After Peter Pan: Growing Up to Purpose

In this episode of After Peter Pan , host Pat Tenneriello sits down with psychotherapist Cassandra Tenneriello to explore trauma, survival mode, and why so many people feel stuck, anxious, or unable to change. They break down what trauma really is, how it shows up in everyday behaviors like avoidance, numbing, and people-pleasing, and how the nervous system (fight, flight, freeze, and fawn) keeps...

In this episode of After Peter Pan , host Pat Tenneriello sits down with death doula Paul Simard to explore grief, death, and how to face mortality without avoidance. Paul shares his experience supporting individuals and families through dying, and reflects on how modern Western culture has distanced itself from death—outsourcing it to hospitals, funeral homes, and institutions in ways that leave...

In this episode of After Peter Pan , host Pat Tenneriello sits down with Austin May—a 23-year-old preparing for pastoral ministry—to explore faith, forgiveness, and the weight of answering a calling. Austin shares his journey from hedonism, anger, and resentment toward a life shaped by conviction, including the pivotal moment he confronted his hatred toward his father and chose forgiveness. Pat an...

In this episode of After Peter Pan , host Pat Tenneriello sits down with the Hon. Leela Aheer—Former Alberta Cabinet Minister, Former Deputy Leader of the United Conservative Party, musician, and a leader in healthcare and AI—to explore Minister, Former Deputy Leader of the United Conservative what it means to stand up for your principles when it isn’t safe or popular. Leela reflects on speaking o...

Episode Description In this episode of After Peter Pan, host Pat Tenneriello sits down with Mads Larsen, a researcher and author who studies the evolution of love, and pair bonding. Together, they explore one of the most uncomfortable questions of our time: What happens when modern dating stops working—and what does that mean for our future? Mads unpacks the history of human mating, from the rise...

In this episode of "After Peter Pan," host Pat Tennerello sits down with Matt Luloff, an Ottawa city councillor, Afghan war veteran, and musician. They explore Matt's journey of finding purpose through service, from his military experiences to his role in public office. Matt shares insights on responsibility, resilience, and mental health, including his personal battle with PTSD and...

In this short solo update, Pat shares some exciting news—he’s gone back to school to pursue a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology. He reflects on why this step feels like the natural next chapter in his journey of growth, how it connects to the purpose behind the After Peter Pan Podcast, and what it means for the podcast going forward. Pat also opens up about recommitting to personal routines,...

In this conversation, Pat Tenneriello and Pascal Vicario explore the intricate relationship between physical fitness, mental health, and family dynamics. Pascal shares his journey of maintaining fitness for over 15 years, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's motivations, the role of faith, and the significance of a supportive family. They discuss daily routines, meal prep, and the...

In this episode of After Peter Pan , host Pat Tenneriello sits down with Alex Sheen , founder of Because I Said I Would , a nonprofit that has inspired over 15 million people to keep their promises. Alex shares the pivotal moment of watching his father pass away from stage four small cell lung cancer and witnessing some of the the regrets he carried. That loss became the catalyst for the promise c...

In this episode, Pat sits down with Fabienne (Fab) Galhidi, therapist, professor and speaker, who shares her journey through childhood trauma, the victimization mindset, and her path to healing and self-discovery. She discusses the importance of self-care, gratitude, and emotional regulation, as well as her work with youth and the impact of trauma. Fab emphasizes the significance of true friendshi...

In this episode of After Peter Pan , Pat sits down with champion boxer Steve Claggett for a powerful conversation about the fight beyond the ring — the inward one. Steve shares how discipline became his way out of a life of partying, drinking, and trouble with the law, and how boxing gave him purpose, structure, and a reason to grow. They talk about what it really means to go all in, the sacrifice...

Pat welcomes back JP Michel — career coach and founder of SparkPath — for a vulnerable, real-time coaching session recorded during a pivotal moment in Pat’s life. Fresh off a layoff and questioning whether he was just going through the motions again, Pat sits down with JP to explore what he actually wants from his next chapter. Using SparkPath’s Challenge Cards — a tool used by over 100,000 young...

Pat welcomes Natacha Duke, a registered psychotherapist at Toronto Wellness Counselling, for a deep and compassionate exploration of Peter Pan Syndrome — a behavioral pattern marked by emotional immaturity, fear of responsibility, and resistance to growth. Together, they unpack the roots of emotional avoidance, the impact of parenting and trauma, and the numbing behaviors that can delay our growth...

Pat welcomes Dr. Nicole Prause, a neuroscientist and sexual psychophysiologist whose groundbreaking research challenges some of the most deeply held beliefs about pornography, addiction, and shame. In a world full of noise, judgment, and moral panic, Dr. Prause offers a data-driven lens on desire, compulsion, and the role of sexuality in a values-based life. Together, they explore the complexities...

Pat welcomes Guillaume Saladin , a global circus performer and the founder of ArtCirq , an Arctic Circus, who left the spotlight to reconnect with the Inuit community that helped to raise him. After performing on stages around the world, Guillaume returned to Igloolik to empower the next generation through the arts. In this episode, he shares his inspiring journey of blending performance and story...

Pat sits down with serial entrepreneur Sean Frost to trace his journey from public housing and the rap game, through healthcare and general contracting, to building thriving ventures in real estate, custom home building, and music production. Along the way, Sean reveals how authenticity—wearing every hat at once—combined with the power of saying “no” and embracing vulnerability, became the pillars...

Pat sits down with life coach Sima Jones to discuss her personal journey, overcoming childhood trauma, depression and anxiety through the discovery of yoga, Zen and therapy. We discuss what truly happens in the transformative space of life coaching and along the way, Pat unexpectedly becomes the client in a spontaneous coaching moment that explores regret, self-forgiveness, and rediscovering align...

In this episode, I speak with Ven. Trueman Taylor, a Zen priest, who shares his journey from personal crisis to lifelong commitment to Zen practice. We also break down what Zen really is, how meditation works, the benefits, and how it can help navigate change, suffering, and finding meaning... and seeing the world as it really is, not how we want it to be. What You’ll Learn:  What it’s like to liv...

To celebrate our  10th episode milestone, I invited my sister Tina Tenneriello, journalist and communications specialist, to guest host and take the guest role. We explore my journey from a commitment-phobic, pleasure-seeking lifestyle to one of purpose, integrity, and personal growth. We talk about leaving "Neverland"—the state of avoiding responsibility and chasing short-term gratifica...

Why do so many male survivors of childhood trauma and sexual abuse stay silent? In this deeply personal and eye-opening conversation, Pat Tenneriello sits down with Mason Shell, Executive Director and Education Coordinator at the British Columbia Society for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse (BCSMSSA). Together, they explore the cultural barriers that keep men from seeking help, the impact of trauma...

Episode Overview: In this episode of After Peter Pan , Pat Tenneriello sits down with award-winning filmmaker, videographer, and former hip-hop artist François Coulombe-Giguère. We dive into what makes him not just a creative powerhouse, but also an incredibly lovable soul—exploring his journey through his art, love, and fatherhood.  What You’ll Learn: What Makes Someone Instantly Likable? The Lik...

Episode Overview: Pat speaks with Craig Buntin - who shares a powerful story of reinvention, going from Olympic figure skater to AI-driven sports tech entrepreneur, building Sportlogiq, an NHL-backed analytics company, and now Founder of RiseCO2, tackling climate change with carbon-negative homes. In this episode, we dive into Craig’s journey, from his challenging upbringing, to his unconventional...

Episode Overview: In this heartfelt episode, Pat Tenneriello sits down with his father, Stefano Tenneriello, affectionately known as "The Coach.", youth probation officer for over 30 years, dedicated soccer coach, and devoted father of five.   What You’ll Learn: How to strengthen family bonds and build a supportive community. The life-changing lessons team sports can teach about resilien...

Episode Overview: In this episode of the After Peter Pan podcast, host Pat Tenneriello interviews Croix Sather, a motivational speaker and ultra endurance athlete. Croix shares his incredible journey of transformation after surviving a near-fatal accident, emphasizing the importance of mindset and personal growth. He discusses his experiences running a hundred marathons in a hundred days and deliv...

Episode Overview : In this episode of the After Peter Pan Podcast , I sit down with Alex Brzostowski—an IT consultant turned real estate investor, a devoted husband and father of two, and a passionate advocate for self-improvement. Alex has redefined his life by embracing intentional habits and shifting his perspective on what success truly means. What You'll Learn : Practical, actionable adv...