Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 141
Date: October 8, 2024

Participants: John Webster, Riley Thompson and Cameron Earnshaw
Guest: Tova Davidson

Start Times and Segments:

[0:00:35] What’s On Your Mind: We found a nice Mental Health Commission of Canada social media post with a mental health check-in prompts.

[0:9:49] Focus on Facets: John introduces the category of Environmental Wellness as part of our 8-week Focus on Facets program.

[0:11:49] Expanding Minds Interview: [Environmental Wellness] Tova Davidson talks to us about the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals – a set of goals that each person and organization must move forward to have a just, clean and prosperous future on this planet.

See the U.N. 17 SDGs: Click Here

[0:29:08] Running Popup: Some guests thank us for getting their word out. We give thank yous right back at them, for helping us learn and understand wellness concepts.

[0:30:54] Adventures of the Starving Artist: Cameron had short notice to take a shot at a cruise gig. He learned much in the process.

Guest Information: Tova leads Sustainable Waterloo Region by developing its strategic direction, supporting team members and building key relationships throughout Waterloo region. She brings her experience in public relations and communications to creatively approach sustainability opportunities. Paired with her business background she collaborates with organizations in Waterloo Region to drive change locally and provincially to help our environment. Tova was selected by The Guelph Mercury for Top 40 Under 40, and was the recipient of the Mayor’s Award of Excellence. She leads by example while inspiring others to do the same.

Tova’s Twitter @tova_sustygal [https://twitter.com/tova_sustygal]
Sustainable Waterloo Region Website: https://www.sustainablewaterlooregion.ca

Connect with Let’s Be Well Together Podcast:
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Thanks for joining us,
(-(-_(-_-)_-)-) Your wellness check-in team
John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila, Elise, Isabelle, Noura, Julie and Riley

Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 140
Date: October 1, 2024

Participants: John Webster and Isabelle Sinclair
Guest: Karen Redman (Move That Body) and Shirley Madill (Interview)

Start Times and Segments:

[0:00:16] What’s On Your Mind: John asks Isabelle whether each year of university feels different. She shares her experiences about changes and getting to a different place.

[0:11:15] Focus on Facets: John introduces the categories of Mental Wellness (our interview last week) and Artistic Wellness (our interview this week).

[0:15:25] Expanding Minds Interview: [Artistic Wellness] Shirley Madill, Executive Director of the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery discusses art as a rich source of wellness. What’s the impact of removing art from a community? What are the benefits of art in general, and art programs that help seniors, youth (including at risk youth), people with Alzheimers or autism?

[0:31:15] Move That Body: Karen Redman enjoys working out at home, with a mix of aerobics, weights and stretching. She also enjoys Zumba classes.

Guest Information: In addition to being Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery’s Executive Director, Shirley Madill held previous positions in other art museums in other Canadian cities – Winnipeg, Hamilton, Victoria and St. Catharines. She was past-president of the Board of Galleries Ontario, and Past-President of the Canadian Art Museum Directors Organization. She’s currently Vice-President of the Board of ArtsBuild, Ontario. Her publication record is extensive. She's presented papers on photography, performance art, women’s art issues, and First Nations art across Canada and the United States. Her curatorial work included numerous exhibitions. She’s taught courses in 20th Century Canadian and Modern Art, History of Photography and other topics. Her awards include the Ontario Association of Architects award for the Future Cities exhibition in Hamilton, Ontario during her tenure at the Art Gallery of Hamilton showing her interest in the role an art gallery can play in the development of a creative community.

Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery website: https://kwag.ca

Connect with Let’s Be Well Together Podcast:
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Follow our Instagram account: @lets.be.well.together use hashtag #letsbewelltogetherpodcast
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Thanks for joining us,
(-(-_(-_-)_-)-) Your wellness check-in team
John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila, Elise, Isabelle, Noura, Julie and Riley

Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 139
Date: September 24, 2024

Participants: Sheila Webster, John Webster and Elise Seifert
Guest: Cheryl Rickers and Beth Beattie

Start Times and Segments:

[0:00:16] What’s On Your Mind: Cheryl and Sheila have conversations flowing from segments in our July episodes.

[0:11:42] Flipside of the Coin: We introduce our 8-week project we’re calling Focus on Facets. Talking through which episodes to play during our 8-week project, which starts today.

[0:31:26] Expanding Minds Interview: [Focus on Facets 1: Mental Wellness] We interview lawyer Beth Beattie. Her story of living and working with bipolar disease is well publicized. She revealed her bipolar disorder at work after keeping it secret for 14 years. She’s been a mentor to law students and junior lawyer on how to foster their own mental health. She works to eliminate stigma associated with lawyers who face mental health issues. It’s so important for business leaders to publicly disclose their mental illnesses. Beth is one of the brave leaders willing to do so.

Guest Information: Beth is Senior Counsel at the Ministry of the Attorney General Civil Law Division, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Long-Term Care Branch. She has a broad litigation practice. Beth Beattie “came out of the mental illness closet,” as she puts it, after 14 years of working as a lawyer with bipolar disorder. Her story has been broadly featured on television, newspaper and other media. Beth has made presentations to thousands of people, including professionals and the public at large. Beth works hard and volunteers much time to help improve the lives of those living with mental illness as well those who care for them.

Connect with Let’s Be Well Together Podcast:
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Follow our Instagram account: @lets.be.well.together use hashtag #letsbewelltogetherpodcast
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Thanks for joining us,
(-(-_(-_-)_-)-) Your wellness check-in team
John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila, Elise, Isabelle, Noura, Julie and Riley

Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 138
Date: September 17, 2024

Participants: John Webster, Noura Saad and Cameron Earnshaw
Guest: Ron Flanagan

Start Times and Segments:

[0:00:35] What’s On Your Mind: Noura read about a challenge to do 75 hard things. We talk about our experiences where doing hard things, in the physical challenge sense, made a positive impact in our lives.

[0:12:25] Expanding Minds Interview: Ben Flanagan spoke to us on Episode 108 about his dream to run in the Olympics. Today we speak with his dad, Ron Flanagan, about what it felt like to see a child live out that dream. Ron and Ben’s mom, Michelle, booked flights and accommodations in Paris well before Ben qualified. More than 20 people would join them in Paris. All they could do was hope, support and cheer, waiting months to find out whether he qualified. Ben hit the Olympic standard on January 26, but had to keep racing. He got the official nod in late July, shortly before the Olympics began. The venue was stunning. The energy and excitement were high. Seeing Ben run is a memory that will be etched into Ron’s heart for a very long time. To use the word “proud” is an understatement. Like every parent, you want what’s best for your children. You know what their dreams and aspirations are. Ben’s supporters knew how long he wanted this, and how long he tried to get there and the obstacles he faced. For Ben to finally realize that, it warms your heart. It was humbling to see the support of so many people. It was a great moment for sure.

[0:32:46] Running Popup [0:35:59] Podcast discussions keep helping John to improve and refine an approach to wellness and balance. Recent examples include the role of compartmentalizing and mental toughness / Adventures of the Starving Artist: Cameron had and fast session musician experience with Perry & the Wobbly Pops.

Guest Information: Ron Flanagan is Sheila’s brother [our co-host Sheila]. He’s an elementary school teacher. He announced his retirement a few years ago, but when I ask what he’s up to he tells me about work. He’s kept a toe in the water at work. Ron and his wife Michelle have three adult children, who are all married. They have four beautiful grandchildren and one on the way. They were made to be grandparents! It’s a tightknit family who love spending time together.

Connect with Let’s Be Well Together Podcast:
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Thanks for joining us,
(-(-_(-_-)_-)-) Your wellness check-in team
John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila, Elise, Isabelle, Noura, Julie and Riley

Let’s Be Well Together Podcast – Episode 137
Date: September 10, 2024

Participants: Elise Seifert, Julie Wilson, John Webster and Sheila Webster
Guest: Karen Redman

Start Times and Segments:

[0:00:16] What’s On Your Mind: Elise learned ways to conserve water in the home while staying in Jordan for six months on an archeological dig. We talk about some, e.g., turning the shower water off while we lather up.

[0:09:32] Expanding Minds Interview: [Balance] Regional Chair Karen Redman often says there is no work-life balance. John doesn’t agree. He sees work-life balance as possible, especially if thinking about it over the course of a lifetime. After discussion, they arrive at a similar place. There’s no formula or combination of activities to perform week after week that makes it all fine. You need to be intentional about it and there are days when things just don’t go right. When Karen says there’s no work-life balance, it’s not flipping a switch or checking a box. You need to be intentional about it. For example, I can examine what in my life makes me feel better, so that spilling the milk or having the car run out of gas isn’t as devastating as it might otherwise be. It’s a process and a journey, as opposed to getting it right.

[0:27:17] Move That Body: a pedestrian’s perspective on how some drivers make them feel like pylons – what it feels like when car’s encroach on us. A friendly request to drivers to treat walkers, runners, bikers, etc. like people, not like pylons.

Guest Information: Karen Redman is Regional Chair of the Waterloo Region, which is a busy and thriving Region. She’s represented Kitchener on the board of education, municipal government and in Canada's Parliament for 20 years. She’s committed to making a personal contribution to a better quality of life for her family, her community and Canada as a whole. She has a Master's degree in Political Science, as well as an Honours Bachelor's degree in English. She’s the recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal. She’s married to Warren. They have 4 adult children and they love spending time with their Westy named Roxy.

Connect with Let’s Be Well Together Podcast:
website: https://letsbewelltogether.com
Follow our Instagram account: @lets.be.well.together use hashtag #letsbewelltogetherpodcast
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Thanks for joining us,
(-(-_(-_-)_-)-) Your wellness check-in team
John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila, Elise, Isabelle, Noura, Julie and Riley

Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 136
Date: September 3, 2024

Participants: Sheila Webster, Riley Thompson and John Webster
Guest: Karen Redman

Start Times and Segments:

[0:00:16] What’s On Your Mind: Sheila and Riley both travelled to Prague, and both loved the city. They reminisce and exchange stories about their experiences.

[0:12:54] Expanding Minds Interview: [Spiritual Wellness] Karen Redman is Regional Chair of Waterloo Region. Spiritual beliefs are important to her. Karen was raised in the Christian tradition. She has always felt that her religion is deeply personal. She meets people with different backgrounds and beliefs. Being an elected representative, she has become familiar with other faith traditions. There’s so much that unites us. There’s so much commonality between different religions. People want to be good to each other. They want to practice their faith and allow space for other people too. Karen wishes, especially post-pandemic, that we would all give other people the benefit of the doubt. We are in an inflationary period. People are worried about their jobs, their finances and their families. It helps to give people the benefit of the doubt, whether you agree or disagree with them. Her hope is that we are a bit more generous with people when we’re talking about topics, rather than seeing everything as black and white.

[0:29:26] Flipside of the Coin: Sheila was inspired by an article about four reasons why couples should travel together. They are happier in their relationships. Women are less stressed. Many couples have more “love” in one week than in eight weeks when not travelling. Almost all who travel regularly feel closer in their relationship.

Guest Information: Karen Redman is Regional Chair of the Waterloo Region, which is a busy and thriving Region. She’s represented Kitchener on the board of education, municipal government and in Canada's Parliament for 20 years. She’s committed to making a personal contribution to a better quality of life for her family, her community and Canada as a whole. She has a Master's degree in Political Science, as well as an Honours Bachelor's degree in English. She’s the recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal. She’s married to Warren. They have 4 adult children and they love spending time with their Westy named Roxy.

Connect with Let’s Be Well Together Podcast:
website: https://letsbewelltogether.com
Follow our Instagram account: @lets.be.well.together use hashtag #letsbewelltogetherpodcast
Provide input on Instagram using hashtag #letsbewelltogetherinput

Thanks for joining us,
(-(-_(-_-)_-)-) Your wellness check-in team
John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila, Elise, Isabelle, Noura, Julie and Riley

Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 135
Date: August 27, 2024

Participants: Sheila Wester, John Webster and Cameron
Guest: Cheryl Rickers (What’s on Your Mind) and Dr. A. Wade Wilson (Interview)

Start Times and Segments:

[0:00:16] What’s On Your Mind: Sheila and Cheryl connect for a month in review for June – Episodes 123 to 126.

[0:14:22] Expanding Minds Interview: [Mental Wellness] We interview Dr. A. Wade Wilson. It's an exciting time in the field of mental performance. There are now Certified Mental Performance Consultants, who receive their designation through associations such as the Canadian Sport Psychology Association. We’re all faced with the three C’s – comparison, criticism and complaining. We all do the these to ourselves, especially comparison and how it plays into our fear of failure. Mental performance refers to engaging our cognitive abilities and skills, which impact how we think, feel and perform in the sports or competitive performance context. The field looks to apply these techniques and skills to enhance our cognitive abilities to improve our probability of success. Examples of practical strategies include self-talk strategies, reframing to find positives in learning situations, managing our energy, breathing techniques, psyching ourselves up, pre-game and pre-performance routines and imagery visualization. Wade suggests that we think of it like a pyramid. Process is the first level. Performance is the next. Outcome is the very small thing at the top. The things we do in our process give us a higher probability of achieving our performance, which in turn gives us a higher probability of achieving the desired outcome. 3. – Running Popup: John found a blurb about the origin of his last name. Starving Artist: Imagine Cameron’s surprise and amusement when he found a piano with the name “The Cameron” while waiting in a green room to perform. Can you guess whether he played The Cameron?

[0:32:00] Running Popup: John found a blurb about the origin of his last name.

[0:33:30] Adventures of the Starving Artist: Imagine Cameron’s surprise and amusement when he found a piano with the name “The Cameron” while waiting in a green room to perform. Can you guess whether he played The Cameron?

Guest Information: Dr. Austin Wade Wilson has a number of degrees, including a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in Recreation and Leisure Studies and a master’s degree from University of Windsor in human kinetics with a focus in Applied Sport Psychology. He’s has a CMPC certification as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant, and close to 20 years of experience in the field of sport psychology and mental performance. Wade is currently working on a digital publication called Mentor Magazine, which he aims to launch by January 2025.

Connect with Let’s Be Well Together Podcast:
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Follow our Instagram account: @lets.be.well.together use hashtag #letsbewelltogetherpodcast
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Thanks for joining us,
(-(-_(-_-)_-)-) Your wellness check-in team
John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila, Elise, Isabelle, Noura, Julie and Riley

Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 134
Date: August 20, 2024

Participants: John Webster, Elise Seifert and Sheila Webster
Guest: Isabelle Sinclair

Start Times and Segments:

[0:00:35] What’s On Your Mind: Elise was reflecting on how it’s easy to get stuck in our heads. It opened a discussion about mind-body connections, and how to connect to our body more.

[0:11:13] Expanding Minds Interview: We’re convinced that travel enriches us and improves our wellness. It’s great to explore this thought with guests. Isabelle Sinclair spent four months studying abroad, in England. She loves travel in that every day is a different opportunity to learn something about others, and about herself. She loves seeing what the world has to offer. She joined a competitive basketball team, which helped her see many cities in England. She and her friends took the opportunity to see European cities. In general, traveling made her feel more positive. She felt she was achieving a childhood dream. She felt enriched.

[0:27:38] Move That Body: On the Episode 127 interview, Martin Pytela noted that our lymphatic system doesn’t have a natural pump. It only moves when we bounce the body against gravity. We need to move that body (walking, running or other activities) to circulate extra-cellular or interstitial fluids. A sedentary lifestyle creates a swamp inside us. We were struck by that. It’s another great reason to move that body.

Quotes and Take-Aways:

Isabelle – I love traveling, because I feel like every day is a new opportunity to learn something about others and about myself. I like pushing myself out of my boundaries and trying new things, or being put in scenarios where I don’t know everything.

Isabelle – I love seeing what the world has to offer, as much as possible. My youth is the perfect time to do it, before I have too many commitments.

Isabelle – I’ve always been fond of England and the U.K. in general. I have heritage in England. I’ve always wanted to study abroad. University of Waterloo offered it as a program. It was a chance for me to see where my family comes from. Also, England is where English literature developed. I wanted to study English literature there to get a better sense of understanding of how things developed across the world.

Isabelle – My favourite author of all time is Virginia Woolf. I was fortunate enough to visit her house in London, which was full circle for me.

Isabelle – York was so cool. The way York looks is what you would imagine seeing if you open up a Harry Potter book.

Isabelle – J.K. Rowling wrote the Harry Potter series based on a street I Edinburg, Scotland. I was able to walk down that street and I felt in sync with my inner child that day. There were many Harry Potter themed shops along the way. I was in the right space to be my true nerdy self.

Isabelle – In general, traveling made me feel more positive. I felt I was achieving a childhood dream. I felt enriched and positive all of the time, and proud of myself for moving across the world for four months at my young age. I thought, “Okay, I’m going to try this. If I don’t like this I’ll need to suck it up.” Luckily, I did like it.

Guest Information: Isabelle is a fourth-year student at the University of Waterloo double-majoring in English Literature and Legal Studies. She’s studying in the co-op stream. In her free time, Isabelle enjoys reading, running, and travelling anywhere she can!

Connect with Let’s Be Well Together Podcast:
website: https://letsbewelltogether.com
Follow our Instagram account: @lets.be.well.together use hashtag #letsbewelltogetherpodcast
Provide input on Instagram using hashtag #letsbewelltogetherinput

Thanks for joining us,
(-(-_(-_-)_-)-) Your wellness check-in team
John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila, Elise, Isabelle, Noura, Julie and Riley