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In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast, Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken sit down with Ottawa radio personality Stuntman Stu to explore identity, resilience, and life after unexpected change.

For more than two decades, Stuntman Stu built a broadcasting career that began with a childhood dream. He reflects on how traits once labelled as disruptive, including undiagnosed ADHD, became strengths behind the microphone and helped shape his presence on Ottawa airwaves.

The conversation shifts as he shares his experience facing leukemia twice and surviving a heart attack. He speaks openly about how radiation treatment affected his cognitive abilities and changed what he was able to do professionally. When the work that once defined him was no longer sustainable, he was forced to confront a profound loss of identity and rethink what purpose could look like.

Through honesty and humour, Stuntman Stu describes how he has adapted, building a new chapter as a spokesperson for local businesses while adjusting to new limits. He also reflects on marriage, fatherhood, and supporting children through mental health challenges, offering insight into how illness reshapes priorities and deepens perspective.

This episode is a grounded conversation about reinvention, acceptance, and the ongoing process of redefining oneself after health challenges. Together, Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken create space for a thoughtful discussion about resilience, identity, and discovering meaning in unexpected places. 

Connect With Stuntman Stu

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The MindSpa Podcast

Thoughtful conversations about mental health, relationships, identity, healing, grounded in clinical expertise and steady human insight.

Hosts

Tina Wilston, M.Ed., Registered Psychotherapist 

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

Michelle Massunken, MSW, RSW

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

MindSpa Mental Health Centre

Ottawa - Kanata & Gloucester

themindspa.ca

LinkedIn, instagram

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In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast, Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken explore two common misconceptions about stress and mental health that can quietly shape how we see ourselves.

The first centres on stress. Is it always harmful, or can it sometimes support performance and growth? Through the lens of the Yerkes–Dodson law, they reflect on how moderate levels of stress can enhance focus and motivation, while chronic, unrelenting stress can gradually erode wellbeing. They unpack the difference between acute stress and chronic stress, and why understanding that distinction can help explain why small triggers sometimes lead to outsized reactions.

The conversation then turns toward practical ways of recontextualizing stress responses. Drawing from personal experience, they discuss how movement and physical activity can shift how the brain interprets sensations like a racing heart, helping transform overwhelm into something more manageable.

The second myth they examine is the belief that struggling with mental health prevents success. They consider how mental health challenges, when understood and supported, can foster resilience, creativity, empathy, and deeper human connection.

This episode offers a grounded, reflective framework for working with stress rather than fighting against it, inviting listeners to reconsider long-held assumptions and approach their own mental health with greater curiosity and self-compassion.

The MindSpa Podcast

Thoughtful conversations about mental health, relationships, identity, healing, grounded in clinical expertise and steady human insight.

Hosts

Tina Wilston, M.Ed., Registered Psychotherapist 

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

Michelle Massunken, MSW, RSW

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

MindSpa Mental Health Centre

Ottawa - Kanata & Gloucester

themindspa.ca

LinkedIn, instagram

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What happens when well-intentioned diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts unintentionally create more division?

In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast, Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken sit down with Jenny Chen, CEO of Catalais Consulting, to explore a different way of thinking about inclusion in the workplace. Drawing on her experience in the finance industry and as a parent who witnessed her daughter face exclusion, Jenny Chen challenges leaders to rethink how they approach diversity conversations.

Her perspective is not about implementing more DEI programs. Instead, she speaks about “un DEI ing” organizations by addressing the root causes of exclusion. At the heart of racism, sexism, ageism, and other forms of marginalization, she asks a simple but powerful question: are people respected? Do they feel seen, heard and valued?

Together, Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken explore how many challenges labelled as diversity issues are often infrastructure and talent management concerns. When organizations focus on respect and individual potential rather than identity categories, inclusion becomes embedded in everyday leadership practices rather than treated as a separate initiative.

The conversation also highlights what Jenny Chen refers to as the Taylor Swift effect. When the NFL gained an estimated two billion dollars from new Swiftie viewers despite some fans’ resistance, it revealed how a zero-sum mindset can shape reactions to change. The belief that welcoming new audiences or perspectives somehow diminishes existing ones mirrors the resistance many workplaces experience around inclusion.

By reframing inclusion as a matter of human respect and organizational design, Jenny Chen offers a steady and grounded approach that supports innovation, well-being and sustainable growth.

This episode offers a thoughtful discussion on leadership, belonging and what it truly means to see people as individuals.

Guest

Jenny Chen, CEO of Catalais Consulting

Connect with Jenny Chen:

Website  | Facebook | LinkedIn | Podcast |

The MindSpa Podcast

Thoughtful conversations about mental health, relationships, identity, healing, grounded in clinical expertise and steady human insight.

Hosts

Tina Wilston, M.Ed., Registered Psychotherapist 

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

Michelle Massunken, MSW, RSW

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

MindSpa Mental Health Centre

Ottawa - Kanata & Gloucester

themindspa.ca

LinkedIn, instagram

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In this episode, Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken explore the complexity of setting boundaries across family, workplace, and personal situations. Through four ethical dilemmas, the conversation highlights how difficult it can be to balance personal needs with relational responsibility.

The discussion begins with a scenario involving recovery from disordered eating and the challenge of asking family members to avoid weight-focused conversations. This opens a broader reflection on how generational attitudes toward food and body image shape emotional development, and how boundary-setting can interrupt harmful cycles.

The episode also examines professional boundaries within therapeutic relationships, exploring why ethical guidelines exist and how blurred roles can create discomfort and power imbalances.

Workplace dynamics are considered through a situation involving mental health days and their impact on colleagues, raising questions about individual responsibility and collective wellbeing. The conversation emphasizes how personal choices can influence team functioning and morale.

Finally, a post-breakup scenario involving shared pet custody illustrates how emotional intensity can narrow perspective and limit problem-solving. Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken discuss how regulated conversations support clearer thinking and more balanced decision-making.

Throughout the episode, the focus remains on thoughtful boundary-setting that supports both personal wellbeing and relational integrity.

Email: [email protected]

The MindSpa Podcast

Thoughtful conversations about mental health, relationships, identity, healing, grounded in clinical expertise and steady human insight.

Hosts

Tina Wilston, M.Ed., Registered Psychotherapist 

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

Michelle Massunken, MSW, RSW

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

MindSpa Mental Health Centre

Ottawa - Kanata & Gloucester

themindspa.ca

LinkedIn, instagram

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In this episode, Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken explore the complexity of setting boundaries while maintaining connection. Many people question whether they are being unreasonable when they speak up about their needs. This conversation examines how to differentiate between healthy assertiveness and reactive behaviour.

Through real-life relationship dilemmas, Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken discuss situations that often leave people feeling conflicted, including navigating concerns about a partner’s sobriety, managing shared living challenges, and responding to emotionally heavy conversations that begin to affect one’s own wellbeing.

The episode takes a closer look at family systems and the common misunderstanding that closeness requires a lack of boundaries. In reality, respect for boundaries often creates greater emotional safety and trust. When boundaries are honoured, connection can deepen rather than diminish.

Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken also explore the difference between protecting someone from discomfort and supporting them through growth. They discuss how to approach difficult conversations with steadiness, clarity, and compassion, particularly when emotions run high.

This episode offers thoughtful reflection on the cost of suppressing personal needs, the role of accountability in relationships, and how to assess whether a boundary is grounded in self-respect rather than control.

The MindSpa Podcast

Thoughtful conversations about mental health, relationships, identity, healing, grounded in clinical expertise and steady human insight.

Hosts

Tina Wilston, M.Ed., Registered Psychotherapist 

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

Michelle Massunken, MSW, RSW

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

MindSpa Mental Health Centre

Ottawa - Kanata & Gloucester

themindspa.ca

LinkedIn, instagram

Listen on

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The most persistent critic many of us face is not outside of us, it is the voice inside our own mind. In this episode, Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken explore how negative self-talk develops, why it can feel so automatic, and how self-compassion can be practised in a grounded and realistic way.

The conversation examines how early experiences of criticism can become internalized over time, shaping the way we interpret mistakes, relationships, and even our sense of worth. Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken reflect on the common paradox of offering patience and encouragement to others while holding ourselves to far harsher standards.

They also explore how negative thought patterns can function as protective mechanisms. When we believe we are inadequate or unlovable, we may begin to filter experiences in ways that reinforce those beliefs. Understanding this pattern helps us step back from automatic thoughts and respond more intentionally.

Throughout the episode, Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken discuss practical approaches to building self-compassion, including the “best friend” lens, shifting how we respond to mistakes, and learning to ask, “How can I grow from this?” rather than defining ourselves by perceived failure.

This episode reminds listeners that change does not come from one breakthrough moment, but from steady practice. Even gently challenging one critical thought each day can begin to reshape our inner dialogue and support long-term emotional wellbeing.

The MindSpa Podcast

Thoughtful conversations about mental health, relationships, identity, healing, grounded in clinical expertise and steady human insight.

Hosts

Tina Wilston, M.Ed., Registered Psychotherapist 

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

Michelle Massunken, MSW, RSW

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

MindSpa Mental Health Centre

Ottawa - Kanata & Gloucester

themindspa.ca

LinkedIn, instagram

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ADHD is often misunderstood as simply distraction or restlessness. In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast, Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken sit down with therapist Alanna George to explore the deeper neurobiological foundations of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Alanna explains ADHD as a genetic, neurodevelopmental condition with distinct patterns of brain activation and regulation. One metaphor she shares, comparing ADHD to “driving a Ferrari with bicycle brakes”, helps illustrate the paradox many people experience: strong processing speed, creativity, and intensity paired with difficulty initiating, stopping, or shifting tasks.

The conversation explores how ADHD presents differently across the lifespan. While often identified in childhood, adult ADHD can go unrecognized for years, particularly in women who have developed sophisticated coping strategies. Tina, Michelle, and Alanna discuss how historical diagnostic patterns have contributed to missed identification and how increased awareness is changing that landscape.

Rather than offering quick fixes, the episode outlines what supportive care can look like. Effective treatment often involves a combination of approaches, including medication, therapy, movement, and environmental structure. In many cases, more structure, not less, s helpful: clear expectations, regular check-ins, task breakdowns, and collaborative work strategies such as “body doubling.”

The discussion also touches on relationships. When ADHD is understood as a neurological condition rather than a character flaw, frustration can shift toward compassion. Self-care becomes foundational to regulation and long-term wellbeing.

To learn more about Alanna George and her work at MindSpa Mental Health, visit:

https://themindspa.ca/team-member/alanna-george/

The MindSpa Podcast

Thoughtful conversations about mental health, relationships, identity, healing, grounded in clinical expertise and steady human insight.

Hosts

Tina Wilston, M.Ed., Registered Psychotherapist 

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

Michelle Massunken, MSW, RSW

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

MindSpa Mental Health Centre

Ottawa - Kanata & Gloucester

themindspa.ca

LinkedIn, instagram

Listen on

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Building a business often demands long hours, constant energy, and the ability to push through exhaustion. But what happens when your body simply cannot keep up with those expectations?

In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast, Tina Wilston speaks with Michelle Weger, founder and CEO of Venture Creative Collective, about building a successful company while living with narcolepsy.

Michelle Weger shares the unexpected path that led her to entrepreneurship after years of unexplained fatigue made traditional employment difficult to sustain. After receiving a diagnosis of narcolepsy, she began rethinking how work could function differently. Rather than forcing herself into systems that did not support her health, she created a business model that works with her natural energy patterns.

Tina Wilston and Michelle Weger discuss the realities of living with narcolepsy, the challenges of navigating a long diagnostic journey, and how chronic health conditions can reshape identity, career decisions, and expectations around productivity.

The conversation also explores how Michelle Weger applied personal energy management to the way her Ottawa-based agency operates. At Venture Creative Collective, flexibility, thoughtful boundaries, and efficient systems are built into the company’s structure, supporting both creativity and sustainability in the workplace.

This episode offers a grounded conversation about chronic illness, entrepreneurship, and redefining success in ways that respect both ambition and wellbeing.

Guest Bio

Michelle Weger is the founder and CEO of Venture Creative Collective, a digital agency based in Ottawa specializing in streamlined website design and brand development. She is also the author of Don’t Snooze on Your Dreams, where she shares her experience building a business while living with narcolepsy. Michelle Weger speaks internationally about entrepreneurship, productivity, and creating sustainable work practices for people living with chronic conditions.

Connect With Michelle Weger

Website | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

The MindSpa Podcast

Thoughtful conversations about mental health, relationships, identity, healing, grounded in clinical expertise and steady human insight.

Hosts

Tina Wilston, M.Ed., Registered Psychotherapist 

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

Michelle Massunken, MSW, RSW

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

MindSpa Mental Health Centre

Ottawa - Kanata & Gloucester

themindspa.ca

LinkedIn, instagram

Listen on

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Send us Fan Mail

Truth has never been more accessible—or more elusive. In this revealing exploration of misinformation and disinformation, we unpack how the content flooding our feeds affects more than just our beliefs—it's transforming our mental health, relationships, and communities.

The distinction is crucial: misinformation spreads without malicious intent (like your well-meaning relative forwarding questionable health advice), while disinformation deliberately misleads to achieve specific goals. Most troubling are conspiracy theories, specifically engineered to provoke fear when we're most vulnerable to manipulation.

Our conversation travels through the COVID-19 pandemic's information landscape, where shifting guidelines around masking created perfect conditions for division. We examine how these information disorders fracture relationships—conversations between loved ones become battlegrounds when algorithms have already separated us into opposing realities.

When are we most susceptible? Fear and vulnerability open the door to misinformation, but surprisingly, positive emotions like excitement can make us just as likely to share unverified content. We confess our own misinformation mishaps and share practical strategies for protecting your mental wellbeing: diversify information sources, scrutinize language choices, consider who benefits from a narrative's spread, and recognize your vulnerable moments.

The episode concludes with a thoughtful exploration of burnout versus everyday stress, highlighting that information overload itself contributes to our collective exhaustion. How do you distinguish genuine burnout from just having a tough morning? The answer might surprise you.

What information shapes your reality? How might your media consumption be affecting your relationships and mental health? Join us for this essential conversation about navigating truth in divided times.

The MindSpa Podcast

Thoughtful conversations about mental health, relationships, identity, healing, grounded in clinical expertise and steady human insight.

Hosts

Tina Wilston, M.Ed., Registered Psychotherapist 

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

Michelle Massunken, MSW, RSW

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

MindSpa Mental Health Centre

Ottawa - Kanata & Gloucester

themindspa.ca

LinkedIn, instagram

Listen on

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Perimenopause can bring unexpected changes to the body, emotions, and sense of identity. For many women, these shifts can feel confusing, isolating, and difficult to discuss openly.

In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast, hosts Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken speak with Victoria L, a midlife strategist and author, about the often misunderstood experience of perimenopause and the identity shifts that can accompany it.

Victoria shares her personal journey of experiencing symptoms beginning in her early thirties and the challenges she faced when many of those symptoms were dismissed or misunderstood within the healthcare system. Her experience led her to explore ways women can better understand the physical, emotional, and psychological changes that can occur during this stage of life.

The conversation expands beyond commonly discussed symptoms to include the wide range of experiences women report during perimenopause. Tina, Michelle, and Victoria also discuss how stigma and silence around menopause can leave many women feeling unsupported or unsure where to turn for information.

The episode also explores the emotional and relational aspects of midlife transitions. Victoria reflects on how identity, confidence, and self-perception can shift during this period, and why reconnecting with personal values and small sources of joy can help support wellbeing.

Together, Tina Wilston, Michelle Massunken, and Victoria L discuss how greater awareness, supportive relationships, and open conversations can help women navigate perimenopause with more understanding and less isolation.

About the Guest

Victoria L is a holistic midlife strategist, international bestselling author, and host of the Chaos, Clarity, and Confidence: Finding YOU Again podcast. Through her work, she supports women navigating the physical and emotional transitions of midlife, including perimenopause, burnout, and identity shifts. Her approach focuses on helping women reconnect with themselves while navigating this stage of life.

The MindSpa Podcast

Thoughtful conversations about mental health, relationships, identity, healing, grounded in clinical expertise and steady human insight.

Hosts

Tina Wilston, M.Ed., Registered Psychotherapist 

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

Michelle Massunken, MSW, RSW

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

MindSpa Mental Health Centre

Ottawa - Kanata & Gloucester

themindspa.ca

LinkedIn, instagram

Listen on

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube