TELUS Talks with Tamara Taggart

When Ashley Bristowe was told her son, Alexander, would never walk or speak as a result of a rare genetic disorder, her life changed forever. Ashley’s memoir, My Own Blood, chronicles her years as Alexander’s caregiver and advocate, in a Canadian system that often disregards disabilities. Today, Alexander has subverted expectations and regularly attends school and loves to swim. And the University of Alberta now includes Ashley’s book in their curriculum; an important step toward change.

Writer and Director Michael Mankowski and producer Charmaine Hammond created the animated short film Back Home Again to show the world how a community could come together and rebuild after a devastating wildfire. The film, set in Fort McMurray in Northern Alberta, has an all-star voice cast and a universally hopeful message, and Michael and Charmaine aim to use it to build mental health awareness. They share their 5-year journey with Tamara and their messages of community, vulnerability and recovery.

Amy Chan is an author, speaker, entrepreneur, mental health advocate and the Founder of Renew Breakup Bootcamp, the world’s first and only breakup bootcamp. After leaving the corporate world, Amy’s company grew to success and has been featured across national media including Good Morning America, Vogue and the front page of The New York Times. In this episode, she shares how to create resilience after a breakup and stay open to new relationships, even when you’re in emotional pain.

Fabrice Grover is a non-profit specialist who has worked in the communications industry through some of the most vital global initiatives, such as the UN Climate Change Conference and World Humanitarian Day. He is instrumental in developing Innovations for Learning in Canada, the world's largest virtual reading program for children. In this episode, he explores the significance of developing early literacy programs in under-resourced communities and truly how fundamental it is for our future generations.

Schuyler is the first openly transgender athlete to compete in any sport on an NCAA Division 1 men’s team. In this episode, he explores his historic choice to transition, showing all of us how to honour our authentic selves. His advocacy has since evolved into rallying for inclusion, body acceptance and mental health awareness. His novel, Obie Is Man Enough, navigates through the life of a young trans athlete who dives headfirst into facing his scariest challenges with resolve, humour and grace.

Social entrepreneur Suzanne Stevens calls for purpose and giving back to become more embedded in our businesses and our culture. In this episode, Suzanne dives into her initiative YouMeWe, and showcases the plethora of opportunities for social change and how to truly connect our actions to what we care about. She urges us to view giving as a long-term commitment, but to keep it simple - whether as a customer, entrepreneur or large business - and look for ways to contribute meaningfully.

Nick North was assigned female at birth, had four children and came out as a transgender man in his 30s. In this episode, Nick explores themes of traditional masculinity, femininity, and assigned gender roles and encourages parents to create a safe space for their children to question everything. His documentary, Just Another Beautiful Family, showcases his transition and gives an honest depiction of what’s possible for ourselves and those we love when the right support and tools are in place.

In 2016, Judge Marion Buller was appointed the Chief Commissioner of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The inquiry looked into the systemic violence against Indigenous women, girls and two-spirited people, and it was the first of its kind in Canada. Judge Buller describes her experience of hearing over 2,300 people sharing their truths and says some stories will stay with her forever. The report also made calls for justice that all Canadians can work on together.

RoseAnne Archibald made history by becoming the first woman to serve as National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. She shares her perspective on the upcoming National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and says it gives non-Indigenous Canadians a day to reflect on why we have this new statutory holiday. She asks allies to pressure the government to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and shares her vision of a healed Canada 100 years from now.

Rebekah Taussig wrote Sitting Pretty, a memoir about having a body that looks and moves differently in the world. She recognized that disabled lives are almost always portrayed as tragic or triumphant when actually the experience of having a disability is quite ordinary. She challenges some of the attitudes people have toward disabilities, many under the guise of empathy, and posits that ultimately we all live in bodies that age, are vulnerable to sickness and move in and out of disabled states constantly.