Shift for Brains
By Atlantic Restorative Company
Shift for Brains is currently available as a podcast and a weekly radio segment on News 95.7 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Shift for BrainsMar 28, 2020
The Nature of Narrative
Bill talks with William Randall about the nature of narrative and how it is a driving force in our lives. For more information on William Randall visit: www.williamlrandall.com.
Shift for Brains is recorded in Mi’Kma’ki unceded Mi’kmag territory.
Gratitude
Bill and Sheldon sit down for their last conversation on Rogers Radio and talk about gratitude.
Shift for Brains is recorded in Mi’Kma’ki unceded Mi’kmag territory. A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Lying
This week Bill and Sheldon discuss lying. Why do people lie? Are you a liar? If you say you're not...you are!
Shift for Brains is recorded in Mi’Kma’ki unceded Mi’kmag territory. A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The Law of Attraction
Bill and Sheldon are taking about the law of attraction and the sense behind the idea.
Shift for Brains is recorded in Mi’Kma’ki unceded Mi’kmag territory. A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Decision Making
This week Bill & Sheldon discuss decision making. How do our values come into play in our decision making? What kind of neuroscience is really running the show?
Shift for Brains is recorded in Mi’Kma’ki unceded Mi’kmag territory. A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Healthy Conversations
This week Bill & Sheldon talk about talking - how to have a good and healthy conversation. What bad habits should we get rid of, and what good habits should we keep? They also dig into how conversations can affect our health.
Shift for Brains is recorded in Mi’Kma’ki unceded Mi’kmag territory. A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Facing A Public Disappointment
This week Bill & Sheldon talk about Bill's very public loss in the recent Halifax municipal election, and examine how we can deal with a public loss and disappointment.
Shift for Brains is recorded in Mi’Kma’ki unceded Mi’kmag territory. A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Our City Edition: ISANS
ISANS, the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia, has a main office in District 9 of HRM. I went to visit Jennifer Watts CEO of ISANS here in Halifax at what is normally a hive of activity but due to Covid is staying safely a buzz dealing with all things immigration. She puts to rest some of the misconceptions about immigration and sets things straight about the difference and connection between immigration and refugees. It was a truly inspiring and enlightening chat.
Shift For Brains: Our City Edition is part of an exploration of issues vital to our city and its communities.
Shift for Brains is recorded in Mi’Kma’ki unceded Mi’kmag territory.
Our City Edition: Affordable Housing
Shift For Brains: Our City Edition is part of an exploration of issues vital to our city and its communities.
Shift for Brains decided since the crisis of affordable housing is in news and all over social media we would go and talk to someone who deals with this issue full time to ask him for some of his insights. And insightful it was. Jim Graham of The Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia sat down with me and we explored just some of the issues around this crisisShift For Brains: Our City Edition is part of an exploration of issues vital to our city and its communities.
Shift for Brains is recorded in Mi’Kma’ki unceded Mi’kmag territory.
Our City Edition: Bayers Westwood Family Resource Centre
You'll notice a change in the look and sound of Shift for Brains. During Bill's campaign for District 9 Councillor, Shift for Brains will be interviews with people, programs and ideas happening in our district (Halifax West Armdale).
'On the first Our City Edition, we visit Bayers Westwood Family Resource Centre. Bill chats with Director Donna Button about the challenges they have faced serving the community during the COVID-19 crisis.
Shift For Brains: Our City Edition is part of an exploration of issues vital to our city and its communities.
Shift for Brains is recorded in Mi’Kma’ki unceded Mi’kmag territory.
Competition
Bill and Sheldon discuss competition and how we can shift our brains around how we view competition. It's not as innocuous as it first seems - it's actually quite toxic.
Shift for Brains is recorded in Mi’Kma’ki unceded Mi’kmag territory. A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The Right Way To Make A Decision
This week, Bill and Sheldon talk about the right way to make a decision, and how it differs from making the right decision.
Shift for Brains is recorded in Mi’Kma’ki unceded Mi’kmag territory. A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Personal Memory
Bill and Sheldon discuss personal memory and collective memory, and how they affect our thinking and therefore, how they affect the story of our living.
Shift for Brains is recorded in Mi’Kma’ki unceded Mi’kmag territory. A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
What Do You Know?
This week's podcast started as a discussion of "what do you know"? It then shifted into a discussion around the mass killing that happen in Nova Scotia and why an inquiry more necessary than ever.
Shift for Brains is recorded in Mi’Kma’ki unceded Mi’kmag territory. A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Who Runs Our Lives?
This week, Bill and Sheldon talk about who runs our lives - politics, economics, nature? The myth of neoliberalism is discussed...and homoeconomics. Say that three times fast.
Shift for Brains is recorded in Mi’Kma’ki unceded Mi’kmag territory. A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Reimagining the Police
Bill and Sheldon discuss what it would be like if we decide to reimagine the police and law enforcement.
Shift for Brains is recorded in Mi’Kma’ki unceded Mi’kmag territory. A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
What We've Learned from the Pandemic
This week on Shift For Brains, Bill uses the concept of "sociological imagination" to discuss what we've learned from the pandemic, and what we have to do with what we have learned.
Shift for Brains is recorded in Mi’Kma’ki unceded Mi’kmag territory. A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Rules to Live By
This week Bill & Sheldon discuss rules to live by - social norms, morality, a philosophy of action - all things we need to consider deeply, especially in this changing time.
Shift for Brains is recorded in Mi’Kma’ki unceded Mi’kmag territory. A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Discussions in Times of Crises
This week Bill & Sheldon talk about how to have discussions in times of crises. How do we have these discussions without them becoming degenerating and becoming hurtful and useless.
Shift for Brains is recorded in Mi’Kma’ki unceded Mi’kmag territory. A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
White Fragility: Confessions of a White Man Part 2
Bill and Sheldon continue their discussion about the pandemic of racism that is being exposed across the world.
Shift for Brains is recorded in Mi’Kma’ki unceded Mi’kmag territory. A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
White Fragility: Confessions of a White Man
Bill and Sheldon discuss the pandemic of racism that is being exposed across the world.
Shift for Brains is recorded in Mi’Kma’ki unceded Mi’kmag territory. A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
A Hesitation To Open Up
Bill & Sheldon talk about why we are hesitant to open up. Are we ready to open up as a society? Are we ready to take responsibility for what that means? Most importantly, are we ready to do it right?
Shift for Brains is recorded in Mi’Kma’ki unceded Mi’kmag territory. A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Being Stupid
This week we're talking about being stupid. At some point we're all stupid, right? Bill and Sheldon discuss the word "stupid" and why we should keep it in our vocabulary.
A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The Impact of Words
Bill and Sheldon discuss the importance of words, the importance of self-talk, and how we have to be very careful of what we say to ourselves, especially in stressful times.
A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
You're Not The Boss Of Me
This week Bill chats with Todd Veinotte, filling in for Sheldon MacLeod. They discuss how we make decisions, and who do we let make decisions that are life and death?
Bill also talks about a new idea called "Trump Roulette".
A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Imprints
Bill & Sheldon discuss imprints (or impressions) - ideas that have been impressed upon us in our youth or later from society and things around us without us even knowing it. Sometimes we act from those, without knowing, with very dangerous outcomes.
A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The Art of Reframing
How do we best frame what we're seeing so we see it in a useful way? How do we make something good out of something that feels bad?
A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Exposure
Bill and Sheldon talk about exposing ourselves to different ideas, things we don't like or don't enjoy, and people we don't like. How do we find value in that exposure?
A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Motivation
This week Bill explores the great experiment called "Life". How can we get, and stay motivated in times when it's hard to be motivated?
A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Words. Words. Words.
Bill & Sheldon discuss the importance, and impact, of words in stressful times.
A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The First Three Things To Do During the Pandemic
This week Bill discusses the first three things we should all be doing during the pandemic - self-inquiry, journaling, and meditation.
A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Social Distancing
This week we discuss ten things you can do while social distancing that will make this experience not only tolerable but enjoyable and ultimately valuable.
Our full list is available here.
A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Fear.
Fear. When does it help? When does it hurt? How do we manage it effectively?
A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Climate Change or Climate Crisis?
Is it climate change, or a climate crisis? Does it matter what we call it? How do we talk to climate crisis deniers and the "Ostrich Effect".
A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Questions, Not Answers.
Have you ever stopped and questioned why you believe what you believe? Could it be because of the way you think? Or could it be because of the way you don’t think when you think? This week we discuss a restorative framework for dealing with difficult situations based on three questions:
1. What happened?
2. Who was affected?
3. What can we do to make things right?
A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Political Parties?
Do we need political parties? Bill doesn't believe we need them, and some cognitive biases would suggest political parties hinder more than help. How do we shift our brains around our political system?
A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Political Correctness
How can we talk about political correctness and find a way to shift our brains?
A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The Police & Cultural Competencies
How do we shift our brains around the police and cultural competencies?
A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The News
How do we think about what's happening in the news? Good and bad. How do we shift our brains about that?
A co-production with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Shifting Your Brain
An introduction to the show's philosophy and how Shift Your Brain is going to do just that - shift people's brain.
Our first episode with The Sheldon MacLeod Show on News 95.7 CHNI in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Elder Care
Bill talks with Bob and Norma Silverstein, Cape Breton patient advocates with parents who experienced tragic circumstances in care. Norma’s parents, now passed, were married for 70 years and could not be placed in same nursing home, and her father died of sepsis related to unattended bedsores.
Together with Dr Jeanne Ferguson, Geriatric Specialist in Cape Breton, Bob & Norma have founded Families for Quality Elder Care, an advocacy group for families and elderly patients in care. Our health care system in Nova Scotia is not prepared for both the volume and the complexity of the health needs of our elder citizens.
Ethical Meat? - Part 2
Part two of our discussion of ethical meat deals with the shift that happens when you change from a meat based diet to a plant based diet. In this episode Bill sits down with David Baxter who, along with his family, is making a transition from raising his own animals for meat to a more plant based diet that still includes dairy, eggs and honey. Later in the episode, Bill talks with Derrick Sweet who follows a strict plant based diet and discusses why he made the shift and the benefits he sees from a meatless diet.
A Simple Matter of Justice
A Simple Matter of Justice. On March 21st, Abdoul Abdi will learn whether he will be deported back to Somalia, a country he has never been to. Born in Saudi Arabia to a Somalian mother, Abdi arrived in Canada at the age of 6, lived in 31 different foster homes throughout his childhood and was never given the chance to apply for citizenship. In our latest episode, Bill sat down with El Jones to discuss Abdi’s case, how the system failed him and what’s next.
Ethical Meat - Part 1
Bill sits down with Rae Lutz, and her daughter Megan Rand, from Pasture Hill Farms, and Lil MacPherson, food activist and owner of the Wooden Monkey restaurants to talk about ethical meat. They tackle everything from animal rights, to the environmental impact of industrial farming, to why there is a growing demand for local & ethically raised meat.
The Potcast
Marijuana. The Canadian government is set to legalize it in 2018. Bill sat down with Chris Enns from Farm Assists, and Carl Morgan of Scotia Green Inc. to discuss legalization, recreational use, government control over distribution, and their first hand experiences as entrepreneurs on the front line in the marijuana industry.
Food Insecurity
Food Insecurity, our first episode, is all about a silent epidemic that permeates our communities and diminishes all of us with its insidious debilitating effects on far too many of our most vulnerable.
We are talking with Jackie Torrens – a film maker and courageous advocate for those who suffer from Food Insecurity, and Tim Blades, a member of BRAG: Benefits Reform Action Group, a team of first voice welfare recipients and professionals from our community who speak up on issues and fight for change with Nova Scotia’s Employment Support and Income Assistance program. We talk about the very personal effects of stereo-types about people affected by poverty and some of the realities about Food Insecurity in our communities.
Shift for Brains Trailer
Shift for Brains (say it fast!) is a podcast dedicated to provide a sounding board and an open safe space for people to carry on discussions about difficult and challenging subjects. It is hoped that these conversations will result in shifts to our thinking that will eventually lead to healthy shifts in our society and culture. Shift for Brains is a podcast for those of us who want to move from our society from apathy to empathy and hype to hope.