The Mental Health Mixtape

In this episode of Mental Health Mixtape , Ryan andMegan sit down with Shaun Taylor , co-founder of the #IVEGOTYOURBACK911 awareness campaign, to shed light on the mental health realities faced by FirstResponders and those living with PTSD. Launched in 2014, #IVEGOTYOURBACK911 began as an onlinemovement aimed at breaking down stigma and drawing attention to the risingmental health challenges withi...

In this powerful episode of Mental Health Mixtape , Ryan and Megan sit down with Jodie Baulkham, professional coach, educator, author, and advocate, to explore what it truly means to rebuild your life after profound loss and to navigate the complexities of being a partner to a first responder. Jodie shares her deeply personal mental health journey, beginning with the tragic loss of her first husba...

In this episode of the Mental Health Mixtape , hosts Ryan Collyer and Dr. Megan McElheran sit down with two incredible guests who bring both heart and honesty to the table: Dr. Kristjana Fridfinnson , a psychologist dedicated to supporting and advocating for the mental health of Public Safety Personnel (PSP), and Constable Brennan Martin , a 23-year law enforcement officer who has made it his miss...

In this episode, hosts Ryan and Megan sit down with Devon and Raman—two Vancouver-based counsellors with frontline experience in corrections, healthcare, and private practice. Both guests share their personal and professional journeys through trauma-exposed environments, their entry into the world of forensic psychology, and how their lived experiences with mental health have shaped the way they n...

In this episode of Mental Health Mixtape , hosts Ryan Collyer and Dr. Megan McElheran sit down with Jennifer Lessard, a seasoned law enforcement leader with over 21 years of experience. Jennifer shares her personal mental health journey, discussing the challenges she’s faced in a high-stress career and the strategies that have helped her stay resilient. From breaking the stigma around mental healt...

In this episode, we dive into the mental health impacts of working in high-stress occupations, from first responders to healthcare professionals and beyond. Our guest, Jonathon Feit, shares his insights on leading with purpose, pushing for innovation in Emergency Medical Services, and the challenges of working in environments where lives are on the line. Jonathon's mission is clear: to build a...

In this compelling episode, Ryan and Megan sit down with Cortney Wingate, an experienced firefighter with a diverse career spanning rural and career fire departments. Cortney also brings unique expertise from her time in emergency management with the Canadian Red Cross, where she supported mass recruitment efforts during the Fort McMurray wildfires. The conversation focuses on the mental health ch...

In this compelling episode of Mental Health Mixtape , Dr. Megan McElheran and Ryan Collyer are joined by Marcus Aurelius Anderson—an acclaimed leadership catalyst, professional keynote and TEDx speaker, bestselling author of The Gift of Adversity , and host of the ACTA NON VERBA podcast. Marcus shares his extraordinary journey of overcoming a life-altering spinal injury sustained while preparing t...

Join host Ryan Collyer as he sits down with Laverne Friesen, whose life journey is a powerful testament to resilience, healing, and transformation. Laverne’s diverse path spans roles as a first responder, a farmer, and a worker in Northern Canada’s energy development industry. But beneath these experiences lies a story marked by deep trauma—including childhood violence and emotional abuse—that eve...

In this powerful episode of The Mental Health Mixtape Podcast, hosts Megan and Ryan sit down with Chad Kennedy, a Canadian Armed Forces Veteran and seasoned law enforcement officer, to discuss his profound mental health journey. Chad, who most recently served with the Alberta Sheriff Highway Patrol, opens up about his diagnosis of PTSD and anxiety in 2018, as well as the traumatic incident in the...

In the season 2 premiere of Mental Health Mixtape , hosts Dr. Megan McElheran and Ryan Collyer sit down with James Rychard to explore the powerful intersection of leadership and mental health. James, a passionate advocate for mental wellness, shares his personal journey and how it has shaped his current path. With a unique background blending firefighting and psychology, James dives into how his e...

In this episode of the Mental Health mixtape, Dr. Megan McElheran and Ryan Collyer chat with Mo Fahad Shaukat the President of Boots On The Ground Alberta, an organization dedicated to providing peer support for first responders. He's also an MPA candidate, an instructor in justice studies, and a reservist in the Canadian Armed Forces. We'll dive into the demanding role of a Corrections Of...

In this episode of the Mental Health mixtape, Dr. Megan McElheran and Ryan Collyer chat with Steve Farina, a Fire Fighter and Mental Health Advocate working in British Columbia who works directly to promote mental health within the Fire Service. After 2 suicides in Surry, British Columbia, Farina stated that he was asked to assess the needs as to why this had happened. In Farina's own words he...

In the latest episode of the Mental Health Mixtape, Dr. Megan McElheran and Ryan Collyer sit down with Scott Maxwell, a prominent figure in the realm of mental health support for military personnel and first responders. Maxwell, deeply entrenched in the cause through his work with Wounded Warriors Canada, shares profound insights into the challenges and triumphs of aiding those who serve on the fr...

In Episode 8 of The Mental Health Mixtape, we sat down with Sgt. John Grillone, he works as a Peer Support Coordinator at the Calgary Police Service, to delve into the transformative power of meditation as a form of self-care, particularly for first responders. Sgt. John passionately advocates for integrating mindfulness practices into the training of all first responders, emphasizing its crucial...

This episode focuses on the challenges faced by the families of first responders, shedding light on their often overlooked struggles. The host shares his realization about the similar challenges faced by military families and those of public safety personnel (PSP). Dr. Megan introduces the first BOS group in 2018, emphasizing the importance of shared understanding among family members to strengthe...

In a world where the line between heroism and hardship often blurs, the journey of Sergeant Andy Cook stands as a testament to resilience, generational ties, and the transformative power of healing. As a military veteran and current police officer, Andy's story is not just one of service but also of struggle and triumph.     From a young age, Andy was immersed in the world of the military, ins...

In this podcast episode with Heather Edward, several key points regarding mental health support for leaders and leadership development were discussed: - Gap in Mental Health Training: There's a noticeable lack of information and support for leaders in mental health. While there are resources on supporting others, there's a gap in how leaders can support themselves. The existing courses are...

Apply the code "BOSPOD" on any BOS On Demand courses to receive 15% OFF. Visit our website to purchase.   In the latest episode of the Mental Health Mixtape, we delve deep into the annals of history with our guest, Dr. Franklin Annis. A military philosopher, historian, and educational theorist, Dr. Annis takes us on an insightful journey through the evolution of stoicism, from its ancien...

Use the code "BOSPOD" to receive 15% exclusive discount for all of our BOS ON DEMAND or formerly known as BOS ONLINE today. 🎙️ Welcome to another insightful episode of our Mental Health Mixtape! In this emotionally charged conversation, join us as we sit down with Sheridan Taylor, a brave first responder, to delve deep into the profound journey of healing generational trauma. 💔 Sheridan...

Today, we're honored to introduce Gregg “Scully” Schaalje, a Fire Captain at Rocky View County, a champion for mental health, and a lifelong learner. He proudly serves on the boards of the Cederstrand Foundation, International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) - Canada, and acts as a BOS Ambassador (Before Operational Stress). Gregg embodies the values of family, authenticity, and pa...

In this episode, Dr. Megan McElheran, our BOS CEO, Founder and Psychologist + Ryan Collyer, our BOS Lead who was a retired paramedic, engage in a heartfelt dialogue, delving into their paths leading to their roles in mental health support. Dr. Megan McElheran shares her journey of growing up with parents who are psychologists, and yet she was avoiding this work for a long time. Until one day, she...