Better Than Not

My guest in this episode of Better Than Not is one of my oldest friends, Craig Collett, business owner, musician and music aficionado. In this episode, Craig shares some of his story from forming our first band together to starting his backline music equipment rental company. He describes what prompted him to move from teaching guitar lessons to the music rental business to eventually build a comp...

In this episode of Better Than Not, Dan M, an adventurer and storyteller with a calling for God, returns to chat about more of his adventures around the globe. He shares of being one of the first travellers to China in the 80s as the country became more open to foreigners. He takes us into the ocean scuba diving in the Maldives accumulating over 4,000 dives. Then we’re into Malaysia where he and h...

In this episode of Better Than Not, Todd Leyden, friend, author and Executive Director of Fort Wilderness, returns (first time in video) to talk about transitioning from city life to the wilderness and his world after his book—Eyes of the Father—was published. We talk about his unanticipated role at Fort Wildness and moving his wife and family into northern Wisconsin after the passing of his young...

My guest in this first in-person episode of Better Than Not is Pastor Ezra Okoti, Executive Pastor of Multiplication at Northview Community Church in Abbotsford BC. Ezra shares his story as a father of four and a pastor of twenty years in Canada. Originally from Kenya Africa, Ezra was a teen when he was Called while raking leaves in his school courtyard. Our chat covers science, the Bible, culture...

My guest in this episode of Better Than Not is Neil Orr, friend, retired police officer, and hospice representative. Neil shares his story as a widowed father of two daughters and three grandsons, who is currently undergoing treatment for cancer. In our chat, he describes his adventures in applying to become--and life as--a police officer, the impact of his cancer diagnoses and the heartbreak of d...

In this episode of Better Than Not, Payman Kianpour, friend and Founder and CEO of Kepstrum Inc, returns (first time in video) to talk about what goes into design balancing love, energy, perspective and material desire. We talk about living in the present and living twice. Why do we spend so much of our lives thinking of the future? How do we live with love more fully in our work, lives and all th...

My guest in this episode of Better Than Not is Robin Jones, friend, author, renovator and life enthusiast. Robin tells his story of what coming for age in the 60s was like from the psychedelic drug culture to meeting Bob Dylan. He talks of his commitment to get a university degree and falling into the renovation business. He talks of his father’s mentorship, his books and his love for people. He's...

My guest in this episode of Better Than Not is Amber Cate, a mom, a private equity broker and a cancer survivor. In this episode, Amber tells her story of graduating from Harding University with a triple degree in philosophy, psychology and theology (all topics I love to get immersed in). She worked in ministry for a time and became a mom only to have her life change with the diagnosis of a rare f...

My guest in this episode of Better Than Not is Pastor Eric Heath of Northview Community Church's Central Abbotsford campus. In this episode, Eric talks about his unusual journey from civil litigation lawyer to pastor. A father of four and a hockey goalie (an immediate connection), Eric describes his challenge to recognize what he was being called to do and how quickly, and how the path to seminary...

In this episode of Better Than Not, I had the honor of speaking with writer, producer and film director, Nicola Rose. We talked about Nicola's creative start with writing and working as a professional puppeteer that led to writing and directing short films. Her first feature film - Goodbye, Petrushka - received critical acclaim and her latest, much anticipated film, Magnetosphere is launching at f...

In this episode of Better Than Not, I had the privilege of talking with Brandon McGuire, host of the very popular Daily Dose of Wisdom Podcast and YouTube Channel. We talk about how Brandon got started with his YouTube channel with his passion for Jesus. We talk science to history, all evidence of C.S. Lewis' quote, "the myth became real." Many of the personalities who we talk about have appeared...

My guest for this episode of Better Than Not is returning guest (first time on video) Christiane Banks - a friend, author and professional therapeutic beautician. In this episode, recorded two days after Remembrance Day, we talk about Christiane's ability to bring the past forward in her books: Amelia's Prayer, Amazing Grace and Catch Your Falling Star. Christiane tells of her emotional experience...

In this episode of Better Than Not, I had the good fortune to talk with William C. Cole, actor, author, writer, director and filmmaker. A storyteller at heart, Bill describes his experiences on set filming Cafe Daughter and other yet to be released films. He walks us through his experiences as a concert promoter as well as writing and touring his books and what inspired him to make his first film....

My guest for this episode is a return conversation with Aman Azad--first time in video!--Founder and CMO of AMG Analytics. This episode was intentionally scheduled to follow the U.S. election to discuss its potential impact on technology and artificial intelligence on some of our major issues like healthcare, housing and food. This included governance and the psychological aspects as well. And tha...

My guest for this episode of Better Than Not is a return visit from the fascinating Whitney Schreck, leadership and executive coach. She is founder and owner of Whitney S. Consulting LLC and author of the book Reflections From The Fire. In this episode our discussion covers a range of subjects about who we are and how we better understand ourselves. Also, some surprising C. S. Lewis tidbits. Visit...

In this episode of Better Than Not, I chatted with Dan M, a motorcycle adventurer with a calling for God. This unexpected conversation covered a plethora of topics from a 70s tour of North America via Honda 750 to experiencing God in a forest. There was hand gliding and travel through Europe and the Middle East too! Spellbinding. Stay tuned to Better Than Not for the sequel to this conversation in...

In this episode of Better Than Not, I was joined by Brad Holliman, Lead Pastor at Life of Faith Church in Warrior, Alabama. As a bivocational pastor/missionary, he also works as a handyman. Our conversation covered many topics including his pastor and missionary work in Canada, the United States and Mexico. We talked about the Bible, Apostle Paul, science and community. To learn more about Brad an...

In this episode of Better Than Not, I welcomed Jeremy Cammy, Founder and President of the forthcoming Rock The Bus Productions. Jeremy's been an executive at Indigo Books, a marketing executive at Simon & Schuster and recently Captain Cammy on Instagram. Our conversation covered many topics including movies, social media, entertainment, AI and the importance of community. To learn more about J...

In this episode of Better Than Not, I was thrilled and honoured to speak with Andy Steiger, Founder and President of Apologetics Canada. Andy is a pastor, an author of two books - Thinking and Declared - and holds a PhD in Theological Anthropology. This was a fascinating conversation covering a lot of ground from the definition of apologetics to Egyptian history, scripture and artificial intellige...

In this episode of Better Than Not, I had the honour and privilege of speaking with Samuel Marusca who is an academic and civil servant working in the British government. He also is the host of the Practical Wisdom podcast. Originally from Romania, Samuel today lives in the UK and in this extraordinary conversation, he talks about his deep interests in theology, history and apologetics. He holds a...

My guest for this episode of Better Than Not is a return visit from realtor Jesse Bregg - this time in video. In this episode we talk a lot about the real estate world and making sense of what's happening. What trends he's seen come and go post-pandemic, what was thought to happen and what did. The predicted historic transfer of wealth from the baby boom generation and the outlook on housi...

In this episode of Better Than Not, I had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Lorenzo Smith who works in full-scope, out-patient family medicine and addictions medicine. A fascinating conversation, Dr. Smith talks about his family history in medicine and his experiences coming into the medical profession. A candid discussion on medicine in Canada, the advancements and the challenges, and the very h...

In starting this new video phase of my Better Than Not podcast, I thought having a friend I've known longer than almost anyone else was appropriate for the occasion. Scott Stewart, a returning guest, is a standup comedian and performer in Los Angeles. In this episode he talks of the rewards of taking risk on stage and more. You can find Scott on Instagram at @scottstewartcomedy or the many com...

My guest for this 50th episode is a return visit from author and entrepreneur Scott Walker. Scott was an early guest on Better Than Not. Here he talks about how he is reinventing himself as L.A. Scott and his new venture in the shared writing world of Cozy Vales. He will be the keynote speaker at the Discovery For Authors Virtual Summit September 28-29, 2024. Get his latest book A Hearth Fit for a...

In this episode of Better Than Not, I was honoured to be joined by the host of The Cody Tucker Show, Cody Tucker himself. Ever wonder who auditioned and turned down the starring role in your favourite movie. Or did you know that famous musician whose music you love once did this or was the nephew of this celebrity. Cody has the answers and much more as you'll find out in this episode. You can...