The Team Ten Eight Podcast

In this insightful interview, Neida Santini shares her journey from Venezuela to Canada, her public service career, and her perspectives on immigration, community, and mental health. Discover how her experiences shape her approach to service, resilience, and personal growth. Key topics Immigration journey from Venezuela to Canada Public service career and its impact Community and cultural integrat...

Join us as we explore the unique experiences of City Councillor and RCAF reservist, Captain Amit GAUR, who shares insights from his deployment to Canadian Forces Station Alert in Nunavut, his service philosophy, and his vision for the future of Parksville. Discover how military discipline, community service, and environmental advocacy intersect in his work. Key Topics Deployment to CFS Alert in Nu...

Join Christian Lane as he interviews Chris Rutkowski , Canada's leading UFO researcher, about the history, patterns, and scientific investigation of UFO sightings in Canada. Discover insights into government reports, credible witnesses, and the ongoing quest to understand unidentified aerial phenomena. keywords UFO, UAP, Canadian UFO Survey, Sky Canada, Chris Rutkowski, extraterrestrial, mili...

In this episode, host Christian Lane and guest Andrew Siwy discuss the significance of honours and awards in the first responder community. They explore the confusion surrounding different types of medals, the importance of maintaining the integrity of the recognition system, and the cultural significance of medals in Canada. The conversation also touches on the need for timely recognition and the...

In this conversation, Sachin Latti shares his incredible journey from a law enforcement career to becoming an ultra-endurance athlete and mental health advocate. He discusses his struggles with mental health, the transformative power of running, and how he turned his personal challenges into a mission to raise awareness and funds for mental health initiatives. Sachin emphasizes the importance of c...

In this episode, Major Robert Scott Oikle shares his extensive military career, reflecting on the influences that shaped his journey from a young man in Salmon Arm, British Columbia, to a decorated leader in the Canadian Armed Forces. He discusses the emotional toll of deployment, the challenges of transitioning back to civilian life, and the evolution of mental health support within the military....

In this episode, host Christian Lane interviews retired Deputy Chief Constable Jennifer Hyland, who shares her journey through the policing system in Canada. Hyland discusses the challenges of balancing duty with personal well-being, the impact of trauma on first responders, and the importance of empathy and authenticity in leadership. She reflects on her experiences in a male-dominated field, the...

In this episode, host Christian Lane speaks with Captain Willow Bloomquist of the Dashwood Volunteer Fire Department . Willow shares her journey from various jobs to becoming a firefighter, her experiences in wildfire prevention, and the importance of community engagement. The conversation delves into the challenges and responsibilities of volunteer firefighting, including training, liability, and...

In this episode, Christian Lane interviews Heather Edward, a seasoned paramedic leader who has transitioned from frontline work to leadership roles and now healthcare philanthropy. Heather discusses her early influences, the challenges of leadership, the importance of mental health, and her current research on paramedic leaders' mental health. She emphasizes the need for open dialogue, self-r...

The Honourable Senator Baltej Singh Dhillon , a trailblazer whose courage reshaped the face of Canadian law enforcement and whose leadership continues to drive inclusion, justice, and empathy across our country. Senator Dhillon made history in 1991 when he became the first turbaned Sikh RCMP officer , following a national controversy that tested Canada’s commitment to diversity and religious freed...

Sleep isn’t a luxury — it’s a survival tool. Yet for first responders, veterans, shift workers, and high performers, it’s usually the first thing sacrificed.  On this episode we're joined by Dr. Leah Kaylor — a prescribing psychologist, trauma specialist, and the FBI’s go-to expert on sleep. She blends neuroscience, trauma therapy, and performance psychology to help elite professionals recove...

Master Corporal (Ret’d) James Gendron’s story is one of service, sacrifice, and the healing power of music. Over a 29-year career in the Canadian Armed Forces, James performed 63 ramp ceremonies in Afghanistan—solemn farewells for fallen soldiers making their final journey home. Those experiences left deep scars, leading him to put down his bagpipes altogether. Years later, the pipes returned to h...

This episode of goes deep with Corporal Peter MacDonald, a veteran RCMP officer with nearly 18 years of service across the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. From his early days in frontline policing to the intense files that shaped his career, Peter speaks candidly about the weight of trauma, the moments that nearly broke him, and the path back through therapy, honesty, and support. Today, he se...

In this episode, host Christian Lane interviews firefighter, veteran, and founder of Victory Medals, Andrew Siwy, who shares his journey from childhood bullying to military service and firefighting. Andrew discusses the impact of his experiences on his mental health, the significance of self-awareness, and the challenges faced during his deployments in Afghanistan. He reflects on the importance of...

In this powerful episode, host Christian Lane sits down with RCMP Sergeant and National Police Federation Board Director Chris Voller to explore the weight police officers carry—on the job, in their hearts, and within the system they serve. Voller reflects on multiple officer-involved shootings during his tenure, his father’s legacy as an officer involved in a tragic 1998 incident, and the human c...

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Christian Lane is joined by Carly Ring , a dedicated mental health professional, first responder advocate, and passionate speaker on trauma, healing, and identity. Carly shares her lived experiences as a survivor of childhood trauma, a first responder, and someone who has walked through complex grief, post-traumatic growth, and the transformative...

Episode Summary: In this deeply reflective and inspiring episode, host Christian Lane sits down with Dr. Alec Ritchie—an emergency physician, educator, and mountain medicine expert. From the adrenaline-filled peaks of Whistler to the life-saving trenches of North Shore Rescue, Dr. Ritchie shares the personal and professional journey that led him to wilderness medicine. We explore the “Zen of the m...

Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system, but what happens when they’re stretched beyond their limits?  In this powerful episode, host Christian Lane sits down with Adriane Gear, President of the BC Nurses Union, to explore the critical challenges facing nurses today—from workplace safety and burnout to the historic win for nurse-patient ratios in BC.  Adriane shares her journey from bedsi...

In this episode, Christian interviews Dr. Mike Christian , an expert in critical care and disaster medicine. Dr. Christian shares his experiences responding to major crises, including the SARS outbreak, the Haiti earthquake, and the London Bridge attack. He discusses his journey into medicine, the challenges he faced, and the importance of mental health in first responders. The conversation highli...

In this episode of the Team Ten Eight podcast, Christian Lane speaks with Canadian army veteran and fitness coach Dave Morrow. Morrow shares his mission to help veterans improve their health and wellness, emphasizing the importance of physical fitness as a foundation for mental health. He discusses his personal journey from struggling with injuries and mental health challenges to becoming a fitnes...

I’m your host, Christian Lane. If you are a discerning listener of this show you may have noticed that it's been some time since I've produced an episode, and there's good reason for that.  I’m not really one to talk about myself or use this platform to share my own story but, given the time that's gone by since my last episode, I feel like I owe you some measure of explanation...

Summary Marissa Rose , a paramedic with a background in advanced care paramedicine, shares her journey of navigating the challenges and traumas of her profession. She discusses how her childhood experiences and the need for help shaped her desire to become a paramedic. Marissa highlights the demanding nature of the job, the accumulation of trauma over time, and the impact it has on mental health....

Summary Dr. Scott MacDonald , a physician at the Providence Crosstown Clinic in Vancouver, discusses the drug crisis in British Columbia and the need for safe supply harm reduction strategies. He emphasizes the limitations of current treatments and the importance of diversifying options for people with opioid use disorder. Dr. MacDonald advocates for the use of prescription heroin and explores the...

Summary In this episode, Christopher Littrell , a former police officer and mental health advocate, shares his journey of resilience and healing. He discusses the impact of traumatic experiences, the importance of support systems, and the challenges of balancing personal and professional life. Litrell also opens up about his struggles with alcohol abuse and the role it played in his mental health....

Calvin Chrustie , a former senior operations officer with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, discusses the importance of navigating the threats, risks, and challenges of the contemporary world. He highlights the convergence of threats and the weaponization of activities by foreign threat actors, which he refers to as hybrid warfare.  The conversation covers various topics related to the challenges...