Calltime Mental Health Podcast

In the latest episode of the Calltime Mental Health Podcast (Season 3: Stories of Hope), host Gregg Taylor speaks with Natasha Toni - an actor, labor relations specialist, trainer, and CEO at Elevate Inclusion Strategies. Having taken part in the original Calltime Public Service Announcement (PSA) a decade ago, Natasha returns to reflect on the evolving landscape of psychological health and safety in the BC motion picture industry.Natasha envisions a future where crew members walk side by side - feeling empowered to give and receive care without fear of judgment.Support and resources available to film industry members:Calltime Mental Health Tools: Access counseling guidance, addiction recovery resources, and the Find a Counselor directory at CalltimeMentalHealth.comBC Union Member Benefits: Explore mental health funding, counseling programs, and recovery assistance offered through ACFC West Local 2020, DGC BC, IATSE 891, ICG 669, Teamsters 155, and UBCP/ACTRA.Become a Calltime Champion: Join a growing online network of sector members advocating for mental health awareness and peer support on set at calltimementalhealth.com/championsCredits:Host / Executive Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Gregg Taylor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Michael Levett⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Engineer and Editor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Gaëtan Harris⁠Social Media & Comms: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Elbia Chavez Zirena

In Season 3 Episode 1 of the Calltime Mental Health Podcast, host Greg Taylor catches up with cinematographer and filmmaker David Bercovici-Artieda. A member of the BC motion picture community since 1992 and an original contributor to Calltime’s PSA ten years ago, David shares a deeply personal account of his journey through addiction, recovery, and finding balance in the film industry. David opens up about the physical and emotional toll of 80-hour workweeks, living as a "weekend warrior," and how losing close friends to substance use became a crucial turning point. He discusses his unique path to recovery through biofeedback therapy with Dr. Paul Swingle, the necessity of taming the ego, and how simple daily practices—like vegetable gardening, hiking, and family time—keep him grounded today. In this episode, we cover:David’s career journey from camera apprentice to cinematographer and director. The hidden strain of long film set hours and functional addiction. Exploring individual pathways to recovery beyond traditional programs. Overcoming ego and embracing humility to reach out for help. Practical habits for maintaining work-life balance in production. Resources & Links:Access mental health tools, addiction recovery guides, and counselor directories at ⁠Calltime Mental Health⁠. Explore BC union mental health benefits (ACFC West Local 2020, DGC BC, IATSE 891, ICG 669, Teamsters 155, UBCP/ACTRA). Support your crew and join our online community at ⁠calltimementalhealth.com/champions⁠. CreditsHost / Executive Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Gregg Taylor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Michael Levett⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Engineer and Editor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Gaëtan Harris⁠Social Media & Comms: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Elbia Chavez Zirena

Behind every great production are real people experiencing real successes, and real struggles. While audiences see polished films and television shows, working behind the scenes in the entertainment industry often comes with intense pressure, long hours, and personal challenges. To ensure no worker feels isolated, the Call Time Mental Health Podcast is back for its third season, built around an inspiring and essential focus: Stories of Hope.Credits:Host / Executive Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Gregg Taylor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Michael Levett⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Engineer and Editor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Gaëtan Harris⁠Social Media & Comms: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Elbia Chavez Zirena

A conversation with labour relations specialist Natasha TonyIn this episode of the Calltime Mental Health Podcast, host Gregg Taylor sits down with longtime industry insider and labour relations expert Natasha Tony to talk about the impact of exclusion in the workplace, especially in film.Natasha has worked in the industry for over three decades, beginning in casting and later serving as a union rep before founding her own consulting firm, Elevate Inclusion. Her work now focuses on building inclusive workplaces and shifting workplace culture in film, TV, and beyond.This episode is a powerful, personal conversation about how exclusion shows up, how it takes a toll on people’s mental health, and what we can all do to help create safer, more inclusive working environments.Links mentioned in the Podcast:Creative Pathways Professional Development ProgramCalltime Mental Health VideoBC Humans Rights CodeBlack Screen OfficeIndigenous Screen OfficeRacial Equity Screen OfficeWorkSafe BC Psychological Health and SafetyA Transformative Framework to Achieve and Sustain Employment Equity - Report of the Employment Equity Act Review Task ForceCalltime Mental Health ResourcesCalltime Mental Health Union BenefitsFind a Councillor ToolNarrative Shift with Natasha Tony PodcastCredits: Host / Executive Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Gregg Taylor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Michael Levett⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Engineer and Editor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Gaëtan Harris

In this episode of the Calltime Podcast, we’re joined by Mary Ann Baynton, Chief Experience Officer at Mary Ann Baynton & Associates Corp and Director of Strategy for Workplace Strategies for Mental Health. Mary Ann shares her expertise on creating psychologically safe workplaces, offering practical tips for reducing stress and promoting mental well-being, especially in high-pressure industries like film. Tune in to hear about the importance of vulnerability, managing expectations, and fostering a supportive environment in the workplace. Don't miss these powerful insights for better mental health at work!Resources mentioned in the podcast:Workplace Strategies for Mental Health:An initiative providing free, practical ideas, tools, and resources to help with the prevention, intervention, and management of workplace mental health issues.https://www.workplacestrategiesformentalhealth.com/ FlourishDx:A platform providing tools and resources for managing psychosocial risks and promoting psychological health and safety.FlourishDXPsychologically Safe Leader Method:A resource designed to help leaders create and maintain psychologically safe workplaces.https://www.mindfulemployer.ca/psychologicallysafeleadermethod National Standard of Canada on Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace (Z1003):A set of voluntary guidelines, tools, and resources intended to guide organizations in promoting mental health and preventing psychological harm at work.https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/national-standard/ ISO 45003: Psychological health and safety at workAn international standard providing guidelines for managing psychosocial risks in the workplace.https://www.iso.org/standard/64283.htmlCredits: Host / Executive Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Gregg Taylor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Michael Levett⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Engineer and Editor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Gaëtan Harris