Send us a text In this episode Cindy Thompson is speaking with Shannon Bergstrom about her long-standing pattern of perfectionism, people pleasing and other idealistic expectations that did not serve her well. Responding intuitively as a pre-teen following the death of her younger sister, Shannon found a way to keep the peace and internalize her feelings. A proud educator, wife and mother, Shannon experienced two significant episodes of burnout before connecting the dots between childhood trauma...
May 24, 2021•44 min•Ep. 27
Send us a text In this episode I have the privilege of speaking with Katie Bergman a writer and social justice advocate who is very curious about the interplay between inner wellbeing and social change. Katie has devoted the last 10 years of her career to the non-profit sector, specializing in human trafficking interventions. She has worked with teams around the world, contributing to projects such as preventing labour exploitation among migrant workers in rural Cambodia, supporting a home for s...
May 17, 2021•45 min•Ep. 26
Send us a text In this episode, we are hearing from Santiago Dominguez, a 24-year-old young man diagnosed with high functioning Autism. Santiago provides a window into the significant learning curve associated with his school experiences, complex peer relationships, and a desperate desire to feel understood. Find out why every day felt like a war, and the healing process associated with re-learning his value. Santiago Dominguez is a real estate photographer, high school tutor, a student of histo...
May 10, 2021•46 min•Ep. 25
Send us a text In this episode we are honouring the story of intergenerational trauma as well as one of intergenerational resilience. Henry McKay is a father and fourth year Social Work student at the University of Manitoba. Speaking from his experience with childhood trauma, abuse, poverty, oppression, drug dealing, and street gang involvement, Henry shares critical elements that helped him transition from a life of alcoholism and violence into a one of healing, hope and purpose. Currently work...
May 03, 2021•48 min•Ep. 24
Send us a text Reflecting on her journey through healing, Carys Cragg shares her experience of meeting the man who murdered her father. Carys' first book, titled “Dead Reckoning: How I Came to Meet the Man Who Murdered My Father”, tells the story of her correspondence and meeting with the incarcerated man who murdered her father when she was 11 years old. It was a Globe & Mail Best 100 Book of 2017, finalist for the 2018 Hubert Evans BC Book Prize, and finalist for the 2018 Governor General'...
Apr 26, 2021•40 min•Ep. 23
Send us a text In this episode Jim Pearce is sitting down with us to reflect on pivotal events in his life. It isn’t possible to arrive at 70 years of age and not have some interesting stories or life experiences to draw on. Find out how a workplace accident at 17 years of age, informed Jim on how to navigate his current battle with Leukemia, and his secret to maintaining a positive attitude. Website: https://stikritelabel.ca/...
Apr 19, 2021•34 min•Ep. 22
Send us a text Lynnsay Scollon is joining us for a vulnerable and authentic reflection on her journey as a first-year student at the University of Victoria. Discover how a number of seemingly benign circumstances can add up to create the perfect storm, and what Lynnsay discovered about herself in the process. Shining a light on mental illness and the very seductive way it can undermine one’s confidence, Lynnsay gives voice to an experience not uncommon to students. With a desire to help others w...
Apr 12, 2021•48 min•Ep. 21
Send us a text In this episode, Karen Huebert-Sanchez and Ricky Sanchez talk about finding meaning and purpose while serving the community of Thailand and the valuable lessons they have learned about resilience as they create loving homes for children living with HIV/AIDS. Karen knew from the time she was 8 years old that she would one day start an orphanage. Over the past 20 years Ricky and Karen have been on a mission to create a safe home for children in Thailand who are born with HIV/Aids an...
Apr 05, 2021•48 min•Ep. 20
Send us a text In this episode we are talking with Dr. Kirk Austin about his new book titled Buoyancy: Building Resilient Kids. With a wealth of experience working with complex trauma in children & youth, Dr. Austin dives into why it is important for our kids to understand their emotions, the physical responses related to stress and strategies for growing their resilience. Building on the acronym BREATHE, Dr Austin unpacks 7 key elements for Human Buoyancy. If you are a parent, caregiver, te...
Mar 29, 2021•47 min•Ep. 19
Send us a text In this episode, Rob de Toni and Heather Emmerzael talk about making big courageous shifts in career and life. Despite having very successful careers, Rob as a litigation lawyer and Heather as a Registered Nurse found they were in full burn-out. With a great reminder that even though we have realized a dream or career, it is ok to re-evaluate whether it is making you happy. Rob & Heather, friends and colleagues are here to unpack what was missing for them in their careers and ...
Mar 22, 2021•46 min•Ep. 18
Send us a text Pam Botterill is an Indigenous woman from the Wei Wai Kum First Nation in Campbell River BC, who was adopted at the age of 9 months and was raised by a non-Indigenous family in Powell River, BC. Pam describes her experience of adoption as a good-news story. With an interesting connection between the Celtic music, she was raised with, and the drumming of her indigenous roots, Pam identifies a common denominator between the two. Recounting what it was like to meet her biological mot...
Mar 15, 2021•41 min•Ep. 17
Send us a text In this episode Angel Pearl Talemwa is speaking with us from Magoggo, a remote village in Uganda. Angel is the founder and has been the team leader of DEWI Stronger Communities for the past 3 years. Growing up in a polygamist family and one of 12 children, Angel talks of the poverty, as well as the social and geographic challenges to receiving an education in the remote villages of Uganda. Losing both parents at an early age, Angel speaks of her amazing journey to become a social ...
Mar 08, 2021•49 min•Ep. 16
Send us a text In this episode I reflect on some of the pivotal moments of growth and resilience in the course of my life and career. As with 20/20 vision, looking through the rear-view mirror these learnings become much clearer. Sharing some of the vulnerable, beautiful and courageous experiences that have stood out for me, I can now honour that each of these challenges have contributed to who I am today. Offering strategies for shifting our lens from one of negativity to that of curiosity and ...
Mar 01, 2021•20 min•Ep. 15
Send us a text With a wealth of expertise in cultivating resilience among humans, Dr. Doug Walker Registered Psychologist and Chief Programs Director of Mercy Family Center in St. Louis shares his experience of surviving Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and how this prompted him to develop Project Fleur-de-lis, New Orleans largest school-based Mental Health program devoted to students struggling emotionally and academically. Listen in to discover the evidence-informed skills for cultivating resilience...
Feb 22, 2021•42 min•Ep. 14
Send us a text Alicia Nicholson is the author of The Resilient Mommy Blog, a space where she speaks to the resiliency of being a mommy. Sharing her story of loss after a miscarriage and a second child at 23 weeks, Alicia is no stranger to grief. With an insight that only lived experience can teach us, Alicia is now committed to providing resources and support to women who have experienced loss in motherhood. Celebrating the Blessing of a beautiful little girl in 2020 Alicia sees herself as being...
Feb 15, 2021•43 min•Ep. 13
Send us a text Karen Peters, Registered Clinical Counsellor talks about the decision she and her husband Chris made to grow their family through adoption. With a very special conversation on what it can mean to adopt interracially, Karen shines a light on their eye-opening and heart wrenching opportunity to learn and actively dismantle their white privilege as parents while celebrating and instilling black culture and identity in their beautiful girls. Learn of the additional gifts this couple d...
Feb 08, 2021•52 min•Ep. 12
Send us a text In this episode we are talking with Marj Busse, Master Certified Coach. Growing up in a military family Marj shares the timeless wisdom she learned from her father as a little girl, what inspired her to pursue leadership coaching and the insights she discovered about herself in the process. Website: https://www.essentialimpact.com/ Podcast: https://essentialimpact.com/podcast/page/2/...
Feb 01, 2021•40 min•Ep. 11
Send us a text Jeannette Ambrose, Registered Psychologist and family therapist speaks about surviving the loss of her mother to suicide and how this early trauma transported her into a long career of helping others through traumatic grief and loss. This episode will discuss the nature of sudden traumatic loss and some of the considerations in navigating this very challenging journey. Website: http://www.restoringconnections.ca/...
Jan 25, 2021•41 min•Ep. 10
Send us a text Frank & Linda Seitz have been married for 52 years and would suggest that together they make one person. With a long career as a psychiatric nursing attendant, Frank had a common interest with Linda as she also worked at the Brandon Health Centre as a Psychiatric nurse. Perhaps it was their natural propensity toward helping others that prepared them for the many health challenges they would eventually face together. This beautiful couple share their secret weapon for staying i...
Jan 18, 2021•32 min•Ep. 9
Send us a text Dr. Erica Harris shares how Leukemia took her on a significant detour from the highway in life she had been on, and how a terminal illness propelled her on to the path she was supposed to be on. Prior to 2012 Dr. Harris was happily married with two little boys, with a successful career as a Chiropractor and Kinesiologist. Receiving the results of routine lab work Dr. Harris was blindsided when she learned she had a very aggressive version of acute myeloid leukaemia. Within two mon...
Jan 11, 2021•42 min•Ep. 8
Send us a text In this episode Serena Klaver a professional planning consultant, talks about a program she and her co-facilitator have been delivering to Universities on Vancouver Island over this past year. My True Resiliency workshop offers students a tool kit for building resiliency, tapping into habits and skills for understanding their emotional needs, while developing healthy habits and skills as an antidote to stress. With the wisdom of her own lived experiences, Serena also speaks from t...
Jan 04, 2021•40 min•Ep. 7
Send us a text In this episode you will meet Cyprine Omollo, program Manager of Clean Start Kenya. Clean Start is an organization that helps women and girls transition back into society after being in prison or juvenile detention. Cyprine shares her story of having being imprisoned herself for being unable to pay her debts and sheds light on the desperate plight of women, girls and children she met behind bars. It was after serving time at the remand section of Langata Women’s Maximum Security f...
Dec 28, 2020•25 min•Ep. 6
Send us a text With over 30 years in a field where listening becomes a sacred gift of time and presence, starting a podcast feels like a natural extension of what I love most – listening to stories. With a desire to reach beyond the microphone, this podcast sheds a little light on my life, my experiences and key events that helped to shape who I am today. Given that we all have had to adjust our expectations for Christmas this year, I also wanted to share a few ideas that may promote a sense of ...
Dec 21, 2020•19 min•Ep. 5
Send us a text In the early 1960’s, over 13,000 babies around the world were born with deformities as a direct result of Thalidomide – a drug prescribed to relieve morning sickness. Alvin Law was one of them. Thalidomide was the cause of Alvin being born without arms. At five days old, Alvin was placed in foster care with Bert & Hilda Law. Hilda’s intuition told her that lurking inside this baby was…hope. Through the Laws’ faith, dedication and infinite belief, Alvin learned to use his feet ...
Dec 14, 2020•45 min•Ep. 4
Send us a text In this episode we are talking with Dr. Rob Lees about some of challenges many veteran’s experience within their military service and following their tour of duty. In his work as a Registered Psychologist, Dr. Lees suggests we are often happiest when we find meaning and a true purpose in life. With a number of creative initiatives between the school district and Child & Youth mental health in Chilliwack, B.C, Dr Lees also gives us a peek into the unique programs they have crea...
Dec 14, 2020•34 min•Ep. 3
Send us a text If you are wondering where the WONDER is, these two young women are sure to inspire you! Whether you believe Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year, or if you are someone who sees it as “just another day”, this episode highlights a number of creative initiatives that are having a big impact in Chilliwack, BC and around the world. If you are wondering how to bring back the WONDER, perhaps this conversation will create a new vision. I encourage you to think outside ...
Dec 14, 2020•45 min•Ep. 2
Send us a text At a time when there is a great deal of focus on our current challenges, there can be a great deal benefit in shifting from “why me” to “what can I do”? NY Times Bestseller and Encourager to Millions, Bob calls himself a "recovering lawyer". After practicing law for 25 years, then becoming the Hon. Consul to Uganda, he gave up his law firm to pursue writing and speaking full time. As the author of books like “Love Does” and “Everybody Always”, there's nothing ordinary about Bob's ...
Dec 14, 2020•32 min•Ep. 1
Send us a text A Resilience Project is a podcast inspired by the true resiliency of humans. There is no play-book that tells us how to deal with adversity, and yet each one of us has a story of resilience. Typically we are flying by the seat of our pants and figuring it out as we go. It is in sharing our experiences with one another, and learning from those who have gone before us that we discover hope even in the most challenging moments. Within each podcast we will bare witness to personal sto...
Dec 07, 2020•3 min
