In this episode, Scott and Dan are joined by physiologist and human performance expert Dr. Mike T. Nelson to explore how trauma, chronic stress, and incarceration reshape the nervous system and body. The conversation challenges punishment-based justice models and asks what rehabilitation could look like if regulation, sleep, and dignity were treated as foundations rather than privileges.

Dr. Nelson explains how chronic fear and sleep deprivation dysregulate physiology, why harsh prison environments often increase recidivism, and how trauma almost always precedes criminal behavior. He also shares his personal strategies for staying regulated during stressful times, including routines around sleep, movement, light exposure, writing, and balancing information input with creative output.

The episode highlights the need for trauma-informed, physiology-aware approaches to justice—and why true public safety begins with helping people regain the capacity to feel safe, focused, and human.

Key Themes:
    •    Trauma and incarceration
    •    Nervous system dysregulation
    •    Sleep, stress, and recovery
    •    Regulation vs. punishment
    •    Writing, creativity, and balance

In this episode of Just Us on Justice and Other Things, Scott and Dan Jones sit down with Edmonton radio icon Chris Scheetz for a powerful conversation about passion, sacrifice, and knowing when it’s time to move on.

Chris reflects on his rare 35-year career at a single radio station, the grind of overnight shifts, missed family moments, and the deep love required to survive in an industry that demands everything. He shares how COVID, chronic sleep deprivation, and a conversation with his family helped him realize it was time to leave radio on his own terms.

The discussion explores Chris’s impact beyond broadcasting—from the Stollery Radiothon and Hope Mission to life-changing fundraising efforts that reshaped how people understand community, homelessness, and compassion. Chris also talks about the mentors who shaped him, especially Bruce Bowie, whose influence extended far beyond the microphone.

Now working with Alberta Dreams, Chris continues creating meaningful impact, including breaking a world record on a Ferris wheel to raise funds for seriously ill children. He also co-hosts the Talking Scheetz podcast with his daughter, embracing a new chapter as a storyteller, speaker, auctioneer—and soon-to-be grandfather.

A heartfelt conversation about loving your work, serving your community, and recognizing when it’s time to turn the page.

Welcome to Season Five of Just Us on Justice and Other Things. We’re approaching 100 episodes, and what started as a kitchen-table podcast continues to grow while keeping its grounded, conversational feel. For the Season 5 premiere, Scott and Danny are joined by Dean Guedo.

The episode dives into movement, mental resilience, and the athlete’s journey—from football fields and powerlifting platforms to jiu jitsu mats. Dean shares his perspective on high-flux training, sustainable nutrition, and the evolving world of combat sports, explaining why technical skill often outweighs spectacle in grappling and stand-up fighting.

He opens up about his own knee injury and ACL challenges, and how an athlete’s mindset—consistent rehab, staying active, and leaning on community—can make all the difference. Dean also explores the mental side of performance, breaking down therapy, visualization, and managing anxiety as tools for growth, not weakness.

The conversation goes deeper, touching on identity beyond sports, parenting, and planning for life after the game—whether that’s coaching, counseling, or finding a new “tribe.” Dean shares how he plans to pursue a Master’s in Counseling, blending mental health, performance, and education to support others.

Finally, they honor Treaty Six territory and seasonal rhythms, reminding us that rest and reflection are as important as action.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in sports, performance, mental health, or simply showing resilience in life.

Scott and Dan Jones wrap up Season 4 with a guestless, unscripted year-end review recorded during an extreme Alberta cold snap. The episode opens with humour and disbelief at the weather before turning reflective, as the hosts acknowledge the impact of winter on unhoused communities and the serious human cost of extreme cold.

With no set topic and no guest by design, the brothers look back on the conversations that defined Season 4—episodes that were meaningful not just to them, but to listeners who continue to share how specific guests resonated and sparked reflection.

The episode also touches on the importance of friendship, routine versus growth, men’s mental health, and maintaining long-standing relationships—particularly for first responders. Scott and Dan reflect on the value of intentional time together, including their annual friends’ night tradition.

A thoughtful, funny, and grounded conclusion to a season defined by meaningful conversations and human connection.

In this unplanned guest-free episode, Scott and Dan dive into an early year-end wrap-up filled with family milestones, travel oddities, and the emotional whiplash of major life transitions. Dan shares the joyful news of becoming a grandfather, including a Thanksgiving surprise and a golf-ball gender reveal announcing a granddaughter due April 11. The brothers also explore the strange realities of flying—plane-triggered periods, forgotten Lysol wipes, and the high carbon-dioxide levels James Nestor discusses on the Tim Ferriss Show.

Scott opens up about the deeply difficult shift into empty-nest life, recounting a raw, unforgettable cry in his car after moving his youngest out. The two discuss retirement adjustments, maintaining purpose through teaching and community, and learning to slow down without slipping into isolation. With humor, honesty, and their usual brotherly banter, this episode captures everything from holiday irritations to big-picture perspective—highlighting resilience, family connection, and the unexpected moments that define a year.

In this deeply honest and insightful episode, Just Us on Justice and Other Things hosts Scott and Dan Jones sit down with Andrew Martin, a veteran firefighter and paramedic who has spent two decades in service — and just as many years studying the human side of the job: stress, recovery, and what it means to stay well in a system that rarely slows down.

Scott opens the episode by sharing a vulnerable story about his own recent nervous system crash — a moment of hypoarousal where he struggled to find motivation or energy. He recalls reaching out to Andrew, who offered reassurance drawn from lived experience and research. Their candid exchange sets the tone for an hour of reflection, science, and systems-level conversation about what happens when helpers hit their own limits.

As always, the hosts remind listeners that these are personal opinions and reflections, not tied to any organization or department. The goal is to explore the systems behind the experiences of first responders, educators, and others working in high-stress environments — not to criticize any one agency.

In this episode, Scott and Dan sit riverside in Edmonton’s fall colors to tackle some big and timely issues. After scrapping a first attempt (because they realized they were “grossly wrong” on a key point), the brothers return with a candid conversation that blends politics, education, policing, and a call for compassion.
Topics Covered
Alberta Teacher Strike
Why teachers are without a contract and heading toward a strike.
Class sizes, class complexity, and the wage gap.
How underfunding impacts not just teachers, but kids, families, and long-term social outcomes.
Personal stories from inside the education sector and why being “pro-teacher” matters.
Book Bans in Alberta
From The Handmaid’s Tale to 1984: why banning books is never just about books.
The slippery slope of censorship and distractions from real educational issues.
Gun Buybacks in Canada
Evidence from around the world: why buybacks don’t reduce crime.
The problem of performative politics vs. evidence-based policing.
New Edmonton Police Chief
The appointment of Warren Dreichel.
Mental health and wellness in policing—why it matters more than ever.
The importance of second chances and leadership rooted in lived experience.
Truth and Reconciliation Day
Beyond checkboxes and land acknowledgments.
Walking daily with Indigenous peoples in a spirit of love and compassion.
Key Takeaways
Education is the strongest crime prevention tool we have.
Teachers are not babysitters—they’re professionals shaping the future.
Political parties on both sides have failed educators, and it’s time for accountability.
Performative policies, whether book bans or gun buybacks, don’t solve real problems.
Compassion—in classrooms, police services, and communities—has to be our starting point.
Closing Thought
“Truth and Reconciliation isn’t a day—it’s how we live, walk, and honor history every single day.”

In this episode, Scott and Dan welcome renowned chef Shane Chartrand to the table for a wide-ranging and heartfelt conversation. From humble beginnings in rural Alberta to competing on Top Chef Canada, Shane shares his journey through food, culture, and identity.
Together they explore:
🌾 Shane’s early days growing up on a farm and how food first became his calling
🔥 His competitive spirit in culinary contests and the lessons learned from winning—and losing
🍲 Staying true to Indigenous roots in the world of fine dining and television
🌍 Traveling, learning from communities across Canada and beyond, and honoring cultural food traditions
💡 The challenges of representing Indigenous cuisine in mainstream culinary spaces
❤️ How food can heal, connect people, and preserve culture—from cooking with youth to dreaming of programs for the incarcerated
📚 His acclaimed cookbook tawâw and future plans for Indigenous culinary experiences in Edmonton
This is more than a conversation about cooking—it’s about resilience, truth, and the power of food to bridge cultures and tell stories.
🔗 Connect with Chef Shane Chartrand
Instagram | Facebook | TikTok: @shanemshartrand
📖 Book: tawâw: Progressive Indigenous Cuisine

[Season 4 / Episode 12 - Oops...We're Guestless Again]
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In this episode, Scott and his brother Dan host an unscripted, guestless discussion reflecting on personal growth, endurance, and daily rituals. Highlights include:

Dan’s humorous story of getting “accidentally buzzed” on a rum cocktail while watching golf.

Scott’s inspiring journey learning to swim from scratch and completing a triathlon, exploring themes of perseverance, fear, and physical challenge.

Reflections on the impact of endurance events on mental healtem regulation.

Insights into cathartic activities, including cooking, walking in nature, cocktail-making, and heavy bag workouts.

Discussions on lifestyle habits, from grapefruit and cranberry juice routines to managing late-night eating habits.

Lighthearted commentary on sports etiquette, golf frustrations, and the quirks of daily life.

The episode blends humor, life lessons, and personal anecdotes, offering listeners an intimate look into the brothers’ reflections on growth, discipline, and enjoyment of life’s small pleasures.yment of life’s small pleasures.

In this episode, Scott and Dan Jones welcome the insightful and dynamic Heather Smith to the show. From a childhood oven-mitt story gone wrong to a deep dive into careers, purpose, and reinvention, this conversation flows from lighthearted laughs to meaningful reflections on identity and transition.

Heather shares her journey from policing to executive coaching, touching on what it’s like to be married to a California free spirit, raising a family, and stepping away from a law enforcement career after more than a decade of service. Together, the trio explores:

✨ Finding strength in unexpected places
✨ Reinvention and the courage to start again
✨ The identity shifts that come with leaving policing
✨ Why interpersonal skills matter more than “fitting the mold”
✨ Balancing career, family, and purpose

Heather’s story is one of resilience, curiosity, and courage—and a reminder that strengths aren’t always what you think they are.