TELUS Talks with Tamara Taggart

Dr. Silke Appel-Cresswell leads the BC Brain Wellness Program in Vancouver and studies how diet, exercise and social connection might prevent chronic brain disorders. It won’t be shocking to hear her describe an ideal diet full of fruits, vegetables and healthy fats, but what may be common sense is still hard for many of us to adopt. Tamara talks to the doctor about how preventative measures could lead to all of us living longer, potentially disease-free lives.

Wes Hall has worked hard to go from the mailroom to the boardroom in corporate Canada, but in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, he knew he had to use his status and connections as a Black leader to help make a bigger change in this country. So he created the BlackNorth Initiative, to bring Canadian executives together and pledge to end systemic racism. Hall has a powerful message to share about why it’s our responsibility to fix the broken system we have inherited.

For many of us, the past year has been marked by a constant barrage of uncertainty, stress and fear -- and now, even with several different vaccines approved for use in Canada, some people are still feeling hesitant to get vaccinated. In this episode, returning guest Dr. Diane McIntosh, TELUS’ Chief Neuroscience Officer, breaks down the root of these fears, and what we can do to make the best decision for ourselves, our families and our communities.

Dr. Yona Lunsky has dedicated her career to understanding the mental health needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Recognizing the unique requirements of this community, and how the healthcare system has become significantly more difficult to navigate in the midst of the pandemic, she speaks to the ableism that is deeply rooted in our society, and why we need to include those with developmental disabilities in our plans for the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

Farah Mohamed founded G(irls)20 to amplify the voices of young women from G20 countries, and encourage a new generation of leaders through education, entrepreneurship and global experiences. Farah speaks about how the pandemic has disproportionately affected women around the world - at home and at work - and the hope she still has that girls and women are finding new ways to lead through this crisis and beyond.

One of our favourite guests - Dr. Diane McIntosh - returns to answer the question: what is depression? Dr. McIntosh is a Psychiatrist, bestselling author and TELUS’ Chief Neuroscience Officer, and she says that even though depression and anxiety can show up in numerous ways, there are common symptoms to look for. She also debunks some of the myths around mental health.

Rosemary Sadlier is an author, educator and past president of the Ontario Black History Society, where she was instrumental in establishing Black History Month in Canada. She has been a fierce advocate for reforming the education system to include the history of African Canadians and speaks out on systemic racism and the erasure of Black history. Rosemary talks about how Black History Month was never created to be the only time we talk about Black history and why it needs to be a yearlong conversation.

Koa Beck is the former editor-in-chief of Jezebel and author of the new book White Feminism, a discussion about race, empowerment and inclusion. In 2013, Koa wrote an essay that went viral on the phenomenon of “passing” and getting more credibility if seen as a white, straight person. In her recent book, she describes ‘white feminism’ as a specific approach to achieving gender equality that views men as the comparison for equality instead of breaking down race, sexuality and income barriers.

Deborah Flint joined the Greater Toronto Airports Authority as President and CEO only six weeks before the pandemic hit. She says the aviation industry has never experienced anything like this, and its future depends on health and technology innovation. Toronto Pearson has brought in new protocols to make it one of the healthiest airports in North America, and Deborah says a strong aviation sector is pivotal to Canadians, not just for personal travel, but for our economy and to compete in the world market.

Helen Knott is a social worker and author of the critically-acclaimed bestseller In My Own Moccasins. Her memoir is an unflinching account of addiction, intergenerational trauma and sexual violence. But it’s also about the power of ceremony, the love of family and redemption. Beautifully written, her memoir shares experiences we often don’t hear from such a personal perspective. Helen says there are countless powerful stories from Indigenous women, but we’re only just now beginning to listen.