From The Park Bench - real conversations

The start of a new sports season is always exciting.  New uniform, new teammates, new coaches...and who knows, maybe this year you will find a friend for life. There is more to each new season than one can plan for.   Yes, we all want to win.  We all want to have fun...but should we set expectations? Listen as we talk about a new season, new expectations ...and hopefully, finding some wonderful su...

Although the topic of love is most discussed on Valentine's Day, it should be celebrated and cherished all year long.  Dr. Maya Kollman talks about love, getting the love you want and keeping the love you find. Discover the tools and approach to a long-lasting and healthy love. Want to send Camilla and Ted a message? Or learn more about them? Visit FromTheParkBench.ca

Camilla and Ted talk with Chris Dainty, of Dainty Productions, owner of a production/animation studio and professor or the arts, discussing the impact of AI in animation and the future for young animators.  Learn more about Chris: Daintybooks.com Daintyproductions.com   Illustration/Concept Art Program The video referenced about water usage and AI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_c6MWk7PQc&t...

Camilla and Ted talk with Chris Dainty, of Dainty Productions, owner of a production/animation studio and professor or the arts, discussing the impact of AI in animation and the future for young animators.  Learn more about Chris: Daintybooks.com Daintyproductions.com   Illustration/Concept Art Program The video referenced about water usage and AI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_c6MWk7PQc&t...

Discover how Imago Relationship Therapy can change every conversation you have, by consciously understanding the space between. A couples therapist trained by Harville Hendrix himself, Dr Maya Kollman discusses how the Imago principles, and techniques can be applied to any relationship in sports, at work and at home.  https://www.mayakollman.com/  Want to send Camilla and Ted a message? Or learn m...

Sport injuries can alter an athlete’s career, but not only that, they can render them incapable of a full range of motion or immobile. Camilla and Ted chat with Nick Antaya, Managing Partner of Ottawa Physiotherapy & Sport Clinic (OPTSC) in Ottawa. Discover the secrets to a long and mobile life, learn about ways to mitigate injury, and explore what OPTSC has to offer its patients, athletes, co...

Although they didn't win the World Series, the Blue Jays won our hearts. A team that inspired us with their stories, their determination, and their grit.  Camilla and Ted talk discussed what it means to be part of a team.  How a team, and its leadership, can show their commitment and support through the highs and lows.  Want to send Camilla and Ted a message? Or learn more about them? Visit F...

Continuing our discussion about addiction in all its forms, along with mental health in both the sports and the arts. Christopher Bowers, owner/CEO of Global Breakthrough Education , addiction and substance abuse specialist provides further information and insight and resources for those supporting love ones in need.  A must-listen episode if you, or a loved one, are suffering with mental health. ...

A special two-part interview with Christopher Bowers, owner/CEO of Global Breakthrough Education , addiction and substance abuse specialist.  The episode talks about addiction in all its forms, in both the sports and the arts, and how mental health is synonymous with that space. Christopher has 35 years of experience, is dedicated to helping individuals of all ages, has worked in various industrie...

A sidewalk collision that changed the world. The Reese’s peanut butter cup commercial from the 80’s. Two delicious and wonderful things on their own, but combined produced something even better! True synergy, where the whole is more valuable than the individual parts, creating a new effect that wouldn't exist if they were separate. When we are connected and combined with something/someone equ...

We all have excess “fat” that we can cut.  Excess amount of materialistic things… Excess amount of obligations… Excess amount of tasks… Excess amount of commitments… How do we know when to remove the excess?  That extra emotional weight, or added work that we carry around, slows us down, possibly holding us back from something even better! Listen as Ted and Camilla talk about cutting the fat, remo...

Danielle Byers, Club Engagement Manager at Kitchener Soccer Club, is a trailblazer in helping young people live healthy active lives while nurturing a life-long passion for soccer...especially for female players! Learn all about the club's mission to build better people through soccer, and how they believe they have the power to initiate change. Camilla and Ted discuss Danielle's journey...

We can relate to the feeling of self-doubt and the fear of being exposed as a fraud. This feeling is most often rooted in past experiences, and regardless of whether you are an athlete or an artist, we all second-guess our abilities at some point.  Join us as we talk with Allen Ford, Artist, Creative Director, AND athlete on imposter syndrome and other topics related to confidence in the arts and...

Matt Greenwood is a leader in driving a societal shift towards a barrier-free soccer environment for individuals with disabilities. Camilla and Ted discuss Matt’s story and learn more about accessible soccer and blind soccer programs.  Discover how the Pickering Football Club is an inclusive and diverse community and the impact it is making on its members and coaches.  Want to send Camilla and Ted...

Whether a musical festival, art fair, or sporting event, they are a special memory of people celebrating a common purpose of community and connection. Ted and Camilla participate at a local soccer tournament, interviewing some of the young players along with some sponsors.  Want to send Camilla and Ted a message? Or learn more about them? Visit FromTheParkBench.ca

Back to school can bring many emotions and feelings, but one thing it brings is an opportunity for all things new! Get back to consistency, form new habits, start new routines, or set new goals, all things that we often associate with New Year’s Eve…but why wait?! Listen as Camilla and Ted talk about the first day of school, a time of year that can be a perfect time for all things NEW!   Want to s...

Who doesn't love a colourful, fun and delicious Maverick's donut? But what is the story behind that donut? How and why should that business connect with community?  Find out as Ted and Camilla chat with Jon Martin, Managing Partner and Vice President of Operations with Maverick's Donuts. Discover Jon's journey as business owner, and how is role today not only supports businesse...

Ted and Camilla interview Jessie Burgins, the Executive Director of West Ottawa Soccer Club. Discover Jessie's career journey, what makes him a great leader and find out the exciting plans he envisions for the club.  Want to send Camilla and Ted a message? Or learn more about them? Visit FromTheParkBench.ca

When should you start thinking of your “why”?  If our “why” helps us with life decisions, should it be something we start thinking about at a young age?  When do we start aligning our decisions with our purpose, our passions, and our values?  Ted and Camilla talk about the importance of our WHY in various spaces of minor sports, the arts, our careers, and our community and how our WHY helps us to...

Is strength a perception?  Can you view strength from appearance?  Is mental fortitude more important than physical strength? Camilla and Ted discuss the importance of strength, both physically and mentally, and find out who is stronger: the athlete or the artist!  Want to send Camilla and Ted a message? Or learn more about them? Visit FromTheParkBench.ca

Sponsorship is often perceived as a donation, but it is far from it. It’s a marketing and public relations initiative that meets the needs of a business.  These needs are specific, as in any relationship; each side has its own needs, but they meet in the middle with a common goal —the why.  Listen as Ted and Camilla talk about sponsorship from a relational perspective.  Want to send Camilla and Te...

A must listen if you went to camp as a kid!  Camp experiences leave lasting impressions; the people we meet, the surroundings, and the adventures are all memories that we carry throughout our lives.  Listen as Camilla and Ted talk about experiences at summer camps and how they play a role in shaping our childhood.  The importance of choosing the right one, the impact camp counsellors have on campe...

Pursuing your passion as a career is a complex decision with huge rewards and potential hurdles. Is it worth the risk? Does the term “starving artist” apply today? Camilla and Ted discuss the decisions our youth face, choosing the safe and practical path, or going for their dreams and following their passion. Or can they have both? How to make that choice, and ultimately who should be making it? ...

We have all felt the pain of getting cut from a team. How can you not take it personally?! How can you not look inward and think, I’m inadequate, not valued, not wanted, or not worthy? Ted and Camilla talk about the feelings associated with being let go from a team and how to navigate the emotions that come with it.  Want to send Camilla and Ted a message? Or learn more about them? Visit FromThePa...

Continuing the discussion from part 1, on how important it is to talk to our kids and for everyone to share their stories, Camilla and Ted dive into the why. As parents, we know all too well that when we talk to our kids it goes in one ear and out the other, which is why it is important for them to have other mentoring and inspiring influencers.  Discover why sharing our experiences with any child...