Connections with Mike Thom and Colleen Houde

At the age of 8, Raymond Mason was taken from his home in Peguis First Nation and sent to a residential school. He would stay there until the day he turned 18. He is just one of the 150,000 Indigenous children who were taken from their families and forced into Indian day and residential schools.  A riveting and at times harrowing story, Raymond Mason describes his experiences in Indian day and res...

At the age of 8, Raymond Mason was taken from his home in Peguis First Nation and sent to a residential school. He would stay there until the day he turned 18. He is just one of the 150,000 Indigenous children who were taken from their families and forced into Indian day and residential schools.  A riveting and at times harrowing story, Raymond Mason describes his experiences in Indian day and res...

At the age of 8, Raymond Mason was taken from his home in Peguis First Nation and sent to a residential school. He would stay there until the day he turned 18. He is just one of the 150,000 Indigenous children who were taken from their families and forced into Indian day and residential schools.  A riveting and at times harrowing story, Raymond Mason describes his experiences in Indian day and res...

When it comes to truth and reconciliation, there is still so much to be learned. Michael Bannerman and his band, Upside of Maybe have created a new song called Rainmaker.  This song has a strong message of truth and reconciliation and features the Christian indigenous group, Okama. The storyline of this song has been based on the history of residential schools here in Canada Today on Connections w...

Author Shearon Epps comes from a large family of 18 siblings. Who she is today is a combination of her rich experiences of growing up in humble beginnings and her hard work as a single mom who also solo parents her three grandkids. Never did she imagine that she would be writing books. Identified as a heart-changing fiction author, she has penned the books When God Makes Himself Known and Becoming...

On February 19, 2007, SSG Shilo Harris was patrolling an infamous southern Iraqi roadway when his Humvee was struck by an IED. Moments later, three members of his crew were dead and Shilo had sustained severe injuries that would alter the course of his life. For forty-eight days he lay trapped in a medically induced coma, after which he had to come to grips with becoming a man utterly changed. Tod...

On February 19, 2007, SSG Shilo Harris was patrolling an infamous southern Iraqi roadway when his Humvee was struck by an IED. Moments later, three members of his crew were dead and Shilo had sustained severe injuries that would alter the course of his life. For forty-eight days he lay trapped in a medically induced coma, after which he had to come to grips with becoming a man utterly changed. Tod...

Have you ever wondered "Why does this girl hate me?" or even "Why do I hate her?" Danielle has answers for you - and actionable solutions. Not because she's perfect... In fact, you're going to find out fast she has been both "the hater" and "the hated". She'll share real and very raw stories of girls hating her without knowing her, and at other times, how she, herself, was so jealous of another wo...

For many, fear is an obstacle that can get in the way and potentially stop someone from becoming the person they're meant to be. We're joined today by Erin Mohr and Wendy Yates, owners and founders of Emerge Coaching and licensed life coaches. They want to help people remove those obstacles to allow them to become their best selves so that they can live out their dreams Today on Connections, Erin...

The holiday season is a joyful time for most people, but it can also be bittersweet for someone celebrating for the first time after the death of a loved one. Kathleen Fraser, author of Mourning and Milestones: Honoring Anniversaries, Birthdays and Special Occasions After a Loved One Dies, is a bereavement group facilitator in Rochester, New York and holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and an...

Christine Naman watched her perfectly healthy daughter thrive and then succumb to the pull of substances. She suffered the feelings of isolation, pain and humiliation that being the parent of an addict often brings. She says her faith and strength in God is what helped both herself and her daughter, Natalie get to where they are today. Christine now hopes that by sharing her family’s difficult sto...

We all have toxic people in our lives. Maybe we don’t know it. Maybe we don’t want to acknowledge it. As Christians, we often feel the guilt and responsibility of meeting the needs of unhealthy people in our lives. Whether a sibling, parent, spouse, coworker, or friend, toxic people frequently seek to frustrate our life's calling. While you're seeking first God's kingdom, they're seeking first to...

A Christmas quiz at an office Christmas party changed the research path for one historian. Dr. Gerry Bowler, a historian at the University of Manitoba, spent 10 years researching his first book, The Encylopedia of Christmas and that journey has continued for 20 more years and three more books.  Why do we celebrate Christmas on December 25? Who are the Wise Men? Who was Saint Nicholas? Today on Con...

A Christmas quiz at an office Christmas party changed the research path for one historian. Dr. Gerry Bowler, a historian at the University of Manitoba, spent 10 years researching his first book, The Encylopedia of Christmas and that journey has continued for 20 more years and three more books.  Why do we celebrate Christmas on December 25? Who are the Wise Men? Who was Saint Nicholas? Today on Con...

In her new book, The Sparkle of His Eye, author Stefani Weatherford shares how she discovered beauty in the broken through her relationship with the Lord.  Weatherford experienced a difficult divorce that, like any other divorcee has encountered, left her feeling like her world was falling apart. In The Sparkle of His Eye, Weatherford shares how a relationship with God can help people through chal...

Christmas is usually a time of celebration and family, but it can also be quite stressful and at times, a challenge for those who are missing a loved one. Grief can arise at any time, but it usually rears its head at Christmas, a season filled with tradition and family gatherings. 2020 has had its share of surprises including a global pandemic that has made it even harder to grieve. Bob Smiciklas,...

Andreas Wilderer is the author of Lean On: The Five Pillars Of Support For Women in Leadership. A business leader and entrepreneur, Wilderer worked in the event and marketing field and in 2016 founded GLOBULARiTY LLC, a business coaching company that helps leaders grow and learn how to strengthen their Adaptability Quotient (AQ). While working on his business pursuits, Wilderer stayed at home and...

"The Farmer and The Belle: Saving Santaland" is a funny Christmas movie for the family in the style of a Hallmark Christmas movie. Sparks fly between a famous model and a farmer with a young daughter when she visits her childhood home. The town is in danger of losing their beloved Santaland festival, but miracles can happen with a little love, family and faith. Today on Connections we're joined by...

"The Farmer and The Belle: Saving Santaland" is a funny Christmas movie for the family in the style of a Hallmark Christmas movie. Sparks fly between a famous model and a farmer with a young daughter when she visits her childhood home. The town is in danger of losing their beloved Santaland festival, but miracles can happen with a little love, family and faith. Today on Connections we're joined by...

Jamie Grace is a two-time Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and actress. Diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome, OCD, ADHD, and anxiety at a young age, Jamie actively advocates for joy, wellness, and mental health through the lens of music, film, and faith. An entertainer at heart, she regularly creates fresh content, including new music and weekly videos and episodes of The Jamie Grace Podcast. When...

Jamie Grace is a two-time Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and actress. Diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome, OCD, ADHD, and anxiety at a young age, Jamie actively advocates for joy, wellness, and mental health through the lens of music, film, and faith. An entertainer at heart, she regularly creates fresh content, including new music and weekly videos and episodes of The Jamie Grace Podcast. When...

Lucas Kitchen was determined to find the answer to the question, “What do I have to do to be saved?” The result is Naked Grace: A Quest For Clarity In A World Of Confusion, in which he chronicles with refreshing honesty and humour his life-long journey for answers. Today on Connections, Lucas will share his personal journey to find answers and why he decided to share that journey in his new book,...

New York Times bestselling author Ruth Soukup is dedicated to helping women overcome fear and create a life they love. Through her blog, Living Well Spending Less, which reaches more than 1 million women each month, she encourages her readers to follow their dreams and reach their goals. Her latest book is called Do It Scared. From identifying your unique Fear Archetype™ to adopting the Principles...

Superhero U is a children's read-along book to teach your children how to stay safe in case of an emergency. Basic principles like staying calm, getting to safety, calling for help and taking appropriate action are explored through a fun Superhero University training environment in a comic book-like format. They will be inspired to have confidence while learning essential personal information they...

Brad and Jen Klassen began their adventure by volunteering in the children's ministry at their church. Little did they know where saying yes to that would take them.  As their hearts grew for the children they served, they also grew for the families.  Most recently, Brad and Jen Klassen have created a new book series called The Unforgettable Adventures of Junior Bear. These books equip parents wit...