(w)healthy

Heart disease is the broad term used to describe many conditions — problems that affect the structure and function of the heart or the blood vessels that supply it. Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of illness and death in Canada, affecting millions of people and placing enormous demand on our health-care system. But it’s also one of the areas of medicine where prevention, early dete...

Multiple Sclerosis, commonly referred to as MS, is a condition that many of us have a limited understanding of. But with Canada having some of the highest rates of MS in the world many Canadians are wanting to learn more. In this episode we are joined by Dr. Scott Meckling, a leading neurologist here in Kelowna who specializes in multiple sclerosis. This conversation is about unpacking both sides...

As of 2025, about 8.1 million Canadians are aged 65+, roughly 19.5% of the population. That proportion is expected to rise to about 23–25% by 2040. Meaning that the “oldest old” population is growing fastest! So what can we do to prepare ourselves for aging? In this episode of the (w)healthy podcast we are joined by Dr. Jenn Jakobi, Director of the Institute of Healthy Living and Chronic Disease P...

In Canada, more than 772,000 people are currently living with dementia, and that number is expected to nearly double within the next 20 years. Which is why today we are joined by Dr. Pieter Strauss, a physician and clinical researcher who is not just observing where Alzheimer's research is going, he's actively involved in the trials that are shaping what's coming next!

Just over a year ago on Day of Giving the community rallied to raise funds to bring Vinni, a surgical robot, to Kelowna General Hospital. A year later we are joined by the Head of Robotics, Dr. Dimitri Coutsinos, to get an update on Vinni's first months at KGH and hear about all of the amazing work they've been up to! Whether you donated to the campaign or saw Vinni around town this is an...

April is Parkinson's Awareness Month and we are beyond excited to be introducing a very special new member of the Humphreys Family Movement Disorder Clinic, Dr. Talyta Grippe. Dr. Grippe is a neurologist with specialized training in neurophysiology and Parkinson's disease, and brings with her to Kelowna an extremely specialized knowledge base and emerging therapies. Through a partnership b...

Spring has sprung and with the nicer weather finally settling in to the Okanagan Valley you may have noticed the runners are back! But lots of us wonder what sort of impact running has on our joints? In this episode of the (w)healthy podcast we are joined by JF Esculier, a physiotherapist and co-founder of MoveMed Physiotherapy in Kelowna. Whether you're new to running or a seasoned pro JF answers...

You may recognize Patrick from his former position as a KGH Foundation Board Member but did you know that Patrick's first true connection with KGH was at the beginning of his kidney disease journey? 10 years later and Patrick is the grateful recipient of a kidney transplant and has dedicated his time to community and giving back, wherever possible! To become an organ donor or to learn more abo...

In Canada our health care system is labelled as 'universal' but what does that really mean? And what does it look like in practice? In this episode of the (w)healthy podcast we are joined by economist, Dr. Ross Hickey, who breaks it down for us and explains how the 'universal' system actually works in Canada, how other systems are working elsewhere, and the vital role community pla...

In our second conversation with Elder Leon Louis, he shares syilx teachings on the true meaning of medicine, not just as something we take when we’re sick, but as a living relationship with land, water, plants, ceremony, and community. Guided by the Medicine Wheel, he speaks to balance across the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual parts of our lives, and the responsibility we carry for the...

Do you have someone in your life who’s routines and day to day activities look a bit different? Or maybe that someone is you, always struggling to catch your tail? In this week’s episode of the (w)healthy podcast, host Shauna Nyrose sits down with adult ADHD specialist Irene Spelliscy to talk about how ADHD can manifest for adults and you may be surprised to learn just how many aspects of one’s li...

In this episode of the (w)healthy podcast we are beyond excited to be joined by Dr. Jeff Wong, the new Head of Pediatrics at Kelowna General Hospital. Speaking with Dr. Wong is like a breathe of fresh air and we feel that the conversation needs little introduction. If you live in the Okanagan and you have children, plan to, or know someone with children you're going to want to tune in!

Join KGH Foundation CEO Allison Young on the year-end episode of the (w)healthy Podcast as we revisit key moments from 2025, share campaign progress, and outline hopeful plans for 2026.Happy holidays from the KGH Foundation Team.

We’ve all heard the horror stories and seen the movies, but what is med school really like? And what about for those students studying right here in the Okanagan? In this week’s episode of the (w)healthy podcast we are joined by second year medical student, Christine Ashenhurst, to ask the questions we’re all wondering. Christine takes us through a day in her life, the unique challenges of the MCA...

Everybody poops. But for one in three kids, it’s not easy. And it may be the reason your child is struggling with bedwetting. In this episode, Angus MacKay, a pediatric physiotherapist specializing in pelvic floor health specifically for children, gets into the potty talk, in a good way. Bedwetting and constipation in children is no joke. Learn the causes, warning signs, when to become concerned a...

Men, turns out the most important muscles for strength and confidence aren’t built in the gym… In this episode, physiotherapist Corrine Wade joins Shauna to talk about men’s pelvic floor health and how it impacts sexual function, back pain, stress, bladder control, and prostate recovery. Nearly half of Canadian men experience erectile dysfunction and one in nine deal with incontinence, yet few rea...

This episode is about honouring different ways of knowing, and of learning through story, honouring Indigenous teachings, and exploring how they can guide how we think about health - as individuals and communities.  Syilx Elder Leon Louis joins Shauna for a conversation that can only be described as thoroughly immersive from start to finish. Together they explore how stories and relationships can...

Pelvic floor therapy doesn’t have to be as daunting as you may have originally thought. In this episode of the (w)healthy podcast, host Shauna Nyrose is joined by physio therapist and pelvic floor specialist, Corinne Wade. Together, they dive into many of the different ways we can support our pelvic floor and in turn make changes to so many parts of our lives.

ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions in Canada, yet it is still widely misunderstood and often missed, particularly in girls and women. In this episode of the (w)healthy podcast, host Shauna Nyrose speaks with Dr. Elliot Frank, a dual-certified family physician and an inspiring model of integrated and inclusive health care in our community. Dr. Frank shares his insight on h...

We often talk about sleep as something we should “get more of,” but rarely stop to ask why it matters in the first place. In this episode, Dr. Wayne Lai returns to help us better understand sleep as a foundational part of whole-body health. From how disrupted sleep affects your mood, focus, and immune system to what might actually be keeping you up at night, this conversation explores how sleep im...

In this episode of the (w)healthy podcast, Shauna Nyrose speaks with Counsellor Ashley Phillips about how trauma impacts our mental health and why we don’t always recognize it. Ashley explains the difference between "big T" and "little t" trauma, what happens in the brain during a traumatic experience, and how EMDR therapy can help people process what’s been holding them back. This conversation of...

Money is more than numbers in a bank account. It is peace of mind, security and a vital part of your overall health. In this episode of (w)healthy, host Shauna Nyrose talks with Rod Gibbings, Senior Financial Consultant at IG Wealth Management, about why financial health is such a critical pillar of well-being. Rod shares practical strategies for planning a secure retirement, guiding young adult c...

In this episode of the (w)healthy podcast, Dr. Brittany Schamerhorn, licensed Naturopathic Doctor and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, joins us to unpack the complex world of women’s hormones, perimenopause, and metabolic health. Drawing from her clinical experience and evidence-informed approach, Dr. Schamerhorn shares why so many women feel unheard in the health care system, and how a m...

We all know sleep is important, but what’s really happening in the brain while we rest? In this solo episode, Dr. Wayne Lai — neurologist and sleep medicine specialist — breaks down the science of sleep in clear, practical terms. From deep sleep cycles to why you wake up at 3 a.m., this conversation will leave you better informed about what your brain truly needs to heal, function, and thrive.

Concussions affect hundreds of thousands of Canadians every year, yet many remain misunderstood or overlooked. In this episode, host Shauna Nyrose speaks with Dr. Wayne Lai, neurologist and sleep medicine specialist, and Gerome Louie, a clinician specializing in concussion care. Together, they unpack what happens in the brain during injury, how sleep and mental health play a role in recovery, and...