It Takes a Village Podcast

Stephen King, an ultra-marathoner and clinical counselor, discusses his journey from a working-class upbringing in London to becoming a prominent figure in endurance sports. The conversation delves into the mental and physical challenges of ultra-marathons, particularly the infamous Badwater 135, and explores the psychological aspects of endurance racing. Steve and I discuss clinical counseling, focusing on addiction recovery and the impact of trauma on individuals. He discusses the importance of understanding trauma, redefining success, and the lessons learned from sports that can be applied to life.

Kevin Lamoureux shares his journey from a challenging upbringing in Winnipeg to becoming a prominent advocate for education and reconciliation in Canada. As a three time TEDx speaker and university professor, he emphasizes the importance of creating safe, inclusive environments for all students and the critical role schools play in the reconciliation process.

Kevin Lamoureux discusses the critical role of education as a safety net for children, the importance of truth in reconciliation, and the discomfort that often accompanies these discussions. He emphasizes the need for service-oriented leadership and finds hope in the potential of young people to drive change.

Fred Fox, Terry's brother, has taken on a invaluable role with Terry's legacy. We discuss the family upbringing and childhood of Fred and Terry Fox, Terry's resilience and shyness, and Fred's role with the Terry Fox Foundation. It provides insights into the personal and professional aspects of the Fox family's journey and the ongoing legacy of Terry Fox, specifically, the Marathon of Hope.

Jasmit Singh Phulka, a decorated wrestler and community servant, shares his journey from childhood to Olympic training, along with his foundation and city council aspirations. He emphasizes the importance of hard work, integrity, and community support in achieving success.

The conversation with Rob Baker from The Tragically Hip covers the early years, influences and inspirations, defining success, the journey of the band, and reflection.

Rob also shares his perspective on success, legacy, and paying it forward. Find out what his favorite venues are, early gigs, and advice for aspiring artists. Don't miss this episode as he is full of humility and Grace, Too.

World-renowned Chef Michael Smith shares his remarkable journey from art school to culinary excellence, highlighting the value of balance, leadership, and community along the way. A passionate advocate for intentional living, local food, and the joy of cooking, Michael's philosophy is captured in one word: Tranquilo.

Despite authoring 13 books and hosting numerous television cooking shows, Chef Michael has never been driven by celebrity status. Instead, his focus remains on what matters most to him: The Inn at Bay Fortune.

Tune in to hear stories and insights from one of Canada's most respected culinary leaders.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Origin Story
• 01:23 Finding His Passion in Cooking
• 02:19 The Journey to Culinary Success
• 03:18 Leadership and Kitchen Culture
• 05:05 The Joy of Cooking and Local Food
• 06:31 Balancing Work and Life
• 07:03 Advocacy and Meaningful Action
• 26:55 Culinary Education and Community Support

Shane Safir, an educator and author, shares her journey from teacher to passionate advocate for student voice and identity. She discusses the importance of belonging, radical inclusion, and the limitations of traditional data in education.

Her books include The Listening Leader, Street Data, and Pedagogies of Voice which has recently surpassed 10,000 copies. Shane has connected with districts all across North America to generate positive change in terms of belonging and identity.

What does the future hold for the Whitecaps? How does an athlete make it to the pros? Why is the game of soccer evolving? What is the current state of Canadian soccer?

My conversation with assistant manager of the Whitecaps, Coach D'Agostino, covers all of these questions. We also get into his journey from playing overseas and representing Canada to coaching, and the mentors and influences that shaped his path.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Journey to Coaching
• 02:24 Mentors and Influences
• 04:28 Transition from Playing to Coaching
• 06:55 Coaching at Different Levels
• 11:41 Youth Sports and Player Development
• 14:40 Coaching in Modern Football
• 17:45 Earning Trust and Coaching Philosophy
• 21:10 Philosophy and Decision-Making
• 22:54 Trusting the Process
• 25:14 State of Canadian Soccer
• 28:14 Future of Vancouver Whitecaps
• 33:18 Favorite Coach and Soccer Moments
• 35:22 Characteristics for Success
• 36:36 Professional Aspirations
• 39:04 Final Words and Takeaways

Ceilidh has completed years of research across the globe surrounding forestry and environmental conservation. The conversation with Ceilidh Smith, the education program manager at Sierra Club BC, covers her career journey, the importance of environmental education, and the environmental changes in BC.

We also dig into learning and well-being when environment and nature are at the forefront. She provides practical solutions and encourages educators to reach out to her for support and educational experiences.

We also discuss climate change vs global warming, concerns and optimism for conservation and the importance of critical thinking in addressing environmental challenges.

Brad Smith, a former all-star athlete and the first Canadian bachelor, shares his journey from football to media, defining success, and the impact of mentors. He discusses the transition from sports to media and reinventing himself over again with roles in the Bachelor Canada, Chopped Canada, breakfast television, just to name a few.

He reflects on the lessons learned from football, and the unexpected opportunity into TV that led to his role as the first Canadian bachelor. He shares the assumptions and challenges he faced after the show, and his attraction to the media industry as a platform for making people laugh.

We reflect on his journey which has led to his current show 'No BS with Brad Smith'. He shares insights on personal growth, political ideologies, and the importance of self-love and mental health.