This week's guest, Agnes, stops by and shares a bit of their journey and how it led them to starting Starlings Community. She was a nurse working within the broken system and as her life journey progressed she knew she needed to move into a different compassionate place to be of use to other humans. Thank you Agnes, we appreciate you and all that y…

This week our guest, Sonny stops by with his husband, Wes and we hear about their individual and sometimes collective journeys together. They are a part of the Gay Druze Community, which has members from all over the world. We talk about shedding the different, and similar dogmas we were hampered with from childhood. As we become more and more ours…

Since the recording of this episode, myself and other folks involved in the pro Palestine, end the Genocide movement have been approached by members of police intelligence officers from both the Calgary Police Service and the RCMP. They've approached most of us under the guise of "building community". Due to the RCMP's continued violence against in…

This week, Lia stops by and shares her incredible journey as a young, 14 year old entering into the volatile world of politics. We talk about her discovery of alcohol as a coping mechanism. She talks about her understanding of alcohol as a problematic part of her and her partner's life a few months into their collective journey years ago. She talks…

This week Darcy and I sit down to chat about the complicated task of maintaining empathy in a world where it's seen and treated as a weakness and a defect. We talk about government tactics to destroy morale, connectivity, and solidarity of protestors. The obvious and unapologetic imbalance in police response to Black, Indigenous and People of Color…

This week, Darcy and I sit down and chat about millennial scoop and the continued use of the child welfare system to enforce racist and colonial control over indigenous peoples of turtle Island. We talk about the foster care system which continues the policy of "killing the indigenous" within every indigenous child in order to assimilate them to co…

This week's guest, Steve from Stonewall Recovery Centre here in Calgary stops by and shares portions of his journey. He talks about not only his life in active addiction, but through his coming out as a queer man in a fuller recovery for himself. I won't share too much, we have a great conversation and it is always lovely sitting down with members …

This week artist, frontline worker, activist, and advocate; Nikk Goodswimmer also known as PunkIndigenous (they/she 2S) is Stoney Nakota and Cree from Treaty 8 Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation. They share their incredible, painful and harrowing journey starting with the millennial scoop of 2000's. Where the federal government continued its awful practice …

This week's guest, Kyle, stops by and shares his journey through addiction into recovery. Kyle essentially grew up working in the restaurant and bar industry while working and studying finance. There were times when working in the bar industry when his alcoholism simply took over after multiple times of sobriety. Kyle's story is an illustration of …

This week my friend and all around amazing human, Michelle Robinson stops by and we discuss the very real, ongoing world of racism - not only policing. We discuss how other government bodies police Black, Indigenous, People of Color, the unhoused, identifiable queer folkx, and those engaged in active drug use. We examine a recent altercation that I…

This week's guest, Aidan stops by and shares about his life. He talks about the violence he experienced when the Calgary police attacked and assaulted peaceful protestors and students May 9th, 2024. We are sharing some of the photos of his injuries taken directly after being released. We talk about his life and the journey which brought him to acti…

Welp, 2024 is over and now what... 2025!? Darcy and I try to turn our frowns upside down with a year end episode. We do talk about loss and the awfulness of some humans in our world. We also talk about something neither of us have had in plenty this last year. Hope. Opportunity to work harder on ourselves so that we can be of more use to others in …

This week, Jasmine stops by to share their journey into and within their life of recovery. She could not imagine a life without drinking and using, as that was her modelling as a child. She believes that her life would always be like the lives of her family. Her mother was a victim of the 60's scoop and we learn that every step the government took …

This week Darcy and I sit down to approach our emotions and thoughts about so many things happening within and without us. We recognize that, as we talked from our point of privilege; genocide is happening across our planet. Colonial powers attempt to tighten their grips in several countries not their own. Trans Rights are being taken away in priva…

This week's guest, Kenna Burima stops by and shares her incredible journey into advocacy and activism using her art and creative energy. I won't try and tell you that we have a linear conversation because neither of us are linear thinkers. I think she is a bundle of love and positive, healing energy. After sitting and chatting with Kenna, I also re…

This week, Karla Marx stops by and shares her beautiful journey. She has been involved in activism for about ten years and is a beautiful, talented performer. An hour with Karla could never do them justice, as you will find out when you listen. I appreciate your work in our community and your continued pursuit of equality for all humans. We are inc…

This week's guest, Abir, stops by and shares her incredible journey through this life. She shares her family's journey from the Middle East in the 90's when Islamophobia and xenophobia was really hitting its stride across the west and even the east. We talk about the Canadian dream and the emptiness felt when folks realized they traded one form of …

This week, Jon stops by and shares about his life. We talk about many parts of his life and look at the current situation of our fellow suffering humans across the planet. That is how we met in fact, gathering to support folks, who are demonized in the western media. This of course allows us to explore and condemn the history of racism, the Crown a…

This week's guest and one of our favorite humans ever, Taylor Dumais stops by and shares about their incredible journey. She is the president of Sacred Turtle Women's Healing Centre https://www.facebook.com/share/NWeY4YPqUvQVB3xD/ and is a part of the great, growing movement across Turtle Island returning us to the guidance of grandmothers. Thank y…

This week, Darcy and I sit together and talk about turning 50 and the continued, escalating genocide against Palestinians and so many others in our world, as I write this. We share about grief, loss, change, aging, police violence, racism and our provincial government, and the general feeling that everyone is on simmer and soon there'll be some kin…

This week's guest, Mike, comes to us from a SMART Recovery perspective and i found it refreshing. Chatting with him about recovery, evolutionary biology, evolutionary psychology, etc gave my brain an incredible boost of really nice chemicals as I learned quite a lot - just enough to know that I really know nothing. I hope it does the same for all o…

This week our friend, Wesam from Justice for Palestinians Calgary stops by with a UofC student to share about continued police brutality, violence, and ongoing bullying. We talk about May 9th, 2024 when the Calgary police escalated and attacked unarmed students and protestors at the University of Calgary. We talked about how Edmonton police doubled…

This week, our friend, Peter, returns and shares about the last few very tumultuous years in recovery - since covid. He shared about how deeply his connections have shifted and adjusted through medical distress, emotional upheaval, and incredible learning. I appreciate being able to sit down and talk about the sometimes debilitating road to happy d…

This week, Aline stops by and shares their incredible journey through early trauma, continued trauma, into addiction, and today where she's living a life in recovery. Her openness and vulnerability are a sign of her courage moving forward through recovery. She tries to utilize her journey to inspire and encourage others. Thank you Aline, we appreci…

This week, I sit down with my close friends Michelle and Darcy Robinson. We talk about twenty years of sobriety, anti racism work, racism, literature, and the huge concept of cancelling people. I have said this before and I am sure that I will say it again at some point; it always comes back to how many people did not cancel me when I was living li…

This week, Pulkit and Dhaniket stop by and literally blow our collective minds. The world feels so ugly these days - it made sense to bring them on the podcast because these fellows are trying to inject hope wherever they can. I am going to let them speak for themselves, as throughout the episode I find myself in awe of what they're doing and are t…

This week, we share part two of Karrie-Lynn's story. This week we dive deeper into the process of their transition. I open up about my own queerness and we have a wonderful conversation. You are a gift to our world - thank you for coming back on.By David Lewry

This week's guest, Daphne stops by and shares all about Black Pride YYC and their own personal journey. They came to Canada from Nigeria where it is still illegal to be Queer. Once here, they set out intent on being their truest self. I won't give spoilers; however, we talk about the beginnings and the why's Black Pride YYC was necessary and formed…

This week's guests, Comrade Yulia Borscht and Dani Phantom stopped by to share their stories and we talk everything under the beautifully queer sun! I'm not going to lie, most people will just fall in love with them so beware. I was able to attend their show, Housing Crisis, before sitting down with them and chatting away so I already fell in love …

This week's guest, Karrie-Lynn, stops by and opens up about their journey. We talk about very adult subject matter, please consider this a content warning. Our conversation is one of those that I think about long after we are done talking. Thank you for your inspiration, bravery, and for your service!…

This week's guest, Mohamed stops by to talk about Palestine. He is from there and a lot of his family and many friends still live there under constant threat of annihilation. We talk about the ongoing genocide in Palestine and we talk a about the Congo and the Sudan as well. Knowing colonialism and it's resulting genocide can continue under any gui…

This week, Michelle and I sit down, helping each other sort through and essentially process our shifts in perspective on the Calgary Police. We are angry and we are among many, who feel just as we do. I'm sure even angrier considering having been victimized by the police on May 9th, 2024 at the University of Calgary and May 11, 2024 at the Universi…

Our guest this week, James, survived 9 conversion therapy counsellors from the ages of 6 - 13. It is no wonder that they found themselves working towards queer liberation for most of their life. They have been involved in the drag show troupe, "Fake Mustache" for twenty years! Thank you for coming on and for opening up your vault of our queer histo…

This week's guest, Mahmoud Abi Samaan comes to us from Rafah after his entire family was displaced by the IDF and their home was destroyed in Gaza by Israeli bomb/rocket strikes. All this after he lost his best friend to an Israeli bombing at 17 years old. Mahmoud was in hospital for months having his body put back together. As much brutality as th…

This week Darcy and I try and understand all that's been happening in our vast, hurting world. We both came out confused, somewhat sleepy and laughing so the episode is probably ok. One thing I try and keep in mind, as we discuss topics from the universe around us and across the planet is my very privileged position. Not only am I a middle aged, wh…

This week's guest, Wendy, is a wonderful musician and long time indigenous activist. They share their often difficult journey through life - emphasizing both their gritty, protest-folk-rock music (I made that up) and their continued activism for human rights.By David Lewry

This week's guest, Kat, stops by and shares their story. Kat comes to Calgary via California and the beautiful San Jose area. Although they also grew up in twelve step rooms from the time they can remember. Through the years, they began to experience and witness the violence and shame based approaches within the justice and recovery communities in …

This week's guest, Dawn, stopped by and shared her journey from a life where alcohol became medicine to cope with deep pain, anxiety, and depression. She is now trying her best to face, cope with and heal from the deep pain she carries. Like all of us, the process of healing is beautiful and messy. Painful and joyous. Like life.. Thank you Dawn!…

This week's guest comes from a police department in Canada. I will give a pre-warning, warning that this episode might be incredibly triggering for anyone. We talk openly and frankly about the experiences we have had in our different capacities. I had no idea the depths of sexism/misogyny, Islamophobia, and homophobia in law enforcement culture unt…

This week's guest, Danielle, drops in to talk about accessing mental health and addiction services in Calgary, Alberta. She is incredibly open and honest about her recent journey within the system. We talk openly about our mental illnesses and share some soothing strategies/ideas for when mental health is pushed to the limits. This is one of those …

This week's guest, Wesam, an activist with Justice For Palestine stops by to talk about organizating and running weekly protests in an attempt to end genocide and find peace I Palestine. We talk about how deeply islamaphobia runs within western style culture. We talk about how islamaphobia is another means for western culture to continue its war on…

This week our guests are none other than my brothers, Greg and Nathan. The three of us sat down to talk about losing our pops and how life has changed for each of us in some ways as we approach the one year anniversary of his passing. I love my brothers and honestly, what resonates the most from this is how Darcy heard our conversation. He heard di…

This week's guest, Bill, shares some of his experiences working in Palestine, Gaza, Israel, and more. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to come on to share some first hand experiences.By David Lewry

This week's guest, Saima Jamal, is an amazing human being. She's one of those strong activists out here despite the often harsh consequences they face from the authorities. Regardless of the opposition she faces every day, she stands up for what is right. For what is human. You may not understand her point of view and you may not agree with it. Try…

This week's guest, Kimberly, comes to us from the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia. Not only is she a person in recovery, but she is a recovery coach and support human. Her story is a journey through alcoholism in a career where drinking was not only encouraged but supported in some respects. Thank you so much Kimberly, we appreciate you. If you'…

This week Michael and Nazia stop by and we talk about an end to genocide and war. We talk about love, humanity, and a need for us to love one another regardless of whatever we may believe in. The answer remains to be love. Thank you Nazia and Michael for joining us and engaging in a talk about recognizing our humanity and making decisions from a pl…

This week's guest, Juan Castro, stops by and I get to do something I really enjoy - listening to artists talk about art is heart and mind opening. Juan is going to be performing at Freedom’s Path Recovery Society's open house fund raiser in March. Details to follow! Thank you Juan, we appreciate you.…

This week, Michelle and Darcy sit down with me and we take a look back over 2023. We talk about how difficult it can be to keep pushing forward when the world appears like it's imploding. When our fellow humans commit genocide on women, children, whole families, and bloodlines across the ocean and call it war. 2023 saw the whole world grieving.…

This week's guest, Joey, shares his unbelievable journey with us. In this episode we discuss adult themes that may not be suitable for all ages. Joey's openness about the life he's lived and how he came to be living in Calgary, Alberta Canada is commendable. Without giving away too much, I'll say that my pops was always right, love is the most tran…

his week's guest, Sue-Shane, stops by and shares her story. They lost their parents at different, incredibly impressionable ages. In so many ways, shaping the wonderfully, compassionate and intelligent woman, who sat with us. I'll leave her story for her to tell in detail, but suffice it to say that the world is a better place with her in it. Thank…