https://simplecast.com The Realize Podcast - Nurturing Potential, Inclusion and Belonging Dedicated to exploring the strength, adaptability, and determination of individuals facing the ever-changing landscape of episodic disabilities Realize Canada en Wed, 2 Jul 2025 17:33:26 +0000 Fri, 18 Jul 2025 17:53:00 +0000 https://the-realize-podcast-nurturing-potential-inclusion-and-bel.simplecast.com The Realize Podcast - Nurturing Potential, Inclusion and Belonging https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/0d776cb5-6f6b-4fe7-b784-724c2497d0f4/cdaee3e4-4e26-44fa-8416-0cbf8338aa61/3000x3000/realize-podcast.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://the-realize-podcast-nurturing-potential-inclusion-and-bel.simplecast.com episodic Dedicated to exploring the strength, adaptability, and determination of individuals facing the ever-changing landscape of episodic disabilities Shaun Proulx, Realize Canada true https://feeds.simplecast.com/YkPikPob anxiety, arthritis, cancer, depression, diabetes, disabilities, disability, episodic disability, hiv/aids, loneliness, longterm covid, lupus, mental health, multiple sclerosis, realize canada, shaun proulx, suicidal ideation Realize Canada jlondon@hivandrehab.ca ef3b7751-9bd9-42ab-aa07-fe4f882c7d9e What It's Like Living With Disability (Two Stories) Have you ever wondered what it's like to live with a disability - or more than one? Thought about what it’s like being a kid with disabilities? A teen? What’s making friends like? How about dating? Trying to find employment? Fighting against a world constantly telling you that you can’t? Eight million people in Canada 8 million over age 15 - that's 27% of Canada’s population - live with some sort of disability. On this episode, you get to meet two of them, remarkable people who live with multiple disabilities. You'll hear their stories, perspectives, trials and triumphs, and be inspired by the beauty of building a life that truly fits who you are. 

Please help us by taking our fast, 3-question survey

Learn more about Realize Canada.

Thank you to our guests this episode for their expertise and generous sharing of their stories. 

Realize Canada fosters positive change for people living with episodic disabilities. 

Credits:

Writer, producer, host: Shaun Proulx

Audio and video editor: John Mackie

Graphic design: Alexandria Ditner

Special thanks to Tess Kern and Addison Brash for their valued assistance in making this episode happen.

Executive Producers: Roger Mussellman and Janet London for Realize Canada

 

The Realize Podcast is sponsored by the Government of Canada.

 

]]> Wed, 2 Jul 2025 17:33:26 +0000 jlondon@hivandrehab.ca (Julie Emeid, Lys LeClair, Shaun Proulx) https://the-realize-podcast-nurturing-potential-inclusion-and-bel.simplecast.com/episodes/what-its-like-living-with-disability-nPsG3401 Have you ever wondered what it's like to live with a disability - or more than one? Thought about what it’s like being a kid with disabilities? A teen? What’s making friends like? How about dating? Trying to find employment? Fighting against a world constantly telling you that you can’t? Eight million people in Canada 8 million over age 15 - that's 27% of Canada’s population - live with some sort of disability. On this episode, you get to meet two of them, remarkable people who live with multiple disabilities. You'll hear their stories, perspectives, trials and triumphs, and be inspired by the beauty of building a life that truly fits who you are. 

Please help us by taking our fast, 3-question survey

Learn more about Realize Canada.

Thank you to our guests this episode for their expertise and generous sharing of their stories. 

Realize Canada fosters positive change for people living with episodic disabilities. 

Credits:

Writer, producer, host: Shaun Proulx

Audio and video editor: John Mackie

Graphic design: Alexandria Ditner

Special thanks to Tess Kern and Addison Brash for their valued assistance in making this episode happen.

Executive Producers: Roger Mussellman and Janet London for Realize Canada

 

The Realize Podcast is sponsored by the Government of Canada.

 

]]> What It's Like Living With Disability (Two Stories) Julie Emeid, Lys LeClair, Shaun Proulx 00:53:49 Have you ever wondered what it's like to live with a disability - or more than one? Thought about what it’s like being a kid with disabilities? A teen? What’s making friends like? How about dating? Trying to find employment? Fighting against a world constantly telling you that you can’t? Eight million people in Canada 8 million over age 15 - that's 27% of Canada’s population - live with some sort of disability. On this episode, you get to meet two of them, remarkable people who live with multiple disabilities. You'll hear their stories, perspectives, trials and triumphs, and be inspired by the beauty of building a life that truly fits who you are. Have you ever wondered what it's like to live with a disability - or more than one? Thought about what it’s like being a kid with disabilities? A teen? What’s making friends like? How about dating? Trying to find employment? Fighting against a world constantly telling you that you can’t? Eight million people in Canada 8 million over age 15 - that's 27% of Canada’s population - live with some sort of disability. On this episode, you get to meet two of them, remarkable people who live with multiple disabilities. You'll hear their stories, perspectives, trials and triumphs, and be inspired by the beauty of building a life that truly fits who you are. episodic disabilities, living with disabilities, lys leclair, youth summit, julie emeid true full 7 95837067-79a1-4fa3-8e0b-332486c51701 HIV AIDS: NoTimeToWait On a rainy Toronto weekend last November, youth from around the world gathered for NoTimeToWait, Canada’s largest youth-HIV event, presented by LetsStopAIDS, Canada’s largest youth-led HIV charity. The Realize Podcast sat down with four vibrant young activists to find out why they care about the health issue; their relationship to it; the holes and flaws in current education about HIV and AIDS - and the battle against stigma being faced still by countless people with HIV or AIDS. The four activists share their personal and moving and inspiring stories about why they do the very good work they do.

Please help us by taking our fast, 3-question survey!

Learn more about LetsStopAIDS.

Learn more about Realize Canada.

Thank you to our guests this episode for their expertise and generous sharing of their stories. 

Realize Canada fosters positive change for people living with episodic disabilities. 

Credits:

Writer, producer, host: Shaun Proulx

Audio and video editor: John Mackie

Graphic design: Alexandria Ditner

Special thanks to Tad Chmiel and Alex MacLeod at LetsStopAIDS for their great assistance in making this episode happen.

Executive Producers: Roger Mussellman and Janet London for Realize Canada

 

The Realize Podcast is sponsored by the Government of Canada.

]]> Tue, 20 May 2025 19:58:17 +0000 jlondon@hivandrehab.ca (KC Barron, Emma Trahan, Ahmad Mohamed Fares Agha, Shivam Amati, Shaun Proulx) https://the-realize-podcast-nurturing-potential-inclusion-and-bel.simplecast.com/episodes/hiv-aids-notimetowait-c_hM3jtZ On a rainy Toronto weekend last November, youth from around the world gathered for NoTimeToWait, Canada’s largest youth-HIV event, presented by LetsStopAIDS, Canada’s largest youth-led HIV charity. The Realize Podcast sat down with four vibrant young activists to find out why they care about the health issue; their relationship to it; the holes and flaws in current education about HIV and AIDS - and the battle against stigma being faced still by countless people with HIV or AIDS. The four activists share their personal and moving and inspiring stories about why they do the very good work they do.

Please help us by taking our fast, 3-question survey!

Learn more about LetsStopAIDS.

Learn more about Realize Canada.

Thank you to our guests this episode for their expertise and generous sharing of their stories. 

Realize Canada fosters positive change for people living with episodic disabilities. 

Credits:

Writer, producer, host: Shaun Proulx

Audio and video editor: John Mackie

Graphic design: Alexandria Ditner

Special thanks to Tad Chmiel and Alex MacLeod at LetsStopAIDS for their great assistance in making this episode happen.

Executive Producers: Roger Mussellman and Janet London for Realize Canada

 

The Realize Podcast is sponsored by the Government of Canada.

]]> HIV AIDS: NoTimeToWait KC Barron, Emma Trahan, Ahmad Mohamed Fares Agha, Shivam Amati, Shaun Proulx 00:52:23 On a rainy Toronto weekend last November, youth from around the world gathered for NoTimeToWait, Canada’s largest youth-HIV event, presented by LetsStopAIDS, Canada’s largest youth-led HIV charity. The Realize Podcast sat down with four vibrant young activists to find out why they care about the health issue; their relationship to it; the holes and flaws in current education about HIV and AIDS - and the battle against stigma being faced still by countless people with HIV or AIDS. The four activists share their personal and moving and inspiring stories about why they do the very good work they do. On a rainy Toronto weekend last November, youth from around the world gathered for NoTimeToWait, Canada’s largest youth-HIV event, presented by LetsStopAIDS, Canada’s largest youth-led HIV charity. The Realize Podcast sat down with four vibrant young activists to find out why they care about the health issue; their relationship to it; the holes and flaws in current education about HIV and AIDS - and the battle against stigma being faced still by countless people with HIV or AIDS. The four activists share their personal and moving and inspiring stories about why they do the very good work they do. shivam amati, ahmad agha, lets stop aids, aids, hiv, kc barron, #notimetowait, emma trahan true full 6 80dc4588-c721-484a-96e0-5cb5591acee0 Indigenous Disabilities and Wellness Please help us by taking our fast, 3-question survey!

Learn more about Realize Canada.

Thank you to our guests this episode for their expertise and generous sharing of their stories. 

Realize Canada fosters positive change for people living with episodic disabilities. 

Credits:

Writer, producer, host: Shaun Proulx

Audio and video editor: John Mackie

Graphic design: Alexandria Ditner

Special thanks to Julia McEathron and Alex Pennell for their great assistance in making this episode happen.

Executive Producers: Roger Mussellman and Janet London for Realize Canada

 

The Realize Podcast is sponsored by the Government of Canada.

 

]]> Wed, 5 Mar 2025 17:12:20 +0000 jlondon@hivandrehab.ca (Stephen Lytton, Alexandra Pennell, Lindsay Clifton, Sue Sterling Burr, Sheila Greave) https://the-realize-podcast-nurturing-potential-inclusion-and-bel.simplecast.com/episodes/indigenous-disabilities-and-wellness-vTC_Ynkw Please help us by taking our fast, 3-question survey!

Learn more about Realize Canada.

Thank you to our guests this episode for their expertise and generous sharing of their stories. 

Realize Canada fosters positive change for people living with episodic disabilities. 

Credits:

Writer, producer, host: Shaun Proulx

Audio and video editor: John Mackie

Graphic design: Alexandria Ditner

Special thanks to Julia McEathron and Alex Pennell for their great assistance in making this episode happen.

Executive Producers: Roger Mussellman and Janet London for Realize Canada

 

The Realize Podcast is sponsored by the Government of Canada.

 

]]> Indigenous Disabilities and Wellness Stephen Lytton, Alexandra Pennell, Lindsay Clifton, Sue Sterling Burr, Sheila Greave 01:00:29 This episode contains discussions about sexual abuse, residential schools, and other sensitive topics. Audience discretion is advised. In this episode we take you to the 2024 Indigenous Disabilities and Wellness Gathering in Victoria, British Colombia, Canada. This event brought together voices and stories from across Indigenous communities to highlight resilience, cultural identity, and the ongoing fight for accessibility and healing. It also shone a spotlight on the idea that disability is a colonial construct. Host Shaun Proulx sat down with four Indigenous people, including an actor with cerebral palsy who faced unspeakable trauma in a residential school; a woman who is legally blind navigating systemic and cultural barriers; a Realize colleague who has borderline personality disorder, confronting stigma and finding her voice, and a mother’s fight for her son’s right to cultural and spiritual healing in a western hospital setting. This episode contains discussions about sexual abuse, residential schools, and other sensitive topics. Audience discretion is advised. In this episode we take you to the 2024 Indigenous Disabilities and Wellness Gathering in Victoria, British Colombia, Canada. This event brought together voices and stories from across Indigenous communities to highlight resilience, cultural identity, and the ongoing fight for accessibility and healing. It also shone a spotlight on the idea that disability is a colonial construct. Host Shaun Proulx sat down with four Indigenous people, including an actor with cerebral palsy who faced unspeakable trauma in a residential school; a woman who is legally blind navigating systemic and cultural barriers; a Realize colleague who has borderline personality disorder, confronting stigma and finding her voice, and a mother’s fight for her son’s right to cultural and spiritual healing in a western hospital setting. residential schools, episodic disabilities, disability, disability is a colonial construct, legally blind, borderline personality disorder, cerebral palsy, 2024 indigenous disabilities and wellness gathering true full 5 404cb269-71ce-4142-bc91-da60a32900cf Fashion On Fire Please help us by taking our fast, 3-question survey!

Learn more about Realize Canada here.

* What is an episodic disability? Be sure to listen to Episode 1, where we give a quick crash course, plus hear the moving story of Sandy, who suffers from the episodic disabilities of suicide ideation and treatment-resistant depression. (Listener discretion advised.)

]]> Wed, 16 Oct 2024 21:09:07 +0000 jlondon@hivandrehab.ca (Trish Barbato, David Dixon, Steff DiPardo, Shaun Proulx) https://the-realize-podcast-nurturing-potential-inclusion-and-bel.simplecast.com/episodes/fashion-on-fire-NWIAo8me Please help us by taking our fast, 3-question survey!

Learn more about Realize Canada here.

* What is an episodic disability? Be sure to listen to Episode 1, where we give a quick crash course, plus hear the moving story of Sandy, who suffers from the episodic disabilities of suicide ideation and treatment-resistant depression. (Listener discretion advised.)

]]> Fashion On Fire Trish Barbato, David Dixon, Steff DiPardo, Shaun Proulx 00:26:59 Warning: This episode contains scenes of hope, determination, and glamour. Listener attention is advised. This episode looks at something most people take for granted: getting dressed. Buttons, ties, laces, zippers... we slip into clothes every day, to express ourselves, based on our mood or needs of the day, and we don't think about it as we do. But for millions of people, getting dressed in the morning can be a painful challenge, one that in some cases even requires someone to help put clothes on. This spring, Arthritis Society Canada held a very special event to bring awareness to the disease; the broad swath of the population affected by it; and the challenges people with arthritis face daily in doing normal things - like getting dressed. Canadian designers and retailers turned up to turn out some remarkable accessible fashion - all worn by people who have or are affected by arthritis. It was a moving, inspiring night, and this episode you'll go to the show, and meet some of the players: designer David Dixon, Arthritis Society of Canada CEO Trish Barbato, and Steff DiPardo, one of the fashion models, who suffers from a very severe form of arthritis that affects her spine. We hope this episode inspires you to see fashion in a new light – to see the possibilities that exist so that everyone one of us can participate with ease - and to recognize the power of gatherings like Fashion & Fire in shaping a more inclusive world. Warning: This episode contains scenes of hope, determination, and glamour. Listener attention is advised. This episode looks at something most people take for granted: getting dressed. Buttons, ties, laces, zippers... we slip into clothes every day, to express ourselves, based on our mood or needs of the day, and we don't think about it as we do. But for millions of people, getting dressed in the morning can be a painful challenge, one that in some cases even requires someone to help put clothes on. This spring, Arthritis Society Canada held a very special event to bring awareness to the disease; the broad swath of the population affected by it; and the challenges people with arthritis face daily in doing normal things - like getting dressed. Canadian designers and retailers turned up to turn out some remarkable accessible fashion - all worn by people who have or are affected by arthritis. It was a moving, inspiring night, and this episode you'll go to the show, and meet some of the players: designer David Dixon, Arthritis Society of Canada CEO Trish Barbato, and Steff DiPardo, one of the fashion models, who suffers from a very severe form of arthritis that affects her spine. We hope this episode inspires you to see fashion in a new light – to see the possibilities that exist so that everyone one of us can participate with ease - and to recognize the power of gatherings like Fashion & Fire in shaping a more inclusive world. fashion on fire, arthritis, trish barbato, david dixon, arthritis canada, steff dipardo, fashion show, shaun proulx true full 4 192439ed-d46e-49d4-872c-900952c45c34 HIV and Ageing Please help us by taking our fast, 3-question survey!

Learn more about Realize Canada here.

* What is an episodic disability? Be sure to listen to Episode 1, where we give a quick crash course, plus hear the moving story of Sandy, who suffers from the episodic disabilities of suicide ideation and treatment-resistant depression. (Listener discretion advised.)

]]> Thu, 8 Aug 2024 19:19:20 +0000 jlondon@hivandrehab.ca (George Da Silva, Kate Murzin, Dr. Sharon Walmsley, Shaun Proulx) https://the-realize-podcast-nurturing-potential-inclusion-and-bel.simplecast.com/episodes/hiv-and-ageing-VtAYZgxk Please help us by taking our fast, 3-question survey!

Learn more about Realize Canada here.

* What is an episodic disability? Be sure to listen to Episode 1, where we give a quick crash course, plus hear the moving story of Sandy, who suffers from the episodic disabilities of suicide ideation and treatment-resistant depression. (Listener discretion advised.)

]]> HIV and Ageing George Da Silva, Kate Murzin, Dr. Sharon Walmsley, Shaun Proulx 01:03:20 Warning: This episode is about a miracle. Listener attention is advised. Live from The Canadian Conference on HIV/AIDS Research 2024 in London, Ontario, this episode does a deep dive into HIV and ageing; we are now bearing witness to the first generation of people with HIV living to see older age. Hear the moving story of one man ageing with HIV, and the results of a fascinating study on HIV and ageing, led by Realize Canada's Kate Murzin and a bright light in the HIV/AIDS sector: the renowned Dr. Sharon Walmsley. But before that, we take you back in time to the horror show that was the early days of AIDS, when people, especially gay men, were dropping like flies - you'll appreciate the miracle of how very far we've come! Warning: This episode is about a miracle. Listener attention is advised. Live from The Canadian Conference on HIV/AIDS Research 2024 in London, Ontario, this episode does a deep dive into HIV and ageing; we are now bearing witness to the first generation of people with HIV living to see older age. Hear the moving story of one man ageing with HIV, and the results of a fascinating study on HIV and ageing, led by Realize Canada's Kate Murzin and a bright light in the HIV/AIDS sector: the renowned Dr. Sharon Walmsley. But before that, we take you back in time to the horror show that was the early days of AIDS, when people, especially gay men, were dropping like flies - you'll appreciate the miracle of how very far we've come! episodic disabilities, hiv and ageing, aids, canadian conference on hiv/aids research, hiv, ageing false full 3 7d0216c9-8416-44b0-b7ae-f83b435d04cb The Loneliness Epidemic Trigger Warning: This episode deals with the subject of loneliness, and the anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues that can result. If you or someone you know is in crisis, or needs to talk, call or text 988 at any time. No one who reaches out is turned away.

Please help us by taking our fast, 3-question survey!

Learn more about Realize Canada here.

For more on Dr. Bill Howatt, click here.

* What is an episodic disability? Be sure to listen to Episode 1, where we give a quick crash course, plus hear the moving story of Sandy, who suffers from the episodic disabilities of suicide ideation and treatment-resistant depression. (Listener discretion advised.)

]]> Wed, 26 Jun 2024 18:51:27 +0000 jlondon@hivandrehab.ca (Dr. Bill Howatt, Tammy Yates-Rajaduray, Kelly, David, Shaun Proulx) https://the-realize-podcast-nurturing-potential-inclusion-and-bel.simplecast.com/episodes/the-loneliness-epidemic-FPNBsZWk Trigger Warning: This episode deals with the subject of loneliness, and the anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues that can result. If you or someone you know is in crisis, or needs to talk, call or text 988 at any time. No one who reaches out is turned away.

Please help us by taking our fast, 3-question survey!

Learn more about Realize Canada here.

For more on Dr. Bill Howatt, click here.

* What is an episodic disability? Be sure to listen to Episode 1, where we give a quick crash course, plus hear the moving story of Sandy, who suffers from the episodic disabilities of suicide ideation and treatment-resistant depression. (Listener discretion advised.)

]]> The Loneliness Epidemic Dr. Bill Howatt, Tammy Yates-Rajaduray, Kelly, David, Shaun Proulx 00:51:55 Are you lonely? One in four people who will listen to this episode are; over a billion people make up the global loneliness epidemic, according to a Meta-Gallup worldwide survey (one that did not include China, one of the most populous countries on our lonely planet.) Feeling lonely for as little as ten days can lead to lasting anxiety and/or depression, or other mental health issues. Hear Kelly and David share their relatable experiences with loneliness, and we're joined by an expert: Dr. Bill Howatt helps us understand loneliness with scientific insights and jarring truths about our lack of connection and belonging in today's society. Tammy Yates-Rajaduray, Executive Director of Realize Canada, joins us to share the ways in which she keeps her team connected in the ever-important area of the workplace, where we get so much of our needed socialization. Are you lonely? One in four people who will listen to this episode are; over a billion people make up the global loneliness epidemic, according to a Meta-Gallup worldwide survey (one that did not include China, one of the most populous countries on our lonely planet.) Feeling lonely for as little as ten days can lead to lasting anxiety and/or depression, or other mental health issues. Hear Kelly and David share their relatable experiences with loneliness, and we're joined by an expert: Dr. Bill Howatt helps us understand loneliness with scientific insights and jarring truths about our lack of connection and belonging in today's society. Tammy Yates-Rajaduray, Executive Director of Realize Canada, joins us to share the ways in which she keeps her team connected in the ever-important area of the workplace, where we get so much of our needed socialization. loneliness, suicide, depression, mental health, interconnectedness, lonely, isolation, anxiety, belonging, suicide ideation, connection false full 2 61ed65f3-5beb-4917-ad57-30ca7d56e62f Episodic Disabilities 101 TRIGGER WARNING

This episode contains scenes of - and conversation about - depression, suicide, and suicide ideation. 

Listener and viewer discretion is advised.  

If you or a loved one need help, call or text the Suicide Crisis Helpline 24/7 at 988. 

Please help us by taking our fast, 3-question survey!

Learn more about Realize Canada here.

 

]]> Fri, 19 Apr 2024 20:10:44 +0000 jlondon@hivandrehab.ca (Melissa Egan, Sandy Lubert, Shaun Proulx) https://the-realize-podcast-nurturing-potential-inclusion-and-bel.simplecast.com/episodes/episodic-disabilities-101-JkjUIVII TRIGGER WARNING

This episode contains scenes of - and conversation about - depression, suicide, and suicide ideation. 

Listener and viewer discretion is advised.  

If you or a loved one need help, call or text the Suicide Crisis Helpline 24/7 at 988. 

Please help us by taking our fast, 3-question survey!

Learn more about Realize Canada here.

 

]]> Episodic Disabilities 101 Melissa Egan, Sandy Lubert, Shaun Proulx 00:45:02 We hear the story of Sandy, whose episodic disabilities of treatment-resistant depression and relentless suicidal ideation began with a tragic loss, and find out how she manages them today, in an inspiring interview with her. And an expert gives us a crash course on what episodic disabilities are. We hear the story of Sandy, whose episodic disabilities of treatment-resistant depression and relentless suicidal ideation began with a tragic loss, and find out how she manages them today, in an inspiring interview with her. And an expert gives us a crash course on what episodic disabilities are. suicide, realize canada, depression, episodic disabilities, suicidal ideation, suicidality false full 1