TELUS Talks with
Tamara Taggart
From health and wellness, to community and social responsibility, this podcast shares stories, busts myths and delivers practical tips to Canadians when they need it most.
Join veteran broadcaster Tamara Taggart as she hosts a new episode every Tuesday.
Watch our past episodes
Season eleven
Episode 200
Race and masculinity in the classroom: Matthew R. Morris
Race, Black masculinity, hip-hop culture, and education have an intricate relationship with one another. Matthew R. Morris is an educator and author who has dedicated much of his work...
Episode 199
The cancer we’re not talking about: Dr. Aline Talhouk
Could a simple swab replace painful biopsies and transform uterine cancer screening? Dr. Aline Talhouk is a leading researcher developing new screening methods for endometrial cancer...
Episode 198
Breaking down schizophrenia stigma: Dr. Diane McIntosh
Schizophrenia is one of the most misunderstood mental disorders. With plenty of misinformation and stigma, it’s important to have a grasp of schizophrenia and its impacts on people’s lives...
Episode 197
How loss can open new spaces to lead: Helen Knott
Helen Knott’s mother and grandmother passed away within six months of each other. In addition to losing two matriarchs in her life, Helen had to step into the shoes of her loved ones and fulfill new...
Episode 196
Men are speaking up about mental health: Dr. John Ogrodniczuk
Men are facing a mental health crisis and Dr. John Ogrodniczuk says many of his patients felt they couldn’t seek help because of narrow ideas of what it means to be a "real man." As a professor...
Episode 195
Thinking beyond a cure for chronic pain: Kara Stanley and Simon Paradis
For many living with chronic pain, the goal has often been to find an elusive "cure". But what if our understanding of pain itself needs rethinking? In 2008, Simon Paradis fell off a scaffold, causing...
Episode 194
We need to talk about periods: Dr. Jen Gunter
Every person alive has benefitted from the menstrual cycle, and yet there is so much shame surrounding periods. Dr. Jen Gunter has made it her mission to change how we think about menstrual health as a key component of overall...
Episode 193
How to feel less lonely: Dr. Diane McIntosh
Loneliness rates are increasing steadily across the globe, in what experts are calling the loneliness epidemic. With social media on the rise, face-to-face interactions have become less common. Dr. Diane McIntosh joins us to discuss how we can...
Episode 192
Voice technology will change everything: Tobias Dengel
Tobias Dengel believes voice technology is poised to completely transform how we interact with apps, services and even entire industries. As someone who has been working with digital technology...
Episode 191
Using art to uplift others: Mark Stoddart
As a kid, Mark Stoddart says he had a basketball in one hand and an art portfolio in the other. Now his artwork is permanently installed in Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena. With a career spanning over three decades as a visual communicator, graphic...
Episode 190
The legacy of Canada’s fastest family: Valerie Jerome
Valerie Jerome grew up in Canada’s fastest family. As the granddaughter of John “Army” Howard, Canada’s first Black Olympian, Valerie says she was “blessed” with genes for speed. She was only 15...
Episode 189
A journey through love, family and addiction: Kathy Wagner
When Kathy Wagner’s son, Tristan, began experimenting with drugs at the age of 14, she told herself it was just a phase. But by the time he was 15, she had to face the gravity of Tristan’s...
Episode 188
What it’s like to be a newcomer to Canada: Anila Lee Yuen
With the rapidly rising cost of living, immigrating to Canada can be challenging. Now imagine going through those same challenges without speaking English or French or having a network to...
Season ten
Episode 185
Navigating life as a transracial adoptee: Harrison Mooney
As a Black child adopted at birth by a white family, Harrison Mooney grew up with a desire for belonging and looked for cultural connection. His memoir, Invisible Boy, explores his experience as...
Episode 184
Doing more for farmers’ mental health: Megz Reynolds
Like many Canadians, farmers across the country are experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression and burnout. Megz Reynolds, Executive Director of the Do More Agriculture Foundation, says there is...
Episode 183
How women’s hearts are different: Dr. Tara Sedlak
Every 22 minutes, a Canadian woman dies of a heart attack. But the majority don't have to. Dr. Tara Sedlak is one of the few certified women’s heart health cardiologists in Canada and is a fierce...
Episode 182
The future of Indigenous-led conservation: Steven Nitah
Steven Nitah believes Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) are the future for Canada’s conservation efforts. As a leader in this space for more than 10 years, Steven has seen...
Episode 181
How to find your own state of calm: Dr. Ellen Choi
Dr. Ellen Choi felt like she had been moving through her life on autopilot. Through mindfulness and meditation, and removing the burden of perfection, she was able to connect with herself and learn...
Episode 180
Understanding mom rage: Minna Dubin
Minna Dubin realized “mom rage” was an international phenomenon after publishing an opinion piece in the New York Times. Titled The Rage Mothers Don’t Talk About, the piece received an outpouring of positive responses from...
Episode 179
How virtual care can help your pet: Dr. Koharik Arman
Thousands of Canadians don’t have regular access to a vet for their furry family members. With such a concerning shortage across the country, vets are often overworked, and pet owners are stressed...
Episode 178
Are we ready for the next pandemic?: Dr. Michael Osterholm
In a world changed by the COVID-19 pandemic, one question looms: are we ready for something like this to happen again? Dr. Michael Osterholm is an internationally recognized epidemiologist and...
Episode 177
The misconceptions of motherhood: Chelsea Conaboy
Chelsea Conaboy knew things would change when she had kids, but she never anticipated how different she would feel. New parents undergo major structural and functional brain changes...
Episode 176
How gender affects mental health: Dr. Diane McIntosh
Throughout her career, Dr. Diane McIntosh has seen the profound impact that gender roles have on both women’s and men’s mental health. She says the stigma surrounding vulnerability often...
Episode 175
Building community in a new country: Danny Ramadan
Danny Ramadan wants the world to see him in his power. As a queer refugee from Syria, Danny aims to use his life as inspiration and spread joy through his writing and his advocacy work. He discusses...
Episode 174
How the pandemic changed language: Wayne Grady
As an award-winning writer and translator, Wayne Grady’s fascination with language encouraged him to document the words we all began to use during the pandemic and how they were changing the...
Episode 173
Why we wear an orange shirt: Phyllis Webstad
To this day, Phyllis Webstad still gets social media comments claiming residential schools were not real. After 10 years of sharing her experiences at St. Joseph's Mission Residential School and her orange shirt story, she no longer believes it’s her...
Episode 172
Changing the autism conversation: Eric Garcia
Eric Garcia grew tired of seeing narrow-minded portrayals of autism on television and in film, while his own life as an autistic person looked entirely different. His career as a journalist and writer led him to publishing We’re Not Broken: Changing...
Season nine
Episode 169
Breaking through business barriers: Geena Jackson
“The commonality between Indigenous entrepreneurs is we've all got a history that is relatable,” says Geena Jackson. Geena is the creator of Bears’ Lair, a new reality show on APTN...
Episode 168
The emotional lives of teenagers: Lisa Damour
Parenting teenagers can be a delicate dance between providing support and allowing space for independence. Lisa Damour, a clinical psychologist and New York Times bestselling author, has dedicated her career to helping parents...
Episode 167
Your brain and emotional trauma: Dr. Diane McIntosh
What secrets do the brain hold? It’s the most complex part of the human body and it can sometimes be difficult to understand our own thoughts and feelings...
Episode 166
Make stress your ally: Dr. Robyne-Hanley Dafoe
Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe, award-winning psychology instructor and author, wants everyone to know that stress is a part of who you are. As someone who has experienced significant obstacles throughout her life, Robyne has...
Episode 165
Tracking down British Columbia’s biggest trees: Amanda Lewis
Amanda Lewis, long-time Toronto book editor turned author, knew she needed a career change after she dreamt of a peaceful walk on a forest path. After moving to Vancouver, Lewis began...
Episode 164
Is empathy your superpower?: Anita Nowak
Anita Nowak, author, professor and empathy expert wants everyone to understand the life-changing nature of empathy. In her new book, Purposeful Empathy, Nowak says we’re all born with the capacity for empathy but we can choose...
Episode 163
How to support trans kids: Dr. Travers
Dr. Travers, professor of sociology at Simon Fraser University, has something they’d like anyone spending time with children to keep in mind: assume that there are trans kids in every group. The author of The Trans Generation: How Trans...
Episode 162
From life on the streets to bestselling author: Yasuko Thanh
Canadian author Yasuko Thanh was already an award-winning novelist and short-story writer when she decided it was time to tell perhaps her most compelling story yet – that of her own life...
Episode 161
Do your kids have healthy tech habits: Dr. Shimi Kang
Harvard-educated psychiatrist, scientist and bestselling author Dr. Shimi Kang is passionate about helping parents and children enjoy better mental health and well-being in our digital age...
Episode 160
Advocating for Indigenous women’s health: Chastity Davis
When First Nations consultant Chastity Davis found herself confronted with discrimination during the hospital birth of her son last year, she vowed to use the experience to advocate for culturally...
Episode 159
How to stay well at work: Paula Allen
If you’ve been feeling more stressed and anxious over the past three years, you’re not alone. Paula Allen, who leads a team of researchers and data scientists at TELUS Health, says there’s been a measurable decline in mental health among...
Episode 158
How to stop self-sabotage: Dr. Judy Ho
We all experience self-doubt from time to time, but when do feelings of insecurity cross the line into self-sabotage? Clinical and forensic neuropsychologist Dr. Judy Ho, author of Stop Self-Sabotage, discusses how to recognize when...
Episode 157
Overcoming the secrecy of an eating disorder: Sheri Segal Glick
Author Sheri Segal Glick was just 10 years old when a passing comment by an adult about her body triggered a lifelong battle with anorexia that continued for decades. She shares her personal...
Episode 156
Revisiting favourites: The Juggling Mother
In honour of Mother’s Day, we’re digging into our archives and revisiting one of our most popular episodes from 2021, featuring a conversation with Amanda D. Watson, author of The Juggling Mother. Amanda and Tamara share a heartfelt discussion...
Episode 155
How to unlock the stress cycle: Amelia Nagoski
When choral conductor Amelia Nagoski ended up hospitalized because of burnout, she and her twin sister Emily Nagoski, a well-known sexual health educator, decided to research what causes the all-too-common condition – and learn how to fix it...
Episode 154
What type of perfectionist are you?: Katherine Morgan Schafler
After working with people from all walks of life, psychotherapist Katherine Morgan Schafler realized something – from addiction recovery houses to Wall Street boardrooms, perfection...
Episode 153
The untold stories of women’s health: Charlene Carr
From her first period at the age of 11, author Charlene Carr was plunged into a cycle of pain. But it was only many years later, when she was struggling to conceive, that she finally received ...
Episode 152
Are you burnt out?: Dr. Diane McIntosh
We welcome back Psychiatrist and TELUS Chief Neuroscience Officer, Dr. Diane McIntosh, to help us explore the complicated world of burnout. Dr. McIntosh speaks openly about her personal experience with burnout and shares how ...
Episode 151
We’re wired for music: Adriana Barton
Adriana Barton, best-selling author of Wired for Music, spent 17 years of her life as a cellist, entrenched in the demanding world of elite classical music, before leaving it for a career in health and science journalism. She shares how ...
Episode 150
On the frontlines of decolonization: Angela Sterritt
As an award-winning journalist, Angela Sterritt is passionate about shedding light on racism and discrimination faced by Indigenous peoples and helping give voice to the underrepresented. ...
Episode 149
How tech is changing patient care: Roee Ben-Eli
Roee Ben-Eli loves being a nurse – but thinks health practitioners are going through a tough time right now as we continue to wade through the pandemic. The Director of Strategic Programs at TELUS Virtual Healthcare discusses how ...
Episode 148
Venture capitalist with a purpose: Lise Birikundavyi
Lise Birikundavyi, the first Black woman to head a venture capital fund backed by an institutional investor in Canada, shares how to help build successful entrepreneur-led businesses, deliver ...
Episode 147
How our pets can curb stress: Dr. Aubrey Fine
Dr. Aubrey Fine often calls on some special assistants skilled in supporting mental health and well-being: animals. The leading expert in human-animal interactions shares his journey from dog-phobic child to dog-loving adult, the science ...
Episode 146
How your body holds onto trauma: Dr. Arielle Schwartz
Trauma doesn’t just live in the mind, it’s also stored in the body. That’s the message shared by clinical psychologist Dr. Arielle Schwartz, creator of Resilience-Informed therapy, who shares her ...
Episode 145
Get outdoors, doctor’s orders: Dr. Melissa Lem
Spending time in nature doesn’t just feel good – it’s also good for you, says Vancouver-based physician Dr. Melissa Lem. The founder and director of PaRx, a nature prescription initiative with the BC Parks Foundation, discusses the physical, emotional ...
Season eight
Episode 143
When the overdose crisis hits home: Tara McGuire
Tara McGuire, author of Holden, After and Before, experienced every parent’s nightmare when her 21-year-old son, Holden, died of an overdose in 2015. She shares how she wrestled with guilt, how she ...
Episode 142
What you should know about Canadian forestry: Derek Nighbor
President and CEO of the Forest Products Association of Canada, Derek Nighbor, shares how sustainable forest management practices are leading to big gains for our economy ...
Episode 141
Scoring a goal for men’s health: Marco Carducci
Canadian Premier League soccer goalkeeper Marco Carducci is an elite athlete – but despite being the picture of health he was diagnosed with testicular cancer earlier this year at the young age of 25. Now that he’s successfully completed ...
Episode 140
Raising human beings: Dr. Ross Greene
Clinical child psychologist and best-selling author of Raising Human Beings, Dr. Ross Greene, returns to share insights on supporting our kids in a post-pandemic world. He talks about creating the evidence-based Collaboration & Proactive ...
Episode 139
Growing through loss: Julia Samuel
Psychotherapist, grief expert and bestselling author of Every Family Has a Story, Julia Samuel, says healthy grieving can lead to growth. The UK’s leading grief expert, who remains close to Prince William and Prince Harry, shares how families ...
Episode 138
Healing childhood trauma: Kelly McDaniel
Clinical counselor Kelly McDaniel, author of Mother Hunger, discusses why secure maternal attachment in childhood is critical to emotional health and well-being in adulthood. She shares how societal pressures and patriarchal ...
Episode 137
Get more out of your friendships: Erin Falconer
Award-winning writer, digital entrepreneur and therapist Erin Falconer, author of How To Break Up With Your Friends, shares insights and tips on how to nurture healthy, supportive friendships – and how to set healthy boundaries. The founder of ...
Episode 136
The Power of Fun: Catherine Price
Science journalist and author Catherine Price thinks it’s time you had more fun – for your own good. The author of The Power of Fun and How to Break Up With Your Phone explains how experiencing moments of playfulness, connection and flow ...
Episode 135
Fighting oppression in Iran: Jasmin Ramsey
Since September 16, Iran has been engulfed in waves of women-led protests, sparked by the death of 22-year old Mahsa Amini after she was arrested by the country’s morality police for improperly wearing a hijab. Canadian-raised ...
Episode 134
Life in the City of Dirty Water: Clayton Thomas-Müller
Clayton Thomas-Müller found healing in his Cree heritage, and now he’s working to heal the earth. The best-selling author of Life in the City of Dirty Water, and award-winning director of the ...
Episode 133
Advocating for women’s health: Dr. Paula Gordon
Radiologist and patient advocate Dr. Paula Gordon is on a mission. The former Director of the Breast Program at BC Women’s Hospital is a tireless champion for improving breast cancer screening for women across Canada. In this eye-opening ...
Episode 132
The myth of normal: Dr. Gabor Maté
World-renowned physician and author Dr. Gabor Maté has devoted his life to helping others heal – from illness, addiction, childhood trauma, and more. Now, in his new book, The Myth of Normal, he reveals why it’s time for Western society to ...
Episode 131
A radical awakening: Dr. Shefali Tsabary
On the outside, Dr. Shefali Tsabary looks like she has it all: a full family life, and a thriving career as a renowned psychologist and bestselling author. But she had a radical awakening when she realized she had been living her life in response to external ...
Episode 130
Helping kids bounce back: Dr. Matthew Chow
When his nine-year-old daughter started displaying symptoms of anxiety during the pandemic, Dr. Matthew Chow’s work in child and adolescent psychiatry took on a whole new level of urgency. In this frank discussion, the former president of ...
Episode 129
Paying attention to adult ADHD: Dr. Elisabeth Hall
Getting ready for a job interview is full of stress, but for a young adult with ADHD, says our guest Dr. Elisabeth Hall, the anxiety can be compounded by the challenges of misplacing items on the way out the door – and then missing the bus. Dr. Hall, ...
Episode 128
Expanding cultural care in medicine: Dr. Lisa Richardson
With a background in the arts and sciences, and steeped in the traditions of both Anishinaabe and European cultures, Dr. Lisa Richardson brings a unique perspective to her role as a clinician- ...
Episode 127
Celebrating and elevating Asian voices: Madelyn Chung
When it launched in March 2020, the RepresentAsian Project quickly attracted attention as a voice for the frustrations and joys of being Asian in North America. Its founder, journalist and ...
Episode 126
Tackling a health issue no one talks about: Derek Sham
Medical device engineer Derek Sham was shocked that no one was properly addressing the pelvic floor disorder his grandmother experienced. As she went through failed treatments and surgeries, ...
Episode 125
Healing from intergenerational trauma: Marsha Lederman
In her book, Kiss the Red Stairs, Marsha Lederman wrestles with the dark history of the Holocaust that haunted her childhood, uncovering details about her parents’ survival and the ways their trauma ...
Episode 124
Everyone wins in an accessible world: Maayan Ziv
In 2015, award-winning photographer, activist and entrepreneur Maayan Ziv had a eureka moment after confronting stairs at a restaurant. Maayan, who has muscular dystrophy, was forced to ...
Episode 123
Defying expectations to win gold: Lex Gillette
At the age of 8, Lex Gillette received devastating news: he was going blind. Over the course of a few months, he lost all of his sight – but not his vision. Thanks to the support of his mother and grandmother, he not only defied expectations, ...
Episode 122
Modernizing our healthcare systems: Chenny Xia
Chenny’s picked a big challenge for herself…creating a more equitable healthcare system. In this episode, Tamara joins CEO of Gotcare, Chenny in a conversation about how virtual healthcare providers are transforming how home care is ...
Episode 121
Raising a happy sleeper: Heather Turgeon & Julie Wright
The classic image of the sleepy teen who can barely get out of bed isn’t just a tired cliché. It also captures a very real and urgent problem in our society, say sleep consultants and ...
Episode 120
Championing diversity in film and TV: Nathalie Younglai
Faced with a lack of diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry, award-winning Canadian TV director and screenwriter Nathalie Younglai decided to do something about it. The founder of ...
Episode 119
Defying labels and living life to the fullest: Alvin Law
Alvin Law has an enviable career as one of Canada’s most sought-after inspirational speakers and bestselling author, and enjoys a loving family life. But in 1960, when he was born without arms ...
Episode 118
The radical power of personal narrative: Melissa Febos
For author Melissa Febos, memoir isn’t just personal – it’s political, powerful and transformative. The associate professor at the University of Iowa and bestselling author of four ...
Season seven
Episode 115
Turning climate change anxiety into action: Dr. Britt Wray
From catastrophic flooding and deadly wildfires to life-threatening heat domes and crop failures, the effects of climate change are being felt around the globe. And, as Dr. Britt Wray, author of ...
Episode 114
Art, law and advocacy: Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson
Born and raised in Haida Gwaii, Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson is many things: a member of the Raven Clan from the Haida Nation, an award-winning singer, a prominent environmental lawyer and ...
Episode 113
Standing up to end violence against women: David Stevenson
An unexpected conversation about standing up against violence can lead to more awareness. On today’s episode, Tamara meets David Stevenson, the CEO of the Moose Hide Campaign. The ...
Episode 112
The millennial money expert: Jessica Moorhouse
When Jessica Moorhouse graduated in the midst of a recession armed with a BFA in Film Studies, she realized she was in dire need of money management skills. Fast-forward 13 years, and today she’s an accredited financial counsellor, ...
Episode 111
Shedding light on addiction and recovery: Zakia Karmal
Zakia Karmal doesn’t fit the stereotype that most people associate with substance addiction. Young and raised in a loving and successful family, she nevertheless found herself battling a cocaine ...
Episode 110
The science behind pandemic stress: Dr. Olav Krigolson
Neuroscientist Dr. Olav Krigolson first joined Tamara in 2020, a couple of months into the pandemic. Some things have changed since then: We’ve got vaccines, lockdowns have eased and mask ...
Episode 109
Living our truth and showing up for others: Jaylene Tyme
As a celebrity tribute artist, Jaylene Tyme has made a name embodying iconic performers such as Barbra Streisand, Dolly Parton and Marilyn Monroe. But, as she tells Tamara, her proudest ...
Episode 108
Keeping healthcare spaces safe: Dr. Evan Adams
Award-winning Canadian actor and doctor Evan Adams joins Tamara to explore his early career accomplishments and health advocacy work. He shares his inspiring journey growing up on the Sunshine Coast of B.C., breaking into film ...
Episode 107
How not to get hacked: Jim Stickley
Jim Stickley has stolen credit cards, hacked Social Security numbers, robbed banks and created fake ATMs. But he’s no criminal. As a cyber security expert, he’s been hired to test the security of everything from government agencies to ...
Episode 106
Pollinators need our help: Peter Soroye
If there’s one thing that gets Wildlife Conservation Society Canada’s Peter Soroye buzzing, it’s bees. The Ottawa-based conservation biologist and advocate studies how pollinators are affected by climate change, and the critically important role ...
Episode 105
How to go from burnout to bounceback: Sara Wachter-Boettcher
Sara Wachter-Boettcher’s career started in content strategy and consulting on inclusive and ethical design in tech, but she became concerned by the workplace frustrations people shared with her...
Episode 104
Supporting kids with learning differences: Rachel Forbes
Any caregiver of a child with a learning difference, like dyslexia or ADHD, knows the challenges of trying to meet their needs. As Rachel Forbes, Executive Director of the Learning Disabilities ...
Episode 103
Iceland’s secrets to closing the gender gap: Eliza Reid
For the past 12 years, Iceland has ranked at the top of the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report. This week, the country’s Canadian-born first lady, writer Eliza Reid, speaks to Tamara ...
Episode 102
From law to TikTok: Joanne Lee Molinaro, the Korean Vegan
Joanne Lee Molinaro – aka The Korean Vegan – has captivated her 4 million online fans with her unique recipe of personal storytelling, plant-based recipes and cultural pride. The former corporate lawyer ...
Episode 101
Race, campus life and growing up: Eternity Martis
Eternity Martis was unprepared for the level of racism, gender-based violence and anger she encountered as a mixed-race Black woman on a predominantly white campus. In her memoir, ...
Episode 100
Tackling food waste with an app: Tristan Jagger
When Tristan Jagger learned that one in nine families in B.C. are food insecure, she was determined to do something to help. The fundraising professional tells Tamara how she discovered an elegant solution: an app where ...
Episode 99
Supporting youth in crisis: Dr. Tyler Black
Parents have many concerns around COVID’s effects on the mental health of youth. But child and adolescent Psychiatrist and Suicidologist Dr. Tyler Black notes the situation isn’t all bad (or good). The UBC professor and former medical director of ...
Episode 98
Living with less waste and more joy: Tara McKenna
From fast fashion to fast food, it’s easy to get caught up in a cycle of consumption. This week, Tamara talks to Tara McKenna, author of Don’t Be Trashy and founder of the Zero Waste Collective ...
Season six
Episode 95
Elite athletes and mental health: Corey Hirsch & Dr. McIntosh
As the World Juniors approaches, the mental well-being of elite athletes is in the spotlight. In this episode, Corey Hirsch, Olympic Silver Medalist and former NHL goalie, tells his mental illness story ...
Episode 94
Sharing family love stories: David A. Robertson
Governor General award-winning Winnipeg author and sought-after speaker, David A. Robertson has published over 25 books, including many children’s stories. David talks to Tamara about his Norway House Cree Nation identity, which he learned ...
Episode 93
How to become an emotion scientist: Marc Brackett
Marc Brackett is a research psychologist, Founding Director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and Professor in the Child Study Center at Yale University. He’s also the best-selling ...
Episode 92
The ferocious life of a caregiver: Ashley Bristowe
When Ashley Bristowe was told her son, Alexander, would never walk or speak as a result of a rare genetic disorder, her life changed forever. Ashley’s memoir, My Own Blood, chronicles her years as Alexander’s caregiver and advocate, in a ...
Episode 91
Finding hope after a fire: C. Hammond and M. Mankowski
Writer and Director Michael Mankowski and producer Charmaine Hammond created the animated short film Back Home Again to show the world how a community could ...
Episode 90
Healing your heart after a breakup: Amy Chan
Amy Chan is an author, speaker, entrepreneur, mental health advocate and the Founder of Renew Breakup Bootcamp, the world’s first and only breakup bootcamp. After leaving the corporate world, Amy’s company grew to ...
Episode 89
Early readers turn into future leaders: Fabrice Grover
Fabrice Grover is a non-profit specialist who has worked in the communications industry through some of the most vital global initiatives, such as the UN Climate Change Conference and World ...
Episode 88
Advocating for transgender equality: Schuyler Bailar
Schuyler is the first openly transgender athlete to compete in any sport on an NCAA Division 1 men’s team. In this episode, he explores his historic choice to transition, showing all of us ...
Episode 87
Finding a business formula for giving: Suzanne Stevens
Social entrepreneur Suzanne Stevens calls for purpose and giving back to become more embedded in our businesses and our culture. In this episode, Suzanne dives into her ...
Episode 86
Creating Space for authenticity: Nick North
Nick North was assigned female at birth, had four children and came out as a transgendered man in his 30s. In this episode, Nick explores themes of traditional masculinity, femininity, and assigned gender roles and encourages parents ...
Episode 85
Calls for justice for Indigenous women: Judge Marion Buller
In 2016, Judge Marion Buller was appointed the Chief Commissioner of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The inquiry looked into the systemic ...
Episode 84
A day for reflection and action: National Chief RoseAnne Archibald
RoseAnne Archibald made history by becoming the first woman to serve as National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. She shares her perspective on the upcoming National Day ...
Episode 83
Sitting Pretty: Rebekah Taussig
Rebekah Taussig wrote Sitting Pretty, a memoir about having a body that looks and moves differently in the world. She recognized that disabled lives are almost always portrayed as tragic or triumphant when actually the ...
Season five
Episode 80
Confronting the legacy of residential schools: Carey Newman
The son of a residential school survivor, artist and master carver Carey Newman has spent the past decade working on The Witness Blanket, an art installation created with artifacts gathered from Indigenous communities across the country ...
Episode 79
A trailblazer on the ice: Kori Cheverie
When hockey player Kori Cheverie became Assistant Coach of the Ryerson Rams in 2016, she made sports history as the first woman to hold that role with a men's university-level hockey program. Kori shares her trailblazing experience, the differences ...
Episode 78
Tackling the epidemic of misinformation: Timothy Caulfield
Tackling misinformation has long been a passion for health policy expert and bestselling author Timothy Caulfield, and the COVID-19 pandemic is providing ample opportunity to further his research. In this episode, Timothy discusses ...
Episode 77
Kids and body science in the digital age: Saleema Noon
For the past 20 years, Saleema Noon has been a driving force in helping kids and their parents navigate the topic of sexual education, something that has changed dramatically since the introduction of the internet. Saleema speaks ...
Episode 76
The healing power of conversation: Ivan Coyote
When storyteller, activist and self-proclaimed “road dog” Ivan Coyote found their travel plans put on hold due to COVID-19, they began writing replies to the stack of letters fans had sent them, unaware that this heartfelt ...
Episode 75
Menopause is not a bad word: Dr. Jen Gunter
If you’ve ever googled your own symptoms you know first hand that the internet is a minefield of shady advice, influencers selling miracle cures and sites that are adamantly against modern medicine. Luckily Dr. Jen Gunter, affectionately known ...
Episode 74
Indigenous representation in a beauty brand: Jenn Harper
Cheekbone Beauty founder Jenn Harper didn’t just decide to start a sustainable, cruelty-free beauty brand that gives back to the Indigenous community: it came to her in a dream. Now she’s helping Indigenous youth feel beautiful in ...
Episode 73
Indigenous values in a virtual space: Amelia Winger-Bearskin
When most of us hear the words virtual reality we think of futuristic technology and bulky headgear. But artist and technologist Amelia Winger-Bearskin sees VR as a way to connect to a fully sensory form of story-telling, and a tool to help amplify ...
Episode 72
We are all storytellers: Richard Van Camp
Few writers can boast a publishing schedule like Dene storyteller Richard Van Camp, who published twenty six books in as many years, including novels, children’s literature, and graphic fiction. But Richard has a not-so-secret method for ...
Episode 71
Fighting global LGBTQ2+ persecution: Winnie Luk
For LGBTQ2+ individuals facing persecution and state-sponsored violence around the world, Rainbow Railroad can provide a pathway to a better life. They partner with local and international organizations to relocate and support ...
Episode 70
Using your muse to weather the pandemic: Eden Robinson
You might know author Eden Robinson from the feature film adaptation of her novel Monkey Beach, or from the binge-worthy CBC series based on her Trickster trilogy. But the Eden that Tamara spoke to was someone painfully and hilariously honest ...
Season four
Episode 67
Make your own magic hour: Karma Brown
Some days it feels impossible to fit everything into 24 hours, but award-winning novelist, journalist and mother Karma Brown believes most of us can find one hour that’s just for us. She joins Tamara to discuss ...
Episode 66
Motherhood’s double shift: Angelica Victoria and Kate Evans
It’s our second Mother’s Day in a pandemic and moms are struggling more than ever to balance parenting and work responsibilities. Two TELUS leaders have taken the initiative to create ...
Episode 65
Variants, vaccines and the future: Dr. Michael Osterholm
A lot has happened since Tamara last spoke to Dr. Michael Osterholm, infectious disease expert, in July of 2020. Since then, he’s become part of President Biden’s transition team, advising ...
Episode 64
The future of business is sustainable: Jen Bennett
Jen Bennett from Google joins Tamara in a special Earth Day episode to discuss how leading industries around the globe are digging into new environmental goals, why this is linked to addressing social ...
Episode 63
Embrace your one wild life: Sarah Wilson
Sarah Wilson, author of “This One Wild and Precious Life: A Hopeful Path Forward in a Fractured World”, spent the past year watching as wildfires, the #MeToo movement, and a global pandemic rocked her home country of Australia ...
Episode 62
Eating for your brain: Dr. Silke Appel-Cresswell
Dr. Silke Appel-Cresswell leads the BC Brain Wellness Program in Vancouver and studies how diet, exercise and social connection might prevent chronic brain disorders. It won’t be shocking to hear her describe an ideal diet full of ...
Episode 61
Dismantling systemic racism: Wes Hall
Wes Hall has worked hard to go from the mailroom to the boardroom in corporate Canada, but in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, he knew he had to use his status and connections as a Black leader to help make ...
Episode 60
Combatting vaccine fears: Dr. Diane McIntosh
For many of us, the past year has been marked by a constant barrage of uncertainty, stress and fear -- and now, even with several different vaccines approved for use in Canada, some people are still feeling hesitant to get vaccinated ...
Episode 59
Protecting people with disabilities: Dr. Yona Lunsky
Dr. Yona Lunsky has dedicated her career to understanding the mental health needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Recognizing the unique requirements of ...
Episode 58
When girls and women lead: Farah Mohamed
Farah Mohamed founded G(irls)20 to amplify the voices of young women from G20 countries, and encourage a new generation of leaders through education, entrepreneurship and global experiences. Farah speaks about ...
Episode 57
Is this depression?: Dr. Diane McIntosh
One of our favourite guests - Dr. Diane McIntosh - returns to answer the question: what is depression? Dr. McIntosh is a Psychiatrist, bestselling author and TELUS’ Chief Neuroscience Officer, and she says that even though ...
Episode 56
Canada’s rich Black history: Rosemary Sadlier
Rosemary Sadlier is an author, educator and past president of the Ontario Black History Society, where she was instrumental in establishing Black History Month in Canada. She has been a fierce advocate for reforming the education system ...
Episode 55
White Feminism: Koa Beck
Koa Beck is the former editor-in-chief of Jezebel and author of the new book White Feminism, a discussion about race, empowerment and inclusion. In 2013, Koa wrote an essay that went viral on the phenomenon of “passing” and ...
Episode 54
The future of flying: Deborah Flint
Deborah Flint joined the Greater Toronto Airports Authority as President and CEO only six weeks before the pandemic hit. She says the aviation industry has never experienced anything like this, and its future depends on health and ...
Episode 53
In My Own Moccasins: Helen Knott
Helen Knott is a social worker and author of the critically-acclaimed bestseller In My Own Moccasins. Her memoir is an unflinching account of addiction, intergenerational trauma and sexual violence. But it’s also about the power ...
Season three
Episode 50
From the Ashes: Jesse Thistle
Through his extraordinary, best-selling memoir, From the Ashes, Métis-Cree-Scot author, Jesse Thistle, chronicles his life on the streets and how he overcame trauma and addiction. The former high school dropout turned Indigenous scholar ...
Episode 49
The psychology of winning: Dr. Ryan Hamilton
Dr. Ryan Hamilton is a sports psychologist and mental health performance consultant with both the NHL and the International Ice Hockey Federation. This year, he was part of the teams that led the Tampa Bay Lightning to win the ...
Episode 48
The future of food: Ted Bilyea
Chief Strategy Officer for the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute, Ted Bilyea, discusses how new technologies streamline the end-to-end farming experience, giving us new ways to produce more with less.
Episode 47
5G Explained: Eros Spadotto
The introduction of 5G will make the world profoundly more connected. To understand what that truly means, we speak with Eros Spadotto, Executive VP of Technology Strategy and Business Transformation at TELUS. He explains ...
Episode 46
The other pandemic: Dr. Mark Tyndall
Opioid deaths are on the rise in Canada, with 2020 setting record highs. Dr. Mark Tyndall is an epidemiologist, infectious disease specialist, as well as the former head of the BC Centre for Disease Control. His current focus is on addiction ...
Episode 45
Build a business and change the world: Lane Merrifield
CBC Dragon, tech entrepreneur and Club Penguin creator, Lane Merrifield is back to talk about how to be a successful entrepreneur and make a difference in the world at the same time.
Episode 44
Rethinking elder care in Canada: Dr. Samir Sinha
Dr. Samir Sinha is the director of geriatrics at Sinai Health in Toronto and a passionate advocate for seniors. He shares some sobering stats about the effect COVID has had on seniors and a new survey that reveals more than half of Canadians ...
Episode 43
Finding happiness in human connection: Pete Bombaci
Pete Bombaci is the founder of the GenWell project, a movement that aims to help people understand that human connection is the single most important thing we can do for our happiness.
Episode 42
The psychology of a pandemic: Dr. Steven Taylor
Psychologist and author Dr. Steven Taylor has been studying the psychological footprint of pandemics and sees strong parallels between the Spanish flu from 100 years ago and COVID-19 today. Dr. Taylor shares his insights on ...
Episode 41
Playing big with Tara Mohr
Tara Mohr is a groundbreaking women’s leadership expert, certified coach and the celebrated author of “Playing Big”. Her work has been featured on Oprah.com, Goop and in the New York Times. Tara shares ...
Episode 40
The 4 things you need to know this flu season: Dr. Nowak
Between the flu and COVID-19, Canadians will be hit by a double wave this fall. Dr. Dominik Nowak is a national leader in primary care and health strategy and lead physician for the TELUS Medical Advisory Council.
Season two
Episode 37
Finding the high notes: Ambur Braid
Soprano Ambur Braid wants you to remember how music can take you to a better place when everything feels terrible. Tamara talks to Ambur about her small town roots and why opera should be in our pandemic self-care kit.
Episode 36
Dear Canadians: Katherine Lou & Aysha Emmerson
A group of Harvard students have created a new online community called Dear Canada that connects people of all ages across the country with virtual postcards.
Episode 35
Disabling ableism: Judith Heumann
Judith Heumann is an internationally-recognized author and leader in the Disability Rights movement. She served in both the Clinton and Obama administrations and was a key figure in the Netflix documentary Crip Camp.
Episode 34
Two hearts in the ice: Hilde and Sunniva
For almost a year, Hilde Fålun Strøm and Sunniva Sorby have lived in a tiny hunter’s cabin in the high Arctic, with no running water or electricity, and with polar bears as their nearest neighbours but it’s all in an effort to raise awareness for climate change.
Episode 33
Good grief: Claire Bidwell Smith
Never before have so many of us experienced so much uncertainty, loss, and grief all at the same time. We can grieve when we lose a loved one, but we can also grieve the loss of a job, a plan or a way of life.
Episode 32
Making space for Indigenous voices: Chastity Davis
As the social justice movement gains enormous traction, Canadians are reflecting on the racism experienced by Indigenous Peoples across the country. Chastity Davis has extensive experience acting as an empathetic and ...
Episode 31
Unpacking racial injustice: Cicely Belle Blain
George Floyd’s death sparked worldwide protests and fuelled open conversations about systemic racism and white privilege. Vancouver-based diversity and inclusion consultant Cicely Belle Blain unpacks how the social justice ...
Episode 30
Pride and persecution: David France
In Chechnya, an estimated 40,000 LGBTQ+ people are living in fear of being discovered, tortured and killed, just for being who they are. A group of Russian activists are risking their lives creating a network of safehouses to ...
Season one
Episode 27
The new economic normal: Perrin Beatty
COVID-19 has had a profound impact on the global economy. Everyone is feeling the effects - from families, to small businesses, to big companies. The Honourable Perrin Beatty is CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce ...
Episode 26
Don’t wear other people’s problems: Dr. Diane McIntosh
We’re four months into this pandemic, and our mental health is being pushed to the limits in new ways. It’s getting harder to stick with the routines and behaviours that keep us stable, and tense conversations ...
Episode 25
Entrepreneurs becoming technologists: Lane Merrifield
COVID is turning regular business owners into skilled technologists, as the digital wave continues to change how we live and consume. CBC Dragon, tech entrepreneur and Club Penguin creator, Lane Merrifield talks ...
Episode 24
Beyond the health headlines: André Picard
Are you sifting through COVID-19 articles to get to the right info? For award-winning health reporter and columnist for the Globe and Mail, André Picard, there may be an abundance of headlines on the pandemic ...
Episode 23
The clash of two impossible gender standards: Brigid Schulte
Traditional gender expectations remain largely unchanged, decades after women entered the workplace in droves, and it’s not fair for anyone. Brigid Schulte, author of Overwhelmed: How to Work, Love and Play When No One Has the Time ...
Episode 22
Exploring the science of fear: Eva Holland
In this episode, Tamara sits down with Eva Holland, the author of Nerve: A Personal Journey Through the Science of Fear. Eva talks about the lessons she learned from facing her own fears, where phobias come from, ...
Episode 21
Perfect parenting is not the goal: Dr. Ross Greene
In this episode, Tamara sits down with child psychologist and best-selling author, Dr. Ross Greene, to talk about parenting during the pandemic. Dr. Greene explains that even though being a parent while we’re physically ...
Episode 20
Your body and mind are connected: Dr. Gabor Maté
In this episode, Tamara sits down with Dr. Gabor Maté, renowned speaker, best-selling author and retired physician with extensive expertise in addiction, stress and childhood development. Dr. Maté explains ...
Episode 19
Rethinking how children learn: Dr. Elka Walsh
In this episode Tamara Taggart sits down with Dr. Elka Walsh, a leader in education and the President & CEO at UDiscover Learning Inc. Dr. Walsh draws on her over 20 years of experience as an educator to talk about ...
Episode 18
Designing your life: Bill Burnett and Dave Evans
In this episode, Tamara sits down with Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, authors of the #1 New York Times Best Seller, Designing Your Life. They talk with Tamara about how we can use design thinking principles to ...
Episode 17
Practicing preventative health in isolation: Dr. Maryam Zeineddin
In this episode, Tamara sits down with Dr. Maryam Zeineddin, a family physician with particular interest in preventative health and lifestyle counselling. Maryam demonstrates the importance of mental health in ...
Episode 16
Virtual healthcare is a game changer: Juggy Sihota
The role of virtual healthcare has become increasingly important in recent months and in this episode, Tamara sits down with Juggy Sihota, Vice-president of Consumer Health at TELUS, to talk about how it’s changing the ...
Episode 15
How isolation is affecting victims of abuse: Battered Women’s Support Services
In this episode, Tamara sits down with Angela Marie MacDougall, the Executive Director at Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS), an organization that provides education, advocacy and support to assist people leaving abusive relationships ...
Episode 14
Getting comfortable with uncertainty: Dr. Joshua Tepper
In this episode, Tamara sits down with Dr. Joshua Tepper, family physician, and President and CEO of North York General Hospital in Toronto. Dr. Tepper pulls from his extensive medical background and on-the-ground ...
Episode 13
Answering the call: Kids Help Phone
In this episode, Tamara sits down with Alisa Simon from Kids Help Phone to talk about how young people are coping with social distancing and isolation. The demand for professional counselling has grown exponentially ...
Episode 12
What social isolation can do to your brain: Dr. Olav Krigolson
In this episode, Tamara sits down with Dr. Olav Krigolson, a neuroscientist who specializes in human learning and decision-making. Dr. Krigolson uses research to explain the effects of social isolation on our brains ...
Episode 11
Caring for our most vulnerable: Joy Bowen-Eyre
In this episode, Tamara sits down with Joy Bowen-Eyre, the CEO of The Alex, a non-profit organization in Calgary that delivers health and social services to vulnerable communities. Joy and Tamara talk about how the not-for-profit sector ...
Episode 10
Embracing everyday moments: Kelle Hampton
In this episode, Tamara sits down with Kelle Hampton, New York Times best-selling author and lifestyle blogger, who writes about enjoying the simple things in life as she raises three kids. Kelle reminds us to recognize ...
Episode 9
Finding comfort through books: Ariel Bissett
In this episode, Tamara sits down with Canadian YouTube sensation, Ariel Bissett. With over 170,000 followers, Ariel is a reader, writer and filmmaker, recommending books to the masses and interviewing notable ...
Episode 8
Keep your phone clean: Patrick O’Rourke
Over the past few weeks, we’ve heard over and over again about the importance of washing our hands, but what about our phones? In this episode, Tamara sits down with Managing Editor of MobileSyrup ...
Episode 7
Flattening the curve: Dr. Bonnie Henry
In this episode, Tamara sits down with B.C. Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, to update Canadians on the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Henry emphasizes the continued importance of physical distancing, what we can do to ...
Episode 6
Finding your why when surrounded by change: Arlene Dickinson
In this episode, Tamara Taggart sits down with respected entrepreneur and best-selling author Arlene Dickinson. Known for her roles on Dragons’ Den and the TELUS Pitch, Arlene shares advice to new and veteran ...
Episode 5
How to take smart risks with your money: Maili Wong
In this episode, Tamara Taggart sits down with financial advisor and best-selling author, Maili Wong, to talk about financial health in a time of crisis. Maili compares the current economic climate with financial crises ...
Episode 4
Finding the new balance with food: Desiree Nielsen
In this episode, Tamara Taggart sits down with Desiree Nielsen, a registered dietician, published author and television host. Desiree tells us how to keep food simple during quarantine, what we can eat to support ...
Episode 3
We’ll get through this as a team: Hayley Wickenheiser
In this episode, Tamara Taggart sits down with Hayley Wickenheiser, a Canadian icon and sports legend. Her Olympic career spanned over two decades, earning her five Olympic medals. Now, she’s in her final year of medical school ...
Meet your host
Tamara Taggart is a community leader, activist, veteran broadcaster, cancer survivor, mother, and former candidate in the 2019 Canadian election. She has over 30 years of broadcasting experience that spans across television, radio and digital media. She’s also an avid volunteer, having focused two decades’ of efforts to causes close to her heart.
Now, she brings her extensive broadcasting experience and passion for people to the role of host for the TELUS Talks with Tamara Taggart podcast.
How to listen
TELUS Talks with Tamara Taggart is available wherever you get your podcasts. Follow the links below to listen and subscribe.