***This will be the last ATYPICAL Episode uploaded to THE GRITTY NURSE podcast show! 

THE GRITTY NURSE RETURNS THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 4TH 2026!

The date went well--but you havent heard back--like...EVER.

Did your bestie of 10 years suddenly stop talking to you? 

Are you still WAITING to hear back from that job interview that you did over 6 months ago?

Ever been left on read... forever?

Sorry hunny, you have been GHOSTED. 

Ghosting isn't just a frustrating dating trend; it's a cultural phenomenon that's silently killing our trust in relationships, friendships and professional connections.

This week on Atypical Podcast with Nurse Amie Archibald-Varley MN, RN and Therapist Jordan Varley BSW, RSW, we're confronting the fade-out head-on. We'll explore the psychology of why we disappear, why being ghosted by a friend can hurt more than a breakup, and what to do when it happens in the workplace. We'll give you real strategies for coping when you're left in the dark and simple scripts for ending things with integrity—without becoming a ghost yourself. It's time to talk about the conversations we're avoiding.

If you like what you listened to, please LIKE, SHARE and SUBSCRIBE.

Questions or Comments about our episode? Having a "dear abby" moment? Send us a live message on Speakpipe:

https://www.speakpipe.com/HostAmieandJordan

In this episode of the Atypical Podcast, host Amie Archibald-Varley RN, MN and Jordan Varley BSW, RSW delves into the complex world of advocacy work, exploring the responsibilities within their professions (nursing and social work) as well as the challenges of advocacy work. The discussion sheds light on the troubling trend of performative allyship, where actions are often more about boosting one's social capital than effecting real change. Through candid conversations and personal anecdotes, Amy and her guests unpack the layers of intention and impact in advocacy, urging listeners to reflect on their own roles and responsibilities. Tune in for an insightful exploration of what it truly means to be an ally and advocate in today's world.

Have a comment? Want to leave a suggestion or episode request? Send Amie a Message on Speakpipe!

https://www.speakpipe.com/AtypicalPodcastAmie

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Feeling pulled in too many directions by the world around you? It's Monday and it's time to hit the reset button. Join Atypical host and "lifecare" advocate Amie Archibald-Varley for a powerful 5-minute mindfulness session designed to help you gently turn your attention inward.

In this session, Amie guides you through the process of observing your own sensations, thoughts, and emotions, fostering a deeper connection with your internal landscape. Learn to consciously release any preoccupation with the actions, words, or perceived intentions of others, creating a much-needed space for your own well-being.

This isn't about ignoring the world; it's about reclaiming your focus and cultivating a profound sense of inner peace. Tune in for this Monday Mindfulness session and discover how to start your week centred, grounded, and truly focused on you. A perfect dose of calm to navigate life's beautiful, sometimes chaotic, journey.

Send Amie a message on Speakpipe! 

https://www.speakpipe.com/AtypicalPodcastAmie

LISTEN TO ATYPICAL PODCAST

Please Listen and SUBSCRIBE!

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• Amie Archibald-Varley's Official Website:  https://www.amiearchibaldvarley.com/

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*Note: This is NOT a shaming podcast episode....

In the hyper-connected world, every click, like, and share carries a surprising weight, especially for those in professions built on trust. This week on ATYPICAL podcast with Amie Archibald-Varley RN, MN, we dive into the fascinating and often brutal "digital court of public opinion," sparked by the recent viral "kiss cam" incident involving CEO Andy Byron. His very public moment serves as a potent reminder that in our increasingly transparent society, no one truly lives in a glass house, and the stones we throw online can shatter careers.

We'll explore:

• The Andy Byron Aftershock: How a seemingly personal, fleeting moment, amplified by social media, instantly transformed into a corporate crisis and a public spectacle, raising critical questions about leadership accountability and the blurred lines between private and professional lives.

• The Unforgiving Gaze: Why social media, while a powerful tool for connection, has also become a relentless arbiter of morality, where context is often lost, and judgment is swift and severe. We'll discuss the concept of "digital shaming" and the difficulty of escaping online reputations.

• Trust Under Threat: Nurses, Therapists, and the Public Eye: We'll turn our focus to the profound implications for trusting professions like nursing and therapy. Why are healthcare and social work professionals particularly vulnerable to social media missteps? We'll share real-life examples of nurses and therapists who have faced disciplinary action, job loss, or damaged reputations due to:

  • Breaches of Confidentiality: Even seemingly innocuous details can identify patients.

  • Unprofessional Conduct: Venting, mocking, or disparaging remarks about clients, colleagues, or the system.

  • Blurring Boundaries: The tricky line between personal and professional interactions online.

• Building Digital Walls (or Better Yet, Digital Wisdom): What can individuals in these vital roles do to protect their professional integrity in an always-on world? We'll discuss the importance of understanding employer social media policies, ethical guidelines, and cultivating a mindful approach to online presence.

• A Call for Empathy: As we scrutinize others in the digital square, we reflect on the universal truth that "we all live in glass houses." Can we foster a more nuanced and forgiving online environment, even as we uphold professional standards?

Join us for a candid conversation about personal choices, public perception, and the ever-evolving landscape where our online lives intersect with our professional futures. Dont forget to leave a comment or ask a question to Amie on Speakpipe about the episode! 

Leave Amie a Message here: https://www.speakpipe.com/AtypicalPodcastAmie

Please Like, Leave a comment and Subscribe!! 

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Raise your hand if Mondays feel like a personal attack?? Seriously, the start of the work week or the start of a nursing/healthcare rotation (when you're crushing it on those 2s and 3s or 4-on-4-off rotations) can drop a ton of bricks on your vibe. That wave of "ugh, here we go again" anxiety? Been there, felt that.

Trouble sleeping Sunday night? Anxiously in the morning or a bit on edge?  But what if we could reframe that Monday energy? What about owning your work week from the jump? 

Try this short but powerful 5-minute mindfulness activity designed to help you navigate life's uncertainties. Learn to connect with your inner calm, acknowledge what feels unknown, and discover the steady resources you carry within. It's a gentle reminder that even in the stormiest moments, your breath can be your anchor. Let's make every week start strong.

Thanks for listening to Atypical Podcast with nurse Amie Archibald-Varley!

LISTEN TO ATYPICAL PODCAST

Please Listen and SUBSCRIBE!

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Ever tell yourself that life will finally settle down after this next hurdle? For a brief moment, it seems to—and then life smacks you with the unexpected. Job loss, a new love, divorce papers, your teenager's puberty, a health scare, a new life. Good or bad, it's always change. We crave the constant, but the only thing constant is change.

In this introductory episode of ATYPICAL Podcast with Amie Archibald-Varley, Amie and her guest dismantle the pervasive myth of linear progression of life and offer a liberating alternative. What if we just embrace the unexpected? How can we do it? Life being "straight, narrow and pristine" is the biggest illusion of them all. Join us as we explore the messy, beautiful, and often chaotic reality of a nonlinear life.

Drawing on insights from psychology, philosophy, and the raw, honest stories of those who have dared to deviate, this episode will help you:

• Recognize the "linearity lie" and its impact on your mental and emotional well-being.

• Embrace the power of pivots, detours, and "failures" as essential parts of your unique journey.

• Redefining Success and Navigating Uncertainty 

• Learn to navigate the uncertainties of life with evidence-based strategies---not more catch phrases! 

Whether you're feeling stuck in a rut, questioning your path, or simply seeking a more authentic way to live, this conversation will provide you with the validation and tools to trade the illusion of control for the reality of a life fully lived. It's time to embrace the scenic route!

In our Next episode, we will be discussing GHOSTING! Please do not forget to like, subscribe, and leave a comment!

Do you have a story, suggestion, idea or comment that you would like to add to the discussion on the podcast? Send a LIVE MESSAGE TO ATYPICAL PODCAST

https://www.speakpipe.com/AtypicalPodcastAmie

In this poignant and powerful final episode of The Gritty Nurse Podcast, we close this chapter with a truly essential conversation. We are honoured to welcome former Minister Mark Holland, who offers an exclusive look into the federal government's pivotal efforts to improve Canadian healthcare. From the pressing issue of Pharmacare to strategies for a healthier nation, Minister Holland addresses what's being done on a federal level to make a tangible difference in the lives of Canadians.

Amie & Sara dive deep into the critical issues that define our healthcare landscape. We discuss the pervasive problem of healthcare silos across Canada and the urgent need to address health misinformation and improve health literacy. We bring into sharp focus the national nursing shortage, exploring how the government plans to integrate and rely on nursing to fortify primary care. Finally, we raise a crucial concern about protecting Canada's borders from potential health threats, particularly in light of recent public health challenges in the US.

Join us for this unmissable episode as we reflect on the journey of The Gritty Nurse, celebrate the grit of healthcare professionals, and look towards a healthier future for all Canadians. Thank you for being a part of our community.

Mark Holland Bio:

The Honourable Mark Holland was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Ajax in 2004, serving until 2011, and was re-elected in 2015, 2019, and 2021.

A lifelong resident of the Ajax-Pickering area, Minister Holland has served his community for over 20 years. Before entering federal politics, he was elected as a Durham Regional Councillor, serving from 1997 to 2004.

As a Member of Parliament, Minister Holland has served in many roles including as the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, and as Chief Government Whip. He has been a staunch advocate of marriage equality rights, and played a key role in helping to reform Canada’s animal cruelty laws.

In both public and private roles, Minister Holland has backed health-related initiatives, serving as Executive Director of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada’s Ontario Mission, as well as its National Director of Children and Youth.

As Minister of Health, Minister Holland has worked to sign bilateral health care funding agreements with provinces and territories to improve health care across the country, launched the Canadian Dental Care Plan that will help up to 9 million Canadians get the essential dental care they need, and recently has introduced pharmacare legislation that will provide universal access to contraception and diabetes medications.

Social Media Links:

• Mark Holland (@markhollandlib) • Instagram photos and videos
• https://x.com/markhollandlib?s=21

 

Thank You to Our Gritty Nurse Community

As we close this final chapter, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has been a part of The Gritty Nurse journey. To our loyal listeners, your unwavering support and engagement have fueled every episode. To our incredible friends, guests, and guest co-hosts, thank you for sharing your invaluable insights, stories, and expertise—you've enriched every conversation and truly made this podcast what it is. We also want to acknowledge the media for amplifying our voice and helping us reach a wider audience. And to everyone who has cheered us on, shared an episode, or simply been along for the ride, your belief in our mission has meant the world. It has been an honour and a privilege to connect with you all, and we are profoundly grateful for every moment of this incredible journey.

Sincerely, With GRIT and Gratitude

Amie & Sara

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This week on The Gritty Nurse Podcast, we're diving deep into a topic that's should not be considered revolutionary--but is fundamentally human and morally ethical: the idea that a safe, stable and affordable housing should be considered a prescription for health. Medicine is not just about pills and procedures – it is about examining and dealing with humans and their entire situations.

We discuss the profound impact of social medicine and how addressing the root causes of illness, like housing insecurity, can transform individual well-being and public health and improve healthcare outcomes overall. Joining us this week is Dr. Andrew Boozary, a leading voice in healthcare advocacy and social medicine. Dr. Boozary will unpack the compelling evidence linking housing to health outcomes, from chronic disease management to mental wellness. We'll explore innovative programs where housing is being integrated into healthcare solutions, and challenge the traditional boundaries of what it means to truly care for a patient.

Tune in as we discuss: The core principles of social medicine and why it's gaining traction in healthcare. The state of homelessness in our in the GTA and how current trends reflect broader issues. How homelessness is a profound health crisis,and the economic impact it has. The biggest challenges to achieving truly equitable housing for all. Why housing is fundamentally a human right, and what that truly means for policy and practice. Inspiring wins and success stories, like the impactful work of Dunn House, demonstrating what's possible when we prioritize housing. Practical actions the average person can take to support those who are unhoused in their communities.

Get ready for a thought-provoking conversation that will make you rethink the very definition of healthcare and the essential role of social determinants in fostering a healthier society.

More about Dr. Boozary

Dr. Andrew Boozary is a primary care physician, policy practitioner, researcher, and founding executive director of the Gattuso Centre for Social Medicine at the University Health Network. As the driving force behind Dunn House, Canada’s first social medicine housing initiative, he has been a leader in integrating health care and housing to address the social determinants of health. His work focuses on advancing health equity and improving outcomes for underserved populations.

Dr. Boozary completed his medical training at the University of Toronto and health policy training at Princeton and Harvard. He has served in senior advisory roles for policymakers at various levels of government, shaping public policy on primary care reform and pharmacare. He is also the founding Editor-in-Chief of the Harvard Public Health Review and holds the Dalla Lana Professorship in Policy Innovation at the University of Toronto. Recognized for his impact in health equity and social justice,

Dr. Boozary is a Clarkson Laureate for Public Service and the youngest physician to receive the Louise Lemieux-Charles Health System Leadership Award. In 2024, Toronto Life named him one of the city’s most influential people. His writing and analysis appear in high-impact academic journals and major media outlets, and he was the youngest Convocation speaker for the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto.

Order our Book, The Wisdom Of Nurses! Leave us a review on Amazon! https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/

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Five years have passed since the initial waves of the pandemic, yet the echoes of devastation resonate deeply within Canada's nursing workforce. Burnout remains rampant, exacerbated by chronic understaffing, unsafe patient-to-nurse ratios, and a shocking lack of basic protections against workplace violence. This Nursing Week, the usual calls for celebration ring hollow for many on the frontlines. Instead of accepting platitudes, this episode dives into the stark realities facing nurses across the country. We'll explore why "thank yous" are no longer enough and why this designated week must become a catalyst for meaningful change. Join us as we discuss how nurses, their allies, and the public can leverage Nursing Week as a powerful platform for activism, demanding safe staffing levels, enforceable patient ratios, and tangible measures to ensure the well-being and safety of those who dedicate their lives to caring for others. It's time to move beyond applause and demand the systemic changes our healthcare system – and our nurses – desperately need.

Order our Book, The Wisdom Of Nurses! Leave us a review on Amazon!

https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/ 

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In a world grappling with constant change and unprecedented challenges, the need for effective leadership has never been more critical. Whether it's navigating turbulent times in the workplace, steering through personal storms, or fostering resilience in our communities, strong leadership is the compass that guides us forward.

Join us for a vital conversation on "We Need Another Leader," where we delve into the essential qualities and actionable strategies for leading with impact during difficult times. This week, we're honoured to welcome Dr. Laura Desveaux, a seasoned leadership expert, to share her invaluable insights.

Laura brings a wealth of experience in empowering individuals and organizations to thrive amidst complexity. We'll explore how to cultivate crucial leadership skills such as clear communication, decisive action, empathetic support, and the ability to inspire hope when the path ahead seems uncertain. Discover practical tools and perspectives to help you step into your leadership potential, no matter your role, and make a positive difference in your workplace, your life, and your community. Are you ready to become the leader we need?

Guest Bio: Dr. Laura Desveaux is a highly respected leadership coach, consultant, and facilitator with over 20 years of experience helping individuals and organizations unlock their leadership potential. Holding a PhD and the prestigious CPCC (Certified Professional Co-Active Coach) and ACC (Associate Certified Coach) credentials from the International Coaching Federation, Laura brings a deep understanding of human behavior and effective leadership principles. Her work focuses on fostering authentic leadership, building high-performing teams, and navigating change with resilience and clarity. Laura is passionate about empowering others to lead with courage, empathy, and a commitment to creating positive impact in the world.

Laura is a senior leader in the healthcare sector. Her career focuses on closing the gap between current performance and what science and experience tell us is possible. She realizes this passion through her current role at Trillium Health Partners, where she helps scientists, clinicians, and professionals identify and unlock their potential. As a Scientist, her work tackles healthcare’s most persistent problems. Her team works to understand what makes initiatives successful and how to scale them. This includes examining the drivers behind what people do, how and why things work, and the conditions that lead to success (and failure). This approach provides insights into what works best, for whom, and in what circumstances and helps inform how to effect change at both individual and system levels. She holds cross-appointments at the University of Toronto and Women's College Hospital.

In 2018 Laura founded Women Who Lead- a non-profit network that provides programming to support career advancement and leadership development for emerging and established women leaders. It equips women with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed. Most importantly, it is a platform for partnership and inspiration that elevates and amplifies the contributions of women and the broader community. Visit the Women Who Lead website here. Laura is an award-winning Scientist with focused post-graduate training in behavioural science. She obtained both her PhD and her Masters in Physical Therapy from the University of Toronto.

 https://lauradesveaux.com

Order our Book, The Wisdom Of Nurses! Leave us a review on Amazon!

https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/ https://www.grittynurse.com/

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