Project Give Back Connects – Details, episodes & analysis

This episode is dedicated to finding a way to slow down our inner selves when life is racing on. We have some spectacular experts who will teach us accessible techniques to help us connect to calm. I can’t wait to fill up my tool kit with more tricks to help when I am scared and worried. I know these will help you too. An episode for all ages.

This Episode, "Food for Thought," features the CEO of The Daily Bread Food Bank, Neil Hetherington. He will share the How Why and What we can do, regarding food insecurity in our city. This episode we will be treated to a song by the extremely talented Halle Burnett. We also have a challenge by Lianne and Cassandra from our Kindness Corner segment. And surprise co- host Riley.

In this episode we will learn from one of our favourite of all time children’s performers, Kayla. Also with us is the award-winning composer and musical director, Jack Lenz. Performing one of their original songs, will be the very talented Abby and Sarah. A recent Project Give Back Joey Award winner, Arissa Roy is back with an update on what she is up to. And of course, Lindsay from @one2giveto is back for this month’s kindness challenge.

Our first episode of this season, Emphasizing Empowerment, features trailblazer Leanne Matlow who will speak about her upcoming Mental Health Empowerment Day helping parents and teachers adopt a practical and accessible mental health tool kit. Leanne is cognitive behavioural therapy counsellor with a private practice specializing in anxiety for children and adolescents. We will also learn from Dido Balla, founder of a non-profit organization called FitLit, whose mission is to use a blended curriculum of fitness and literacy to empower youth. Dido is currently the Head of Education for the Goldie Hawn Foundation, where his focus is to maximize the impact of MindUP in schools, communities, and families. We will also be treated to a performance by the extremely talented Ethan Young. Of course, Lindsay from @one2giveto is back to update us on their next initiative and how we can help.

Please join us for the season finale of PGB Connects, with some phenomenal leaders who lead by example. We are so fortunate to have these remarkable guests share their wisdom and lessons with us. You will meet Julie Adam, author of ‘Imperfectly Kind: Why Kindness Is The Must Have Superpower you Need To Lead.’ Julie is also the President of News and Entertainment at Rogers Sports & Media. You will meet Dr. Ronald Cohn, President and CEO of the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). Next up, you will get to know Laurie May, Co-Founder and Co-President of Elevation Pictures. Our Shining Star for this week is super hero Emily Strike. Wait until you hear her story. As if this wasn’t enough, we will be serenaded by the extremely talented Seth Zosky. And Lindsay from our beloved Kindness Corner with @onetogiveto will share some final words with us.

This week's show features Dr. Faith Banks, Lesley Rosenthal Burnett, Halle Burnett and Bevvy Schwartz. This comforting episode faces a difficult topic which needs to be discussed. These guests offer the most helpful insights and tools to navigate through death and loss. Lindsay will also be back with updates and a new challenge.

This week’s episode of Connects features the Toronto legend, Michael Landsberg, Sports Journalist and Founder of Sick Not Weak Foundation. The very talented Lily Librach will perform for us. You will also meet two shining stars who are taking their challenges and turning them into ways to help others, Mason Drutz and Arielle Weinstein.

This week, our featured guest Jodi Kovitz, who was featured in Forbes Woman, and recognized as one of Canada’s 25 Women of Influence shares her passion for pursuing dreams and making things happen. We will be treated to a live performance by AJA. You will also meet shining star, Bayley Levy.

This episode is all about ‘Presenting with Confidence.’ Standing up in front of people is a difficult skill to master, never mind standing out! Our featured guests have some key tips and tricks to help us all improve our presentation skills. Neil Grammer, author of ‘At the Margins’ shares game changing advice. His phenomenal book is filled with key components that are extremely helpful. I have already used some of his tips, and can’t believe the difference they make. We are also joined by the extremely talented Michelle Newman, co founder of Spotlight Academy. Michelle will coach us on amplifying voice techniques and ways to boost our confidence. She will be joined by one of her sensational students and Project Give Back alum Judah Davidson, to perform a song for us. Of course, Lindsay from @one2giveto will be joining in with our Kindness Corner challenge.

This episode’s theme is ‘We Rise When We Fall’. Our expert is Melissa Oziel, owner of Slat Canada. As a registered speech-language pathologist with a Master's of Science from Columbia University, Melissa knows how to build confidence, independence and resilience. Our musical guest is the uber talented Ethan Young, winner of CTV’s The Launch. Our Shining Stars are the dynamic duo of Maya and Olivia. These two Project Give Back Alumni students we call ‘ KIDspirations’ have launched an organization that provides care kits to distribute to homeless shelters across Toronto. And of course we welcome Lindsay from @one2giveto in our Kindness Corner segment.