My definition of hope is “the future will be better than today by taking action over the things we can control”.

The average person walks through life completely unaware of how accessible (or inaccessible) the world around them is for others. But the reality of life for many people who have unique characteristics and needs is that the world is not super inclusive, leading to feelings of otherness and anxiety.

But luckily, there are amazing people working hard to change that. Today’s guests, Sean Crump from Universal Access and Derek Deacon-Rogers from GenerousSolutions, are taking motivated action to create more inclusive spaces that can accommodate every person. Their future is a world that is more inclusive and accessible to all, and their hope for this has catapulted change as they’ve taken action to make it happen.

Listen in to learn more about the work they do and actions you can take to be more inclusive in your own life.

Sean Crump is an accessibility and universal design industry expert and an inclusion collaborator. After breaking his neck in 2004 from a diving accident, he now lives his life with quadriplegia and utilizes a wheelchair to optimize his independence. Sean has dedicated the better part of his professional career committed to bettering accessibility and inclusion in society. As founder of Universal Access (UA), Sean’s goal is to create communities where all people feel comfortable conducting daily tasks, participating in social events, and contributing to their economic well-being as though spaces were designed to accommodate all people regardless of their unique characteristics.

You can follow UA on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Derek Deacon-Rogers is a Social Entrepreneur who believes in the power of business for good. He knows that we can use ingenuity to design and operate businesses that have a positive impact on our planet, our neighbours and our pocketbooks. As founder of GenerousSolutions, Derek created a barrier-free ticketing and registration platform that has raised over $1.4 million dollars for local Nonprofits. As a volunteer Board member, he has helped the Volunteer Centre of Calgary (propellus) and Children’s Link digitize their services - enabling them both to become social enterprises, to start earning revenue and reduce their dependence on government grants.

You can follow GenerousSolutions on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Love scrolling social media? You can find me on FACEBOOK, LINKEDIN, and INSTAGRAM. If you're interested to learn more about my other programs, find additional podcast episodes and my most popular experience, Wellness Webinars, check it all out on my website, Expert in Hope, as well.

When you find yourself slipping into the cloudiness of depression, stress, or anxiety, how do you cope and find the motivation to get through it? There are many coping methods you might see as a beacon in the darkness, but today’s guest specializes in using humor.

Lindsay Harle-Kadatz’s story is all about finding the humor in our lowest times, reaching out for help, and how sharing our stories can help us build connections and motivate others to take action in their own lives. From experience, Lindsay knows that we can’t grow without taking action for ourselves. Listen in to hear her inspiring words and learn how a little compassion and humor can help bring us out of the darkness.

"What if..." is the question that keeps Lindsay Harle-Kadatz up at night. It's the question behind her curiosity and what inspires her to support overwhelmed business leaders in shaving years off their business stress through brand and content strategy. As owner of The Write Harle, she helps these overwhelmed leaders become overjoyed with their own original voice. When not working with small business brands, she is a vocal mental health advocate creating better connection through humour. She even wrote a book about it called Depression Constipation: How Pooping Saved My Sanity…and Other Stories, a real-life tale of understanding depression in terms of constipation, humour, and mental prune juice.

She has spoken on a number of entrepreneurial topics, including mental health and the creative brain, growing your readers with branded content, and gaining brand trust through consistency. Each time, she looks to leave value through tangible takeaways while connecting with a bit of humour here and a well timed-pun there. This is what saw her receive the 2019 Women of Inspiration – Influencer award, through the Universal Women's Network.

With everything, Lindsay continues to focus on the foundation for her true love: connection through stories. And, it's what she'll continue to use to help businesses connect with their communities! You can follow her on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Love scrolling social media? You can find me on FACEBOOK, LINKEDIN, and INSTAGRAM. If you're interested to learn more about my other programs, find additional podcast episodes and my most popular experience, Wellness Webinars, check it all out on my website, Expert in Hope, as well.

Feeling stressed? Experiencing burnout?

With the current state of the world, I don’t doubt it. But we don’t have to let the overwhelm take over our lives. By managing our stressors we can energize ourselves to find the solutions we need to make it through the hard times.

Devan Ridsdale joins the podcast to tell us about the success she’s experienced with Craniosacral therapy, and the data backs it up. You may be skeptical about putting your trust in these alternative modalities, but Devan breaks it down in a way that’s easy to understand. Listen in to learn more and hear about how this science gives Devan hope.

Devan Ridsdale has been practicing as a Registered Massage Therapist since 2009 after graduating from the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy. Devan specializes in therapeutic massage for children and adults, chronic whiplash cases, headaches, postural dysfunction, and nagging chronic injuries commonly found in those of us who work sitting down.

Devan has a special passion for educating clients about their pain and discomfort and believes that there are many different roads to recovery and body maintenance. Because of this she takes pride in offering a variety of services to help you better your health and meet your goals. She also sees tremendous value in treating and preventing stress. To assist her in doing so she obtained level 1 Craniosacral Therapy from the Upledger Institute in 2013 and will be achieving level 2 in February 2021.

You can visit her website to learn more and follow her on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Love scrolling social media? You can find me on FACEBOOK, LINKEDIN, and INSTAGRAM. If you're interested to learn more about my other programs, find additional podcast episodes and my most popular experience, Wellness Webinars, check it all out on my website, Expert in Hope as well.

You'll also find Mental Health in Minutes, a monthly digital download subscription of done-for-you presentations designed to increase the well-being of employees. You can let me focus on research and content creation and you can focus on delivery and employee support, the value-added activity that really makes the most impact with your teams.

A sense of community and belonging brings hope and meaning to our lives. But… how? And why are these connections so important to us?

According to Liz Duerholt, today’s guest on the Hope Motivates Action podcast and Executive Director of Redefine’d, it’s all about the redefinition of our stories and expectations, and creating sustainable change in our lives. Liz’s work with Redefine’d has shown her just how powerful building a connected community can be for all of us. Her story also teaches us that we can make that difference for countless others in our lives.

Tune in to learn more about Liz’s work and story, and the strength community relationships have in leading us to find our purpose.

Liz Duerholt is a social entrepreneur, leader, and a healer. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Redefin'd, a community that brings love and healing to young people overcoming emotional trauma. She left Calgary's Oil and Gas Sector in 2014, to breathe life into a bold idea that meaningful work and connection could transform the future for many of Calgary's young people.

Liz is passionate about what is possible when we are radically connected to ourselves, others, and the planet. Her work has taken her as far away as Africa, then closer to home into the lives of young people who were living on the margins. It's been a journey of love and of healing and ultimately one that is returning her home to herself.

To see more about the work of Liz and Redefin’d, you can follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

Love scrolling social media? You can find me on FACEBOOK, LINKEDIN, and INSTAGRAM. If you're interested to learn more about my other programs, find additional podcast episodes and my most popular experience, Wellness Webinars, check it all out on my website, Expert in Hope as well.

You'll also find Mental Health in Minutes, a monthly digital download subscription of done-for-you presentations designed to increase the well-being of employees. You can let me focus on research and content creation and you can focus on delivery and employee support, the value-added activity that really makes the most impact with your teams.

It’s often difficult to envision the long term effects of our present decisions and emotions. Human nature desires instant gratification, preferably with minimal effort put in. But if we want to change our futures for the better, we must change our current behaviors. Otherwise we will always experience the same results.

Today’s guest, Elise Montgomery, joined me to discuss future visioning and how imagining a better future for ourselves can help give us hope. Each of us can take actions today that, although they may be hard now, we will be thankful for tomorrow. Making these decisions will guide us down an exponentially hopeful, empowering path to a vibrant and passionate future.

Elise’s expertise in creating a passionate lifestyle is truly inspiring. To learn more about changing your behaviors and mindset, listen to today’s episode.

Elise Montgomery is a proven business and success coach for women, specifically in real estate. Elise got her start in business coaching with one of the top real estate coaching companies in the world, she now has her own coaching business. She is committed to empowering her clients to design a business that serves them to their highest level of income, lifestyle, and passion.

Elise has been featured in Forbes and sits on the Forbes Coaches Council. She is on a mission to show female entrepreneurs that they can make more income and impact than they ever thought possible, while also creating a lifestyle that lights them up. You can follow her on Instagram, Facebook ,and LinkedIn.

Love scrolling social media? You can find me on FACEBOOK, LINKEDIN, and INSTAGRAM. If you're interested to learn more about my other programs, find additional podcast episodes and my most popular experience, Wellness Webinars, check it all out on my website, Expert in Hope as well.

You'll also find Mental Health in Minutes, a monthly digital download subscription of done-for-you presentations designed to increase the well-being of employees. You can let me focus on research and content creation and you can focus on delivery and employee support, the value-added activity that really makes the most impact with your teams.

It’s very easy to feel inadequate when it comes to our own experiences, especially when there are so many incredible and inspirational stories coming from those around us. We’ve been hardwired to believe that we need a big, dramatic story in order for it to be worth sharing.

Kristen Dyck joins us today to disprove this notion, telling us that we must believe that what we’ve been through matters. By identifying our own motivational experiences, we can come to understand our personal values and have clarity surrounding the direction we are heading in. Kristen defines hope as similar to vision, knowing what your North Star is and holding on to it. Listen in to hear how you can uncover that North Star in your own life.

Kristen Dyck is the founder of AVRO Creative, where she is a personal brand strategist. Kristen was once told, “You do great work but no one knows who you are.” After that, she developed her personal brand, went on to reach her goals, and received national recognition for her work.

Today, she uses more than thirteen years of marketing, communications and brand experience to help women achieve their goals with her unique personal branding process. You can follow Kristen on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Love scrolling social media? You can find me on FACEBOOK, LINKEDIN, and INSTAGRAM. If you're interested to learn more about my other programs, find additional podcast episodes and my most popular experience, Wellness Webinars, check it all out on my website, Expert in Hope as well.

You'll also find Mental Health in Minutes, a monthly digital download subscription of done-for-you presentations designed to increase the well-being of employees. You can let me focus on research and content creation and you can focus on delivery and employee support, the value-added activity that really makes the most impact with your teams.

When you’re struggling with mental health, it can be difficult to navigate the system and know where you can actually turn for recovery. In fact, you may not even feel there is a pathway to recovery for you or that you are worth the effort.

Karen Gallagher-Burt joins us today to share her expertise in creating passion for yourself and motivation towards recovery. Everybody is worthy and capable of growth and confidence, and Karen teaches us how hope and faith work hand in hand to bring us there. She knows that hope is not effortless. It is a learned, active behavior that we create within ourselves.

If you’re struggling to find and create that hope and faith in yourself, you’ll want to listen in to Karen’s incredible wealth of knowledge and experiences. You are not alone, you are worthy, and you can transform your own life.

Karen Gallagher-Burt is an intentional leader who delights in empowering individuals and groups to engage with their communities and bring compassion to their workplaces. Through inspiring leadership and a warm, bubbly personal style, Karen ignites passion and purpose in the organizations and individuals she is privileged to serve.

Karen is currently the Executive Leader of Community Investment with Canadian Mental Health Association – Calgary. While pursuing these passions, she completed graduate studies in Social Work, raised 48 children, and served on many Boards and Commissions. Outside of the office, Karen is committed to local community volunteering, the sweaty life of physical fitness, and an ever evolving relationship with coffee. She has received multiple awards and acknowledgements as an Alumni of Distinction from Mount Royal University as well as Student Leader at the University of Calgary.

As a Compassion Curator and Empathy Engineer, Karen is determined to conquer the world with love, hope, and kindness. You can find and follow Karen on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Love scrolling social media? You can find me on FACEBOOK, LINKEDIN, and INSTAGRAM. If you're interested to learn more about my other programs, find additional podcast episodes and my most popular experience, Wellness Webinars, check it all out on my website, Expert in Hope as well.

You'll also find Mental Health in Minutes, a monthly digital download subscription of done-for-you presentations designed to increase the well-being of employees. You can let me focus on research and content creation and you can focus on delivery and employee support, the value-added activity that really makes the most impact with your teams.

Communication is the basis of every relationship you will have, but it can be difficult for many people to express themselves effectively. Have you ever wondered why someone else responds the way they do to certain situations, or why they can't communicate themselves the same way you do? Maybe you are confused or frustrated about your own reactions and how you navigate those same situations.

If you’ve ever wondered why there is such a big communication gap between yourself and a loved one, you’ll want to listen to today's episode as we are joined by communication expert Andrea Jones. She knows first hand the importance of healthy expression and understanding in our lives, both for ourselves and for our relationships.

Her belief is that knowledge leads to compassion, and that compassion can open up channels of expression in which we better understand each other. Certainly, changing our point of view can help us to appreciate those around us just a little bit better. Listen in and learn as Andrea shares her biggest communication tips, the differences between how men and women interact, and how we can become conscious of our own communication issues and boundaries.

Andrea Jones is fascinated with the things that make us tick and how we can use them to step into our full power. As a Communication Specialist, Andrea is dedicated to helping professionals figure out how their clients, co-workers, and employees think, so they can build trust faster and create stronger bonds and better relationships.

She also brings to the table extensive experience in business management, marketing, and television production, combined with her 20+ years of investigation into psychology, NLP, neuroscience, body language, and personal development. As a result of this unique combination of skills, her clients typically double or triple their revenue, while they start loving their lives again.

There is little help out there for spouses who are in a support role, but Andrea has found hope and optimism by making sure that she is in a place where she can be her best self. You can follow Andrea on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram and visit her website for more information on her services.

Love scrolling social media? You can find me on FACEBOOK, LINKEDIN, and INSTAGRAM. If you're interested to learn more about my other programs, find additional podcast episodes and my most popular experience, Wellness Webinars, check it all out on my website, Expert in Hope as well.

Many people have an intrinsic desire to have children and raise a loving, supportive family. For people like Angie, this journey happens in a much different way than expected. Certain factors can complicate the situation and make it more difficult for some to reach that dream of parenthood.

Angie McNulty joins us on the Hope Motivates Action podcast today to talk about her journey through parenthood while experiencing infertility, fostering, and adoption. Angie had to learn how to fulfill her purpose as a mother and keep her faith while facing the sorrow of discovering her infertility. Listen in as she shares her story of hope and motherhood, and how she was able to keep herself motivated through grief and uncertain circumstances. She shares that even during difficult times, there is always something to be grateful for and we can always look forward to brighter horizons.

Angie McNulty is a life and leadership coach, with a specialty in helping working moms to find peace and balance so they can pursue their passions and purpose without guilt. She is a wife, mother of three kids, and two dogs. Angie loves self-development; whether it be reading books, seminars, workshops, or podcasts.

She is an iPEC (Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching) and John Maxwell Team certified coach, speaker, and trainer. Angie offers individual coaching, group coaching, training, workshops, team building. and speaking.

The founder of McNulty Coaching Services, LLC, Angie is an experienced coach who has helped many women make a transition to living out their dreams & passions, which brings more joy into their everyday life. To learn more, you can visit her website or follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Love scrolling social media? You can find me on FACEBOOK, LINKEDIN, and INSTAGRAM. If you're interested to learn more about my other programs, find additional podcast episodes and my most popular experience, Wellness Webinars, check it all out on my website, Expert in Hope as well.

You'll also find Mental Health in Minutes, a monthly digital download subscription of done-for-you presentations designed to increase the well-being of employees. You can let me focus on research and content creation and you can focus on delivery and employee support, the value-added activity that really makes the most impact with your teams.

Addiction is an isolating thief of joy, hope, and life. For someone facing active addiction, it can be difficult to find the motivation to reach out for the help they need. Feelings of shame and fear will often hold someone suffering from addiction back from getting help towards recovery.

Today, Mike Davies joins us to share his incredible journey about his history with active addiction and how he was able to motivate action in his life to start recovery. Mike worked hard to change his life and now works hard to bring that hope to countless others suffering from addiction and other mental illnesses. He lets us know that help is out there and no one has to push through this on their own.

Listen in now to hear more about his journey and how he was able to use hope to motivate action during active addiction towards recovery.

Mike Davies is a registered social worker with a clinical master’s degree. He is a counsellor and community engagement liaison at Health Upwardly Mobile (HUM) in Calgary. Mike also has a private practice and sits on the board of directors at the Sunrise Healing Lodge Society and is an advisor/consultant at the Foundation for Addiction and Mental Health.

Mike is a person with addiction and recently celebrated his 12-year milestone in recovery after living in active addiction for 29 years. He is a husband, a son, a brother, an uncle, a great uncle, and a cat daddy. He enjoys classic sci-fi movies, being around water, and spending time outside under the sun with loved ones.

“I feel privileged to share in and witness the transformation that is possible when people choose recovery”.

If you’re interested in learning more about what Mike does, you can follow HUM on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Love scrolling social media? You can find me on FACEBOOK, LINKEDIN, and INSTAGRAM. If you're interested to learn more about my other programs, find additional podcast episodes and my most popular experience, Wellness Webinars, check it all out on my website, Expert in Hope as well.

You'll also find Mental Health in Minutes, a monthly digital download subscription of done-for-you presentations designed to increase the well-being of employees. You can let me focus on research and content creation and you can focus on delivery and employee support, the value-added activity that really makes the most impact with your teams.