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  • The Benefits of Cannabis with Dr. Rob Sealey

    The Benefits of Cannabis with Dr. Rob Sealey
    2023/10/31
    Melanie Nicholson welcomes Dr. Rob Sealey, Cannabinoid Medicine Specialist, to the show to discuss the benefits of cannabis in a medical use capacity. Dr. Sealey breaks down misinformation and differentiates between recreational and medicinal cannabis use for listeners. Dr. Sealey recounts how he was initially a GP but found his way into cannabinoid medicine through the encouragement of a particularly challenging patient who wanted to be the first to use cannabis medically in 2001. Through his experience advocating for her, everything he learned about cannabis and the benefits he witnessed in his cannabinoid patients, he eventually  left his family practice to focus on cannabinoid medicine full time. Dr. Sealey explains how cannabis can work with the body’s endocannabinoid system to help with receptors otherwise overloaded or unresponsive, thus shutting down pain from various ailments. He clarifies the many differences between rfull-timeecreational cannabis and medical cannabis and discusses how cannabinoid medicine can assist with arthritis, chronic pain, epilepsy, and a host of other issues. He is informative and passionate about how far research into cannabis can go in helping people manage pain.“And we're starting to look at the endocannabinoid system, when it breaks down, it's implicated in fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, PTSD, asthma, osteoporosis... The list is going on and on. We're finding out that the missing link of why we're unable to manage a lot of these conditions is endocannabinoid dysfunction. It just goes haywire or it gets depleted. And that's why the opportunity to use cannabis in a variety of conditions is there.” - Dr. Rob SealeyAbout Dr. Rob SealeyBorn in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Dr. Robert Sealey, B.Sc, M.D, attended the University of Nebraska on an athletic scholarship where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He then returned home to complete his medical degree at the University of Saskatchewan followed by a rotating internship in Akron, Ohio.Since 1991, Dr. Sealey has had a full service family practice including hospital and long term care facilities in Victoria, British Columbia. Besides his work in General Practice, he has volunteered his services around the world including South Africa, Kenya, Vanuatu (South Pacific) and the Dominican Republic. He was also co-host of the nationally syndicated radio program “WiseQuacks” for over eight years. As an active member of the peer sharing group Physicians for Medicinal Cannabis along with the Canadian Consortium for the Investigation of Cannabinoids, the International Cannabinoid Research Society and the International Association for Cannabis, Dr. Sealey has been involved in both the clinical and research aspects of Medical Cannabis since 2001.With this background, he is acknowledged as an expert in cannabinoid medicine and accepts referrals from other physician colleagues including general practitioners, nurse practitioners, pediatricians, nephrologists, cardiologists, gastroenterologists, respirologists, oncologists, neurologists, rheumatologists, physiatrists, orthopedic surgeons, pain specialists, addictionologists, psychiatrists and geriatricians. As well, sensing a void in knowledge among his peers regarding the use of Medical Cannabis in clinical practice, Dr. Sealey has travelled extensively around the world as one of the few instructors in this field of medicine. With the legalization of recreational marijuana across Canada in 2018, he is also an invited keynote speaker at public and professional events for his opinion on the potential implications of this ground breaking decision.Dr. Sealey resides in Victoria with his wife Lana.__Contact Melanie Nicholson | Melanie Lynn Communications Inc. Website: MelanieLynnCommunications.comInstagram: MLCSocialTwitter: MLCSocialFacebook: MLCSocialEmail: info@melanielynncommunications.comContact Dr. Rob SealeyWebsite: DrSealey.com__TranscriptMelanie Nicholson: [00:00:03] Hey, everyone, and welcome to It's A Theory. I'm Melanie Nicholson, and I'm taking you inside the world of leaders and entrepreneurs who are taking ideas and concepts and putting them into action. What really happened when they put theory into practice? Today we're talking about medical cannabis as a method of harm reduction with Dr. Rob Sealey. Harm reduction is an evidence-based strategy focused on safer use or managed use of drugs or substances, meeting people where they're at and not necessarily requiring people to completely stop using a substance. Dr. Sealey has been involved in both the clinical and research aspects of medical cannabis as a substitute for opioids and other substances since 2001. He's a big advocate in tackling misinformation regarding medical cannabis in clinical practice, and he currently practices in Victoria, BC on Vancouver Island. Let's chat with Dr. Sealey. Thank you for joining me today, Rob. I want to start with a bit of your background. ...
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    34 分
  • Solving the Crisis of Homelessness with Sandra Clarkson

    Solving the Crisis of Homelessness with Sandra Clarkson
    2023/10/24
    Melanie Nicholson addresses the big topic of homelessness with guest Sandra Clarkson, Executive Director of the Calgary Drop-In Centre, in this episode. Sandra is focused on creating opportunities for long-term systemic improvements for Canadians in need, and paints a clear picture of what is being done and why so much more is needed. Sandra started her career in the nonprofit sector doing frontline work with sexually exploited minors which made her realized she loved working with vulnerable populations. That led to a journey of working with issues of homelessness and marginalized populations throughout Canada and the US before starting her own consulting company and eventually winding up at the Drop-In Centre. Sandra is very clear that there is no one type of person experiencing homelessness. She describes people from 18 to 90 years of age, women, men, non-binary, Indigenous, refugees, and so many more, all people who access the DI’s services with various needs. What Sandra provides Melanie is a very thorough picture of what housing means to homeless individuals, how the right house is as important as just having a house, the importance of interconnected support systems, and what everyone can do immediately to start viewing affordable housing and homeless individuals as neighbors instead of ‘other’. It’s a vital conversation on shifting the homeless dynamic of our cities.“You know, we hear a lot of talk and words around inclusive communities and community for all. They're really just words, I think, when you look at the amount of nimbyism that comes up for any development that even mentions affordable housing. There's so much stigmatization and mythology, quite frankly, around who needs affordable housing and what what affordable housing would bring to a community. And I think what we really need to focus on is moving from nimby to yimby so that communities are saying, Yes, in my backyard. We want to have diverse socioeconomic statuses in our neighborhood. We want people of all shapes and sizes and abilities in our neighborhood.” - Sandra ClarksonAbout Sandra ClarksonSandra Clarkson is the Executive Director of the Calgary Drop-In Centre. With 25 years of experience working with vulnerable populations, Sandra brings a wealth of experience as an advocate for marginalized Canadians, a champion of community collaboration, and an expert in operational excellence. Sandra’s vision is to create opportunities that result in long-term systemic improvements for citizens in need. In addition to serving on several non-profit boards, Sandra has provided strategic planning, assessment and other management consulting services to non-profits through her own business, MSH Strategies Inc.Resources mentioned in this episode:Calgary Drop-In Centre__Contact Melanie Nicholson | Melanie Lynn Communications Inc. Website: MelanieLynnCommunications.comInstagram: MLCSocialTwitter: MLCSocialFacebook: MLCSocialEmail: info@melanielynncommunications.comContact Sandra ClarksonLinkedIn__TranscriptMelanie Nicholson: [00:00:03] Welcome to It's a Theory. I'm your host, Melanie Nicholson, and today is a big topic. We are talking about the theory behind ending chronic homelessness in a city. Sandra Clarkson has been with the Calgary Drop-In Center since January 2017 and is committed to ending chronic homelessness in the city through the power of collaboration, transparency and accountability. Sandra is also co-chair of the Canadian Shelter Transformation Network with a focus on propelling the movement to housing-focused emergency shelters as the standard for front-line homeless service across Canada. Above all, she's focused on creating opportunities that result in long-term systemic improvements for citizens in need. Sandra has a theory and a clear vision of where communities can go when we're talking about housing-focused emergency shelters. We get really candid and frank about this issue, and it really demonstrates what can happen when you put theory into practice. Let's talk. Melanie Nicholson: [00:01:05] Sandra, welcome to the podcast. Sandra Clarkson: [00:01:07] Thank you. I'm happy to be here. Melanie Nicholson: [00:01:10] I'm really excited for this conversation. I think it's such an important conversation to have and I want to start a bit with your story so people who don't know you, how did you end up at the Drop In Center Calgary? Everyone knows it as the DI but for people listening outside of Calgary, how did you get there? Sandra Clarkson: [00:01:28] Well, it was a long journey. You know, I started my career in the nonprofit sector as doing frontline work with sexually exploited teens or minors. And that was really kind of my first foray into frontline work and exposure to, you know, working with really vulnerable populations and absolutely loved it. And then I ended up leaving that work and joining a group of anonymous donors that were granting their funds throughout Western Canada and the Midwest, US. ...
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    29 分
  • Repairing Workplace Culture with Michael Sondermann

    Repairing Workplace Culture with Michael Sondermann
    2023/10/17
    Melanie Nicholson welcomes workplace investigator, educator, and trainer Michael Sondermann to the show to talk about repairing toxic workplace culture. Michael has more than 20 years of senior management experience and he helps organizations identify, investigate, and respond to workplace conflict. He discusses what that looks like. Michael Sondermann identifies toxic workplace cultures as being dysfunctional, containing harassment, abusive, and unethical but also points out that a place does not create the culture, the people do. A workplace culture is the collective behaviors of individuals in an organization. He describes to Melanie how that guides his work in repairing the environment. Everyone has to be involved in identifying the root causes of the toxicity. It can often be from the top, the leadership level, but that isn’t always the case. Michael investigates all aspects of a workplace culture, from the public-facing sides to the interactions nobody else ever sees, and then works to get everyone communicating and creating solutions. This conversation is a valuable aspect of toxic workplaces that is often overlooked when addressing the identification of toxicity - namely, what happens next? How can that toxicity and negativity be repaired? “I think there's a way that you go and you resolve all of your problems, but it requires a lot of trust and faith in each other in an organization to do it. And one of the major ways that you do it is you put aside those prototypical job expectations that don't exist on paper in your job description. So no one at a company is expecting a boss to be a bulletproof, genius, ascendant, flawless human being. No one expects their boss to know everything. So get rid of that. Open yourself up to the possibility that you have created some things or done some things that have prevented your organization from being where you want it to be. And then open up and ask the people in your place what the problems are. And more valuably, ask how they can be repaired.” - Michael SondermannAbout Michael SondermannMichael Sondermann is a dynamic leader with more than 20 years of senior management experience in law, business and higher education.As a partner at Method Workplace Investigations, Michael helps organizations identify, investigate and respond to workplace conflict. With a people-first approach to health, safety and wellness, he works to empower employers with the training and tools they need to effectively investigate and resolve workplace issues that affect their business.Michael has spent over a decade in a variety of strategic leadership roles at higher education institutions. From Legal and Risk Management Coordinator to Associate Registrar and Director of Student Services, he focused on developing an empowered and respectful workplace by conducting more than 400 investigations of student and staff conduct. During this time, he also restructured and improved policies and procedures, and led several committees to achieving success on a myriad of complex issues.__Resources mentioned in this episode:"Trauma-Informed Care in the Workplace with Jennifer Berard"__Contact Melanie Nicholson | Melanie Lynn Communications Inc. Website: MelanieLynnCommunications.comInstagram: MLCSocialTwitter: MLCSocialFacebook: MLCSocialEmail: info@melanielynncommunications.comContact Michael SondermannMichael Sondermann on LinkedInMethod Workplace Investigation Law__TranscriptMelanie Nicholson: [00:00:03] Hey, everyone, and welcome to It's a Theory. I'm your host, Melanie Nicholson and today we're talking about repairing broken workplace cultures. There has been so much conversation around toxic workplaces, bullying, harassment at work and more. So somewhere is identified as toxic. Great. Well, then what? What happens to actually deal with the problem? Today we're talking with Michael Sondermann. Michael is a dynamic leader with more than 20 years of senior management experience in human resources, law, business, and higher education. As a workplace investigator, he’s helped organizations identify, investigate and respond to workplace conflict. Michael is currently the manager of human relations at the Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service. And while this conversation does stand on its own, I really encourage you to also listen to our chat with psychologist Jennifer Berard where we talk about the impact of trauma at work and the opportunity for employers to be more trauma-informed. These two episodes together are invaluable for anyone who has a team of people that they're responsible for. Today, Michael is sharing more about what it's like to walk back into a broken work environment and how they work to slowly put things back together. Let's dive in. Melanie Nicholson: [00:01:28] Michael, welcome to the podcast. Thanks for being here today. Michael Sondermann: [00:01:32] Thanks for having me, Mel. Melanie Nicholson: [00:01:33] This is an interesting topic, and I've always been ...
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    38 分
  • Thriving During Trying Times as a Doula with Lindsey Bowns

    Thriving During Trying Times as a Doula with Lindsey Bowns
    2023/10/10
    Melanie Nicholson is joined by Lindsey Bowns, owner of Adora Birth + Wellness and a certified doula, to talk about exactly what a doula is and what a doula does. Lindsey explains the original theory behind being a doula and why having one can be so helpful, as well as how she made her business thrive during the pandemic.Lindsey did not start her career in anything related to birth, she started in marketing for research and development. When she had a doula for her own birth, however, it was so impactful that, combined with the physiology and psychology knowledge she gained about birth, it moved her to change careers. Lindsey and Melanie discuss the impact having a doula can make, including reduction in caesareans, and how the information they give can help cut through all the conflicting pieces of advice available. Lindsey understands what is needed in a birthing situation, the emotional safety required as well as the physical safety, and throughout the conversation, a greater understanding and admiration for the work of doulas is fostered.“You know, even we as doulas say and feel that we need to be doula'd through things because when you are in the medical world and when you are mired in the feelings that come with all these big changes that are happening to you or to your person or to your family, you get so deep in the emotional side and thinking about how it's going to change your life that it can be really hard to navigate. So to have a person in your scenario who can be a guidepost as to making care decisions, knowing all your options, presenting you with additional information that could improve things, I would highly recommend taking advantage of that in whatever form you can access it.” - Lindsey BownsAbout Lindsey BownsLindsey Bowns is a Certified Doula and Birth Photographer in Calgary. She's also a girl-mom, a self-proclaimed sour candy sommelier, and a sweat-enthusiast. Need proof? She wore running shoes during her own labor, WITH her hospital gown! Her excitement about birth, parenthood, and genuine friendships led her to doula work in 2019. Her modern, judgement-free outlook makes her feel like a safe place to land as your friend who is cool with discussing placentas during pedicures and breastfeeding over brunch.—Contact Melanie Nicholson | Melanie Lynn Communications Inc. Website: MelanieLynnCommunications.comInstagram: MLCSocialTwitter: MLCSocialFacebook: MLCSocialEmail: info@melanielynncommunications.comContact Lindsey Bowns | Adora Birth + WellnessWebsiteInstagramTwitterLinkedInFacebook__TranscriptMelanie Nicholson: [00:00:03] Welcome to It's a Theory. I'm your host, Melanie Nicholson, and I love hearing about entrepreneurs who are not only building a business, but also making waves in an industry as well. Which is why I wanted to talk to Lindsey Bowns, the owner of Adora Birth and Wellness. Lindsey is a certified doula and birth photographer in Calgary. She's also a girl mom, a self-proclaimed sour candy sommelier and a sweat enthusiast. Need proof? She wore running shoes during her own labor with her hospital gown. Lindsey's excitement about birth, parenthood and genuine friendships led her to doula work in 2019. She's built a massive following on Instagram with a modern judgment-free approach to birth and babies and the whole space. Today, we're diving into the original theory behind being a doula. Why it matters and how Lindsey's working to change the game, all through a pandemic, no less. Let's talk. Uh, Lindsey, welcome to the podcast. Lindsey Bowns: [00:01:07] Thank you. I'm so excited to be here. Melanie Nicholson: [00:01:09] I'm so excited to have you here. I have known Lindsey a very long time. We'll tell you a bit about our cross-parallel stories as we go through this conversation. I want to start, we're talking about the theory behind being a doula, why it matters, some of the work Lindsey's done there. But I do want to start, for people who do not know, what is a doula? Especially when you think about doulas and midwives and the different pregnant support people. What is a doula? Lindsey Bowns: [00:01:39] In its simplest form, the word doula is of Greek origin and it means one who serves or a woman who serves, so in the context of birth and postpartum, now, obviously that can cover a wide range of topics, and so I like to relate it back to being like a concierge, for myself, more so birth, pregnancy and birth, providing information, providing referrals to practitioners, suggesting things to buy or not buy, helping you with decision making, anything that is feeling mentally taxing on you during your pregnancy or birth experience is something that I would be able to help you with. Melanie Nicholson: [00:02:19] How did you get there? You were in marketing? Lindsey Bowns: [00:02:22] I was. Melanie Nicholson: [00:02:23] In post-secondary, in research and development. How do you go from that space to being a doula? Lindsey Bowns: [00:02:30] Yeah...
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    24 分
  • Setting Up Families For Success with Krista Flint

    Setting Up Families For Success with Krista Flint
    2023/10/03
    Krista Flint, Executive Director of Highbanks Society, joins host Melanie Nicholson to talk about how organizations can break the cycle of trauma. Krista speaks about how the research-based model of Highbanks works through education, community support, and the deep dive of staff members in supporting young mothers.Krista notes that Highbanks Society operates differently from traditional nonprofits in the sector due in part to the deep dive of ongoing involvement in family care. Education is a focus in Highbanks because they are ultimately working to break the cycle of trauma and poverty for future generations. Krista and Melanie discuss how Highbanks’ focus on research and academic undergirding gives a very real learning base from which to pivot their model if change is needed. They address how breaking the cycle is effective, the fundraising that Krista spearheads to maintain Highbanks, how leaders who hire for brilliance in others realize success, and the ways in which Krista envisions Highbanks growing. This conversation illuminates how a community-minded approach to support and education with young families can break cycles of trauma and give fresh starts to those in need.“Many of our families come from, you know, situations where there is no consistency, there is no predictability. And so the very sort of bottom line of our model is the provision of emotionally corrective experiences in real-time. So consistency, predictability, those are important. … What happens is it's that daily provision of those experiences.” - Krista FlintAbout Krista FlintKrista Flint has spent 25 years in the field of asset-based community development and non-profit culture. She is a mom, an advocate, a writer, and a thankful participant in the non-profit community in Canada. She has served as  Executive Director at The Canadian Down Syndrome Society and at Calgary Alternative Support Services, and as Manager of Social Marketing at The Developmental Disabilities Resource Centre.Krista has extensive experience in curriculum creation and facilitation and has created models and workshops for training in the areas of Social Marketing, Social Justice, New Parent Training, and the Power Differential Evidenced in Paid Service Delivery Models.Krista has worked with non-profit organizations across North America to help them create strategic plans, conceptualize civic and economic goals, and has become innately successful uncovering and illuminating the social capital that exists in human service when combined with a compelling narrative.  She is widely published in the non-profit and mainstream literature, and is a founding member of The Belonging Initiative, a pan-Canadian initiative, which seeks to eliminate isolation and loneliness in the lives of Canadians who are often marginalized and face systemic barriers to an authentic community life.Krista has 3 “grownish” boys Oliver, Simon and Charlie – she believes they are the most creative thing she has ever done. She loves watching them blossom into citizens who understand their responsibility to each other, to their communities and to the world at large.__Contact Melanie Nicholson | Melanie Lynn Communications Inc. Website: MelanieLynnCommunications.comInstagram: MLCSocialTwitter: MLCSocialFacebook: MLCSocialEmail: info@melanielynncommunications.comContact Krista FlintKrista Flint on LinkedInHighbanks SocietyHighbanks Society on InstagramCanadian Down Syndrome Society__TranscriptMelanie Nicholson: [00:00:03] Hey, everyone, and welcome to It's a Theory. I'm Melanie Nicholson, and I'm taking you inside the world of leaders and entrepreneurs who are taking ideas and concepts and putting them into action. What really happened when they put theory into practice? Let's find out. Today we're talking everything from failing fast to staying motivated through periods of growth and transformation. Our guest today is Krista Flint, the executive director of the Highbanks Society. Krista has spent 25 years in the field of asset-based community development and nonprofit culture. She's a mom, an advocate, a writer, and a thankful participant in the nonprofit community in Canada. She has served as executive director at the Canadian Down Syndrome Society and at Calgary Alternative Support Services and as manager of social marketing at the Developmental Disabilities Resource Center. Krista has extensive experience in curriculum creation and facilitation and has created models and workshops for training in the areas of social marketing, social justice, new parent training and the power differential evidenced in paid service delivery models. Krista has worked with nonprofits across North America to help them create strategic plans, conceptualize civic and economic goals, and has become innately successful in covering and illuminating the social capital that exists in human service when combined with a compelling narrative. She is widely published in the nonprofit and mainstream ...
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    27 分
  • Unifying Corporate and Indigenous Culture with Colby Delorme

    Unifying Corporate and Indigenous Culture with Colby Delorme
    2023/09/26
    Melanie Nicholson welcomes Colby Delorme, president of the Imagination Group of Companies and co-founder of Influence Mentoring Society, into a conversation about Indigenous inclusion into business. Melanie and Colby discuss unifying Canada with Indigenous history and culture, how corporations can take the lead, and the differences between equity and equality. Colby Delorme has twenty-eight years of experience in business and, as a Metis person, a personal viewpoint on Indigeneity and inclusion. He addresses Truth and Reconciliation with the idea that many people think the truth part is over when all groups and people are at different stages of truth-telling and many are floundering on reconciliation. Colby and Melanie explore how corporations can include Indigenous people, communities, and businesses into company policies and procedures, how Canada as a whole is not unified and interested in its Indigenous history, and why none of us should wait for a government-led reconciliation effort. It’s an important, and ongoing, conversation that everyone should be part of.“I think Canada would be better positioned to do the work we're doing today if as a nation we were proud of our Indigenous heritage. I think the problem that we have is that in Canada we believe that we are a free country, we are a leader in the world of representing how good a country can be or is. And we haven't been honest with ourselves in understanding our own heritage and our own history and being able to come to grips with the fact that some of these atrocities that have occurred here, we actually taught other countries how to do it. And I think that has put this really difficult barrier in us being able to say, Well, who are we?” - Colby DelormeAbout Colby DelormeMr. Delorme has built multiple businesses and is currently president of Imagination Group of Companies. Mr. Delorme’s experience has spanned the construction industry, brand development and marketing, a certification practice, franchise development, tobacco manufacturing, and business consulting. Mr. Delorme is also a celebrated industry leader; in 2010, he was inducted into the Calgary Top 40 Under 40 and won the Big Idea 2. In 2014, Mr. Delorme received the Dr. Douglas Cardinal Award from the University of Calgary. He has a long and varied career in not-for-profit and corporate governance, sitting on many boards over the past 15 years. His latest venture has been co-founding Influence Mentoring Society, a non-profit focused on creating mentoring relationships for post-secondary Indigenous students. Mr. Delorme holds an Institute of Corporate Directors Designation from the Rotman School of Management and was recently awarded the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee award in Alberta. He remains passionate about creating new and sustainable opportunities in business and for Indigenous peoples.—Resources discussed in this episode:Truth and Reconciliation Commission of CanadaCanadian Council for Aboriginal BusinessEquity vs. Equality cartoon__Contact Melanie Nicholson | Melanie Lynn Communications Inc. Website: MelanieLynnCommunications.comInstagram: MLCSocialTwitter: MLCSocialFacebook: MLCSocialEmail: info@melanielynncommunications.comContact Colby Delorme | Influence Mentoring SocietyInfluence Mentoring Society websiteImagination Consulting websiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitter__ TranscriptMelanie Nicholson: [00:00:03] Hey, I'm Melanie Nicholson and welcome to It's a Theory. This is such an important conversation we're having today. We're talking with Colby Delorme, the president of Imagination Group of companies and the co-founder of Influence Mentoring Society. Colby's experience has spanned the construction industry, brand development and marketing, a certification practice, franchise development, tobacco manufacturing and business consulting. Colby is a celebrated industry leader. In 2010, he was inducted into the Calgary Top 40 Under 40 and won The Big Idea Two. In 2014, he received the Dr. Douglas Cardinal Award from the University of Calgary. He has a long and varied career in not-for-profit and corporate governance, sitting on many boards in the past 15 years. Colby co-founded Influence Mentoring Society, a nonprofit focused on creating mentorship opportunities and relationships for post-secondary Indigenous students. He holds an Institute of Corporate Directors designation from the Rotman School of Management and was recently awarded the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Award in Alberta. Colby is passionate about creating new and sustainable opportunities in business for Indigenous peoples, and I am excited to dive into the theory behind incorporating Indigenous culture and learnings into a corporate culture with Colby. How does it work? Is it actually working and what can companies do to move their way forward into an Indigenous space? This is a must-listen-to conversation for HR professionals and managers who are really working to gain a better understanding of how...
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    39 分
  • Diversifying Arts and Culture with Alex Sarian

    Diversifying Arts and Culture with Alex Sarian
    2023/09/19
    Melanie Nicholson welcomes President and CEO of Arts Commons in Calgary, Alex Sarian, to the show for a conversation around building community and ensuring diversity in arts programming. Alex is dedicated to ensuring that all communities and audiences find connections that matter to them in the arts.Shortly upon arriving in Calgary, Alex Sarian realized that the city boasts a truly diverse array of communities but that many of those communities were not attending Arts Commons events. He asked the question of how Arts Commons could engage those communities in cultural experiences that aligned with their definition of their cultural identity. This is the foundation of what drives diversifying the arts, according to Alex: asking the right questions and living in that question. Alex and Melanie discuss the opportunities that Covid created, how programming can be inspired by engagement with external community artists, who is coming to arts events, and why Alex considers that audience perception may outweigh artist intent where performing arts centers are concerned. Join Melanie for an inspiring look into Arts Commons and the arts community she fervently supports. “... So on the one hand, it's managing expectations and saying what worked in New York is not going to work in Calgary. And just because we had the answers in New York doesn't mean we're going to have the answers in Calgary. But what we do know how to do is how to ask different questions. So if we can ask different questions and surround ourselves with the right people, and if we're open to what the possibility of the answer to that question might look like, then we will truly figure out a way for Calgary to develop its own approach to engaging more people.” - Alex SarianAbout Alex SarianFrom Buenos Aires to Shanghai to New York City, Alex has worked with artists and arts organizations in fifteen countries spanning five continents. As an executive, he spent the past seven years at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, where—most recently—he led the institution’s grant-making, global consulting, community engagement, education, and artistic programming for young audiences and families.In January 2020, Alex was appointed President & CEO of Arts Commons, Canada’s third largest performing arts center, and home to institutions such as the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and Theatre Calgary. Occupying 10 acres, the Arts Commons complex features 560,000 square feet of world-class performance venues, rehearsal studios, production workshops, education spaces, art galleries, restaurants, and public community areas.Welcoming more than 600,000 visitors to 2,000 events annually, Arts Commons is embarking on a $450M expansion campaign, which will double the institution’s footprint in downtown Calgary.Resources mentioned in this episode:Arts CommonsWakefield Brewster__Contact Melanie Nicholson | Melanie Lynn Communications Inc. Website: MelanieLynnCommunications.comInstagram: MLCSocialTwitter: MLCSocialFacebook: MLCSocialEmail: info@melanielynncommunications.comContact Alex SarianWebsite: www.AlexSarian.comLinkedIn__TranscriptMelanie Nicholson: [00:00:03] Hey, everyone, and welcome to It's a Theory. I'm your host, Melanie Nicholson and today we're talking about what it looks like to transform an arts community into one that is community-minded and inclusive for everyone. Alex Sarian is the president and CEO of Arts Commons in Calgary, Alberta, which is the largest arts center in western Canada and the third largest facility in the country. He's one of the youngest CEOs to oversee a major performing arts center in North America. And prior to being in Calgary, Alex spent 18 years in New York City, the last seven at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Alex has worked on cultural projects in 15 countries, spanning five continents. Alex and I have a shared love of storytelling and the importance of that when it comes to building a community, strengthening relationships, and the opportunity to rethink the way art is presented in a community. Today, you're really going to get a sense of how one idea might not work everywhere and while you might have the same theory going in, the outcomes are going to vary. But it really comes down to asking questions. Let's dive in. Melanie Nicholson: [00:01:13] Alex, welcome to the podcast. Thank you so much for joining us today. Alex Sarian: [00:01:17] Thanks, Melanie. It's my pleasure to be here. Happy Friday. Melanie Nicholson: [00:01:19] Happy Friday. I love recording on a Friday. We're talking art today. I'm excited about it, I love art. Arts Commons. It's one of the largest facilities in the country. You're deep into transforming this space. Before we get to where you want to go, I want to start with you arrived from New York City. When you first got here what was your impression of Arts Commons, of the arts scene in Calgary? Alex Sarian: [00:01:46] So I had done, obviously, I'd done a lot of research...
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    39 分
  • Trauma-Informed Care in the Workplace with Jennifer Berard

    Trauma-Informed Care in the Workplace with Jennifer Berard
    2023/09/12
    Melanie Nicholson welcomes Jennifer Berard, a counseling psychologist with nearly 20 years experience in the field of addiction and mental health, to the show to discuss trauma and what trauma-informed care in the workplace looks like. Jennifer has experience working with first responders, paramedics, and other individuals dealing with traumatic environments, and sheds light on what trauma response looks like in everyday life.Jennifer defines what trauma is and how it manifests in the body, explaining the different ways bodies express trauma and stress responses. Often things that get chalked up to people’s personality quirks can actually be stress responses to trauma, and understanding that reality can assist employers in being more sensitive in how they lead teams. Jennifer and Melanie discuss exactly what trauma-informed care from employers can look like, how to create a consistent and safe environment, and how to avoid moral injury after a reponse. Jennifer’s insight is compassionate, experience-based, and incredibly useful to everyone in fostering the understanding that almost everyone has a trauma history and that we can create safety for each other through recognition of this truth.  “And this is the thing that I would say to employers, too, is that just because we have to be able to have resiliencies to deal with stress and trauma, we cannot, it's not normal to expect people to adjust and manage their stress in environments that are toxic, in environments that are bullying… it is not the employee's responsibility to adhere to and to get safe in unsafe situations. In my opinion, it's the employer's responsibility to have safe places where people can then have the space to figure out whatever it is that they need to do through therapy or through their friends or through their supports or those kinds of things.” - Jennifer BerardAbout Jennifer BerardJennifer Berard believes that all people have an incredible capacity for change. In her career she’s had the honour to observe individuals, with seemingly insurmountable challenges, create meaningful and lasting change in their lives. Theoretically, she utilizes Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing and Solution Focused Therapy to help facilitate change.At the core, Jennifer’s approach is client centered. She believes that clients are the experts in their lives and aims to help them find their strength, in their own time, at their own pace. Therapy can be an important part of self-care, self-improvement and self-discovery.Jennifer began her counselling journey in 2003 when she graduated, with distinction, from the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor of Health Sciences, in Addictions Counselling. In 2010, she completed her Masters of Counselling Psychology through City University of Seattle. She has been a registered psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists since March 2015.Throughout her career she has dedicated herself to helping people trying to cope with addiction and trauma. She has extensive experience and training in the Addiction and Mental Health field, with significant experience in the areas of addictions (residential and outpatient), First Responders, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and Forensics/Corrections. Jennifer is a member in good standing with the College of Alberta Psychologist  (4342) and the Psychological Association of Alberta.__Contact Melanie Nicholson | Melanie Lynn Communications Inc. Website: MelanieLynnCommunications.comInstagram: MLCSocialTwitter: MLCSocialFacebook: MLCSocialEmail: info@melanielynncommunications.comContact Jennifer BerardJennifer Berard & AssociatesJennifer Berard on LinkedIn__TranscriptMelanie Nicholson: [00:00:03] Hey, everyone, and welcome to It's a Theory. I'm your host, Melanie Nicholson, and today we're talking about trauma and trauma-informed care at the workplace. How can employers take the science and knowledge we have about trauma and use it to build stronger, more psychologically safe workplaces? Let's find out. Our guest today is Jennifer Berard. Jennifer is a counseling psychologist with close to 20 years experience in the addiction and mental health field. While she works with adults facing a variety of concerns, her primary focus is supporting individuals and first responders as they deal with substance use disorders and PTSD. Jennifer takes a strength-based, client-centred approach to counseling and has dedicated her career to advocating for and providing quality clinical care for those seeking change in their lives. She believes that recovery and healing is a deeply personal process, and the therapeutic relationship should be one that is developed through respect and dignity of the individual. Jennifer primarily utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, also known as EMDR, to support her clients. Jennifer is a registered ...
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