Exception Seekers

In this episode, Colleen sits down with registered acupuncturist Shelby to explore the foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture, and the relationship between our bodies, environment, and daily habits.

Shelby shares how she discovered acupuncture unexpectedly and fell in love with the philosophy and depth of Chinese medicine. Together, the conversation unpacks concepts like yin and yang, the five elements, “heat...

In this episode, Colleen sits down with Jody North, founder and director of MiND-AID Muskoka, to explore a powerful and innovative approach to supporting youth mental health through system navigation.

Jody explains how MiND-AID Muskoka acts as a “travel guide” for mental wellness, helping young people and families navigate complex systems of care. Rather than offering clinical services directly, MiND-AID walks alongside individuals ...

In this episode of Exception Seekers, Colleen and James explore the evolution of a youth mental health navigation service (MiND-AID Muskoka) that connects young people (ages 0–29) to a wide range of supports beyond traditional counselling, including medical care, housing assistance, food security, and broader social services. The organization focuses on ensuring continuity of care, meaning support doesn’t end at a referral; instead...

In this episode of Exception Seekers, Jacklyn Frias shares an honest and deeply personal conversation about the transition into motherhood, identity shifts, and her experience with postpartum depression.

Before becoming a mom, Jacklyn describes a structured, confident life rooted in routine, fitness, and a clear sense of self. But after the birth of her first child, she found herself navigating an unexpected and isolating struggle w...

In this episode, we sit down with Emily Beauchamp, a full-spectrum doula and founder of Growing Together Doula Services. Emily shares how her own experiences with pregnancy, postpartum struggles, and breastfeeding challenges led her to pursue a career supporting families through the entire perinatal journey.

We explore what a full-spectrum doula actually does, from fertility and pregnancy to birth, postpartum, and grief and loss. Em...

In this episode, Colleen sits down with Jarvis Strong, Executive Director of the Escarpment Corridor Alliance, to explore the winding path that led him to a meaningful career in conservation leadership.

Jarvis shares how his journey was anything but linear, moving through multiple roles and periods of uncertainty before finding work that truly aligns with his values. He reflects on the power of mentorship, the impact of someone beli...

In this episode, Colleen is joined by Amanda Lamb (Pine River Institute) for a deep, thoughtful conversation about anxiety, emotional regulation, and resilience through a developmental lens.

Rather than treating anxiety as something to eliminate or “fix,” this conversation reframes anxiety as a capacity that develops over time, shaped by relationships, expectations, culture, and lived experience. Using clear developmental analogies,...

This podcast episode features an in-depth conversation with Alhan Rahimi, a translator, interpreter, author, and educator, who shares about her personal and professional journey across languages, cultures, and countries. Alhan shares how her passion for languages led her from translation into interpreting, higher education in England, and eventually into community-building through YouTube, courses, and children’s books.

She discusse...

In this episode of Exception Seekers, Colleen talks with Kim Hopkins, Executive Director at Lives in the Balance, about the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) model developed by Dr. Ross Greene. Kim explains how CPS offers a compassionate, trauma-informed, and neurodiversity-affirming approach to supporting children who struggle to meet expectations—especially in schools and homes.

Kim highlights the importance of collabo...

This episode is a heartfelt dive into the world of youth mental health, relationships, and the brain. Dr. Jean Clinton shares about how love, connection, and understanding can shape young minds, way more than we often realize. We talk about practical ways to support kids and teens, from connecting before correcting, to being mindful of relationships and context in teaching and counselling.

Dr. Clinton highlights the importance of re...

This podcast episode features a deep, reflective conversation with Carmen Theobald of Horse Sense North, focusing on the creation and impact of their equine-assisted programs for first responders and public safety personnel. Carmen shares how horses provide a grounded, non-judgmental presence that helps people reconnect with safety, embodiment, and authentic emotion. The discussion touches on the unique design of their five-day int...

In this chat with Kelly Mahler, a leading expert on interoception, we dive into what interoception really means and why it’s such a game-changer. Kelly explains how interoception is about tuning into the signals inside our bodies — like hunger, thirst, heart rate, and emotions — and how understanding these can totally change the way we relate to ourselves and others.

We hear about how this awareness is especially powerful for kids a...

This episode features a reflective and deeply engaging conversation with Olivia Scobie. The conversation explores systemic issues in mental health care, particularly related to parenting and perinatal support. Olivia shares insights from her academic research, professional practice, and personal experience, including how her work with incarcerated mothers, her sociological background, and her own journey as a parent shaped her appr...

In this episode of Exception Seekers, Jesse shares insights into the start-up of his casting company, highlighting the importance of unconditional support and how it enables risk-taking and growth. The discussion explores themes of privilege, resilience, community connection, and the value of creating safe “landing spaces” for people to experiment and develop. Jesse emphasizes the human side of the industry and the importance of au...

In this thoughtful conversation, Brendan Madden, a passionate leader in outdoor education and risk management, reflects on his career journey, current work, and evolving perspectives on environmental stewardship, community resilience, and youth engagement. Brendan discusses the transformative power of nature-based experiences—both for mental health and for building stronger communities in the face of climate change and societal dis...

In this podcast with Jalynn Bosley, founder and director of ALIVE Outdoors, we explore the evolution and impact of ALIVE’s outdoor experiential education programs, particularly how they foster resilience, personal growth, and mental wellness in youth through outdoor experiences.

Jalynn reflects on her personal journey, and how her upbringing, travel, and willingness to follow her inner compass led her to forge a nontraditional path....

In this episode of Exception Seekers, Alena Luciani, varsity athlete, strength and conditioning coach, and entrepreneur, shares her journey of celebrating sport and finding confidence in her industry. From her early experiences in sport to the evolution of her approach, Alena emphasizes the importance of relatable communication and building genuine connections. She reflects on how she shifted from trying to sound “smart” to focusin...

In this episode of Exception Seekers, Shane reflects on his personal and professional journey as an Indigenous leader, rooted in both lived experience and cultural teachings. From the loss of his brother to his time as Chief, Shane’s path has been guided by a deep commitment to healing and service. He contrasts Western clinical models with culturally grounded approaches like Feather Carriers, which emphasize community responsibilit...

In this episode of Exception Seekers, Clarissa Kennedy, a passionate advocate for harm reduction and neurodivergence, shares her unique journey of personal and professional transformation. Through her work in addiction, especially in the realm of food addiction, Clarissa explores how neurodivergence can influence behaviors like disordered eating, impulsivity, and addiction. She reflects on her own experiences growing up with a diff...