⚠️ Viewer discretion advised: This episode includes discussion of war/combat, death, and trauma.

In this episode of Scarwise, I sit down with Tanner Wilson, who is now a father of three and someone who works with high-risk youth, but was once considered a high-risk youth himself.

Tanner shares what it was like growing up mixed-race with parents who were young, moving around a lot, and feeling disconnected early on. At 18, he maxed out a credit card, won $60,000, and spent the next couple of years with no plan, running with people who didn’t have his best interests in mind. Eventually, he got into trouble with the law, and that became a turning point that pushed him toward the military.

He talks about doing two tours in Afghanistan, losing friends, stepping on an IED, and what it was like coming home and trying to rebuild. We also get into marriage, divorce, becoming a father, and how lived experience shapes the way he shows up for youth today.

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Viewer discretion advised: This episode includes discussion of gangs, incarceration, substance use, and childhood trauma.

In this episode of Scarwise, I sit down with Derek Powder, a man who once belonged to one of the biggest Indigenous gangs in Canada, and who later rebuilt his life through sobriety, humility, and service.

Derek shares his tumultuous childhood, what gang life gave him at the time (and what it took away), and the hard work of getting out and staying out. We talk about long-term recovery, remaining grounded, and what it means to carry Indigenous identity through both struggle and healing. Derek has worked in social services for 20+ years, and has spent years traveling and speaking about his story to help others find a different path.

Technical note: Portions of this episode are visually out of focus due to a camera setting issue. The audio is clear, and the conversation is absolutely worth the listen.

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Check out the documentary Derek was in when he was exiting the gang and on the path towards recovery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QrGJu2xQks&t=20s

⚠️ Viewer discretion advised: This episode includes discussion of gangs, incarceration, violence, substance use, and loss.In this episode of Scarwise, I sit down with Jordan Ernst, an incredible graffiti artist known as Graffiti Salad. Jordan has painted murals and pieces across Canada, but his story goes way deeper than art.We talk about growing up around substance use and incarceration, getting pulled into gang life, spending time in jail, the real cost of violence, and what it takes to rebuild your life when you’ve lost friends and carried heavy regrets. Jordan’s also a husband, father, an amateur bodybuilder, and a mentor to high-risk youth. He’s proof you can outgrow the version of yourself you thought you were stuck with.Check out Jordan’s work:Website: www.graffitisalad.comInstagram: @graffitisaladFollow: @scarwisepodcast on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Apple#Scarwise #Edmonton #GraffitiArtist #SecondChances #LivedExperience

⚠️ Viewer discretion advised: This episode includes discussion of crime, incarceration, and violence.In this episode, Kashif Gooden shares the reality of his upbringing. Hustling, kidnappings, extortion, and eventually sentenced to over six years. He talks about what it was like being surrounded by negative influences, how those choices added up, and what finally made him want something different.Today, Kashif has turned his life around. He's grounded in faith, mentoring others, and building a future through music production. This is a raw conversation about consequences, growth, and what it actually takes to change.Follow Scarwise Podcast:Instagram: @scarwisepodcastApple Podcasts: Scarwise PodcastYouTube: ScarwiseFollow Kash Creative:Instagram: @kashcreativeFacebook: Kash Creative

⚠️ Viewer discretion advised: this episode discusses homelessness and hardship.

In this episode, Emmanuel Salawu shares his journey of moving from Ghana to Canada with hopes of living the Canadian dream, only to face a harsh reality: scams, homelessness, and real struggle along the way. Instead of letting it break him, Emmanuel kept showing up with a positive mindset and a refusal to quit.This is a story about resilience, perspective, and what it really looks like to start over when the plan falls apart.

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⚠️ Viewer discretion advised: this episode discusses trauma and addiction.

If you or someone you know needs support, consider reaching out to local crisis or mental health supports in your area.In this episode, Liz Callingbull Taylor shares her lived experience with surviving residential school, sex work, trauma, addiction, and the long road toward healing. Her story is raw and honest. Liz hopes to shed light on realities many people don’t understand, specifically about homelessness and addiction, and to spark more compassion and real conversations.If this episode impacted you, consider subscribing and sharing it with someone who needs to hear it.Connect with Scarwise:📲 IG: @scarwisepodcast🎧 Spotify: @scarwisepodcast🍎 Apple Podcasts: @scarwisepodcast