Let's Be Well Together Let's Be Well Together Ltd.

1. Following up on tips discussed in Episodes 98 and 113, we finish a list of 31 ways to reduce household waste to help the environment. 2. We interview Mike Farkas about how motorcycling improves his overall wellbeing.⁠ His business took a lot of his time and energy. He’s now making time for health and wellness. He got back into the motorcycle life. It gives him an opportunity to disconnect from tech and work. There’s only him, his hands on the handlebars and his eyes on the road. It forces you to take your time, take a breath, look around and enjoy the sights and sounds. Some of the best conversations Mike has with himself are on his bike. He’s enjoyed motorcycle trips with his dad. There have been great conversations on breaks. You end up sitting and chit chatting about life. It’s having that bond and getting away from all the busy-ness of life. 3. One of Cameron’s projects is playing on a Shania Twain Tribute Bank. They had a full house for their first show. 4. Move that Body – Riley Thompson feels great when she goes to the gym, especially after strength training. 5. With Sheila travelling with a friend in Europe, John appreciates her independence. 6. Elise and Stephen reminisce about architecture in South Korea. While our business buildings sprawl out and wide in Canada, they stack upwards in South Korea.

1. We discuss a 5-Minute Mental Health Check. It’s not only about feelings and mindfulness. Have you also stretched, eaten healthy, had enough sleep and been nice to yourself and others? 2. We interview Eric Davis [Physical and other areas of wellness].⁠ Eric started taking martial arts to get his weight under control. He didn’t think he’d enjoy gym-type workouts. He wanted to learn a new skill. He got so much out of it. A key lesson was to show up on days he didn’t feel like going to the dojo. He always felt miles better after he left. He never regretted dragging himself out of the house to the dojo. It also taught him discipline. Activities such as sparring, practicing or grappling with others forced him to be present in the moment, leaving his busy work life, concerns, worries and stress behind him for a while. The ability to change the mindset can be very useful. 3. Starving Artist – Cameron went to his first concert 15 years ago – City and Colour. It inspired him to learn guitar. He saw the group again, now that he’s a professional musician. 4. Move that Body – Sheila’s biking to work. John’s walking to work. They’re both loving using their bodies to start the day. It also inspires them to do more to help the environment. 5. Running Popup – John got a message from a colleague and recognized there are some people we meet who we trust and believe in from the start, even if we can’t say why. 6. Flipside – how can we harness the passion of you together with the wisdom of age? How do we avoid the inclination to run out the clock?

1. We share thoughts on a quote from John’s quote list. The Dalai Lama said, “When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.” 2. We interview Riley Thompson in the area of Social Wellness.⁠ Fyodor Dostoevsky said, “A society should be judged not by how it treats its outstanding citizens but by how it treats its criminals.” Concerns for incarcerated people include overcrowding and access to mental health supports. Riley’s goal is to better the community as a whole. Reducing recidivism and bringing people out of prison into the workforce is beneficial for everyone. She’s researching ways to improve the quality of life for people who are in prison, through empathy training of the correctional officers. Correctional officers often have an underlying assumption when they’re initially brought into prison – that they are different from the people behind the bars. There’s an “us versus them” mentality. Empathy training is designed to encourage that everyone is the same in a way. It helps officers put themselves in the shoes of the inmates and to better understand what prisoners are going through, instead of using punitive measures in response to every incident that happens when they’re in prison. 3. Starving Artist – The solution to technical issues led to Cameron rockin’ stacked keyboards. It’s a nifty setup. 4. Move That Body – We were thinking about how we never stopped moving as a kid. How can we incorporate a move-like-a-kid mentality in our lives. 5. Running Popup – John enjoyed a feeling of being lucky, in the moment, experiencing the world around him. 6. Flipside – our experience is that it helps a relationship to give partners space and independence to do the things they enjoy. It’s healthy to take time out of a relationship for yourself.

New episode available today. 1. Another in our travel series, this time with Noura Saad taking us to her experiences in Naples – an incredible city to visit. 2. We interview Mirko Petricevic in the area of Social Wellness.⁠ On Episode 99, Mirko explained how local journalism acts as a community watchdog on behalf of the public, as a public service. It’s ability to be a watchdog has been hit hard in the past 15 years. In addition to the industry taking a hit, individual journalists are being harassed and threatened. A 2021 study of 1,100 journalists had disturbing results. A majority experienced harassment, many on a daily basis. There were death threats, threats of sexual assault. 99 had been physically attacked. It’s outright intimidation. Ink-stained Wretches runs a film festival in Kitchener-Waterloo to support journalism. It’s designed partly to increase the awareness of World Press Freedom Day o May 3. This year it’s on April 28, 2024. After a movie showing, a panel will explore the question, “What can we do to create a culture of appreciation for quality journalism?”. 3. Cameron’s Shania Twain cover band was having a good time coming up with ideas for the band. It was just Twain fun. 4. Move that Body – it’s spring yard work time, which is a great way to work the core and get in some great movement. It’s good hard work. 5. Running Popup – Some recent good news was uplifting and made a run feel easy. It’s amazing how emotions can affect physical exercise.6. Flipside of the Coin – With inflation so high, it’s affecting our choices about what we do, e.g. whether we go out for dinner. Inflation is having an impact on things like social and other areas of wellness. The high cost of living throws wrenches into your wellness balance routine.

1. A social media post came at the right time, when we were feeling down in the dumps. It’s about choosing joy over despair, because joy is what the earth gives us daily. 2. We emphasize a connection between art and wellness on our podcast. Photography creates something timeless, especially when it comes to family events and loved ones. A photo can bring you back to a feeling or an emotion. It’s so powerful. We interview Mike Farkas, who found photography, then turned his passion into a career. He loves capturing the day for his clients, and ideally expressing his artistic happiness through his personal vision. When he’s choosing what to shoot, he first sees an image in his mind. Then it’s about executing what he envisioned. It’s extremely exciting for Mike to see that vision, then make it happen, then turn the camera around to show the subject the image. Their positive reactions feed him with energy. 3. Cameron was surprised when his drink bell unexpectedly behind him during a performance. No one was close to the stage. He deduced that the power of bass marched his class off the table. 4. We continue reviewing a list of ways to exercise while doing other things, so you may not even realize you’re exercising. It includes standing on your head, handstands and playing the games you played as kids. 5. Imagine if someone from 200, 500 or even 2,000 years ago saw what we see every day. They would be astounded. 6. What is the Scandinavian sleep method, and might it help a relationship?

1. Elise and Julie revisit an article about 31 ways to reduce household waste, to help the environment. They talk about 10 more ideas. 2. We interview Syd Vanderpool of SydFit Health Centre, in the area of Physical Wellness.⁠ Syd runs a boxing facility. Many members are fitness boxers. They get cardio, develop muscles and strength, and they learn a skill. There are mental health benefits, including the mindfulness associated with focusing on the moment – what is right in front of you. You don’t just engage in physical activity, you learn how to live a clean and healthy lifestyle. People start boxing and next thing you know they’re taking a holistic look at health. Boxing provides a lifestyle. Improvements are made in increments over time, which creates lasting habits with long-term benefits. 3. Cameron took part in a Mexican-themed staycation in a retirement home. He brushed up on Spanish to perform and found the audience singing along. One of the residents had fun guessing his age. 4. Move that Body – Have you ever heard of Somatic exercise? We are learning about it and share a few tips. 5. Running Popup - It’s never too old to learn. John is influenced by someone not to snap back when people make mistakes. 6. Flipside – we’re learning lots and enjoying our ballroom dance lessons. We talk about the experience so far.