Exception Seekers

North Star Networks
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  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Welcome to Exception Seekers, the show where we challenge conventional views on youth mental health, and explore stories and experiences that offer alternative perspectives.

  1. 5D AGO

    Chinese Medicine, Modern Stress, and the Art of Balance, with Shelby Seegmiller

    In this episode, Colleen sits down with registered acupuncturist Shelby to explore the foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture, and the relationship between our bodies, environment, and daily habits. Shelby shares how she discovered acupuncture unexpectedly and fell in love with the philosophy and depth of Chinese medicine. Together, the conversation unpacks concepts like yin and yang, the five elements, “heat,” “dampness,” and “wind” in the body, translating ancient Eastern medical ideas into language that feels accessible and relevant in modern life. The discussion explores how TCM approaches health differently than many Western models—focusing not only on symptoms, but on identifying and treating root imbalances. Shelby explains how lifestyle, stress, seasons, food preparation, sleep, movement, and environment all influence our health and nervous systems. Colleen and Shelby also discuss the difference between acupuncture and dry needling, how food and cooking methods affect the body, why slowing down in winter may actually support health, ways to support children’s health through TCM principles, and non-needle approaches such as cupping, acupressure, heat therapy, and ear seeds  This episode is an invitation to consider health through a more holistic lens—one that encourages balance, awareness, and living more in rhythm with nature. Important messages Traditional Chinese Medicine focuses on root causes, not just symptoms: Rather than only treating the “branch” (the symptom), TCM aims to identify and support the deeper imbalance underneath it. Acupuncture is only one part of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Shelby explains that TCM can also include: cupping, gua sha, acupressure, heat therapy (moxibustion), nutrition and food energetics, and movement and breath practices. The body is viewed in relationship with nature: TCM understands the body using patterns found in nature: heat rises, dampness sinks, wind creates movement, and seasons influence energy and health.  Modern life tends to be very “yang:” The conversation explores how today’s productivity-focused culture can keep people in constant motion, stimulation, and stress, often without enough rest, stillness, or recovery. Seasonal living matters: Shelby discusses the idea of adjusting our lifestyles with the seasons: winter as a time for rest and slowing down, spring as a time for stretching and reawakening, and summer as a time for movement and activity. Food is viewed energetically, not only nutritionally and healing doesn’t always require dramatic change: Rather than strict rules or restrictive diets, Shelby emphasizes small, sustainable adjustments that fit naturally into people’s lives.

    47 min

  2. MAY 1

    Small Lights, Big Change: Transforming Youth Support with Jody North

    In this episode, Colleen sits down with Jody North, founder and director of MiND-AID Muskoka, to explore a powerful and innovative approach to supporting youth mental health through system navigation. Jody explains how MiND-AID Muskoka acts as a “travel guide” for mental wellness, helping young people and families navigate complex systems of care. Rather than offering clinical services directly, MiND-AID walks alongside individuals to identify their needs, explore options, and connect them with the right supports, whether that’s therapy, school resources, housing, or financial assistance. The conversation highlights the barriers many youths face when trying to access help, including overwhelming systems, lack of transparency, limited resources in rural communities, and the emotional toll of retelling their story. MiND-AID’s client-led, relationship-based approach aims to remove those barriers by offering flexible, ongoing support tailored to everyone. Jody also shares her unconventional journey, from working with wildlife and running a rehabilitation center to entering the human services field after a major life disruption. Her lived experience with trauma, combined with years of working with distressed animals, shaped her unique perspective on empathy, safety, and trust. The episode also explores MiND-AID’s Mobile Hub, an RV transformed into a traveling youth wellness space that brings resources directly to underserved communities across Muskoka. Designed with youth input, the hub reduces access barriers and creates a welcoming, non-clinical environment for connection and support. Ultimately, this conversation is about meeting young people where they are, rethinking how support systems work, and creating flexible, human-centered pathways to wellness. Important messages System navigation fills a critical gap: Many people don’t lack services, they lack clarity. Navigators help decode complex systems and guide individuals toward the right supports. Even when services exist, factors like anxiety, transportation, cost, and system complexity prevent access, especially in rural communities. One-size-fits-all care doesn’t work: People move at their own pace. Effective support allows individuals to step in and out, try different paths, and adjust as needed. And, therapeutic success often depends on fit. Personality, communication style, and comfort matter just as much as clinical skill. Relationship matters: Consistent check-ins and human connection help prevent people from “falling through the cracks.” Empathy rooted in personal experience can deeply enhance the ability to connect and support others. Positive influences—mentors, programs, or supportive adults—can redirect a young person’s trajectory in lasting ways. Equity requires more than free services: Access to private care is often limited by finances. Bridging that gap creates a more equitable system, not a two-tiered one. In rural communities, fewer services, greater distances, and limited transportation make innovative solutions (like mobile hubs) essential.

    53 min

  3. APR 17

    Leadership, Loss, and Purpose in Mental Health Advocacy, with James Bowler

    In this episode of Exception Seekers, Colleen and James explore the evolution of a youth mental health navigation service (MiND-AID Muskoka) that connects young people (ages 0–29) to a wide range of supports beyond traditional counselling, including medical care, housing assistance, food security, and broader social services. The organization focuses on ensuring continuity of care, meaning support doesn’t end at a referral; instead, staff stay engaged until youth are safely and comfortably connected within the system they need. A central theme is accessibility, particularly in rural communities where mental health resources can be limited or difficult to navigate. MiND-AID addresses this gap through outreach initiatives, including mobile services and community-based engagement, aimed at making support visible, approachable, and easier to access. The conversation highlights James’s role as board chair, emphasizing hands-on involvement, advocacy, and commitment to strengthening the organization’s impact. His perspective is shaped by both professional experience and personal history, including lived experience with anxiety and depression and a recognition of how fragmented systems can fail young people. Storytelling emerges as a defining thread throughout the discussion. James reflects on his career in journalism and his belief in the power of giving voice to those who may otherwise go unheard. This extends into his mental health advocacy, where creating safe space for people to share lived experiences is seen as both a responsibility and a skill. The episode concludes with a reflection on purpose, legacy, and impact, centering not on recognition, but on creating a lasting “ripple effect” of positive change that continues beyond individual involvement. Important messages Holistic support is important: youth mental health support must be holistic, addressing housing, food, medical care, and social stability (not just therapy). Sustainable change, especially in rural communities, often comes from small organizations with deep community connection, not just large institutions.  Continuity of care matters: referrals alone are not enough; sustained follow-up can be critical for vulnerable youth.  Lived experiences teach valuable lessons: our experiences can meaningfully inform leadership and advocacy work in mental health spaces. Storytelling is a powerful tool for reducing stigma and amplifying unheard voices. Personal hardship can become a catalyst for purpose-driven leadership and systemic change.

    1h 3m

  4. APR 3

    The Things We Don’t Say Out Loud

    In this episode of Exception Seekers, Jacklyn Frias shares an honest and deeply personal conversation about the transition into motherhood, identity shifts, and her experience with postpartum depression. Before becoming a mom, Jacklyn describes a structured, confident life rooted in routine, fitness, and a clear sense of self. But after the birth of her first child, she found herself navigating an unexpected and isolating struggle with postpartum depression, one that challenged both her personal identity and professional beliefs as a therapist and trainer. Through her journey, Jacklyn reflects on the limitations of “prescribed paths” to health and happiness, and how lived experience reshaped her perspective on empathy, support, and what it truly means to meet people where they are. A major turning point came through practicing self-compassion, not as a checklist item, but as a deeply felt, embodied experience of validating her own emotions. She shares how this simple but powerful shift became a cornerstone of her healing. The conversation also explores the ongoing process of redefining identity in motherhood, the often-unspoken grief that accompanies major life transitions, and the pressure many women feel to appear “okay” while silently struggling. Jacklyn now brings this lived experience into her work, fostering spaces rooted in authenticity, compassion, and real human connection—reminding others that they are not alone. Important Messages Lived experience changes how we show up for others: What once felt like “just do it” advice evolved into deeper empathy. Understanding someone’s reality requires more than logic - it requires context and compassion. Postpartum depression can be invisible: Even as a therapist, Jacklyn didn’t immediately recognize it in herself. Many people mask their struggles while appearing “fine” on the outside and often what we need most is to feel seen and understood - not fixed or redirected. Self-compassion is a skill, not a slogan: True self-compassion goes beyond “being nice to yourself;” it’s about deeply acknowledging your reality the way you would for someone you love. Reframing how we speak to ourselves, by imagining how we’d support a friend, can be a powerful starting point. Identity shifts in motherhood are complex and ongoing: Becoming a parent isn’t just an addition to life; it’s a transformation that often involves grief, growth, and redefinition. From changes in identity to unmet expectations, there is a continuous process of grieving versions of life that no longer exist

    56 min

  5. MAR 20

    The missing support system: Why families need doulas

    In this episode, we sit down with Emily Beauchamp, a full-spectrum doula and founder of Growing Together Doula Services. Emily shares how her own experiences with pregnancy, postpartum struggles, and breastfeeding challenges led her to pursue a career supporting families through the entire perinatal journey. We explore what a full-spectrum doula actually does, from fertility and pregnancy to birth, postpartum, and grief and loss. Emily explains how doulas help bridge important gaps in care, like providing education, emotional support, and practical guidance that many parents don’t receive within the healthcare system. The conversation also dives into maternal mental health, the realities of postpartum life, and why the idea of “it takes a village” is more important than ever. Emily highlights how small acts of support, like bringing a meal or simply showing up, can dramatically impact a parent’s wellbeing and the health of families and communities. This episode is an honest and compassionate look at the transition into parenthood, the invisible work of caregiving, and how we can all play a role in supporting new parents. Important Messages “You don’t know what you don’t know:” Many parents aren’t aware of the questions to ask during pregnancy and birth. Doulas help provide education about options, resources, and decision-making. Seeking support is actually a powerful way to build the support system families need. The biggest gap is often postpartum support: While much focus is placed on birth, the postpartum period can be the most challenging and long-lasting stage, yet many families feel unprepared and unsupported. Modern families often lack the intergenerational and community support that historically helped new parents.  Small acts of support matter: Simple things, like bringing food, helping with errands, offering practical help, can significantly improve maternal mental health, relationships, parenting, and the emotional well-being of other children in the home.

    53 min

  6. MAR 6

    Belief and belonging: What young people really need, with Jarvis Strong

    In this episode, Colleen sits down with Jarvis Strong, Executive Director of the Escarpment Corridor Alliance, to explore the winding path that led him to a meaningful career in conservation leadership. Jarvis shares how his journey was anything but linear, moving through multiple roles and periods of uncertainty before finding work that truly aligns with his values. He reflects on the power of mentorship, the impact of someone believing in you at a pivotal moment, and how building strong relationships has shaped both his personal growth and professional direction. The conversation highlights the importance of connection, not just in career development, but in cultivating confidence, belonging, and self-worth. Jarvis speaks candidly about early struggles with self-esteem, the turning points that shifted his trajectory, and why finding work that “ticks the boxes” in its purpose, impact, and sustainability matters more than chasing titles or retirement countdowns. For young people (and the adults who support them), this episode is a reminder that careers don’t have to follow a straight line, mentorship can be life-changing, and believing in someone might be the spark that changes everything. Important Messages Belief can be transformative: Some of life’s most powerful learning happens outside the classroom, and when someone chooses to believe in you, it can shift your entire sense of self-worth and direction. Meaningful work looks different for everyone: Career paths are rarely linear, and sometimes we need to meander to find something that aligns with our values. Growth often comes through experimentation and risk. Relationships are foundational: Learning how to connect with people from different backgrounds builds resilience and belonging, and folks who have worked at camp are particularly skilled at this – those “camp skills” really transfer further than you think. Camp leadership, youth work, and community involvement build valuable lifelong competencies.

    49 min

  7. FEB 20

    Raising Resilient Kids in an Anxious World, with Amanda Lamb

    In this episode, Colleen is joined by Amanda Lamb (Pine River Institute) for a deep, thoughtful conversation about anxiety, emotional regulation, and resilience through a developmental lens. Rather than treating anxiety as something to eliminate or “fix,” this conversation reframes anxiety as a capacity that develops over time, shaped by relationships, expectations, culture, and lived experience. Using clear developmental analogies, the discussion explores how children and adolescents learn to manage anxiety, and why so many young people (and adults) are struggling right now. The episode also offers practical, compassionate guidance for parents, educators, and professionals supporting anxious youth, with a strong emphasis on attunement, co-regulation, and building distress tolerance instead of avoidance. Important Messages Considering anxiety on a developmental framework: Much like motor skills, anxiety regulation develops in stages; these stages are both sequential and flexible, and regression under stress is normal. Many young people haven’t “failed” to regulate anxiety, they may simply not have learned the skill yet. Early development begins with adults and transitional objects: Infants rely entirely on caregivers to regulate distress, while toddlers begin managing anxiety with external supports like stuffies, blankets, and soothers. School-age children and adolescence begin to self-regulate: School introduces opportunities to build distress tolerance and social regulation without caregivers or transitional objects. Increased screen time and reduced in-person interaction interfere with this process, and many adolescents lack consistent co-regulating relationships outside their families. Supporting anxious teens: We need to rethink age-based expectations (age is “just a number;” support should be based on developmental capacity, not chronological age). We need to see a young person accurately, not through grades, age, or expectations. We can build capacity through responsibility: Chores are a powerful, evidence-based tool for building resilience that introduce manageable, tolerable discomfort; repetition builds confidence and distress tolerance.

    53 min

  8. FEB 6

    Language, legacy, and the courage to act with Alhan Rahimi

    This podcast episode features an in-depth conversation with Alhan Rahimi, a translator, interpreter, author, and educator, who shares about her personal and professional journey across languages, cultures, and countries. Alhan shares how her passion for languages led her from translation into interpreting, higher education in England, and eventually into community-building through YouTube, courses, and children’s books. She discusses the realities of interpreting work—especially the differences between consecutive and conference interpreting—and the isolation that can come with freelance language work. To address gaps in interpreter education (particularly Arabic–English), she began creating real-life interpreting content online and is now developing formal courses to support interpreters at different stages of their careers. Beyond her professional life, the conversation explores multilingual parenting, cultural identity, and the emotional importance of language as a connection to ancestry, family, and heritage. Alhan reflects on raising children across cultures, preserving Persian language and culture, and navigating identity while living in Canada. The episode also delves into mindset, risk-taking, and confidence. Alhan reflects on her academically driven upbringing, the impact of her parents’ trust, and a pivotal year where she pushed herself, leading to national academic recognition and a full scholarship. She connects these experiences to her current philosophy: when an idea appears, it’s worth acting on it, trusting that effort is never wasted. Important Messages Language is more than communication: Language is a bridge between generations, cultures, and identities. It’s important to maintain because losing a heritage language can mean losing deep family connections. Gaps create opportunities: A lack of Arabic–English interpreting resources motivated Alhan to create real-world examples and educational content. Sharing imperfect, authentic practice helps learners more than polished theory alone. Community reduces isolation: Freelance interpreters often work alone, and so Alhan has worked to develop community spaces that provide colleagues to continue their learning beyond formal education. Effort builds confidence: Past experiences of doing hard things become internal proof that future challenges are manageable. Effort is never wasted, even when outcomes are unexpected.

    56 min
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About

Welcome to Exception Seekers, the show where we challenge conventional views on youth mental health, and explore stories and experiences that offer alternative perspectives.

Information

  • Creator
    North Star Networks
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © North Star Networks
  • Show Website
    Exception Seekers