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In last week's show, I spoke about why it's okay to not be perfect. Striving for perfection only helps to increase anxiety and, by association, depression. And that's the last thing we need added to our everyday journey with our illness. Today I want to expand on that, and share why it's also okay - in fact, perfectly normal - to be awkward. Because while we may feel that being awkward makes us lo...

In episode 22 of the Life Through a Dram podcast, I share some examples of stories from my youth, as well as other inspiring stories I've heard through the years. Because stories matter, as I discuss in this week's episode. After all, we know how storytelling has enthralled generation after generation through the ages. But have you ever stopped to consider your own stories, and how they can not on...

Hi and welcome to the Life Through a Dram podcast, a weekly show that looks at life, being a better person, and appreciating the here and now, all accompanied by a dram of fine single malt whisky. So what can you expect from the show? Well, there will be personal thoughts from myself on something that catches my eye a particular week, or recollections of lessons I've learned from making mistakes w...

Last week, I recorded an episode of Mental Health and Me while under what I can only call "not the best circumstances". While I could have left the episode up, I really wasn't happy with it, as you'll found out in this new episode. I'll still share the topic of the previous episode three, probably in next week's show. Today, though, while I share what happened last week, I want to talk about why y...

In episode 21 of my Life Through a Dram podcast, I sit down to talk about mortality, and whether we live happy or unhappy lives as we look back on our time here on Earth. For example, will we look back on how we placed so much of our happiness on everything that makes us unhappy? Money, materialism, and more - it all essentially makes us unhappy. I look at why this is, and how we can move away fro...

In episode 20 of Life Through a Dram, I sit down with my wife, Jaclyn, to talk about my recent diagnosis with depression, how that's changed me, what I'm doing to cope with it, and more. Topics on the menu include: The symptoms I was experiencing in the lead-up to the diagnosis What made me seek help, as opposed to continuing to deal with it alone How my life has changed since that first diagnosis...

Recently, my husband was diagnosed with depression . He'd been suffering for a while, without actually realizing he had all the symptoms that come with depression. It wasn't until he literally couldn't take another step forward that he decided he needed to seek help, and his own journey with depression (and anxiety) began. In episode 2 of Mental Health and Me, I chat with him about that realizatio...

In this first episode of Mental Health and Me, I look back at my journey with mental health, from my first diagnosis in university, to where I am today. It's been a rough ride, I won't lie - but through all the ups and downs I've experienced myself, I hope I can offer you some hope and inspiration when it comes to taking care of you, and battling your own mental health issues. For more resources,...

In episode 19 of Life Through a Dram, I chat with Josh Currivan on his and his family's journey with depression, anxiety, and ADHD, as well as how he managed to escape the youth juvenile system, and the importance of supporting victims and offering a safe space to talk and be heard. Topics on the menu include: Josh's realization that he needed to get help, and how his diagnosis of anxiety and ADHD...

In episode 18 of Life Through a Dram, I chat with Kristin Elliott on her family's historical background, her love of all things nerdy and geeky, how Twitter helped here decide which soccer team to support, why she misses New Mexico but loves New York, and more. Topics on the menu include: Her family's very historical back story, and how her heritage shaped parts of the U.S. How she started a Twitt...

Often in life, nerds (or geeks) come under fire for not "fitting into the norm". In episode 17 of Life Through a Dram, I talk about how I used to be one of those who laughed at nerds, and how I came to the realization nerds are pretty cool (and became one myself). Topics on the menu include: Remembering happier times in an otherwise shitty childhood Being a mean kid before I knew any bet...

A couple of weeks ago, I was diagnosed with depression. I think I knew I had some issues, but didn't want to face them head on. In episode 16 of Life Through a Dram, I talk about finally realizing I needed help, and why we need to talk openly about depression. Topics on the menu include: The moment I couldn't take another step forward Realizing I had depression Why we need to treat mental health t...

In episode 15 of Life Through a Dram, I chat with Bob LeDrew on the joy and intimacy of house concerts (and how they can ruin arena shows), the secret history of the ukulele, why the loss of politician Paul Dewar hit so hard, and more. Topics on the menu include: The story behind house concerts and why they're growing in popularity His love of the ukulele and why it's such a multi-faceted instrume...

In episode 14 of Life Through a Dram, I chat with Ryan Cox on the value of building relationships, the fight he needed to overcome a life-changing trauma, and how he decided to take action at schools with delinquent lunch money accounts. Topics on the menu include: How his personal relationships have shaped his life since a young age His decision to adopt his two nephews How a major trauma in his...

In episode 13 of Life Through a Dram, I chat with Bill Nab on how life can take a very different turn, finding meaning through dark times, and bringing positivity into your life to be a happier person. Topics on the menu include: How a dark chapter in Billy's life saw his daughter find her career course Realization that he was in a bad place, that led him to be put on suicide watch Why transformin...

In episode 12 of Life Through a Dram, I chat with Susan Murphy on how social media has evolved over the years to foster a wider world but more intimate connections, and how pets are wonderful when it comes to anxiety. Topics on the menu include: How social media has changed in the last 10 years Why the world may be getting larger, but our connections are getting more personal Why simplifying in al...

In episode 11 of Life Through a Dram, I chat with Kat Krieger on the major changes she's making in her life this year, and how that's impacting her as a working mother with two younger daughters. In this week's show, we discuss: How her separation from her husband is opening up Kat to new adventures What it's like being a mother to two daughters when their parents separate Why being honest and ope...

After taking a brief hiatus from the Life Through a Dram podcast at the end of 2018, I'm looking forward to kicking off the show again with a revamped format and guests. What you can expect: Personal stories about life and our place in it Personal experiences about overcoming adversity and challenges Short, inspirational interviews with people and their stories on life and experiences A nice recom...

Often in life, we're told big equals successful. Bigger houses, bigger bank accounts, bigger pay checks. Yet is this true? Does big really mean success? Or is success defined by how you're truly seen, versus how you feel you should be seen? The topic in episode 9 of Life Through a Dram. Slaintevar.

Often in life, we feel we need something around us to make us feel special, and wanted. Family; love; success; and all that comes with it. And, yes, family makes us complete, as does love. And, if that's a metric, self-value can also come from success (based on our perception of what success means). But, as I found out this evening, when these things aren't around us, we don't necessarily need to...

Recently, I had a little bit of a health scare when I went for a check-up at my doctor's. I'll be 50 later this year, so I wanted to see how I was doing as I approach that milestone. And it wasn't good. Since then, I've taken steps to improve my lifestyle, habits, and more. As a dad to two young kids, I realized I wasn't being fair to them, as I put myself and my own "entertainment" ahea...

Often, it feels like we carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. Family stuff. Personal struggles. Work. The world. Kids, and helping them find their way in the world. All this and more can start to weigh heavily on us and, if we’re not careful, can overcome and overpower, until we’re lying on the ground, breathing heavily, wondering what we do next and not having a clear answer. We begin t...

There are many beliefs in the world - religious, spiritual and more. But what if we believed in the one thing that we can all agree on - the belief in humanity? A topic near and dear to me up for discussion on episode 5 of Life Through a Dram. Enjoy, and don't forget to subscribe for future episodes!

When my wife was taken to ER with heart pains, the reaction from both physical friends and digital ones reminded me why the world is better is we have someone in it with us, as I share in episode 4 of Life Through a Dram.

Following the latest school shooting in the U.S., the mother of a child involved in the shooting shared her thoughts, fears, and hopes. This episode requests one thing: No politics. No sides. No judgement. Just listen to episode 3 of Life Through a Dram, and then think how we can fix this.