Shaping Our World

Children's rights advocate Sara Austin has spent more than 20 years championing the well-being of young people in Canada and around the world. In this episode, Sara joins Chris Tompkins to explore the state of childhood in Canada and why the country has fallen behind on key measures of children's well-being. They discuss challenges including child poverty, preventable injuries and online safety, w...

As Canada debates new legislation that could set a minimum age for social media accounts, conversations about how to keep young people safe online are once again front and centre. That makes our Season 2 conversation with technology and learning expert Richard Culatta especially timely. Rather than focusing only on whether young people should or shouldn't have access to technology, Richard asks a...

What can nearly five decades of writing for young people teach us about creativity, belonging and growing up? In this episode, host Chris Tompkins talks with beloved Canadian author Gordon Korman, whose 100+ books have reached millions of readers around the world. Gordon shares how a Grade 7 assignment launched his writing career, why he's drawn to underdogs and outsiders, and why great stories co...

In this episode of Shaping Our World, Chris Tompkins sits down with conflict specialist, mediator and educator Kathleen Hilchey to explore how adults can help young people navigate conflict and bullying. Kathleen shares practical strategies for managing big emotions, knowing when to step in and helping kids develop their own conflict-resolution skills. She introduces her memorable "Kleenex box and...

Finding a summer job isn't easy this year. But that doesn't mean young people have to put their growth on hold. With one of the toughest summer job markets in years, many teens are missing out on opportunities to build confidence, responsibility and real-world skills. That's why we're revisiting one of our favourite conversations from the Shaping Our World archives. In this episode, Charles Robert...

How do we raise kids who can navigate anxiety, pressure, and an increasingly complex world with confidence? In this episode, Chris Tompkins sits down with licensed therapist, bestselling author, and parenting expert David Thomas to explore what today's kids need most. David shares practical strategies for building emotional resilience, helping children express their feelings, managing technology a...

In this episode of Shaping Our World, Chris Tompkins sits down with Juno-nominated musician, keynote speaker and facilitator, Peter Katz. Peter shares how music, storytelling, summer camp and meaningful relationships shaped his life and work with young people. Together, they explore why being seen, heard and valued matters so much, especially for youth navigating challenge, change and identity. Pe...

In this episode, Chris Tompkins talks with Hannah Dannecker about helping young people understand who they are before deciding what they want to do. Hannah shares how early career exploration can shape confidence, purpose and future choices, and why adults play an important role in exposing youth to different paths. She also unpacks common misconceptions about Gen Z in the workplace, including the...

Before she became an Olympian and one of Canada's leading voices in sport and reconciliation, Waneek Horn-Miller survived a near-fatal incident during the Oka Crisis as a teenager. In this episode, Waneek shares how sport helped shape her resilience, identity and leadership. She reflects on the influence of her family, the importance of cultural connection, and why access to sport can be life chan...

In this episode of Shaping Our World, Chris Tompkins sits down with leadership professor and Illuminaire Institute founder Karise Hutchinson to explore what it means to raise wise, resilient, young leaders in a world full of noise and uncertainty. Karise shares how character, courage and curiosity shape healthy leadership, both at home and in the workplace. Together, they discuss the impact of sto...

Did you get your eight hours last night? In this episode of Shaping Our World , Chris Tompkins talks with sleep expert Alanna McGinn about why sleep matters for the whole family. Alanna shares practical insight for parents, caregivers and youth leaders on teen sleep rhythms, stress, anxiety, technology and the daily habits that help young people rest well. From family sleep meetings to tech bounda...

In this episode of the Shaping Our World podcast, Chris Tompkins speaks with inventor, writer and speaker Andini Makosinski about how creativity grows through curiosity, empathy and persistence. She shares the story behind the Hollow Flashlight and reflects on how failure can become helpful information for learning. Andini also encourages parents and leaders to create space for imagination so youn...

Lisa Canning is an interior designer, entrepreneur, speaker and founder of The Possibility Mom. After building a successful design career and hosting HGTV's Marriage Under Construction , she reached a breaking point while raising her growing family. Today, as a mom of 11 kids, Lisa helps women simplify daily life, pursue meaningful work, and release pressure to do everything perfectly. In this con...

Dr. Jean Clinton, clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University and staff psychiatrist at McMaster Children's Hospital, joins Chris Tompkins for a practical conversation for parents. She explains how connection, emotional safety, repair, and everyday presence shape a child's brain. From the early years to adolescence, this episode offers cl...

In this episode, speaker, author, and youth advocate Sam Demma shares how a career ending soccer injury reshaped his purpose and led him to serve young people through small consistent actions. He unpacks the idea of "being someone's taco", simple acts that meet real needs, and why they matter. Parents will gain practical ways to support their kids, build confidence, and help them grow through chal...

Season 6 of the Shaping Our World podcast is here! In this premiere, Chris Tompkins sits down with speaker, author — and professional juggler — Joel Hilchey to talk about leadership, joy and why fun belongs in meaningful work. Joel shares his journey from engineering to culture building and offers practical insight for parents, educators and leaders who want to help young people grow with confiden...

In part two of our Generation Z series, Chris Tompkins sits down with researcher Jennifer Deal to unpack new Muskoka Woods findings on how young adults see leadership, work, purpose and well being. Jennifer shares what Gen Z is actually saying and how adults can support their growth with clarity, care and responsibility. This conversation offers a grounded look at what helps young people thrive to...

Dr. Tim Elmore is back! He joins Chris Tompkins to talk about what is shaping Gen Z and how adults can guide them with confidence. Tim shares what he is seeing in young people today and why understanding their world helps us lead them well. From rising anxiety to new expectations around work, Tim offers grounded insight that helps parents and leaders support growth and purpose. This conversation g...

This week, Chris Tompkins talks with Hillary Spiritos, founder of Bat Outta Hell and certified pathfinding coach, about helping young adults find clarity in a world full of noise. Drawing from her work with students at NYU and Northeastern University, Hillary shares how to build self-trust, redefine success, and move through fear and imposter syndrome with courage. Together, they explore why your...

In this episode of Shaping Our World, host Chris Tompkins sits down with Susan Bisaillon, CEO of Safehaven , a Toronto-based organization redefining inclusion for children, youth, and adults with complex medical needs. With more than 30 years of leadership across Canada's health care system, Susan shares how Safehaven creates community-based care that keeps kids out of hospitals and helps families...

Former CEO Leadership Program  participants Joel Krishnan and Joy Montemurro join Chris Tompkins to reflect on how Muskoka Woods shaped their growth as young leaders. From confidence-building lessons in the CEO Leadership Program to serving communities in the Dominican Republic, Joel and Joy share how faith, friendship, and hands-on experiences continue to guide them. Hear their honest take on wha...

This episode of Shaping Our World features Curtis Carmichael, author, app developer, and future-of-education strategist. From growing up in Toronto Community Housing to creating the world's first augmented reality memoir, Butterflies in the Trenches: A Memoir of Struggle, Loss, and Triumph, Curtis shares how storytelling, technology, and community can transform the way we teach and inspire young p...

In this episode of Shaping Our World , Chris Tompkins sits down with Dr. Susan Chuang, professor, researcher, and family mediator whose work focuses on parenting, child development, and family dynamics across cultures. Drawing from her global research and years of hands-on community work, Susan shares stories and insights about the challenges families face today—from academic pressure and cultural...

In this episode of Shaping Our World, Chris Tompkins sits down with author and Festival of Literary Diversity founder Jael Richardson. From her father's story as the CFL's first Black quarterback to her own journey as a writer and mother, Jael shares how faith, family, and storytelling shape identity. Together, they explore why representation matters, how stories build empathy, and what today's yo...

What happens when a 16-year-old goes from having no friends in a new country to shaking hands with world leaders? In this episode of Shaping Our World, Chris Tompkins sits down with Steve Joneslee—youth advocate, nonprofit founder, and UN leader—to explore how agency, resilience, and fresh perspectives empower young people to shape a sustainable future. Discover practical ways families and communi...