Freedom To Know Wellness

Freedom To Know Wellness
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Freedom To Know Wellness (FTKW) is a disability and health social enterprise. An online resource platform to connect and bridge the gap between practitioners (medical and holistic) and the community of those suffering from chronic, complex medical and pain disorders, female reproductive challenges and miscarriages. We dive into how all aspects of these conditions affect one’s mental health and address the challenges they face maneuvering through the Ontario medical, employment and disability system. Follow for transparent, engaging conversations with patients and practitioners.

  1. Aug 11

    Why Was Cannabis Illegal in Canada? Racism, Prohibition & the Rise of Cannabis Medicine

    How did cannabis transform from a restricted plant in 1923 to a recognized wellness tool under Bill C-45 in 2018? In this docu-short, we explore the hidden legal history of Canada’s drug laws, the anti-Asian, anti-Black, and anti-Indigenous laws and racial motivations behind early prohibition, and the historical medical and health benefits of cannabis that ultimately contributed to reform. This docu-short is taken from Medical Cannabis for Pain and PTSD 🎬 Watch the full episode (S1 Ep12): https://youtu.be/3WgRvlNvCMM 📚Documentary Resources: https://freedomtoknowwellness.substack.com/p/canadas-cannabis-laws-the-racist 📌 Subscribe to Freedom To Know Wellness for more deep dives into health, wellness, and the history behind them! https://freedomtoknowwellness.substack.com/ 🎵 Music Rights from Canva Pro  Artist: Sigma Music Art  Title: Documentary History Background Educational & Fair Use Disclaimer: This video is created strictly for educational, historical, and documentary purposes under Fair Dealing (Canada) and Fair Use principles (Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act). All historical images, legal references, and scientific diagrams are included to provide socio-political analysis and objective health education regarding the history of cannabis regulation. This content is not intended as medical or legal advice. Timestamps: 00:00 Cannabis legalization in Canada (Oct 17, 2018) & medical benefits 00:24 Racist roots of Canada's opioid laws & the 1908 Opium Act 00:48 Chinese railroad workers & anti-Chinese immigration laws 01:14 Racial profiling & disproportionate arrests of Black & Indigenous people 01:49 Data on over-representation of Black Canadians in cannabis arrests 02:21 Systemic racism embedded in the legal system 02:42 Bill C-93: Record suspension for simple cannabis possession 03:09 Limitations of the expungement program 03:35 Medical benefits of cannabis & the endocannabinoid system 04:18 Endocannabinoids in the body & ongoing research 04:49 Closing & article links #cannabiseducation #MedicalCannabis #CannabisHistory #canadianlaws #asianhistory #blackhistory #indigenoushistory

  2. Jul 21

    Alison Myrden: Fighting Pain and M.S with Psilocybin & Cannabis

    In this episode, legendary Canadian drug policy reform advocate Alison Myrden shares why patient advocacy and scientific research are vital for chronic pain care using medical cannabis and psilocybin. Living with multiple sclerosis and severe chronic pain from Trigeminal Neuralgia (often dubbed the "suicide disease"), Alison became one of the first people in Canada to receive a federal exemption to legally use medical cannabis. In this episode, we explore:  • The State of Research: Why psilocybin trials for pain management must catch up to cannabis.  • Legal & Regulatory Barriers: The institutional hurdles researchers face under current drug policies.  • Alison's Journey: Decades of pioneering compassionate healthcare, harm reduction, and reform. Episode Timestamps:  00:00 Why Legal Research Matters  00:33 Podcast Intro  01:22 Meet Alison Myrden  02:32 Early Cannabis and MS Symptoms  05:10 Diagnosis Delays and Mislabels  08:09 Gary’s Support and Surgeries  10:48 Meds vs Cannabis Relief  11:33 Supplements and Vitamin D Regimen  15:27 Website and Advocacy Origins  16:25 Work, Mobility, and Staying Positive  19:49 Trigeminal Pain and Psilocybin Discovery  22:43 From Opioids to Drug Law Reform  29:50 Psilocybin Dosing and Rapid Relief  31:24 Suicide Level Pain  32:05 Trauma After Episodes  32:58 Beating MS Mobility Odds  34:29 Advocacy Origins and LEAP  38:27 Exoneration from Cannabis Records  41:00 Protest and Key Organizations  43:37 Podcasts and Sharing the Message  45:52 Treatment Advice and Dosing  49:02 Legal Fight for Access  52:50 From Opioids to Natural Relief  54:50 Supplements and Liver Protection  59:41 Closing Thoughts on Support Connect with Alison Myrden: ⁠https://alisonmyrden.ca⁠  Theme Music: “Hold You” – Q-Black (licensed) Disclaimer: This content is for educational and historical documentation purposes only. It depicts federally authorized medical cannabis administration in Canada for chronic pain management. This channel does not encourage or promote the illegal use of regulated substances. Disclaimer on Vitamin D Supplements: Vitamin D dosage varies by individual, not just based on race or medical condition(s). Consult your healthcare provider to assess your vitamin D levels and recommend the appropriate dosage.

  3. Jul 21

    Defying Silence with Amal Elsana Alh'jooj

    In this series finale of "Disabilities & Healing Stories," Freedom To Know Wellness sits down with feminist and peace activist Amal Elsana Alh'jooj at the 2025 FOLD Festival ⁨ @TheFOLDCanada  In the episode “Defying Silence,” Amal reflects on her memoir, Hope Is a Woman’s Name, and shares how storytelling becomes a powerful tool for personal, familial, and collective healing—especially in the context of the ongoing Israel–Palestine war. Special Thanks to Amal for this moving interview, and to The FOLD for welcoming Freedom To Know Wellness. Featured in this Series: Amanda Leduc – Author of Wild LifeMorgan Campbell – Author of My Fighting FamilyTanya Talaga – Author of The KnowingAmal Elsana Alh'jooj – Author of Hope is a Woman’s NameFarzana Doctor – 52 Weeks to a Sweeter Life and The Beauty of Us 📍 The FOLD 🌐: www.thefoldcanada.org 📢 Follow  The FOLD for event updates and podcast episodes. Connect with Freedom To Know Wellness: 🌐 Website: https://freedomtoknowwellness.substack.com 📧 Inquiries: info@freedomtoknowwellness.ca 💜 Follow #FTKWellness for more Healing Stories. 🎥📸 Special Thanks to Lara Tai for video footage and images Timestamps 0:00 Introduction 01:17 The Meaning Behind the Name 'Hope' 03:45 Writing a Memoir: Family Healing 06:56 Working from Love, Not Anger 09:59 The Power of Collective Action & Healing 13:16 Liberating the Oppressor 16:00 Breaking the Cycle 16:55 True Liberation: Mindset Over Land 17:05 Special Thanks | Info on FTKWellness

  4. Jul 21

    Generational Healing with Tanya Talaga

    In Part 3 of Disabilities & Healing Stories, Freedom To Know Wellness, along with guest freelance entertainment journalist ⁠Lara Tai⁠, speaks with award-winning Anishinaabe journalist and author Tanya Talaga at the 2025⁠ The FOLD Festival ⁠. Tanya discusses her book The Knowing and explores how her storytelling fosters Indigenous generational healing.  She reflects on her acclaimed work, including Seven Fallen Feathers and All Our Relations, highlighting how uncovering the truth fosters community resilience and drives social justice. Connect with Tanya Talaga: web: makwacreative.ca Instagram: @tanyatalaga_author TikTok: @tanyathewriter Featured in this Series: Amanda Leduc – Author of Wild Life and Disfigured Morgan Campbell – Author of My Fighting Family Amal Elsana Alh'jooj – Author of Hope is a Woman’s Name Tanya Talaga – Author of The Knowing, Seven Fallen Feathers and All Our Revelations Farzana Doctor – Author of 52 Weeks to a Sweeter Life and The Beauty of Us Special Thanks to Lara Tai for The FOLD's video footage  Audio edits by Photographs by Shaun J  Follow Shaun J on Instagram & YouTube @photographybyshaunj Music: “Hold You” – Q-Black (licensed) Timestamp 00:00 Intro 00:24 Alt-Text Description Tanya Talaga 01:18 Lara Tai - Intro to Guest Interviewer 01:39 Why She Wrote The Knowing 01:59 First Nations Perspective 03:20 Persevering to Find the Truth 04:21 Healing Generations 04:42 Healing & Closing Thoughts 05:17 Outro & Contact Info

  5. Jul 21

    Bridges & Bloodlines with Morgan Campbell

    Part 2 of our FTKWellness at The Festival of Literary Diversity, Disabilities and Healing Stories series features an intimate conversation with Canadian sports journalist and memoirist Morgan Campbell at the 2025 Festival of Literary Diversity (The FOLD). ⁠⁠ @TheFOLDCanada ⁠⁠ Morgan reflects on his memoir "My Fighting Family: Borders and Bloodlines and the Battles That Made Us" and explores how telling the truth about family, identity, and generational trauma can become an act of healing. In this conversation: • The courage of honest storytelling • Reframing family beyond trauma • Writing as a pathway to emotional freedom Series guest authors include: Amanda Leduc (2025)Tanya Talaga (2025)Amal Elsana Alh’jooj (2025)Farzana Doctor (2026)

  6. Jun 5

    Living the Sweeter Life with Farzana Doctor | FOLD 2026 | Healing Through Stories

    Welcome to Season 2, Episode 10 of Freedom To Know Wellness! In today's episode of our ongoing Healing Stories Series—captured in collaboration with the 2026 Festival of Literary Diversity  @TheFOLDCanada , we sit down with author, psychotherapist, and activist Farzana Doctor to explore the complexities of trauma response in caregivers and 'overgivers,' and dive into the intersection of disability and wellness, healthy boundaries and building community care. Episode Transcription 📍Connect with Farzana Doctor 📱Instagram @farzanadoctor 🌐 farzanadoctor.com 📍Connect with  @TheFOLDCanada  🌐 www.festivalofliterarydiversity.org 📍Connect with Freedom To Know Wellness 🌐 linktr.ee/freedomtoknowwellness 👩🏿‍💻 freedomtoknowwellness.substack.com 🎵 Music: “Hold You” – Q-Black (licensed) Special thanks to the Ontario Arts Council's Deaf and Disabilities Grant for sponsoring the 2026 - 2027 season of Freedom To Know Wellness's Disabilities in the Arts series Timestamp 00:00 - Introduction 01:59 - Farzana's Alt-Text Description & Background: Writing & Social Work 03:26 - 52 Weeks to a Sweeter Life (05:47) Why Helpers Struggle to Help Themselves (05:58) Trauma Responses & the Helper Personality (11:23) Grounding & the Window of Capacity (13:32) Self-Care for Chronic Illness & Fibromyalgia (14:33) Baby Steps: Building a Rest Practice 1 (16:12) Somatic Strategies & Habit Stacking (18:09) Cultural Pressures & Community Care (21:23) Immigrant Experience & Exceptionalism (22:27) Community Over Competition (24:32) P.E.A.C.E. Breathing Guided Practice (30:38) Closing & Resources

  7. Mar 25

    Writing Beyond Barriers with Amanda Leduc | Disabilities & Healing Stories at The FOLD | 2 of 6

    In the first interview from "Disabilities & Healing Stories", Freedom To Know Wellness (@FTKWellness) sits down with celebrated Canadian author and disability activist Amanda Leduc at the 2025 The FOLD (Festival of Literary Diversity) (@TheFOLDCanada).♿️ Accessibility Note: Closed Captions (CC) enabled. Episode TranscriptionIn Part 1, Amanda reflects on the challenges of navigating creative work while living with cerebral palsy. The author of Wild Life and Disfigured, she shares how she shifted her perspective on disability—moving beyond perceived limitations to reclaim space in the literary world. Through lived experience and by leading through example, Amanda illustrates how disabled artists can flourish without limiting their craft, offering a powerful roadmap for healing through creative resilience.This conversation challenges how we think about disability, healing, and who gets to be seen.📍 Connect with author Amanda Leduc: https://amandaleduc.com/____________________________________________________________Featured in this Series:Amanda Leduc – Author of Wild Life and DisfiguredMorgan Campbell – Author of My Fighting FamilyAmal Elsana Alh'jooj – Author of Hope is a Woman’s NameTanya Talaga – Author of The Knowing, Seven Fallen Feathers and All Our Revelations.___________________________________________________________📍Connect with our Partners: The FOLD Canada www.thefoldcanada.org. Explore 2026 events and diversity in Canadian literature.Connect with Freedom To Know Wellness: @FTKWellness 📧 Email: info@freedomtoknowwellness.ca 🌐 Website https://freedomtoknowwellness.substack.com/🎥 Special Thanks to Lara Tai for The FOLD's raw video footage. 🔈 Audio edits by Photographs by Shaun J www.instagram.com/photographybyshaunj🎵 Music: Hold You - Artist: Q-Black - (Licensed)⁠**Music Owner Rights by Freedom To Know Wellness**________________________Timestamp00:00 Introduction 01:05 About Amanda LeDuc 01:26 Balancing health and creative work02:05 Managing deadlines and expectations04:58 Amanda's journey to understanding these lessons06:03 Navigating Invisible Disability07:52 Responsibility and Advocacy 09:20 Creating inclusive spaces09:43 Outro - Podcast info & social media

  8. Season 2 Trailer

    Black Mental Health Week - FTKWellness Clip from Morgan Campbell Interview

    FTKWellness celebrated Black Mental Health Week (March 2 - 9, 2026) with author and sports journalist Morgan Campbell. In this clip, Morgan discusses his memoir, "My Fighting Family," and how uncovering uncomfortable truths can lead to profound family healing. 🎙️Watch the Full Episode here on Spotify or on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2hEmsXAc4Rk🎧 Listen to the full episode on the "Disabilities and Healing Stories" playlist here: https://youtu.be/2hEmsXAc4Rk#MyFightingFamily #MorganCampbell #BlackMentalHealth #HealingStories @TheFOLDCanada #FTKWellness #Storytelling

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About

Freedom To Know Wellness (FTKW) is a disability and health social enterprise. An online resource platform to connect and bridge the gap between practitioners (medical and holistic) and the community of those suffering from chronic, complex medical and pain disorders, female reproductive challenges and miscarriages. We dive into how all aspects of these conditions affect one’s mental health and address the challenges they face maneuvering through the Ontario medical, employment and disability system. Follow for transparent, engaging conversations with patients and practitioners.

Information

  • Creator
    Freedom To Know Wellness
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Freedom To Know Wellness
  • Show Website
    Freedom To Know Wellness