STORIES OF RESILIENCE

"It's the regular people who have overcome major challenges & found a purpose from it who inspire me." 

PODCAST: Emily O'Brien and her gourmet popcorn offers former inmates a comeback

Emily O'Brien made one bad decision that landed her in prison.

While spending time with other inmates watching television and making popcorn, Emily also developed a business idea. A gourmet popcorn company called, Comeback Snacks.

Not only does it satisfy cravings, but it also helps former inmates by giving them a second chance - a comeback. 

Emily shared her experience and why this purpose is so important to her. 

PODCAST: Extreme explorer & cancer survivor Sean Swarner on breaking through limiting beliefs

Sean Swarner has reached his goal of the Explorer's Grand Slam - scaling the world’s seven tallest summits as well as hiking to the south and north poles. He did all of this with only one lung.

A survivor of 2 childhood cancers, Sean has proven that anything is possible and aims to inspire cancer patients and others to conquer their own mountains.

As someone who has spent his entire life overcoming challenges, I wanted to learn what inspires him, where he gets his resilience and what it's like to stand on-top of the world. 

PODCAST: Explaining death to children through a touching personal story

Marnie Hill wrote the book, Daddy's Blue Eyes, following the death of her son-in-law Matthew Leslie. He left behind a young wife and two daughters. 
A professional communications specialist, Marnie was coping with her own grief while also looking for a way to help her granddaughters to understand their dad's passing.

​By writing this book, her goal is to also offer parents, grandparents, teachers and caregivers a way to gently start a conversation with young people about grief. 

PODCAST: Resilience through better nutrition with Registered Dietitian Ashley Koff

Registered Dietitian Ashley Koff is a leading expert in nutrition. As an author, public speaker and consultant her goal is to ensure that patients and clients are receiving the best knowledge to manage their health.

​She loves talking about "gut health" and joined me on RESILIENT PEOPLE to discuss its relationship to building resilience. 

When you are missing a loved one on Mother's Day

Greeting cards in hues of pink, breakfast in bed and handmade paper creations done lovingly by little hands. These are some of the ways we honour moms on Mother’s Day.

As we look to celebrate them this weekend, many others are seeking ways to just get through it all.

​Mother’s Day, like other special occasions in the year, can be unbearable for those who are living with grief.

PODCAST: Melissa Sheldrick found purpose after losing her son to a medication error

Melissa Sheldrick is a Toronto mom, wife and patient safety advocate. She came to this after her 8 year old son Andrew suddenly died of a medication mix-up by a pharmacist's error. 

Despite her heartbreak, Melissa wanted to ensure that this tragedy never happened to another person. 

Her story is both incredibly sad but also very inspiring. That even after devastating loss, one can find purpose that is both healing and positive.

PODCAST: The black dad worries of Toronto's Casey Palmer

Toronto dad, husband, author and blogger Casey Palmer developed the popular #blackdadworries. His goal is to build more awareness about the unique concerns that black parents have in raising their children.

In this episode, Casey spoke about the 2020 murder of George Floyd, code-switching that occurs in the black community, police brutality and his hopes for a major shift in society for the sake of his boys and all black people.  
PHOTO CRED: Casey Palmer

PODCAST: Finance Expert Doris Belland went from being a widow and in debt to empowering women to manage their money  

Much of resilience is in being prepared for life's unexpected challenges. How does this relate to money?

Doris Belland is a Financial Repair Expert who has witnessed firsthand the power of knowing all about your finances. 

She was in her 20s when her husband was diagnosed with cancer and then, following his death at a young age, she found herself dealing with deep grief but also a large amount of debt. 

She set out to rebuild her life. Her goal is to educate women on the value of knowing how to manage their finances and to play an active role in it.
PHOTO CRED: Doris Belland

PODCAST: Dale Allen Berg on being a stay-at-home parent to 3 children with special needs

Parenthood brings many challenges and rewards with it. For Dale Allen Berg, being a stay-at-home dad to three active young children under the age of 6, is enough to make anyone run away in fear.

Each of his beautiful children has been diagnosed with physical, emotional or mental issues - Madison has RETT Syndrome, Liam is living with anxiety and Ethan with Autism. Dale was also diagnosed with his own serious illness. People have called his life a rollercoaster, that he’s been flung from the most exciting highs to the scariest of lows. 

I spoke with him from Kelowna, British Columbia to learn how he copes with it all and how he and his wife carve time out for themselves.
Photo courtesy: Dale Allen Berg

PODCAST: Dr. Caitlin Kirby designs a skirt made of rejection letters to normalize failure in society

How do you deal with rejection? 

When defending her PhD dissertation, Dr. Caitlin Kirby wore a skirt made of her rejection letters that she received over the course of her schooling. It was to make a point to normalize  failure and rejection and to change our mindset about them.  
Photo courtesy: Dr. Caitlin Kirby

PODCAST: Elly Gotz and his resilience in surviving the Holocaust and finding purpose for a happy life 

Elly Gotz is a Dachau concentration camp survivor whose heart was filled with hate when World War II ended.

At 93 years old, he continues to deliver speeches to students in schools and groups of all ages on the power of giving up hate.

Discover his journey to a better, happier life. 

PODCAST: Coping with Valentine's Day and grief

This is about something I have been thinking about for a little while now. Anyone who is living with grief will be able to relate to it.

We’re a few days away from the biggest and most romantic day of the year — if you’re in a couple.
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Valentine’s Day.

PODCAST: Dr. Jim Swan is living with brain cancer and fighting to help others with it

Jim Swan is a well-known cardiologist in Canada. In 2019, he lost his beloved twin brother George to a terminal brain cancer called glioblastoma (GBM). About a year later, Jim discovered that he has the same deadly disease.

​He turned this into a purpose to help others by establishing a $3 million fund to help find the genetic causes for GBM. He spoke with me about his brother, their bond, where he draws his resilience from as well as his new purpose. ​

PODCAST: ​Elizabeth Verwey hit her mid 50s and gained a fearless attitude 

Elizabeth Verwey wants women to know that aging does not need to be scary.

​A self-described extrovert and natural social organizer, she found herself unexpectedly divorced in her mid-50s. 

She made a decision to see this stage of her life in a different way and took on a new quality - one of fearlessness. 

PODCAST: Living with the right attitude, gratitude and exercise is Lee Silverstein's key to resilience

Lee Silverstein is 60 years old. He has battled 3 different types of cancer over his life.

He credits his wife Linda and the love they have for one another, but also A.G.E. (attitude, gratitude, exercise) as the key to his perseverance, longevity and positive mindset.

PODCAST:  Raising resilient kids with education expert Jane Kristoffy

​Jane Kristoffy is a well-known education consultant in the Toronto area. 

​She's a teacher who operates a thriving consulting business, consulting children and their parents along with other educators. Her aim is to ensure that students are reaching their full potential in their personal and academic goals.

​I spoke with Jane about what parents can do to teach their kids to launch and thrive in the real world. 

PODCAST:  Matthew Pullan & Running Through Cancer inspires people to do more than just run 

UK teen Matthew Pullan is an avid runner. This 18 year old started a blog to inspire others to run but it's turned into a way to motivate them to not take life for granted. 

PODCAST:  In his grief, Jason Fiorotto created The Tory Day Fund to bring comfort to cancer patients

When she was being treated for breast cancer, Jason Fiorotto and his wife came up with a plan to help other cancer patients. Hear his inspiring story of how his grief gave him a purpose to bring comfort to others. 

​PODCAST:  Morgan Frey on teaching others to notice the abilities of physically-challenged people

Avid knitter, baker, theatre stage manager and writer are just a few of the traits to describe Morgan Frey.

​She is also a triple amputee but doesn't let that get in the way of her passions. 

​PODCAST:  Terrence Rodriguez created REXpride and found a purpose in helping LGBTQ+ youth in Toronto

The LGBTQ+ youth of Toronto's Rexdale community have a safe place to meet and socialize, thanks to Terrence Rodriguez. He created a place that he wished had existed when he was younger and coming to terms with his own identity.

How this year's graduates are coping with quarantine and pandemic life

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​It's a year that will go down in history. The 2020 graduates are leaving Kindergarten, Grade 8, Grade 12 and their last year of post-grad without auditorium celebrations but socially distanced backyard and driveway parties.

Quarantine days.

But they aren't sad or mad about it. Instead they say, "If no one else is doing it how can I get upset about it?" They put things into perspective and deal with what's in front of them.

Job markets, the economy and environment are uncertain. Black Lives Matter has become a global movement. The class of 2020 is unwavering in their determination to mobilize.

They are optimistic for what's to come and not anxious about it.

A student council president was quoted as saying, "I'm hopeful for the future because I feel that society is changing in a positive way."

​They are a resilient group. And I'm looking forward to seeing what they do next.

Lawyer Leanne Townsend on finding work life balance during COVID-19

Florida native Susan Mintz on COVID-19 and the impact on seniors


Susan Mintz and I reunited to talk about COVID-19 and how it's impacting the senior community she lives in. She talks about the similarities she sees in this pandemic and when her husband was diagnosed with HIV & AIDS. It's a talk filled with funny moments and insights into senior life.

A little bonus: Be sure to watch the outtake at the end.

3 students on coping through crisis


Caitlin Starr, Sam Fanaki and Isobel Fanaki are 3 students in Toronto.  I sat down with them to talk about their stresses and how they are managing a changing world.

Guest Contributor: Cory Resilient on being homeless and finding purpose

Toronto teen Caitlin Starr aims to debunk Type 1 Diabetes myths

Death Doula Kayla Moryoussef on living with chronic illness and helping others to die a good death

David Grant created the Brain Injury Hope Network to build a community for himself and others

Dawne McKay created Crash Support Network to fill a void after her own crash

Massachusetts widow Dana Kyminas honours late husband with award for young students

Dana Kyminas of Peabody, Massachusetts lost her husband George when he was only 27 years old and they were expecting their first child. 

She shares the story of their love, being high school sweethearts, his resilience in living with a congenital heart defect since birth and how she continues to honour his legacy. 

Former Australian officer Shaun O'Gorman on dealing with PTSD and helping men to open up

Guest contributor: Marshalee Facey opens her own school in Jamaica against all odds

Guest contributor: Nigel Adams on the challenges faced by Indigenous men and his mission to help

"Do it now" says Dawn Custode in her final days living with colon cancer


​Dawn Custode passed away of colon cancer in May 2019. I had the opportunity to interview her in late April as she was living out her last days to the fullest.  

Since her diagnosis over two and a half years ago, she faced the disease with one idea in mind, "Do It Now".  It's the same message that she stressed to others.  

Here is a transcript of our telephone interview, along with the recording.
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Entrepreneurs Lisa Owen and Kristy Wieber on maintaining resilience when building a business


​Kristy Wieber and Lisa Owen are the co-owners of Rent frock Repeat. 

In 2010, they changed the way women shop for formal occasions with a dress rental business. Now the pair is starting a new venture, a monthly subscription service for day-to-day wear.

Kristy and Lisa share their thoughts on going into business with a friend, staying determined and believing in yourself.

Toronto comic Jennifer Hsiung rolls with the punches on and off stage

Shahzad moved from war-torn Afghanistan to Toronto to start a new life

NYC Housekeeper Luciana on the power of kindness


​Luciana is a New York City hotel housekeeper. She left her home in the Dominican Republic as a journalist and built a new life for herself and children in the United States. 

She admits that not every guest is friendly to her but that doesn't stop her from appreciating the angels around her and continuing to deliver service with a smile.

Do you know someone resilient? Contact me: info@resilientpeople.ca

Lauren Chiarello of ChiChiLifeNYC on beating cancer twice and finding purpose through fitness

Toronto's dancing lawyer watched his house burn but didn't miss a beat

Margaret Ng is fighting multi-generational brain tumours with good nutrition, positivity & prayer

Stunt photographer Lucinda Grange on scaling buildings and bridges with no fear

Toronto woman launches Canada's first Trauma Support Network after a hit and run cycling crash

Canadian Olympic Sailor Martha Henderson discusses life lessons learned through elite sport

Ottawa cabbie lives in Canada to provide for his wife and children in Dubai

The Happy Soul Project connects families worldwide living with Down Syndrome


When Tara McLellan gave birth to her daughter, Pip, she had no idea of the opportunity that lay ahead of her as a worldwide organizer.

Overwhelmed with emotions while crying beside her crib one night, she took to her social network.  One by one, people around the world shared their feelings back with her.

Realizing that there were thousands of people who related to her and one another, she created The Happy Soul Project to connect families with Down Syndrome children worldwide.

Lina Miranda turned to personal training after suffering from stomach cancer

Losing her husband to AIDS led Susan Mintz to become an advocate for safe sex

Depression led Emmanuel Lopez to become Motivatorman

Anti-gun movement March For Our Lives comes to Toronto

Mona Lam-Deslippe on the power of community in healing from her son's murder

LivingstrongMD demonstrates the love of family and importance of helping others

Aman Kaur left India for Canada for a life on her own

Alana Salsberg writes on single motherhood and learning to let go

Jana Girdauskas started The Period Purse to bring menstrual equality to the homeless

Toronto centenarian Anastasia Belbas on a life well lived

Autism is no barrier for Toronto artist Niam Jain

Alexandra Samuels has lived with hearing loss and turned to writing as a way to be heard

Going through her own divorce empowered Toronto lawyer Leanne Townsend to help coach others