Our Lives’ Narratives

Spreading Joy & Building Community: Let’s Talk Mental Health with Karen Richards

Karen Richards is a social worker (MSW, RSW) and community activist trying to raise a family of revolutionaries in Edmonton, Alberta. Outside of full-time government work, Karen is a teacher at heart as a sessional instructor with the University of Calgary Faculty of Social Work.Combining the love of activism and culture, Karen has embedded arts and physicality in uplifting the community of Edmonton through cultural experiences and facilitation with Joyful Noise Inc. Karen engages and organizes adults and youth to learn and live Black history and excellence. With years of experience in theatre production, television appearances, public speaking, board governance, and political punditry, Karen brings a range of disciplines to presentations. Karen is a certified Mental Health First Aid Facilitator, empowering whole communities by reducing stigma and helping participants learn how to support others to address their mental well-being.

Master Speaking With Confidence: A Must For Everyday Life with Lisa Dublin

Lisa Dublin, who hails from Saint Lucia. She is a speaker, writer, podcaster, and life and health coach. During her time in Saint Lucia, she lectured at Sir Arthur Lewis Community College and hosted a live morning television program called "Sunrise" on HTS, alongside Russel Lake.She is also a performance poet and has received several accolades, including the M&C Fine Arts Award for Prose in 2003 and the Word Alive Poetry Slam competition in Saint Lucia in both 2008 and 2011. In 2013, she published her first chapbook of poetry, followed by a novella titled "How George Jones Saved Christmas" in 2017. In 2020, she created a performance piece called "To All The Girls," which has gained thousands of views on YouTube and Facebook.Additionally, Lisa runs an online speaking program called "Speak With Confidence," designed to help professionals and business people overcome their fears and present their best selves while speaking.

Lessons Beyond Textbook, Real Talk with A Passionate Educator with Esosa Ikuobase

Esosa Ikuobase is an elementary school teacher dedicated to inspiring her students and positively impacting their lives, preparing them to become great leaders in our society. She has been teaching in Edmonton for the last four years.Esosa is very active in her church community and is driven by her faith. She has a deep desire to engage in volunteer work and give back to society, currently volunteering with the Edmonton Food Bank and Hope Mission. She is passionate about helping others, as well as administration and personal consulting. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, spending time outdoors in nature, learning new skills, and being with her loved ones.

Hands Lifting Hearts: An Initiative Providing Comprehensive Assistance to Families with Clare Jagunna

This week's episode of Our Lives' Narratives features Clare Jagunna.Clare is a governance analyst specializing in information and records analysis, with over 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, along with a diverse background in other sectors.She has pursued training in childcare and disability management through the International Career School Canada (ICS). Additionally, Clare attended the University of Lethbridge to enhance her knowledge in human resource management, which has been instrumental in establishing her non-profit organization.Clare is the founder of the Hands Lifting Hearts Initiatives Society (HLH), a non-profit organization with a mission to support women and children at various life stages. In 2021, Clare registered HLH with the Alberta Government, providing comprehensive assistance to families from pre-labor to post-labor. HLH is quickly becoming a household name and a pillar of support for many pregnant immigrant families across Alberta, bolstered by collaborations with other support agencies and funding partners. Clare is always willing to serve her community and is constantly seeking ways to give back.Kindly support this organization to help it accomplish its goals and objectives.

Integrating Nursing & Creative Arts with Navreet Brar

Integrating Nursing & Creative Arts A registered Nurse’s Journey as a Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist

Diabetes: Understanding the Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments Made Easy with Dr Amanna

Dr Amanna is a family physician, hospitalist, and award-winning expert in emergency medicine. His specialties include weight management, diabetes, and more.In this episode, we will discuss diabetes: exploring its causes, symptoms, and management strategies.Check out Dr Amanna's YouTube channel Dr. Gt https://youtube.com/@DrGT-q6z?si=ZFOrCMrYX75qZ6Zq

The Power of Connection: Overcoming challenges and staying positive with Shasily Matowe

Shasily Matowe is a proud biracial woman whose heritage is enriched by the diverse cultures of Zimbabwe, Scotland, and the Netherlands. Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Shasily moved to the Middle East at the age of four, where she was immersed in a wide array of cultures that gave her a unique perspective on global lifestyles. A passionate advocate for health and wellness, Shasily’s commitment to fitness was showcased when she competed and won Canada’s Ultimate Challenge (Season 2), a test of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual endurance. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to found Power(Full) Inc., a company that emphasizes the worth, uniqueness, and gifts inherent in every individual. Through Power(Full) Inc., Shasily helps children, youth, and adults on their wellness journeys, with a holistic focus on physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Her passion for supporting others deepened after the passing of her mother in 2017. This personal loss inspired her to create a platform for holistic health, integrating her expertise as a certified fitness specialist and professional dancer/drummer. Her mission is to empower others by restoring their confidence through the power of self-love. Shasily’s dedication extends beyond individual health; she is committed to building stronger communities. In 2020, she launched a partnership with the Salvation Army to honor her mother’s legacy through initiatives like “Patricia’s Present” and “The Angel Tree,” which provide Christmas gifts to children and families in need. Additionally, Shasily serves as a youth leader in her local church, guiding youth aged 11-17 in their spiritual development. A firm believer in the power of connection, Shasily’s philosophy is that community health is not solely about physical proximity but about fostering a sense of responsibility and connection to one another. She strives to spread love, light, and positivity wherever she goes, embracing her mission to make a meaningful impact on as many lives as possible.

Fostering Personal Developments and Building The Next Generation of Great Minds with Nnaemeka Udoka

Nnaemeka Udoka is a husband, father, avid researcher, Podcaster, blogger, and author of the book called Unleash Your Inner Kraken. He did pharmaceutical quality assurance in Nigeria for 12 years. In Canada, he moved into warehousing, supply chain logistics, and production management. He is the treasurer of the Nigerian Canadian Association of Edmonton. His other areas of interest are immigrant kids development, personal development, economics of gov't finance, politics, and active citizen participation in democracy, Entrepreneurship, Social Issues from a Christian perspective. Don't miss this insightful episode on raising the next generations of great minds. Our youths! #canada #podcast #africa #raisingkidsright #diaspora