Shauna sits down with Jeff Cox, Co-Founder of Simply Benefits, for an insightful dive into Canada’s health care system and the ‘benefits’ available. Jeff uncovers what’s really behind the benefits we rely on—and who they’re truly designed to serve. 

Jeff breaks down the essentials, beginning with how Canada’s universal health care system operates, where private funding fits in, and the crucial role employer-provided benefits play. You’ll gain clarity on the process behind drug premiums, how MSP premiums are structured, and how drug coverage really works. Jeff also shares why employers are so invested in keeping their employees healthy and how this impacts the benefits packages they offer. Tune in for a fresh perspective on navigating health care funding in Canada, with insights that will empower YOU to make the most of your benefits. 

Bonus content: If you’re looking for a list of resources from industry-leading sources for Canadian group employee benefits & health insurance, HR, and corporate health & wellness information visit  www.simplybenefits.ca/en-ca/industry-information 

In this episode of the (w)healthy podcast, we ask a question that stirs much debate: Does sugar cause cancer? Registered dietitian and intuitive eating advocate Erin Wile unpacks the myths surrounding sugar, exposes the pitfalls of fad diets, and explains how media messaging can mislead us about what truly supports our health. Erin discusses the power of food to nourish without restriction, sharing her expertise on how we can tune into our bodies’ natural cues rather than succumbing to the latest fads. 

As a strong advocate for intuitive eating, Erin emphasizes how we can approach food in a way that’s both joyful and beneficial for our overall well-being. She also talks about Inspire Health, an organization she is part of, that supports cancer patients with compassionate, science-backed guidance and support. Tune in for an enlightening conversation that cuts through the noise of diet culture, offering clarity, empowerment, and a path toward truly supportive food choices. 

Bonus content: Curious about Inspire Health and what they can offer on your cancer journey? Check them out here -> https://inspirehealth.ca/ 

As a nurse, she was tired of waiting for change for Indigenous patients, but now she’s transforming care for equity-seeking communities, including newcomers to Canada, Indigenous peoples, and soon, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. In this episode of (w)healthy, we connect with Renée Gauthier, Executive Director of the Rutland Community Clinic.  

Discover how the new clinic is revolutionizing access to holistic health care for underserved populations with a special focus on empowering women's health and supporting youth mental health. We delve into the importance of multiculturalism in the workplace, the power of feedback loops, and the need to build meaningful relationships with local Indigenous communities.  

Join us to hear one woman's journey from caregiver burnout to leading a community-driven initiative that’s reshaping the way care is delivered! 

Learn more about the Rutland Community Clinic at www.rutlandcommunityclinic.ca. 

In a time where contradictory advice and type 2 diabetes are on the rise, Registered Dietician Kristy Hodgins shares some effective and sustainable dietary changes to help you fuel your body to feel your very best. In this episode of (w)healthy, we explore fad diets, sustainable lifestyle changes for weight loss, and how nutrition impacts your long-term health.  

Hear from the Wellness Dietician herself on what makes a poor diet, how you can regulate your insulin levels, and how your nutrition needs change throughout your lifespan. Tune in to hear how our diet impacts our overall wellbeing. 

View Kristy’s website at www.thewellnessdietitian.ca. 

In this not to be missed episode of (w)healthy, James brings vulnerability to the table and shares his personal experience in a mental institution, battles with addiction, bi-polar condition, and dark periods. We sit down for a real, honest, and inspiring conversation with Men’s Mental Health Advocate James Addington.

Hear how he’s fostering a culture of mental wellness in his businesses, how he’s challenging gender norms, how he’s sparking much needed conversations around mental health, and what strategies he uses to feel his very best mentally. From happiness and ice cream to suicide, we delve deep into the high and lows of being human.

Read James full think piece Modern Man: A feminine man in a masculine world at www.jacexperiences.com/the-modern-man/Blog%20Post%20Title%20One-gh5tc.

He’s not your stereotypical heart patient, he’s an active, young, and healthy physiotherapist who eats well and is married to a dietician. Still, he experienced a major cardiac event after a mountain bike ride when he was just 40 years old.

In this episode of (w)healthy, we sit down with Dan Colbeck to hear what it felt like and the events that led up to the heart surgery at KGH that saved his life. We explore prevention, the importance of screening, cholesterol types, what makes a healthy community, and how genetic heart disease effects families. This insightful episode is key for anyone wanting to learn more about improving their heart health and overall wellbeing.   

Read more about Dan Colbeck’s story and SAVE BC at www.kghfoundation.com/matters-of-the-heart. 

Ageing is inevitable, but there are ways to combat cognitive decline at any age. In this episode of (w)healthy, we hear from Dr. Daryl Wile, Neurologist, and founder of the Humphreys Family Movement Disorder Clinic. From understanding the complexities of Parkinson’s disease to exploring the effects of brain fog, smartphone use, and the critical roles of sleep and stress, Dr. Wile provides valuable insights and tips to maintain cognitive vitality. Tune in for a deep dive into the science of neurodegenerative disorders and discover strategies to help your brain thrive. 

Dr. Wile is determined to create a system of care for those with Parkinson’s and movement disorders in the Interior of BC. His innovative work has helped establish Kelowna as a centre for excellence in brain health, and recently inspired a $1 million donation to Kelowna’s Movement Disorder Clinic. Hear from the Doctor working to grow neurology services in the BC Interior. 

Learn more about local exercise and activities, support groups, resources, and more at www.okmove.ca/resources.  

Learn more about Kelowna’s Humphreys Family Movement Disorder Clinic at www.okmove.ca.

Your mother’s menopause doesn't have to be your menopause. Women will spend decades in perimenopause and menopause, but the research and conversation surrounding these topics is minimal. Jenn Pike, a leading expert in holistic health and advocate for women’s wellness, is determined to change this. 

In this episode, Jenn Pike shares her knowledge as a Functional Diagnostic Nutritionist, Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Certified Yoga & Pilates Instructor, Medical Exercise Specialist, and best-selling author. Learn simple science-based strategies to help women optimize their health so they can navigate this window of time with grace and optimal health. We dive into the importance of holistic health, weight loss myths, and the importance of listening to your body. 

Visit Jenn Pike’s website focused on women’s health and hormones at www.jennpike.com.  

You can also listen to her podcast ‘The Simplicity Sessions’ to learn more about how women can optimize their health, hormones and more. 

‘It’s not the mountain we conquer, it’s ourselves.’ In this episode of (w)healthy, Emergency Room Physician Dr. Neil Long shares his inspiring take on failure and tackling wicked problems in health care. We explore the importance of innovation and partnerships, his ideas for managing the burnout crisis, and how he fell into becoming a doctor. From conquering Everest, to planting the seeds to bring the second cadaver lab in Canada here to Kelowna, we sit down with the doctor who’s challenging the status quo.

Learn more about Kelowna’s Body Donor Lab at www.kghfoundation.com/health-systems-innovation/