Explore every episode of the podcast Mastery Vibes: Peer Support Unleashed
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
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| Episode 9: The Club No One Wants to Join: Finding Hope in Peer Support After Infant and Pregnancy Loss | 22 Dec 2025 | 00:36:01 | |
The Club No One Wants to Join: Finding Hope in Peer Support After Infant and Pregnancy Loss It is a statistic that staggers the mind: 1 in 4 pregnancies end in loss. Yet, it remains one of the most stigmatized and silenced conversations in our culture. In this powerful episode, Robyn and Charlotte sit down with Michelle LaFontaine from the PAIL (Pregnancy and Infant Loss) Network. Michelle isn't just an expert on the subject; she is a survivor who turned her own heart-wrenching experience with the loss of her twins 20 years ago into a lifeline for others. Together, they peel back the layers of grief that society often tries to rush past. From the trauma of being on a maternity ward while leaving empty-handed, to the "toxic positivity" of well-meaning friends, this conversation gets real about what helps, what hurts, and why peer support is the vital medicine that doctors can't prescribe. In this episode, we cover: * The Power of "Me Too": Why connecting with someone who simply gets it can be more healing than professional advice. * Navigating the Healthcare System: Michelle shares the gaps in medical care for grieving parents and how hospitals are (slowly) changing to be more sensitive. * What NOT to Say: Why phrases starting with "At least..." (e.g., "At least you can get pregnant") are invalidating, and what you should say instead. * Generational Trauma: Robyn has a breakthrough moment realizing the impact of her own mother’s silent grief over a lost child years ago. * Identity Shift: How pregnancy loss changes who you are as a parent and a person forever—and why that’s okay. Whether you have experienced loss yourself, or want to know how to support a friend, sister, or colleague who has, this episode is a masterclass in empathy, validation, and breaking the silence. What people who experience loss want you to know is that the baby who died is irreplaceable... We talk a lot about integrating the loss into your life, not moving 'past' it." — Michelle LaFontaine Learn more about PAIL: https://pailnetwork.sunnybrook.ca/ Rate & Review: If this conversation resonated with you, please leave us a review to help us keep these important conversations going. Check us out at Follow us on Instagram: #PregnancyLoss #Miscarriage #InfantLoss #Stillbirth #1in4 #BabyLoss #PregnancyAndInfantLossAwareness #GriefSupport #BereavedMother #AngelBaby #MiscarriageSupport #BreakTheSilence #GriefJourney #HealingAfterLoss #MomPodcast
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| Episode 8: From "Fix & Save" to "Wait & Listen": A Mother-Daughter Mental Health Journey | 08 Dec 2025 | 00:46:04 | |
When mental health challenges strike a family, the instinct is often to jump in, take control, and "fix" the problem. Parents get on the "rat wheel" of worry, looking for the next crisis, while their loved ones often feel over-managed and unheard. But what happens when "helping" actually hurts?
In this episode, hosts Robyn Priest and Charlotte Armstrong are joined by RoxAnne and Alix, a dynamic mother-daughter duo who have navigated the stormy waters of mental health together. They peel back the curtain on their transformation from a relationship defined by conflict, yelling, and "poking the bear," to one grounded in deep connection and mutual respect.
The conversation gets real about the scary parts of letting go. RoxAnne shares how Family Peer Support taught her to surrender the "savior complex," while Alix opens up about the crucial need for autonomy—including a revealing story about making a major medication change without her mother's knowledge for six months. Whether you are a parent trying to support a child or an individual fighting to be seen beyond your diagnosis, this episode is a raw, honest, and surprisingly funny look at why sometimes the bravest thing you can do is simply hold space. In this episode, we cover: * The "Fixer" Trap: Why trying to solve your loved one's problems can actually steal their discovery process and block their growth. * Medication & Autonomy: Alix’s journey toward informed choice and the critical role that non-judgmental support plays in navigating treatment decisions. * React vs. Respond: Moving from chaotic arguments to calm communication by learning to pause and listen. * Interdependence: Challenging the Western ideal of total independence and embracing the fact that humans are designed to lean on one another. Let's meet Alix and Roxanne: "Hi, I’m Alix—poet by passion, culinary architect, film enthusiast, music explorer, and always ready to twirl around my home! I thrive on nature’s beauty and love the thrill of solving puzzles. Oh, and I embrace my journey with mental illness—it's just one part of my vibrant story!" In RoxAnne's words "As Alix's mom, she’s opened my eyes to new perspectives on life. Thanks to Family Peer Support, I’ve been able to connect with her deeply, fostering a trust and friendship that I cherish and wouldn't have found otherwise." Join Robyn, Charlotte, RoxAnne, and Alix for an unvarnished, often humorous, and profoundly insightful conversation. This episode empowers listeners to move beyond the urge to fix, towards the liberating and healing power of truly waiting and listening—a crucial step for fostering authentic connection and growth in any mental health journey. Rate & Review: If this conversation resonated with you, please leave us a review to help us keep these important conversations going. Check us out at Follow us on Instagram: #MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #FamilyMentalHealth #MotherDaughter #TeenMentalHealth #MentalHealthJourney #FamilySupport #PeerSupport #HoldSpace #ParentingMentalIllness #MentalHealthPodcast #ListenMore #MomLife #RealParenting #MentalHealthMatters #EmergingAdultsMentalHealth | |||
| Episode 7: After the Echoes: Stepping our from Under Their Past | 24 Nov 2025 | 00:25:07 | |
Ever feel trapped by echoes of your past? Rate & Review: If this conversation resonated with you, please leave us a review to help us keep these important conversations going. Check us out at Follow us on Instagram: #LetGoOfThePast | |||
| Episode 6: Beyond Labels: Unleashing the Healing Power of Peer Support | 30 Oct 2025 | 00:32:15 | |
In a world obsessed with diagnoses and clinical definitions, are we missing the true potential of human connection? This week, Mastery Vibes: Peer Support Unleashed challenges conventional wisdom with a provocative discussion on lived experience and the transformative power of peer support. Join hosts Robyn Priest and Charlotte Armstrong as they sit down with Will MacPherson, a trailblazer in harm reduction and peer support from Salt Spring Island. Will offers a unique perspective on mental health, spirituality, and the vital role of genuine connection. William MacPherson, also known as Willie B, formerly promoted battle rap for King of the Dot Entertainment. He has since become a dedicated mental health advocate and activist, working full-time as an outreach worker and serving as Program Coordinator for the Salt Spring Mental Wellness Initiative. Privately, Willie B hones his skills as a rapper and singer, choosing not to release music publicly. He finds profound health benefits and joy in his musical practice with each song. William advocates for the transformational potential of peer support in mental health care and hopes to amplify other voices through public speaking. His story underscores that his incredible healing journey was made possible by a foundation of privilege. Committed to destigmatizing mental health trauma, William emphasizes providing unconditional care as essential for well-being. Discover:
If you're ready to challenge assumptions and explore a more human-centered approach to mental health, this episode is a must-listen. Because sometimes, the greatest breakthroughs come not from textbooks, but from the wisdom of shared experience. Rate & Review: If this conversation resonated with you, please leave us a review to help us keep these important conversations going. Check us out at Follow us on Instagram: #PeerSupport #MentalHealthAwareness #PeopleAreMedicine #MasteryVibes #MentalHealthPodcast #Storytelling #RecoveryJourney #PeerSupportPodcast #MentalHealthMatters #HealingThroughConnection #ShamanicWisdom #PodcastCommunity #MentalHealthSupport #InspiringStories #ListenNow | |||
| Episode 5: From Clinical to Connection: Finding Passion in Peer Support | 15 Oct 2025 | 00:37:45 | |
Join Charlotte and Robyn as they welcome De from Advocates for Recovery Colorado (AFRC) for an inspiring episode of Mastery Vibes: Peer Support Unleashed. D shares their transformative journey, describing their switch from a career in the clinical world to the rewarding field of peer support. D reveals how a new role at AFRC and a chance peer support training led by Robyn and Charlotte sparked a passion that not only changed their professional path but also enriched their approach to parenting their child with autism. Discover how embracing lived experience and the power of connection can lead to unexpected fulfillment and revolutionize the way we support each other. Meet De: "Hi I’m Dë Waldron (or if you’re cool enough to know, Diana Prince, aka Wonder Woman in work boots). I am a parent, scholar, and Certified Peer & Family Specialist who turned addiction into a messy public transformation of resilience. I recover out loud, so others don't die in silence. My work lives at the intersections of recovery, education, and building unique infrastructure in peer support communities. I show up to embody that lived experience isn’t a liability, it’s leadership. I’ve walked through the fire and now light torches for others who are finding their own voice. Everything I do, from classrooms to peer support professional networks, is about showing that recovery isn’t about going back; it’s about becoming." Rate & Review: If this conversation resonated with you, please leave us a review to help us keep these important conversations going.
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| Episode 4: Changing the Narrative on Suicide | 10 Sep 2025 | 00:40:20 | |
On World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10th, join Robyn Priest and Charlotte Armstrong for a powerful episode of Mastery Vibes: Peer Support Unleashed. In Episode 4, we confront the tough topic of suicide head-on, dismantling harmful myths, challenging stigma, and sparking open, compassionate conversations that save lives. Robyn and Charlotte explore how to shift the narrative around suicide, offering insights from lived experience and practical tools to foster hope and connection. Whether you're navigating your own mental health journey, supporting a loved one, or seeking to understand, this episode will inspire you to engage in meaningful dialogue and break the silence. Tune in now to be part of the change—because every conversation matters. Rate & Review: If this conversation resonated with you, please leave us a review to help us keep these important conversations going. Check us out at Follow us on Instagram: #WorldSuicidePreventionDay #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealthPodcast #ChangeTheNarrative #EndStigma #MentalHealthAwareness #SuicideAwareness #RecoveryJourney #MentalHealthMatters #CompassionateConversations #LivedExperience #MentalHealthSupport #BreakTheSilence #HopeAndHealing #PodcastOnMentalHealth | |||
| Episode 3: Whose Recovery Is It Anyway? Navigating Mental Health & Family Perspectives | 27 Aug 2025 | 00:28:06 | |
In this eye-opening episode, Robyn Priest and Charlotte Armstrong dive into one of the most complex and heartfelt dynamics in mental health and substance use recovery: the tension between personal experience and family expectations. What happens when someone living with mental health challenges or substance use defines recovery one way—and their family sees it differently? Robyn and Charlotte unpack the emotional layers, the misunderstandings, and the power struggles that can arise when perspectives clash. Whether you’re walking your own recovery path or supporting someone you love, this episode will challenge assumptions, spark empathy, and offer real tools for bridging the gap. Listen now to explore how we can honor lived experience and support systems—without losing sight of what recovery truly means. Rate & Review: If this conversation resonated with you, please leave us a review to help us keep these important conversations going. Check us out at Follow us on Instagram: | |||
| Episode 2: Living Loud—The Ranger System on Music, Identity & Plural Power | 27 Aug 2025 | 00:50:15 | |
In this powerful episode, Charlotte and Robyn sit down with The Ranger System—a vibrant collective of seven identities (2 boys, 2 girls, and 3 non-binary folks) navigating life as a plural system. Diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder in 2023 but self-aware since childhood, The Ranger System now use their voice, art, and music to illuminate the plural experience. From growing up with internal diversity to becoming public musicians, The Ranger System share how plurality shapes their creativity, relationships, and mental health journey. They open up about stigma, self-discovery, and the cultural shift toward embracing systems like theirs. Whether you're curious about D.I.D., passionate about peer support, or just love hearing raw, real stories—this episode will move you, challenge you, and inspire you. Tune in now and discover how The Ranger System is redefining what it means to live authentically. Rate & Review: If this conversation resonated with you, please leave us a review to help us keep these important conversations going. Check us out at Follow us on Instagram: You can follow the Ranger System on: Instagram: @the_ranger_system https://www.instagram.com/the_ranger_system?igsh=MWhlaTltcmtqZGxkaQ==
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/00tvXG9P3fV1a6bLB1anLP?si=A7_CvqP-Q8aO2hMvC6gPag
Manitoba Music:
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| Episode 1: Robyn Priest and Charlotte Armstrong on the Power of Peer Support | 18 Aug 2025 | 00:31:27 | |
What happens when lived experience meets global impact? In the premiere episode of Mastery Vibes: Peer Support Unleashed, Robyn Priest and Charlotte Armstrong dive deep into the heart of peer support—why it matters, how it changed their lives, and why they’ve made it their mission to train and uplift Peer Supporters and mental health advocates around the world. If you care about mental health, crave authentic connection, or want to be part of a movement that’s reshaping support systems from the inside out—this episode is your starting point. Real talk. Global vision. No fluff. Rate & Review: If this conversation resonated with you, please leave us a review to help us keep these important conversations going. Listen now and explore more at robynpriest.com and explorationmastery.com Follow us on Instagram: | |||
| Mastery Vibes: Peer Support Unleashed Trailer | 17 Aug 2025 | 00:04:17 | |
Robyn Priest and Charlotte Armstrong bring decades of lived experience and bold innovation from explorationmastery.com and robynpriest.com to this transformative podcast. Each episode is packed with real talk, practical strategies, and empowering stories designed to help you thrive—not just survive. Whether you're a Peer Supporter, mental health advocate, or simply someone committed to living authentically, Mastery Vibes is your go-to space for growth, connection, and resilience. Tune in for honest conversations, proven tools, and the kind of insight that sparks real change. This is where personal mastery meets community impact | |||