The Calgary Sessions

This moment sheds light on the subtleties of mental well-being, particularly when there's no formal diagnosis, through Billie Rae's personal experiences. From grappling with the challenges of burnout to navigating life's unexpected turns, including personal tragedies and the global upheaval of the pandemic, Billie Rae's story is a testament to the human spirit's resilience. We...

In episode 97 of The Calgary Sessions podcast, I sit down with the incredibly talented Billie Rae Busby, delving into her vibrant and inspiring artistic journey. Billie Rae opens up about the defining moments of her life – from an epiphany on a long drive that led to her stunning abstract landscapes, to her battles with mental health and the challenges of being a mostly single mom. Her story is a...

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Jeff de Boer, a Calgary born visual artist! His claim to fame began in 1986 when he crafted his first suit of armor for a mouse. From a young age, Jeff's passion for art and creativity set him apart from the crowd. While his peers were all about hockey and rough play, Jeff was captivated by the life and work of the brilliant Leonardo da Vinci, who inspir...

In this moment we explore the key points in time that have shaped Wakefield and his artistic path. He reflects on how recent events, such as the impact of COVID-19, the presidency of Donald Trump, and the tragic murder of George Floyd, have influenced his work and his place in the community. Wakefield's story highlights the power of resilience, personal transformation, and artistic expression,...

In this compelling discussion with Wakefield, we delve into a life story marked by early traumas and the subsequent journey through addiction and mental wellness struggles. From the age of eight, Wakefield began using alcohol as a way to cope with the pain, ultimately spiraling into a life consumed by substance abuse. This moment also highlights the transformative power of art, emphasizing the rol...

I had the privilege of chatting with the amazing Wakefield Brewster on episode 95 of The Calgary Sessions podcast. We dove deep into some really personal and thought-provoking moments from his life. Wakefield opened up about his journey, sharing some raw and powerful moments about his experiences. From his childhood dreams of becoming a concert pianist to battling addiction and dealing with mental...

Join me in Episode 94 of The Calgary Sessions podcast as we chat with Calgary native, Cory Paddock. Cory reflects on his upbringing in a household where music and learning were not just an option but an integral part of life. We discuss the world of sports and the importance of focusing on the joy and lifelong love of movement rather than early specialization. Cory highlights the unique camaraderi...

In Episode 93 of The Calgary Sessions podcast, I had a chat with Todd Hirsch, a seasoned economist and an exceptional storyteller. Todd shared how his family influenced his values and work ethic, and he took us on a trip down memory lane to his school days, highlighting the teacher who sparked his curiosity. Things got interesting when Todd opened up about his experience of getting laid off and ho...

On episode 92 of The Calgary Sessions podcast, we dive into the journey of David Oulton. From a chance encounter with the legendary actress in his teens to hosting a global talk show, David's story is very unique. We chat about moving from the UK to Fort McMurray, growing up in low-income housing with food stamps, getting adopted and continuing to say yes. He also shares how he refused to wast...

In episode 91 of the Calgary Sessions, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Phil Robertson, whose remarkable journey in life led him to the world of coffee. From chance encounters to moments of overconfidence, Phil's story is a testament to the power of following your passions and embracing change. Phil's journey begins with a twist of fate during his first year in engineering school, w...

Episode 90 of The Calgary Sessions podcast was an incredible journey into the world of music and life with the remarkable Matt Masters Burgener. Matt's story begins with his upbringing in Calgary, where he was blessed with a loving family and a world of opportunities. From early gigs at iconic venues like the Ship and Anchor to his adventures as a globetrotting musician, Matt embodies the esse...

Welcome to Episode 89 of the Calgary Sessions Podcast. In this episode, we sit down with Käthe Lemon, who takes us on a journey from her early years in Ontario, moving to Vancouver and settling in Calgary. Käthe's family had an unconventional approach to work, with many pursuing creative careers. Despite her initial aversion to entrepreneurship, she eventually realized that business, like her...

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Kelly Streit of Mode Models for episode 88 of The Calgary Sessions podcast! To steal a line from this amazing guest...this episode was major! We went back to Kelly's early experiences of being featured on national news, to his job as a manager at McDonald's, where he unintentionally started scouting models over the counter! From there, Kelly's jo...

Welcome to Episode 87 of the Calgary Sessions Podcast! In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Janneane Madill, a passionate advocate for rescued, surrendered, and abandoned farm animals. During our conversation, Janneane shared insights about her family's involvement in the farming industry, societal expectations, the pursuit of fulfillment, and the importance of authenticity...

Episode 86 of The Calgary Sessions podcast was a fun one! I had the chance to sit down with 3 time Rugby World Cup player and current CEO of 360 Energy Liability Management, Ryan Smith. We chatted about growing up around thoroughbred horses, golf, playing for Team Canada, chasing a professional rugby career, storytelling and business partnerships. Ryan shared a bunch of rugby stories but the one t...

On episode 85 of The Calgary Sessions podcast, I had a chance to sit down with Luke Obodzinski from Dream Ridge Homes! We chatted about growing up in Poland, the importance of family, the sacrifice his father made coming to Canada, going down the entrepreneurial path, traveling the world and working in the family business. This was a fun chat with one of Calgary's best home builders! Jeff Hump...

On episode 84 of The Calgary Sessions podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting with the incredibly talented Sinzere! We had a deep and personal conversation about her musical journey and the profound impact it has had on her life. We chatted about her early musical influences, yearning for more while in school, traveling across Canada with a dance group, climbing the ranks as a DJ, trauma, depressio...

On episode 83 of The Calgary Sessions podcast, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Holly Singer. Holly is not only a candle maker and business owner, but she's also a force of nature when it comes to creating inclusive spaces and promoting the true meaning of inclusion in the workplace. During our chat, Holly opened up about her childhood as an extremely shy kid, her experiences w...

On episode 82 of The Calgary Sessions podcast, I sat down with the incredible Russell Reimer for a truly enlightening conversation. Russell is a visionary entrepreneur who believes in the power of sport to drive social change. Growing up as a Mennonite, he developed a strong sense of purpose and values that guided his journey. In our chat, Russell shares how he never focused on a specific destinat...

Episode 81 with Jackson McDonough didn't disappoint! When I met Jackson for the first time I knew he'd be a great guest on The Calgary Sessions! His positive energy and love for Calgary are infectious. We chatted about growing up in Calgary, moving to Texas at a young age, playing on Canada's National Ruby team, jumping out of a plane and the entrepreneurial call to come home. When the...

Dan Balaban stops by for episode 80 of the Calgary Sessions podcast, and he brings with him a wealth of experience and wisdom. As an entrepreneur for over 25 years, Dan has learned valuable lessons that he shares in this inspiring conversation. Growing up as a grandchild of Holocaust survivors, Dan felt a deep sense of responsibility to honor the memory of his family members and make a positive im...

Episode 79 with Devin Cooper was a fun one! We chatted about his early music memories, falling in love with the Beatles, writing his first song about the -40 weather in Alberta, overlooking little successes and learning from his Dad about time, dedication and perseverance. Devin's recent story caught fire at the 2023 Country Music Alberta Awards! He was the most nominated solo artist for the y...

Episode 78 had me choked up. Part of my not doing research or screening calls allows me to experience stories for the first time. Those stories can be inspirational, emotional, shocking and informative. Peter Smed is a born a raised Calgarian with a story. We talked about his family, the business path that was laid out for him, depression, self discovery and his current business, Oasis Wellness Ce...

Episode 77 of The Calgary Sessions Podcast featured former CFL player and Olympic athlete Jesse Lumsden. This was another great athlete conversation that shed light on what a professional/Olympic journey looks like. We chatted about growing up around football, the importance of being a multisport athlete, draft day, chasing the NFL dream, training for bobsleigh, learning about winning culture and...

In Episode 76, Julie Van Rosendaal shares her deep love for food and the profound impact it has on our lives. As an avid food lover and home cook, she believes that food connects people and is a way to show affection, nourish, comfort, entertain and celebrate. Julie's passion for cooking stems from her desire to make people happy, and she finds the process of cooking therapeutic, especially th...