Rachel Thexton Connects

Unscripted radio, questioning your news consumption, and a commitment to visible minorities and local nonprofits.

I turn the mic around to learn about Nira Arora as she joins me for a discussion about everything from diversity to her non-scripted morning show chats with Holly Conway.

Sybil Mecas personal story highlights resilience, determination, and the transformative impact of community-based initiatives. ⁠Join us as we explore how ACCESS empowers Indigenous youth living in Greater Vancouver through education, training, and employment opportunities⁠⁠.

In the second part of my series on Indigenous education, employment, and culture, I will share a captivating discussion with Sybil Mecas, Director of Programming with Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services (ACCESS).

Sybil discusses her experience learning about her Indigenous heritage later in life, as an adult, the powerful bond she has with youth, and supporting them as they strive to complete meaningful education and pursue fulfilling careers, and much more. This is an episode that I won’t forget.

Remember to subscribe and stay tuned for the episode release this week! 

Music by Sergii Pavkin from Pixabay

Lynn speaks to supporting Vancouver Indigenous People with education and training-in addition to vital supports such as incorporating cultural components into their programming and providing an Indigenous team to support Indigenous People.

In this episode, I have the privilege of hosting a discussion with ACCESS CEO Lynn White. A not-for-profit society, ACCESS has grown into one of the most comprehensive Urban Indigenous employment training providers in Canada.

Did you know?

ACCESS is responsible for 40+% of all Indigenous trade apprentices in the Lower Mainland, in addition to providing training, education, and support programming for everything from makeup artistry and fashion careers to aviation and support in securing employment with companies such as ICBC.

Indigenous Education and Employment supports meets vital cultural components and wraparound services.

Multimedia Journalist Anna Burns discusses her career journey, journalism perspectives, and love for community news, having started as a communicator in East Africa and currently a busy reporter and photographer at Surrey Now Leader.

In this monologue, I discuss the lack of knowledge, amongst non- Indigenous Canadians, about Indigenous peoples. Understanding Indigenous history, and barriers that many Indigenous people experience today, is not simply essential—it’s an urgent responsibility. There are 630 First Nations communities across the country and knowledge is a powerful catalyst for change. I urge you to tune in and make space to join me in learning, asking more questions, and truly listening.

Sachin Latti- Former law enforcement officer, now an advocate for mental health challenges faced by those serving our communities, tells his story and details his plan to create change.

He has his finger on the pulse of Vancouver and the passion to support our city in any way that he can.

Music by Roman Belov from Pixabay

All things urban from a man with a passion for Vancouver, and a genuine connection to the city experience and all that it entails. Urban Land Institute British Columbia Chair Duncan Wlodarczak joins me this week for a discussion that inspired me to explore the urban centre I have long called home.

As valuable traditional news continues to see layoffs and downscaling within the industry, Canada’s fastest growing digital news platform Daily Hive just set up shop in their eighth North American market, Victoria BC. Darcy Matheson spent most of her career working in top broadcast news jobs before taking on the role of leading content for the digital success story. Hear more about Darcy’s journey, why she feels that Daily Hive continues to resonate amongst Canadians, how she navigated the site through rough waters, and more. Enjoy!

This week, Editor-in Chief of Daily Hive, one of the country’s leading digital publications, Darcy Matheson, joins me. We discuss her journalism journey, and move from broadcast to digital news, how she led her team as they navigated through the Bill C-18 online news act, in addition to successful growth, with Daily Hive now in eight North American markets. While raising two boys, and a terrier, with her husband, Darcy is the definition of a successful female professional balancing it all. Stay tuned for a fantastic discussion with a woman I have always admired. Coming soon!

I discuss a variety of though-provoking, insightful, and entertaining topics, with a heart-led community leader who is passionate about Vancouver.

Enjoy this discussion with Lorraine Lowe- Executive Director of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.

We discuss engagement, public consultation, how he develops new ideas and potential solutions, and more about the man himself.

Minister Kahlon even answers a question or two that he has never been asked before—always my goal with a guest who is required to speak about his work frequently. Enjoy new insight from a professional who is no stranger to front page news. Tune in for this unique conversation with The Honourable Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing.

Better Day. Music by Oleksandr Stepanov from Pixabay.

The Honourable Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing, has a mile-high pile of files to manage, and housing challenges to consider, as he works on an issue that has long been front page news in British Columbia- housing. As homeowners, renters, developers, investors, and those without a home, all have different housing-related grievances they hope that Minister Kahlon will help to address, the Minister has been active in both action and ongoing communications with a diverse group of BC residents.

I am honoured to have the opportunity to discuss housing issues, while also learning more about the man himself, as Minister Ravi Kahlon joins me soon on Rachel Thexton Connects.

Music by QubeSounds from Pixabay

During this episode, Musqueam Indian Band community leader, Intergovernmental Affairs Officer to the Musqueam First Nation, and Board Chair for the First Nations Health Council. Wade Grant shares knowledge, stories, perspectives, and his personal story. Our discussion covers various topics as Wade shares informative, and sometimes surprising insight, as I ask questions that many are likely wondering about. Don’t miss this meaningful conversation that all Canadians should tune into.

In my upcoming chat with local digital influencer Jon Wiebe, I look forward to discussing his uncommon, yet dynamic content. Jon has been open about a variety of topics that men experience, but talk less about, such as average guy style, lifestyle, inclusivity, and neurodiversity. This digital influencer has meaningful and fun content, and I can’t wait to learn more about the man behind the dapper style.

An Impressive Sunrise is Attainable…. if we Unite.

 As we prepare for 2024,  I share my thoughts on this year,  guests I was fortunate to welcome to my podcast in the first part of season two, my personal struggles this year, as well where I see hope and how I have been inspired.

I look ahead and pray for connection as we work towards solutions to overwhelming obstacles that we can only fight with a full team, inch by inch.

Isn’t that what Al Pacino says in his famous Any Given Sunday speech? “That’s what living is, the six Inches in front of your face.”?

In Greater Vancouver, we pass those who are homeless daily. Some are crying, laying in the cold, or simply sitting calmly.

We tend to look away, passing quickly without making eye contact, and not wanting to think much about why that person is struggling. While homeless, this individual is likely experiencing pain and loneliness, along with judgment. It may seem simple but recognizing a person with eye contact, and a greeting, as encouraged by Coast Mental Health’s #JustSayHello campaign is a small but vital step.

I hope that people take this to heart. A simple greeting, and kind recognition of an individual, can make a difference in their day. I am not easily impressed by campaigns related to mental health, as many seem more focused on optics than true change.. This feels different. This feels authentic. #JustSayHello

The Founder of the Medicinal Mushroom Dispensary, Dana Larsen, shares details about the products he sells, why people use them, and even his recent raid and arrest. Episode coming this week with a man who has been fighting Canada’s drug policies for many years. Stay tuned!

Junction Co. Principal Ameet Johal joins me for a candid chat about working with clients, while maintaining your authentic identity, topics around gender and diversity, achieving success as a business owner, as well as what she has learned from mentors, and what she offers her clients while helping them to stand out as they create value for communities.

Ameet Johal, Principal of Junction Co., brings a fresh perspective to the real estate industry by emphasizing the importance of community building and authentic connection. Ameet and I chat about our shared experiences, working as leading industry consultants, differences we have experienced, and, mostly, Ameet’s fascinating and inspiring story and insight based on over two decades working in the space. Tune in to learn more about Ameet’s vision for the future of community and how she supports clients via her unique service offerings.

A veteran journalist who writes about homes, once a music critic who interviewed Ray Charles, a woman with multiple books under her belt, and someone who adores animals, there is more to Kerry Gold than the popular Globe and Mail housing pieces that many in Vancouver wait to read weekly. I get to know Kerry more as we discuss her story and her work. Enjoy this!

Mark Haden has been working with those who have mental health and substance use challenges for years. Now a UBC Professor, researcher and Clinical Supervisor at Qi Integrated Health, Mark Haden talks to me about using ketamine to help those with depression and PTSD, while emphasizing the benefits of psychedelic drugs in healing. Mark recommends taking a wise approach to drugs while minimizing the harms of drugs and maximizing their benefits. We discuss his path of coming to terms with the fact that there has not been effective treatment in mainstream medicine for those with depression, question the effectiveness of anti depression drugs, and discuss alcohol dependency and trials he is working on that could change the way it is treated. This conversation presents evidence-based treatments that could turn the mental health and addiction treatment field on its head. Maybe that’s what we need?

As we face a variety of mental health challenges in our province, and across the country, the way that we are caring for people with mental illness and substance abuse challenges is not working. Mark Haden wants to approach drugs with a wise, evidence-based approach and a part of this is using psychedelics, specifically ketamine, to help people who are suffering with depression, PTSD, and other mental health-related issues. Thousands of BC residents take antidepressants daily but are they working?

Mo Amir is the creator and host of This is VANCOLOUR, originally solely a podcast, and now also a culture and politics TV talk show on CHEK. Mo is on the other side of the discussion here as he shares more about himself, his journey to talk television, his approach to interviews, and even some behind the scenes stories that will surprise you. We discuss the local digital space, podcasting, interviewing styles, and some of his guest experiences. Enjoy!

Music by Olexy from Pixabay.

I am excited to soon welcome media personality, CHEK talk TV host, and podcaster Mo Amir. Offering his extensive experience with diverse media and digitally focused interviews and commentary, my conversation with Mo is informative and entertaining. Mo shares stories from behind the scenes, tips based on his experience, and we get to know the man behind the microphone; the professional who is usually leading the discussions himself. I love this part about interviewing media personalities, digital leaders, and journalists. They have their own stories to share, and they are always engaging. Episode coming this week!

Discussion with BC’s Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe- Speaking with Lisa Lapointe was not only a pleasure, as she is helpful and kind, but also incredibly informative. Our Chief Coroner shares details on what she and her team do, what they have observed regarding deaths in British Columbia, as well as thoughts and advice for the province on preventing future deaths, especially those related to drug toxicity. This is a conversation that I will never forget, and I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to share it with you all.

Join the discussion on twitter.

This week, I am welcoming BC’s Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe to the podcast. I cannot think of anyone more experienced, and intrenched in our province’s dire health problems, including the drug toxicity crisis, and other factors contributing to the passing of British Columbians, that may result from factors that we have not considered. I am honoured to kick off season #2 with such an experienced and outspoken professional- Lisa Lapointe.

Music by Roman Senyk from Pixabay.

Welcome to season #2! I can’t wait to host voices that need to be heard and share stories that must be told. To kick off the second season of my podcast, I have the privilege of welcoming amazing thought leaders, experts, and humans with insight and experience that help us to grow and consider what we can do to make ourselves and our city better. Please join me wherever you listen to your podcasts. I appreciate you all so much. Here are some hints on what’s to come!

Author, former broadcaster, and Mom of Holden, Tara McGuire, joins me for a timely and raw discussion about her son Holden, mental health, grief, and even graffiti. This interview completes my first podcast season, and I am fortunate to be able to share the insight and experience of this strong and talented woman. Tune in. It may even change a life….