Talking IMPACT

Send us a textIn this episode of Talking Impact, we're joined by Preston Manning, former Leader of the Reform Party, policy maker, advisor, and son of Alberta Premier Ernest Manning. Discover an inspiring conversation on leadership, civic responsibility, and the power of character, confidence, and integrity. Drawing on his experience, Preston shares reflections from his book 'Do Something!' and offers heartfelt insights on how we can empower young people to lead lives of purpose and make meaningful contributions to their communities. This is a conversation for anyone passionate about shaping a stronger, more resilient Canada, one act of impact at a time.

Send us a textAfter over 30 years as a trusted voice in Calgary news, Linda Olsen joins Talking Impact for a heartfelt conversation about her journey, from growing up in Calgary to anchoring some of the city's biggest stories. She shares the highs and lows of her journalism career, her deep-rooted commitment to community, the balancing act of motherhood in the spotlight, and what life looks like after stepping away from the anchor chair. It's a story of grace, resilience, and leading with kindness. 

Send us a textWhat drives a journalist to tell the stories that matter most? In this episode of Talking Impact, we sit down with Joelle Tomlinson, journalist, keynote speaker, and mental health advocate, to explore her journey through the world of media, the challenges of representation, and the power of storytelling in shaping change. From navigating personal loss to using her platform for advocacy, Joelle shares powerful insights on resilience, purpose, and the impact of human-driven narratives. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on why the stories we tell, and who tells them, matter.

Send us a textWhat does it take to truly empower young women to step into their confidence, leadership, and resilience? On this episode of Talking Impact, we sit down with Alison Springer, Founder of Young Women of Power (YWOP), a passionate Youth Communications Specialist, and a leader in shaping positive school culture. With years of experience developing youth programs, co-writing curriculum, and working within Calgary's Youth Judicial System, Alison has dedicated her life to building up the next generation. She shares the heart behind her work, the experiences that shaped her passion, and the practical tools she uses to inspire and uplift youth. Tune in for an inspiring conversation packed with wisdom, practical insights, and a powerful reminder of how we can all make an impact.

Send us a textIn this episode of Talking Impact, we're joined by Neil Hocking, a passionate New Brunswick educator who has been instrumental in expanding the HEROES® Program across the province. Neil shares his personal journey in education, the pressing challenges teachers and students face today, and how the Heroes program offers real solutions.From building trust with students to reducing behavioral issues and fostering classroom resilience, this episode provides practical strategies for educators to create meaningful change. Whether you're looking to enhance your teaching approach or better support your students, this conversation is filled with valuable takeaways.Tune in to hear how Heroes is making an impact in classrooms and beyond!

Send us a textJoin us for a powerful panel discussion recorded at a recent Impact Society event, where subject matter experts explore the research behind the Heroes Programs. Moderated by Joni Avram, founder of Cause & Effect, this conversation features Chris Primeau (CEO of Impact Society), Dr. Mitch Colp (Psychologist and CEO of Hexagon Psychology), and Dr. Robert Tanguay (Expert in Psychiatry, Addiction, and Pain Medicine). Together, they dive into themes of prevention, psychology, resilience, and the mental health crisis, offering valuable insights into how Heroes is making a difference for youth and families.

Send us a textThis episode of Talking Impact replays a powerful conversation amongst classroom Heroes Preston, Jay, and Neil moderated by Joni Avram at our recent event. As we reflected on the last 30 years, this conversation uncovers the power of the program from those who experience it first hand. Listen to become inspired by 3 incredible educators who are driven by the purpose of building strong, resilient, youth. 

Send us a textIn this episode of Talking Impact, we are joined by Jill Wheatley, an athlete, educator, and inspirational figure, alongside Robert Lebermeyer. Jill shares her incredible journey of recovery after a devastating brain injury left her nearly blind and in the hospital for years. Her story is one of resilience, as she transformed her setback into a powerful motivator, conquering some of the world's most challenging peaks and inspiring others to embrace their potential in the face of adversity. This episode offers a compelling look at the power of perseverance and the human spirit's ability to rise above even the greatest challenges.

Send us a textIn this episode of Talking Impact, we sit down with Dr. Robert Tanguay, Chief Medical Officer of The Newly Institute, to discuss the critical challenges facing society in the treatment of addiction and mental health disorders. Dr. Tanguay shares insights into innovative approaches to addiction treatment, drawing on successes from other regions and advocating for early prevention, stronger family systems, and a move away from pharmaceutical-driven solutions. Join us for an eye-opening conversation on how evidence-based psychotherapy and trauma-focused therapy are reshaping the way we approach recovery and rehabilitation.Watch the full episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/tFezSrSH9m8

Send us a textIn this episode of Talking Impact, we are joined by Jonathan Kaiswatum, Director of Education for Tsuut'ina Nation, for a deep dive into his role as an educator within Indigenous communities. Jonathan shares powerful insights on the importance of mentorship and the contributions each generation makes to their communities. We also explore how reconciliation through education can reshape our collective future, fostering unity as a nation of nations. Join us for a compelling conversation about the transformative potential of education in building bridges and strengthening our communities.

Send us a textIn this episode of Talking Impact, we engage with Lauren Remple, co-creator of Impact Society's Eduction for Reconciliation program. Lauren shares her insights on how education can serve as a powerful tool for reconciliation, discussing ways in which curriculum can be designed to bring cultures together and foster a greater shared context. The conversation also explores how these approaches build resilience in youth and how different worldviews shape our understanding of history and social studies. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on the role of education in fostering understanding and healing across communities.

Send us a textIn this episode of Talking Impact, Chris & Jordan sit down with Owen Reader, professional storyteller and CEO of Indelible Studios, to explore the incredible power of storytelling. Owen dives into the psychology behind why stories are so effective for memory, loyalty, and advocacy. Together, we unpack how storytelling shapes our lives and how it plays a crucial role in Impact Society's programs, helping young people write a better story for their futures. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on how stories can transform the way we connect with others and shape our paths forward.

Send us a Text Message.Welcome to the final part of the Talking Impact Co-facilitator Series! In this episode, Collette Toth and Jordan Remple sit down with Heroes alumni and co-facilitator AJ to discuss her transformative journey with the Heroes program. AJ shares a pivotal moment when she realized the program's significance and truly understood that she wasn't alone in her struggles. Reflecting on her experience as a co-facilitator, she talks about the profound connections she made with outcast students. Tune in to hear AJ's inspiring story and the impactful lessons she learned through the Heroes program. 

Send us a Text Message.In this episode of the Talking Impact Podcast, our Programs Director Jordan Remple sits down with Heroes alumni and co-facilitator Aarush to explore the transformative power of the Heroes program. Aarush reflects on how learning about basement and balcony friends was a highlight, how the program boosted his confidence after struggling with friendships in grade 6, and the ways it helped him open up to his parents. Listen now to his story as you binge the co-facilitator micro-series!

Send us a Text Message.Our Program Experts Jordan Remple and Collette Toth sit down with Payton, a remarkable student who took her civics project to the next level in New Brunswick. Discover how Payton's passion for helping others opened an opportunity to collaborate with Impact Society, leading to a new Heroes initiative that allows young leaders to co-facilitate the program. Listen to learn more about her experience with the Heroes Program and the impact she witnesses first hand in the classroom.  

Send us a Text Message.Tune in to this week's episode as Chris sits down with the esteemed Captain of the Calgary Flames, Mikael Backlund. Explore how his leadership style has evolved since his youth, hear stories of pivotal moments and influential people in his life, and discover the journey that shaped him into the humble and endearing role model we know today. 

Listen this week as Chris sits down with mountaineer, artist, photographer, and the mastermind behind  Peak Week: Robert Lemermeyer. From the struggles of burnout to a redemption story fuelled by unconditional love, he shares an intriguing narrative on living from your strengths. Discover how Robert overcame hardships on his road to discovering his true purpose. Stay tuned until the end for the inside scoop on the next Peak Week coming this summer and to learn more about Roberts upcoming exhibit in Canmore, AB.   Learn more about Robert by visiting his website: https://www.lemermeyer.ca/ , finding him on Instagram @24_peaks , or checking out his exhibit "Up High: The Healing Adventure of Robert Lemermeyer" at the Canmore Museum from June 7th 2024 to December 22nd. 

In the Season 5 premiere of the Impact Society podcast, CEO Chris Primeau interviews founders Jack and Collette Toth, reflecting on the organization's 30-year journey. They discuss the early challenges and triumphs of Impact Society, which started in 1994 from their basement office. Despite financial and operational hurdles, their resilience and commitment to helping youth persevered. Jack and Collette share personal stories highlighting the profound impact of their work, including helping struggling students and reconnecting with the family of Jennifer Janz, in whose memory the organization was founded. With a goal to support 1 million youth by 2030, Impact Society continues to rely on its foundational principles, driven by a dedicated community of founders, employees, educators, and supporters. As Chris Primeau states, "The power of the program is alive and well, and the future is promising."

Michael Strong, a respected educator, established the Socratic Experience for students in grades 3-12 to cultivate creative thinking and assist young individuals in identifying their strengths. Utilizing the Socratic method, he encourages independent thinking and reflection on personal passions and societal needs. Additionally, Michael explores the fundamental aspects of mental health, namely connection, community, meaning, and purpose.The podcast goes on to discuss Michaels' journey as an education entrepreneur, expanding the Socratic Experience globally. He encourages young people to take ownership of their education while criticizing traditional school systems for promoting passivity. He believes that there is great power in being purpose-driven in life which is a highlight of the discussion.To connect with Michael, reach out on the following platforms: Programs Website: www.socraticexperience.com YouTube: @SocraticMichaelStrongTwitter and Medium: @FlowidealismLinkedIn: @SocraticStrongExperienceWe value your input! If there are specific topics from this conversation that you would like us to explore further, please feel free to reach out to us at info@impactsociety.com. We look forward to having Michael join us again to delve deeper into the concepts discussed.

Joining us on this episode of Talking Impact is Jessica Peters. Jessica is the founder and Chief Possibility Officer (CPO) at Wealth Coaching and Consulting. In addition, Jessica is a board member here at Impact Society and holds several awards for her not-for-profit leadership roles. Jessica introduces us to the four elements that came together to influence her path to becoming a coach; including her confusion about what she wanted to be growing up, the purpose she saw in volunteerism, and a traumatic brain injury. Amongst a whirlwind of challenges, she knew she was just getting started in her career, and a physical setback would not stop her. Since then, Jessica has built a successful leadership practice that coaches leaders of a wide array of individuals (eg. from teenagers to businesspeople, to retired folk) on how to transform themselves and their work into something meaningful. She says that by helping others find their purpose work, productivity and retention increase, and stress decreases. When Chris asks about the consumer aspect, Jessica tells us that coaching is not prescriptive, but about meeting people where they are. This a great leadership-based episode to watch if you're searching for your own purpose!

Joining us today is Sat Parhar, Calgary's former Deputy Chief of Police, here to discuss all things leadership, diversity, and the future of modern youth. Sat describes how leaders are often put on a pedestal, and as a result, can be struck down when sharing their ideas. From growing up in a Sikh immigrant household and how impactful his Mother's steady leadership was to Sat's growth, to why he whispers “I love you” into his newborn grandson's ear every day, Sat shares personal experiences that have modeled him into a resilient leader and father. He shares an account early on in his decades-long career with CPS, and how it taught him an invaluable lesson to call something out in the room, rather than leaving it for an office discussion later on. Through open conversations about what is happening in modern policing, Sat helps us understand how we are all change agents, and why that makes each of us important in our ever-changing pluralistic society.

Joining us on this episode is David Harvey, the teaching pastor at Westside Kings Church in Calgary. David earned his PhD of Theology from the University of Manchester, and relocated to Canada five years ago! Starting off with the bad reputation that sermons sometimes receive, he tells us how they can be both an amazing and horrible medium in our experience. With oral storytelling dating back far in humanity, David shows us how stories are still so entrenched in our everyday lives. We love stories so much we rush home to watch a new season of our favorite fictional stories. Every interaction between people is a curation of some stories, which leads David into some examples in the Bible, that the books of the New Testament are also curated to elicit specific meanings and direction. Furthermore, we dive into David's own story a little bit. His family moved to Sierra Leone during his youth, and he describes how the stories of its postcolonial brokenness cannot be fixed by simply ‘asking people to believe in Jesus' nor erasing the past, but by going back far enough in the story to see who the problem was, and how it seeped into modern day. With lots of jokes and interesting things to think about along the way, David tells us that the biblical word of ‘Shalom', meaning wholeness, is what he envisions in his story about our world, and how he tries to embody that in his community. 

Jean Côté and Luc Martin are sports psychologists, and happen to be colleagues at Queens University. What brings them together is the belief that involvement in sport goes beyond performance; an interest in how sports can support the development of individuals. Jean's work focuses on legitimate research without an emphasis on just elite athletes. He speaks about how in the last 30 years, he's witnessed a positive shift in the world of sports psychology, from one with a BIG emphasis on performance, to one where sports are a tool to springboard personal development! Having put forth an entire framework relating to this, Jean takes us through the breakthrough term of “Transformational coaching”, and how studies have shown that on a  scale of coaches, it is only interpersonal skills that sets apart a bad coach and a phenomenal one. Luc, on the other hand, takes a keen focus on the team dynamics side of sports, and how team dynamics can give way to a kid's developing a sense of identity. Luc gives us insight into the story based programming that pushed forward a 5-week pilot program, in which youth hockey teams watched videos of pro players introducing growth-related topics. The feedback was overwhelmingly strong, even as a pilot program, with parents saying they saw a common language forming between them and their children. Videos like one of Andrew Ladd recounting troubles with an injury, gave kids a feeling of relatability, pointing towards a change that sports psychology is seen as a necessary mental health piece in sports, and no longer something that needs to be swept under the rug. Lots of interesting dialogue will have you thinking in this episode!

On this episode of Talking Impact, Chris sits down with resilient business-woman, life-long learner, and founder of Komo Consulting - Kelsey Komorowski.A graduate from the University of Toronto (Master of Global Affairs) and Queen's University (Bachelor of Arts, Honours), Kelsey did not always have such success in school. When she was younger she often felt like she was falling behind and unable to grow in her areas of weakness.Today, she has 16 years of experience working closely with students to develop the skills, mindsets and attributes they need to thrive not just in school but as lifelong learners and thoughtful, productive humans.  Kelsey loves empowering parents with the skills and knowledge to help their kids reach their potential while establishing positive household dynamics around school. She knows that every student can succeed in school, so long as they're shown how.

This episode features a conversation with Vanisha Breault, an incredible woman, fellow podcast host, and the founder of the Terminator Foundation, a nonprofit organization helping youth overcome addiction. She vulnerably shares about her childhood and personal journey with addiction, a powerful story that became the catalyst for the creation of her foundation. Vanisha gives a glimpse into her 'why', how fitness has impacted her life (among others) and what the future holds for the organization.Terminator Foundation's motto is 'The Truth is You Can Recover' and drives the mission to revolutionize lives through the sport of triathlon. Offering one-on-one coaching, training, support, mindfulness practices and a guaranteed non-judgemental atmosphere, the Foundation hosts an annual conference and several fundraisers to help support individuals and families impacted by addiction.

This episode features a beautifully candid conversation with Mitch Lagadin. Not only is Mitch the Launchpoint Sport & Event Strategies' day to day leader, he also hosts his own podcast called 'Slow Down, Man'. He shares about his journey of finding purpose, how he uses his own experience to mentor others, and gives a glimpse into how his own mental health struggles have impacted his life.

On today's episode we feature a conversation with Zac Rinaldo who is currently playing for the Calgary Flames. In addition to being a member of the Flames Foundation 'Hockey Talks', a family man and NHL player, Zac is an advocate for providing mental health resources to people of all ages. He shares a bit of his story, gives a glimpse into some of the struggles he faces as a younger person in the world of hockey, as well as dreams for ways he can make a difference.

On this episode we had the privilege of sitting down with the Alberta Minister of Community and Social Services, Rajan Sahwney. She gives an honest glimpse into her upbringing, the things that shaped her trajectory, and challenges she’s faced along the way.

We’re kicking off Season 3 of the Talking Impact Podcast with a very special guest! Mark Gordon is in the Impact Society DNA and he shares incredible wisdom from his experience as a relationship catalyst in this conversation. He gives a sneak peek into his new book ‘Relationship Matters’ which we are very excited about.

A conversation with Colin Jackson, the 2020 recipient of Calgary's Art Award, who after retiring from a career in the performing arts and broadcasting, volunteers in support of education, poverty relief and community-building organizations. On this episode we talk about where his belief in the power of story came from and how we can play our part in telling those stories today.

It's not every day that you get to hear from a surgeon, but on today's episode we sit down with Dr. Luke Rudmik for a discussion on what it means to have a wholistic approach to health, observations about mental health, and the project he is working on to tackle some of these concerns.

Rick Luchak joins us on this episode to talk about his experience as a HEROES program instructor. He gives a glimpse into how he was initially connected to IMPACT Society and why he took the instructor training in the first place. He shares stories about how the lives of students were significantly impacted by the program, and talks about the hope he has for the future of our youth.

Gian-Carlo Carra has been the councillor for Ward 9 in Calgary, Alberta for the past 10 years. Before entering the world of politics he was an award winning urban designer and on today's episode the conversation centres around how our physical communities have an impact on our well-being. We also touch on a bit of Gian-Carlo's story, the way COVID-19 has affected him both personally and politically, some of his hopes for his ward, the city of Calgary, and the global community.

After years of in person and cyber bullying through Jr. High and High School, Joshua Yandt moved to a new school and had a choice to make. In this episode we talk about the decisions he made that in turn impacted the lives of everyone around him and resulted in international recognition and public speaking opportunities. Listeners, meet The Doorman.Thanks to The Calgary Flames Foundation we have been able to completely refresh our HEROES Journal and this story will be featured in the People Builders chapter.

We're kicking off Season 2 of the Talking IMPACT podcast by featuring a fantastic conversation with Dayami Fernandes! We talk about the effects of coddling children, how to help our children develop emotional intelligence, and the stages of parenting (among other things). Dayami was born in Cuba and immigrated to Canada in the year 2000. She has a Bachelor's in Education and a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology. She is also a Certified Canadian Counsellor as well as a Registered Therapist in Alberta. Additionally, she is trained in the Gottman Method for couples counselling, Transactional Analysis, Prepare/Enrich programs for marriage preparation and re-encounter and is currently pursuing training in EMDR. Dayami has offered seminars for parents across the city as well as professional development sessions for teachers on how to intentionally incorporate emotional intelligence in everyday life. She has been a consultant for news pieces on microaggressions and other locally developed initiatives such as the Heroes At Home program for the IMPACT SOCIETY.

On this episode we have a wonderful conversation with Alex Sanderson, a Professor of Psychology at Ambrose University. Her current research is complimentary to the approach we take with our HEROES programs and so our conversation centres around her findings when it comes to youth, the effects of social media and the implications COVID-19 has had on their mental health (and what we can do to help).

Marianna, a social worker with an emphasis on youth and seniors, has been a supporter of the IMPACT Society for many years. She recently took part in the assessment and development of our HEROES @ HOME Program and has an incredible life story that we have selected to be a part of our new HEROES Program. On this episode Marianna gives in a glimpse into her own journey, learnings, and shares wisdom with us.

Robyn Regehr is a Stanley Cup Champion and former Calgary Flames Defensemen. In this episode we talk about his life journey, including his path dealing with setbacks and choosing character to rebound from challenges to become a champion, and his years of support for youth through the HEROES Program.

On this episode we have a conversation with Candice Goudie, the Executive Director of The Calgary Flames Foundation. We talk about what The Flames Foundation is doing for communities in Southern Alberta and how Flames stories will be integrated in HEROES material in the near future.

James Cardinal is a retired RCMP Officer and school counsellor working with youth at the Amisk Community School. For many years James has used the HEROES are WARRIORS program with to make a significant difference for the Indigenous youth in his community. In this episode James shares his story of growing up in Northern Alberta, the many challenges he has faced in his life/career, and his passion for helping youth to grow and become HEROES.

In this Episode we have a conversation with two experts in youth work, Claudio Arancibia and Jordan Remple, about a much needed discussion on the movement that is taking place globally, Black Lives Matter. At IMPACT Society celebrating diversity, and creating a safe space for dialogue and discovery, is at the core of how we teach our HEROES program. In this episode we want to shed light and give voice to current issues. We believe that it is important to celebrate differences and that equality is for all.

In this episode we speak with Dr. Wayne Hammond about The Flourishing Life Model of Positive Psychology. Over the past twenty-five years Dr. Hammond has worked with complex children, youth and their families, and is considered a leading expert on the concept of resilience and positive psychology. Wayne's research has included several studies on the outcomes of the HEROES program. In this episode he shares his insights into the history and efficacy of the Flourishing Model for Youth, and the impact that the HEROES Program has in developing resilience, life long strengths, and coping mechanisms in youth.

Emily Fraser is the host of “The Calm Podcast with Emily Fraser,” a show inspired by a course she teaches called Career and Life Management (CALM). Emily is passionate about advancing resilient and socially just communities. As an educator and podcast host Emily's goal is to create safe spaces where individuals can connect, find their voices and become advocates for change. In her work as an Educator Emily teaches Career and Life Management, coordinates the GSA Club and promotes diversity and inclusion at Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School. https://www.thecalmpodcast.com/https://www.instagram.com/thecalmpodcast/emily@thecalmpodcast.com

Collette Toth is the Co-Founder of the IMPACT SOCIETY. Over her career, she has played a key role in developing and delivering programs for youth and parents, helping to improve the mental and emotional well-being of young people and caregivers alike. In this episode we talk about the challenges youth and parents are facing, and how parents/caregivers play an essential role in providing connection and support through every stage of a young person’s development.

Jordan Remple is an expert in mental health and addictions. Over the past 10 years he has created and delivered programs that help young people recover from addictions and improve their mental health. Jordan's experience and passion has led him to become a champion of the HEROES Program as a preventative tool that supports adolescent development. In this episode we discuss the need for the HEROES Program, Jordan's journey in developing programs for youth, and his insights into HEROES as a tool that builds resilience and mental well-being.

Christopher and Jack Toth discuss the founding of the IMPACT SOCIETY and the HEROES Program Journey that has been improving mental health for youth since 1994. About our Guest: At the age of 16, Jack Toth found himself sitting on his bed with his brother’s hunting rifle across his lap, about to take his life. It was a difficult time, but with determination and the help of others, Jack was able to pull out of that dark place, later committing his life to helping youth live with hope and purpose, and not experience the worthlessness and despair he did. Following their marriage in 1982, Jack and his wife Collette dedicated their lives to building the lives of youth—ultimately leading to the founding of Impact Society as a charitable society in 1994.