Chatter that Matters – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Many people are experiencing a growing sense of insecurity in an uncertain world. Every generation feels it, but for many young people, it's hitting harder. They've endured a pandemic and now face a world that's changing rapidly, along with high unemployment and a mental health crisis that's even harder to confront.

That's why I wanted to share this story about a 16-year-old girl who was lost and then found her way back.

At sixteen, Natasha Soregaroli was caught in a storm of self-doubt and comparison, her mind constantly echoing what she believed she wasn't. At eighteen, during the pandemic, she turned her journal of thoughts into a book titled Becoming Me Again, a raw and heartfelt memoir about learning to love yourself in a world that often profits from your insecurity.

Now twenty-three, Natasha has transformed her private struggle into a message of hope for anyone feeling alone with their thoughts. She openly discusses journaling as healing, the trap of perfection, and the effort needed to make your inner voice your ally rather than your critic.

This isn't a story about fame or wealth. It's about resilience, self-discovery, and the bravery required to come home to yourself. It might change how you speak to yourself or someone you love.

To purchase Natalie's book: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/becoming-me-again/d883d2f3-3c47-3108-94c0-f00ae4da68f6.html

I am breaking format and putting this show up on Monday, as Stewart has an event called Man Enough to Heal this Wednesday, that I want to support. Details and links below.

This week on Chatter That Matters, meet Stewart Thompson, a man who turned unimaginable trauma into a mission to help others heal. For decades, Stewart carried the silence of childhood sexual abuse, numbing the pain through addiction and isolation. At fifty, he faced an unthinkable choice: end his life or ask for help one last time. Walking through the doors of The Gatehouse changed everything.

Today, Stewart is a national advocate, leading Survivor Council Canada, and hosting a podcast with more than 300 episodes, empowering others to speak their truth. Stewart shares how he rebuilt his life from the ground up—through courage, community, and the hard work of healing.

It's raw, real, and deeply human. If you've ever struggled to find your voice or support someone searching for theirs, this is an episode you'll never forget.

To buy tickets to Man Enough to Heal, or to support Gatehouse: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/man-enough-to-heal-men-share-their-journeys-of-healing-and-hope

My guest this week is Sheryl Ramstead a woman whose story defies the odds and redefines what it means to be resilient. At 29, on her first solo flight, a fiery plane crash left her body burned and her survival chances below one percent. But from that inferno emerged not just a survivor, but a force of reinvention who became a federal prosecutor, judge, corrections commissioner, marathon runner, mountain climber, and in her sixties, a nurse.

In this episode, Sheryl shares how faith, family, purpose, and a relentless spirit carried her through unimaginable pain and propelled her into a life of service and impact.

Her memoir, Living Life Full Throttle: Surviving, Serving, and Summiting, is a testament to what's possible when we choose to live with intention and courage.

If you're facing adversity, rebuilding after loss, or questioning whether you have what it takes to begin again, this episode is for you. Sheryl's journey reminds us that healing isn't linear, that fear never truly disappears, and that the most powerful act of resilience is to keep putting one foot in front of the other. This isn't just a story of survival; it's a blueprint for transformation and inspiration.

To buy her book:  https://www.amazon.com/Living-Life-Full-Throttle-Surviving/dp/1960876805

Today's episode of Chatter That Matters is a live taping, which I have always loved because we can feed off the audience's energy. My guest is Cam Inglis, the founder of Marble Slab Creamery Canada. Cam is an inspiring entrepreneur who shares his journey from dreaming of playing in the NHL to real estate before choosing the path of an entrepreneur.

During the show, we'll cover the daily challenges of running a franchise business and the reality that everything you know turns upside down when a pandemic closes your doors or one of Canada's biggest restaurant chains overnight becomes a significant competitor. We also learn why communication and transparency matter, especially during tough times. 

To provide more context, we'll have two additional guests. The first is Amarjot Bhatthal, an incredible entrepreneur who owns five Marble Slab franchises with her mother. I look forward to sharing their whole story on the show one day. Our second guest is Graeme Green, Director of Franchise Markets at RBC, who will discuss the attributes of an exceptional franchisor and a great franchisee.

A great episode and a treasure trove of valuable insights and lessons await.

In my second 'snackable chatter' I look at how we can rewire Elections from Negative to Positive," I delve into the tumultuous landscape of modern elections, which often feel like a relentless hailstorm of negativity, eroding the fabric of our society and trust in democracy. 

In three minutes, I present a refreshingly simple yet actionable concept aimed at rewiring elections to prioritize positivity and shift the focus towards substantive policy discussions.

Thanks for listening, subscribing and sharing.  It means the world to me.

I was so profoundly moved by Adam Robarts and his book 'Nineteen' that I had to have him on Chatter that Matters. Anyone who has had to deal with the loss of someone you love will also be moved and have their heart lifted as Adam shares his deeply personal and poignant love, loss, and spiritual journey.

Adam is a world-renowned architect, and his wife is an equally accomplished interior designer. They lived and raised their four children in China.

In December 2018, during a family vacation in Canada, Adam was asked what he would choose to be if he were not an architect. He replied without hesitation, "A hospice nurse." Five years earlier, he had a profound experience accompanying his father through the final weeks of life before he died of cancer in Uganda. Adam could not have imagined then that nine months later, he would begin to accompany his nineteen-year-old son, Haydn, through a battle with a rare brain cancer.

 Haydn graduated from this physical world in May 2020, at age 19, one week before his twentieth birthday. Adam's first book, Nineteen, shares the beautiful and poignant lessons learned on his family's journey with Haydn.

This interview radiates universal lessons, insights from religion and science, and important perspectives.  Haydn was a remarkable young man whose dignified response to his suffering provided essential wisdom and hopeful possibilities for anyone dealing with matters of life and death.

Leanne Kaufman, CEO of RBC Royal Trust, returns to the show to provide meaningful context.

To purchase Adam's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Nineteen-Insights-Learned-19-year-old-Cancer/dp/168245200X

To learn more about Royal Trust - https://www.rbcwealthmanagement.com/en-ca/royal-trust

''You have dreams and goals, even a direction, but you must be active for the universe and magic to happen. It must find you, but it won't if you hide in the corner. You must be out there for your desired reality to unfold.' Jesse Jones

I love taping Chatter that Matters in front of an audience. In this episode, we are live at Sheridan College and its stunning Hazel McCallion Campus, with students, faculty members, alums, and industry professionals in attendance and DJ Andre dropping the beats.

My guest is Jesse Jones. Jesse is a change maker, creator, communicator, media personality and connector of worlds, brands and humanity. Jesse and I explore how individuals can overcome personal challenges and today's realities to chase their dreams and change their world, and even ours, for the better.

Jesse is electric and offers several actionable ideas to foster positive transformations in your personal and professional life. Jones highlights the importance of choice, passion, and pursuit. He stresses the need for introspection, increased self-analysis, and self-care in our fast-paced world. Attending to our needs is the essential recharge for our mental health, creativity, and innovation. 

We take questions from the audience, and I invite two more guests to contribute to this inspirational conversation. Dr. Cherie Werhun is Sheridan's Associate Vice Provost of Human Development and strategic lead for Sheridan's S-Sense Initiative. Dr. Werhun emphasizes the need for educators to focus on the whole student, fostering a holistic approach to student development that focuses on the human capacities of agility, resilience, and adaptability.

Jodi Wright, Senior Director, Youth & Young Adult Client Strategy, RBC, joins the show to discuss the role organizations must play to help youth pursue their passions.

I am thrilled with the ideas presented in this show.  They are inspiring and actionable. If you can, please share with every young adult and anyone feeling overpowered by their circumstances.

Apple:  https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/chatter-that-matters/id1478779098

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/39VeEJaL133GKpbkD07JoJ?si=d9a91723a4f14998

To find out more about

Jesse Jones. https://iamjessejones.com

Sheridan's S-Sense Initiative.

 https://www.sheridancollege.ca/admissions/why-sheridan/s-sense

RBC - My Money Matters. https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/en-ca/my-money-matters/

RBC - Student Hub. https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/student-solution/index.html

Patrick Asare went from abject poverty in a small village in Ghana to achieving international acclaim. In an inspiring interview, Patrick shared his remarkable story. He was born to illiterate parents, his father was a subsistence farmer, and his mother was a homemaker. Patrick was one of fourteen children living in a small mud house. Most children in his village didn't have the opportunity to continue their education beyond primary school, which perpetuated the cycle of poverty in the region.

However, Patrick had a gifted mind and with the support of his village, he earned a scholarship to a private school, although he never felt like he belonged there. Despite this, his academic achievements continued. He had the opportunity to study in the Soviet Union and the United States.

Patrick's relentless determination to never give up showcases the transformative power of an unstoppable spirit. It emphasizes the importance of self-belief and internal acceptance in overcoming external challenges. His story is a must-listen for anyone struggling with adversity or feeling overwhelmed by impossibility.

Jodi Wright from RBC joined Chatter that Matters to discuss their work in helping youth pursue their dreams.

 Ten quotes that mattered:

 1. "I started my journey from here, scaling all the way to achieve my dreams." - 06:32

 2. "I was determined to make something out of nothing and reach my goals." - 12:45

 3. "I refused to let circumstances define me, and I fought against all odds." - 18:10

 4. "I never gave up, even when I felt out of place and faced countless obstacles." - 23:15

 5. "I chose to use every setback as a stepping stone towards my success." - 31:50

 6. "I believed in myself when no one else did, and that made all the difference." - 38:20

 7. "I stayed resilient in the face of doubt and criticism, and that's how I prevailed." - 44:05

 8. "I turned every 'no' into a 'not yet' and kept pushing forward." - 50:30

 9. "I never allowed the limitations of others to limit my potential." - 56:40

 10. "I embraced every challenge as an opportunity to prove my strength and determination." - 1:03:15

 To learn more about Patrick Asare, please visit https://patrickasareauthor.com.

 To learn more about My Money Matters: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/en-ca/my-money-matters/

On occasion I change the format of Chatter that Matters, to offer you my observations on the status quo.  There is no finger-pointing; there are only ideas to improve upon it.

In this episode I look at the state of Democracy, and offer you my thoughts on what matters most to you, and the many generations to follow.

Risa August is an Ironman Triathlete and an extraordinary cyclist known and highly respected for her love of pushing her physical limits. Risa is no stranger to intense challenges, having completed 500-mile bike tours and conquered mountains in the US and Nepal.

Then, Risa's life comes to a crashing halt. Her body is collapsing, and for good reason. She is diagnosed with a rare pituitary disease, a brain tumour that has been left unchecked for a decade.

After undergoing life-threatening brain surgery and trying to live inside a body that can barely function, Risa chooses a different path. She reaches into her bucket list, and against all her doctors' advice; she trains and embarks on a 41-day, 3,000 km bike tour from Canada to Mexico along the Pacific Coast Highway.

While the old Risa could have effortlessly conquered such a ride, the new Risa found herself entangled in a body that felt unfamiliar and accompanied by an unwelcome companion, her brain tumour she named Bubba. Pedalling through rain, physical pain, and the haunting echoes of her memories, Risa confronts a challenge unlike any other.

Risa questions whether the woman she once was and knew would ever resurface or if this is the person she was destined to become.

An extraordinary story of recovery, resilience, renovation and reinvention to begin your New Year.

To reach Risa August:  https://www.risaaugust.com