Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 154
Date: January 7, 2025

Participants: John Webster and Sheila Webster
Guest: Dr. Tracy McCarthy

Start Times and Segments:

[0:00:35] What’s On Your Mind: After 2023, we looked back real changes we made in our lives because of this podcast and the approach to wellness we talk about. It’s time to do the same for 2024 activities.

[0:10:39] Expanding Minds Interview: [Mental Wellness] We meet Dr. Tracy McCarthy, a psychiatrist and physician, who has never been comfortable with a “diagnose and prescribe” approach. Medication has its place, but Dr. McCarthy digs deeper. She works with patients to investigate underlying issues, then treats them. Functional medicine is about identifying root causes of symptoms and understanding the body as a whole, taking a systems-based approach. Inflammation can affect the body in many ways. Systemic inflammation affects the brain, e.g. it could affect how neurons are working and how well they’re firing. Therefore, it can affect mental health.

[0:27:01] Flipside of the Coin: We disagree with a tip we heard – don’t start into a relationship unless you’re in love. Our experiences are different. Maybe the person meant don’t get married or don’t start into a serious phase unless you’re in love. A relationship can grow and turn into love even if it doesn’t start there.

Guest Information: Dr. Tracy McCarthy, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist and Institute of Functional Medicine certified physician with over two decades of experience. She is the creator of the Natural Mood Solution Online Program and the Founder and medical director of Dr. Tracy McCarthy Functional Medicine, where she has supported thousands in transforming their health. As a wellness thought leader and in her practice, Dr. McCarthy is dedicated to helping adults suffering from depression, anxiety, brain fog, fatigue, digestive issues, and hormonal imbalances by identifying and addressing the overlooked causes of these chronic symptoms. Her approach focuses on underlying issues including mold toxicity, microbiome imbalances, and nutrient deficiencies, empowering her patients to regain their health and vitality.

Website: Dr. Tracy McCarthy Functional Medicine: https://www.drtracymccarthy.com/
Instagram: @drtracymccarthy

Connect with Let’s Be Well Together Podcast:
website: https://letsbewelltogether.com
Follow our Instagram account: @lets.be.well.together use hashtag #letsbewelltogetherpodcast
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Thanks for joining us,
(-(-_(-_-)_-)-) Your wellness check-in team
John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila, Elise, Isabelle, Noura, Julie and Riley

Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 153
Date: December 31, 2024

Participants: Sheila Webster, Elise Seifert, John Webster and Cameron Earnshaw
Guest: Dr Fredric Schiffer

Start Times and Segments:

[0:00:16] What’s On Your Mind: Cleaning can be an underappreciated chore, but it’s great for wellness to live in a clean house, in many ways. Sheila and Elise found an article with ideas to keep a clean house, including jobs that work well doing daily, weekly and monthly.

[0:12:00] Expanding Minds Interview: [Mental Wellness] Dr. Frederic Schiffer introduced us to dual brain psychology on Episode 147. Split brain studies show that each brain hemisphere can have a mind of its own. One of them could be troubled by past traumas, while the other is quite healthy. This time Dr. Schiffer talks about things we can try for ourselves, and about successes in helping clients by usingRee dual brain psychology.

[0:29:59] Running Popup: Looking back and appreciating what I got out of reading more than 50 books of fiction this year. So many benefits!

[034:12:] Adventures of the Starving Artist: Taking time and enjoying creating new music.

Guest Information: Dr Fredric Schiffer has a wealth of experience in psychiatry and is a best-selling author, psychiatrist and part-time assistant professor at Harvard. He’s on a mission to help people understand their anxiety, addiction and trauma and to offer them a proven method to improve their wellbeing. Problems arise from early traumas. Very often, the trauma is not recognized. Dr. Schiffer wrote the book Goodbye Anxiety, Depression, Addiction & PTSD: The Life-Changing Science of Dual-Brain Psychology. He takes an in-depth look at the science behind Dual-Brain Psychology while offering practical tips and tools to try it for yourself. he discovered that the brain is made up of two minds which are competing for dominance. When the immature and troubled half of the brain is treated, Dual-Brain Psychology techniques can curb anxiety, depression, PTSD, and addiction, and improve psychological wellbeing.

Connect with Let’s Be Well Together Podcast:
website: https://letsbewelltogether.com
Follow our Instagram account: @lets.be.well.together use hashtag #letsbewelltogetherpodcast
Provide input on Instagram using hashtag #letsbewelltogetherinput

Thanks for joining us,
(-(-_(-_-)_-)-) Your wellness check-in team
John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila, Elise, Isabelle, Noura, Julie and Riley

Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 152
Date: December 24, 2024

Participants: John Webster, Noura Saad and Sheila Webster
Guest: David Hulse

Start Times and Segments:

[0:00:16] What’s On Your Mind:

[0:07:42] Expanding Minds Interview: [Spiritual Wellness] It’s our second Interview with David Hulse, who journeyed from a fundamentalist Christian upbringing to an inclusive spiritual vista that champions love over fear. He challenges conventional religious dogmas and offers a message of unconditional love and inclusivity. We ask him about connections between science and spirituality. David sees that creation and evolution have met in a state of consciousness. He sees consciousness to now be driving evolution. By raising or consciousness, we are moving our ability to evolve ourselves to the next level of what it means to be human. Thinking about quantum physics led him to shift from a religious spiritual point of view to a scientific energetic point of view – that everything is energy. All consciousness is connected to all consciousness at some deep level. As we follow consciousness in, our consciousness becomes part of that one consciousness that we call god, life, spirit, unity, or whatever. He believes that we need to find and remember that connection.

[0:25:59] Move That Body: We encourage people to find time and ways to move that body during the holiday season. It’s easy to avoid movement, but it feels great to move.

Guest Information: David Hulse is a vibrant spiritual guide with decades of experience as a minister, teacher, author, and healer. He’s journeyed from a fundamentalist Christian upbringing to an inclusive spiritual vista that champions love over fear. David is the Founder and Spiritual Guide at the Academy for Spiritual Awakening where his teachings weave together diverse spiritual traditions with modern scientific insights, inspiring individuals to move beyond mere belief in God toward experiencing the divine within themselves. He’s dedicated to challenging conventional religious dogmas. He offers a message of unconditional love, inclusivity, the power of gnosis: direct knowledge from Source. David empowers people to embody their true spiritual potential, fostering a global spiritual evolution.

Website: www.davidhulse.com

Connect with Let’s Be Well Together Podcast:
website: https://letsbewelltogether.com
Follow our Instagram account: @lets.be.well.together use hashtag #letsbewelltogetherpodcast
Provide input on Instagram using hashtag #letsbewelltogetherinput

Thanks for joining us,
(-(-_(-_-)_-)-) Your wellness check-in team
John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila, Elise, Isabelle, Noura, Julie and Riley

Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 151
Date: December 17, 2024

Participants: Elise Seifert, Sheila Webster, John Webster and Stephen Seifert
Guest: Cris Duval

Start Times and Segments:

[0:00:16] What’s On Your Mind: Elise found a post about situations where it makes sense to stay silent. What do you think of them – you don’t know the whole story; when you feel too emotional; in the heat of anger; if your words can offend; your words can destroy a friendship; if you can’t talk without yelling; and if you silence can save bonds?

[0:11:00] Expanding Minds Interview: [Physical Wellness] We interview dental hygienist, patient-health advocate and wellness coach, Cris Duval. Cris founded the LifeGuard Approach, which helps dental and medical teams shift their mindset from repairing damage to preparing patients for health. Soft plaque is now called biofilm. The mouths of many people are infected with dangerous pathogens, or bad bacteria. When your gums bleed from gingivitis or periodontal disease, it inoculates those pathogens into your vascular system, which creates inflammation. They also migrate into other areas and joints of your body and create inflammation. You could do a pathogen test to find out whether you have pathogens in your mouth and at what level. A good way to know if you have the impact of those bacteria in your mouth is whether or not you have bleeding in your mouth. Dentists and dental hygienists can help manage patient’s risks and do multiple types of life saving screenings.

[0:30:46] Flipside of the Coin: Elise and Stephen talk about nostalgic video games they enjoy playing, and transitioning to new games. The whole discussion might be nostalgic now. They recorded it before they became first time parents. Who knows whether they have time for video games these days?

Guest Information: Cris Duval is a Registered Dental Hygienist, patient-health advocate and a wellness coach. She spent more than four decades in patient care. As founder of the LifeGuard Approach, Cris focuses on helping dental and medical teams shift their mindset from repairing the damage to preparing patients for health. She describes herself as an “architect of change” in dentistry’s approach to oral-systemic health. Her ultimate goal is saving lives by both guarding and guiding health and wellness.

Website: www.thelifeguardapproach.com

Connect with Let’s Be Well Together Podcast:
website: https://letsbewelltogether.com
Follow our Instagram account: @lets.be.well.together use hashtag #letsbewelltogetherpodcast
Provide input on Instagram using hashtag #letsbewelltogetherinput

Thanks for joining us,
(-(-_(-_-)_-)-) Your wellness check-in team
John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila, Elise, Isabelle, Noura, Julie and Riley

Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 150
Date: December 10, 2024

Participants: John Webster, Riley Thompson and Cameron Earnshaw

Guest: Susan Lazar Hart

Start Times and Segments:

[0:00:35] What’s On Your Mind: Do people at different ages and stage think about a framework to work towards wellness and balance? John plans to ask different people this question. Today we hear Riley’s perspective.

[0:12:27] Expanding Minds Interview: [Intellectual Wellness] We interview Susan Lazar, who discusses ways to foster curiosity, including by asking questions of yourself

[0:31:17] Running Popup: Having studied history, including the fall of empires, John sometimes lament what he sees going on the in the world.

[0:35:54] Adventures of the Starving Artist: Cameron had fun with a group jam session using buckets for drums.

Guest Information: Susan Lazar Hart pursued a Master of Fine Art and became a professional painter while raising four children. She contracted heavy metal poisoning unexpectedly, forcing her to put down her beloved paintbrushes. This was the catalyst to her next adventure: discovering the world of homeopathy, deeper intuition, and healing. Susan is a transformational mindset coach and speaker. She’s worked with women around the world to change their thoughts, beliefs and habits. She’s a trained and certified mindset coach who created her own method of transformation: The Congruent Living Method and Academy. Her newest book, Breaking Free: Your Unique Path to Fearless Living, leads readers on a transformative journey of self-discovery to break free from the cycles holding them back.

Susan’s website: https://susanlazarhart.com/

Connect with Let’s Be Well Together Podcast:
website: https://letsbewelltogether.com
Follow our Instagram account: @lets.be.well.together use hashtag #letsbewelltogetherpodcast
Provide input on Instagram using hashtag #letsbewelltogetherinput

Thanks for joining us,
(-(-_(-_-)_-)-) Your wellness check-in team
John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila, Elise, Isabelle, Noura, Julie and Riley

Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 149
Date: December 3, 2024

Participants: John Webster and Sheila Webster
Guest: Gord Harris

Start Times and Segments:

[0:00:16] What’s On Your Mind: Can you be brave and afraid at the same time? Yes. We are capable of doing what appear to be contrary activities, or holding what appear to be contrary thoughts. It’s not all about polarization.

[0:09:54] Expanding Minds Interview: [Economic and Mental Wellness] Gord Harris tells us about accident benefits insurance coverage. It's important for people to know that there’s a path for almost anyone hurt by a motor vehicle to access insurance benefits through the no-fault auto accident benefits system, even if they don’t have their own auto insurance policy. The no fault benefits regime started in Ontario in 1990. The Ontario government recognized that it helps if people can sue when someone else is at fault. Ultimately, they’ll get compensated, but what about the people who drive too fast in winter and go off the road and hit a tree? What about the person who’s changing a tire and the jack fails and the car lands on them and it crushes their shoulder and they’ll never work again? How does that person pay their mortgage or buy groceries or pay for anything ese? The idea behind this was to make sure that at least the people hurt by cars had a basic social safety net, even if they didn’t have someone to sue. In Ontario, Canada, no fault benefits are a mandatory part of every motor vehicle insurance policy. You are required to pay additional premiums to get what we call no fault accident benefits coverage. The idea is that if you get hurt in a motor vehicle accident, then you will have access to immediate help. It might be a disability benefit or help with your physical or psychological recovery. You can get back to work or your activities of daily living. That’s what it’s for. It doesn’t matter whether you or someone else caused the accident. It doesn’t matter if you’re a passenger, pedestrian, bicyclist, roller blader, etc. If you’re hit or hurt by a car or motor vehicle, then you can claim for these benefits.

[0:31:27] Move That Body: We tend to become less active in cold climates in Winter. Sheila found a 10-minute indoor workout idea to inspire us to find a way to get into a good “keep active” mode.

Guest Information: Gord Harris grew up in Waterloo. He obtained an Arts degree at Wilfrid Laurier University, then Bachelor of Laws and Masters of Business Administration degrees at the University of Alberta. He worked in Alberta for seven years, then came back to Ontario. His firm Harris Law is located in KW. It's a highly respected personal injury firm, where he, his partners, associates and colleagues help people from all walks of life, typically acting against insurance companies or other corporate defendants. He's dedicated to helping address issues and problems faced by people who have been injured because of others, or denied benefits from their insurer. He takes satisfaction in knowing that he has helped someone find an acceptable resolution during such a difficult period in their life. Gord gives back to the community in many ways. He's married and the father of three beautiful daughters.

Website: Harris Law Personal Injury Lawyers
Gord’s Page: Gordon W. Harris

Connect with Let’s Be Well Together Podcast:
website: https://letsbewelltogether.com
Follow our Instagram account: @lets.be.well.together use hashtag #letsbewelltogetherpodcast
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Thanks for joining us,
(-(-_(-_-)_-)-) Your wellness check-in team
John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila, Elise, Isabelle, Noura, Julie and Riley

Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 148
Date: November 26, 2024

Participants: John Webster, Noura Saad and Sheila Webster
Guest: David Hulse

Start Times and Segments:

[0:00:16] What’s On Your Mind: Noura shares thoughts after taking a Mental Health First Aid training course. There were interesting lessons, with a focus on active non-judgmental listening.

[0:11:05] Expanding Minds Interview: [Spiritual Wellness] David Hulse has journeyed from a fundamentalist Christian upbringing to an inclusive spiritual vista that champions love over fear. He challenges conventional religious dogmas and offers a message of unconditional love and inclusivity. He is on a path to enlightenment or awakening. He doesn’t think of God as an anthropomorphic old man in the sky. He sees the God as his own potential and he’s looking for it as a presence within himself and within our humanity. He believes that an environment of love is needed for an awakening to happen. Not love in the emotional sense, but the state of consciousness that makes us all one. The word “spirit” means motivation or breath – it moves us. We appreciate and look forward to advancements in technology and many other things, but religions get stuck in their own dogma. This prevents growth and movement. If he’s constantly judging himself morally, asking whether he did this right or wrong, or whether he’s good enough, then he can’t grow in that atmosphere. He focuses on spirituality (not religion). If he accepts unconditional love, then he can have sacred space within himself to grow, mature, research and study.

[0:30:56] Flipside of the Coin: Sheila found a fun article with lots of ideas for different types of dates for couples

Guest Information: David Hulse is a vibrant spiritual guide with decades of experience as a minister, teacher, author, and healer. He’s journeyed from a fundamentalist Christian upbringing to an inclusive spiritual vista that champions love over fear. David is the Founder and Spiritual Guide at the Academy for Spiritual Awakening where his teachings weave together diverse spiritual traditions with modern scientific insights, inspiring individuals to move beyond mere belief in God toward experiencing the divine within themselves. He’s dedicated to challenging conventional religious dogmas. He offers a message of unconditional love, inclusivity, the power of gnosis: direct knowledge from Source. David empowers people to embody their true spiritual potential, fostering a global spiritual evolution.

Website: www.davidhulse.com

Connect with Let’s Be Well Together Podcast:
website: https://letsbewelltogether.com
Follow our Instagram account: @lets.be.well.together use hashtag #letsbewelltogetherpodcast
Provide input on Instagram using hashtag #letsbewelltogetherinput

Thanks for joining us,
(-(-_(-_-)_-)-) Your wellness check-in team
John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila, Elise, Isabelle, Noura, Julie and Riley

Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 147
Date: November 19, 2024

Participants: John Webster, Riley Thompson and Cameron Earnshaw
Guest: Dr. Fredric Schiffer

Start Times and Segments:

[0:00:16] What’s On Your Mind: John asks Riley about the ways people are connected to screens. She’s more familiar with platforms like Tik Tok, Youtube and more.

[0:09:36] Expanding Minds Interview: [Mental Wellness] Dr. Frederic Schiffer discusses dual brain psychology, which comes out of rigorous scientific research. Split brain studies show that each brain hemisphere can have a mind of its own. One of them could be troubled by past traumas, while the other is quite healthy. Victims of trauma often judge themselves as inadequate and feel they are weak. The purpose of dual brain psychology is to treat the trauma – to help the immature side realize that they were not responsible and they are not inadequate. They were traumatized. There’s a difference. An idea from dual brain psychology is to get the healthy side to be a co-therapist to help treat the trauma in the more troubled side. Initially the two sides are sabotaging each other. They can become cooperative.

[0:29:11] Running Popup: It popped into John’s head – “I won’t worry about legacy”. He’s sticking with it.

[0:31:22] Adventures of the Starving Artist: The group Massive Attack is taking active steps to help the environment on an upcoming tour. Cam tell us about this great idea.

Guest Information: Dr Fredric Schiffer has a wealth of experience in psychiatry and is a best-selling author, psychiatrist and part-time assistant professor at Harvard. He’s on a mission to help people understand their anxiety, addiction and trauma and to offer them a proven method to improve their wellbeing. Problems arise from early traumas. Very often, the trauma is not recognized. Dr. Schiffer wrote the book Goodbye Anxiety, Depression, Addiction & PTSD: The Life-Changing Science of Dual-Brain Psychology. He takes an in-depth look at the science behind Dual-Brain Psychology while offering practical tips and tools to try it for yourself. he discovered that the brain is made up of two minds which are competing for dominance. When the immature and troubled half of the brain is treated, Dual-Brain Psychology techniques can curb anxiety, depression, PTSD, and addiction, and improve psychological wellbeing.

Connect with Let’s Be Well Together Podcast:
website: https://letsbewelltogether.com
Follow our Instagram account: @lets.be.well.together use hashtag #letsbewelltogetherpodcast
Provide input on Instagram using hashtag #letsbewelltogetherinput

Thanks for joining us,
(-(-_(-_-)_-)-) Your wellness check-in team
John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila, Elise, Isabelle, Noura, Julie and Riley