In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Andrew, a medically retired municipal police sergeant and Canadian Armed Forces Captain, to explore life after service, mental health injury, and the search for purpose beyond the uniform.

After sustaining physical and psychological injuries in the line of duty, Andrew began using a service dog for PTSD in 2017, becoming one of the first in Ontario, and possibly Canada, to do so. Alongside his service dog, Riggs, he helped challenge stigma around mental health while instructing at the Ontario Police College.

We discuss the hidden impact of service, the culture of policing and soldiering, the struggle with identity after medical retirement, the need for better legislation for service dog handlers in Canada, and how advocacy and community can lead to healing.

A moving and honest conversation about resilience, dignity, and continuing to serve in new ways.

Host Rob Daniels sits down with Dave “Chops” Phillips, a veteran Helicopter EMS pilot with the Ontario Air Ambulance, now known as Ornge. In this conversation, Dave shares what life is really like inside the world of air ambulance operations. He talks about the pressure of critical calls at 5000 feet, the teamwork required to respond to medical emergencies, and the emotional impact of helping people on the toughest days of their lives.

Dave also reflects on the moments that changed him, the lessons he learned from patients and families, and how years in emergency aviation shaped his understanding of compassion, resilience, and service.

This episode offers a rare and human look at helicopter EMS and the people who show up when it matters most.

Therapist Ed Schild, a child, family, and relationship expert with more than 40 years of experience, joins us for a powerful conversation on raising happier and more successful children. Ed is the Executive Director at Regesh Family and Child Services, where he supports children, parents, and families through emotional and developmental challenges.

In this episode, Ed explores a surprisingly simple but deeply effective approach that can help children thrive socially, emotionally, and even professionally. He explains why many common parenting strategies fall short and how subtle shifts in the way we communicate with our kids can create lifelong positive impact.

Whether you are a parent, caregiver, or educator, this conversation offers practical insight rooted in decades of hands-on clinical experience and provides a fresh perspective on what children truly need to flourish.

Tune in to hear Ed’s transformative answer.

In this episode, author and mediator Catherine Kenwell joins the show to talk about her writing and her book Life After Loss. Catherine shares her personal experiences with pet loss, how she has learned to cope over the years, and what she recommends for those navigating the difficult journey of losing a beloved animal companion. This heartfelt conversation offers comfort, understanding, and practical guidance for anyone dealing with pet grief.

Join us for a raw and riveting conversation with Graham Bettes, retired Canadian Armed Forces Sergeant, 32-year veteran with the Peel Regional Police, ordained chaplain, and the visionary behind The Valhalla Project Niagara. After being diagnosed with PTSD himself, Graham turned his lived experience of trauma, survival, and service into a mission: creating a safe, insightful community and program for veterans and first responders experiencing post-traumatic stress.

In this episode, we explore:

• The journey from heavy frontline service to the personal reckoning of PTSD.

• How Graham transformed his own healing path into the creation of a non-profit and residential program (Learn to Live Again) for others.

• The power of peer-based lived experience versus traditional therapeutic models.

• Practical coping tools, lifestyle adjustments, and the role of service dogs in PTSD recovery.

• Lessons on leadership, resilience, and purpose-driven change from someone who has walked the walk.

Whether you are a veteran, first responder, mental health advocate, or simply someone interested in how purpose arises from pain, this conversation will challenge, inspire, and deepen your understanding of trauma, recovery, and transformation.

In this episode, we dive into one of the most pressing conversations of our time: youth mental health. Joining me is Skye Barbic, a leading mental health expert and passionate advocate for young people. Skye is the Canada Research Chair in Integrated Youth Services, an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia, and a trained occupational therapist who has worked in the Canadian mental health system since 2004.

Together, we unpack the complex realities today’s youth face, from the pressures of social media and academics to the ongoing challenges of stigma and silence. We also explore the kinds of support systems that can truly make a difference, highlighting how families, schools, and communities can help create safer spaces for young people to express themselves and get the support they need.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, friend, or young person yourself, this conversation offers meaningful insight, practical tools, and, above all, a message of hope.

In this episode of Awareness: Fostering a More Compassionate, Empathetic, and Accepting Society, host Rob Daniels speaks with Dr. Cherie Lindberg, a transformational coach and Certified Brainspotting Consultant. Together, they explore how trauma affects everyday life, the healing power of brainspotting therapy, and practical tools for building resilience and creating lasting change.