Exception Seekers

In this episode, Colleen from Sound Youth Counselling sits down with grief counsellor and author Aly Bird for a thoughtful conversation about grief, loss, resilience, and the ways we learn to carry difficult experiences. Together, they explore how grief affects both adults and children, why honest conversations matter, and how our culture often struggles to make space for mourning and vulnerabilit...

In this episode, Colleen sits down with registered acupuncturist Shelby to explore the foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture, and the relationship between our bodies, environment, and daily habits. Shelby shares how she discovered acupuncture unexpectedly and fell in love with the philosophy and depth of Chinese medicine. Together, the conversation unpacks concepts like yi...

In this episode, Colleen sits down with Jody North, founder and director of MiND-AID Muskoka, to explore a powerful and innovative approach to supporting youth mental health through system navigation. Jody explains how MiND-AID Muskoka acts as a “travel guide” for mental wellness, helping young people and families navigate complex systems of care. Rather than offering clinical services directly, M...

In this episode of Exception Seekers , Colleen and James explore the evolution of a youth mental health navigation service (MiND-AID Muskoka) that connects young people (ages 0–29) to a wide range of supports beyond traditional counselling, including medical care, housing assistance, food security, and broader social services. The organization focuses on ensuring continuity of care, meaning suppor...

In this episode of Exception Seekers , Jacklyn Frias shares an honest and deeply personal conversation about the transition into motherhood, identity shifts, and her experience with postpartum depression. Before becoming a mom, Jacklyn describes a structured, confident life rooted in routine, fitness, and a clear sense of self. But after the birth of her first child, she found herself navigating a...

In this episode, we sit down with Emily Beauchamp, a full-spectrum doula and founder of Growing Together Doula Services. Emily shares how her own experiences with pregnancy, postpartum struggles, and breastfeeding challenges led her to pursue a career supporting families through the entire perinatal journey. We explore what a full-spectrum doula actually does, from fertility and pregnancy to birth...

In this episode, Colleen sits down with Jarvis Strong, Executive Director of the Escarpment Corridor Alliance, to explore the winding path that led him to a meaningful career in conservation leadership. Jarvis shares how his journey was anything but linear, moving through multiple roles and periods of uncertainty before finding work that truly aligns with his values. He reflects on the power of me...

In this episode, Colleen is joined by Amanda Lamb (Pine River Institute) for a deep, thoughtful conversation about anxiety, emotional regulation, and resilience through a developmental lens. Rather than treating anxiety as something to eliminate or “fix,” this conversation reframes anxiety as a capacity that develops over time, shaped by relationships, expectations, culture, and lived experience....

This podcast episode features an in-depth conversation with Alhan Rahimi, a translator, interpreter, author, and educator, who shares about her personal and professional journey across languages, cultures, and countries. Alhan shares how her passion for languages led her from translation into interpreting, higher education in England, and eventually into community-building through YouTube, courses...

In this episode of Exception Seekers, Colleen talks with Kim Hopkins, Executive Director at Lives in the Balance, about the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) model developed by Dr. Ross Greene. Kim explains how CPS offers a compassionate, trauma-informed, and neurodiversity-affirming approach to supporting children who struggle to meet expectations—especially in schools and homes. Kim...

This episode is a heartfelt dive into the world of youth mental health, relationships, and the brain. Dr. Jean Clinton shares about how love, connection, and understanding can shape young minds, way more than we often realize. We talk about practical ways to support kids and teens, from connecting before correcting, to being mindful of relationships and context in teaching and counselling. Dr. Cli...

This podcast episode features a deep, reflective conversation with Carmen Theobald of Horse Sense North, focusing on the creation and impact of their equine-assisted programs for first responders and public safety personnel. Carmen shares how horses provide a grounded, non-judgmental presence that helps people reconnect with safety, embodiment, and authentic emotion. The discussion touches on the...

In this chat with Kelly Mahler, a leading expert on interoception, we dive into what interoception really means and why it’s such a game-changer. Kelly explains how interoception is about tuning into the signals inside our bodies — like hunger, thirst, heart rate, and emotions — and how understanding these can totally change the way we relate to ourselves and others. We hear about how this awarene...

This episode features a reflective and deeply engaging conversation with Olivia Scobie. The conversation explores systemic issues in mental health care, particularly related to parenting and perinatal support. Olivia shares insights from her academic research, professional practice, and personal experience, including how her work with incarcerated mothers, her sociological background, and her own...

In this episode of Exception Seekers , Jesse shares insights into the start-up of his casting company, highlighting the importance of unconditional support and how it enables risk-taking and growth. The discussion explores themes of privilege, resilience, community connection, and the value of creating safe “landing spaces” for people to experiment and develop. Jesse emphasizes the human side of t...

In this thoughtful conversation, Brendan Madden, a passionate leader in outdoor education and risk management, reflects on his career journey, current work, and evolving perspectives on environmental stewardship, community resilience, and youth engagement. Brendan discusses the transformative power of nature-based experiences—both for mental health and for building stronger communities in the face...

In this podcast with Jalynn Bosley, founder and director of ALIVE Outdoors, we explore the evolution and impact of ALIVE’s outdoor experiential education programs, particularly how they foster resilience, personal growth, and mental wellness in youth through outdoor experiences. Jalynn reflects on her personal journey, and how her upbringing, travel, and willingness to follow her inner compass led...

In this episode of Exception Seekers , Alena Luciani, varsity athlete, strength and conditioning coach, and entrepreneur, shares her journey of celebrating sport and finding confidence in her industry. From her early experiences in sport to the evolution of her approach, Alena emphasizes the importance of relatable communication and building genuine connections. She reflects on how she shifted fro...

In this episode of Exception Seekers, Shane reflects on his personal and professional journey as an Indigenous leader, rooted in both lived experience and cultural teachings. From the loss of his brother to his time as Chief, Shane’s path has been guided by a deep commitment to healing and service. He contrasts Western clinical models with culturally grounded approaches like Feather Carriers, whic...

In this episode of Exception Seekers, Clarissa Kennedy, a passionate advocate for harm reduction and neurodivergence, shares her unique journey of personal and professional transformation. Through her work in addiction, especially in the realm of food addiction, Clarissa explores how neurodivergence can influence behaviors like disordered eating, impulsivity, and addiction. She reflects on her own...

This episode revolves around the theme of reconnecting with nature, the challenges of modern life, and how nature-based experiences, like camping, can foster personal growth, relaxation, and connection. Anne and Colleen underscore the value of nature in promoting mental well-being, the importance of flexibility and presence in our experiences, and how even small, accessible outdoor activities can...

This episode, with Diana Clements, touches on several important themes around education, the role of nature, the impact of technology, and child development. Diana reflects on her personal journey, her commitment to nature-based learning, and her insights as a teacher and parent. She talks about how she has always questioned societal norms, particularly around technology and the need for outdoor l...

In this episode, Anne and Colleen talk about the value of summer camp, particularly in shaping leadership skills, personal growth, and providing unique opportunities for young people to gain responsibility and experience. They reflect on their own experiences working at camp and the lessons they learned that continue to influence them in their personal and professional lives. The conversation touc...

In this episode of Exception Seekers, therapist and educator Jake Ernst shares his insights on relational therapy, and the need for a societal shift that recognizes the critical importance of human connection. Jake encourages us to reframe how we approach mental health, especially with children, so that we can look past the idea of individual skill sets and consider mental health as a system of re...

In this episode of Exception Seekers , we welcome Dr. Anita Federici, a leading expert in eating disorders and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Dr. Federici shares her journey into the field, her passion for challenging conventional treatment models, and how she integrates DBT into eating disorder treatment. She discusses the systemic barriers in mental health care, the importance of lived expe...