Shaping Our World

Welcome to Shaping Our World's Season 4 premiere! Join us for a captivating conversation with Denley and Tajé McIntosh, the visionary co-founders of RenewIQ Consulting. As parents and advocates, they share a front-row perspective on the pressing issues facing Gen Z and Generation Alpha. We explore the potential shifts in workplace culture as younger generations step into leadership roles, armed wi...

In this episode, we're wrapping up Season Three by reflecting on the insights we've gained from leading experts over the years. Our goal with this podcast is to empower you to understand and inspire the young people in your life. We've had some incredible conversations that have shaped our world and, most importantly, the lives of our listeners. Join us for a recap of what we've learned about yout...

Meet Zoe O'Neill, a remarkable young professional with a deep passion for helping others and a strong background in working with adults and young people with exceptionalities. With extensive experience in understanding children with autism, her role as CEO/Exceptionality Coordinator at Muskoka Woods is nothing short of remarkable. In this engaging conversation, we explore what it's like to work wi...

Have you ever wondered about the perception of math, especially the idea that there are "math people" and "non-math people"? As parents, how can we guide our kids through their math journey? In this episode, we debunk myths surrounding STEM subjects and delve into the world of Women in STEM. We've brought in a special guest, Vanessa Vakharia, also known as the "Lady Gaga of Math Education." Vaness...

Join us in this episode as we delve into the heavy but crucial issue of human trafficking in Canada. Our guest, Sofia Friesen, Canadian Programs Manager at Ally Global Foundation, sheds light on this topic, offering insights, resources, and a balanced perspective on keeping our youth safe in today's world.  

In this episode, we welcome Jas Hundal, a Registered Social Worker and Clinical Director of Counselling at Future Ready Minds. With a passion for fostering mental well-being, Jas focuses on holistic and strength-based approaches to empower her community. Join us as we delve into pressing concerns like anxiety, loneliness, and perfectionism among youth, and discover how Jas advocates equipping kids...

We present an exciting twist in this episode as we shift the spotlight from experts in the field to the true voices of tomorrow. Join us as we invite two remarkable teenagers, 17-year-old Sloan Tompkins and 18-year-old Rohan Kissoon, to discuss the very issues that shape their generation's experiences. From the nuances of anxiety and the whirlwind of social media, to having fun and navigating rela...

Join us as we dive into an inspirational conversation with Jeff A.D. Martin, a soul-stirring and thought-provoking transformational speaker. With over 15 years of experience in law enforcement, including roles as a police officer and investigator, Jeff's love for people stems from his community advocacy and mentorship. As a youth communication specialist, he has conducted over 1,000 forensic inter...

In this episode, we delve into the pressing issue of anxiety among today's youth and its impact on their well-being. Our guest, Dr. David H. Rosmarin, a Harvard Medical School associate professor and the visionary behind the Center for Anxiety, shares his expertise in helping over 1,000 patients annually. Join us as we explore practical strategies for recognizing anxiety as a source of strength an...

Join us in this captivating episode as we dive into the world of parenting with acclaimed family counsellor, speaker, and bestselling author, Alyson Schafer. With years of research and clinical experience, Alyson shares her expertise on stages around the world, providing actionable tactics and empowering parents to face the challenges of modern life. Alyson's ultimate goal is to raise resilient, c...

For the better part of the last 40-plus years, award-winning Owl , Chickadee and Chirp magazines have adorned the book shelves of Canadian families and we're thrilled to have their editor, Jackie Farquhar, on the show this week. Jackie stopped by to discuss the legacy of the magazines, how the publications have been adopting new ways to connect with kids, and the importance of physical media in th...

Meg Stafford is a Massachusetts-based writer and social worker who has been helping others negotiate the terrain of relationships and connections for over three decades. She's published a pair of memoirs and has been a columnist for newspapers for more than 30 years. She stopped by the podcast with advice on putting things aside and living in the moment with our families, and fostering a closer, h...

Regular physical activity benefits children and youth in countless ways — but actually getting them to exchange their screens for exercise can sometimes feel like a tall order. Dr. Leigh Vanderloo, a research scientist specializing in pediatric exercise science, stopped by the podcast to chat about ways that we can help kids, from birth all the way up to 18, live their most active lives.   

Hellooo! Jack "The Coach" Armstrong — former NCAA basketball coach and beloved Toronto Raptors analyst on TSN — visits the Shaping Our World podcast to chat about the intersection of parenting and coaching and the value of sport in the lives of young people.    

Raising children in the age of digital media can be a daunting task for any parent. With the ever-increasing use of technology and screen time, it is essential for parents to be vigilant about online safety and the potential risks associated with the internet. Mental healthcare professionals, authors and digital technology trend experts Jenny Black and Bob Hutchins stop by the podcast to chat abou...

Skye Bowen is an educator with over 20 years of teaching experience. She's a passionate leader and an advocate for equity and social justice. Skye and her husband Orlando — who's also been a guest of Shaping Our World — dealt with the trauma of Orlando being assaulted by two police officers in a racial profiling incident. Despite this challenge, she continued to mentor students and empowered them...

Elizabeth Bennett is an award-winning principal with over 35 years of experience as an educator and administrator. She's also an author, and coaches parents on how to have meaningful discussions with their kids to build healthy and helpful relationships. She stopped by the podcast to talk about ways parents can lead their lives with joy and love, and really helps us unpack how to have "courageous...

Nora Vincent-Braun is the Be There Network representative for Jack.org , a Canadian charity revolutionizing youth mental health. Nora is passionate about creating a more accessible and equitable mental health landscape in Canada. She recently stopped by the podcast to discuss her role at Jack.org along with ways we can help to promote mental health advocacy and improve mental health outcomes among...

Our first-ever roundtable discussion features veteran educators from the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board (Brian Marenchin, Greg Peck and Paul Picard) and Muskoka Woods' Director of Schools & Groups, Lucas Durocher, chatting about youth development, the importance of camp and extracurriculars, parenting tips and more!  

Ray Johnston is the founder of Bayside Church, Thrive Communications and Thriving Churches International (TCI), which hosts the largest pastors and church staff conferences in the western United States. A master communicator, Ray is well known for his books, The Hope Quotient , and Jesus Called . He has spoken face to face to more than two million people over the past 45 years. Ray stopped by the...

We're starting off Season 3 of the Shaping Our World podcast by bringing back one of our earliest and most insightful guests — Tim Elmore. Tim is founder and CEO of Growing Leaders, an Atlanta-based non-profit organization created to develop emerging leaders. He has written over 35 books and has been featured in The Wall Street Journal , the Washington Post , USA Today , Psychology Today along wit...

Carrie Patterson, Managing Director of MindUP™ | The Goldie Hawn Foundation, has a long, extensive and proven career specializing in non-profit and youth development organizations. She recently stopped by the podcast to discuss how we can help our children develop the knowledge and tools they need to manage stress, regulate emotions, and face the challenges of the 21st century.

Chloe Maxwell first travelled to Africa with her family when she was eight years old and spent the following six summers helping lead Heart for Africa service trips with her family to Eswatini, Malawi and Kenya. Today, Chloe is the Marketing & Communication Specialist at Heart for Africa (Canada), where she shares her love for Heart for Africa with fellow Canadians. Chloe stopped by the podcast to...

One of the country's leading parenting experts, Jennifer Kolari is a highly sought after international speaker and childhood family therapist. Kolari is also the founder of Connected Parenting, an author, and host of her own weekly podcast. She recently brought her wisdom, quick wit and down-to-earth style to the Shaping Our World podcast, offering real life examples as well as practical and effec...

As an ordained pastor with eight years of post-secondary education, Mike Gordon has found a unique way to combine theology and comedy, which has made him one of the most in-demand communicators around! To date, he has spoken to thousands of young people at nearly 3,000 events across the globe, including churches, conferences, camps, music festivals, bible colleges and corporate training sessions....