Claim OwnershipTELUS Talks with Tamara Taggart
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Each week, TELUS Talks with Tamara Taggart will bring exclusive conversations with experts and influencers making a difference for Canadians right now. From health and wellness, to community, to social responsibility, we’ll share stories, bust myths, provide simple and practical tips, and deliver information of value to Canadians.
271 Episodes
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Young Canadians are being squeezed like never before, facing rising costs, unaffordable housing and a changing climate. Dr. Paul Kershaw, founder of Generation Squeeze, believes it’s time to “squeeze back.” He joins us to explain what generational fairness really means and how smart policy can create a future where every generation thrives. We discuss what it means to build intergenerational solidarity and why being a good ancestor starts with rethinking how we spend, save and care for one another.
What does it mean to survive the night and look toward dawn? Writer and filmmaker Julian Brave NoiseCat joins us to talk about his new book We Survived the Night and his Oscar-nominated documentary Sugarcane. Julian shares how storytelling and art become acts of survival amid colonial violence and displacement. He reflects on his family’s history, the legacy of residential schools and how Indigenous Nations continue to resist and heal together. Through myth, memory, and truth-telling, Julian shows that survival is the only way forward.
Pepper Stetler’s daughter Louisa, who has Down syndrome, was required to take IQ tests to access an education. Pepper began to question what these numbers really measure. Her search uncovered the complex history of the IQ test and how it shaped who was seen as capable. We discuss Pepper’s deeply personal relationship to IQ testing and the systems that often miss the full humanity of the people they claim to assess.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping work, creativity and healthcare. But how does AI actually work? Oxford neuroscientist Christopher Summerfield joins us to explore how it’s impacting our daily lives. He explains what it takes for a machine to think and what we need to consider as this technology becomes part of our future. We also dive into his new book These Strange New Minds: How AI Learned to Talk and What It Means.
Millions live with back pain, migraines, digestive issues or anxiety and are often told there’s no cure. But psychotherapist and author Nicole J. Sachs says chronic pain relief lies in the mind-body connection. Nicole introduces JournalSpeak, her practical method to release repressed emotions, retrain the nervous system and unlock true healing.
The Indian Act has controlled Indigenous lives for nearly 150 years. Bob Joseph, author of 21 Things You Need to Know About Indigenous Self-Government, explains how Nations are breaking free from dependency, restoring culture and building thriving governments on their own terms. We explore the difference between self-administration and true self-government, the role of hereditary leadership and why this transformation benefits all Canadians.
Menopause affects half the world’s population, yet too often women are left without support or real solutions. Andrea Berchowitz is the co-founder of Vira Health, a menopause telemedicine clinic. She discusses how technology is improving access to menopause care and how personalized digital care can empower women everywhere.
For Dr. Sami Timimi, the future of mental health is not about labels. As a child and adolescent psychiatrist, Sami challenges the idea that every struggle needs a diagnosis and a treatment plan. He explains how our approach to mental health can sideline the real social and cultural roots of suffering. We explore why mental health diagnoses keep multiplying, how culture shapes what we see as normal and what a care system built on connection could mean for the future.
Life can change in an instant. At just 20 years old, Terry Healey’s life was turned upside down by a rare cancer diagnosis and an 11-hour surgery that changed his appearance forever. Terry shares how he created a framework to help others tackle challenges, rebuild confidence and find purpose after setbacks. Terry’s new book, The Resilience Mindset: How Adversity Can Strengthen Individuals, Teams, and Leaders, is available everywhere on September 9.
Mental health tools often leave queer people out of the conversation. Rahim Thawer, a social worker, psychotherapist and author of The Mental Health Guide for Cis and Trans Queer Guys, wants to change that. Rahim shares why inclusive mental health care matters for queer men and their allies. We talk about breaking cycles of shame, healing from trauma and building the confidence to be yourself.
Community is built in the small, everyday ways we show up for each other. Author Casey Plett joins us to talk about the real work of building connections. Drawing from her book On Community, Casey shares stories from Mennonite towns to queer art collectives and explains why lasting relationships take effort and care. She offers practical ideas for finding your people, showing up with intention and creating spaces where community members feel they belong.
Too many women are running on empty and Shannon Watts is here to challenge that. She is the founder of Moms Demand Action and author of Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age. Shannon joins us to talk about living with purpose and power, how to protect your energy and why reinvention is essential. If you feel your fire flickering, this conversation will help reignite it.
You can work full time, follow all the rules and still be unable to afford a place to live. Brian Goldstone is a journalist and anthropologist who has spent years reporting on the rise of the “working homeless.” His new book, There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America, is an intimate look at five families in Atlanta and how the housing system has failed them. Brian explains why homelessness is often hidden from view, how the cost of living is driving people out of their home cities and what needs to change to fix the housing crisis.
What makes a truly fulfilling life? Psychologist and author Shige Oishi says it’s about more than happiness and meaning. He introduces us to psychological richness as the third dimension to a good life. Shige explores how curiosity, exploration and diverse experiences can create more satisfying experiences. We discuss why chasing happiness can backfire, how meaning can become a trap and why embracing life’s complexity might be the key to living without regret. Shige’s insights will make you rethink your idea of success.
Scientists have been studying airborne diseases for centuries but their warnings were often overlooked. Carl Zimmer is an award-winning New York TImes columnist and the author of 15 books about science. He helps us unpack the history of airborne diseases, how public health can cling to outdated beliefs and how history predicted our response to COVID-19. Carl reveals the hidden story of airborne transmission and what it means for the air we share today.
Sport can be a turning point and a lifeline for so many young people. Taylor McPherson knows firsthand how powerful that lifeline can be. From a wrestling mat in Calgary to co-founding initiatives that bring sports to rural communities, Taylor is making sport more accessible for Indigenous youth. She believes sport can build identity, confidence and connection. We dive into why representation matters, how we can continue breaking barriers and what’s possible when young people are given the space to thrive.
Rivers are vanishing; not just from our landscapes, but from our imaginations. Acclaimed author and Cambridge University professor Robert Macfarlane explores the deeply moving idea at the heart of his new book, Is a River Alive? He shares stories from Ecuador, India and Canada—where rivers have been granted legal personhood and recognized as living beings and asks us to reconnect with nature in a deeper way.
Indigenous women are reshaping the film industry one story at a time. We sit down with filmmaker Jules Koostachin to talk about her new documentary Niimisak: Sisters in Film, a celebration of the women who paved the way and those continuing to break new ground. From cinematic legends to emerging voices, Jules highlights the talent, resilience and creative force of Indigenous women behind the camera. We explore what meaningful representation looks like, the systemic barriers that still exist, and how we can build lasting opportunities for Indigenous women in film.
Human trafficking is happening all over Canada and is hidden in plain sight. Filmmaker Viveka Melki shares the stories behind her new documentary Butterfly: Into the Maze of Human Trafficking, which follows three women who survived being trafficked across Western Canada. We dive into the strength it takes to survive, how storytelling can become a tool for healing and how we can recognize when human trafficking is happening in our own communities.
Feeling overwhelmed, stuck in your head, or ruled by your emotions? Ethan Kross wants you to know there is a way forward. As a psychologist and best-selling author, Ethan shares his practical tips for managing your emotions before they manage you. He dives into science-backed tools to help you calm your mind, reframe your thoughts, and reshape your environment for greater clarity and control.
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