Shaping Our World

Can the right story change a young person's life?

In this episode of Shaping Our World, host Chris Tompkins welcomes award-winning Canadian author Eric Walters to explore how storytelling inspires empathy, builds resilience and helps young people discover their potential.

Drawing on his experiences as a teacher, social worker and bestselling author, Eric shares practical advice for encouraging reluctant readers, navigating difficult conversations and helping kids understand that they matter.

Discover why stories are more than entertainment and how parents and educators can use them to inspire hope, foster connection and shape the next generation.

How do we help children navigate grief, loss and life's most difficult conversations? In this episode of Shaping Our World, host Chris Tompkins welcomes Andrea Warnick, registered psychotherapist and internationally recognized children's grief expert. Together, they explore why honesty, inclusion and compassionate connection are essential when supporting young people through serious illness and death. Andrea shares practical advice for talking openly about grief, recognizing when children are struggling and creating safe spaces for difficult questions. Discover how parents, caregivers and educators can help children build resilience and feel supported through life's toughest moments.

Children's rights advocate Sara Austin has spent more than 20 years championing the well-being of young people in Canada and around the world. In this episode, Sara joins Chris Tompkins to explore the state of childhood in Canada and why the country has fallen behind on key measures of children's well-being. They discuss challenges including child poverty, preventable injuries and online safety, while examining the important role young people can play in shaping solutions. Sara also shares practical ways parents and caregivers can listen to children, advocate for their needs and help create safer, healthier communities where every child can thrive.

As Canada debates new legislation that could set a minimum age for social media accounts, conversations about how to keep young people safe online are once again front and centre. That makes our Season 2 conversation with technology and learning expert Richard Culatta especially timely. Rather than focusing only on whether young people should or shouldn't have access to technology, Richard asks a different question: How do we prepare them to use it wisely? From misinformation and online safety to persuasive algorithms, data privacy, digital citizenship and finding balance, this replay offers practical, hopeful guidance for helping young people navigate the digital world with wisdom and confidence. Revisit our conversation with Richard Culatta.

What can nearly five decades of writing for young people teach us about creativity, belonging and growing up? In this episode, host Chris Tompkins talks with beloved Canadian author Gordon Korman, whose 100+ books have reached millions of readers around the world. Gordon shares how a Grade 7 assignment launched his writing career, why he's drawn to underdogs and outsiders, and why great stories continue to resonate with kids despite an ever-changing world. He also offers thoughtful advice for parents on encouraging young people's passions: provide support, give them room to explore and remember that the best time to start is now.

In this episode of Shaping Our World, Chris Tompkins sits down with conflict specialist, mediator and educator Kathleen Hilchey to explore how adults can help young people navigate conflict and bullying. Kathleen shares practical strategies for managing big emotions, knowing when to step in and helping kids develop their own conflict-resolution skills. She introduces her memorable "Kleenex box and toolbox" approach and explains why young people need opportunities to work through conflict rather than simply avoid it. It's a practical conversation about helping kids build resilience, strengthen relationships and find a voice that is both strong and kind.

Finding a summer job isn't easy this year. But that doesn't mean young people have to put their growth on hold. With one of the toughest summer job markets in years, many teens are missing out on opportunities to build confidence, responsibility and real-world skills. That's why we're revisiting one of our favourite conversations from the Shaping Our World archives. In this episode, Charles Roberts, CEO of LiveDifferent, shares why qualities like resilience, initiative, leadership and compassion aren't developed only through a paycheque. They're built whenever young people choose to serve others, step outside their comfort zones and make a difference in their communities. The original episode aired May 22, 2022. Whether your teen found a summer job, is still searching, or is feeling discouraged, this conversation offers practical encouragement and a reminder that growth can happen in many different ways.

How do we raise kids who can navigate anxiety, pressure, and an increasingly complex world with confidence? In this episode, Chris Tompkins sits down with licensed therapist, bestselling author, and parenting expert David Thomas to explore what today's kids need most. David shares practical strategies for building emotional resilience, helping children express their feelings, managing technology and comparison, and knowing when to seek extra support. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, educator, coach, or youth worker, this conversation is packed with encouraging, actionable insights to help the young people in your life grow into capable, confident adults.

In this episode of Shaping Our World, Chris Tompkins sits down with Juno-nominated musician, keynote speaker and facilitator, Peter Katz. Peter shares how music, storytelling, summer camp and meaningful relationships shaped his life and work with young people. Together, they explore why being seen, heard and valued matters so much, especially for youth navigating challenge, change and identity. Peter offers practical insight for parents and leaders on building trust, inviting better conversations and celebrating the moments that matter most. His stories remind us that small acts of encouragement can help young people grow in confidence, belonging and purpose.

In this episode, Chris Tompkins talks with Hannah Dannecker about helping young people understand who they are before deciding what they want to do. Hannah shares how early career exploration can shape confidence, purpose and future choices, and why adults play an important role in exposing youth to different paths. She also unpacks common misconceptions about Gen Z in the workplace, including their need for trust, mentorship, flexibility and growth. With insight from her work as an author, speaker and former Muskoka Woods staff member, Hannah offers practical ways to support young people through change, identity and vocation.