In April of 2020, just a month into the Pandemic, the province of Nova Scotia experienced one of the most traumatic and devastating events in its history. A single gunman Gabriel committed multiple shootings over two days, killing 22 people and set fires at 16 locations.

In this episode Karen Dean shares her experience of losing one of her closest friends in the shooting, and what inspired her write a book titled: “We are Unbreakable: Raw, Real Stories of Resilience”. Collecting authentic and inspiring stories by 22 women from Nova Scotia, Karen provided a forum for these individuals to share their personal reflections from an unprecedented year.

Naomi Mwaura is someone who is not content to be a bystander, but willing to spearhead an initiative for change. As the Founder of Flone Initiative, Naomi and her team are working to a create a safe and professional public transport industry in Kenya. Growing up in a family of matatu owner/operators Naomi has the courage to take chances, the wisdom to ask the community what they need, and a passion for making a difference.

In November 2019, Kerri Cryderman unexpectedly lost her sister, who was her best friend and roommate. What started out as a routine evening ended in her sister’s unexplained death in their family home. Less than three months after returning to work, COVID-19 escalated, it was suggested that Kerri work from home - the very place where her sister passed away. As an executive leader in healthcare, she needed to be a pillar of strength while trying to heal personally. Kerri has been spending the last year and a half navigating her grief, completing a certificate in Executive Coaching at Royal Roads, and immersing herself in supporting the pandemic response for her portfolio.

Joining us for this episode is Dr. Taryn Marie Stejskal, considered to be the #1 international expert on resilience. It is Dr. Stejskal’s mission to positively impact the lives of 1 billion people through the concepts of resilience by 2030. Leveraging over a decade and a half of original research on resilience, Dr. Stejskal reveals her empirically based framework, The Five Practices of Particularly Resilient People.

Having lived with debilitating anxiety for a number of years, Joe Bakhmoutski did not anticipate he would also have to face testicular cancer. Joe admits his cancer experience led him through the lowest depths of misery and pain to eventually forge a closer bond with his family.

Rephar Salamba lives in Nairobi, Kenya and is a mother to her 16 year old son.

Sharing her experience of leaving an abusive marriage, and the key elements that have enabled her to find herself once again, Rephar has a story of strength, determination and resilience.

Lisa Strogal is a Master Certified Coach, CEO and founding principal of Shadow Light Consulting Inc. With a long list of accomplishments, certifications, and corporate experience, Lisa has developed programs for leadership development, and coaching curriculums leveraged in community, organization, team and individual transformations

Kaleb Dahlgren is a #1 Bestselling Author with his recent memoir Crossroads - sharing his story of tragedy and resilience as a Humboldt Bronco. After losing 16 members of his Broncos family and surviving the tragic crash, he continued to give back and help the community of Humboldt heal.

In this episode Cindy Thompson is speaking with Kim Wilkinson, a mother and a Grief Recovery Specialist. Losing her 22 yr old son Tristan to a drug Overdose in November 2019, Kim would suggest it is through this journey that she discovered healing, recovery and transformation. With a passion for learning, Kim shares her experience with personal and family Mental Health challenges, PTSD, Addictions and Trauma. Suggesting it was Tristan’s purpose to help her find HER Purpose, Kim is now working with others in their passage from SUFFERING to EMPOWERMENT.

Karen Alcantara is a support worker in the anti-violence sector, supporting women and gender diverse individuals who are healing from various life experiences. She has worked in the housing sector in the Downtown East Side, is currently employed at WAVAW (Women Against Violence Against Women) Rape Crisis Centre in Vancouver and is part of an advisory committee for the UN Women’s initiative to create safer cities.