Small Conversations for a Better World Podcast

Susannah and Gillian get back to their roots with an in-depth conversation with Traditional Knowledge Keeper Red Stone Snake Woman, Jenny Sawanohk. Jenny does not shy away from telling it like it is about Truth and Reconciliation, decolonization, land back and the 8th Fire Prophesy. https://www.redstonesnakewoman.ca/https://fncaringsociety.com/7-free-ways-make-differencehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arvol_Looking_HorseSearch for him on Youtube!Remember Me: A National Day of Remembrance, Sept. 30, 2022https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vzLFjbC8Lkwww.RememberMeSeptember30.orgTrick or Treaty Film  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAGHDrSRd4kFind the Indigenous Canada Course:Indigenous Canada via Coursera.orgIndigenous Canada via the University of AlbertaDiscover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian.

In this episode we talk about the final three modules of the Indigenous Canada course including Indigenous in the City, Social Movements and Indigenous Art. Wet'suwet'en: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Canadian_pipeline_and_railway_protests@hesquiaht Carol Anne Hilton, MBA@helen_knott Helen Knott@KimTallBear Kim TallBear@DecolonizeWealth@Qchasinghorse Quannah Chasinghorse@_IllumiNatives IllumiNative National Association of Friendship Centres  https://nafc.ca/?lang=enNeechi Commons https://neechi.ca/First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) https://www.fnha.ca/First Nations Health Council (FNHC) https://fnhc.ca/First Nations Health Directors Association (FNDA) https://fnhda.ca/Nadia Myre - http://www.nadiamyre.net/“Indian Act” - https://150ans150oeuvres.uqam.ca/en/artwork/1876-indian-act-by-nadia-myre/#descriptionChristy Belcourt - http://www.christibelcourt.com/Artist/aboutstatement.html“Walking with our Sisters” - http://walkingwithoursisters.ca/about/Rebecca Bellmore - https://www.rebeccabelmore.com/“Trace” - https://www.rebeccabelmore.com/trace/Brian Jungen https://art21.org/artist/brian-jungenDuane Linklater https://duanelinklater.com/“Modest Livelihood”https://www.banffcentre.ca/modest-livelihood#:~:text=Shot%20by%20a%20professional%20camera,three%20families%20as%20they%20hunt Indian Group of Seven: https://www.native-art-in-canada.com/indiangroupofseven.htmlBill Reid https://www.billreidgallery.ca/pages/about-bill-reidThe Frog Radio - @thefrogradio (IG)The 1491s - Indigenous Improv Group https://www.youtube.com/user/the1491s Do your own search for more Indigenous Creators.Find the Indigenous Canada Course:Indigenous Canada via Coursera.orgIndigenous Canada via the University of AlbertaDiscover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian.

This conversation delves into the lives of Indigenous Girls, Women and Genderful People whose community status, societal roles and responsibilities have been irrevocably changed due to the heteronormative, patriarchal, and misogynist influence of colonial settler culture. https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Genderfulhttps://www.forbes.com/sites/afdhelaziz/2020/10/09/how-supercool-queer-owned-boy-smells-celebrates-a-genderful-lifestyle/?sh=142323df6794Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men - March 2 2021 by Caroline Criado PerezThe Egg and the Sperm: How Science Has Constructed a Romance Based on Stereotypical Male Female Roles Author(s): Emily Martin  https://web.stanford.edu/~eckert/PDF/Martin1991.pdf“Reclaiming Power and Place” Final Report https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report/Metis Perspectives on Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, Girls and LGBTQ2S+ People. https://metiswomen.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/LFMO-MMIWG-Report.pdfFind the Indigenous Canada Course:Indigenous Canada via Coursera.orgIndigenous Canada via the University of AlbertaDiscover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian.

In this episode of our ongoing journey to learn more about the Indigenous experience of life in Canada, we explore what Indigenous relationship to the land really means. It's a whole lot more than finding a dot on a map! We're referencing Module 8 in the Indigenous Canada Course. From Indigenous worldview to Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) to the impacts of settlement on Indigenous people, and to key legal decisions around Aboriginal Land Title:  we seek to understand the importance of the land in matters of economy, culture, health and spirituality.  We take a look at threats to Indigenous lands, and what's being done to address ongoing harms .United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) UNDRIP Canada UNDRIP BC Find the Indigenous Canada Course:Indigenous Canada via Coursera.orgIndigenous Canada via the University of AlbertaDiscover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian.

By the 1970's and 80's, whether settler Canada understood it or not,  the reality was that generations of Indigenous people had attended and/or been scarred by the residential school system.  Traditional gender roles and ways of life had been flipped on their heads. As more indigenous folks moved into urban areas, they were bumping up against Canada's political and legal structures in new ways.  In this episode, we learn about pre-existing Indigeous political structures and the role of Indigenous leaders in patriating the Canadian constitution. We see the birth of important indigenous activism, known as Red Power,  and the ways that activism is evolving today. Find the Indigenous Canada Course:Indigenous Canada via Coursera.orgIndigenous Canada via the University of AlbertaDiscover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian.

This weeks episode centers around the events that bring the Indigenous people from the late 1800's into the modern time. The focus includes economic enterprises that the Indigenous people could engage in, the movement from the reservation to the cities and factors that pushed and pulled people off the reservations. Inherent here are conversations about resource extraction, changing gender roles imparted by the colonizers and how women were impacted by the Indian Act.**Correction from the episode transcript: as of February, 2022 the CBC reported more than 1000 arrests related to the Fairy Creek Blockades.*** Kendi, Ibram X. How to Be an Antiracist. New York, NY: One World, 2019.Hilton, Carol Anne. Indigenomics: Taking a Seat at the Economic Table. Gabriola Island, BC: LaVergne New Society Publishers, 2021Find the Indigenous Canada Course:Indigenous Canada via Coursera.orgIndigenous Canada via the University of AlbertaDiscover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian.

The story of Indian Residential Schools is one of the darkest chapters in Canadian History.  Join us as we talk through the reality of Residential School: it's impacts on the children, parents, survivors and communities. This will give the background for what trauma experts are realizing is a pervasive influence on the health of the Indigenous people today. Important  Links:Indian Residential School Survivors Society413 W EsplanadeNorth Vancouver, BC   V7M 1A6Main: 604-985-4464Fax: 604-985-0023Toll-Free: 1-800-721-0066Email: reception@irsss.caFirst Nations Health AuthorityNational Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Truth and Reconciliation calls to Action - PDF First Nations Child & Family Caring Society Touchstones of Hope, Our Dreams Matter Too, Have a Heart Project of Heart Book:What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience and Healingby Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey. Excellent book to give more detail about how childhood, adulthood and intergenerational trauma works. Find the Indigenous Canada Course:Indigenous Canada via Coursera.orgIndigenous Canada via the University of AlbertaDiscover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian.

Come with us as we delve into Week 4 of the Indigenous Canada Course all about Legal Traditions. We will cover how Colonial ideas of law are different than Indigenous legal traditions, and how settlers utilized Colonial law to disrupt Indigenous cultural traditions of justice, systems of government, and trade. Find the Indigenous Canada Course:Indigenous Canada via Coursera.orgIndigenous Canada via the University of AlbertaDiscover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian.

Susannah and Gillian cover week 3 of the Indigenous Canada course. This module covers the history of the treaty process in Canada from the Peace and Friendship Treaties all the way through the Modern Treaties. It is shown that the two sovereign nations involved in the treaties viewed the process of negotiation, and the content of each treaty very differently, giving perspective on the current land use conflicts. Find the Indigenous Canada Course:Indigenous Canada via Coursera.orgIndigenous Canada via the University of AlbertaDiscover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian.

We're diving into learning about Indigenous History and Culture in Canada with the Indigenous Canada course, developed by the University of Alberta, Faculty of Native Studies. This week we cover a summary of what we learned in Weeks 1 and 2 of the course. We gain a better understanding of Indigenous Worldview and the events of the Fur Trade. These episodes are full of dates, and names, and events - chock full of learning, that set the stage for all that follow. See the links below to find the course for more thorough learning on your own time. Find the Indigenous Canada Course: Indigenous Canada via Coursera.org Indigenous Canada via the University of Alberta Discover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian.

Season 5 of the Small Conversations for a Better World Podcast is coming up in January 2022! This season, we're doing something a little different. We're dedicating this entire season to conversations about decolonization.  And we want you to join us! Here's the plan: Hosts Gillian McCormick and Susannah Steers are currently completing the Indigenous Canada course, created by the University of Alberta's Faculty of Native Studies. Indigenous Canada is a twelve-week long MOOC (massive online open course), available free through coursera.org.  As we proceed through the course, we'll be talking about what we're learning, how it might be different from Canadian history & social studies we learned in school, and how what we're learning might relate to things we see in the current environment. We invite you to register for the course and participate with us! During each episode, we'll talk about what we've learned in two weeks of the course.  We'll embark on some wide ranging conversations from the perspective of two settler women who have a lot to learn. We want to know better, so we can do better.  Here's how to join us: Sign up now for the FREE Indigenous Canada course at www.coursera.org. Start working your way through the course, at your own speed. If you have thoughts and questions, send them our way at info@smallconversationspodcast.ca - or connect with us on social media.  Join us Friday, January 7th, 2022 for Season 5,  Episode 1, when we'll get started discussing the first two weeks of the Indigenous Canada course. If you'd prefer just to listen in, without taking the course - we welcome your ears!  Join us every second Friday after that  for more about what we're learning in  the course each week, and for conversations with knowledgeable indigenous voices on topics of history, culture, health, and reconciliation. The Small Conversations for a Better World podcast is created inside the ancestral, traditional, asserted, and unceded territory of the Coast Salish nations, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish),  and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh).   Links you Need! Indigenous Canada on CourseraEmail your thoughts and questions to info@smallconversationspodcast.caDiscover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian

These days, there is more and more evidence to suggest that strength training is beneficial for women of all ages. For a lot of women, that has meant going to the gym and training in exactly the same way a man does.  But what if the variable and changing hormone levels in a woman's body affect performance in ways we have not fully accounted for? What if strength training could look, and maybe feel different in a woman's body?In this episode, we're talking to Warrior School founder, Amy Bowe, who believes that women can achieve better performance, and more sustainable results by aligning our strength training according to the phases of their menstrual cycles. Join us as we discuss the menstrual cycle, hormones, stress, nutrition and the myriad ways all these things can affect our strength training and athleticism. We're even exploring an unexpected  feminist twist! Maybe aligning our training with our menstrual cycles can lead to new confidence and better results and a "coming home" to our own bodies.   About Amy Bowe: Amy Bowe offers 12 years of experience in coaching, nutrition, hormonal health and training. In the last 12 years she has helped 100's of women finally get the results they want in their training through understanding their cycle.She didn't always do this; prior, she was a Dietitian working in the Eating Disorder Space. So yes, she knows a thing or two about food!And before this, she was lucky to have super cool supportive parents that said create your own journey and do what makes you happy. Her Mama always told her, “I work so you girls can do things”. Thanks Mama!Amy had a chronic back pain 8-years ago. She was in pain, weak and broken. She spent 12-months cultivating a healthier stronger spine and then years after that building a strong resilient and capable bodyShe went from not being able to pick a 20kg bar off the floor to being able to clean and jerk 80kg. She has learned the processes and methods needed to get strong and get results.Amy Bowe is the  creator of WARRIOR SCHOOLWarrior School is the FIRST of its kind to bring training and the menstrual cycle together in this way. It's an online coaching program and community to help you get strong by connecting your training, nutrition and menstrual cycle.Important Links: Warrior School WebsiteFind Amy Bowe on Social Media @AmyKateBoweDiscover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian

With all the election campaigning in Canada in recent weeks, we've heard a lot about affordable housing. What does that really mean for some of the more vulnerable people in our community?  In this week's episode, we get down to the nitty-gritty of housing and homelessness in BC.With her vast experience in different countries, Sandra gives us a sense of what homelessness means in Canada and in different parts of the world.  In this wide-ranging conversation we discuss everything from drop-in centres to the social determinants of housing, to factors contributing to success for housing programs to defunding the police. As with so many other topics we've covered in this podcast, an important element in  improving conditions for homeless individuals lies in breaking down silos.  Tune in and join the conversation! About Sandra Vasquez Sandra Vasquez is the Housing and Outreach manager for the CMHA North West Vancouver Branch. She has worked with homeless individuals facing mental health and substance use disorders in Columbia, where she was born, and in the USA and Canada for more than 23 years. Sandra has a Bachelor's in Business and a Master's in Clinical Social Work. Discover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian

Joins us for Part 2 of this eye-opening conversation with Dr. Dedeshya Holowenko about menopause.  In this episode we  discuss  the Women's Health Initiative  in the early 2000's and how it derailed the treatment of menopause for a generation of women and their healthcare providers.  Learn  what current research shows about different treatments and what they can do for women and their menopause symptoms.  And even with all the latest research, women still may find it difficult  to access the support they need. Find out what to do if you feel unsupported in your menopause journey. Help IS out there!  About Dr. Dedeshya HolowenkoDr. Dedeshya Holowenko is a family physician with a special interest in women's health. She  has a referral based practice where she focuses on women and their unique needs.Website: www.Iskinpure.comDiscover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian

Menopause. Traditionally, menopause has been something we don't really talk about. It has been something that women have had to deal with quietly and often on their own. Today - we're going to TALK about it! Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Dr. Dedeshya Holowenko, a family physician with a special interest in women's health.  We dig into some important questions: What is menopause and why it is important for women's health to understand it? What are some of the common symptoms? Why does it affect women differently? What can women DO to manage symptoms for a better quality of life during the peri-menopausal and menopausal years of their lives? Why is it sometimes so hard to get help during this time?  To be healthy is to be well-resourced - and this is certainly one time of life that finding quality of resources is key to well-being.  A friend of the podcast, Dr. Holowenko spoke to us in Season 1 about Breaking Down Barriers for Women Accessing Healthcare and again as the Covid19 pandemic was emerging as a global health emergency: Covid19 - What You Need to Know Today.  She brings a welcome perspective to all our discussions! About Dr. Dedeshya Holowenko Dr. Dedeshya Holowenko is a family physician with a special interest in women's health. She  has a referral based practice where she focuses on women and their unique needs.Website: www.Iskinpure.comDiscover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian

Seniors in British Columbia  face a range of challenges, from healthcare to housing, finances and personal supports. The Covid19 pandemic exposed many of the ways that we need to think and act differently to better support our seniors in the later stages of their lives. Isobel Mackenzie, BC's Seniors' Advocate, joined us for a wide-ranging conversation about long-term residential care,  dementia care, elder abuse and neglect, pensions and finances and more. As we look toward a winding down of the Covid19 pandemic, these are some of the issues to hold font and centre as we move toward our "new normal." About Isobel Mackenzie Isobel has over 20 years' experience working with seniors in home care, licensed care, community services and volunteer services. Isobel led B.C.'s largest not-for-profit agency, serving over 6000 seniors annually. In this work Isobel led the pioneering of a new model of dementia care that has become a national best practice. She led the first safety accreditation for homecare workers, among many other accomplishments. Isobel has been widely recognized for her work and was named BC CEO of the Year for the Not-for-Profit Sector and nominated as a Provincial Health Care Hero.Prior to her appointment as the Seniors Advocate, Isobel served on a number of national and provincial boards and commissions including the BC Medical Services Commission, the Canadian Homecare Association, BC Care Providers, BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry, and the Capital Regional District Housing Corporation.Isobel received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Victoria and has a Certificate in Health Care Leadership from the University of Toronto. Isobel lives in Victoria.Office of the Seniors Advocate  websiteTwitter: @SrsAdvocateBC Facebook : /SeniorsAdvocateBCDiscover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian

Data is, by definition, the facts, statistics and information we gather for research and analysis. In our digital age, data is being produced, analyzed and used in volumes and ways that are difficult to imagine. Among other things, data is the stuff that health and public policies are made of;  the information that often decides where the money goes. We were curious to know where the data is coming from, who is looking at it, how it is being used, and what we're missing in the quest for equity and ethics in our society.  Dr. Maya Gislason gave us all that and more! As Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University, (home of the Big Data Hub),  Dr. Gislason's integrated approach to research, teaching and engagement,  organized around the common thread of critical enquiry related to social inequities in health, opened our eyes to the myriad ways that the data we produce, on an ever increasing scale, influences our lives and shapes the society we live in.  Established in 2016, SFU's Big Data Hub enables the convergence of data-driven expertise linking computing science to gender studies, statistics to climate change modelling, criminal justice to mathematics, epidemiology to policy and more.About Dr. Maya Gislason Dr. Gislason joined the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University in September 2014 as an Assistant Professor with a focus on health equity. Prior to this, she was a Banting Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Northern British Columbia, Canada with a focus on researching the intersections between public health and intensive resource extraction. Dr. Gislason holds a doctorate in Sociology (Medical Sociology) from the University of Sussex, UK, a Masters in Sociology and a double major in Sociology and Women's Studies both from the University of Victoria, BC, Canada. A longstanding champion of ecosystem approaches to health, Dr. Gislason works upstream on public health issues by addressing the interconnection between human, animal and ecosystem health alongside her colleagues and community partners, including the First Nations Health Authority. She teaches on and guides research teams in developing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) informed evidence generating tools, is a Sex and Gender Champion on tri-agency funded research, and is actively engaged in the dynamic space of intersectionality research and Gender-based Analysis Plus approaches to policy formation and evidence building. Dr. Gislason applies these tools and process to research on the impacts of climate change on diverse populations, addressing the environmental and community health impacts of intensive resource extraction on rural, remote, northern and Indigenous communities in Canada, and ultimately to advance the shared goal of Planetary Health.Maya Gislason SFU Big Data Hub Discover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian

Trigger Warning:In this episode, we discuss mature themes, including issues of violence, indigenous traumas and more. Please consider whether this conversation is appropriate for you and/or others in your environs before pressing play.This episode is Part 2 of our in-depth conversation about trauma with  Registered Clinical Counsellor, Tyler Milley.  We pick up where we left off last time; as Tyler walks with us through the aftermath of a violent incident in North Vancouver, and the ways that experience affected a community.   With clarity and compassion, Tyler Milley provides perspective and gives us tools to  begin to  understand the challenges of trauma; in the context of a single event, and with a glimpse into the kind of trauma that crosses generations and affects entire peoples.  How do we create safe, open environments with empathy and humility that might illuminate a path toward healing the trauma in our communities?  Join us to explore the possibilities...About Tyler MilleyTyler Milley is a registered clinical counsellor in Vancouver with over 25 years of experience working with people of all ages. He has supported people with various experiences, expressions, and degrees of anxiety - including individuals and families suffering the effects of trauma. Tyler was born and raised on the North Shore of Vancouver but only recently bought his first mountain bike. He continues to happily live there, injury free for now, with his wife, Emma, and their three incredibly intelligent, good-looking children.www.tylermilley.comDiscover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian

Trigger Warning: In this episode, we discuss mature themes, including issues of violence, indigenous traumas and more. Please consider whether this conversation is appropriate for you and/or others in your environs before pressing play. Trauma can be acute. Trauma can be chronic. Trauma is always overwhelming.  In today's episode, we're digging into what trauma is, how it manifests, and how it affects us, and the people around us.  With clarity and compassion, registered clinical counsellor Tyler Milley helps us understand this complex response, particularly with reference to a violent incident in the community of Lynn Valley, North Vancouver in the spring of 2021.  About Tyler Milley Tyler Milley is a registered clinical counsellor in Vancouver with over 25 years of experience working with people of all ages. He has supported people with various experiences, expressions, and degrees of anxiety - including individuals and families suffering the effects of trauma. Tyler was born and raised on the North Shore of Vancouver but only recently bought his first mountain bike. He continues to happily live there, injury free for now, with his wife, Emma, and their three incredibly intelligent, good-looking children.www.tylermilley.com Discover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian

Lost Immunity is the latest explosive thriller from international bestselling author and physician Daniel Kalla. In a story with some uncomfortable parallels to the Covid19 pandemic, an experimental vaccine is deployed to battle a lethal outbreak - until patients start dying of unknown causes. Are the deaths due to bad science, or is there something more sinister going on?Join us for a conversation about the book,  and for some frank perspectives about the Covid-19 Pandemic from a physician working in the thick of it all.  Our discussion ranges from  his latest medical mystery to Covid19 vaccines, herd immunity,  the anti-vaxx movement and compassionate conversations about vaccine hesitancy.   About Dan KallaBorn, raised, and still residing in Vancouver, Daniel has worked as an ER Physician at St. Paul’s Hospital for the past twenty years. He is also the author of twelve published novels, which have been translated into thirteen languages. Two of his novels have been optioned for film, and his Shanghai trilogy is being developed for a TV series. In his twelfth novel, LOST IMMUNITY, Daniel tackles the issue of vaccine hesitancy and the potential impact on a global outbreak, applying his real-life experience working on the frontlines through the COVID pandemic.Daniel received his B.Sc. and MD from the University of British Columbia, where he is now a clinical associate professor. He is the proud father of two girls and a poorly behaved but lovable mutt, Milo.www.danielkalla.comDaniel Kalla on Facebook @DanKalla on IG and TwitterDaniel Kalla's Globe & Mail Op/Ed - May 7, 2021CBC's White Coat Black Art with Dr. Brian Goldman : The Vaccine Whisperer: March 6, 2021

When was the last time you thought about the food you eat - beyond "what's for dinner?" In this our final episode of Season 3, we have a HUGE conversation about food systems and food security with Dr. Tammara Soma, Assistant Professor in the School of Resource Management at Simon Fraser University. We dig deep into food systems, food waste, food security and a circular economy. Dr. Soma takes things way beyond a simple food supply chain to help us understand the vast complexities of our food systems, and how food security is really an issue of social justice. About Dr. Tammara SomaDr. Tammara Soma holds a Ph.D. in Planning (2018) from the University of Toronto and is the Research Director and Co-Founder of the Food Systems Lab. She is an Assistant Professor at the School of Resource and Environmental Management at Simon Fraser University where she conducts research on issues pertaining to food system planning, community-based research, waste management and the circular economy. Prior to SFU, she was a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Geography and Planning at the University of Toronto, and the Food Equity Coordinator at New College (University of Toronto). Her dissertation investigated the factors that influence urban household food consumption and food wasting practices in Indonesia, and the ways in which food systems consideration can improve urban planning decision-making. She has published her work in the journals International Planning Studies, Local Environment, Built Environment, Indonesia, Journal of Agriculture, Food System and Community Development. She is a co-editor with C. Reynolds, J. Lazell, and C. Spring of the Routledge Handbook of Food Waste. Beyond academic publications, she has also written for the Huffington Post, Policy Options, Alternatives Journal, and is frequently interviewed by media such as the BBC, Global News, Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, CBC, TVO The Agenda and more. She is a 2014 Pierre Elliott Trudeau Doctoral Scholar, a Joseph Armand Bombardier SSHRC CGS Doctoral Fellow, an International Development Research Centre Doctoral Award recipient, and a SSHRC Top 5 Storyteller finalist.Dr. Soma’s research projects are funded by the SSHRC New Frontiers, SSHRC Trans-Atlantic Platform, SSHRC Insight, and Weston Foundation Seeding Food Innovation Grant. She co-led a tri-country team (U.S, Mexico and Canada) on a Commission for Environmental Cooperation project to develop toolkits for youth engagement in food loss and food waste reduction.Dr. Soma was selected as a committee member of the US National Academies of Science “A Systems Approach to Reducing Consumer Food Waste” and contributed to the publication of the consensus study A National Strategy to Reduce Food Waste at the Consumer Level.The Food Systems LabFoodWasteStudies.comThe Routledge Handbook of Food Waste Edited By Christian Reynolds, Tammara Soma, Charlotte Spring, Jordon LazellFind Dr. Soma on Social Media! @TammaraSoma

Do you love to play outside? How much do you know about the skilled volunteers who jump into action to help when things go south for us in the wilderness? Part outdoor adventurers, part community-minded volunteers, Search and Rescue members offer an extra layer of safety for anyone exploring the outdoors in beautiful BC. Join us for a conversation with Sunshine Coast Search and Rescue Search Manager Dave Steers about how search and rescue groups are managed and funded, how teams are trained, how call-outs work and what life is like for a SAR volunteer. Listen in for the inside scoop! About Dave Steers Dave Steers has been an avid outdoor enthusiast for his entire life. While living in Pemberton BC, and working in the ski industry, Dave was a founding member of Pemberton Search and Rescue, and served there as Search Manager for more than 20 years. When he retired, Dave and his wife moved to Sechelt, BC where he now serves with Sunshine Coast Search and Rescue. (And yeah, in case you were wondering, Dave is Susannah's brother.)Important Links:BC Search & Rescue Association (BCSARA)Emergency Management BC (EMBC) BC AdventureSmart on InstagramBC AdventureSmart Trip Plan AppThe Search and Rescue Series: North Shore Rescue (Knowledge Network)Discover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian

A conversation about the readiness of British Columbia NICU's to employ a model of care imported from Columbia called Kangaroo Care with the project coordinator and an Independent Consultant working for Perinatal Services. BIO: Sarah Coutts - Independent Consultant, Kangaroo Care ProjectSarah is a lactation consultant, neonatal nurse and the mother of 4 kids. She has a passion for Kangaroo Care (continuous skin-to-skin contact) with preterm infants and their parents while in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She believes Kangaroo Care can lead to improved outcomes and better experiences for parents of preterm infants. Kangaroo Care helps maintain parents as the primary caregivers and ensures they can be with their baby during their stay in the NICU – promoting zero separation is essential.Her most recent position at Perinatal Services BC in the Kangaroo Care research and implementation project team has been a highlight for her and hopefully leads to supporting BC NICUs to fully embrace Kangaroo Care as a model of care.Sarah is hoping to continue to promote and research Kangaroo Care locally and internationally and reduce separation between mothers and their infants after birth and while in the hospital.Alix Woldring - Project Coordinator, Clinical Systems and Quality Improvement, Perinatal Services BCI currently coordinate the Kangaroo Care program at Perinatal Services BC. In 2016, I completed my Masters in International Development from the University of Sydney in Australia and found myself working in the agriculture and natural resources sector on projects related to sustainability and climate change adaptation in the Asia Pacific region. My background in sociology meant that while surrounded by environmental scientists, agriculture specialists and engineers, I was always curious about the social, cultural and political conditions that contributed to the disparities that were being addressed by these projects.Once I started at Perinatal Services BC, the Kangaroo Care program immediately caught my attention. There was a simple, low cost, low tech intervention, started in Colombia, that was hugely backed by evidence for both mother and infant. More than that, the Kangaroo Care project was about not only about the context of care in the NICU, it’s also about the context of people's lives. Involving families in the care of the infant as part of the care team involves a fundamental shift in the role of families, how they are seen by healthcare providers and how families see their own role. Maximising parental presence and participation in the NICU requires looking at the conditions that shape people's lives and the barriers and challenges they face to being in the NICU.Discover Alix and Sarah;Coutts, S., Woldring, A., Pederson, A. et al. What is stopping us? An implementation science study of kangaroo care in British Columbia’s neonatal intensive care units. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 21, 52 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-020-03488-5http://www.perinatalservicesbc.ca/health-professionals/professional-resources/kangaroo-careDiscover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian

Concussion is a confusing, somewhat misunderstood diagnosis that impacts many individuals every day. We have an in-depth conversation about Concussion, to discuss what it is, what happens to individuals who have one and what kinds of things help to cure concussion. One intervention that can really make a difference for those who suffer concussion is Vision Therapy, and the growing field of Behavioural Optometry. We discuss how athletes who play sports with high risk of concussion can be assessed by a Behavioural Optometrist to see how well their visual systems and movement systems are coordinated, before an injury happens. This may indicate concussion suseptibility and may help to decrease the impact of a concussion on this individual. BIO: Dr. Meuller is an Optometrist in Vision Development and Rehabilitation. She is the founder of NeuroVision Clinic, which uses neuro-optometric assessment, optometric vision therapy, and NeuroDevelopmental Movement. She is a Fellow with the College of Optometrists in Vision Development and Board Certified in Rehabilitative Optometric Vision Therapy. She is a Clinical Associate with the Optometric Extension Program Foundation, Neuro Optometric Rehab Association, and a member of Vision Therapy Canada. Dr. Mueller completed her Doctor of Optometry with Honours from the University of Waterloo in 2001. In 1997 she graduated from the University of Western Ontario with an Honours Bachelor of Science, double major in Physiology and Psychology, with Distinction. Throughout her university career she was involved in vision research.Discover Dr. Mueller online:Neurovisiontherapy.comFacebook: NeuroVision TherapyInstagram: @neurovisiontherapyDiscover more about Concussions and Screening Concussions here: cattonline.comDiscover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian

Homelessness is a pervasive and growing problem in Canada. It is both a cause and a consequence of many serious problems around a person's health and wellbeing. When homelessness strikes for our youth, those problems can be amplified exponentially, and can have impacts that last a lifetime. Katie Heggtveit is the Founder and Director of Impact, Bootcamps for Change, an organization dedicated to improving fitness, health, self-efficacy, confidence and employment prospects for youth living in homeless shelters. We talked to her today about youth homelessness, and the very impressive work she's doing to make a difference. Have a listen and be inspired! About Katie HeggtveitKatie Heggtveit is the founder of "Bootcamps for Change" #SweatierForTheBetter, an organization that shows how fitness can break the cycle of poverty through better health and a foundation for sustainable livelihood. She’s run over 15 sold-out fitness events in Toronto, Thunder Bay, and Halifax, sharing her passions as a TEDx speaker and facilitator of entrepreneurship and homelessness workshops for thousands of high-school and post-secondary students. In 2020, she was named to The Future of Good’s Top 21 New Founders to Watch, 30 Nonprofit Founders That Will Impact the World by CauseArtist, a Top 100 Health and Fitness Influencer in Canada by OptiMYz Magazine, Emerging Leader in Ontario by the Government of Canada, and was the recipient of a national $20,000 scholarship for student leaders. She is currently pursuing her Master of Management Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Queen’s University, and will be pursuing her DrPH. Always keen for adventure: traveling to nearly 40 countries at the age of 24 - riding camels, hiking with locals, and jumping out of airplanes!Katie Heggtveit at TedX: Failure is for the PrivilegedBootcamps for Change on Social Media@BootcampsforChange Katie Heggtveit on Instagram katie.heggtveit

Endometriosis is a diagnosis that many women in Canada and globally struggle with. It can take many years to be diagnosed, leads to serious health issues and creates significant economic impacts. Endometriosis is present in 50% of women with infertility and often results in chronic pain. There are many myths and much misinformation about endometriosis. We brought Canadian Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, Jill Mueller, on the podcast for a stark conversation on the truth about endometriosis, a discussion of how to manage the pain of endometriosis successfully and why to make an endometriosis fertility plan early in life. BIO:Jill has been a physiotherapist for almost 20 years, but became interested in the pelvic side of therapy after experiencing her own fertility and pain challenges linked to endometriosis. She wanted to share with clients the evidence-informed techniques that she learned and has used on herself to help her get out of her own monthly pain.Jill is currently designing an online course for physiotherapists and their role for endometriosis, and hopes to have that completed for next fall through Reframe Rehab and Pelvic Health Solutions.She currently assists for those companies with their Biopsychosocial Approach to Pain course.Discover Jill Mueller, PTWEB: jillmueller.ca hbpw.caSocial Media: @jillmuellerpt @oakvillephysio Keep an eye out for online endometriosis course for patients, and pelvic physios!Discover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian.

We may not always connect the dots, but our social environment has a massive impact on our health and wellbeing. Social Determinants of Health involve a list of things that are proven to directly influence health outcomes. They include sex, gender identity, race, the level of education of your parents and of yourself, where you live, how much money you make, and a host of other factors. We reached out to Kristy Kerr, Executive Director of the BC CDC Foundation for Public Health to ask her about the Social Determinants of Health, and their impact on our health. She talked to us about some of the great initiatives this one-of-a-kind foundation is involved in, in efforts to address these social realities. About Kristy Kerr Kristy Kerr is the Executive Director of the BCCDC Foundation, a registered charity, working in partnership with the BC Centre for Disease Control, as well as other stakeholders, in order to improve public health outcomes in BC. She’s responsible for leading strategic direction, organizational development, and the consistent achievement of the mission, vision, and mandate of the BCCDC Foundation. Kristy believes that our best way forward to create a truly healthy society is to increase public health awareness and investment, and she is leading the Foundation with these goals in mind. Passionate about health promotion, prevention, health equity, and the social determinants of health, Kristy believes we need to shift our focus to upstream actions, that is, addressing root causes of issues and emphasizing positive and holistic health. Upstream thinking will shift our current primary focus on the acute care system toward an investment in stopping problems before they need to be fixed, resulting in a reduction in the burden on our healthcare system, and thereby improving it in the process. Prior to joining the BCCDC Foundation, Kristy worked in different research management and grant- writing roles within the academic world. She also worked in international development and global health, spending time in Zambia and Kenya working with local stakeholders on various community-based initiatives. Kristy has a Master’s degree in Public Health with a specialization in Health Promotion, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Biology, and an Associate’s degree in Creative Writing. A BCCDC Foundation Call to ActionThe BCCDC Foundation needs advocates to spread the message that we all have a role to play in population health: individual actions can have a population impact. By working together to shift how we see health and how we engage with our healthcare system, we can protect the health of our communities now and for future generations. Are you interested in hearing more about the work of the BCCDC Foundation? Want to join our battle cry and Activate Health by becoming a health ambassador in your community? Learn more at www.bccdcfoundation.org and join us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @BccdcFoundation. If you’d like to support the BCCDC Foundation’s initiatives to address COVID-19, the overdose crisis, or other priorities, you can donate online or reach out to donate @bccdcfoundation.org Discover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian

Last year on the podcast, we learned that health and security are a lot more closely linked than we ever imagined. The Covid19 pandemic amplified that fact exponentially. We realized that we had some big questions about systemic racism, misogyny and intolerance in Canadian policing. We also wanted a better understanding what it might actually mean to defund the police. We reached out to BC RCMP Deputy Commissioner Jennifer Strachan for her take on things, and for a Canadian, and an historical context. In the aftermath of the Bastarache Report, Jennifer brought us her perspectives on where the RCMP has been, where the organization is now, and where it's headed. Join us for this wide-ranging conversation that explores everything from RCMP training, to police handling of culturally sensitive issues, to intolerance within the force, and what's being done to make things better. For PDF copies of the Rainbow Project Initiative and the RCMP Guide to Supporting Transgender, Non-Binary and Two-Spirit Employees, mentioned in this episode, email us at info@smallconversationspodcast.ca and we'll send you the PDFs. About Deputy Commissioner Jennifer Strachan With 32 years in policing, D/Commr. Jennifer Strachan spent 14 of those in a broad range of front-line policing roles in British Columbia. She has also worked in administrative duties at the Provincial and National level, in addition to completing a Peacekeeping Mission in Haiti in 1996. She also served as the desk officer responsible for peacekeeping deployments to the Former Yugoslavia.Her frontline policing experience started with her first posting in Whistler, BC and then Westshore Detachment. She was commissioned in 2002 to the role of Executive Officer to the Deputy Commissioner of Corporate Management & Comptrollership and since then some of her postings have included: Officer in Charge of the National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre; Detective Inspector in Charge of Montreal Drug Section; and, Officer in Charge of Operational Policy and Programs in Contract & Indigenous Policing at National Headquarters. She served as a District Commander, Criminal Operations Officer, and as the Commanding Officer in "O" Division, Ontario, and the Deputy Commissioner responsible for Specialized Policing Services.D/Commr. Strachan holds an Undergraduate degree from the University of Ottawa as well as a Master's degree from Royal Roads University. She is a graduate of the Canadian Police College Executive Development in Policing program and is an Alumni of the Leadership in Counter Terrorism Association. With a passion for supporting others in realizing their career goals, D/Commr. Strachan is a proud recipient of the 2014 Ontario Women in Law Enforcement - Mentor of the Year award as well as the 2014 International Association of Women Police - Mentor of the Year award. In 2016, she was invested as an Officer of the Order of Merit for Police Forces (O.O.M) by the Governor General of Canada.She manages competing demands between work and home, thanks to the unwavering support and commitment of her husband and son.BC RCMP (English)GRC en CB (Français)Find D/Com Jennifer Strachan on Twitter: @RCMP_GRC_EDIVCOFind BC RCMP on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @bcrcmp (English) ; @grcencb (French)Find The Small Conversations for a Better World Podcast on Social Media Facebook: @smallconversationsforabetterworldpocastInstagram: @smallconversationspodcast Twitter: @SmallConversat1

The Small Conversations for a Better World Podcast is officially one year old! And on January 1st, 2021, we're launching our third season. We can't wait! With a global pandemic as a backdrop, 2020 was a rollercoaster ride on an epic scale. The interconnectedness of things became even more apparent. Cracks in the foundation were revealed, and we realized it was even more important to talk about the things we see and experience around us that influence, and are influenced by our health. With that in mind, we've curated another fabulous lineup of authorities who can expand perspectives on our central theme: What is Health?As we launch Season 3, we thought we'd take a few moments to re-introduce ourselves, and share what we've learned so far, and what we're planning for this year. There is so much to talk about! We're kicking off on New Year's day with an in-depth conversation with BC RCMP Deputy Commissioner Jennifer Strachan, who answered our questions about systemic racism and intolerance in Canadian policing. That's just the tip of the iceberg! We'll talk about food security with Dr. Tammara Soma; about the social determinants of health with Kristy Kerr, Director of the BC CDC Foundation for Public Health. We'll talk about fitness and homelessness, and how they link in ways you might not expect. We'll dive deep into endometriosis, concussions, and Kangaroo Care. And we'll get an insiders perspective about Search and Rescue in BC. Subscribe to the podcast - and Season 3, episode 1 will drop into your playlist on New Year's Day. After that, look for new episodes every Friday for the duration of the season. Check out the great conversations you may have missed from Seasons 1 & 2. Follow us on social media to share your thoughts on the things we're talking about, to ask questions, and to let us know about things you think we need to talk about! Small Conversations for A Better World Podcast www.smallconversationspodcast.ca Small Conversations Socials : Facebook / Instagram / Twitter Gillian McCormick, PT www.physiogillian.com Socials: @physiogillian Susannah Steers www.movingspirit.ca Socials : @themovingspirit, @susannahsteersnv

Discover The Embodiment Conference, a 10 day, free, online conference about all things Embodiment. We talk to Mr. Embodiment himself, the charismatic Mark Walsh about what it is and why the people and the planet need this more than ever right now. Mark's Bio: I’m Mr Embodiment!

In this final interview of Season 2 we dive deep with the always gracious, Dr. Lori Brotto, because sometimes, we have to talk about having better sex. Solutions for women with low sexual desire are few and far between. Unlike men, the 'little pink pill' is not a game-changer. Dr. Brotto has spent her career investigating ways to help women achieve better sex lives using non-pharmaceutical interventions. Her research in mindfulness has been ground breaking for women everywhere (and for some men, too). She didn't stop there, however. Her research is accessible to all, her knowledge translates well into book format, and she spearheads the Women's Health Institute of BC, home to all research conducted at BC Women's Hospital. About Dr. BrottoDr. Lori Brotto is a Professor in the UBC Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and a Registered Psychologist in Vancouver, Canada. She is the Executive Director of the Women's Health Research Institute of BC located at BC Women's Hospital. Dr Brotto holds a Canada Research Chair in Women's Sexual Health. she is the director of the UBC Sexual Health Laboratory where research primarily focuses on developing and testing psychological and mindfulness-based interventions for women with sexual desire and arousal difficulties, and women with chronic genital pain. Dr. Brotto is an Associate Editor for the Archives of Sexual Behaviour, has more than 170 peer-reviewed publications, and is frequently featured in the media on topics related to sexuality. Her book, Better Sex Through Mindfulness: How Women Can Cultivate Desire (2018) is a trade book of her research demonstrating the benefits of mindfulness for women's sexual concerns. She is a strong advocate for empowering women to take on leadership roles. Find Dr. Brotto at www.brottolab.com, on Social Media @DrLoriBrotto, @UBCshr, @womensresearch. Find her book, "Better Sex Through Mindfulness: How Women Cultivate Desire" HERE. Don't forget to check out #debunkingdesire! Discover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian

Dr. Sally Thorne is a Professor of Nursing at the University of British Columbia and a researcher who conducts qualitative studies into how patients and families experience and manage chronic and life limiting conditions. She also studies end of life care, including the complexities surrounding medical assistance in dying, and the complex conversations around the expanding array of options that are now available to Canadians facing that stage in their lives.Find Dr. Thorne on Twitter. She can be found at https://nursing.ubc.ca/our-people/sally-thorne.Discover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian

When and where does someone's personal health story and science meet? How can a clinician listen deeply to hear between the words used in the telling of the story? Why would a patient wish to have a health practitioner use Narrative Medicine skills in their patient interactions? Lissanthea is a fascinating combo of Physiotherapist and Entrepreneur that challenges herself to listen deeply. Here's why. Bio: Lissanthea Taylor, Co-founder and teacher at narrativerx.com, author at PainChats, clinical director and co-founder at Brain Changer. Lissanthea is a physiotherapist by trade, and a writer, educator and entrepreneur by design. She describes herself as a reluctant clinician, always cautious about the certainty that she was expected to have in judging people's health and healing. Her love of literature and art made narrative medicine a natural fit for teaching skills to re-humanize healthcare. She's resisted the seductive pull of academia in favour of using technology, business and clinician education to apply interdisciplinary research to the massive social and economic challenge of chronic pain.Find Lissanthea on Social MediaTwitter LinkedInInstagramCheck out Brain Changer Digital Pain Recovery Program www.brainchanger.io.Discover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian

In navigating her own way through a severe chronic pain condition, Dr. Leslie Wicholas experienced for herself the role of inflammation in both pain and mood disorders. She is now at the fore in the burgeoning field of Nutritional Psychiatry. Join us as we dive into the many ways that inflammation and microbiome affect mood, pain and health. Diet is the foundation for healing. About Dr. Leslie Wicholas Dr. Leslie Wicholas graduated from the University of Calgary Medical School in 1998, and completed her specialty training in Psychiatry at UBC in 2003. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor at UBC Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Wicholas practiced on the Provincial Child Inpatient Unit at BC Children's Hospital until 2016, working intensively with children and families facing a wide range of psychiatric and medical challenges. In her role as Clinical Director, she introduced and piloted a new model of trauma-informed care, transforming the way psychiatric care is delivered to patients. Most recently, Dr. Wicholas' interests have focussed on the burgeoning field of Nutritional Psychiatry and the role of inflammation in both mood and pain disorders. She has trained with the Institute of Functional Medicine which utilizes a unique, mechanism-based approach to identifying and treating the root causes of chronic disease. Dr. Wicholas designed the food as Medicine program to treat depressive mood disorders and fibromyalgia at the Mood Disorders Association of BC. She and naturopath Dr. Caroline Coombs first piloted this program in July 2016. Dr. Wicholas has continued to deliver this service at MDA since then. More About Food As MedicineMood Disorders Association of BC (MDABC)MDBAC's Food As Medicine Program The "Smiles Trial:" A Randomized Controlled Trial of Dietary Improvement for Adults with Major Depression

Diversity and inclusive schools, companies and communities are key as 1/3 of our youth identify as not-heterosexual. Divine Diversity joins us to discuss privilege, pronouns, gender, sexuality, and the current human rights revolution. Baby Boomers and Gen Z and beyond need to bridge the communication gap about gender and queerness so we can move forward together. Michele FogalMichele is a diversity educator, communications consultant and business coach on the North Shore. She has a BFA in Creative Writing, is a traditionally published author of 3 books, and speaks internationally about diversity at writing conferences. She was Small Business BC’s social media expert for 4 years and now works for the West Vancouver School Board. She has begun a master’s program in Interdisciplinary Studies, with a focus on equity and education. Michele is a queer woman, a parent and a lover of story. Her pronouns are she/her.Caroline WedderspoonCaroline is a diversity educator and a registered clinical counsellor. She works on the North Shore, in several different environments. She is in private practice at Alyson Jones and Associates, and works as a therapist at WorkBC and at CMHA (The Canadian Mental Health Association). Until recently, she worked at Qmunity, Vancouver’s LGBTQ+ Resource Centre. One of her areas of specialization is working with the LGBTQ+ community. Caroline is a queer, cisgender woman and a parent of four. Her pronouns are she/her.About Divine DiversityMichele and Caroline first created the Divine Diversity team to support their own community on the North Shore. They provide diversity presentations, workshops, consultation and strategy. Their clients include non-profit societies, community organisations, governmental departments and schools. Their goal is to facilitate an evolution beyond tolerance, through acceptance, and into celebration of the divine wealth diversity brings.Find Divine Diversity on the Web:divinediversity.comFind Divine Diversity on Social Media:InstagramDiscover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian

The way we move is a tool for communication, how we embody our thoughts and emotions. Moving well is an art that takes time and involvement, requires learning and support. Our wellness can be profoundly affected by how well we move and yet practitioners who address movement are not adequately covered by our Medical System. So, perhaps we have conceptualized our medical system on the wrong premise. Instead of only healing us when we are sick, perhaps we should consider greater financial support for keeping us well. BIO: Paul Cramer, Registered Massage Therapist and Movement Educator, Founder of Movement Spark. Paul has worked as a carpenter and cabinet maker's apprentice, an English as a Second Language teacher and curriculum developer. He pursued the study of Linguistics and obtained a BA (Spec. Honours) degree. He has previously worked in IT and its implementation in schools throughout the Northwest Territories. He lived and worked in Yellowknife, Inuvik as well as Whitehorse in Canada's far north. He currently lives in Edmonton, Alberta with his wife and two children. Discover Paul @movementspark.Find the Movement Spark Wellness Clinic right here.Here's a link to Paul's Facebook Post we like to call "The Bicycle Mechanic".Discover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian.

Dr. Colleen Varcoe realized that she could be non-biased in trauma research despite her personal history with trauma and since then has researched and championed the promotion of equity-oriented healthcare to provide cultural safety, harm reduction and trauma- and violence-informed care. Covid-19 has shown us all the ways that health inequity impacts health outcomes. Dr. Varcoe's work has never been more important. Bio: Dr. Colleen Varcoe, RN, PhD is a professor in the University of British Columbia School of Nursing. Her work aims to decrease inequity and violence including interpersonal and structural forms of violence such as racism and poverty. Her completed research includes studies of risks and health effects of violence and how to promote health for women who experience violence, especially Indigenous women. She has studied how to promote equity-oriented healthcare (cultural safety, harm reduction, and trauma- and violence-informed care) at the organizational level and worked with various Indigenous communities, organizations and issues, including in health care and criminal justice contexts.Discover Colleen Varcoe's work in the following places:Equip Healthcare. At UBC.For the app, myPlan. myPlan in the news:https://news.westernu.ca/2020/07/new-app-aids-women-in-violent-relationships/ CBC News story: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/new-app-helps-women-in-violent-relationships-1.5641089Global News: https://globalnews.ca/news/7153104/myplan-canada-app-relationship-abuse/Discover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian

Dr. Daniel Kalla talks to us about why he wrote his 11th novel, The Last High, a Globe and Mail Best Spring Read choice. He gives us an intriguing look into the devastation this epidemic has caused in his chosen field of emergency medicine, the impacts of the pandemic and where change is desperately needed.BIO: Born, raised, and still residing in Vancouver, Daniel spends his days (and sometimes nights) working as an Emergency Department Physician at St. Paul’s Hospital for the past twenty years. He has been the Emergency Department Head since 2013. He is clinical associate professor at the University of British Columbia.Daniel is also the author of eleven published novels, which have been translated into twelve languages. He has had two novels options for film, and his Shanghai trilogy has is being developed for a TV series. In his eleventh novel, The Last High, Daniel uses his real-life experience as a physician in a downtown hospital to tackle the causes and impacts of the opioid crisis in an realistic gritty thriller that he wrote, in part, as a cautionary tale.Daniel received his B.Sc. in mathematics and his MD from the University of British Columbia, where he is now an clinical associate professor and the department head of a major urban ER. He the proud father of two girls and a poorly behaved but lovable mutt, Milo.Discover Daniel Kalla on the WebDanielKalla.comDiscover Daniel Kalla on Social MediaFacebookTwitterGillian and Dan discuss this graph. ://health-infobase.canada.ca/substance-related-harms/opioids/graphs?index=340) Discover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian

Candyce Kelshall is using her organization, CASIS-Vancouver, to create a proactive model of disorder in the near long term. Why is this important and how does it relate to our COVID-19 global pandemic reality? About Candyce KelshallCandyce Kelshall is a seasoned, in-theatre operational director and has worked extensively with militaries and advising police forces around the world as well as designing and delivering training to specialist units.She is a former senior diplomat who is comfortable liaising with governments and operating at all levels within parliamentary and military contexts She has taught vocational (police, law enforcement, military and intelligence) as well as academic programs in over 17 countries. She has been teaching in a university professional program context for the last 10 years.Kelshall has extensive experience teaching both undergraduate and graduate programs in international relations, geo-strategic security, intelligence, risk & threat assessment. She has 30 years experience in diplomacy, law-enforcement and military professional training, and ten years as military and police advisor in the UK. She has previously served as a diplomat, naval officer, specialist advisor and consultant in disaster response, critical incident and terrorist response, national emergency management and multi-agency joint operations architecture, as well as training design for intelligence fusion centres. She is currently teaching at Simon Fraser University as an Adjunct Professor of Criminology. Her current research interests lie in violent transnational social movements and their role in fifth generation war, the evolving nature of contemporary conflict, post-structural perspectives on human security, and subaltern realism in developing countries.Kelshall is currently the President of the Canadian Association for Security and Intelligence Studies (CASIS) - Vancouver , which encourages and promotes the study and practice of intelligence and security through its research projects, instructional teams, the biannual publication of the Journal of Intelligence, conflict and Warfare, roundtable events and the annual CASIS West Coast Security Conference. She serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Intelligence, Conflict and Warfare, which publishes practitioner-focused briefing notes and articles on contemporary Canadian security issues. Kelshall is also a board member at the Canadian International Council - Vancouver, which is dedicated to advancing Canada's place in the world. Kelshall currently serves as the Director of DA-IC, which conducts specialist training to military units and police officers.Website: CASIS - VancouverFind CASIS on Social Media : @CASISVancouverCandyce Kelshall on Twitter: @CKelshallDr. Patrick Neal on Twitter: @patrickneal1Natalie Arch on Twitter: @N.ArchDiscover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitterFind Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian

Special EpisodeIn this time of a rapidly evolving global health situation we asked our physician guest, Dr. Dedeshya Holowenko, to give us some perspective of what’s really going on with COVID-19 and how best to respond today.About Dr. Dedeshya HolowenkoDr. Holowenko is a family physician with a special interest in Women’s Health. She has worked in a specialty menopause clinic for over 10 years. She maintains her family practice, but also accepts referrals for contraception management including IUD’s, pelvic pain, irregular bleeding, menstrual issues, sexual health, hormonal health and weight management. She is the former board chair of the North Shore Division of Family Practice. She is the co-creator of Medvoice.ca, an app that assists in efficiency and communication during a doctor’s visit and is co-founder of FEMME.bc, the Federation for the Empowerment of Menopausal Women and MedicalRemember Dr. David Patrick? You can find him here on Facebook singing a song of how to handle yourself around COVID-19. Important links and resources regarding COVID-19:The Public Health Agency of CanadaWorld Health OrganizationBC Centre for Disease Control (recently revised): Ministry of HealthCall 8-1-1: for Healthlinks. Call if you suspect you have COVID-19 to get info for testing. Flattening the CurveFor specific information on how to perform Infection Prevention and Control go here. Find Gillian McCormick @physiogillian. Find Susannah Steers @themovingspirit.

The Season One Finale of the Small Conversations for a Better World Podcast. We look back over the season, and talk about what we've learned, and where we're going next! Thanks to our fearless guests for jumping in whole-heartedly, to our tech team for working so hard to make us sound good and especially to you, for tuning in. Look for Season 2 starting July 2020. Discover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitter Find Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian.

Our world is demanding a different kind of leadership to solve complex problems. Join us for a conversation with Candyce Kelshall on her experiences with leadership, and how we can mentor effective leaders in a way that develops confidence, connection and empathy. About Candyce Kelshall Candyce Kelshall is a seasoned, in-theatre operational director and has worked extensively with militaries and advising police forces around the world as well as designing and delivering training to specialist units. She is a former senior diplomat who is comfortable liaising with governments and operating at all levels within parliamentary and military contexts She has taught vocational (police, law enforcement, military and intelligence) as well as academic programs in over 17 countries. She has been teaching in a university professional program context for the last 10 years. Kelshall has extensive experience teaching both undergraduate and graduate programs in international relations, geo-strategic security, intelligence, risk & threat assessment. She has 30 years experience in diplomacy, law-enforcement and military professional training, and ten years as military and police advisor in the UK. She has previously served as a diplomat, naval officer, specialist advisor and consultant in disaster response, critical incident and terrorist response, national emergency management and multi-agency joint operations architecture, as well as training design for intelligence fusion centres. She is currently teaching at Simon Fraser University as an Adjunct Professor of Criminology. Her current research interests lie in violent transnational social movements and their role in fifth generation war, the evolving nature of contemporary conflict, post-structural perspectives on human security, and subaltern realism in developing countries. Kelshall is currently the President of the Canadian Association for Security and Intelligence Studies (CASIS) - Vancouver , which encourages and promotes the study and practice of intelligence and security through its research projects, instructional teams, the biannual publication of the Journal of Intelligence, conflict and Warfare, roundtable events and the annual CASIS West Coast Security Conference. She serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Intelligence, Conflict and Warfare, which publishes practitioner-focused briefing notes and articles on contemporary Canadian security issues. Kelshall is also a board member at the Canadian International Council - Vancouver, which is dedicated to advancing Canada's place in the world. Kelshall currently serves as the Director of DA-IC, which conducts specialist training to military units and police officers. (Interesting note: In this interview, Candyce talks about the stunning record Abby Wambach set as the world leading soccer goal scorer in international competition EVER - male or female. We recorded this interview in late 2019. In January 2020, Canadian soccer player Christine Sinclair has now broken that record!) Website: CASIS - Vancouver Find CASIS on Social Media : @CASISVancouverCandyce Kelshall on Twitter: @CKelshall Discover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitter Find Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian.

During this interview we meet with Brendan Kwiatkowski, local teacher turned international PhD Student, to talk about the research surrounding emotional issues in boys related to education. What is toxic or restrictive masculinity? How can we parent and teach boys in a way that supports healthy emotional development? Tune in and join the conversation! About Brendan KwiatkowskiBrendan Kwiatkowski grew up in British Columbia and worked as a public secondary school teacher for five years there. He has his masters in special education and is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Edinburgh in the school of education. His research looks closely at the relationships between adolescent males' school experiences, masculinity and emotionality. He is particularly interested in helping schools better support the social and emotional needs of all their students.Find Brendan Kwiatkowski’s website at www.remasculate.org, on Instagram @re.masculate and on Twitter @rethinkmasculin.Find the American Psychological Association at www.apa.org for the new practice guidelines for treating men and boys. Find out about a new men’s mental health movement in the UK at www.wearehumen.org and @humen. For interesting feminist discussion and to find where Gillian first encountered Brendan on Social Media find Glennon Doyle and Abby Wambach at @glennondoyle and @abbywambach respectively. Together they run the non-profit organization Together Rising (togetherrising.org).Find Susannah Steers at www.movingspirit.ca and on social media @themovingspirit.Find Gillian McCormick at https://physiogillian.com/ and on social media @physiogillian.

Emily Rugel PhD speaks with us about smart city planning that includes natural spaces to not only enhance our mental health but to treat mental health disorders. About Dr. Emily Rugel:Emily Jessica Rugel recently received her doctorate from UBC's School of Population & Public Health, where her dissertation developed a comprehensive model of natural spaces across metro Vancouver and applied it to prescription data and to health surveys that have assessed social ties and mental health. More broadly, her work explores health-promoting urban design, with the aim of developing scientific evidence that can be embedded in sustainability plans and in policies that advance equity. She has remained in academia as a postdoctoral fellow in the Faculty of Forestry, but firmly believes in the acquisition of knowledge through chance encounters as well as classroom instruction.Find Emily Rugel online.And on social media @BrainsOnNature Discover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitter Connect with Gillian McCormick at www.physiogillian.com.InstagramFacebookTwitterLinkedInConnect with Susannah Steers: www.movingspirit.ca.InstagramFacebookTwitterLinkedIn

Andrea Dobbs is the proprietor of the Village Bloomery, a cannabis retailer with a different vibe in Vancouver, BC. We have a candid conversation about her cannabis awakening while using CBD and THC to navigate her menopause symptoms, the history of the Village Bloomery and legalization of marijuana in Canada. About Andrea DobbsAndrea has worked most of her life in retail, with a focus on design and management. Throughout her career, Andrea has had the pleasure of working for forward-thinking retailers like IKEA, The Body Shop, and Womyns Ware. Andrea has recently been featured on the cover of the Georgia Straight and is redefining what cannabis means to women.Find the Village Bloomery at: www.villagebloomery.comInstagram Twitter Online Resources for learning more about CBC & THC www.medicaljane.comwww.Green-flower.com Discover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitter Connect with Gillian McCormick at www.physiogillian.com.InstagramFacebookTwitterLinkedInConnect with Susannah Steers: www.movingspirit.ca.InstagramFacebookTwitterLinkedIn

Sam Hughes talks to us about the importance of pelvic health for men and women, and dives deep into optimizing recovery after prostate cancer surgery. About Sam Hughes, MScPTSam has been a physiotherapist for 12 years, and has worked with pelvic health for 10 years in public practice. In addition to her clinical work, she implemented the pelvic health and prostate surgery physiotherapy program in Surrey, BC. She was the principal investigator of a study in the area of incontinence after prostate cancer surgery. Since the beginning of her career, she has been an advocate for promoting and disseminating pelvic health physiotherapy. She has been a speaker for many conferences, health practitioners meetings, webinars, support groups and client group programs. She just recently published "The Guide to Optimizing Recovery after Prostate Cancer Surgery," which is a book written to empower men and their families throughout their recovery process. In the past 2 years, her business has been transitioning to her own private practice. Most recently, she joined forces with a wellness centre to be able to treat men and women in collaboration with holistic practitioners. Sam has also created various study groups among her peers, and has provided mentorship to new pelvic floor physical therapists in Canada and In Brazil. Find Sam Huges online:Sam Hughes PhysiotherapyInstagram Facebook Sam's BookThe Guide to Optimizing Recovery after Prostate Cancer SurgeryResources for Prostate Cancer Recovery Prostate Cancer Canada Vancouver Prostate Cancer Support Group Prostate Cancer Foundation BC Discover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitter Find Gillian McCormick at www.physiogillian.com.InstagramFacebookTwitterLinkedInFind Susannah Steers at Moving Spirit: www.movingspirit.ca.InstagramFacebookTwitterLinkedIn

Join us as we talk to Karen Gilbert, OT about Occupational Therapy, Invisible Health Conditions, and Brené Brown's research on vulnerability, courage, shame and worthiness. About Karen Gilbert Karen Gilbert is a Vancouver-based Occupational Therapist. She helps people juggling a busy life and an invisible health condition develop new strategies and habits for living alife with greater ease. She is also a Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator and leads Daring Greatly™ and Rising Strong™ groups based on Brené Brown's research. Karen is passionate about the interplay between our physical, emotional and social well-being, and empowering people to engage in activities that are meaningful to them and maintain a sense of worth and identity during vulnerable times. She has been an occupational therapist for twenty-four years and works with individuals who want to develop strategies to make the most of their time and energy, sleep more soundly, reduce isolation, stress anxiety and/or pain, improve attention, memory or organization and do more of what lights them up. If you live in Vancouver are are interested in hearing about upcoming workshops based on Brené Brown's research, visit her website and sign up for updates. Discover Karen Gilbert on Social MediaInstagram Twitter Facebook Discover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitter Find Gillian McCormick at www.physiogillian.com.InstagramFacebookTwitterLinkedInFind Susannah Steers at Moving Spirit: www.movingspirit.ca.InstagramFacebookTwitterLinkedIn

Dr. Dedeshya Holowenko speaks to us about challenges for physicians in delivering good health care to their women clients in B.C., Canada and globally due to the impact of the Women’s Health Initiative and differences in funding for Women’s Health application across provinces. She provides insight into how patients and practitioners can navigate the system for the most efficient, effective outcomes. About Dr. Dedeshya Holowenko Dr. Holowenko is a family physician with a special interest in Women’s Health. She has worked in a specialty menopause clinic for over 10 years. She maintains her family practice, but also accept referrals for contraception management including IUD’s, pelvic pain, irregular bleeding, menstrual issues, sexual health, hormonal health and weight management. She is the board chair of the North Shore Division of Family Practice. She is the co-creator of Medvoice.ca, an app that assists in efficiency and communication during a doctor’s visit. She is co-founder of FEMME.bc, the Federation for the Empowerment of Menopausal Women and Medical Education; a forum for educating patients and physicians about menopause. Medvoice the app can be found at Medvoice.com. Created by Dr. Jonathon Hislop and Dr. Dedeshya Holowenko. Doctors and Patients: How do you like the Medvoice.ca App? Email us at info@smallconversationspodcast.ca and tell us what you think. FEMME.bc is a non-profit foundation created by Dr. Dedeshya Holowenko and Dr. Natalie Gamache dedicated to the empowerment and education of the public and healthcare professionals on all topics pertaining to menopause. All proceeds of events will be reinvested in the foundation to pursue these objectives. Email FemmeBC@gmail.com.Upcoming event: Me-No-Pause, A Survival Guide. January 21, 2020 from 6:30 -8:30 PM at Vancouver Public Library (350 West Georgia Street). Tickets are $25. Click here to get your tickets! Tickets may be available at the door. Discover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitter Find Gillian McCormick at www.physiogillian.com.InstagramFacebookTwitterLinkedInFind Susannah Steers at Moving Spirit: www.movingspirit.ca. InstagramFacebookTwitterLinkedIn

Bugs, Drugs and Public Health: Dr. David PatrickIn this inaugural episode of the podcast, join hosts Gillian McCormick and Susannah Steers for a small conversation with Dr. David Patrick; Executive Lead, BC Centre for Disease Control, and Professor, UBC School of Population and Public Health. We discuss antibiotic resistance, vaccinations, the fentanyl drug crisis and the best practice approach to enhancing public health. "We need to build our communities so the right thing to do is the easy thing to do." Dr. David Patrick About Dr. David Patrick Professor David Patrick is an Infectious Diseases Physician and Epidemiologist, Interim Executive Lead for the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control and Professor of Population and Public Health at the University of British Columbia (UBC). His interest is in fostering interdisciplinary approaches to the control of emerging infectious diseases in populations. His current focus is on tracking and controlling antimicrobial resistance and on the relationship between antibiotic use and atopic disease at the population level. Antibioticwise.caDr. David Patrick on Twitter Discover Small Conversations on Social MediaInstagramFacebookTwitter Find Gillian McCormick at www.physiogillian.com.InstagramFacebookTwitterLinkedInFind Susannah Steers at Moving Spirit: www.movingspirit.ca.InstagramFacebookTwitterLinkedIn

Introducing the Small Conversations for a Better World Podcast. Your hosts Gillian McCormick and Susannah Steers bring you interviews with experts, thought-leaders and influencers to answer the question what is health.More than the absence of disease, health is influence by our connections, and communities and a whole host of factors not always easily understood. Listen to gain new insights into how to be healthy individuals, families, and communities.Follow Small Conversations on Social Media! Instagram Facebook Twitter Find Gillian McCormick at www.physiogillian.com. Instagram Facebook TwitterLinkedInFind Susannah Steers at Moving Spirit: www.movingspirit.ca. Instagram Facebook Twitter LinkedInAppreciation and love to our Sound Engineer from Blue Sky Productions, Bryan Wilson.What is health to you? Send us your comments to info@smallconversationspodcast.com.