CJAD 800

Difference Makers

Business EN ↓ 56 episodes

Hosted by James Hughes and Sam Watts, the show features stories, interviews and listener interaction that aims to identify people and organizations doing good work in our community.  There are so many great stories, wonderful people and iconic institutions that provide a variety of community services and activities.  We shine a light on them and provide a forum for listeners to learn about them.  People serving people – sometimes unseen, we celebrate them on this show.

Be sure to visit the podcast's website and support the creator: www.iheart.com

Author

CJAD 800

Category

Business

Podcast website

www.iheart.com

Latest episode

Oct 24, 2026

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Episodes

Difference Makers - Episode 58 - Varsha Bhat 24.10.2026

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission shines light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, Varsha Bhat, founder and host of the Aging With Dignity podcast, focusing on the value of providing care for those who are aging and advocating for improvements to senior care.

Difference Makers - Episode 57 - Anne-Marie Croteau 17.10.2026

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission shines light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, Anne-Marie Croteau, Dean of the John Molson School of Business at Concordia University. Anne-Marie highlights how people with a business degree can contribute to the betterment of society.

Difference Makers - Episode 58 - James Hughes 10.10.2026

Sam Watts of Welcome Hall Mission shines a spotlight on the people making a difference in our communities. This week, newly elected Quebec MNA James Hughes joins Sam to reflect on his election victory and discuss his plans to address homelessness across the province. Tune in to Difference Makers; Saturdays at noon, live on CJAD 800

Difference Makers - Episode 55 - Sophie Dalbec 03.10.2026

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission shines light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, Sophie Dalbec of Habitat for Humanity, Quebec. Habitat for Humanity makes a difference in our community by making affordable homeownership accessible by removing barriers that can make owning a home impossible for many low-income working families and individuals. 

Difference Makers: Episode 54 26.09.2026

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission shines light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, Benita Goldin joins us from Contactivity Centre, a Montreal community centre that's kept seniors active, engaged and connected for over 50 years. Also, Nori Bortoluzzi from the Nota Bene Foundation talks about Crafted for Courage, a public art project turning handmade blankets into a sta...

Difference Makers: Episode 53 19.09.2026

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission shines light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, Julia Asselstine joins us from Literacy Unlimited, an organization working to improve adult English literacy across Quebec. Also, Jennifer Johnson joins us from CHSSN, the Community Health and Social Services Network, which works to improve access to health and social services for Englis...

Difference Makers: Episode 52 12.09.2026

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission shines light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, Ken Quinn joins us — a tireless volunteer across Montreal's Irish community organizations, including the St. Patrick's Society of Montreal, the United Irish Societies, and the Montreal Irish Monument Park project. Mona Beck joins us — President of Seniors Action Quebec, and a...

Difference Makers: Episode 51 05.09.2026

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission shines light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, Daniel Rotman joins us from Equiterre, one of Quebec's leading environmental advocacy organizations working across food, climate, consumption and transportation. Also, Amanda Murphy joins us from O3 On Our Own, a Montreal nonprofit supporting young parents and their children through tran...

Difference Makers: Episode 50 29.08.2026

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission shines light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with Andre Pereira, Xenia Project Manager & Director of Marketing and Communications for Giant Steps, which has championed autism education and inclusion in Montreal for nearly 45 years. Also, Chelsea Craig, elected Commissioner for Ward 2 at the English Montreal School Bo...

Difference Makers: Episode 49 22.08.2026

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission shines light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with General Manager Anny Kirouac and Director of Shelter Medicine Vincent Paradis for Proanima, an animal services organization. Also, Betty Esperanza, founder of Skateboards for Hope, which uses skateboarding to build confidence and break cycles of poverty for young people.

Best of Difference Makers: Episode 46 01.08.2026

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this Best-of episode, Ugo Dionne, a volunteer in Montreal's business/corporate community and Olivier Fitzpatrick, a young caregiver who helps families manage the effects of mental illness.

Best of Difference Makers: Episode 45 25.07.2026

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this Best-of episode, Sam and James spoke to Jack Jones. an uber-volunteer: He has been volunteering for Meals on Wheels in Montreal for about a year, at On Rock for 15 years and at Hadley House for 20, where he sits on the board of directors in charge of the...

Best of Difference Makers: Episode 44 11.07.2026

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this Best-of episode, they speak with  Dr. Olivier Farmer, a psychiatrist at Notre-Dame Hospital and an Associate Clinical Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Montreal. Mike Weston is the director of Andy’s House Treatment Cen...

Best of Difference Makers: Episode 42 04.07.2026

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this Best of episode: John Hallward, President of Give Three and Mel Burns, a teacher who organizes the Outers Club.

Difference Makers: Episode 42 04.07.2026

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with Alistair Price, President & CEO Centre Inicio, a Montreal Non-profit organization helping English-speaking Quebecers and newcomers who face unique employment challenges. Sam & James also talk to farmer Matthew Gay who has...

Difference Makers: Episode 41 27.06.2026

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with Denise Hupé, Executive Director of ABOVAS, a West Island nonprofit organization whose incredible volunteers help seniors and adults get to essential appointments on the island of Montreal. Sam & James also talk to the...

Difference Makers: Episode 40 20.06.2026

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with Jon Reider, Executive Director of Myra's Kids, a local organization dedicated to supporting children, youth and their families who are coping with loss and berevement. Sam & James also talk to Dr. Lionel Carmant, Quebec's Min...

Difference Makers: Episode 39 13.06.2026

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with Suzanne Dazell of CN Rail. CN has committed $100 million over the next ten years to launch its new signature giving initiative, CN Railroaders for Change, aimed at preventing homelessness across its North American rail network. S...

Difference Makers: Episode 38 06.06.2026

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with Steven Atme, a Montreal-based musician, composer, speaker, and prominent advocate for autism and disability rights. Sam and James also talk to Louis-Phillipe Myre, Director of Real Estate Development for Interloge, a Non-Market A...

Difference Makers: Episode 37 30.05.2026

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with Joseph Reynaud, Chairman of L’Arche Canada – specializing in restructuring, insolvency and commercial litigation – and Lise Andrée Massé, Education and Prevention Manager at ANEB, a non-profit orga...

Difference Makers: Episode 36 23.05.2026

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with Stephen Bronfman who heads Claridge — a private equity firm — and Larry Waters, a retired finance professional with CIBC who founded the Two Cent Fund.

Difference Makers: Episode 35 16.05.2026

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with Susan Wylie, Executive Director of Le Nichoir, a non-profit that provides proper care and treatment for injured or orphaned wild birds and releases them back into their natural habitat. They also talk to David Rodrigue, Executive...

Difference Makers: Episode 34 09.05.2026

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with Art Campbell, Director of Québec Homelessness Prevention Policy Collaborative and Ian Boeckh, President and Director of the Graham Boeckh Foundation, a private family foundation that is dedicated to transforming mental hea...

Difference Makers: Episode 33 02.05.2026

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. This week, Sam and James speak to Hannah Ryan, a social integration services teacher. For the past 10+ years she has worked (and continues to) at WIAIH West Island Association for the Intellectually Handicapped) as an Animator, Head Animator, and Lead...

Difference Makers: Episode 32 25.04.2026

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. This week, Sam and James spoke to Jack Jones. an uber-volunteer: He has been volunteering for Meals on Wheels in Montreal for about a year, at On Rock for 15 years and at Hadley House for 20, where he sits on the board of directors in charge of the fundraising c...

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