Heroes in our Midst

By Toogood Consulting

We find, celebrate and learn from the heroes that walk in our midst every day. We are honoured to hear the true stories our guests reveal so openly and authentically with us. It is a privilege to capt... more

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about Heroes in our Midst:

How many episodes does Heroes in our Midst have?

The podcast currently has 96 episodes available.

Heroes in our Midst episodes:

October 01, 2024 Episode #82: Michael Bartlett
“You’re not filling anyone’s shoes – bring your own.”

Michael Bartlett, brought his own shoes to Canada Basketball as CEO back in 2021 and what he has done for basketball in Canada in just 3 short years is nothing short of impressive. 3 of our teams competed in the 2024
Paris Olympics for the first time ever. And while none medalled, which was a huge disappointment to Michael, it cannot be denied that under his leadership, some
serious progress was made. So, now, with some time having passed, even he can see the progress and he will continue to work toward the winning, but not in the way we used to know it, in EVERY way. Yes, on the podium but also in being
well while achieving amazing results.
If you want to know how he does it… what drives him… and his approach not only to his work but to his work-life balance too… listen to this podcast.
...more
51min
August 30, 2024 Episode #81: Judy Riege
"I believe for us as parents, coaches, teachers and workplace leaders we have a responsibility to role model what it looks like, sounds like and feels like to be a great human being. And that we can actually allow and give hope to the next generation to say, hey, I want to show up and be kind and curious and competitive and achieve and fulfill my personal mission and goals." - Judy Riege.
If you are a leader of any kind – THIS is the conversation you want to hear. Judy is a leader amongst leaders. Her core principle is that leadership is a mindset, not a position and she fleshes that out for us in this episode of "Heroes in
our Midst".
I am better for having had this conversation and can hardly wait to share it with you. Take a listen and check out judyriege.com when you have a chance.
...more
53min
July 31, 2024 Episode #80: Kristen Campbell
“I knew that every single day I had to earn my way there and
do everything possible to become the best version of myself every single day to get to where I am now.”
From the 2nd Grade, Kristen Campbell had a dream
to play in goal for the Canadian Women’s hockey team at the Olympic Games. She has realized the dream of going to the Olympics as part of Team Canada and even more including now being the starting goal tender for Toronto in the
Professional Women’s Hockey League, but she has more to do.
What a time this has been for her and for all of women’s
hockey and what a chance for us to chat with her and find out what it looks like from the inside.
This is a first for us in that we recorded this podcast LIVE
in front an audience of 40 young goaltenders attending her KC Elite Goaltending Camp in Winnipeg on July 8th… listen and be inspired by an incredible story that is still being written.
...more
53min
April 30, 2024 Episode #79: Lisa Franks
“My life has just become my new norm – it’s just going to
take a lot more effort.”
Lisa Franks was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. An athletic kid with dreams of playing basketball in the Olympic Games. Never did she think that it would be in a wheelchair. But incredibly, after becoming paralyzed from the neck down at the age of 14… Lisa DID make it - to not 1, not 2 but THREE Paralympic Games!! The first 2 as a wheelchair track athlete and the last as part of Team Canada’s Wheelchair Basketball team. She is a world record holder in multiple distances and a Paralympic gold medallist 6 times over and the list goes on.
Never mind that she now lives in a camper van, surfs,
mountain bikes and has a passion for making the world, including the outdoors, accessible for all.
But for as many mountaintops as Lisa has reached, she also
lived in some pretty deep, dark valleys and she joins us today as a “hero in our midst” because she was willing to share it all with us. We couldn’t be more grateful for that.
Listen and be inspired.
...more
58min
March 30, 2024 Episode #78: Katrina Monton
“I don’t think any of us are in the business of removing
challenge. I think we’re in the business of increasing challenge to the most we can tolerate as a human being. But then, if that human being is being asked to tolerate all of this challenge – how can we build up the human being, how can
we give them the resources they need, the space they need, the rest they need, the understanding of the “why” behind what they’re doing, and the decision-making power.”
– Katrina Monton

In this episode, Katrina Monton is our very special guest.
Katrina played Water Polo at the National team level for many years. She was already a carded athlete at the age of 15! She’s an NCAA Division 1 silver medallist, played in 4 or 5 World championships and 2 Pan Am Games. These days,
she is passionate about taking all that she has learned along the way and pouring it into her research and her work as an Organizational Psychologist. What a great conversation we had. So, listen and learn how important culture, team dynamics, psychological safety, well-being and belonging are in high performance environments. Enjoy.

...more
53min
February 29, 2024 Episode # 77: Asun Ducharme
“I know what it’s like to not have food in the fridge”

One of the things that Asun Ducharme carries with him from
his childhood. It wasn’t an easy one but somehow, somewhere, he finds positives in all of it and he is finding his way to greatness. The passion and the drive in this young man will blow you away.

Prepare to be inspired when you listen to Asun and his
story. He is a linebacker, was the captain of his high school football team and at only 17 years old, what he’s already seen and learned in his short life is more than most of us can imagine. He plays linebacker and he is one of the most passionate individuals I have ever met. He is set on greatness and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get there.

Listen to Asun’s story and don’t forget his name… someday
you’ll be wanting to say “you knew him when”.

...more
34min
January 30, 2024 Episode #76: Ray Zahab
When you open Ray Zahab’s website you will find these three
words.
CHALLENGE. DISTANCE. DISCOVERY.
Exactly what he takes on, on a very regular basis. He takes
on new challenges that usually include running long distances and discovering not only the cultures and geography of the places he goes but also, what it takes to truly conquer the challenge in any given location for any distance, in any amount of time. And we’re talking 17,000 km’s PLUS in some of the world’s hottest and driest deserts to some of the coldest places on earth.
How does he accomplish this? He never underestimates his
ability to complete the task.
Anything’s possible is an understatement for Ray and he
thinks anyone can do anything as long as they put their minds to it and truly find a passion for it.
Listen as Ray shares his “why”, his story and his outlook on
life … in the NOW.

...more
30min
January 01, 2024 Episode # 75: Steve Bell
“My life changed when I stopped defining success by a
certain limited framework.”

That’s what Juno award winning singer/songwriter Steve Bell
said, when he decided, along with his manager/producer/sound design partner Dave Zeglinski, that they would leave Nashville and come back home to Manitoba to do locally what they did best… make music on their own terms and share it with others. And it’s worked for them… big time. Steve has shared his music with over half a million people in 15 countries worldwide. He’s played over 30 sold out Symphony concerts across Canada and into the U.S. He’s been awarded 3 JUNOS with another 3 nominations, he’s won 4 Western Canadian Music awards, numerous Gospel Music
Awards and Prairie Music awards too. He was the recipient of the 2012 Queen Elizabeth 2nd’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, was appointed to the Order of Manitoba in 2021 and the Order of Canada in 2022. All of this has led to Steve being one of the best-known Christian musicians in Canada and if you haven’t heard his music, you will want to once you hear his story and our conversation
with him.
You see, his story is NOT what you think… and to say he’s
made an impact on the world around him is an understatement…so listen and find out who Steve Bell and what truly makes him a “Hero in our Midst”.
...more
1h 5min
December 01, 2023 Episode#74: Claire Hanna
If you were ever wanting to hear the story of someone who
has worked for absolutely everything she’s ever gotten in life, then, you’ve found the right story. Our guest today is Claire Hanna. Most recently, you may have seen Claire on the sidelines of the 2023 Grey Cup championship game as part of the TSN broadcast. Or, you may know her name from the volleyball world, in which, she is a 3-time National champion with the UBC Thunderbirds, she went
on to play pro AND was a member of the Senior National women’s volleyball team for 4 years too. She is a 2-time Canada West libero of the year and even nabbed the CIS Libero of the Year title in 2010.

Claire’s dreams didn’t stop when volleyball ended though.
Her dream of becoming a TV broadcaster for TSN was also on her list… and much like she pursued her volleyball dreams, she went after the TV dream too. The best part is she feels the best stories in her life are yet to come… but stop for a bit and listen to this one. But be careful, you may be inspired to put in a whole lot of work after you do.

Enjoy!

...more
1h 15min
October 31, 2023 Episode # 73: Mark Borowiecki
“A 30-year reunion… do your ex-teammates want to come sit at a table with you because you scored a bunch of goals or was it because you were a good person and a good teammate? That’s always kind of stuck with me.”
That’s just one of the things recently retired NHL hockey
player, Mark Borowiecki said when we chatted about his life story. You see, he was drafted by the Ottawa Senators and played there for a decade before being
traded to Nashville, where, only recently, his playing career came to an end.
But Mark doesn’t only have a hockey story… he’s been on a mental health journey of his own as well. When he played he was a fighter. A tough guy. But on the inside there were some dark times. He talks about that,
his motivation to carry on and how he now wants to use every experience he’s had to help others and with his current job in Professional Player Development
for the Nashville Predators, he is poised to do just that!
Take a listen and hear the story for yourself!
...more
38min

FAQs about Heroes in our Midst:

How many episodes does Heroes in our Midst have?

The podcast currently has 96 episodes available.