PODCAST · society
Heroes in our Midst
by Toogood Consulting
We find, celebrate and learn from the heroes that walk in our midst every day. We are honoured to hear the true stories our guests reveal so openly and authentically with us. It is a privilege to capture each hero’s journey and to share their experience and wisdom with our listeners.
Episodes
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Episode #83: Ashley Wray
When you hear the word “meditation” what is your first thought? I bet it isn’t that it can help you reach higher levels of success… or lead your company to greater execution with more compassion… or that it can help you WIN in every sense of the word. Well, performance coach Ashley Wray believes...
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Episode #82: Michael Bartlett
“You’re not filling anyone’s shoes – bring your own.” Michael Bartlett, brought his own shoes to Canada Basketball as CEO back in 2021 and what he has done for basketball in Canada in just 3 short years is nothing short of impressive. 3 of our teams competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics for the…
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Episode #81: Judy Riege
"I believe for us as parents, coaches, teachers and workplace leaders we have a responsibility to role model what it looks like, sounds like and feels like to be a great human being. And that we can actually allow and give hope to the next generation to say, hey, I want to show up and be kind and...
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Episode #80: Kristen Campbell
“I knew that every single day I had to earn my way there and do everything possible to become the best version of myself every single day to get to where I am now.” From the 2nd Grade, Kristen Campbell had a dream to play in goal for the Canadian Women’s hockey team at the Olympic Games. She has...
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Episode #79: Lisa Franks
“My life has just become my new norm – it’s just going to take a lot more effort.” Lisa Franks was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. An athletic kid with dreams of playing basketball in the Olympic Games. Never did she think that it would be in a wheelchair. But incredibly, after becoming…
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Episode #78: Katrina Monton
“I don’t think any of us are in the business of removing challenge. I think we’re in the business of increasing challenge to the most we can tolerate as a human being. But then, if that human being is being asked to tolerate all of this challenge – how can we build up the human being, how can we...
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Episode # 77: Asun Ducharme
“I know what it’s like to not have food in the fridge” One of the things that Asun Ducharme carries with him from his childhood. It wasn’t an easy one but somehow, somewhere, he finds positives in all of it and he is finding his way to greatness. The passion and the drive in this young man will...
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Episode #76: Ray Zahab
When you open Ray Zahab’s website you will find these three words. CHALLENGE. DISTANCE. DISCOVERY. Exactly what he takes on, on a very regular basis. He takes on new challenges that usually include running long distances and discovering not only the cultures and geography of the places he goes…
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Episode # 75: Steve Bell
“My life changed when I stopped defining success by a certain limited framework.” That’s what Juno award winning singer/songwriter Steve Bell said, when he decided, along with his manager/producer/sound design partner Dave Zeglinski, that they would leave Nashville and come back home to Manitoba…
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Episode#74: Claire Hanna
If you were ever wanting to hear the story of someone who has worked for absolutely everything she’s ever gotten in life, then, you’ve found the right story. Our guest today is Claire Hanna. Most recently, you may have seen Claire on the sidelines of the 2023 Grey Cup championship game as part of...
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Episode # 73: Mark Borowiecki
“A 30-year reunion… do your ex-teammates want to come sit at a table with you because you scored a bunch of goals or was it because you were a good person and a good teammate? That’s always kind of stuck with me.” That’s just one of the things recently retired NHL hockey player, Mark Borowiecki...
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Episode #72: Danny Zhilkin
“I think the biggest thing is just finding the motivation within yourself. If this is something you want to do and if this is your passion, I think you’ll have no problem having that motivation to succeed.” Well, 19-year-old hockey player Danny Zhilkin is certainly motivated, and he has been…
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Episode #71: Team Toogood
“It’s not just about, ‘How can I get a million people to buy my stuff?’ it’s ‘How can I get one person to be affected by the stuff that we are saying and that we are sharing’ – and that for me is this.” “Heroes in our Midst” host Michelle Sawatzky-Koop said that in conversation with creator Dr....
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Episode #70: Sara Orlesky
“Hard work pays off and we all fall down at some point, the important thing is to get back up.” Those are the words Sara Orlesky ended our conversation with, in this episode of “Heroes in our Midst”, and the stories she has to tell along the way lead us to that. Sara is now the Senior Host and...
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Episode # 69: Catherine Wreford Ledlow
“Winning Amazing Race Canada has made my platform much bigger and I’m able to reach out more to people and be a bigger advocate for brain cancer and every kind of cancer and people with disabilities and people who don’t think they can do something – I’ve proven them WRONG!” She most certainly…
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Episode # 68: Dayna Spiring
“The harder I work, the luckier I get.” Dayna Spiring might attribute that quote to her husband, but she certainly lives it. Every single day she wakes up with purpose and the realization that to be your very best, you can’t escape the work. Dayna is currently the President and CEO of Economic...
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Episode #67: Venla Hovi
“That was my goal since daycare that I was going to play in the Olympics.” Who sets goals like that in daycare? Venla Hovi, that’s who. Venla is one of the best female hockey players to ever come out of Finland – she is a 2-time Olympic medalist, a multiple World championship medal winner, a...
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Episode #66: Vanessa Martinez Lagunas
“My plan to go to Germany was to get a PHD in sport science, to get the highest coaching license in the world and I wanted to play pro soccer in Germany. Those were my three goals and many people told me I was crazy.” – Dr. Vanessa Martinez Lagunas Some pretty big dreams and she realized them…
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Episode #65: Adam Bighill
“NOW, go do something with it!” If there’s anyone who believes that everyone has huge potential and it just takes hard work to realize your dreams, it’s Adam Bighill. He grew up in the States where “Friday Night Lights” was actually a “thing” and he went on to play on the biggest stage in his…
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Episode # 64: Neil Craton
“I think this idea, the open hand, sharing what you’ve been given openly… that’s very important to me.” – Dr. Neil Craton Well, good thing we asked him to join us to share his story! Dr. Neil Craton doesn’t only have his own life’s story to tell. He has countless experiences and examples of what...
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Episode #63: Jill Officer
“I want her to know that she can chase her dreams”. That’s what Jill Officer said about her daughter, Camry, because that’s exactly what she has always done – chased her dreams. All her life, Jill wasn’t afraid to put in the work, survive the ups and downs and deal with the pressure to be her…
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Episode #62: Alexa Scott
“Cindy Klassen, Clara Hughes, Shannon Rempel, Brittany Schussler: I just want to be the next 'one of them'.” – Alexa Scott. But who IS 21-year-old, long track speed skater Alexa Scott in her own right? She’s a Canadian Junior champion, a 3-time Canada Winter Games gold medalist, she’s won junior...
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Episode #61: Cindy Klassen
No doubt, when you hear the name Cindy Klassen, speed skating and Olympic medals comes to mind. SIX to be exact. The whole world was talking about Cindy Klassen in 2006 when she won FIVE of them in one Winter Games!! But who knew who she really was? YOU will, when you listen to her story. Which...
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MORE THAN A HUMAN SERIES: Martha McCabe
It is exciting for me to introduce our special guest today – Martha McCabe. I’m excited to highlight Martha for a few reasons. First, she’s a 2-time Olympian in swimming and won a bronze medal at the World Championships. Second, she has started “Head to Head”, an incredible program which offers...
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Episode #60: Peter Jensen
So, this is it. We have reached Episode #60 here at “Heroes in our Midst”. It’s our final guest of Season 2 and we truly believe we’ve saved one of the best for last. This series we’ve focused on incredible people who are “Unapologetically Human”. Dr. Peter Jensen is one of those people. He is…
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MORE THAN AN ATHLETE SERIES: DJ Lalama
Today’s episode is all about professional football player DJ Lalama and it is also, all about a partnership that “Heroes in our Midst” is enjoying with ProPrep Academy. DJ is one of the founders of ProPrep and this podcast series is about more than just being an athlete. No question, the journey...
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Episode #59: Curt Tribble Part TWO
Welcome to the very first “Part 2” of an episode on “Heroes in our Midst”. Last week I had the pleasure of introducing you to Dr. Curt Tribble. If you missed it, he’s at the University of Virginia School of Medicine as Professor of Surgery and the Associate Program Director of the Thoracic…
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Episode #58: Curt Tribble Part ONE
This is a first for “Heroes in our Midst”!! We are sharing today’s episode in 2 parts. Dr. Curt Tribble had so much to say and so many great stories to tell that we couldn’t fit it all into one episode. So, we decided to split it into two… this week and next. Honestly, this guy has done so much…
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Episode #57: Tim Frick
If there was a coach you should look forward to hearing from, it’s Tim Frick. Not just because he’s the winningest team coach in the history of the sport of wheelchair basketball and not just because he’s the only Paralympic coach inducted into the Canadian Sport Hall of Fame but because he’s a...
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MORE THAN AN ATHLETE SERIES: Matt Bailey
Welcome to another episode of “Heroes in our Midst” and also, another in our partnership with ProPrep Academy. This episode is all about hockey. Actually, it’s all about a pretty incredible human whose goal was to play hockey at the highest level. No question – he was relentless and time and time...
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Episode #56: Reid Carruthers
“We are Canada and we better win,” If you think there isn’t pressure on our Canadian curlers to perform, think again. We are good at that game and someone like Reid Carruthers knows that as well as anyone. In today’s episode, we’re going to get to know Reid and I can hardly wait to share his…
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Episode #55: Craig Brown
Today we are getting to know mental performance coach Craig Brown. Craig seems to be one of those guys who never wants to stop learning so that he can keep figuring out how to help others be better. He grew up in Jamaica, loves all sports, and has an even greater passion for the athletes who play...
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Episode #54: Paul Dyck
When I think about the story we’re going to hear today, “love of the game” stands out for me. Paul Dyck grew up in Steinbach, Manitoba and started playing hockey when he was 9 and he begged his parents to sign him up and obviously, it was a good idea! Paul went beyond the borders of his small…
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MORE THAN AN ATHLETE SERIES: Glenn Bruce
“You own the key to the kingdom”. That’s what Glenn Bruce tells his athletes all the time. It’s theirs to use and ProPrep Academy provides the team they need to reach excellence. Glenn is part of that team and he’s worked with the best of the best. We’re talking NFL, NHL, CFL, MLS, U-Sport and a...
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Episode #53: Corny Rempel
Well, here we go again, another great story to tell. Today’s episode is a really special one for me as I get to share the story of someone I work with every day in the Morning radio business. Someone who grew up in the same small town as I did… graduated from the same high school, the same year…
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Episode #52: Gord MacInnes
Today’s episode, takes us back to the front lines. Gord MacInnes has worked for the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service since 2006 and he’s a Senior Firefighter with the Winnipeg Fire Department. He’s seen things and arrived on scenes that most of us can’t even imagine. He also, like all fire…
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Episode #51: Jeff Schirr
“For us, not being prepared or not being ready for that moment could mean someone gets hurt or even dies.” Jeff Schirr said that. Constable Jeff Schirr. A member of the RCMP Emergency Response Team here in Manitoba and truly a hero. With every call that he answers, he puts his life on the line…
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MORE THAN AN ATHLETE SERIES: Morgan Rackel
Today’s guest is one of our Canadian National Softball team’s pitchers, Morgan Rackel. No question, Morgan is an Olympic level athlete but as you will hear from Morgan herself, she is NOT an Olympian. Out of 15 players named to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic team roster, she was #16. Now, being named as...
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Episode #50: Matt Johnston
When you first meet Matt Johnston, today’s guest of course, I think you’ll be taken by his easy going nature, the humility surrounding everything he’s done and has yet to do and his laugh. The way he talks about his golf, you’d think he wasn’t really that good, but he was! And his travels and...
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Episode #49: Kathryn Dzikowicz
It is a distinct pleasure to introduce you to today’s guest. Kathryn Dzikowicz is a small business owner in the fitness industry right here in Manitoba and she has quite a story to tell. Kathryn has been involved in the fitness industry for the past 30 years. Kathryn began her career in Workplace...
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Episode #48: Ace Burpee
“There’s only one true success and that’s to live life in your own way.” Ace Burpee’s sister said that, and he sure did take it to heart. Ace is as unapologetic and human as anyone I have ever met. He lives in Winnipeg, he’s the Morning Show GUY on Hot 103 Virgin Radio and is happy about it. I...
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MORE THAN AN ATHLETE SERIES: Rick Henkewich
Rick Henkewich has spent almost 60 years immersed in the sport of football. Whether as a player or coach, he’s been involved at every single level of the game, with a dedication to never stop learning. He was the first commissioner of the Winnipeg High School Football League that wasn’t an…
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Episode #47: Kevin Geyson
In every episode of “Heroes in our Midst” I just know there’s something for each of us to take away, to learn from and to be inspired by. Many of our guests have been Olympians. Fitting since the 2021 Olympic Games is set to begin in just a few days. Our guest’s dream was to be an Olympian and he...
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Episode #46: Cristina Fink
Every week, I feel like I’m sharing the best episode yet. Well, here we go again. Dr. Cristina Fink is an Olympian AND now a performance psychologist that works with Olympic and professional athletes. Her involvement in sport from so many perspectives has given her a wisdom on performance and on...
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Episode #45: Lorne Korol
At “Heroes in our Midst” our focus is to find the human behind every story we get to share. We recognize how essential it is to be OK with what IS on the inside. Today’s guest is Lorne Korol. Lorne is a man of faith first. He works as a chaplain with a Christ centered organization called…
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Episode #44: Wade Gilbert
Today’s episode highlights a guy they call “The Coach Doc”. Dr. Wade Gilbert. He is an internationally renowned coaching consultant and award-winning professor in the Department of Kinesiology at California State University – Fresno. He has taught and studied coaching and talent development at…
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Episode #43: Ron Maclean
We couldn’t be happier to introduce our guest for today’s episode, broadcasting great, Ron Maclean! Yep – Canadian sportscaster extraordinaire and yet, the guy we all feel like we know. Ron interviews, Ron collects stories, and Ron digs into the background of extraordinary humans himself but now,...
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MORE THAN AN ATHLETE SERIES: Tyler Hodgson
When Tyler Hodgson first enrolled at Grant Park in middle school, football wasn’t the first thing on his mind. Instead, he went there for the performing arts program. Hodgson had no previous experience with the sport until grade nine when his buddies convinced him to try it out. The rest is...
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Episode #42: James Bolton
Sometimes you know you need to talk about something as soon as possible and mental health seems to be top of mind right now. So, as we have shared the stories of some of our mainstream, frontline healthcare workers in the last 2 weeks, we thought it would be fitting to address mental health too.…
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Episode #41: Chau Pham
There was once a thought that by May of 2021 Covid would be a thing of the past. As we know, it is far from over and so it’s fitting that our focus in this episode is once again on our front-line medical workers in this challenging time. Now, the fact that Dr. Chau Pham is an Emergency Room...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
We find, celebrate and learn from the heroes that walk in our midst every day. We are honoured to hear the true stories our guests reveal so openly and authentically with us. It is a privilege to capture each hero’s journey and to share their experience and wisdom with our listeners.
HOSTED BY
Toogood Consulting
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Heroes in our Midst have?
Heroes in our Midst currently has 97 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Heroes in our Midst about?
We find, celebrate and learn from the heroes that walk in our midst every day. We are honoured to hear the true stories our guests reveal so openly and authentically with us. It is a privilege to capture each hero’s journey and to share their experience and wisdom with our listeners.
How often does Heroes in our Midst release new episodes?
Heroes in our Midst has 97 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Heroes in our Midst?
You can listen to Heroes in our Midst on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Heroes in our Midst?
Heroes in our Midst is created and hosted by Toogood Consulting.
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