Shaping Our World

In this episode of Shaping Our World, Chris Tompkins is joined by teenage sisters Mercedes and Anastasia Korngut, co-founders of Small Bits of Happiness . Tune in to hear how their journey—from struggling with happiness to building a thriving business and podcast—empowers teens to build joyful habits, foster deeper connections with parents, and find meaning in everyday moments. Discover practical...

Sofia Friesen returns to Shaping Our World for a powerful second conversation about protecting youth from human trafficking in Canada. As Canadian Programs Director at Ally Global Foundation , Sofia shares the latest on their groundbreaking Prevention Project and offers real-world tools to keep kids safe online. With practical red flags to watch for and hopeful stories of change, this episode is a...

Chris Tompkins welcomes Dr. Robin Baweja — pediatrician, author, and founder of Dear Mommy — for a meaningful conversation on children's mental health. Drawing from her medical background and personal experience as a parent, Dr. Baweja shares how to recognize early signs of anxiety, depression, and emotional struggles in kids, along with tips for building resilience. They explore the impact of the...

In this episode of Shaping Our World , host Chris Tompkins sits down with Fiona Goy and Poppy Go, two remarkable mothers who have dedicated their lives to advocating for children with exceptionalities. Fiona and Poppy share their personal journeys of raising sons on the autism spectrum, the life-changing decisions they made to support their development, and how sports, summer camps, and employment...

In this episode of Shaping Our World , host Chris Tompkins welcomes acclaimed author and creative director, Sara Furlong. With nearly 20 years of experience creating engaging content for kids and tweens, Sara shares insights on fostering empathy and understanding through literature. We dive into her award-winning book, Every Brain is Beautiful , which introduces neurodiversity to children, and exp...

Season 5 of Shaping Our World kicks off with an insightful conversation featuring Angelique de Montbrun, CEO of Mydoh, a money management app designed to empower kids and teens with real-world financial skills. Angelique shares her expertise on fostering financial literacy from an early age, the impact of digital tools on money management, and how parents can help their children build healthy fina...

In this episode of Shaping Our World , host Chris Tompkins talks with Dr. Mariana Brussoni, a developmental psychologist and professor at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Brussoni's research highlights the surprising benefits of risky outdoor play for children, from building resilience to fostering creativity and independence. They dive into why unstructured play is vital for development an...

Join host Chris Tompkins as he sits down with renowned child development expert Ellen Galinsky. Ellen, president of Families and Work Institute and acclaimed author, brings a wealth of insights on youth development. Known for her groundbreaking book, Mind in the Making , Ellen's latest release, The Breakthrough Years , dives into the complexities of adolescence with a fresh perspective. Her expert...

In this episode of Shaping Our World , host Chris Tompkins speaks with Dave Krocker, head of Rosseau Lake College. They explore the importance of outdoor experiential learning and its impact on youth development. Dave shares his passion for immersive nature experiences and how his school integrates these principles into education. The conversation covers key educational trends, like the rise of AI...

In this episode of the Shaping Our World podcast, host Chris Tompkins welcomes back Dr. Karyn Gordon, CEO of DK Leadership , to explore how goal-setting and time management can shape youth leadership and impact mental health. With over 25 years of experience as a therapist, executive coach, and bestselling author, Dr. Karyn shares insights on her upcoming event, " Leadership 101: Youth Edition ."...

In this episode of Shaping Our World , we welcome Elissa Strauss, a writer and cultural critic featured in publications like The Atlantic , Slate , and The New York Times . Elissa's new book, When You Care: The Unexpected Magic of Caring for Others , explores the deep value of care and dependency in our lives. Elissa discusses how embracing care can transform relationships and the world around us....

In this episode of Shaping Our World , we welcome Jessica Janzen, a dynamic speaker, coach, and author, to share her inspiring journey. After the heart-breaking loss of her son to spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), Jessica founded the Love for Lewiston Foundation and penned Bring the Joy , a book about finding happiness amidst life's challenges. Join us as Jessica discusses the importance of resilienc...

In this inspiring episode of Shaping Our World , we sit down with Emer O'Donnell, the visionary behind Teen Reconnect. Emer reveals how her 7Q Teen Reconnect formula and the Q Pathfinder can empower teens to discover their true selves and thrive. As the author of Understanding Teen Stress & Anxiety: A Parent's Guide to Building Love and Connection , she offers practical advice for fostering strong...

In this episode of Shaping Our World , we welcome Dr. Merry Lin, a seasoned psychologist, podcaster, and author. With over 30 years of clinical expertise, Dr. Merry leads a team of professionals at Dr. Lin & Associates in Toronto. Known for her podcast, The Fully Lived Life , and her impactful books, she brings a unique perspective on living authentically. Join us as we explore how to help our chi...

In this episode of Shaping Our World , we dive into the crucial topic of digital literacy with Matthew Johnson, Director of Education for MediaSmarts, Canada's Centre for Digital Media Literacy. Matthew, an influential voice in digital education and member of various advisory committees, shares his insights on how digital technology impacts our children. We discuss practical tips for parents and c...

In this episode of Shaping Our World , we welcome parenting expert Aly Pain back to the podcast! Aly, once a bright and bubbly girl hiding inner turmoil, has transformed her life through personal development and healing from dysfunctional family dynamics. Now a certified life coach and relationship systems coach, Aly empowers parents to build healthy, respectful relationships with their teens. Dra...

In the latest episode of Shaping Our World , we welcome Natasha Maxwell, Supervisor of the Neyaashiinigmiing First Nations Police Service. With over 20 years of experience in policing, Natasha delves into the unique challenges faced by youth on the reserve. She discusses the positive impact of an Indigenous police presence, the importance of building resilience among the youth, thoughts on Truth a...

Join host Chris Tompkins as he delves into the world of youth development with Brad Griffin, Senior Director of Content and Research at the Fuller Youth Institute. With a rich background in spirituality, Christian faith, and youth ministry, Brad shares invaluable insights for parents and caregivers. Whether you're from a faith-based background or not, this episode offers thoughtful perspectives on...

Welcome to the latest episode of the Shaping Our World podcast! Today, we're diving into a topic that's close to many of our hearts: therapy and counselling for young people. Host Chris Tompkins is joined by Marianne Deeks, a seasoned registered psychotherapist with a wealth of experience. Marianne sheds light on the counselling process, helping us understand how to choose the right therapist and...

In this episode of Shaping Our World, join certified parenting coach, author, podcaster and speaker Robbin McManne as she shares invaluable insights for parents and caregivers. With a focus on fostering connection and joy in parenting, Robbin delves into the core of conscious parenting, guiding listeners through understanding their emotions and frustrations while nurturing their children's self-wo...

Should your child take a "gap year" between high school and university? The latest episode of the Shaping Our World podcast may help to answer that question as we sit down with Michelle Dittmer, educator, youth advocate and founder of the Canadian Gap Year Association (CanGap). With her extensive background in teaching and youth development, Michelle champions the power of the gap year experience....

In this episode of Shaping Our World, host Chris Tompkins has a heartfelt conversation with Brady Leavold, retired professional hockey player turned beacon of hope. Brady's journey is a testament to resilience and the power of redemption. From the highs of signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning to the depths of addiction and despair, Brady's story is one of transformation.  Discover how Brady's redi...

In this heartening episode of Shaping Our World, we welcome the remarkable Dan Scott, a beacon of insight and guidance for parents navigating the challenges of raising children and teens. As Executive Director of Life Stage Content Strategies at Orange — a team of leaders, educators, researchers, counsellors, writers, editors, artists, and musicians, all committed to supporting churches and famili...

Get ready to empower your kids for success in the digital age! In this episode of Shaping Our World, we're joined by the dynamic Stacey Ross Cohen, an expert in personal branding and marketing. Drawing from her wealth of experience and her latest book, Brand Up: The Ultimate Playbook for College & Career Success , Stacey shares invaluable insights on cultivating a strong personal brand for our chi...

Join us for today's episode of Shaping Our World as we delve into the realms of mental wellness with the esteemed Dr. Norman Rosenthal. Renowned psychiatrist and bestselling author, Dr. Rosenthal enlightens us on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) — a term he coined more than 40 years ago — and the transformative power of light therapy. With over 20 years of groundbreaking research at the National...