"Join Ryan on an engaging journey in the latest episode of From Darkness to Life, as we explore the uplifting story of the Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Our special guests include Willy Taillon, the visionary behind the festival and a passionate hot air balloon pilot, alongside esteemed Gold Sponsors Rhonda Hayward, a dedicated mental health therapist, and Elizabeth McNally from Medicine Hat's Real Estate Collective. Dive into the history of the Rise Up Festival...

In this enlightening episode of "From Darkness to Life," Ryan is joined by the esteemed Ramona Big Head, a dedicated educator with over 25 years of experience and a member of the Peigan Board of Education. Ramona brings a powerful narrative to the table, delving into the historical struggles of her people. She recounts the painful legacy of residential schools, the erosion of traditional practices and culture, and the profound grief and loss that have marked her community's journey. With raw...

In this gripping episode, motocross legend Colin "Scummy" Morrison takes us on a wild ride through his life. From the dirt tracks of his youth to the global stage, Colin's passion for motocross fueled his meteoric rise. At just 16, he turned pro and left jaws dropping as he tore up the circuit. But fame came with a price. As an original member of the notorious **Metal Mulisha**, Colin reveled in the adrenaline-fueled lifestyle. X-Games medals adorned his neck, and he crisscrossed the world,...

In this compelling episode of From Darkness to Life, Ryan sits down with Brad McLeod, the inspiring voice behind the Sober Motivation podcast. Brad’s story is one of resilience, transformation, and unwavering determination. Brad shares his incredible journey from a troubled childhood in Ontario to the throes of addiction in the United States. He reflects on school struggles, petty crime, stints in jail, and eventually a harrowing battle with opioid addiction. Discover the pivotal moments that...

In this episode of “From Darkness to Life”, Ryan engages in a captivating conversation with Justine Whitchurch from Gold Coast, Australia. Justine courageously shares her profound journey through alcoholism and addiction, revealing the raw moments of her fall from grace. But this story isn’t just about darkness; it’s about resilience, redemption, and purpose. Justine reveals how she harnessed the power of fitness to propel herself into recovery. Today, she wears multiple hats: Personal...

In this episode of "From Darkness to Life," Ryan converses with Ben Feene, a compassionate Canadian Certified Counsellor from Medicine Hat Family Services. Ben shares MHFS's commitment to breaking down financial barriers in mental health support through a sliding scale fee system. The discussion explores the transformative Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy offered at MHFS, shedding light on its efficacy in processing distressing memories. Ben illustrates EMDR's...

In this enlightening episode of "From Darkness to Life," Ryan dives deep into the world of recovery with a remarkable guest, Kelly Cummins, Clinical Director at the Alberta Adolescent Recovery Center (AARC). Kelly, a seasoned expert in the field, unveils the intricacies of AARC's holistic approach, emphasizing the significance of addressing not just the addiction itself but the entire spectrum of an individual's well-being. Learn how the integration of biological, psychological, social, and...

In this gripping episode of "From Darkness to Life," Ryan dives into a riveting conversation with Larissa Logozzo. Larissa shares her tumultuous journey through addiction, trauma, and homelessness, revealing a pivotal moment in the ER that sparked an extraordinary transformation. The episode navigates Larissa's early days, family dynamics, and the life-altering loss of her mother. Chronicling years of struggle with addiction, hospitals, jail, and homelessness, Larissa unveils the turning...

In this compelling episode of "FDTL", Ryan sits down with Kim Shingler, who shares an extraordinary journey of sobriety, resilience, and the transformative power of one decision. Kim begins by delving into her and her husband's brave decision to embark on a journey to sobriety right at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. She reflects on how this choice not only strengthened their bond but also had a profound positive impact on their lives together. The narrative takes an emotional turn when...

In this episode, Ryan engages in a conversation with Tanis Mitchell, a certified life coach and a resilient "medical mom." Tanis unfolds her compelling journey of becoming a mother to three children, particularly recounting the poignant moments surrounding her daughter Lukah's survival after a rare multiple organ transplant. Throughout the discussion, Tanis delves into the profound impact of her role as a medical mama on her perspective towards life. She shares insights into the...

In this episode, Ryan chats with Sonia Kahlon, the founder of Everblume, a revolutionary digital tool for alcohol recovery support for women. Sonia shares her inspirational journey, recounting how she became a recovery coach and established Everblume after selling her successful orthodontic practice. Navigating the complexities of sobriety took an added challenge for Sonia as she also faced the emotional upheaval of her husband leaving her during this period. Despite this hardship, Sonia...

NOTE: This episode was recorded over zoom, and due to connectivity issues, there were some minor audio dropouts beyond our control. If you have questions or need clarification... please reach out. Tune into this SPECIAL episode of the From Darkness to Life podcast as Ryan engages in a profound conversation with the esteemed Nancy Mannix, Chair and Patron of the Palix Foundation, and founder of the Alberta Family Wellness Initiative (AFWI). In this thought-provoking episode, Nancy takes a...

Join Ryan on this transformative episode of From Darkness to Life as he sits down with Dr. Kent Comeau, the compassionate psychiatrist at Reconnect Mental Health in the heart of Medicine Hat, Alberta. Explore the diverse range of services offered at Reconnect Mental Health, where Dr. Comeau, driven by his passion for mental wellness, discusses innovative treatments such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). This non-invasive, painless therapy utilizes magnetic pulses to...

Join Ryan on this compelling episode of "From Darkness to Life" as he sits down with former WHL hockey player turned inspirational figure, Mike Brown. In this deeply personal conversation, Mike opens up about the highs and lows of his hockey career, providing a rare glimpse into the challenges that led him down a path of addiction. From the adrenaline of the rink to the struggles off the ice, Mike shares his raw and authentic story. Tune in to hear about the pivotal moment that became the...

Welcome to another profound episode of "From Darkness to Life". This week, Ryan welcomes a remarkable guest, Shae, who fearlessly opens up about her transformative journey from the depths of addiction to the radiant light of recovery. In this candid conversation, Shae shares the raw and unfiltered account of her lived experience, taking us through the harrowing and lonely places that addiction led her. From the unforgiving streets to the lonely riverbanks of Calgary, Alberta. Shae paints a...

Welcome to another powerful episode of "From Darkness to Life" with your host, Ryan. This week, we have a special guest, Nicole, a seasoned professional with over 18 years of experience in the addiction space. Ryan and Nicole delve into the profound impact of addiction on families. Nicole's deep understanding of the dynamics within the family unit has driven her to create a groundbreaking service called Family Matters Intervention. In this episode, Nicole shares her insights into how...

Welcome to “From Darkness to Life” with your host, Ryan. In this special episode, Ryan is joined by some of the OCJ staff, including Amber, Tara, and Alana, to guide you through the holiday season. The holiday season can be a challenging time for many, especially those on a journey of recovery. In this episode, our hosts share tips and suggestions to help you navigate through the stress and maintain your well-being. Whether you’re seeking ways to safeguard your recovery or simply looking for...

In this episode, Ryan welcomes two guests who have personal experience with the Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre (AARC), a non-profit organization that provides long-term treatment for substance abuse and addiction in adolescents and their families. Sid is a former client of AARC who shares their recovery journey, from hitting rock bottom to finding hope and healing. Desere is a parent and supporter of two daughters who have been through the AARC program, and she talks about the challenges...

In this episode of the podcast, Ryan chats with Ben, a registered psychologist who has a passion for helping people overcome their challenges and achieve their goals. Ben explains what therapy can look like for different clients, depending on their needs, preferences, and personalities. He also talks about the importance of building rapport and trust with his clients, and how he uses hypnotherapy as a tool to help facilitate positive change.  Ben shares some of his experiences and insights...

In this episode, Ryan talks to Janice, a Licensed Master Social Worker from Alabama, who shares her inspiring story of recovery from addiction and trauma. Janice reveals how she overcame her past struggles and found her passion for helping others heal their wounds.  She also discusses her focus on helping recovering individuals repair their relationships with family and friends, and offers some practical tips and resources for anyone who wants to improve this area of their journey.   In...

In this episode, we talk to Alissa, a woman who has faced unimaginable challenges in her life. Alissa shares her story of losing a stillborn daughter, having thoughts of suicide, and witnessing her sister struggle with addiction and overdose. She also reveals how she coped with these traumas, how she found strength and support, and how she learned to embrace vulnerability, courage, and resilience. Alissa’s journey is one of pain, grief, and despair, but also of hope, healing, and...

In this episode, Ryan and his guest, Chris Shorrock, a registered psychologist, explore the power of therapy and how it can improve your life. They discuss what therapy is, how it works, and what makes it effective. They also share their insights and stories about the key elements of a good therapeutic relationship, such as trust, honesty, and feedback. Whether you are curious about therapy, looking for a therapist, or already in therapy, this episode will give you valuable information and...

In this episode, Ryan welcomes Trevor Stewardson, a former Olympic boxer and a Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame inductee, who now shares his knowledge with gymgoers in Medicine Hat, AB. Ryan and Trevor openly talk about navigating many of life’s challenges and the helpful tools they have gathered along the way. They discuss topics such as trauma, motivation, control, and resilience, and how they apply to both sports and life. This episode is a candid and inspiring conversation that...

In this episode, we welcome Graham, a radio personality from Edmonton, who shares his journey through life, radio, and alcoholism with Ryan. Graham opens up about how alcohol affected his personal and professional life, how he realized he had a problem, and how he decided to change his habits and lifestyle. He also talks about the challenges and rewards of sobriety, the support he received from his family and friends, and the lessons he learned along the way. This episode is a candid and...