Ignite the Chat

This episode of Ignite the Chat is another one for all parents and children out there, who love a bit of story time before drifting off to sleep. Benjamin's Quest for Bravery is a children's story, written by our host, Gia Laurent. It is all about a little boy who, despite his fears, discovers the true meaning of bravery. This story is for children of all ages—a soothing story narrated by...

Welcome to this guided meditation of focus. In, today's episode, we will explore the mesmerizing dance of a candle flame as a focal point for our meditation. This practice, often referred to as TRA TA KA  in traditional meditation, involves steady gazing at a flame to enhance concentration and bring about a deep sense of calm and inner peace. This meditation invites you to connect with the sub...

This episode is for parents and children everywhere! It's another tale of The Whispering Willow. A children's meditation story series, written and narrated by host Gia Laurent. It is a bedtime story (that can also be used at any time of day too) designed to be soothing and calming. It is perfect for helping children fall asleep while emphasizing themes of self-worth, courage, and the magic...

This is a guided meditation designed specifically for those who suffer from trauma, PTSD, and nightmares to find peace and calm in the present moment. It demonstrates the importance of grounding yourself in the here and now. *For best results, please listen with headphones* For more of our guided meditations, please check the show's catalogue. Remember to like, comment, and subscribe. For more...

Welcome to Sweet Dreams. A guided sleep meditation, designed to calm and sooth you. This is a detailed step-by-step guide to help those suffering from insomnia to relax their anxious minds and drift off into a peaceful sleep. *For best results, please listen with headphones* For more of our guided meditations, please check the show's catalogue. Remember to like, comment, and subscribe. For mor...

Start your day with peace and clarity with our guided morning meditation, designed to calm your mind and uplift your spirit, setting a positive tone for your morning. This meditation is especially created for those who wake up feeling anxious and nervous to begin their day. *For best results, please listen with headphones* For more of our guided meditations, please check the show's catalogue....

In this episode, we explore how you can support loved ones during their anxiety and depression moments. Discover the power of simply being present - no grand gestures required. We hope you enjoy this message. Remember to like, comment, and subscribe. For more information about us, visit ⁠⁠www.inkstane.com⁠⁠ . For more information about Gia Laurent, please visit our website listed above, or find he...

Step into your power and embrace your true self in this empowering guided meditation session. Join us as we journey through mindfulness and confidence, unlocking the inner strength and self-assurance that lies within. Discover the beauty of being authentically you and cultivate a deep sense of self-love and acceptance. To get the most from this episode, it would be best heard with headphones durin...

In this special episode of "Ignite the Chat," host Gia Laurent dives into the heart of our community with a Q&A session fueled by your burning mental health questions. From anxiety management to self-care strategies, Gia gives her opinion on it all, creating a space where voices are heard, experiences are shared, and support is paramount. Tune in as we empower each other through cand...

In this episode, our special guest, Melisa, shares her story of struggling with anxiety and delayed postpartum depression, all while trying to keep the mask of normalcy on as she juggled a high-profile career and a family. Join us as she takes us through her journey and how she finally gave up her 16-year career in media and perused a life calling to help others (and herself) stay healthy. Today i...

We are happy to welcome back our resident psychotherapist, Montana Vascotto, for Part 4 of our on-going series here at Ignite the Chat called "Therapy 101." In this episode, we discuss why we feel so blah during the winter months and how things like resolutions, weather, and the holidays give us so much angst. Montana shares some tools and tips on how to keep focused and eliminate those...

In this episode, we take you through a podcast takeover like no other! Join us as Ignite the Chat flips the script. Our special guest host for this episode takeover is none other than Toronto's own Madeline Rose Fiore, as she takes the reins, diving deep into the creative mind of our founder, Gia Laurent. Join us for an intimate and interactive story time session and learn about the inspiratio...

In today's episode, we're unveiling a powerful daily ritual that promises to be a game-changer for your well-being. We are introducing our brand-new guided meditation for stress and anxiety relief, designed to be seamlessly woven into your daily routine. Join us as we explore the transformative benefits of taking a few precious moments for yourself each day, guilt-free! This isn't just...

WELCOME TO 2024 and SEASON #3 of IGNITE THE CHAT! We're thrilled to kick off the new year and dive headfirst into Season 3 with all of you. This quick episode is just a warm welcome to all of our listeners, a virtual hug, and a sneak peek into the exciting things we have lined up. We can't wait to explore, learn, and support one another in this new season. So, here's to 2024 – a year o...

In this episode, we bring you Part 2 of Giuliana Borrell's story. In Part 1, we spoke to Giuliana about her childhood leading up to the present day. In this episode, she dives deep into her life of trauma and mental illness. She takes us through what it's like to have a manic episode and how living in silence led her to a psychotic break. Part 2 is all about how this brave woman let go of...

In this episode, we had the pleasure of sitting down with our storytime guest, Giuliana Borrell, who takes us through the unbelievable chapters of her life. From childhood to present day, she tells us how trauma and mental illness took her through unrelenting struggles and almost cost her her life. This is Part 1 of 2 podcast episodes that will leave you speechless. This story isn’t for the faint...

In this episode of Ignite the Chat, we’re diving into the art of proactive mental fortification. Discover practical tips to supercharge your daily routine with resilience-boosting strategies. Learn how to build an armor of positivity to stand firm against life's storms. Tune in for your dose of mental wellness wisdom! Does Daylight Savings time cause heart attacks? One of daylight savings'...

In this episode of Ignite the Chat, we dive into a heartfelt letter from one of our listeners, Abigail, who’s facing the common challenge of loneliness. We discuss the importance of recognizing that feeling alone is absolutely normal, as emotions, both positive and negative, are part of the human experience. Join us as we explore strategies to conquer loneliness, emphasizing that the power to over...

In this episode, we will be taking you through what an intimate session between a therapist and client would sound like. Our guest co-host, Montana Voscotto (a registered psychotherapist), has agreed to hold a 25-minute session with our host, Gia Laurent. Gia has fully consented and agreed to share a personal therapy session (led by Montana) with all of you in order to give you all a true account...

In this episode, we welcome back our resident holistic nutrition expert and Reiki practitioner, Mel, from Mel Can Nourish . Together, we discuss the important link between our diet and mental health. We will explain and discuss how the foods we eat can affect our mood, cognition, and overall mental well-being. We will also be getting into the mind-gut correlation, supplements, and the dangers of O...

In this episode, our host, Gia Laurent, tells the audience an originally written bedtime story that she created. This is a storytelling meditation designed to help those who are having trouble falling asleep. A bedtime story for children of all ages, it will relieve your stress and worry in order to help you find relaxation, restoring a sense of calm within. For more guided meditations, please tak...

In this episode, our host, Gia Laurent, will guide you through an original 3-part meditation session that includes breathing, body tension scanning, and placement visualization. This 20-minute meditation is designed to help you leave your "now state" of stress and worry and find relaxation, restoring a sense of calm within. For more guided meditations, please take a look at our podcast e...

In this episode, we delve into the world of breathing techniques for anxiety relief. Join us as we explore 10 of some of the most highly effective methods that can help you find inner calm and restore balance in your life. Our host Gia Laurent, will provide step by step instructions for their administration. Whether you're seeking immediate relief from anxiety or aiming to cultivate a long-ter...

In this episode, we guide our audience through a loving-kindness meditation (LKM) exercise, formally known as "metta bhavana", (or Metta Meditation), the first of the four Brahma Vihara meditation practices taught by the Buddha. It is an ancient Buddhist practice that cultivates goodwill and universal friendliness toward oneself and others. In this exercise, our host, Gia Laurent, guides...

In today's episode, we are joined once again by our resident registered psychotherapist and Certified Canadian counsellor, Montana Vascotto.  In this second episode of a series called Therapy 101,  she helps us to debunk some common myths and misconceptions surrounding therapy and why some may be hesitant to seek help.   Guest Bio: Montana Vascotto holds a Master of Arts in Counseli...