Facing Giants

Interview with CBC

Mandie, a woman whose journey is marked by resilience and unwavering strength. Born with a birth defect, Mandie's life was fraught with challenges from the very beginning. She faced the horrors of a physically abusive father and endured the trauma of sexual abuse, yet somehow found the courage to keep pushing forward. As she navigated her tumultuous teenage years and early adulthood, Mandie en...

Raili-Ann, a young mother caught in the relentless grip of an abusive relationship with the father of her child. As if the daily abuse isn't enough, she is plagued by severe jaw pain, for which she desperately awaits surgery. Prescribed painkillers offer a fleeting glimpse of relief, but her partner's selfish consumption of the medication leaves her in constant agony. In a moment of sheer...

Born into a loving home with all the prospects of success, Wiley's life seemed to be following a trajectory of promise. However, a tumultuous turn of events led her down a path of dependency and despair. Following the end of a significant relationship, Wiley found solace in the numbing embrace of alcohol. Despite the growing concerns voiced by friends and family, she remained dismissive of the...

In this episode, we discuss climate change with Dr. Paul Berger, a climate change professor and activist. With misinformation rampant and skepticism lingering, Dr. Berger lays bare the facts, debunking myths and shedding light on the undeniable reality of our changing climate. Join us as we tackle the tough questions head-on: Is climate change merely a hoax, as some claim, or a pressing reality de...

* WARNING* Mature subject matter discussed in detail. Listener's discretion is advised. Vanessa's battle with addiction continues. It is even amplified with the introduction to fentanyl leading her down a dark path into the world of online sex work. Constantly in and out of tumultuous relationships, Vanessa found herself caught in a cycle of self-destruction, using her earnings to support...

** WARNING ** - Mature subject matters discussed in detail. Listeners discretion is advised. Vanessa, a young woman whose journey from well-intentioned high school student to substance abuse and sex work sheds light on the complexities of life's challenges. Despite becoming pregnant in her final year of high school, she and her partner were determined to provide the best life for their child....

Rob finds himself face-to-face with a formidable black bear during a routine survey in the woods. What begins as just another day in the field quickly transforms into a harrowing ordeal that will forever linger in Rob's memory. As Rob goes about his work, meticulously surveying the natural habitat, little does he know that he's about to become the focus of attention for an unexpected visit...

Richard's journey began when his sister-in-law faced the daunting challenge of needing a kidney transplant. Without hesitation, he stepped forward, offering the gift of life by volunteering to be her donor. The transplant surgery was a success, but Richard's own road to recovery proved to be filled with unexpected obstacles. Following the procedure, Richard experienced complications, inclu...

Marcia, a young woman whose life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with kidney disease. For Marcia, the diagnosis was not just a medical challenge but a profound emotional and existential upheaval, as she grappled with the prospect of her dreams for motherhood being threatened. Fortunately, Marcia discovered that her kidney function, though compromised, remained stable enough to pursu...

Danielle, a young woman whose long-awaited dream of motherhood finally became a reality. However, the joy and excitement of pregnancy soon turned into a heart-wrenching journey as she received devastating news about her unborn child's diagnosis of triploidy, a syndrome incompatible with life. Danielle had overcome medical challenges that would increase the difficulty of conception , making the...

In this episode, we explore the heart-wrenching and ultimately triumphant story of a couple who, despite their deepest desires, found themselves unable to conceive a child. As they navigated the turbulent waters of infertility, their journey led them through a maze of medical interventions, dashed hopes, and a rollercoaster of emotions. For reasons unknown, this couple faced the unimaginable chall...

Shayn, a kind-hearted young man who, through a series of unfortunate events, found himself entangled with the wrong crowd. As the allure of quick money and a sense of belonging grew stronger, Shayn became involved in the dangerous world of drug dealing, ultimately leading him down a treacherous path of addiction and despair. As Shayn's life took a downward spiral, he became increasingly entang...

Upon her reintroduction to her drug of choice, all rationallity went out the window. Leaving her children with her parents went from one night to weeks, all for the sake of finding her next fix. As her addiction spiraled out of control, she found herself resorting to desperate measures to fuel her habit. Refusing to return to sex work Alicia turned to a life of crime to fund her addiction, but the...

Alicia, a young woman who faced immense challenges while growing up. Raised by a mother struggling with her mental health, Alicia's journey took her through the foster care system before finding a new home with her father and stepmother. Although things initially seemed to improve, tensions between Alicia and her stepmother grew over time, leading her down a path of self-destruction. Searching...

Yessenia shares her deeply personal experience of navigating the heartbreak of a miscarried pregnancy, a pivotal moment that sparked an unwavering desire to help couples facing the challenges of infertility. Determined to turn her own pain into purpose, she embarked on a remarkable journey of compassion, choosing surrogacy as a means to bring joy to those unable to conceive. Becoming a mother has...

Join us as we sit down with Lynetta, who not only educates us on the basics of surrogacy but also generously shares her personal experience of deciding to become a surrogate. Our guest takes us through the emotional and thoughtful process of deciding to embark on the incredible journey of surrogacy. Through her candid storytelling, we gain valuable insights into the considerations, challenges, and...

Part 3 - Allison has navigated a path of addiction, working in the sex trade, and deep-seated resentment towards her mother. She would often blame her hardships on her mother's instability and promiscuity. Allison's journey takes an unexpected turn when her mother's last days reveal a solemn warning and an earth-shattering secret that. Allison's life becomes a tangled web of recurr...

Pt 2 of 3In this episode, Allison grapples with the profound impact of her decision to work in the sex trade. Through a series of unexpected twists and turns, her life becomes a rollercoaster ride featuring the complexities of addiction, physical abuse, motherhood, addiction,Initially, Allison attempted to maintain a double life, but when her peers from school discovered her new occupation, she wa...

This episode is part 1 of a three part series, exploring the story of Allison: a woman who grew up in the challenging socio-economic landscape of the 70's and 80's. Being half black and poor, she faced a unique set of struggles that shaped her journey of self-discovery. Too black for the white kids and too white for the black kids, Allison struggled to find where she fit in. Faced with the...

Ian, an experienced outdoorsman, his family and close friends went on a weekend canoe trip. What starts as a routine adventure quickly turns into a terrifying reminder of mother nature's power. As a seasoned outdoorsman, Ian is no stranger to inclement weather. However, this storm proves to be unlike anything he has encountered before. With time, the weather deteriorates, intensifying the unea...

Through powerful storytelling, we witness the depths of Trevor's struggle as he battles to break free from the chains of addiction. As his addiction tightens its grip, his life spirals out of control, hitting rock bottom time and time again. Despite the birth of his children, he finds himself unable to muster the strength to overcome . Each setback pushes him further into despair, leaving him...

In this heartfelt episode, Sammie details her courageous journey as young mother, determined to break free from the cycle of intergenerational trauma. We explore her struggles with drug addiction, bullying, and racism, and witness the unwavering love for her daughter that guides her towards a brighter future. Sammie refuses to let her past define her and leans heavily on close friends and the stea...

After surviving a harrowing bear attack, Laura finds herself wrestling to physically and psychologically recover. Laura confronts her darkest moments, while also battling depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This raw and emotionally-charged narrative explores the depths of her struggle, revealing the profound impact the attack had on her life. Laura's path to recovery proves t...

In this episode we dive deep into the heart-pounding story of Laura, a passionate nature enthusiast whose peaceful exploration of the woods took an unexpected turn. Join us as we recount her terrifying encounter with a bear, her fight for survival, and the extraordinary courage that helped her overcome the odds. What seemed like a usual fall day working, Laura was out surveying the pristine beauty...