Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 27
Date: August 2, 2022

Participants: John Webster, Sammy Damaren, Cameron Earnshaw and Sheila Webster
Guest: Jill Melanson

Start times and Segment Segments:

[0:00:43] What’s On Your Mind: We introduce our Sammy Travel Series. Sammy just got back from a trip to Greece. John wonders what it felt like to have her travel frame of mind. It’s been a while since he felt it.

[0:13:49] Expanding Minds Interview: [Economic Wellness] Jill Melanson introduces financial savings concepts. It’s the first of two interviews on this subject. In this one, we cover general approaches to saving, different reasons to save, connections between levels of risk and what you’re saving for, and how you find someone to help you with finances.

[0:28:48] Adventures of the Starving Artist: Cameron made it through a busy time and finally got a chance to rest and recuperate. He’s grateful to have the rest time.
Spotify link to Natalia Zuk’s new song: Unbreakable You

[0:32:27] Move That Body: We’re talking about gardening again. Not only is it a great way to Move That Body, but a study found that it improves mental health, even for novices. Fifteen participants who gardened twice a week, for eight weeks, reported lower levels of stress, anxiety and depression.

[0:37:41] Running Popup: John talks about the “I Feel Amazing” scale he’s developing. He’s trying to figure out what combination of activities he’s doing when he feels amazing physically and mentally. Getting too much of a good thing might drive him lower on the scale. What’s the right mix?

[0:40:54] Flipside of the Coin: Sheila and John really appreciate living in a place where we have four distinct seasons.

Guest Information: Jill Melanson is a licensed Mortgage Agent who works with Invis, a large and respected Canadian mortgage brokerage. Jill guides her clients through the mortgage process and helps them make informed choices, including after a mortgage closes, providing tips and strategies to build long-term wealth. Jill spent most of her career with TD Canada Trust as a Financial Advisor.  She also worked at RBC as a Financial Advisor in a more remote role. She completed her Canadian Securities Course among other investment courses throughout her tenure in banking. Jill has been married for 10 years and has two beautiful kids. Her contact information:
Jill Melanson – Mortgage Agent with Invis (Kitchener, Ontario office)
Website: https://jillmelanson.ca/
email: [email protected] 
Tel: (519) 502-5259

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John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila and Julie

Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 26
Date: July 26, 2022

Participants: John Webster, Sammy Damaren, Cameron Earnshaw and Sheila Webster
Guests: Jason Balgopal and Brian Peyton

Start times and Segment Segments:

[0:00:42] What’s On Your Mind: Sammy and John talk about baggage you don’t need to carry – your past, guilt, expectations, other’s mistakes and negativity.

[0:12:15] Expanding Minds Interview: [Social & Mental Wellness] we interview Jason Balgopal, who went through a period of deep depression. He was ultimately helped by a web of support. In the process, he felt that he was burning out his family by repeatedly saying the same things to them. They tried their best, but they had no lived or clinical experience to help him. He saw something missing - the ability to speak with other people who walked in his shoes, so to speak. Not experts, family or friends, but people like him. He developed a peer support group. It helped. He’s now giving back to the community, which supported him, by helping develop more mental health peer support groups, including online ones. It’s making a difference for many people.

[0:20:33] Adventures of the Starving Artist: Cameron talks about music theory, including Breaking THEory Rules.

[0:36:18] Move That Body: Brian Peyton built his eBike after retirement. He loves riding around the city and its trails.

[0:42:26] Running Popup: Getting to a better place is rarely a straight line. There are steps forward and back.

[0:45:48] Flipside of the Coin: Sheila talks to John about something in his book, Accidentally Well. Being too skeptical (or dogmatic) is problematic.

Guest Information: Jason Balgopal is a lawyer. He's been an Assistant Crown Attorney in Scarborough, Ontario since 2004, which is similar being a District Attorney in the U.S. He's appeared in all levels of court, and has conducted all manner of prosecutions, including murder trials. He’s a member of the Elder Abuse Consultation Team in Toronto and has presented many times on the topic of Elder Abuse. He’s also a member of the Scarborough Human Services and Justice Coordinating Committee which helps to coordinate the various services offered by different organizations to a diverse population. After a lengthy challenge with deep depression, and after getting to a better headspace for himself, Jason wanted to give back to the community which had supported him. In 2015, he created the Mental Wellness Peer-to-Peer Support Groups, which have been operating ever since in person, and more recently through Zoom. The groups offer members an opportunity to unburden themselves to peers (people who have “walked a mile in your shoes”) about how their mental wellness challenge is affecting them and get feedback (empathy or best practices) to support them.

Website for meetup.com site: Mental Wellness Peer-to-Peer Support Groups

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John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila and Julie

Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 25
Date: July 19

Participants: John Webster, Sammy Damaren, Cameron Earnshaw and Sheila Webster
Guest: Clarence Cachagee and Laurie Flanagan

Start times and Segment Segments:

[0:00:19] What’s On Your Mind: Sheila chats with her sister Laurie about energy takers and energy givers. The energy takers can exhaust you. Bring on the energy givers.

[0:12:38] Expanding Minds Interview: [Social Wellness] Clarence Cachagee tells us about differences between a territorial acknowledgment and a land acknowledgment. He describes an Indigenous smudging ceremony. We both express hopes for allyship and moving towards reconciliation.

Website for Crow Shield Lodge: https://www.crowshieldlodge.com/

[0:35:25] Adventures of the Starving Artist: Cameron navigates sniffle and road blocks before performing live, and is happy about new songs being released by artist Natalia Zuk (Unbreakable You) and Eric Bolton (Neon Soul). Cameron helped with both projects.
Spotify link: Neon Soul by Eric Bolton

[0:42:08] Move That Body: Sheila tells us about someone she met on a scenic hike on a recent trip to St. John’s, Newfoundland. He hikes Signal Hill every day. What a great way to Move That Body.

[0:47:34] Running Popup: John describes his favourite running feeling, and when he feels it.

[0:48:45] Flipside of the Coin: Rusty Nail Comedy show where Sheila turned out to be one of the “happy sisters”

Guest Information: Clarence Cachagee has undeniable spirit for change, with a focus on working with the Spirit within. He’s a helper, visionary and author who is known for investing his whole self into his community. Clarence originates from Chapleau Cree First Nation and calls Waterloo Region his home. He faced struggles, and chooses to serve and support those living on the margins of society. Clarence continues to engage with his community through land-based teaching and healing as an Indigenous Community Educator, public speaking and facilitating groups to encourage “healing”. Clarence says “it is said that Mother Earth has all the medicines for every disease there is. Indigenous people of Turtle Island are land-based people. They have received the teachings from the animals. Their creation stories are about mother earth, and it’s said that you can go anywhere on Turtle Island and find the medicine you need. Understanding land-based philosophies helps us become better connected and feed our spirits”. Clarence works at Conestoga College as an Aboriginal Services Coordinator and the visionary and founder of Crow Shield Lodge.

Website for Crow Shield Lodge: https://www.crowshieldlodge.com/
Crow Shield Lodge Instagram: @crowshieldlodge

Connect with Let’s Be Well Together Podcast:
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John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila and Julie

Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 24
Date: July 12, 2022

Participants: John Webster, Sammy Damaren, Cameron Earnshaw and Sheila Webster
Guest: Dr. Shirish Nathwani

Start times and Segment Segments:

[0:00:19] What’s On Your Mind: John talks to Sammy about a continuum, with extreme dogmatism on one end and extreme skepticism on the other.

[0:11:49] Expanding Minds Interview: [Spiritual Wellness] We interview Dr. Shirish Nathwani in the area of Spiritual Wellness. He offers reflections on Hindu spirituality, including on reincarnation, purification of oneself, becoming childlike (not childish), mediation, liberation and more.

[0:26:12] Adventures of the Starving Artist: Cameron’s Canada Day weekend was chock-full of performances.

[0:29:34] Move That Body: Sheila brings up a point from John’s book, Accidentally Well. The quick fix doesn’t work for him when it comes to losing weight or getting into better physical shape. He needs an approach that’s more manageable and sustainable over a long term.

[0:37:12] Running Popup: John explains his “to do” list approach to getting things done. He came up with an acronym: D.R.E.S.S. for Success.

[0:40:19] Flipside of the Coin: Popups come to us in different ways. John has his running popups. Sheila’s popups come to her after sleep.

Guest Information: Shirish Nathwani is a retired physician and surgeon living in the Waterloo region of Canada. A humanist, in essence, Shirish brings with him the perennial Hindu tradition of India. He is a director of a Canadian charity called Samarpan Meditation which is dedicated to offering a free and simple technique of meditation to all. He was nominated Ambassador to Canada for the Vienna-based Curators of the poetic revelations called Devayan (the third and the latest great Epic from India after Ramayan and Mahabharat). He sees himself as a dedicated medium in bringing lasting happiness to one and all.

Connect with Let’s Be Well Together Podcast:
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John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila and Julie

Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 23
Date: July 5, 2022

Participants: John Webster, Sammy Damaren, Cameron Earnshaw and Sheila Webster
Guest: Alex “Sandy” MacFarlane and Brad Mills

Start times and Segment Segments:

[0:00:19] What’s On Your Mind: When people say, “That’s just how Sammy is”, or “That’s just how John is”, are they missing an opportunity to see that there’s much more to it?

[0:10:53] Expanding Minds Interview: [Artistic Wellness] Comedian Alex "Sandy" MacFarlane rejoins us. We chat about a theory that many comedians ask the audience questions, based on the unique way they see the world, including observations many of us miss.

[0:28:14] Adventures of the Starving Artist: Cameron was in a booth at Jazzfest, helping kids have fun with button-making while connecting with new students. There was plenty of amazing jazz music to enjoy.

[0:32:32] Move That Body: Brad Mills enjoys indoor rock climbing.

[0:38:23] Running Popup: How did I forget that I was going to make the world a better place? How did I let that slip?

[0:40:38] Flipside of the Coin: Sheila and John discuss (argue about?) what we shouldn’t say on the show.

Guest Information: Alexander MacFarlane goes by Sandy in comedy. He got into comedy when a friend suggested he try it at a stand-up competition at London Ontario Yuk Yuk's. Sandy won and was invited back to open for the Yuk headliners that weekend. After years of travelling for comedy, Alex started producing shows in his hometown Kitchener Waterloo and Rusty Nail Comedy was born. Rusty Nail produces comedy shows all over Southern Ontario but mainly in venues thorough out Waterloo region. In August 2020 Rusty Nail found a home at The Crazy Canuck restaurant in downtown Kitchener. Every Friday & Saturday night The Crazy Canuck turns into Rusty Nail Comedy Club, Waterloo Regions only comedy club. Rusty Nail Comedy's philosophy is “comedy will save the world” (a quote from Jean Paul).

Rusty Nail Comedy Website: https://www.rustynailcomedy.com
Rusty Nail Comedy Instagram: @rustynailcomedy
Crazy Canuck Restaurant Website: http://www.thecrazycanuck.ca
Crazy Canuck Restaurant Instagram: @crazy_canuck_restauranteh

Connect with Let’s Be Well Together Podcast:
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Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 22
Date: June 28, 2022

Participants: John Webster, Sammy Damaren, Cameron Earnshaw and Sheila Webster
Guest: Stephanie Sutherland and Elise Webster

Start times and Segment Segments:

[0:00:19] What’s On Your Mind: Sammy and John discuss a post about high functioning anxiety. What we see on the outside often doesn’t match what’s going on inside.

[0:10:39] Expanding Minds Interview: [Mental Wellness] Stephanie Sutherland was recently diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). In her case, the challenge is attention deficit, not hyperactivity. She talks about her experiences with executive dysfunction, and about coping mechanisms that help her.

[0:25:41] Adventures of the Starving Artist: Cameron’s teaching season is winding down and wedding performance season is winding up. He stopped to immerse himself in the present moment and discovered something interesting.

[0:32:32] Move That Body: Elise enjoys biking to work and for fun.

[0:38:20] Running Popup: John celebrates a “rebirthday”.

[0:41:08] Flipside of the Coin: Sheila came across an article about four hormones.

Guest Information: Stephanie Sutherland has been a lawyer since 2009. She’s work extensively in the world of condominium law. She guides her clients through disputes in a way that promotes and fosters positive condominium communities. She also provides legal services for condominium development, residential and commercial real estate, and commercial litigation.

Stephanie’s an active volunteer, sitting on the Boards of the Guelph Humane Society, the University of Guelph’s Research Ethics Board-NPES, and Dunara Homes for Recovery, where she has been the president of the Board since 2013. Stephanie is also a proud member of the Zonta Club of Guelph and she volunteers as a foster parent for the Guelph Humane Society and All Creatures Rescue. In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her family and friends, including her partner and her step-son and their many animals, especially their dogs.

Connect with Let’s Be Well Together Podcast:
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John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila and Julie

Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 21
Date: June 24, 2022

Participants: John Webster, Julie Wilson, Cameron Earnshaw and Sheila Webster
Guest: Hillary Fitzgerald and Laurie Flanagan.

Start times and Segment Segments:

[0:00:19] What’s On Your Mind: Julie and John chat about an article about “How to become more resilient, according to the research”, by Sandee LaMotte [CNN Health, Dec. 7, 2021]. Resilience is becoming a key theme in our approach to wellness - Link to Article: Click Here

[0:14:12] Expanding Minds Interview: [Physical Wellness] Hillary Fitzgerald is a personal trainer and fitness coach. She’s dynamic in motivating people to enjoy and get the most out of physical fitness. We ask her about the benefits people get out of different types of workouts, such as aerobic, core, strength, high intensity interval training and more.

[0:30:46] Adventures of the Starving Artist: Cameron was all smiles after enjoying his students perform at the Rockstar Music Student Summer Concert. All ten performers did well!

Move That Body: [0:34:49]: Sheila’s sister, Laurie, tells us about 26 and 2 yoga.

Running Popup: [0:41:40]: John discovered a magical cycle when we inspire each other to get physical.

Flipside of the Coin: [0:44:15]: Sheila and John are concerned about inflation, with how fast things we need in everyday life are getting more and more expensive, like gas and food. We worry about the stress and anxiety inflation will cause, especially if people don’t get ahead of it by planning in the area of economic wellness.

Guest Information: Hillary describes herself as a lover of life, promoter of positivity and motivator of movement. She started her fitness journey in high school, gained knowledge as she went along, and eventually enrolled in CANFITPRO. She became a personal trainer & fitness coach. Hillary initially worked at a gym and then went on to start her own business and train out of her home gym . It's been 6 years now working out of her home and she loves it.

Hillary’s website: https://www.hillyfitz.com
Instagram @hillyfitz

Connect with Let’s Be Well Together Podcast:
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John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila and Julie

Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 20
Date: June 14, 2022

Participants: John Webster, Sammy Damaren, Cameron Earnshaw and Sheila Webster
Guest: Rev. Anne Anderson

Start times and Segment Segments:

[0:00:19] What’s On Your Mind: Sammy and John chat about a quote: “It is much easier for us to give advice to other people than to ourselves” [Ethan Kross], and that we forget that it’s okay to make mistakes, to have bad days or be less than perfect.

[0:08:35] Expanding Minds Interview: [Spiritual Wellness] Rev. Anne Anderson was interested in doing church differently. She and others came up with the idea of an alternative worship community, which they call thirdspace_. As they gather, they focus on sharing story, sharing meal and sharing the journey. It’s a diverse community, and an affirming community.

[0:22:35] Adventures of the Starving Artist: Cameron helps students with pre-show jitters, and gets some nice walks going.

[0:26:11] Move That Body: Choosing to walk instead of drive is often an option. It’s rewarding even if conditions aren’t ideal.

[0:32:04] Running Popup: Taking away the unknown is a good way to reduce stress and anxiety. It’s better to know bad news than not know what to expect.

[0:36:34] Flipside of the Coin: We’ll chat lots about not judging other people. This time it’s about not judging people based on appearance.

Guest Information: Reverend Anne Anderson is a Community Pastor at Martin Luther University College in Waterloo, Ontario. Reverend Anne pastors a community called thirdspace_. She’s a mom to two fantastic kids, a partner to a great husband and a student. She’s a Phd Candidate in Human Relationships, specializing in Pastoral Leadership. She’s researching transformational leadership and emergent faith communities. A current focus is food insecurity and students during the pandemic. She calls Waterloo home and has been grateful to travel and work in the U.S., UK and Africa over the years. She loves to read and play music and do boot camp with great friends.

thirdspace_ website: https://luther.wlu.ca/worship-and-music/thirdspace.html

Connect with Let’s Be Well Together Podcast:
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John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila and Julie

Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 19
Date: June 17, 2022

Participants: John Webster, Sammy Damaren, Cameron Earnshaw and Sheila Webster
Guests: Shirley Madill and Brian Peyton

Start times and Segment Segments:

[0:00:19] What’s On Your Mind: John and Sammy have a conversation about areas of wellness and approaches to wellness, comparing thoughts to the approach John’s working on that involves a wellness check-in.

[0:11:23] Expanding Minds Interview: [Artistic Wellness] We interview the Executive Director of the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, Shirley Madill, about a wonderful program she developed – Feast for the Senses. A chef and a sommelier (or mixologist) get inspired by art, then share their creations and stories with guests. It combined three arts: visual arts together with the arts of chefs and sommeliers (or mixologists).

[0:26:26] Adventures of the Starving Artist: Cameron is a proud teacher, with great students.

[0:30:52] Move That Body: Continuing to exercise after retirement, Brian Peyton makes the most of the gym experience. He enjoys the fitness classes the most.

[0:36:00] Running Popup: Second place is a no-so-auspicious contest.

[0:39:22] Flipside of the Coin: Sheila and John disclose why they call the last segment Flipside of the Coin.

Guest Information: In addition to being Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery’s Executive Director, Shirley Madill held previous positions in other art museums in other Canadian cities – Winnipeg, Hamilton, Victoria and St. Catharines. She was past-president of the Board of Galleries Ontario, and Past-President of the Canadian Art Museum Directors Organization. She’s currently Vice-President of the Board of ArtsBuild, Ontario. Her publication record is extensive.  She's presented papers on photography, performance art, women’s art issues, and First Nations art across Canada and the United States. Her curatorial work included numerous exhibitions. She’s taught courses in 20th Century Canadian and Modern Art, History of Photography and other topics. Her awards include the Ontario Association of Architects award for the Future Cities exhibition in Hamilton, Ontario during her tenure at the Art Gallery of Hamilton showing her interest in the role an art gallery can play in the development of a creative community.

Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery website: https://kwag.ca

Connect with Let’s Be Well Together Podcast:
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Thanks for joining us,
(-(-_(-_-)_-)-)   Your wellness check-in team
John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila and Julie