Difference Makers

Difference Makers

Hosted by James Hughes and Sam Watts, the show features stories, interviews and listener interaction that aims to identify people and organizations doing good work in our community. There are so many great stories, wonderful people and iconic institutions that provide a variety of community services and activities. We shine a light on them and provide a forum for listeners to learn about them. People serving people – sometimes unseen, we celebrate them on this show.

Episodes

January 17, 2026 38 mins

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode: Soraya Martinez Ferrada is Mayor of Montreal and has served as leader of Ensemble Montréal since 2025. Soraya tells us in what ways she'd like to be a difference-maker for the city. Antonia Macris is Manager of Corporate Learning and National Youth Network, Co-Chair at Env...

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Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode: Chris Gobeil, a chartered professional accountant in Hudson, Quebec with over 30 years of volunteer leadership and creative work, making him a passionate advocate for the arts and his community. Also, Jennifer Hobbs Robert who is a bilingual healthcare leader with advanced traini...

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January 3, 2026 38 mins

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this Best of episode: Valentino Pietrantonio - Executive Director of Big Brothers / Big Sisters West Island and Meagan Sommerville, who runs West Island Community Shares.

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December 27, 2025 39 mins

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this Best of episode: Claude Pinard - President of the Montreal Executive Committee, volunteer Norm Horner and fundraiser Jim Morrison.  

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December 20, 2025 38 mins

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they look at a volunteer influencer, a group of families who sing Christmas carols at a veteran's hospital and a remarkable local palliative care centre.

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December 13, 2025 38 mins

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode,they take a look at philanthropy

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December 6, 2025 36 mins

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they look at the impact of giving and the impact of a teacher with student school activities. Plus hear some of the listener submitted shout outs to difference markers in the community.

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November 29, 2025 36 mins

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they look at volunteers in Montreal's business/corporate community and young caregivers who help families manage the effects of mental illness.

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November 22, 2025 36 mins

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they look at a horse rescue shelter and explain how people who start volunteering at a young age are more likely to continue doing so when they're older.

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November 8, 2025 39 mins

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they look at Hope for Dementia and employment in Quebec.

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November 1, 2025 37 mins

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they look at Communitas and their work of reintegrating people who have spent time in prison into society.

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October 25, 2025 39 mins

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they explore a fundraising initiative which has been collecting cans and bottles with the help of the community in order to raise money for cancer charities. 

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October 18, 2025 36 mins

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they look at the benefits that volunteering as a Big Brother or Sister have on both the mentor and the mentee.

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October 11, 2025 39 mins

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they look at women getting back on their feet and and an elementary school volunteering for Thanksgiving

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October 4, 2025 39 mins

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they look at people and initiative making a difference through the power of sport.

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September 27, 2025 39 mins

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they shed light on the Theresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence and West Island Community Shares.

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September 20, 2025 36 mins

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On their inaugural episode they take a look at theatre and the performing arts.

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September 11, 2025 12 secs

Thank your for listening to News Talk Radio, CJAD 800.

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