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 nine

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 ...

Episode 144

How to make friends as an adult: Dr. Miriam Kirmayer

Clinical psychologist Dr. Miriam Kirmayer is passionate about helping people build stronger, healthier social connections. One of the only licenced clinical psychologists to specialize in ...

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 ...

Episode 117

Voice of a warrior rising: Brandi Morin

Over the past decade, award-winning reporter Brandi Morin has been sharing stories from the frontlines of Indigenous issues, helping to spark change and Reconciliation. The self-described justice journalist and author of Our Voice of Fire ...

Episode 116

21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act: Bob Joseph

Since its creation in 1876, the Indian Act in Canada has shaped, controlled, and constrained the lives and opportunities of Indigenous Peoples and is at the root of systemic racism in this country ...

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 ...

Episode 97

Closing the gaps in elder care: Dr. Joy Masuhara

Even before COVID-19, older adults in Canada faced higher rates of depression, isolation and loneliness. This week, Tamara speaks with Dr. Joy Masuhara, an LGBTQ+ trailblazer and family physician with Vancouver Coastal Health ...

Episode 96

The Juggling Mother: Amanda D. Watson

There’s the perfectly Instagrammable version of motherhood, and then there’s the reality of what that drive to be perfect does to a woman’s mental health. In this episode, Tamara engages Amanda D. Watson, bestselling author and lecturer, in ...

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 ...

Episode 82

Living in a stigma-free society: Andrea Paquette

Andrea Paquette founded the Stigma-Free Society in 2010 after being hospitalized for bipolar disorder and losing her home. She was hoping to address the significant stigma around mental illness, and created customized workshops ...

Episode 81

Ask your doctor about social prescribing: Dr. Dominik Nowak

Dr. Dominik Nowak joins us again to talk about how “social prescribing” can complement medical treatment and help provide better health outcomes for everyone. Social prescribing addresses ...

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 ...

Episode 69

Turning medical facts into compelling fiction: Daniel Kalla

When Dr. Daniel Kalla isn’t leading the emergency department at Vancouver’s St. Paul’s Hospital, he pens best-selling thrillers that take us behind the curtain of global medicine. His new novel, Lost Immunity, arrives at just ...

Episode 68

The power of female friendship: Kayleen Schaefer

We’re over a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, and we’re all missing our friends. Journalist and author Kayleen Schaefer has written two books about the power of female friendship, and she joins Tamara to talk about how women can ...

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 ...

Episode 52

Bringing healthcare to the streets: Dr. Boozary

Across the country, homeless and at-risk Canadians suffer from limited access and other socioeconomic barriers to healthcare. But mobile health clinics are changing that, bringing healthcare right into a patient's neighbourhood ...

Episode 51

Delete your diet: Abby Langer

Registered Dietician and author of Good Food, Bad Diet, Abby Langer has made it her life’s mission to debunk fad diets. For more than 20 years she’s watched people struggle with food and their bodies. Her new book examines ...

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.

Episode 39

Raising good digital citizens: Dr. Craig & Matthew Johnson

Dr. Wendy Craig, head of Psychology at Queen’s university, and Matthew Johnson, Director of Education for MediaSmarts, share their media literacy and anti-cyberbullying expertise with parents.

Episode 38

Social media’s dark cloud, with Carol Todd

Eight years ago, Carol Todd’s 15-year-old daughter Amanda took her own life after suffering through cyberbullying and sexual harassment. From this unthinkable tragedy, Carol found she could help others by sharing Amanda’s story.

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 ...

Episode 29

The virus we should have seen coming: Dr. Osterholm

Experts knew it wasn’t a matter of if, but when a deadly virus like COVID-19 would hit. Dr. Michael Osterholm, Director of the Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota ...

Episode 28

How restaurants are fighting to survive

Restaurants are part of the social fabric to many communities and give cities their unique personalities. But across the country, few industries have been hit harder by COVID-19 than hospitality. Restaurants are vital ...

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 ...

Episode 2

What we can learn from facing our fears: Leisse Wilcox

The COVID-19 pandemic has rattled many of us as we struggle to adapt to a fast-changing world. For Leisse Wilcox, there is familiarity amid the uncertainty. Just last year, the Toronto-based entrepreneur ...

Episode 1

Your mental and physical well-being during COVID-19: Dr. Diane McIntosh

On this first episode of TELUS Talks Health, Dr. Diane McIntosh, TELUS’ Chief Neuroscience Officer, gives practical advice on how Canadians can best manage their mental and physical well-being during ...

 

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.