We are back with part two and this is Todd's version of the episode - hope you listen to both for funnsies:)

We are celebrating and describing the last couple of months of the process and some of the other fun (and not so fun) things that have happened along the way. 

It's been a process and now we are in a different stage that will be equally stressful but in a different way. 

Songs featured in Todd's episode:

Glue of the World - Four tet

Harmony One - Four Tet

Feel it all Around - Washed Out

Work To Do - Average White Band

Darkwing Duck Theme Song (great minds think alike - we didn't talk about what songs we were going to use at all!)

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

We are back with part two and this is my (Charissa's) version of the episode. We are celebrating and describing the last couple of months of the process and some of the other fun (and not so fun) things that have happened along the way. 

It's been a process and now we are in a different stage that will be equally stressful but in a different way. 

Songs featured in this episode are: 

Chain Gang - Sam Cooke

Look Back in Anger - David Bowie

The Waiting - Tom Petty

Get This Party Started - P!nk

I'd Do Anything - Simple Plan

Darkwing Duck Theme Song (who knew that we would each put this in - shouldn't come as a huge surprise, great minds and all that...)

Trying to Get to You - Elvis

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

My pal Jeremy is back to give us his takes (hot or otherwise) on the State of our Nation(s) and if that wasn't enough we're diving into AI and Daylight Savings Time as well, with a perspective that only Jeremy can provide. We have a flying insect situation and it's all just perfectly in keeping with what happens when I invite him onto the show! Songs featured in this episode are: 

Killer Bees - Scooter

Rockin' in the Free World - Neil Young

American Girl - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Robot Rock - Daft Punk

Teacher Teacher - .38 Special

Survival of the Fittest - Mobb Deep

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Out with the old, in with the new. Everyone has heard that saying. And there are merits to it for sure. It's good to go through things, make sure that you have what you want and need and not a lot of extraneous stuff. But how do you get there? What's the process? Three boxes: keep, donate, toss? How often do you do it? And is there such a thing as mental spring cleaning? What kinds of junk in the attic between our ears should be regularly disposed of? As a result of a weird kind of writer's block...these were the questions being pondered. Can you relate to any of it? How do you tackle spring cleaning?

Songs featured in this episode:

He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother - the Hollies

Memories - Maroon 5

Changes - David Bowie

If you want to sign the petition to save the Casavant Pipe-organ you can do that here Please sign and share...it's a rare and wonderful instrument and deserves to continue to grace Convocation Hall!

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

If the next thing you thought was the second half of the lyric in the Billy Ocean song, which would be, "and into my car"...then your brain works like mine does. And I tried really hard to think of ways that I could incorporate that song into the episode. Alas...it was not meant be, and so this episode actually has no featured songs…at all...unclear as to why. But in keeping with the topic, I’m not going to spend any time thinking about it:) Because it is after all, about getting out of my head, and into...my body. By order of my therapist. So this is the tale of the journey of going from thinking (to the power of 100) to...well...not thinking at all. 

If you can relate to that conundrum, or are still looking to figure out what that might look like for you, would love to hear your thoughts!

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

This is going to be the first in a series that chronicles us getting Todd into the country (legally) as we literally run the gauntlet of the Canadian Immigration process. Not sure how many parts there will be in the series, but it will be a fun and raucous ride as I'm sure we will be encountering many barriers, challenges, impediments, and hopefully also, as we have so far, some hilarity along the way. Who knew that this was going to be a thing - but it is and it's awesome and we hope you enjoy!

Here's the songs featured in the episode:

Keep Your Head Up - Andy Grammar

I Won't Back Down - Tom Petty

Tunnel of Love - Bruce Springsteen

Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Where you do stand on hugs? Are you a hugger? Or can you barely tolerate the non-lingering side-hug? Regardless of where on that spectrum of hugging you may fall, the reality is that we all (for the most part, with arguably few exceptions) need some human contact. From missing your special someone to accepting hugs from strangers we cover the gamut of why hugs matter and how we can get more of them in our lives. 

Songs featured in this episode are:

Human Touch - Rick Springfield

Touch a Hand (Make a Friend) - The Staple Singers

Touch - July Talk

Human Touch - Bruce Springsteen

Invisible Touch - Genesis

Hold My Hand - Jess Glynne

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

I haven't thought of, or seen, pot pourri in a long time, but for whatever reason, that is the word that came to mind when I was contemplating what this episode was going to be about. As the title suggests, it's a mixed bag of things starting with some corrections courtesy friend of the pod Jeremy - who had some things to say and then moving on into a whole array of things that basically just popped into my brain. I would love to know if you have any thoughts about any of this, or things that you think would have been a good ingredient in this particular pot pourri. 

Songs featured in this episode are:

Mutual Assured Destruction - Sigue Sigue Sputnik

Honesty - Billy Joel

Crazy Train - Ozzie Osbourne

Hey Jealousy - Gin Blossoms

Good Times - Sam Cooke

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

It's not often that I get to talk to another podcaster...so this was such a great opportunity to hear from someone who has a completely different take, and yet shares much of the same philosophy. Tora Matys, as you will find out, is literally a woman on a mission - with a ton of education and varied experiences all inspired and motivated by her desire to help others be successful. We talk about marketing and whether it's soul crushing or not, dish on AI, and consider what it means to follow your heart when it comes to how you run a business or pursue a passion. This was a super fun conversation and I hope you like it. 

You can find Tora's podcast here: Background Noise

Here are the shoutouts from the show. 

Annex Soda, Woodrack Cafe, Grace Notes, Long and McQuade Music

And here are the artists that were featured:

American Authors - Best Day of My Life

Kazdoura - Khayal

Callisto - Sister Shtetl

Boy Golden - Suffer 

The Give 'Em Hell Boys - Revelatin'

The Orvald Wayne Show - Dear Alberta

ABBA - Thank You For the Music

Jed and the Valentine - Spring Song

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

We all have something to look forward to...right now for example there is a bar of soap that I bought as a fundraiser that has a dinosaur in it...I had totally forgotten about it but as I was cleaning out some bins and stuff I found it and now I can't wait to see the little guy emerge from its soapy home. There is something innately human about looking forward to...well anything...but it can be a double edged sword - so in this episode I look at how to walk that line and share some of what I'm looking forward to. Enjoy!

Here are the songs that were featured:

Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta a Feeling

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrel - Ain't No Mountain High Enough

Timuk 3 - The Future's So Bright

Madonna - Holiday

Hall and Oates - You Make My Dreams

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

With everything going on in the world right now, and a funny thing that happened one night, it seemed like taking a look at the term "perspective" might not be the worst idea. From whether we can see, to how we see, to what we should be looking for or at, perspective is something that seems to be sorely lacking right now. It's difficult to have conversations because we don't want to misstep or offend when really, neither of those things should happen if we can all just calm the f**k down and listen to what the other person is saying. If they are yelling or being belligerent, fine - walk away. But we can't and shouldn't always agree - that's an impossibility. But we can respect our right to agree to disagree...and that's an art in an of itself. In this episode a brief look at my take on the perspectives I've listened to about what's going on in Venezuela, the need to be able to see to drive and graduation...enjoy. 

The songs featured in this episode are:

Waiting for the End - Linkin Park

Blowin' in the Wind - Bob Dylan

Somewhere Only We Know - Keane

Mr. Bluesky - ELO

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

How it's the beginning of another new year is anyone's guess. But here we are and so as is often the case, I'm taking a look at what I want to say goodbye to as 2025 fades into the past and what I want to say hello to as 2026 looms ahead, fresh, clean and full of hope and potential and promise. 

I'd like to thank everyone who listens and follows this little project that has brought me lots of joy over the last couple of years. I hope that this New Year is everything that you want it to be or could hope for. 

The sources of inspiration for the alternatives to resolutions are from NPR's Ted Radio Hour, Mark Manson's email newsletter and the Daily Stoic email - all of which I would highly recommend for gaining additional insights and perspectives. 

The songs featured in this episode are:

Follow the Sun - Xavier Rudd

Hello Goodbye - the Beatles

Give Yourself a Try - the 1975

Rule the World - Walk Off the Earth

Feeling Good - Nina Simone

High Hopes - Panic at the Disco

Lovely Day - Bill Withers

And if you have never watched Simon and Simon - here's a link to a video all about Rick's truck - it's awesome (the truck that is!) 

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

All the politicians are talking about it and it seems like it's the one thing on everyone's mind...money...finances...economics. No matter what you call it, it affects how you live, what you can do, the choices you can or have to make, and it adds a layer of stress at a time of year that is often already a little hard to take. So why is this the topic du jour? Good question. Maybe it's just because there are some things that in my own life, would make my finances a little easier to swallow, but alas - it's not really working out the way that it could or should - if I had my druthers. Suffice it to say, there is likely going to be some controversy stirred up - because who doesn't like poking the bear every once in a while. After two happy episodes full of life and love a little dose of reality was just what the podcast producer ordered. Would love to know where you stand on the topics mentioned in the show. Do you currently subscribe to any independent news media or music or anything that shows where you stand and that have decided is worth the investment? What is it and how did you decide that was where you wanted to put your money?

The songs featured in this episode are: 

Money, Money, Money - ABBA 

Don't Listen to Me - Martin Kerr

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

So realized that there were maybe some unanswered questions, or things that needed clarification so Daphne joined to help do just that. We fill in the blanks and take it to a few other levels. Because now that I have seen the light about birthdays, well, had to make sure we left no T's uncrossed or I's undotted :)

Here's the songs that make appearances:

Celebration - Kool & the Gang

Good as Hell - Lizzo

In the Navy - The Village People

Dinosaur - King Crimson

Sweet Sixteen - Neil Sedaka

Rue - Girl in Red

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

It's hard to imagine that this was recorded during the actual birthday's we talk about, which is already two weeks ago, but the sincerity of the wishes and the topic as are genuine now as they were then. Todd and I dig into what birthdays of yore looked like and how they factor into the slow burn that is life - happy times, sad times, good ones and bad ones we cover it all and discover some good lessons in the process. And it turns out that I do share a birthday with some folks - none that I know personally, but I did meet one of them, and there is a picture of me and Ed Robertson from the Barenaked Ladies out there somewhere. Also Katy Perry whose music is featured in the episode as well as John Anderson, a prog rock guy and if anyone cares, Ciara...maybe I know what she sings, maybe I don't. 

Anyway - hope you enjoy and I'd love to know your birthday traditions, memories and stories, so feel free to drop a note in the fanmail section or the comments.

Here's the recipes I talked about:

Baked tuna buns - https://www.canadianliving.com/food/recipe/baked-tuna-buns (the website is terrible, but the recipe is great)

Pizza buns - https://www.food.com/recipe/pizza-buns-280927

And here are the songs:

Birthday (Beatles) https://open.spotify.com/track/1ABegtCPBMMJaMpfDyATjE?si=c36cb4fca6c84390

Today is Your Birthday (John Mann) https://open.spotify.com/track/3y29lUlmp9ybATQpOR4ll6?si=20aa6f3b4ebb463d

Birthday (Katy Perry) https://open.spotify.com/track/2xLOMHjkOK8nzxJ4r6yOKR?si=4369c69c072b4188

Birthday (Metro Boomin', Yung Thug, Skooly, Yung Booke, DJ Spinz) https://open.spotify.com/track/5ZMK78Lqa2I6EVp2MxQnwo?si=17e30d989df8453a

Eyes Closed (The Codas) https://open.spotify.com/track/5QsadWMUSwjaPPmNuLOgQb?si=5a19c1229b9b4e13

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Well we get to find out what Jeremy wanted to unpack as well as delve even deeper into the teachings of the Stoics - who knew that we would go there? With his characteristic way of looking at the world, it's always a fun ride when Jeremy gets on board. Retirement, people being different than what we might assume they are (shocking I know) and learning how to harness professional detachment - these are where we go in part 2. Hope you enjoy. 

Songs featured in this episode:

You May Be Right (Billy Joel) https://open.spotify.com/track/7gMOe0gXYcELUoVugfMmHP?si=220b9747c2724160

Neverending Story (Limahl) https://open.spotify.com/track/2IAQnOWKWjj1iA166KznVd?si=fe8faf97406646dd

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

It's hard to imagine that 2 years have come and gone and Jeremy has returned to his home and his husband and his cat in Medicine Hat (that sounds like a Dr. Seuss book) and yet here we are. Join us as we talk about what he learned about himself and the people that he lived and worked with in Northern Alberta and then dive into his hot takes on what is happening south of the border. As it always is with Jeremy - it's a trip! And also as it always is with Jeremy - it's a long one, so I've divided it into two parts for easier digestion! Enjoy!

The songs featured in this episode:

Psychokiller (Talking Heads) https://open.spotify.com/track/7dSCxR4LqkmxoBrq9MzVSD?si=5c77ca7c439a43b9

Changes (David Bowie) https://open.spotify.com/track/0LrwgdLsFaWh9VXIjBRe8t?si=f781281db640442c

Keep On Rockin' In the Free World (Neil Young) https://open.spotify.com/track/1MBViQdQQXlRgwRCpa5CfE?si=d9121c2c57a84c8c

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Can you remember the last time that you had to apologize? Or the last time someone apologized to you? Or the time that you thought someone should apologize to you and didn't? Who among us can say that they haven't pissed someone off on purpose or inadvertently? I would like to think that it is more often the latter, but given the state of the world these days, I'm not so sure anymore. Here's my take on how I still struggle, despite "knowing better" at not sticking my foot either in a big flaming bag of dog poo (bonus points if you remember which movie that featured in) or firmly in my mouth, as well as my thoughts on what I'm continuing to try to do better. Love to hear YOUR thoughts on where you land on all of this!

Here's Esther Perel's Blog on Apologies if you're interested: https://www.estherperel.com/blog/the-power-of-apologizing-relearn-how-to-say-im-sorry

Here's the songs featured in this episode:

The Apology Song (The Decembrists) https://open.spotify.com/track/0jFKuwXlirLLPDDGeenm8G?si=a3640c4f5a6e4861

You Were Always on My Mind (Pet Shop Boys) https://open.spotify.com/track/2SWn864dJI5RNyrp3F4Kp1?si=b9e032454bd540e3

Unstoppable (Sia) https://open.spotify.com/track/1yvMUkIOTeUNtNWlWRgANS?si=8da125ed92804946

Sorry (Justin Bieber) https://open.spotify.com/track/09CtPGIpYB4BrO8qb1RGsF?si=2ccb8bb55d354843

Hard to Say I'm Sorry (Chicago) https://open.spotify.com/track/58DXqHKK7TfxUmhCq2ux4E?si=cf37bc8ab15b460d

If I Could Turn Back Time (Cher) https://open.spotify.com/track/6mYrhCAGWzTdF8QnKuchXM?si=ad70af658ce94c50

Man in the Mirror (Michael Jackson) https://open.spotify.com/track/2u2udGmop1z67EPpr91km7?si=68c957bf207e44a5

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

When we think about downtime, or maybe that should be DO we think about time time? And IF we do...what do we do about it? Is it the time to "get caught up"? Or is it actually down time? To do nothing of any importance? That's what I tackle in this episode - how can we, or more specifically, I, get better at taking advantage or downtime. More specifically, is there a way that I can get there before I literally run out of runway? (or in the case of this episode's analogy du jour...track?). 

How do you spend your down time? Are you good at it? Is it something you are looking forward to having "one day"? Where are you at when it comes to productivity? 

Share your answers in Fan Mail or in the comments:)

Songs highlighted in the episode:

Work to Do (Average White Band) - https://open.spotify.com/track/3z8kox8O9CTOPJOtgK6Xan?si=7f9557d41dfb4e73

Working for the Weekend (Loverboy) -https://open.spotify.com/album/7DX38BQ3dzVG01dvMnRuX5?si=dlpoM6RoQTG_QLBPqOa3uA

Taking Care of Business (BTO) - https://open.spotify.com/track/0lzNXoZINVBLHWNIxKxWOo?si=c57f4131951144d3

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

You may not have asked for it, but here it is anyway. The third and hopefully final episode on the Beatles. 

This time we take a look (or a listen) to Rubber Soul and consider the real gripe that we have and that is the historical, what we like to call, exaggeration, of the Beatles writ large. We look at some of the things held up as the reasons, justification or evidence of how they continue to be viewed as the GOAT and provide our rebuttals of why we don't necessarily think that it's right, accurate or fair. While we know that we are unlikely to change any minds, we hope to at least provide a reasonable argument to consider that maybe there are some other ways of considering or looking at the Beatles in the historical rearview mirror as well as the potential implications, and possible, dare I say, even dangers of this perspective. And so even if you don't agree with our hot takes, it is after all, all about perspective. 

In all of that, we had a lot of other music to consider, so here are all the songs that are featured in this episode:

Drive My Car - https://open.spotify.com/track/06ypiqmILMdVeaiErMFA91?si=4a76a5848dac44e9

Nowhere Man - https://open.spotify.com/track/5SUlhldQJtOhUr2GzH5RI7?si=d2d7d24ae3e842f6

What Goes On - https://open.spotify.com/track/19QXdPRZFHI5kNK3tN8Mh7?si=ab5c0a6d401040d4

Norwegian Wood - https://open.spotify.com/track/1H7gMYGykdtwZOV6s1N0by?si=d1fe98174b964055

In My Life - https://open.spotify.com/track/3KfbEIOC7YIv90FIfNSZpo?si=dc5fac96e5424423

Think For Yourself - https://open.spotify.com/track/64bKVrkaXQAKx04dLHqCNz?si=fb21aab3fc7b4fda

I'm Looking Through You -https://open.spotify.com/track/5E3BVY66TEDexFutOO5GeS?si=bd8af8ba5e414b6b

White Rabbit (Jefferson Airplane) - https://open.spotify.com/track/4vpeKl0vMGdAXpZiQB2Dtd?si=e9c714e3b29f4fd5

Let 'Em In (Wings) - https://open.spotify.com/track/37RqEET1SYQaAcHDxDQLZY?si=ec679c400d094bda

Hymne á L'amour (Edith Piaf) - https://open.spotify.com/track/7vBb8Ls4yNkNah0Lbo5jTY?si=514f554221fc4c65

Like a Rolling Stone (Bob Dylan) - https://open.spotify.com/track/3AhXZa8sUQht0UEdBJgpGc?si=7b8141356abf4e08

Sinners and Saints (Paul Cresy) - https://open.spotify.com/track/2Swn7zzyN6lE3VkeV424Xy?si=5386c86f8a694450 

Because You Loved Me (Celine Dion) - https://open.spotify.com/track/2c4rr33mgGC4c9cWzqdYxN?si=6bc79e8c2b484b17

Under Pressure (Queen/David Bowie) - https://open.spotify.com/track/11IzgLRXV7Cgek3tEgGgjw?si=32b0f685e20c480b

Guerilla Soldier (Gowan) - https://open.spotify.com/track/1FjlWyfzAWGwByWSncKnQL?si=9eae8b16228345d3

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Right off the top I have to alert you to the fact that at around minute 8:37 or so, there is an error. I reference Brian Wilson being inspired by Revolver when I should have said it was Rubber Soul…apologies in advance. And as I was in the process of fixing it, there was a whole back-up inadvertent deleting situation that precluded that from happening 😩 

Well - we had to do it. I alluded to it in the last episode and well, we went and did it. Here for your listening pleasure, or possibly anguish, is our take, hot or otherwise, of the comparing and contrasting of three iconic albums. Two by the Beatles and one by the Beach Boys - call it the battle of the boy bands if you will. 

Daphne joins me once again to discuss, dissect and determine whether it's possible for me to move my needle on the Beatles. If you listened to the first Beatles episode, you'll know that I decided, that they, like the Louvre (yes the museum in Paris) were fine. Fine is not what many would use to describe this most beloved, adored and deified band, but that's where I landed. Ozzy said that before the Beatles the world was black and white and after them, it was all in colour. I don't know that I changed my view so dramatically to be able to agree with this Wizard of Oz perspective...but let's just say there was a shift. 

Listen in to a conversation that is almost certain to have its detractors, but hopefully you will find it, if not agreeable, at the very least entertaining, and Daphne does not disappoint with their uncanny Beatles trivia and knowledge. Neither of us pretend to be experts, and these are merely our "perspectives". And D and I would love to know where you all land on this!

Here are the songs that we reference in the episode:

Taxman - https://open.spotify.com/track/4BRkPBUxOYffM2QXVlq7aC?si=73a217963015497e

Tomorrow Never Knows - https://open.spotify.com/track/00oZhqZIQfL9P5CjOP6JsO?si=1047314fda9e466c

Here, There, Everywhere - https://open.spotify.com/track/2B4Y9u4ERAFiMo13XPJyGP?si=c09c1d627afe43d5

Wouldn't It Be Nice - https://open.spotify.com/track/2Gy7qnDwt8Z3MNxqat4CsK?si=f5f7889d9ff24a7b 

Sloop John B - https://open.spotify.com/track/2ULL3VZf4WwBKO4vjwT7Bg?si=55a8d840c024424a

Yes It Is - https://open.spotify.com/track/4QejjzjGI7oysGZ9tDIAqF?si=f8ab022c41504953 

Day in the Life - https://open.spotify.com/track/0hKRSZhUGEhKU6aNSPBACZ?si=6682e47a76b64940

Getting Better - https://open.spotify.com/track/3LtOmWpTXLhilL5odoKysR?si=c85519d79afa4a42

I'm So Tired - https://open.spotify.com/track/2X9H5BokS1u5O46YpNYNsZ?si=4b62e1c316b74f86

Real Love - https://open.spotify.com/track/5frMgt4jqRGJk3yMKfqOyl?si=e2e6a145bfce4e0b

Good Vibrations - https://open.spotify.com/track/5t9KYe0Fhd5cW6UYT4qP8f?si=f566114dbb4b426a

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Ever had one of those moments where you just couldn't believe your eyes or ears? 

Well, that's what this episode is about. The things that leave you asking - what in the world? (Or something perhaps a bit more colourful) While it's not exactly an episode brimming with rainbows and unicorns, it will hopefully give you pause, maybe make you crack a smile, possibly piss you off a bit but also, ideally make you think about the things that matter and what we can do about them...or can't as the case may be - and ideally recognize when you need to make that choice. 

Here is the website for Outlaw Ocean The Outlaw Ocean Project

This is a YouTube video that Daphne sent me that basically shows what an idiot RFK Jr is (in case there was any doubt) https://youtu.be/HqI_z1OcenQ

And this is the list of songs heard on this episode (Yes I know I'm using Spotify - because everyone has access to that, and not everyone has Apple Music - please forgive the seeming hypocrisy...trying to make this as accessible as possible).

Paul McCartney - Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five   https://open.spotify.com/track/5VErNsWF69eD0HiBt2vWcH?si=79fe513b538a4f0e

Ozzy Osbourne - Crazy Train https://open.spotify.com/track/5VErNsWF69eD0HiBt2vWcH?si=6fc146faf9a443b1

Taylor Swift - Shake It Off https://open.spotify.com/track/5xTtaWoae3wi06K5WfVUUH?si=8c3379c537ca4ad9

USA For Africa - We Are the World https://open.spotify.com/track/3Z2tPWiNiIpg8UMMoowHIk?si=KCm4NR-DRLKFhsLTBZTwyw

Mandisa - Good Morning https://open.spotify.com/track/3ewlQtdefaNtc8AdqYwgyg?si=a3e044b70a9646b7

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

*Please not that there is an error - I mention the wedding band as being Polish, when they are in fact Ukrainian. Apologies for that oversight! Links to all groups mentioned at the bottom of the blurb - so please go check them out and support!*

In this midsummer episode we go all things wedding. From my own, to the one that I deem to be the best wedding ever. And everything in between. How do we feel about weddings? What's so great or not great about weddings? Why do we even want to get married anyway? 

We've all (I'm assuming) been to at least one - probably a whole heck of a lot more than that, and I'm sure you all have wild and wacky, and probably some tacky tales about weddings you've experienced. Is it really like ole Blue Eyes sings about in Love and Marriage - do they really go together like a horse and carriage, or is it just the preamble to heartache and disappoint later? 

Listen and find out where I stand and where I land on the topic of...weddings:) Enjoy!

Groups mentioned in this episode:

Jen and the Valentine - https://www.youtube.com/@jedandthevalentine

Trembita - https://www.facebook.com/TrembitaBandEdmonton/

Wafer Thin Mints - https://open.spotify.com/artist/0CRALtn1j5F3rKUOKNhNcQ?si=BO0iAhhSRUCm-aZaJv0CMg

Songs in this episode:

Love and Marriage - Frank Sinatra https://open.spotify.com/track/2kKvwBX4Qsn1CpbqjtNyad?si=174b214ded72431c

Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper https://open.spotify.com/track/7o9uu2GDtVDr9nsR7ZRN73?si=fdbbf40ee4734230

Jet Plane - Chantal Kreviazuk https://open.spotify.com/track/2tFYV2RZGwRLCmfDqfI3OT?si=bd029ec5c82f4d44

Crack the Shutters - Snow Patrol https://open.spotify.com/track/0ucyXpQG7xL8ipoyU0Ts3A?si=2498ed4e0aaf4a79

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Ahhh the joy of airports...wait...am I being serious. Well, I guess it's a matter of perspective. There are some really obnoxious things about airports, but lately, I've come to terms with them in a completely different way. So here's a look (or a listen - hahaha) to how I have come to view and appreciate airports, airplanes and all that space in between, most recently. No links, nothing to view or click...just my take on how getting places is really part of the process in a way that can be kind of magical if you let it be. 

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

So we made it through to recognizing that both the women and the men had their moment in Barbie - and that's part of the problem. The source of the rage that we are talking about is deeply rooted in how virtually the entirety of society is built and trying to fix it or "take it down" is going to be no easy task. 

So in Pt 2, Trina and I look at some different ways that we can continue to approach it which will hopefully open more doors to conversation than they close, and hopefully that will lead to an understanding that starts to move the needle in a direction where we can all win - though as Daphne says, it's not a game. But I think we're all tired of losing, so it's fair to say that approaching it as a game that might end up in my favourite outcome of all time - the tie - could be a worthy goal. Hope you enjoy part 2 of this truly enjoyable conversation. 

https://youtu.be/ib-Qiyklq-Q?si=IGaeT_tZTgvswYoK

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

I don't know about you, but sometimes it seems like there are just a million things to be angry about. Some of it is justified, but some of it is also just this bizarre slippery slope of things that feel a lot like that guy who just keeps pushing the rock up the mountain only to have it roll down the other side. 

So what if we took a different approach? What if we did something different that would net us an outcome where everyone could win? 

Join me and my guest, always delightful, always entertaining, Trina Mansour as we try to figure out why we feel like we are angry all the time, and what we can do to make us more chill and hopefully help our kids and ourselves shape the world into one where anger is so much less necessary. 

If you are interested in reading any of the books that are mentioned you can find information about them below, as well as a couple of links that I think can help us find the compassion (and the love) that we all need to make this world a little bit more like that Coca-Cola commercial of days gone by: 

https://ca.movember.com/movember-institute/masculinities-report?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=TheHairyEdit&utm_id=62048&sfmc_id=8303936 

https://youtu.be/EmXsSNOpZ44 

https://www.mollyrodenwinter.com/

https://archive.org/details/willtochangemen00hook

https://archive.org/details/all-about-love_202309

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Not what you might normally think would make for fascinating discussion, although there are people who actually study garbage...but this is not an archeological jaunt through the refuse of centuries or even millenia past - no - it's a look at the times we are in. Times that are rife with examples of all the myriad types of garbage that we contend with on an all too regular basis. And how perhaps a simple, and yet very complicated solution could help us out from under the weight of it all. 

Shout out once again to the Tapeheads fact checker who helped ensure fidelity of details. 

If you have a list of things that YOU think are garbage - please drop me a comment in the fanmail section (holding my breath here...cuz you know...)

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

This is a first - the only real indication of what we were going to talk about was the fact that friend and returning guest, Jeremy Peressini, said that we needed to use the Yeats poem, the Second Coming as the jumping off point. So that's what we did and the rest, as they say, just came out of that. It's all over the map - the geopolitical map that is, and for those of you who have listened to previous episodes...well...the cards are revealed in this episode, to a certain degree. If you think that we are in a bad way politically, whichever side of the political spectrum on which you happen to reside, well, have a listen anyway. Is it not true that the only way we learn is by listening to the views of others? As we wait to hear the results of the election, I can only hope that everyone who could, did in fact vote. 

If you would like to watch the YouTube video of the reading of the poem - here it is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IY2oIsA4c7k

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

I was going to use all kinds of cool and heroic music for this...but somehow I got lost in the message and David and Tina's songs completely escaped the sieve that is my mind these days. But it's okay. I also almost talked myself out of this episode because I thought maybe it's too controversial, too political. But if not now then when? Now is the time for everyone to take a long, hard look around and decide if this is the world that we want to live in. And if it isn't, and we have lots of examples of what could happen if we just stick our heads in the sand and hope it all sorts itself out, well, the question is, what are we going to do about it? 

So in the spirit of wanting to inspire mostly myself to do what needs to be done on a daily, if not minute by minute basis, this is the episode that I decided to go with for better or for worse...and it's even early!

This is the video that Jeremy mentioned if you are interested in seeing what that guy has to say about taxes...it's worth the watch. https://youtu.be/rAb_p5DCC3E

Here is V for Vendetta if you aren't familiar...https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0434409/

And if somehow you have managed up to now to avoid watching Wall-E...https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0910970/

It'll be up to you to find out where to stream those...good luck and enjoy:)

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Okay - so heads up folks, this is a long one. Feel free to skip to 1:26:567 if you want to get into the heart of this absolutely delightful romp all over the map with my guest Calvin Simonson, guitar hero/sound "engineer"/music aficionado and all around great guy. While knowing one another for all of 5 minutes prior to this show, we manage to hit all the major themes of personal growth, dropping out of school, musical influences, ghost stories, X-files, KISS, Led Zeppelin, Nickleback, Charlie XCX, why learning how to play the guitar can be hard - but worth it, and so much more. Oh yeah - it's a jam-packed episode. So hope you take the plunge and make it all the way to the end because it's a fun exploration of themes that will inspire and hopefully resonate with you on a bunch of different levels. There's even a guest appearance by the Fact Checker from over at Tapeheads - he spotted a fact that needed checking and kindly obliged :) Enjoy!

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

The actual title of this was going to be, "The Fun and Folly of Having Something to Look Forward To" but that seemed too long. Which is not surprising considering I often use a million words when 12 will do...but the point of this episode is to look at what it is that we are or can look forward to in "these times" *cue ominous music here. 

Do we look forward to things, plan to do things, go places or what have you when we don't know from one day to the next what the world has in store for us? Do we simply resign ourselves to a fate of watching and waiting or do we grab life by the horns and look optimistically ahead? Or is it some kind of happy medium? The proverbial Goldilocks Approach - not too much, not too little, but just right? 

Drawing on lots of inspiration from things I've recently heard, have a listen to the conclusions that I have come up with...for better or for worse. Enjoy:)

If you want to check out the amazing Joe Canada video click here: https://youtu.be/_OzbmriDgQc

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

So from Prince to Olivia Newton-John's iconic song, which only upon listening to it in preparation for this episode did the double entendre (which is not at all subtle) hit me smack in the face. But it's a suitable anthem for a look once again at joy this time in the context of movement, in the variety of ways that can be defined. It looks at "exercise" and challenge and doing hard things and showing up and how that all comes together to create opportunities for joy. In a time when what we need is more joy, here is a serious and at times, tongue in cheek look at the ways that we can all find joy, with a little help from O N-J. Enjoy. 

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

It took some doing to come up with a follow-up topic to my conversation with my pen pal, but then it struck me as there were all these signs pointing me in a particular direction. What do we control - or perhaps more importantly and significantly, what do we think we can control? Where in our lives can we affect change that will improve how we feel, interact or even function in a world that seems at best cataclysmic and at work pre-apocalyptic...Exaggeration? Maybe, but it FEELS kind of gross right now. So in this episode, some observations and a possible way forward, should you choose to accept that challenge.

Here's the link to the most recent issue: NewTrail magazine 

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

So this somehow ended up becoming a bit of a follow-up episode to my last conversation (with myself) only this time, I get to talk about stuff with my Pen Pal, Todd, who joins me from Portland. We talk joy, podcasts (making and listening and stats and such) and how important it is to make life decisions based on your path, not someone else's, and how finding that path takes effort and commitment. In order for there not to be too many spoilers, I'll leave it at that. I hope you find it informative in a way that only someone else's added perspective can accomplish.
Below are the links to the shows we referenced...enjoy:)

Tapeheads episode - https://open.spotify.com/episode/33gdNUxya8s1PHQWwxYKIr?si=285cab1d44904a39

My Dinner with Andre - https://youtu.be/ccXU7s694kg

Food For Thought episode (Mental Health in the CAF)

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

I did an episode a while ago on things I don't understand, and this is kind of a continuation on that, with an emphasis on learning and growing and being opening to change and all the things that I think make us better people. I'm not talking about just deep and meaningful things, thought some certainly are more important to me than others, and there are some downright silly things, that are kind of forehead slapping moments.

When was the last time you thought about the stuff that you just know to be true at the very core of your being? Not saying that everyone needs to do this, but sometimes it's good to take stock of what do we actually know - about a wide variety of things or topics and what do we think we know, or what do we absolutely have no clue about, that might, upon learning it, make our world or lives better?

What the Bleep Do We Know - https://youtu.be/KPVkyu4UHZE

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Happy New Year!!! How is it already 2025? Hope it's going well so far, and here's a question for you...Have you ever thought about your name? Or pondered why movie star's names are what they are? Well, so have we! Daphne and I discourse on the sometimes thorny topic of names and why it matters, especially these days as people express themselves in different ways than before, and who the "folks in the biz" are who changed their names. Hopefully it reminds you of all the people that we didn't talk about, because the list is LONG, or if not, maybe it caused a reminiscing of how you named your kids (or your pets). Enjoy:)

Here is everything you ever wanted to know about the difference between a muffin and a cupcake:

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/the-difference-between-cupcake-and-muffin-explained

https://www.thekitchn.com/whats-the-difference-cupcake-v-113056

https://spoonuniversity.com/school/texas/cupcake-different-from-muffin-facts/

Tapeheads Duran Duran episode:
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/tapeheads-80s-music-and-beyond/id1658327326?i=1000680412803

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Don't let the title scare you! If you have ever wondered why you are behaving the way you are, or why you just can't seem to make yourself do...well...anything, it might be because your body is trying to tell you something. Have you been dealing with a lot for seemingly ever? That's a clue. Did you recently get in a car crash or fall and hit your head and you've been feeling off and can't quite get it together? That's a clue. Join me in a fascinating conversation with Sheila Almdal, Registered Occupational Therapist, as we explore what it means to view what is going on with us through a polyvagal lens. You might be surprised about what you learn about yourself and your body.

If you would like to know more about Concussions and how to deal with them check out the St. Joseph's Hospital Concussion Care Guide at this link https://www.sjhc.london.on.ca/regional-acquired-brain-injury-outpatient-program and click on the blue highlighted concussion care guide.

For more information about Dr. Bessel van der Kolk check out this page for a bunch of videos on how the body keeps score: https://bigthink.com/people/besselvanderkolk/

To get in touch with Sheila please call 1-403-660-4563 to set up your free consultation and/or get more information on how she or another OT can help you befriend your nervous system and get yourself back to your A-game.

Here are some concussion resources from the University of Calgary:
https://www.ucalgary.ca/sport-injury-prevention-research-centre/resources/concussion-resources

And if you want to deep dive into Polyvagal Theory check out this link: https://www.polyvagalinstitute.org/whatispolyvagaltheory

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

When you think about the arts, it's likely that your thoughts go to museums - the Louvre (of course) or our own AGA or maybe things like the symphony or possibly and hopefully local theatre like the Citadel or even Broadway. But do you think about who the people are who make the art or the music or write or act in the plays? Why not? Is it because it's this abstract concept because we're too busy thinking about practical things like sensible educations and careers with prospects for promotions and benefits? Or are we too caught up in the dumpster fire that the world seems to be in? These are all the things that we are going to explore as my favourite co-host and child joins me once again to discuss this very important topic. 

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

When you think about your mental health (and I hope you do) do you consider that most of the time we might actually be taking it for granted? That we assume we're going to wake up every morning and be okay or fine or good to go, or whatever phrase pops automatically out of our mouths. But what happens when slowly, insidiously there is a gradual shift that isn't super obvious but one day smacks you in the head and you realize, wait a minute why do I feel so crappy? It's Movember, and we should be helping the men in our lives be sure that they are taking care of themselves in all the ways. But we ALL need to be taking care of ourselves in all the ways year round. So in this episode, I get a little personal about how stress leave might be the best thing to happen to the working world, since email. We just need to be able to embrace it - stigma be damned. 

Movember - take care of the men in your life - https://ca.movember.com/
Recommended watch, "The Dig" - https://youtu.be/JZQz0rkNajo

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy (well, maybe my WORST enemy) what my friend Jeremy has had to endure, deal with and overcome over the last almost 2 years. In this episode we talk about what happens when life takes a dramatic and unexpected left turn, what a person can do to prepare themselves for the those improbable situations and what the lessons are that will help to move us forward or in a completely different direction. There is a crazy 'crime drama' pod scene and some comic relief as only Jeremy can provide. 

We mention a YouTube video that has some really good points to consider as it pertains to those of us who have chosen that 'good and straight path through school and career' and I've added another that Jeremy also sent to me, that illustrates sometimes you just need to do what you need to do. 

How to Care Less About Your Job - https://youtu.be/B-nIHrXbig4?si=Nnb2xDl7Hhc5NbHS

Laid off at 56 - https://youtu.be/izzonpn5OcY?si=DU2IHbl78KqpU_9C

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

This is the third and final installment of our series on all things music and we cover so many things. Lyrics, musicality, motifs, feelings and life experiences and all the things that music is and influences. We talk about a wide range of artists and what they mean to us or how they have affected us, and as usual there are some interesting takes. Whether or not you agree or disagree, we hope that you will come to appreciate whatever it is that you love to listen to with a new awareness or understanding of how deeply music touches us on levels that many of us probably haven't even really thought about. 

Another shout out to my music downloader friend extraordinaire, without whom the clips would not have been possible, and a huge and heartfelt thanks to my most amazing kid, without whom the entire series would not have been possible. 

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Well - here we are with our second installment of our series on music, and this time we are going head to head discussing the Beatles. It is in my opinion, one of the most polarizing bands, for reasons we will get into in this episode. There are some more clips from songs you will likely know well, at least recognize, and if you're like most people either love or hate. Daphne shares their amazing insights into a band that has for me, always been a bit problematic. Regardless of where you stand on the Beatles, I think you'll find this an interesting and hopefully entertaining episode.

If you would like to listen to Tapeheads, you can find their show here https://open.spotify.com/show/4WljJ5U665GveO0obnp4Qm?si=3c5a28531640467b (giving some love to Spotify this time around - it was Apple Podcasts last time). 

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

In this episode - I have a special guest/cohost! None other than my kiddo Daphne. Audiophile in the making, they are joining me in a three part series where we look at music and what it means to us, what we think about it, and what we actually like about it. In this first installment, we talk all things David Bowie - well maybe not ALL things. But we do consider a number of his albums, some classic and slightly more obscure songs, and ponder his movies - for better or for worse. It's a super fun conversation, and if you like David a little or a lot, I'm sure you might be surprised what a 15 yr old has in terms of insight and interesting takes on this musical icon. A little Gen X meets Gen Z. 

Shout out to my friend Todd for scoring me the music, and if you want to listen to a real music podcast, then I suggest you check out "Tapeheads: 80s Music and Beyond" that he does with a friend. Really great, highly recommend. https://www.tapeheadspod.com/

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Sometimes things happen that seem on the surface to be tragic or difficult or challenging and sometimes they are some or all of those things. As the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention. But so to is creativity and inspiration sometimes either the result of those hard times. This is a short, fast and furious look at some recent events that have cemented for me the idea that there is always something good that can come out of dark times, and that the light that is creativity and inspiration are often the beacon that help guide you through that process.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

When you travel - there are so many things that could happen. Being on a cruise ship, which is really more like being on location than truly travelling, or going to a resort, which while ticking the boxes of "getting away from it, having some downtime and relaxing" doesn't really allow for a true experience of wherever you are. Truly travelling provides so many opportunities to live like the locals. To be able to see things on the beaten path and off. To let go of ideas that might have their origins in what others have said, shows you've seen or things you've read. You get to create your own ideas and reality of a place when you go there, see and experience things. Travel can change your perspectives, and in many ways travel can change your life. Giving you the clarity to see things in a new way, that a change of scenery is sometimes the catalyst of or for. So if you get the opportunity. Take it. Do it. As often as you can. A world of amazing adventures is out there waiting for you. 

Music for this episode is by Clear Sky by Hartzman courtesy Uppbeat.

https://uppbeat.io/t/hartzmann/clear-sky

License code: ZXLJLJ32BP5V3XNP)

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Friends - we hopefully all have 'em. We need to have those people in our lives that keep us grounded, call us out on our BS and are there when things hit the fan. Whether near or far, old or new, casual or close, friends are the glue that keep our humanity together. In this episode I consider the types of friends we have, how we can make them and how they make our lives better. Thanks Judy Garland and Jonny Mercer for the inspiration.  And thanks everyone out there who I'm lucky enough to call a friend.

Here's the link to the article about the 7 types of friendship:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/lifetime-connections/202111/the-7-types-friends-and-which-is-most-essential-our-happiness

And here's the YouTube link to the song:
https://youtu.be/NZY5b9kC8YE

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

If you think that you customer service is a thing of the past, then I would challenge you to pay more attention to not only what you bring to the interaction, but what the people that you are interacting with are dealing with and how if you look a little deeper, there are probably lots of examples of people doing a great job, in potentially the weirdest or least expected of places.

If you would like to learn more about the history of the mammography equipment here's a link https://www.ramsoft.com/history-of-mammography 

Gentlemen - if you want to find out more about how to take care of all your bits, check this great website https://menshealthfoundation.ca/mens-health-check/ and their awesome podcast ``Don`t Change Much`` https://menshealthfoundation.ca/dont-change-much-podcast/ 

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

It's not about religion - so don't be put off by the title. I gave up church during the pandemic...long story. But I still believe that there is an inherent responsibility that all people have regardless of any spiritual affiliation or lack thereof. So when people who by virtue of a position they find themselves in, don't abide by the idea of doing right by people, it makes me...well...cross. So this is me sharing my indignation sparked by a bad move (in my opinion) by one of my (former) favourite podcasters. No names no pack drill...cause that wouldn't be cool. Enjoy:)

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

We've all heard that word. Been called it. Maybe used it - to describe someone or possibly ourselves. Why do we so often find ourselves in situations where maybe we feel like we've had one pulled over on us? Maybe it's just me. There are definitely charlatans, hucksters and snake oil salespeople out there but not everyone is as susceptible, but there are also people out there just doing what they can, hoping it will lead to a change, a break, or make a difference. That's what I tackle in this episode, the up and downsides of being a sucker. 

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

The last little while there seem to have been all these little hints or clues that I needed to be a little more connected - in my mind and body, more mindful, more present, more able to respond rather than react. And let's be clear, it's still a work in progress, but this most recent experience really cemented for me that there is great benefit in trying to be a little more aware, a little more mindful day to day, because you just never know when you're going to have call upon that ability to be still and in the present.
If you are not someone who likes to or is "good at" mindfulness, don't quit trying. There are so many great books out there that can help you find a way and a place to start that is not overwhelming and really approachable. Like finding the right mattress or that perfect pair of boots, sometimes you just need to try a bunch out before you find the one that really fits you.

Here is a link to some books that might "fit the bill":
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14096 (I have no affiliation to Goodreads, buy the books wherever you like to get your books!!!!)

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

I was thinking about this for a long time, when I realized that maybe it's not so much an either/or as a both/and, which was confirmed for me in this conversation with my good friend Trina Mansour. We talk about how life changes, or how perhaps, we need to change, to keep up with or fully embrace life. It's a great reminder that we can be whoever and whatever we choose to be - and that at the end of the day, it's a choice.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

It's amazing how doing something everyday, multiple times a day can give you moments of clarity or inspiration. Luna and I spend a lot of time walking. In the neighbourhood, in the ravine, and I'm always amazed at her zeal at sniffing the same fence, patch of grass or bush. Every. Single. Time. So it dawned on me that there might be some lessons there - and here are a couple that came to mind the last few times I was out my little houndly. 

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

So I clearly don't know what season I am working on - but it doesn't matter, new year, new season and I'm calling it 5 and I'm excited to kick it off with a conversation that ties in mental health, because that's always important to talk about, with things that we do that help us to feel better, unwind, relax or in some way stay sane. Michelle Beeson joins me again to talk about her "habit" and how it has helped her through good times and bad and we have a great time talking about passions and staying well and pushing boundaries - all the good stuff. Hope you enjoy and hope maybe you pick up a craft, activity or hobby that helps to fulfill all those things for you by the end of the episode.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Well - here we are. Another Holiday Season upon us, another year almost ready for the archives, and what have we learned? Hope that you all have an amazingly restful break (if that's in the cards for you) and that you all find what you need to fill your cup and to fortify you so that you can fill the cups of others. Thanks for listening, and as always, if you have a story that you would like to tell, or a thought, idea or jumping off point for a conversation, I'm open to any and all!!! Conversations are best when they involve more than one person:)

Here are the links to the videos on YouTube of the three videos that inspired this episode. Enjoy as a walk down memory lane or for the first time - you will be amazed at the faces and voices that you see and hear!

BandAid - https://youtu.be/bjQzJAKxTrE

Northern Lights - https://youtu.be/o6OqvHNcuTk

USA for Africa - https://youtu.be/9AjkUyX0rVw

Happy Holidays everyone!

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

At first blush, it might sound like this is going to be just a negative bashing of, well, pretty much anything you can think of - but it's not. Yes it's about stupid people, or perhaps more precisely the stupid things they do, but it's not an exhaustive listing of the stupid things that people do, because a) that would be fodder for a whole podcast, let alone just an episode and b) there is a bright side. Joining me on this exhilarating romp down "stupid is as stupid does" lane, is Curtis Christopher, Argyll resident, dad, business guy, social committee member and all round great person. We discuss a few very specific examples of stupidity and then consider what might be the road to redemption. It's a funny, authentic look at something that there is too much of in this world, but, that if we all put our minds and hearts to it, might be in all our power to remedy - to some extent.

Once again - there is no explicit material, but that odd "curse" word is uttered, so best to keep younger, impressionable ears covered or otherwise occupied:) 

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Who among us hasn't caved and bought that cute T-shirt while on vacation, or dashed into the store because something caught our eye in the window display? We can probably all remember the "back to school shopping" trip that we did as kids, and may do now with our own kids, but have you ever thought about what happens to those clothes after the shine has worn off, or knees get worn out? Well, you are about to find out the good, the bad and the ugly in the thrifting and textile recycling world from Sarah Janzen of Blenderz Garment Recyclers. Join us for a fascinating conversation about what we can do to help her and her team revolutionize what happens to our textiles when we all start to look at things a little differently. 
Check it out here: https://www.blenderzgarmentrecyclers.com/
Come visit Blenderz here: 5609 Gateway Boulevard, Edmonton, AB
Contact them here: hello@blenderzgarmentrecyclers.com
Follow them on social here:@blenderzgarmentrecyclers on IG

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

So before you think I did Iron Man, I need to stop you there. This story started with a conversation I had with a fellow Aryllian who was training for another endurance race and it lead me to have a chat with a friend of mine who did Iron Man - professionally - I didn't even know that was a thing til I met him. So this episode takes an up close and personal look at what it takes mentally and physically to take on this sort of...ahem...challenge and the surprising conclusion that we came to. Hope you are able to listen and appreciate being an armchair athlete for this one:)

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Finally a guest! I'm so excited to share this conversation that I had with my friend and former colleague Trina Mansour!!! We talked about beginnings, starting over, parents, the challenges that kids are having and how we can "help" them navigate them and had a blast just chatting about stuff like only 2 kids from the '80's can. Trina has just the most amazing insights and ways of looking at the world that I'm sure you will find her as hilarious and on point as I do. I had my perspectives on a lot of things shifted as a result of this conversation - and that's the whole point! Enjoy:) P.S. I didn't click the "explicit material" button, but she is a little salty - so FYI if there are little ears in the vicinity.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

All over the map - that's where I feel I am at the moment. Podcast schedule all over the map, focus all over the map, and no real sense of direction. So when we were recently in Jasper looking at all the map markers and contemplating the size of our country and the challenges of getting from point A to point B - well, the episode was born. Reflections on where we are on a map, what they represent in terms of scale and their relative accuracy...plus it's a marker for getting out the next episode which I am super excited about and I need to light a fire under my editing butt by "manifesting it" - wow that looks as corny as it sounds. But here's hoping it works! In the meantime enjoy the ramblings that are...all over the map! If you have comments, as always, I'd love to read them.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Have you ever thought about the things that you don't understand. I find myself saying that a LOT. I'm not sure why...maybe because I'm always thinking about something, usually a problem or a challenge that I'm hopeful there is a solution to, especially as it pertains to work, but invariably, part of the problem ends up being something I don't understand. Often, why something is the way it is, when it could be so much better with so little effort if only someone would make one small change or do something differently. So this episode is all about just some of the things I don't understand, and believe me the list is long. Some are small, trivial things, others of them fairly significant and requiring of solutions that someone who is way smarter or more competent than I am is going to have to be responsible for. If you have things that you don't understand, it would be fun to hear about them! 

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

It's funny what can trigger a bout of nostalgia...smells, sounds, songs, conversations. It doesn't matter how you end up there, but sometimes it seems like there is a whole lot of stuff that seemed easier, better, more fun, less stressful, less...now. A couple of things recently sparked a whole slough of nostalgic thoughts and so here is how that recent journey looked for me. 

What things make you nostalgic? Or do you prefer (perhaps wisely) to stay rooted firmly in the here and now?

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Despite having just been party to dismantling a magpie nest for the third time, I still feel like an animal lover. There are just some birds that don't make good neighbours. If you've ever been in the presence of a family of magpies, you'll know they don't fit that bill! But as an animal lover, there are some basic practices that need to be followed to make sure that your love affair doesn't have a negative impact on others - in any way. It's our responsibility to make sure that we consider the environment, the other people, the neighbourhood when we are doing what we do as pet parents. In this episode, a bit of a look into what differentiates a responsible pet owner from one that might need to do a bit of soul searching. 

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

We have heard the term. Maybe we've secretly thought about doing it. I'm excited to share my kiddo's perspective on what they view Quiet Quitting to be, and I have to say (with all the objectivity a proud Mama can muster) that they pretty much nailed it. Wherever you stand on the subject, it also speaks to so many other issues that we are contending with right now and the sad reality that so often we don't have (or give ourselves the time) to really stop and think about what it all means, what we can do, and what really matters to us. With some food poisoning induced time on my hands, I was able to spend more time doing a deeper dive into some of the topics on my favourite streaming services. Truly, most should be front and center on our minds when it comes time to vote, or shop or plan a vacation. So whether or not you have toyed with the idea of quiet quitting your job, there might be a few other things you may want to consider doing less or more of. as the case may be, to try to leave this world a little better than we found it. The alternatives aren't great. 

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Daylight Savings Time - when MST becomes MDT. It's the weekend of the year that I detest the most. Partly because of the hour of sleep lost, partly because of the outdated, misunderstood, and utterly useless reason that we continue to do it. 
It's 2023. We have opened our eyes up to so many things that need to evolve, to change, to be fixed, to be reimagined and hopefully also that need to end. In this episode I will talk about how I think one of the things that we need to do away with once and for all, is Daylight Savings Time. I'll look at the cons (and there are many) and the pros...(prepare to be underwhelmed). But I'll start off with two little anecdotes of surprise, one with a sort of hilarious twist and the other that speaks to just how much people are struggling, as evidenced by how defensive and closed off to ideas and support they often are. Don't forget to turn your clocks ahead this weekend :(

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Have you ever really wanted to do something, known that it would be sooo good if you did it, but somehow, you just couldn't make it happen? There were likely lots of reasons that went into that, and in this episode I'm talking about one possibility. Capacity. What is it? How much of it do we have? What affects it? And most importantly, how can we try to top it up? The communities we work and live in would undoubtedly be better if we were all filled up to the brim with capacity. 

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Hope - a popular name at one time, a place in British Columbia and also a way of being? thinking? doing? What exactly is hope? This is what I try to figure out as we head into another year, which, "hopefully" will be better than the last couple:) If you've ever hoped for something, where did that come from, what was it about and how did it turn out? I think that however we define it, hope is clearly something that we all need these days as we endure seemingly one thing after another globally and sometimes right here at home. "Hope" you enjoy this episode! Thanks for tuning in!

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Here we are at the end of another year - not sure how time manages to go so fast and seemingly faster as the years go by. But with 2023 looming, I thought it was fitting to have a quick look back, and more specifically at the adventures in sledding that marked some fun milestones in our family. But what we know about looking back is that it can skew our perceptions of what was, and potentially negatively impacts what might be. So as we close out 2022, let's learn from our past and embrace the future - because whether we like it or not, it's coming:)

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

I didn't really think about it until I started to really pay attention as I was out walking Luna the ways people shovel their walks - the style, the timing, or perhaps the lack thereof. If you thought that there wasn't an art to shoveling snow, you would be wrong. Enjoy this episode as I explore the wonderful winterland ways we clear our sidewalks, and how some of us, might be able to do a little bit better.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

We don't always share with others the things that would help them be their best selves. Maybe they don't always want to listen, or to hear. But we would be well served, looking for the good in those we care about, and conversely, be open to hearing what others tell us. Of course it's all in the delivery, but if we say it in a way that we would be open to hearing it, chances are it will land, and it may be exactly the thing someone needs to hear to help them realize that while love is an inside job, the key to getting there is sometimes outside of us.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

In like a lion they say - well, that was certainly true. One minute, trick or treating without a snowsuit, the next minute - you need a snowsuit. Winter is here, but even though the forecast is for a colder, snowier November than we may be used to in recent years, we already have a reprieve. A great time to do the things that you might have put off thinking that long, warm fall was going to carry on forever. Like digging out your block-heater cord or putting up the Christmas lights. But the arrival of winter can mean other things too. A time to reflect on where you are at in your life and if maybe a change might not (need to) be on the horizon...

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

It's that time again...no...not Daylight Savings Time -that's next weekend:(Time to decorate! Halloween and then Christmas - one or the other or both? Which one are you? The get into the spirit person or the bah humbug grinch? It's always fun to see the houses and yards get festive and it makes you wonder what the motivation is? The people that live for Halloween don't necessarily share the same fervor for decking the halls and vice versa. Just because you decorate for one, doesn't mean you decorate for the other - it's interesting. Join me as I ponder the seasonal decoration phenomenon just in time for Halloween...Boo!

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

What is happening in nature around the neighbourhood? Where are the robins and the worms? What's with the magpies and the crows? And what is going on with the coyotes? The weather is bananas, seasons are a blur and we are in a hot mess! What is going on and what can we do? 

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Food.  We can't live without it. It is essential, we may not all have good relationships with it, for a variety of reasons, but it is an inextricable part of our lives. I love food. It factored largely into what I ended up doing in the early part of my career. It still factors largely into my everyday - whether eating it, cooking it or as I talk about in this episode, thinking about what it helps me to remember. The people, the places, the connection. Let's dig in...

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

So it's another long weekend...how long before that's how people are going to view the September 30 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation? I don't know why we have Victoria Day...Labour Day - I vaguely understand, but that is so long ago, that I feel I have never viewed it as anything other than the last long weekend of summer. Remembrance Day is different - we have an obligation to remember and to never forget. Though tell that to Putin...But this inaugural (as a statutory holiday) September 30, I think needs to be more meaningful, and it's up to us to find ways to put it on the agendas of businesses, governments and any organization that purports to want to be doing something for the environment and the planet. The knowledge, or wisdom, is there, largely untapped because of arrogance. Hope you listen and maybe feel a wee bit uncomfortable. Because of course, this is just my perspective. 

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Who hasn't done something they regret? Probably everyone? But how many times have you not done something and regretted it? Why did you decide to forego a particular opportunity? Was it something you knew or ought to have known not to do, or was it something that had too many unknowns? What keeps us from making choices that will have a happy outcome? We don't have the power of a crystal ball but we do have the power of hindsight. So while we may not be able to predict the future, we can learn from previous decisions that maybe we should take the path less travelled and have an experience that is both memorable and free of regret. Hope you listen in. 

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

We've all been on road trips. We can all remember good ones and less good ones. But they were likely all memorable for one reason or another. They are the hallmark of summer vacations, the beginning of new adventures and they probably highlight all the idiosyncrasies of all our childhood, adolescent or even adult lives and those of our families. But as with all things, it's the bad that makes the good better unless you're the Griswolds in National Lampoons Vacation...

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

After way too many years we got to hit the road and go on vacation! We packed up the car and headed west to the Southern Gulf Island of Galiano. It was everything that I could have hoped for in a holiday "abroad" without leaving the country. Join us on our island adventure as I learn a little about letting go and learning how to relax, even when things didn't always go according to plan:)

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

If you have a job, chances are that you have had a crappy day. And this episode outlines one such crappy day, but the surprising way that it ended up unfolding and transforming simply because Luna needed to go for her daily evening walk. Take a listen and see if you can relate to how community has a role in our mental health, in this case for good :)

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

If you are a gardener, or even just someone who likes to walk around and revel in the work that others do to make their little patches of earth look good, you will appreciate the trials of the ongoing, relentless battle to get what you want to grow to grow, and to keep what you don't at bay. This is the story of how I moved along the continuum from lawn maintainer to rogue planter, but not necessarily in the way you might imagine:)

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Have you ever wondered whether your brain might explode with all the stuff that is rattling around in there? Ever not been able to just shut it off so you could have a good night's sleep? Have so many things that you want to try to sort out in some way to capitalize on the ideas in some way because you know that they are going to be literally life changing only to not know where to start and then they just sort of evaporate? Welcome to my brain - but I don't think I'm alone...rabbit holes and squirrel moments might just be one of the many wonderful ways we are all different:)

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

If you have a Smart Watch, you might be able to relate to this episode? Do you love it, do you hate it? Does it make you more active or do you look for ways to try to beat the system? But the big question, is it possible to just go back to a normal watch that just tells the time?

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Who remembers the school or class trips that might have occurred in your misspent youth? Did you go? If yes - did you have a good time? If no - how come and do you have any regrets?

On this first episode I look at the possibility of the Grade 9 trip for my kiddo and the factors that went into the decision, and how my own experiences with said topic played a part, but maybe not in the way I had originally thought it would :)

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Welcome to Walking Alongside: Perspectives! This is what happens when you don't know enough people and you've run out of interviewable friends and acquaintances...I realized I would need to pivot if I was going to be able to keep creating podcasts. I figured if I can have a full fledged conversation while walking the dog, I may as well record it for posterity! 

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

It's (still) Nutrition Month and you will hear just how excited I am about this year's theme. I'm also so excited about this conversation with Sarah Juchli a Registered Dietitian working with the Primary Care Network and fellow Argyll-ian. Join us as we talk about the challenges of working in the area of nutrition, misconceptions people have about dietitians, the importance of this year's nutrition month theme as well as learning about Sarah's penchant for power-tools and her knowledge about what to do when coyotes interrupt your dog-walk! It's a good'er - hope you'll have a listen:)

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

The amount of preparation to get to the point where the actual surgical procedure is imminent is a long, tough slog. The tests, the bloodwork, the screening, the isolation - it is a lot, when you are already not 100%. Support is critical and luckily Vanessa has a great team of cheerleaders helping keep her spirits up - though at the time of recording the surgery hadn't happened yet, ever intrepid and optimistic, Vanessa has big plans. Join us for the inspirational conclusion in part 2 of Vanessa Millman's story and learn how you can have a role in making life better for someone as well. 

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Who would have thought that a kidney transplant was something that could happen during the pandemic. When Vanessa Millman was first diagnosed (incorrectly as it turns out) with Type 2 Diabetes when she was just a kid, she never in a million years likely dreamed that the path that she would end up on was one that was going to result in her looking for a kidney donor. Join us as we hear Vanessa tell us about the roller coaster ride that were her formative years and the journey that ensued as she looks forward to starting a new chapter with a new kidney - all while we are still in the pandemic and hear her take on what's going on with our medical system.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Do you know about your local community league? Do you know what they offer or how to get involved or that Edmonton is unique in how it's community league system operates? For everything you wanted to know about how to build a better community (well...almost) join me and Laura  Cunningham-Shpeley, Executive Director of the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues as we take a deep dive into community through the lens of the leagues that really act as important glue in keeping us together and creating space...for so many things!

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

We left off the first episode with Kristi about to share an experience that she could exactly relate to - and so today, we hear how that helped to transform how she viewed what they and she do that really matters in terms of our kids. Small things that can have big meaning and that make a difference in ways that way may never know or see. Join us for the conclusion of a conversation with a Virginian turned Edmontonian and find out if you can dig deep for ways that you can make a difference too. 

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

When you leave a successful career in a place where snow days are a rarity to move to Edmonton where snow is a constant 6-8 months of the year, you need to be a pretty special person. Join us as we talk to Kristi Davis about the challenges of making the switch from Corporate Banker to Community Mom and all the bumps and challenges that come from moving to a new city, renovating a house and figuring out your place in the world. How to shift your goals to meet new expectations, while at the same time letting of what others might have expected of us. Enjoy a southern romp and find out how learning how to pivot means a lot even in a non-Covid world. 

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

It's (finally) time for season 2! This time around we are going to be talking to people who have had to transition to living in a new community, whose job it is to help create and strengthen community, and who have seen communities change over time and how that feels looking both back and to the future. I'm also super excited to welcome back a guest from Season 1 with whom I am going to dig deep into some of the admittedly more existential questions we might have been asking ourselves over the last 2 years and how we might want to adjust as we try to move forward. I hope you'll join me as we meet and chat with interesting and compelling people from right here in (or pretty darn close to) our own backyard!

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

On this, the last episode of Season 1, we hear Ashley's story of how the weirdest combination of late night infomercial and taking a class way out of her comfort zone changed her life and the power that community, of belonging somewhere, can have on people. Listen to how the universal language of dance can connect us - to ourselves and to others. It's a bit of a longer episode because we cover a lot of ground that the pandemic has helped us to see more clearly and to highlight why we need to make sure that we see mental health not as something to be ashamed of, but to foster, support and publicly acknowledge as important - for everyone. Hope you listen in!

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Katyna Santa Maria shares her story of moving here from Colombia and how a young girl's dream became reality. In this episode, we learn how a desire to make a home in a new country lead to a journey where blending cuisine and community with a little touch of family created first a breakfast food, then a business. If you like street food, then you'll love Bogota Street Food - tune in and find out how a little corn pancake created opportunities for a whole family and how maple and bacon helped make it taste like home.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Sorry for the delay folks - dealing with some stuff right now and thought I would give you a little "food for thought" as we ramp up for a municipal election. It may seem like it doesn't matter, but you get to decide how you want the actual story of YEG to go by voting on October 18th! Have a listen to some homework to get you ready :)

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

In this episode we talk to Jennifer Rading owner and artist/creator at JenAshley Jewellery about getting to where you want to go by following the path that you might not have thought would be the best route to get there...sound circuitous? Well, it might be, so join as we learn how taking the unexpected paths can lead to the most fulfilling places and allow you to experience things you might otherwise have missed.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

We've heard a lot about our frontline workers and maybe your are one, or know one or maybe you're just glad they have been there to keep us feeling as normal as we can since the pandemic began. Today we get to hear what it's like behind the swinging doors of the Emergency Room as we talk with one of the Emerg nurses Michelle Beeson. It's not as glamourous as they make it look on TV but it's a job that is unlike any other - so grab a chair or your walking shoes and have a listen!

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Listen as Ann shares her story of how she took something that had always been part of her life and turned it into something that helps bring people together, first in her community of Ottewell and now all over western Canada (and maybe beyond!). Be inspired as she talks about overcoming a year long recovery from spinal surgery and how she found the strength to continue in a surprising way.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Find out how Kevin grew up inspired to be a teacher but loving the music and arts scene and how those two passions came together and have finally coalesced into a career that encapsulates both. Listen to his inspiring story and how he is inspired by the kids that he teaches, all the time, but especially during this pandemic. Burton Cummings may make a cameo appearance of a kind:)

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Welcome to the FIRST episode of Walking Alongside! Today we are talking with Christine Bandelow who is a singer/dancer/actor/choreographer in Edmonton and we will hear about her journey as an artist and how we can be supportive of not just the arts in general but our local art scenes in particular!

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

A quick soundbite of what to expect from the show - where we get to Walk Alongside fascinating people from in and around Edmonton as they share their stories, their journeys, the way they are dealing, struggling and rising above - just like the rest of us. Join us as we meet and get to know some of the people that make Edmonton a great place to call home. 

Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. 

Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room on Treaty 6 lands known originally as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hill House, in Nehiyawewin (Cree). There are other names, equally as meaningful, and I am grateful to those who were here before me, for the ability to call this place my home. 

Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks