care and attention Shane gives to the food that he prepares brings him joy. It is more than food to him; it is about his experiences and his connection with others through food. But be careful not to describe his craft using the word “palette”, I decided to use a phrase instead. Refined taste buds to describe how this chef uses his experience with different tastes to refine his   mastery  in the culinary world. Our conversation covers the following:

• How to set up your workspace

• Bannock is not a health food, but it is a gift

• Diabetes

• Food is medicine

• Stress

• Inspiration from culinary arts

• Indigenous foods, celebrating culture

• What being adopted means to Shane  

• Significance of his tattoos

• His legacy

• Canadian Food Guide

It is June 21 the longest day of the year. Happy Solstice! l had a wonderful chat with the President & Co-founder of Unstoppable Conversations, Mr. Vik Maraj.

The empathetic Witness podcast is recorded on unceded Algonquin territory.

My guest is insightful, brave, and authentic about his humanity. Mr. Vik Maraj has helped numerous corporations and individuals. Including Indigenous peoples worldwide, assisting them in discovering for themselves how their inherited beliefs hold them back from thriving.

If after you hear this powerful conversation about being human and how you are fearless, consider registering for this fantastic course coming up this September 19, 26, 2023

https://unstoppableconversations.com/for-leaders/being-a-leader/

If you think it may not be for you, consider it really might be. Don’t let fear stop you or pass the info on with friends who may be aligned with the course. There is much to benefit from it.

Thanks so much for listening. Don’t forget to rate and follow Empathetic Witness.

1. As a child, when there were no limits and you could be free to be anything in the world, what did you want to become?

2. What got you interested in Genes  inheritance and transformation?

3. Beliefs Creating space to BE.  And our relationship to “because” 

4. Big or small

5. What inspirers you to help people to commitment to transformation

6. Claiming authenticity

7. Transformation is creating in a space that is void.

8. What is Unstoppable Communications’ distinction

9. Shared Agreement “The Earth is flat”

10. Inquiry sets you up for disruption

11. The World Works, for everyone a true legacy

12. Extras who are they?

13. Relationships

A) What am I getting out of this relationship

B) What is it about me that is unresolved that makes me angry when you do X? ___
C) What am I not willing to tell you and blame you for why I won’t tell you?

Amarok Society Bangladesh Conversation with Dr. Tanyss Munro 

Breaking Barriers  in South Asia - Amarok Society teaching mothers reading and writing.

Liberates a community in Bangladesh.

    • Teach mother’s (not to teach mothers but) to teach children

    • Work in multiples of 5 so every Amarok school teaches 125 children

    • It is unusual in that Amarok do this work in the slums. Most charity work is in rural villages, despite virtually all population growth in the next 25 years is happening in the urban slums, of least developed regions of the world.

Links to check out:

https://www.amaroksociety.org

https://www.amaroksociety.org/books

(for info on the books)

Enjoy the conversation and don’t forget to rate and follow if you haven’t already.

Much appreciated.

Drag Queen performers bring both fun and controversy on the beautiful island of Oahu,   reading to children at a local community event.

Listen to the beautiful gift from the Honolulu community that has renewed Dan’s belief in humanity. I was very happy to interview the performance artist that caused this disruption in Hawaii, in May 2023.

Dan Paul Roberts is an artist originally from Texas. Dan created Candi Shell. Candi Shell is a gorgeous and hilarious singing drag queen in Honolulu, Hawaii. Candi is a comedienne who creates her own original music and song parodies as well. 

As a child, I would’ve been ecstatic to have a drag queen read me children's stories. How fun it would be! Imagine the animation in the storytelling by these performers, it surely adds to the wild imagination of children. An experience to be enjoyed by young and old.

I am proud to call Dan my friend. It was such a pleasure to interview him.

Please enjoy our conversation!

www.candishell.com

https://instagram.com/misscandishell?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

 Empowering People to Feed Themselves Since 1975 

https://give.farmradio.org/give 

 An innovative radio station’s approach creates ripples and impacts millions of people over the last 40 years.

Farm Radio International is more than just a radio station. It is an educational lifeline for people in Africa. Building, creating a space, planting seeds that is taking root and producing local expertise by providing a space for Indigenous voices to be heard across the radio airwaves, reaching over 11 million Africans.

My conversation with Ian Pringle, Director of Programs, covers Farm Radio International’s beginning, vison, and a few successful projects, capacity building and innovative thinking.

1. Scaling his voice, gender equality

2. Building communication and dialogue platforms

3.  Sustainable harvesting

Enjoy our conversation and don’t forget to follow!

My guest is a naturopathic Dr. Michelle Meyer ND, 30 years plus experience in heath and wellness at, The Rejuvenation Clinic in Ottawa, Ontario. 

Our conversation in this podcast is for education purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your physician for  health advice. 

·      Naturopathic practice explained

·      Recognize when our body is out of balance

·      Our  body  heals itself in the right environment, homeostasis we are nature. 

·      Fasting

·      Sleep

·      Indigenous foods and medicines

·      Rest and recovery 

Enjoy the episode!

Season One (1) of Empathetic Witness produced seventeen (17) episodes and was my debut into the podcast world. I found the process to be exciting and exhilarating. The podcasts satiated by curious nature, aided me in meeting and getting to know new people, and discovering new knowledge and information. Sharing is an important part of Indigenous Peoples ways of being and doing. I want to share the experience of discovery of new skills and the feeling of purpose and a reason to be and to wake up each day with podcast listeners.

Empathetic Witness wants you to challenge assumptions about Indigenous Peoples. It encourages Indigenous and non-Indigenous persons to embrace true reconciliation as we examine truths, explore reparations, and show up in the world willing to learn and accept the responsibility of reconciliation. Empathetic Witness addresses a whole array of topics encompassing the impact of the creation of residential schools, cultural genocide, the Indian Act, mental health, resilience, and survival. The end goal is to have every listener finish the podcast of the day with a sense of hope and optimism no matter how difficult the conversation.

Each podcast is an hour long. Listening can occur in a commute to and from work, a road trip, an hour set aside for self actualization, or even while preparing a meal.

All podcasts involve conversations with Indigenous people who share their experiences and honour each and everyone of us with their enthusiasm, presence, and wisdom.

Season Two (2) has begun with the same enthusiasm and a new focus. The new focus will include generating more podcasts with a larger audience and an expansion of learnings.

The initial first season had a vision of supporting Seventh Generation Indigenous Foundation and Training (GIFT) seventhgift.ca and its focus was trauma related.

The second season will concentrate solely on Empathetic Witness and its journey. It will include less conversations on addictions and trauma and will concentrate more on triumph and resilience. Empathetic Witness guest will be inspirational First Nation community leaders who will share personal stories that will encourage and motivate listeners to thrive rather than survive.

A highlight of season two (2) was a conversation with film producer David Solomon from Adelaide Australia regarding his documentary “Two Brothers Walking found at https://empathetic-witness.captivate.fm/episode/storytelling- with-david-salomon

Future episodes will include interviews with a human rights activist from Lima Peru, an Indigenous Musician, a Dene language keeper, a political leader on economic development, exciting and motivating First Nations self-sufficiency narratives, and much more.

Grab a tea, listen, and take part in the Empathetic Witness Podcast journey of discovery, excitement, and pride.

Mahsi chogh (Thank you!)

A passionate activist’s career to empower and inspire Indigenous women of the Americas over 25 years.

My guest is Tarcila Zea Rivera, President of RESIDENTA DEL CONSEJO DIRECTIVO of Chirapaq , Lima, Peru and Marie, our interpreter. 85% of our conversation is in Spanish. Dont’t worry, I’m not fluent in Spanish! We were lucky to have Marie as our translator. 

Tarcila’s activism has focused on the specific needs of Indigenous children and women in Ayacucho, her place of origin. Trying to improve the nutrition of Indigenous children with food from the native area, as a form of cultural affirmation. 

The presence of Tarcila Rivera Zea has been decisive in international forums such as those in Nairobi , Cairo , Beijing , Durban and in the United Nations a permanent forum on Indigenous Issues.

 Our conversation covers Tarcila’s work in South America and on the UN forum for Indigenous women.  We discussed some of the challenges facing Indigenous women like intellectual property, commerce, and racism at the highest levels. 

If you enjoy this podcast, please share with your network. Much appreciated.

David Salomon

(He/Him) 

Interactive 360º Virtual Tour Creator and Filmmaker at Simply Splendid Productions

https://vimeopro.com/davidsalomon/showcase

David is a passionate digital media producer. He draws on systems thinking, storytelling, video production, photography, interactive design and virtual tour creation to create immersive experiences for businesses, institutions and organisations.

Be sure to check out David’s documentary:

Two Brothers Walking Documentary

https://ictv.com.au/video/item/3099?fbclid=IwAR1Fl3Q2IR9vl4nC_V6Bi6GWI39CN6LYoK1lZMJ6tKlOQJQXd2jIYlO_MAQ

It was such a pleasure having David on the podcast. I hope you enjoyed our chat together. Please don’t  forget to follow Empathetic Witnesss and share the podcast with friends and family. Thank you.

*Podcast was recorded on the Algonquin unseeded Territory

Dr. Mervyn is a Canadian renowned Registered Psychologist, consultant and speaker on mental health, trauma, and youth. 

Our conversation covers the impact of Covid lockdown on mental health two 1/2 years later. Coping skills and more.

Please enjoy our conversation and don’t forget to hit like and subscribe.

Thanks for listening!