Canadian Grit: North of Ordinary

Explores John McCrae's life and writing: a Canadian physician, soldier, and poet, best known for his iconic poem 'In Flanders Fields.' It delves into the historical context of the long 19th century, the impact of the Great War on modernism, and the evolution of Canadian identity. The discussion highlights McCrae's experiences in the Boer War and World War I, his reflections on mortality and service, and the enduring significance of his poetry in shaping national remembrance and identity.Key WordsJohn McCrae, In Flanders Fields, Canadian history, World War I, Remembrance Day, Poetry, Canadian Identity, Modernism, War Experience, Legacy, Ypres, War, Poppy, Soldiers, Army, Vimy, November 11Got a story? Want to reach out? Send me a message!Support the showI am so incredibly grateful that you stopped by. Thanks for listening to the show. I hope you loved it. If you're interested, check me out on socials INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/canadiangritmedia/OR: @canadiangritmediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573998726741 Facebook Discussion and Community Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573998726741Remember, my friends: We're in this thing together. It means more than you know. We're just getting started! If you know of anyone-- or if YOU have an amazing story of grit, or even something to share with the world, why not reach out and let me know? I'd love to give voice to your stories.All the very best.Your good pal, -JamieEMAIL: [email protected]

How the hell did Canada and the world end up where it is in 2025? What can we realistically do about it? This is the episode we've been building toward. We're finally arriving at the beginning of the 1900s... the sum of all the perspectives explored in Canadian Grit so far. Canada was never a sure thing. Just as we feel the existential quakes of American instability and isolationism in 2025, this episode brings to life our shared past and the fact that Canada has been through this and worse... it's the only reason "Canada" even exists. This episode's got Donald Trump talking about Canada as the 51st state. It has Queen Elizabeth from her 1957 Christmas Speech speaking prophetically about what the world needs in 2025. It has Gord Downie and the Tragically Hip's last tour laid out as a heroic journey of Canadian Grit... one that I liken to what Louis Riel tried to achieve for the Métis nation. This immersive episode has it all... hardship, compromise, and shared humanity.The point of Canadian Grit is to jump around in time.. to show us the now and then.. and to explore perspectives on how we got to now from then.Today, I pull together all the threads of past historical episodes of Canadian Grit, and show you exactly why Canada is North of Ordinary. KeywordsTariffs, Economy, Donald Trump, Queen Elizabeth, Railway, Homeland, Progress, Tragically Hip, Gord Downie, Invasion,Canada-American Relations, USA, Historical Perspectives, Critical History, Fun, Engaging, Inclusive, Chinese Head Tax, Niagara, Ridgeway, Métis, Louis Riel, Manitoba, Quebec, Wars, Rebellions, Remembrance, Immersive, Narrative, History, Canadian History, Monarchy, WWI, WWII, Loyalists, Reformation, Revolution, Politics, Identity, Technology, DevelopmentGot a story? Want to reach out? Send me a message!Support the showI am so incredibly grateful that you stopped by. Thanks for listening to the show. I hope you loved it. If you're interested, check me out on socials INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/canadiangritmedia/OR: @canadiangritmediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573998726741 Facebook Discussion and Community Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573998726741Remember, my friends: We're in this thing together. It means more than you know. We're just getting started! If you know of anyone-- or if YOU have an amazing story of grit, or even something to share with the world, why not reach out and let me know? I'd love to give voice to your stories.All the very best.Your good pal, -JamieEMAIL: [email protected]

Canada’s greatest modern-day explorer sets out into the arctic wilderness to solve a mystery more than 100 years old.Shoalts discusses his brand new book-Vanished Beyond the Map: The Mystery of Lost Explorer Hubert Darrell, the kindness of strangers, the philosophy of respecting nature, &  physical and mental limitations of being human. "In November 1910, explorer Hubert Darrell vanished in the Northwest Territories. A prospector swept up in the Klondike Gold Rush, Darrell made his name as an expert guide, trapper, & restless wanderer, venturing where few others dared. At a time when travel by dogsled in the North was the norm, Darrell became legendary for traversing thousands of kilometres alone and on foot; ranging over mountains and across windswept tundra from Alaska to Hudson Bay...he helped rescue sailors trapped in sea ice, led Mounties on their patrols, and even guided some of the era’s most famous explorers. Roald Amundsen, the first person to reach the South Pole, held Darrell in awe, remarking once that with men like him, he could go to the moon. Contemporaries regarded Darrell as the hardiest, most competent explorer of his day. Shoalts traces Darrell's trail of letters, journals, and hand-drawn maps... the most epic of unknown cold cases and Canadian mysteries. Faded clues, forgotten routes... searching for cabin ruins & old campsites. Detective story. Biography.  First-person adventure narrative, Vanished Beyond the Map combines expeditions with history to solve one the coldest of cases."This discussion emphasizes the significance of daily adventures & role of exploration in inspiring others, appreciating what Canada has to offer. Shoalts delves into the life of Darrell, a forgotten, who vanished in 1910. He discusses Darrell's extraordinary skills, mysterious disappearance, & the quest to uncover his story. Shoalts reflects on the allure of exploration, the impact of geography on history, and the importance of inspiring future generations to connect with nature.Keywords: Narrative, thriller, story, stories, crime, mystery, myth, legends, canada, Klondike, cold case, gold, disappearance, winter, spooky, vibe, interesting new books, novels, audiobooks, recommendations, timeworthy, adam shoalts, vanished beyond the map, falcon, geography, nature, wilderness, true stories, wild, adventure, exploring, canoe, portage, hiking, pathways, education, learning, fun, identity, perspectives, how to write, how to research Got a story? Want to reach out? Send me a message!Support the showI am so incredibly grateful that you stopped by. Thanks for listening to the show. I hope you loved it. If you're interested, check me out on socials INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/canadiangritmedia/OR: @canadiangritmediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573998726741 Facebook Discussion and Community Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573998726741Remember, my friends: We're in this thing together. It means more than you know. We're just getting started! If you know of anyone-- or if YOU have an amazing story of grit, or even something to share with the world, why not reach out and let me know? I'd love to give voice to your stories.All the very best.Your good pal, -JamieEMAIL: [email protected]

Welcome aboard Air Grit. This is an inspiring story for Canadians & humans of *ALL AGES,* emphasizing the importance of GRIT, passion, TRUE LOVE, community, & the role of fickle luck in a successful career.If you've seen Top Gun, this is your time to hear about the REAL PILOT "....who flew a cargo plane full of rubber dogsh*t outta Hong Kong."SummaryIn this engaging conversation, retired commercial airline pilot, Captain Colin Clark of Muskoka, Ontario, explores the multifaceted, "glamourous," &  strenuous life of a commercial airline pilot.Come delve into the challenges, experiences, and personal stories that shape a career in aviation.1) Colin shares his unique journey from dropping out of high school to becoming an injured factory worker to captain of international airliners, traveling the globe over 50 years.2) We visit the significance of personal connections in the cockpit & lessons learned from flying; reflecting on the value of pursuing one's dreams & finding fulfillment in work. Colin shares his extensive experiences as a pilot, the importance of cockpit resource management, dynamics of airline crew scheduling, & challenges of flying into various international airports.3) Passenger fears & the role of pilots in building trust. Contemplating the future of aviation in the age of artificial intelligence. Personal growth & lessons learned throughout his career, including different paths one can take to become a pilot. Colin emphasizes the value of authentic travel experiences & the importance of connecting with people during journeys.Know a CANADIAN GRIT HERO? YOU ARE ONE? SHINE A LIGHT! REACH OUT! Joey @ Honey Badger Lodge, Tanzania: https://www.honeybadgerlodge.com/Mike's Beach Cottages, Pangani: https://www.google.com/travel/hotels/s/xZbSJX94J82s6CyN7Keywordsfun, aviation, pilot life, career journey, personal growth, fulfillment, fear of flying, communication skills, educational, youth, high school, civics, careers, postsecondary, flying, aviation industry, technology, travel, passion, personal stories, life lessons, support systems, luck in career, commercial airlines, pilot training, cockpit resource management, airline scheduling, globetrotting, exploration, Greenland, Tanzania, Hong Kong, Toronto, Antarctica, flight, future of aviation, artificial intelligencGot a story? Want to reach out? Send me a message!Support the showI am so incredibly grateful that you stopped by. Thanks for listening to the show. I hope you loved it. If you're interested, check me out on socials INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/canadiangritmedia/OR: @canadiangritmediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573998726741 Facebook Discussion and Community Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573998726741Remember, my friends: We're in this thing together. It means more than you know. We're just getting started! If you know of anyone-- or if YOU have an amazing story of grit, or even something to share with the world, why not reach out and let me know? I'd love to give voice to your stories.All the very best.Your good pal, -JamieEMAIL: [email protected]

A contributing writer for Netflix’s Emmy Nominated Roast of Tom Brady, Tyler Morrison is considered by many to be the most prolific roast comedian north of the border. A frequent flyer with Just for Laughs and Comedy Central, Ty’s roasted the likes of Ric Flair (Wooo!), Ron Jeremy, and The Iron Sheik at Carolines in New York City. Tyler is an award winning Canadian comedian and writer with a “fearless brand of working class comedy.”“His comedy specials ‘Pimp Daddy’ & ‘Too Soon’ received high praise. Appeared as part of Andrew Schulz’s "Life" Stadium Tour & Doug Stanhope’s "Second Wind Tour."Unky TT is “co-host of the ‘Fight Stories Podcast’ and a live tour show that featured guests Artie Lange, Shane Gillis, Dan Soder, and Ken Shamrock”“During the pandemic, Tyler was part of the Coast to Coast Roast hosted by Mark Normand and Joe List. In 2024, his appearance on CTV Comedy Channel’s Roast Battle Canada earned him a Canadian Screen Awards nomination.”“Other appearances of note:- Roast Battle at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles- Yuk Yuks Massey Hall New Year's Eve- CTV W5 "Laugh Attack" segment with Russell Peters- Writer on the 2024 NHL Awards on ESPN.”Tyler has performed: The Boston Comedy Festival, CBC's Winnipeg Comedy Festival  CBC’s hit shows The Debaters and Laugh Out Loud. Winner of 2011 Dark Comedy Festival, & Best New Stand Up at Toronto’s Hogtown Comedy Festival.Created The Cottage Country Comedy Festival in 2008. “The festival has since grown to see thousands in attendance annually while producing shows with CBC and Sirius XM that have aired to millions across North America.”"Absolutely Brilliant." Scott Thompson, Kids in the HallReach Tyler @tylermorrison123 OR  https://cottagecomedy.com/Keywordsstandup, Comedy Central, roasts,  social media, Russell Peters, Main Offenders, Fight Stories, Scott Thompson, Just For Laughs, Yuk Yuks, Canadian Music, Mark Gagnon, Ron Josol, Andrew Schulz, polarization, politics, fun, comedy business, writing jokes, Jelly Roll, telling jokes, getting offended, taking offence, woke, humor, humour Got a story? Want to reach out? Send me a message!Support the showI am so incredibly grateful that you stopped by. Thanks for listening to the show. I hope you loved it. If you're interested, check me out on socials INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/canadiangritmedia/OR: @canadiangritmediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573998726741 Facebook Discussion and Community Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573998726741Remember, my friends: We're in this thing together. It means more than you know. We're just getting started! If you know of anyone-- or if YOU have an amazing story of grit, or even something to share with the world, why not reach out and let me know? I'd love to give voice to your stories.All the very best.Your good pal, -JamieEMAIL: [email protected]

Canada. The United States. Europe. The 1700s. A real vibe.What do you believe in deeply enough to fight for?  Is Canada worth fighting for?Stone ramparts, swirling snow, and two dying generals—Wolfe & Montcalm—set the stage for a contest that redrew the continent. From the Battle of the Plains of Abraham (1759) to the failed rebellions of 1837, we trace how maps inked in blood became the blueprint for a stubborn, still-unfinished country.Empires Collide: The Seven Years’ War was the world’s first global war; Québec was its pivot point. New France & Britain hash it out. Plains of Abraham. (not Lincoln.)Maps ≠ Meaning: When flags change, cultures don’t disappear—they go underground and wait. A nation is not a country. The notion of nation-state as modern country is introduced-- an organic concept of personal & collective identity as tied to the land --> "A house is not a home."Failure → Fuel: The crushed uprisings of 1837 planted the seed of Canadian self-government. Mackenzie King - Loyalists - AlliancesGrit Lives On: Canada isn’t a finished painting; it’s a fire that needs tending—by us. Making connections to things seemingly long ago as we move toward understanding Canada in 2025 and beyond: Canada 2.0: Our ReformationPlease Subscribe / Rate / Review — it’s the flint that keeps this fire burning. Share the episode with one history-curious friend.🏷️ KEYWORDSCanadian History, Podcast, Plains of Abraham, America, USA, Life, Meaning, Nation, International Relations, Tariff Wars, Nationalism, Myth, Legend, Nature, Exploration, Loyalists, Maps, Cartography, Rebellions, Resilience, Truth, Perspectives, Outlooks, Historical, Abraham Lincoln, Railway, Construction, Current Affairs, War, Battle, WWI, WWII, Remembrance, CultureAsk ChatGPTGot a story? Want to reach out? Send me a message!Support the showI am so incredibly grateful that you stopped by. Thanks for listening to the show. I hope you loved it. If you're interested, check me out on socials INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/canadiangritmedia/OR: @canadiangritmediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573998726741 Facebook Discussion and Community Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573998726741Remember, my friends: We're in this thing together. It means more than you know. We're just getting started! If you know of anyone-- or if YOU have an amazing story of grit, or even something to share with the world, why not reach out and let me know? I'd love to give voice to your stories.All the very best.Your good pal, -JamieEMAIL: [email protected]

Have an Amazon Prime membership? Want to help local Canadian cats, all while using a $3 token you’re likely *not* using? Here's an ingenius *FREE* grassroots mission YOU CAN HELP in under 15 seconds if you have Amazon Prime: $3 "sub"  to Richard's charity.Richard is a local hero From our time together at RMC to community engagementLIVE LINKS: WHERE  FUNDS ARE GOING TO HELP PEOPLE AND CATS NOW!!!Innovative fundraising: "Primed for Charity": the power of tech for charity: Indigenous youth programs; street missions; no-kill cat shelters, biospheres, environmentTrust within community: essential for successRichard's personal struggles: finding purpose in helping othersStream for charity: significant impact & awarenessUnderstanding platforms like Twitch can empower individuals to contribute to causesDonation transparency fosters trust; encourages more contributionsConnecting with Indigenous communities is vital for cultural understanding and & supportLeadership involves recognizing value of community & role of elders.In this engaging conversation, Jamie interviews Richard Desaluniers, a local hero  in Edmonton dedicated to community service & innovative fundraising. His unique approach using "Twitch" for fundraising emphasizes the power of technology in making real change. The discussion touches  personal struggles, the significance of Indigenous communities, & the role of elders in leadership. To inspire listeners to take action and contribute to their communities.🫵KEY Takeaways:Every action is heroic.Community is the heart of change.We can change the world together.🌀YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erOPxMEIDFY🌀Primed for Charity HomePage <--CLICKAll audio episodes now there, too-- animated editions to come later. ❤️‍🔥Keywords: Agency, Power, Individual empowerment, fundraising, CanGot a story? Want to reach out? Send me a message!Support the showI am so incredibly grateful that you stopped by. Thanks for listening to the show. I hope you loved it. If you're interested, check me out on socials INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/canadiangritmedia/OR: @canadiangritmediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573998726741 Facebook Discussion and Community Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573998726741Remember, my friends: We're in this thing together. It means more than you know. We're just getting started! If you know of anyone-- or if YOU have an amazing story of grit, or even something to share with the world, why not reach out and let me know? I'd love to give voice to your stories.All the very best.Your good pal, -JamieEMAIL: [email protected]

Canada wasn’t an accident. Canada was the outcome of grit, resilience, & vision.Canada's origin story matters now more than ever. This isn't just about the past. This is about everything we are... and everything we're becoming. Part immersive history, part poetic meditation on Canada and becoming, Episode 3.2 explores how the boy became the man, and how the man would someday offer a radically different vision for what a “New World” could be.🎧 For you:What did the world you were born into teach you — and what have you chosen to carry forward anyway?Episode 3.2 starts with an exciting return to 16th-century France where we continue to trace the formation of modern Canada. We start in fortified Atlantic port of Brouage, France, churning with war, ambition, and the scent of cannon smoke. Here, in a village gripped by the Wars of Religion and shaped by the crashing tides of empire, a young Champlain grew up watching his world burn... and quietly dreaming of another way... a way out. This episode pulls back the veil on the early life of a boy who would one day change the course of world history by settling in North America-- setting the scene for how Canada got here. It took unbelievable grit. Determination. Commitment. Raised in the chaos of civil war, surrounded by butchers, fromagiers, and soldiers marching to opposing gods, Champlain was forged in a crucible of violence and uncertainty... a certain cauldron of change. But rather than becoming hardened, he grew curious. Observant. Strategic. And, ultimately, hopeful.🔍 Keywords:Canadian History, Learning, Engaging, Music, Purpose, Life, War, Remembrance, Narrative, Storytelling, France, Turtle Island, Colonialism, Continuity, Change, Popular History, Identity, Exploration, Canadian Grit, Resilience, Champion Mindset, Adam Shoalts, Hybrid Reality Theory (Jackson, 2025)🙏 Support the show & join the community: Instagram: @canadiangritmedia Facebook: Canadian Grit Page Facebook Community Group: Join the DiscussionIf this story moved you — or reminded you of your own grit — I’d love to hear from you.Know someone with an untold story? Reach out. Let’s give it voice.Thank you for being here. It means more than you know.— JamieGot a story? Want to reach out? Send me a message!Support the showI am so incredibly grateful that you stopped by. Thanks for listening to the show. I hope you loved it. If you're interested, check me out on socials INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/canadiangritmedia/OR: @canadiangritmediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573998726741 Facebook Discussion and Community Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573998726741Remember, my friends: We're in this thing together. It means more than you know. We're just getting started! If you know of anyone-- or if YOU have an amazing story of grit, or even something to share with the world, why not reach out and let me know? I'd love to give voice to your stories.All the very best.Your good pal, -JamieEMAIL: [email protected]

We can't change the past. We can only change how we regard it, and how we can use it to best move forward. You're not going to want to miss this episode. Canadian Grit isn't just a history podcast. Canadian Grit is going above politics to look at what unites us as Canadians and as humans. Canadian Grit is our ability to find our innate strength by looking at how our shared ancestry got us here. It's a melody of how humans create a place to exist. Together. Canada's history is amazing. This episode looks immerses you in stories of daredevils launching off Niagara Falls, and explores what drives explorers, rebels, and revolutionaries to risk everything for something unseen. In another cinematic episode, origin stories and dreams of something more than empire form our direction. We voyage deep into the human spirit-- in the past and today-- to have a peek behind our nation’s founding myths.Featuring  passages of Adam Shoalts’ novel and journey of exploration: Where the Falcon Flies: A 3,400 Kilometre Journey from my Doorstep to the Arctic. I also include reflections on Thomas King’s The Back of the Turtle, the erasure of Indigenous languages, and the tension between old world ambition and new world connection, this is an episode that doesn’t just teach — it challenges. If Episode 1 was the spark, and Episode 2 was the tinder, this is the moment the fire catches. Grab a log, and have a seat. You'll be happy you did.🚨 Listener Prompt: When was the last time you believed in something so much… you were willing to leap into the unknown?Keywords: Explore, Wilderness, Where the Falcon flies, Canada, Canadian History, American History, Philosophy, technology, economy, business, development, pathways, culture, identity, Champlain, fun learning, exploration, geography, maps, Freedom of speech, charter of rights and freedoms, Popular History, Identity, Place, Explorer Mindset, Canadian Grit, Resilience, Adam Shoalts, indigenous history, Great Lakes, Quebec, Montreal, Toronto, Ontario,  nature, camping, campfire, drama, cinematic, humanity, psychology, champion mindset, resilience, world history, European history, religion,  Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Immersive, Culture, Leadership, psychology, music, development, artificial intelligence, anthropology, archaeology Got a story? Want to reach out? Send me a message!Support the showI am so incredibly grateful that you stopped by. Thanks for listening to the show. I hope you loved it. If you're interested, check me out on socials INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/canadiangritmedia/OR: @canadiangritmediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573998726741 Facebook Discussion and Community Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573998726741Remember, my friends: We're in this thing together. It means more than you know. We're just getting started! If you know of anyone-- or if YOU have an amazing story of grit, or even something to share with the world, why not reach out and let me know? I'd love to give voice to your stories.All the very best.Your good pal, -JamieEMAIL: [email protected]

What if history wasn’t just a series of dates, but a map of the human soul?In this epic, cinematic journey through time and space, we trace the arc of exploration, ambition, and identity—spanning from Leif Erikson and the Vikings to JFK, the Space Race, the Avro Arrow, and Neil Armstrong landing on the moon. We hop from Étienne Brûlé to 1987 with Ronald Reagan's anti-tariff, anti-isolationist speech (given on my birthday, June 12, 1987!). Audio from the famous 'Tear Down this Wall Speech' is included, demonstrating how far Republicanism has shifted since the late '80s, and how such history can be used to unify Canada with itself, and with its most important cultural, economic, and social partner in the world.I directly connect Reagan's 1987 speech and Cold War to today, and Canada's "trade and tariff wars," upheld by many misled citizens on both sides of the border. and all the way back to the traces and roots of our modern and ongoing reckoning with Canada’s evolving story.We are living at an unbelievable point in human history. This “bridge” episode connects past and present through the powerful currents of continuity and change, progress and peril. As we sail the whitecaps of time toward the life of Samuel de Champlain in the next episode, we confront the earliest (known) colonial encounters, the scars and sparks of contact, and evolving forces within Dr. Marshal McLuhan's 'global village'. These historical and human forces directly shape us and our communities.Important figures like Dr. Gabor Maté are also examined to better understand implications of our modern obsession with perfection and (un)originality, and how the anxieties of Western culture have disconnected us from a deeper, more rooted way of being. We explore how reunification of the bodymind through wonder, story, and personal connection can offer us a path forward. Whether through Adam Shoalts’ wilderness trails, or Soviet rocket launches, we ask: What does it mean to belong to a land, a legacy, and a people still in formation?This is north of ordinary.🧭 Topics Covered/KeywordsJFK, Reagan, Iron Curtain, Berlin Wall, Cold War, USSR, Russia, United States, politics, Indigenous, true stories, space race, Gabor Maté, mental health, resilience, colonial, tech, economy, business, development, pathways, New France, culture, identity, Champlain, Canadian, exploration, colonialism, Donnacona, indigenous, maps, cartography, humanity, human spirit, technology, critical perspectives, Cartier, Cabot, Champlain,  careeGot a story? Want to reach out? Send me a message!Support the showI am so incredibly grateful that you stopped by. Thanks for listening to the show. I hope you loved it. If you're interested, check me out on socials INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/canadiangritmedia/OR: @canadiangritmediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573998726741 Facebook Discussion and Community Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573998726741Remember, my friends: We're in this thing together. It means more than you know. We're just getting started! If you know of anyone-- or if YOU have an amazing story of grit, or even something to share with the world, why not reach out and let me know? I'd love to give voice to your stories.All the very best.Your good pal, -JamieEMAIL: [email protected]

What does the idea of Canada mean to you?Before Canada had a name, there was only wilderness—vast, unknown, and full of risk. A sweeping journey through time and psyche: from uncharted oceans to the inner maps we carry as human beings navigating uncertainty.Today, we look at the STUFF of a nation… what differentiates Canada from the world? This episode offers some specific examples.  Part history, part myth, part reflection—this episode explores the raw courage it takes to sail into the unknown, whether in the 10th century or today’s hybrid digital world. We reflect on early explorers, the Halifax Explosion, and the enduring legacy of Canadian author Hugh MacLennan, whose words inspired Gord Downie and The Tragically Hip's iconic song Courage.We unpack identity, regret, resilience, and the universal need to belong—drawing parallels between the age of discovery, our own 21st-century, and the return on investment from developing courage. We’re just getting started!KeywordsAdventure, Explore, Escape, Wonder, Nature, Canada, history, canadian, culture, geography, outdoors, Tragically Hip, Rush, band, music, creative, Indigenous, stories, space race, resilience, technology, narrative, economy, progress development, pathways, France, identity, Champlain, exploration, colonialism, indigenous, maps, cartography, humanity, human spirit, technology, critical perspectives, Cartier, Cabot, learning, exploration, maps, Religion, War, France, England, militarism, imperialism, Identity, Place, Explorer, Resilience, Native, Iroquois, Great Lakes, Quebec, Montreal, Toronto, camping, space, ships, Got a story? Want to reach out? Send me a message!Support the showI am so incredibly grateful that you stopped by. Thanks for listening to the show. I hope you loved it. If you're interested, check me out on socials INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/canadiangritmedia/OR: @canadiangritmediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573998726741 Facebook Discussion and Community Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573998726741Remember, my friends: We're in this thing together. It means more than you know. We're just getting started! If you know of anyone-- or if YOU have an amazing story of grit, or even something to share with the world, why not reach out and let me know? I'd love to give voice to your stories.All the very best.Your good pal, -JamieEMAIL: [email protected]

Canadian Grit: North of Ordinary. Episode 1: The Rope, the Pine, and the TorchBefore there was Canada, there was wilderness—untamed, unknown, and unforgettable. In this premiere episode, host Jamie Jackson, PhD (ABD), weaves history, reflection, poetry, and personal truth into a deeply human journey. From childhood wallpaper dreams to the burnout halls of Ontario public schools, this is a story about grit, memory, and why holding the torch of humanity matters.You'll hear about early explorers like Champlain, the music and literature that shaped a generation, and the invisible systems we’re all swimming in. More than a podcast about Canadian history—it’s a reflection on identity, resilience, educator well-being, and what it means to care in a world that often forgets to.Featuring voices from Rush, Springsteen, The Tragically Hip, and Colonel John McCrae, this episode is for educators, misfits, seekers, and humans alike.Keywords: Canadian history, Champlain, public education, teacher burnout, Ontario schools, resilience, Gabor Maté, Rush, Tragically Hip, trauma, identity, belonging, existentialism, Bruce Springsteen, Paulo Freire, podcast CanadaGot a story? Want to reach out? Send me a message!Support the showI am so incredibly grateful that you stopped by. Thanks for listening to the show. I hope you loved it. If you're interested, check me out on socials INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/canadiangritmedia/OR: @canadiangritmediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573998726741 Facebook Discussion and Community Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573998726741Remember, my friends: We're in this thing together. It means more than you know. We're just getting started! If you know of anyone-- or if YOU have an amazing story of grit, or even something to share with the world, why not reach out and let me know? I'd love to give voice to your stories.All the very best.Your good pal, -JamieEMAIL: [email protected]