The MindSpa Podcast

In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast , hosts Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken speak with Jennifer Reynolds . Jennifer founded Fresh Legal , and she supports families through some of life’s most difficult transitions by focusing on approaches that prioritize understanding, respect, and sustainable agreements. Jennifer Reynolds shares how separation and divorce can be approached in ways that re...

In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast , host Tina Wilston explores several “Am I the A hole?”-style scenarios**, where everyday conflicts raise deeper questions about boundaries, communication, and respect in relationships. Scenario 1: Sharing A Spotify Account With A Partner A woman refuses to share her Spotify account with her boyfriend after he moves in, suggesting they instead upgrade to a du...

In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast , Tina Wilston explores a question many people quietly wrestle with: when is setting a boundary seen as oversensitive, and when is it simply protecting respect? Drawing on everyday relationship dilemmas often discussed in AITA-style conversations, Tina reflects on how boundaries function in real life and why they can sometimes create tension even when they ar...

Why do we often know what would support our wellbeing, yet still struggle to follow through? In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast , Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken sit down with habit change expert Katie Faloon Drew to explore why behaviour change can feel so difficult and how to work with the brain instead of against it. Drawing on her background in health psychology, Katie explains how the...

When words feel difficult to find, creative expression can offer another way to communicate. In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast , Tina Wilston speaks with Elena Kourounis , an art therapist-in-training at MindSpa Mental Health , about how art therapy can support emotional regulation, insight, and connection across different ages and life experiences. Elena explains that art therapy focuses on...

What if the most powerful medicine does not come from a pill bottle, but from the daily choices that shape our health long before illness appears? In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast , hosts Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken speak with critical care physician Dr. Kwadwo Kyeremanteng , author of Prevention Over Prescription . Drawing from years of experience in intensive care medicine, he refl...

In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast , Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken explore how mental health, neurodivergence, and relationship dynamics can shape the way people interpret one another’s behaviour. Through a series of AITA-style scenarios, they reflect on the difference between intention and impact, and how communication, boundaries, and compassion can help reduce unnecessary hurt in ever...

In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast, hosts Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken speak with Dr. Chris Taplin, an Ottawa-based psychiatrist and founder of TMS Life Ottawa, about expanding treatment options for people living with depression. Dr. Taplin’s interest in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) developed through years of clinical work with university students and military personnel. In t...

In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast , Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken sit down with Ottawa radio personality Stuntman Stu to explore identity, resilience, and life after unexpected change. For more than two decades, Stuntman Stu built a broadcasting career that began with a childhood dream. He reflects on how traits once labelled as disruptive, including undiagnosed ADHD, became strengths b...

In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast , Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken explore two common misconceptions about stress and mental health that can quietly shape how we see ourselves. The first centres on stress. Is it always harmful, or can it sometimes support performance and growth? Through the lens of the Yerkes–Dodson law, they reflect on how moderate levels of stress can enhance focus and...

What happens when well-intentioned diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts unintentionally create more division? In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast, Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken sit down with Jenny Chen, CEO of Catalais Consulting, to explore a different way of thinking about inclusion in the workplace. Drawing on her experience in the finance industry and as a parent who witnessed her...

In this episode, Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken explore the complexity of setting boundaries across family, workplace, and personal situations. Through four ethical dilemmas, the conversation highlights how difficult it can be to balance personal needs with relational responsibility. The discussion begins with a scenario involving recovery from disordered eating and the challenge of asking fa...

In this episode, Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken explore the complexity of setting boundaries while maintaining connection. Many people question whether they are being unreasonable when they speak up about their needs. This conversation examines how to differentiate between healthy assertiveness and reactive behaviour. Through real-life relationship dilemmas, Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunke...

The most persistent critic many of us face is not outside of us, it is the voice inside our own mind. In this episode, Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken explore how negative self-talk develops, why it can feel so automatic, and how self-compassion can be practised in a grounded and realistic way. The conversation examines how early experiences of criticism can become internalized over time, shap...

ADHD is often misunderstood as simply distraction or restlessness. In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast , Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken sit down with therapist Alanna George to explore the deeper neurobiological foundations of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Alanna explains ADHD as a genetic, neurodevelopmental condition with distinct patterns of brain activation and regulation....

Building a business often demands long hours, constant energy, and the ability to push through exhaustion. But what happens when your body simply cannot keep up with those expectations? In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast , Tina Wilston speaks with Michelle Weger , founder and CEO of Venture Creative Collective, about building a successful company while living with narcolepsy. Michelle Weger sh...

Perimenopause can bring unexpected changes to the body, emotions, and sense of identity. For many women, these shifts can feel confusing, isolating, and difficult to discuss openly. In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast , hosts Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken speak with Victoria L , a midlife strategist and author, about the often misunderstood experience of perimenopause and the identity shi...

In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast , Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken explore how misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy thinking shape not only public discourse, but also our mental health, relationships, and sense of reality. They break down the difference between misinformation and disinformation, discuss why fear and emotional vulnerability can make people more susceptible to mi...

Setting boundaries should not leave you feeling guilty, yet many people question whether they are “the bad guy” when they begin prioritizing their mental wellbeing. In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast , hosts Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken explore several “Am I the A hole?”-style scenarios**, where people are left wondering whether setting a boundary makes them selfish. Scenario 1: Steppin...

In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast , Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken sit down with Tina Mongeon , founder and CEO of EnviroPure Environmental Group, to explore the connection between mental health, trauma, and the spaces we live in. Drawing from her experience working with families across Ottawa, Tina shares how grief, illness, addiction, divorce, and other major life stressors can make ma...

Social media has reshaped how we see ourselves and one another. In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast , Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken explore the psychological impact of today’s digital landscape and how it intersects with mental health. The conversation traces the evolution of social platforms, from early connection-focused spaces to algorithm-driven systems that amplify comparison and cur...

In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast , Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken speak with Yvonne Burwash , Registered Psychotherapist and Director of Neurofeedback at MindSpa Mental Health, to explore how neurofeedback can support regulation and mental wellbeing. Yvonne explains neurofeedback as a non-invasive approach that measures electrical activity in the brain and provides real-time feedback to...

In the first episode of The MindSpa Podcast , Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken introduce the heart behind the show: thoughtful, grounded conversations about mental health. Together, they reflect on their own non-linear paths into the field. Tina began her career in law before discovering a deeper pull toward psychology and clinical social work. Michelle shares her journey into social work and t...