Awareness with Rob Daniels

In this episode of Awareness: Fostering a More Compassionate, Empathetic, and Accepting Society , Rob Daniels sits down with Jessica Compton, Director of Operations for Tree of Stars, for an important conversation ahead of Mental Health Awareness Month. Jessica shares what Tree of Stars stands for, the purpose behind the organization, and the meaningful initiatives they have planned for May. Toget...

"How do you move forward when the world as you knew it has ended?" This week, we sit down for an incredibly brave conversation with Sarah and Jessica. We are meeting them in a tender moment: just one week after the one-year anniversary of the death of Sarah’s son, Riley, who died by suicide. In this episode, we explore what life looks like after the unthinkable. Sarah and Jessica share the reality...

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Mary Marano about how to set New Year’s resolutions that are realistic and sustainable. She shares tips on staying motivated, building lasting habits, handling setbacks, and using reflection and mindfulness to succeed. Learn practical strategies to make meaningful changes in your health, career, relationships, and personal growth.

Rob Daniels reconnects with longtime friend Darryl Silverstein, whose life story is a powerful example of resilience, perspective, and awareness. Growing up playing baseball together, Rob witnessed Darryl refuse to let being blind in one eye define or limit him. Years later, Darryl faced an even greater challenge when he was diagnosed with brain cancer in his 40s. Through every setback, Darryl con...

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Andrew, a medically retired municipal police sergeant and Canadian Armed Forces Captain, to explore life after service, mental health injury, and the search for purpose beyond the uniform. After sustaining physical and psychological injuries in the line of duty, Andrew began using a service dog for PTSD in 2017, becoming one of the first in Ontario, a...

Host Rob Daniels sits down with Dave “Chops” Phillips, a veteran Helicopter EMS pilot with the Ontario Air Ambulance, now known as Ornge. In this conversation, Dave shares what life is really like inside the world of air ambulance operations. He talks about the pressure of critical calls at 5000 feet, the teamwork required to respond to medical emergencies, and the emotional impact of helping peop...

Therapist  Ed Schild , a child, family, and relationship expert with more than 40 years of experience, joins us for a powerful conversation on raising happier and more successful children. Ed is the Executive Director at  Regesh Family and Child Services , where he supports children, parents, and families through emotional and developmental challenges. In this episode, Ed explores a surprisingly s...

In this episode, author and mediator Catherine Kenwell joins the show to talk about her writing and her book Life After Loss. Catherine shares her personal experiences with pet loss, how she has learned to cope over the years, and what she recommends for those navigating the difficult journey of losing a beloved animal companion. This heartfelt conversation offers comfort, understanding, and pract...

Join us for a raw and riveting conversation with Graham Bettes, retired Canadian Armed Forces Sergeant, 32-year veteran with the Peel Regional Police, ordained chaplain, and the visionary behind The Valhalla Project Niagara. After being diagnosed with PTSD himself, Graham turned his lived experience of trauma, survival, and service into a mission: creating a safe, insightful community and program...

In this episode, we dive into one of the most pressing conversations of our time: youth mental health. Joining me is Skye Barbic , a leading mental health expert and passionate advocate for young people. Skye is the Canada Research Chair in Integrated Youth Services , an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia , and a trained occupational therapist who...

Lala’s Journey explores life after postpartum depression, panic attacks, agoraphobia, and ongoing struggles with depression. Hosted by Lala, a mother navigating the challenges of mental health while raising a 13-year-old daughter, this episode shares personal stories of struggle, progress, and hope. It provides a candid look at resilience, self-discovery, and the effort it takes to find peace and...

In this episode of Awareness: Fostering a More Compassionate, Empathetic, and Accepting Society , host Rob Daniels speaks with Dr. Cherie Lindberg, a transformational coach and Certified Brainspotting Consultant. Together, they explore how trauma affects everyday life, the healing power of brainspotting therapy, and practical tools for building resilience and creating lasting change.

In this episode of Awareness , I sit down with my best friend Phil “Philly” Esposito to share his powerful journey. Diagnosed with cardiomyopathy at just 20 years old, Philly has spent the last 22 years managing the condition. After his health took a serious turn earlier this year, he spent five months in the hospital, undergoing LVAD surgery to keep him alive while waiting for a heart transplant....

Retired Toronto & Peel Regional Police officer Scott Mills  joins the podcast to reflect on his 30 years of service. Through open conversation, Scott shares stories from the job, including the challenges, the proud moments, and the lessons learned along the way. It’s a candid look at what it really means to protect and serve, and the lasting impact a policing career can have both on the commun...

In this episode, I chat with 18-year-old Austin Boylan, a Canadian athlete who just landed a baseball scholarship to North Dakota State University. We dive into what this milestone means for him, how his family and friends reacted, and the academic path he’s chosen alongside baseball. Austin takes us back to his first love for the game, the coaches and moments that shaped his passion, and the surp...

After twenty years on the front lines as a paramedic, Corinne Mackenzie has seen both the resilience of the human spirit and the toll that tragedy can take. In this candid conversation, she opens up about the calls that shaped her, the moments that stayed with her, and the hidden weight first responders often carry. Forced to step away from the profession due to PTSD, she reflects on what it means...

n this deeply moving episode no.20 of Awareness, host Rob Daniels sits down with Danielle Louise — a nurse, mother of three, and survivor of addiction, domestic violence, and the ongoing challenges of living with epilepsy. Two years ago, Danielle began experiencing seizures with no known cause, ultimately leading to a devastating accident and a loss of independence that changed her life. But Danie...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, I sit down with Jordanna Bialo—a mother, wife, and healthcare worker from Toronto—who has endured over 25 hours of surgery in just five years, including a double mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction, a total hysterectomy, and a thyroidectomy. Living with Cowden Syndrome, fibromyalgia, PTSD, treatment-resistant depression, ADHD, and more, Jordanna o...

In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with ADHD specialist and coach Jheri South to dive deep into the misunderstood world of teenage ADHD. As the founder of Headspace Hub, Jheri brings compassion, insight, and practical wisdom to families navigating the complexities of neurodivergence. We explore: The most common myths about ADHD in teens—and why they can be harmful How ADHD presents different...

Step into the world of multi-platinum recording artist, songwriter, and producer Karl Wolf as he takes you beyond the spotlight to explore the powerful connection between music and mental health . From navigating the pressures of a high-demand industry to managing rising talent like Dani Doucette , Karl offers an honest look at the emotional realities of a creative life. This episode of Awareness...

Please welcome the Director of Operations at Can-Am Immigration to Awareness ep.16, Mr. Nir Rozenberg. Since it's the week that 4th of July takes place, and Canada Day, I figured this episode could go a long way in helping others when it comes to celebrating these two great nations. Here's what we discussed .. - Key differences between Canada and the United States when it comes to immigration syst...

Are you in a relationship or friendship with someone who displays narcissistic tendencies and/or behaviours? What really is narcissism? How can you spot narcissistic behaviour, and can narcissists change? Psychotherapist Dr. Rasha Wahid takes a deep dive into all this and breaks it down for us in Awareness episode no.15. PLUS... - Dr. Rasha & I discuss people-pleasing, where it comes from. How...

On the cusp of his recent retirement party, former co-ordinator of the radio broadcasting program at Seneca College, Jim Carr joins me on Awareness ep.14. Lots to try and unravel on this episode, while of course being compassionate, empathetic and accepting of Jim's remarks. We discussed... - What Jim thinks radio needs to do in order to survive in an ever-changing media landscape. - the radio GRE...

An old friend from my high school days joins me on Awareness ep.13. His name is Corey Herscu, and I couldn't think of a better time for us to chat. The month of June is Men's Mental Health Month, which is a time to raise awareness about the unique mental health challenges men face and to encourage them to prioritize their well-being. - Corey is going to walk us through the story of losing his Dad...

Have you ever struggled in regards to intimacy within a marriage or long-term relationship? What about relationship anxiety? Do you experience it? If so, you're not alone. Dr. Mary Marano is my special guest in this episode. She'll provide strategies on how to best manage these issues, and more.