The Connection Project

In this episode, Barbara shares her perspectives on joy and poetry and the community she found when leaning into both. Barbara reads her poem "You Could," from her book, Narrow Bridge which sparked some wonderful conversation about well-being.  There are times we are like the pillbug in her poem - a small thing curled-up on the cold floor in an empty room, and there are times we remember there is an "outside," for which we find the door. Barbara Pelman is a retired high school English teacher, and poet. She often conducts poetry workshops in her home, and is a frequent participant at Planet Earth Poetry. She has three published books of poetry: One Stone (Ekstasis Editions 2005), Borrowed Rooms (Ronsdale Press 2008) and Narrow Bridge (Ronsdale Press 2017) and a chapbook Aubade Amalfi (Rubicon Press 2016). In 2018 her glosa, “Nevertheless” won the Malahat Open Season Poetry Contest. Her poems can be found in the anthologies “Refugium” and “Sweet Water” (Caitlin Press), and “In Fine Form” ( Caitlin Press) and in various literary journals.

This episode explores the many facets of creativity in relation to well-being. Caleb shares personal experiences with the ebb and flow of productivity, discipline, and deadlines during mania, depression, and the "in-between times." A rich and inviting look into creative work that is unmapped, rickety, and flawed. "It has been a long time for me to start acknowledging and owning  my mental health struggles, and recognizing that they are something that can be dealt with. That doesn't mean conquered, but it means shared and understood and expressed." This interview sheds more light on the many reasons it is worthwhile to share our humanness.  Host Emily Olsen introduces Caleb as Artistic Director and Speaker for the upcoming 2020 Connection Project. Some of Caleb's vast portfolio and collection of ongoing work can be viewed here.  A bit about Caleb: The middle of 3 brothers raised by a single-mother, Caleb Beyers went through 7 different schools before attending Harvard University, where he earned his AB with honours in psychology in 2003. While at Harvard, he was a member of the Varsity Heavyweight Crew, an editor of the Harvard Lampoon Magazine, and an art director at Harvard Student Agencies’ Graphic Design studio and Let’s Go Travel guides. Following a stint as a film teacher and rowing coach at Shawnigan Lake School, Caleb toured North America with various bands as a photographer and merchandise manager. He returned to Victoria in 2005 and became actively engaged in the arts community: participating in, and organizing shows, and publishing books and zines. His work as an artist led to his first commercial design commission, Habit Coffee, for which he designed the business’ brand and interior space. In 2008 he lived in New York City, where he worked on large-scale commercial campaigns, before returning to Canada where he founded Caste Projects with his wife, Hanahlie Beise. Under the Caste Projects Banner, he has created brand-strategy, campaigns, interiors, and visual identities for numerous Victoria brands, including Hoyne Brewing, Big Wheel Burger, Victory Barbers, Rifflandia Festival, Superbath Mobile Carwash, and Chester Fields. One of Caste Projects’ largest undertakings was the development of a new branding & communications platform, and the facilitation of a complete project redesign for one of Victoria’s largest urban developments: Dockside Green. The mission of Caste Projects is to use business as a tool for catalyzing culture, and to stimulate the local economy through the creation of local brands with uncommon character, humor, and aesthetic sensibility. While Caleb maintains an active interest in issues relating to culture & vibrancy in the urban fabric, he now lives on Pender Island with his wife, where they raise Alpacas, and produce yarn under the brand name Hinterland. In 2017 and 2018 he developed character designs for two animated TV show projects which sold to Netflix and Fox. While the fate of those projects is unclear, Caleb is currently busy developing his own animated show concepts, drawing characters as well as writing scripts.

In this rich and uplifting first episode of season 2, listeners are gifted with the articulate and generous offerings of Joseph Briante. A "warrior of well-being" in his own right, Joseph rolls up his sleeves to share insights about the many aspects of personal growth and healing. The conversation shines a light on the many opportunities to connect with oneself and the natural environment. Joseph's curious nature is a fresh lens through which to witness and consider well-being.  Joseph Edward Briante is a healing artist and a student at the Centre for Sport & Exercise Education at Camosun College. He’s a Taurus, lifelong Jedi, yogi, CrossFitter, mover, dancer, learner, neuroplastician, flâneur, bricoleur, bon vivant, recreational baritone and aspiring polyglot. He loves being an uncle, sitting in circle, and going deep over coffee and house music.

We're back after a six-week hiatus to bring you the final episode of Season 1. During this absence, our very first guest, Diane Philipps, passed away.  Jen and Diane have been close friends for many years with a relationship built on love and deep spiritual connections. Humour was also a big part of their friendship as you'll gather from the quote below.  "Diane transitioned from this world, on into the next, where she will continue to spread her love and light with yet more reach than ever before. Watch for her in all the beauty that surrounds you - for that is what she represents. Let her memory remind you of the goodness in every seeming trial. And the next time you’re thinking about taking a risk...pushing your limits...and achieving new heights...think about Diane, blind as a bat, leaping off the wing of an airplane. If she can do it, so can you." - Jen Verscheure. If you haven't heard the episode with Diane, please check it out, it was such an honour to interview her. During this time also, Lisa said goodbye to her devoted and loyal dog Lily. May she rest in sweet peace and forever remind Lisa of the love that is always present and available to her.  In these times of deep reflection and introspection, many changes have become necessary for our individual growth and as such, it was decided that the Connection Project Podcast would continue with Emily Olsen as the sole host. In this episode, hosts Lisa, Jen, and Emily say farewell to working together as co-hosts. This was emotional and vulnerable to record, but one of the most liberating and beautiful things the three of us have created together. Emily Olsen wishes to thank Jen and Lisa for their faithful and loving friendship since the inception of this project. The podcast will continue to grow and expand as a result of that support. Season 2 will begin next week.

In this week's episode, trust is the theme for our discussion about well-being. Our guest Jess Fudge brings great joy to the conversation while simultaneously embodying vulnerability and generosity of spirit.  Jess has admittedly no patience for superficiality and desires honest and meaningful relationships. Her life is lived with adventure in her heart and passion in her soul. Skydiver, Mentor, Athlete, Bungee Jumper, Traveller, Yogi, Teacher, Manager and Animal Lover. Her core values are trust, honesty, and integrity and Jess seeks to live life to the fullest while serving community in any way she can. In this episode, Jess talks about a special relationship with her Grandfather Roy, manifesting her very first ticket to Burning Man in 2019, and how listening to the voice of her own inner intuition serves her well in life.  Follow Jess on Instagram @2fudge  https://www.takeahikefoundation.org

In this week's episode, responsibility is explored in beautiful ways in this ongoing discussion about well-being.  Pari Gill is our guest this week, she shares how blessed this life can be when embracing our ability to respond to life-circumstance with calm and positivity. She speaks to the responsibility of growing ourselves up and how we owe that to our families and ourselves. Pari was born to a middle-class family in rural Punjab in northern India. Family and God were the focal point of her life and she grew up a very happy child. Pari's parents sent her and her older sister to private school and instilled in them both a deep sense of responsibility to their studies and subsequent futures. Pari went on after post secondary school to marry her husband Paul at age 22. Pari devotes the majority of her life to her two children and remains responsible to herself through daily prayer and meditation.  In this episode we discuss the risks of becoming a couch potato in Pari's house and something called sanjog. 

This episode on honesty feels particularly poignant in terms of well-being.  Dan Johnson - musician, friend to many, and lover of Ravens. In this episode our guest embraces conversation about honesty and the importance of our connection to our own inner-being or true self.  As Dan moved through life, he found many successes early on in adolescence and young adulthood but found that money and possessions were not what brought him a true sense of well-being. Dan's yearning for a simple life brought him to woodworking, sailing, and the harmonica. Dan spends his time playing music, enjoying his relationships and close-knit community, being on the water, and appreciating nature.  It's quite a gift to interview someone who is an old-soul. Dan was a lovely interview. He reminds us that to come together, to feel connection, to be part of a loving society, we need to have the courage to be honest with who we really are as individuals and to BE our wonderful selves.  Being in Dan's presence felt like poetry, a song, a wave... This episode is dedicated to Dan's friend of over sixteen years, his faithful dog Okie. 

In this first recording from isolation, host Emily Olsen interviews her friend, Dr. Jonathan Kalman about his understanding of the coronavirus and the many aspects of well-being. In this episode, Dr. Kalman discusses resilience, mental health, and the need for contrast. Jon talks about the book he's working on, the importance of getting to know your neighbour, and how a friend pushed him toward 'finding his edge.' This was a fascinating conversation with a deep dive into medical processes and terminology, and the best therapy of all - Vitamin C (Connection).  Dr. Kalman is a licensed Naturopathic Medical Doctor in the state of California and has dedicated his clinical practise to exclusively focus on regenerative medicine to provide his patients with a better quality of life. Dr. Kalman is a member of the American Academy of Pain Management (AAPM) and he received his medical training from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, where he served on the Board of Trustees as a student. Dr. Kalman has volunteered with the medical team at the annual Burning Man event for the last 13 years and is currently a Medical Duty Chief. He also works with medical teams at music festivals throughout California and is currently finishing his first book. Dr. Jonathan Kalman: Email | Website *This interview is a discussion only, its sole purpose is to expand the conversation about wellbeing and the many complexities we face in these extraordinary times. Please continue to follow the advice and guidance of your local health authorities. Thank you to the many front-line workers and their families, we love and appreciate you so much. Be well.

Aimes Gentile came to be our guest on this podcast as a direct result of his truck breaking down. Well that, and the fact he offers listeners incredible insights regarding our theme.  In this episode we discuss well-being through the lens of compassion. Self-compassion was key in his quest for well-being after a combination birth defect and degenerative knee-disease prevented Aimes from pursuing life as an athlete. His passion and drive never faltered because of this diagnosis, just his focus. Aimes shares his journey from avid cyclist and rower to joyous musician. What an honour to share with our listeners, the gift of Aimes Gentile. 

We welcome to the podcast, the feisty and incomparable 77 years-young, Diane Philipps.  In this Episode we discuss well-being through the lens of 'presence.'  From lip reading to sky diving, Diane uplifts through the very presence of her being. She teaches acceptance and encourages the examination of limiting beliefs. During the interview, Diane was given a nickname and many laughs were shared. It was an honour to spend time with Diane and we are blessed to have her as our first guest.

Welcome to our first Episode where we discuss well-being through the lens of "Synthesis." Lisa and Jen and I believe we were 'placed together' for reasons beyond our knowledge. This triad friendship seemed to have plans for us as we quickly discovered similar longings to further understand our human experience in a more meaningful way.  That longing brought us to this podcast and to further highlight humankind's deep desire to remember and relearn the value of connection. Enjoy the show.

This introductory podcast welcomes hosts Lisa Bosman, Jen Verscheure, and Emily Olsen to the mic.  Lisa is born for the stage,  Jen is employed by the universe,  and Emily Olsen is endlessly grateful for the lessons learned while visiting the Great Wall of China.