Epic Exchanges
156 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsCelebrating the power of our stories to help us rise above life’s challenges and transform them into greater purpose and authentic connections. Each one of us has a story. A story of overcoming, of illumination, of transformation, of determination. This is what Epic Exchanges is all about.
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Episodes
Entrepreneurs - Born or Made?
September 15, 2021 14:00 - 5 minutes - 7.67 MBDay 15 of the Nature and Nurture Project focuses on the nature and/or nurture of choosing an entrepreneur path by sharing about the first entrepreneur I ever knew. Exchange Quote: “People ask, ‘Are entrepreneurs born, or are they made?’ I think it’s a combination of both.” – Robert Herjavec Exchange Links: Epic Exchanges on Facebook @epicexchanges on Instagram
Mental Wellness
September 14, 2021 14:00 - 5 minutes - 7.47 MBDay 14 of the Nature and Nurture Project focuses on how we overcome the difficult mental health challenges that come our way Exchange Quote: “The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happe...
Repetition is Key
September 13, 2021 14:00 - 5 minutes - 7.33 MBDay 13 of the Nature and Nurture Project focuses on how we learn, and how we master, anything we do. From the first time reading a book, to whatever new challenge is in store for us. Exchange Quote: "Repetition is the mother of learning, the father of action, which makes it the architect of accomplishment." - Zig Ziglar Exchange Links: Epic Exchanges on Facebook @epicexchanges on Instagram
The Answer for Cancer Tour
September 12, 2021 14:00 - 5 minutes - 8.08 MBDay 12 of the Nature and Nurture Project revisits an epic road trip Kelly took 10 summers ago called The Answer for Cancer Tour, and the importance of the stories they discovered along the way. Exchange Quote: "Because the greatest part of a road trip isn't arriving at your destination, it's all the wild stuff that happens along the way." - Emma Chase Exchange Links: Epic Exchanges on Facebook @epicexchanges on Instagram
The Nurture of Generosity
September 11, 2021 14:00 - 5 minutes - 7.91 MBDay 11 of the Nature and Nurture Project with the second of our discussions and stories on generosity. How do we become generous - or is it an innate quality we are born with? Today we explore the 'nurture' side of this topic. Exchange Quote: "Everyone can experience the joy and blessing of generosity, because everyone has something to give." - Jan Grace Exchange Links: Epic Exchanges on Facebook @epicexchanges on Instagram
The Nature of Generosity
September 10, 2021 14:00 - 5 minutes - 7.6 MBDay 10 of the Nature and Nurture Project with the first of two discussions on generosity. How do we become generous - or is it an innate quality we are born with? Today we explore the 'nature' side of this topic. Exchange Quote: "The most truly generous persons are those who give silently without hope of praise or reward." - Carol Ryrie Brink Exchange Links: Epic Exchanges on Facebook @epicexchanges on Instagram
Horses & Racing
September 09, 2021 14:00 - 5 minutes - 7.4 MBDay 9 of the Nature and Nurture Project and today it's all about horses and horse racing and likely the most 'famous' family member. Exchange Quote: "The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears." - Bedouin Proverb Exchange Links: Epic Exchanges on Facebook @epicexchanges on Instagram
Rollercoaster
September 08, 2021 14:00 - 4 minutes - 6.68 MBDay 8 of the Nature and Nurture Project and today it's all about rollercoasters - actual rides and the rollercoaster that is life. How are you at riding your rollercoasters? Exchange Quote: "Life is like a roller coaster. You can either scream every time there is a bump, or you can throw your hands up and enjoy the ride." - Unknown Exchange Links: Epic Exchanges on Facebook @epicexchanges on Instagram
Card Games
September 07, 2021 14:00 - 4 minutes - 6.31 MBDay 7 of the Nature and Nurture Project and today's story is all about the games we would play on rainy days - and how we come to some of those favourite pastimes. Exchange Quote: "We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand." - Randy Pausch Exchange Links: Epic Exchanges on Facebook @epicexchanges on Instagram
Music is Life Itself
September 06, 2021 14:00 - 5 minutes - 7.53 MBDay 6 of the Nature and Nurture Project and Kelly dives into where her love - and talent - for music comes from while sharing the amazing memories that we all have surrounding our favourite music! Exchange Quote: "Music is life itself." - Louis Armstrong Exchange Links: Epic Exchanges on Facebook @epicexchanges on Instagram
For the Love of Shoes
September 05, 2021 14:00 - 5 minutes - 7.57 MBDay 5 of the Nature and Nurture Project explores whether some things are just innate or if they are learned - or is it a combination of both? - with a simple shoe story (or two) Exchange Quote: "Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world." - Marilyn Monroe Exchange Links: Epic Exchanges on Facebook @epicexchanges on Instagram
Canada's Castles
September 04, 2021 14:00 - 5 minutes - 7.74 MBDay 4 of the Nature and Nurture Project continues on with yesterday's topic of investments and how we 'know' when it comes to those instincts or gut feelings. Exchange Quote: “Different roads sometimes lead to the same castle.” – George R. R. Martin Exchange Links: Epic Exchanges on Facebook @epicexchanges on Instagram
Understanding Money
September 03, 2021 14:00 - 5 minutes - 7.91 MBDay 3 of the Nature and Nurture Project introduces how we learn about the concepts of money and investing - is it innate? Or is it learned through experience? Or is it both? Exchange Quote: “Wealth, like a tree, grows from a seed. The sooner you plant that seed, the sooner shall the tree grow.” – George S. Clason Exchange Links: Epic Exchanges on Facebook @epicexchanges on Instagram
It Takes A Village
September 02, 2021 14:00 - 4 minutes - 6.41 MBDay 2 of the Nature and Nurture Project provides a little framework for the month to come. Kelly introduces us to her family members who represent both the 'nature' and the 'nurture' sides of her experience. Exchange Quote: “It takes a village to raise a child.” – African Proverb Exchange Links: Epic Exchanges on Facebook @epicexchanges on Instagram Link to story about the fire rescue
Nature & Nurture Project
September 01, 2021 14:00 - 5 minutes - 7.74 MBWelcome to the Epic Exchanges Nature and Nurture Project where Kelly shares some of the personal stories and people that shaped who she is today. The purpose of this project is to demonstrate that we are a complex combination of both nature and nurture - and discover what makes us who we are today. Exchange Quote: “The phrase ‘nature and nurture’ is a convenient jingle of words, for it separates under two distinct heads the innumerable elements of which personality is composed. Nature i...
90 - Shattering Stereotypes
May 18, 2021 19:25 - 9 minutes - 14 MBAre you aware that many of the beliefs you hold about other people are mainly the result of stereotypes that you have gathered over the years from family, friends, media and in other unexpected ways. However, the answer to breaking down these stereotypes is actually easier than we think. That’s what we’re going to talk about today. Exchange Quotes: “We all use stereotypes, all the time, without knowing it. We have met the enemy of equality, and the enemy is us.” – Annie Murphy Paul ...
89 - Take the Chance
May 11, 2021 18:01 - 11 minutes - 16.3 MBWhat are the costs of the past year in your life? How much have you lost? Income? A job? Freedom? Social functions on the calendar? Vacations? Celebrations? Maybe pets or people you cared about? This pandemic has taken a lot from us all. But what has it left you with? That’s our topic for today. Exchange Quotes: “Taking chances is scary but there is something that should scare you far more than anything: missing out on something truly wonderful because you were scared.” – Kathe...
88 - Confidence Through Communication with Angel Baney
April 27, 2021 19:18 - 27 minutes - 38.5 MBOur ability to communicate well has become more important than ever during a time when we can’t gather together in person. Seeing someone on a screen or listening to them through a phone is only part of all the ways we learn about and understand one another. Add in different communication styles and the possibility of being misunderstood goes up exponentially. This week we welcome author Angel Baney to the podcast to talk about how understanding HOW we communicate is a huge piece of the p...
87 - How Can I Help?
April 13, 2021 19:06 - 9 minutes - 13.1 MBThe past year has been one of incredible change and re-evaluation for all of us. However, the way things started is not what we are experiencing now. That’s where this week’s podcast comes in as we get back to asking ourselves how we can help? Exchange Quotes: “We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.” – Ronald Reagan “As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” – Maya Angelou Exchange Links: ...
86 - Life Changes When We Are Real with Becky Jones
March 30, 2021 19:19 - 24 minutes - 34.4 MBThis week we welcome guest Becky Jones to the podcast. Becky shares her own experiences around how becoming more vulnerable and authentic in her personal relationships led to a huge change in how she interacted with her clients in her photography business, and the key piece she wants everybody to know. Exchange Quotes: “I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they deriv...
85 - Your Story is Your Strength with Julie Allen
March 22, 2021 17:35 - 22 minutes - 31.1 MBThis week we welcome guest Julie Allen to the podcast. Julie is the CEO of Mary Rose NW Boutique and the founder of the Mary Rose Foundation. Julie’s story is the perfect example of how our experiences often shape our passions and direction in life. Of how our stories actually point to our strengths. Exchange Quotes: "Courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph of it" Nelson Mandela “I’ve never met a strong person that didn’t have a difficult journey to get there” – Bear Gry...
84 - The Vulnerability Hangover
March 16, 2021 17:48 - 11 minutes - 16.2 MBWhen you’ve braved all the fear, the imposter syndrome, the rejection and everything else that often holds all of us back from sharing our stories and gone ahead and done it anyway, first there will be a high. Because you’ve done it. Because you’ve connected on a deeper level. Because you’ve made a difference. But then you hit the low. That low is the vulnerability hangover and we’ll be talking about that (and what to do when it sets in) today! Exchange Quotes: “We cultivate love wh...
83 - Sharing Your Story - What To Expect
March 09, 2021 17:04 - 13 minutes - 19.3 MBOver the past 6 months, we worked with eleven amazing women to help them share their stories with the world in our first collaborative book project – The Gift In Your Story. Throughout this process, there were certain milestones that every author encountered – on today’s episode, we take you through each one. Exchange Quotes: “So step into that place of discomfort and write the words that will bring freedom and meaning to your life. – Claire DeBoer “Vulnerability is terrifying. The c...
82 - Collaboration Creates Community with Julie Ann
February 16, 2021 18:27 - 27 minutes - 38.5 MBWe are now just over a week from the release of the first Epic Exchanges collaborative book, The Gift In Your Story. In order to publish this first book in the Epic Exchanges collaborative series, we partnered with Influence Publishing to help guide us through the process. Today, we welcome Julie to the podcast, the founder of Influence, for a conversation about the extended benefits of doing an anthology like this as a community. Exchange Quotes: “Alone we can do so little, together w...
81 - Our Stories Heal with Emily Scott
February 08, 2021 21:56 - 21 minutes - 30.3 MBToday, we welcome Emily Scott back to the podcast. Emily joined us twice in our first year to share about how she uses her art to tell her story and about looking at our life transitions as an adventure. And now she’s back again – with a new name! – to talk about how diving into her story once again in order to share it in our book fast-tracked her through an incredible healing process. Exchange Quotes: “Today, again, I choose myself. My own pride. My own self-respect, my own well-bein...
80 - Sharing In Song with Kristin Ormiston
February 02, 2021 05:00 - 23 minutes - 32.3 MBWe continue along our road to the release of the first Epic Exchanges collaborative book, The Gift In Your Story, with another one of the contributing authors. This week we discuss exploring different ways to share our stories – in particular, through song with special guest, Kristin Ormiston Exchange Quotes: “You may tell a tale that takes up residence in someone’s soul, becomes their blood and self and purpose. That tale will move them and drive them and who knows what they might do ...
79 - Sharing Our Stories with Tammy Haywood
January 26, 2021 16:46 - 17 minutes - 25.1 MBLast week kicked off a month of episodes on the power that comes in sharing our stories. This week, we invite one of the authors in our new collaborative book, The Gift In Your Story, to share a little about what inspired her to share her story and how the experience was for her. Welcome Tammy Haywood to the podcast. Exchange Quotes: “When we tell our stories in a safe community, all those things that separate us go away.” – Sarah Markley “By coming forward and sharing your story, yo...
78 - Your Story Brings Hope
January 19, 2021 19:24 - 8 minutes - 12.6 MBThis episode begins a month of focusing on the power of sharing our stories in order to help and encourage others. The past year has been one of incredible challenge and change, and speaking up to share our experiences, how we’ve risen above the difficulties, and how we’ve seen our dreams come to life has become more important than ever. Exchange Quotes: “Your heartache is someone else’s hope. If you make it through, somebody else is going to make it through. Tell your story.” – Kim M...
77 - Lessons Learned
January 11, 2021 18:14 - 16 minutes - 23.1 MBThe new year brings us many opportunities to look back over the previous twelve months and reflect on what changed or what we learned. This past year in particular has brought significant changes and significant disruptions to our daily lives. What are the biggest lessons we learned and that we can take forward into 2021? Exchange Quotes: “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” – Soren Kierkegaard “The past is where you learned the lesson. The futur...
76 - The Season of Giving
November 30, 2020 17:49 - 9 minutes - 13.8 MBAs we enter the holiday season in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, it's even more important that we find moments of joy, of laughter, of light and of peace. Thus begins the season of giving. Exchange Quotes: "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." - Sir Winston Churchill "For it is in giving that we receive." - St. Francis of Assisi Exchange Links: Your Story Your Strength on Facebook Epic Exchanges Virtual Advent Calendar
75 - Self-Care is Not Selfish
November 17, 2020 19:31 - 27 minutes - 38.4 MBIn Episode 74, we talked about the dangers of being a people pleaser and letting that get in the way of taking care of ourselves. The importance of this subject cannot be minimized so, in this week’s exchange, we welcome Dianne Maldonado Hill to talk about her experience with ignoring self-care and how it changed her life. Exchange Quotes: "We must be willing to get rid of the life we had planned, so as to have the life that is waiting." — Joseph Campbell "Change your energy, change ...
74 - All About You
November 09, 2020 20:42 - 12 minutes - 17.9 MBWhen is the last time that you made yourself and your needs – or even your wants and desires – a priority? How about the last time you took a break from what everyone else needed – your kids, your partner, your family, your boss, your clients, your community, the world? How often do you find your day is more about keeping up with the demands of everyone and everything than it is about truly connecting with your self? Let’s explore that today. Exchange Quotes: “Breathe. Let go. And rem...
73 - What Does It Mean?
October 27, 2020 17:04 - 13 minutes - 18.3 MBWhen something difficult happens in your life, or in the life of a friend or loved one, what do you tell yourself about it? What meaning do you give that event? Do you label it as good or bad? A blessing or a punishment? Or somewhere in between? We are constantly ascribing meaning to the people and events in our lives – and that’s what we’re going to dig into more today. Exchange Quotes: “The meaning of life is whatever you ascribe it to be. Being alive is the meaning.” – Joseph Cam...
72 - Under the Covers
October 05, 2020 19:24 - 12 minutes - 16.9 MBHow do you choose a book? Or a movie? Do you just go by what catches your eye? What you see on the cover? Or do you take some time to find out more than that? Exchange Quotes: “We jump at the chance to judge strangers. We would never do that to ourselves of course. We are nuanced and complex and enigmatic. But the stranger is easy.” – Malcolm Gladwell “She was always told that she was pretty, but it never really meant anything to her. That’s just something people say who have ...
71 - When I Grow Up
September 21, 2020 19:59 - 12 minutes - 17.7 MBDo you remember what you wanted to ‘be’ or ‘become’ when you grew up? Was it a character or image of something you saw on tv? Was it something a parent, grandparent or other significant adult in your life did? How often did you use that phrase, “when I grow up…”? Exchange Quotes: “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” – E.E. Cummings “When you know yourself, you are empowered. When you accept yourself, you are invincible.” – Tina Lifford Exchange Links: Y...
70 - Your Fairytale Life
September 14, 2020 23:11 - 13 minutes - 19.1 MBRemember being a child and being fascinated by fairytales? Wanting that happily ever after? Did you ever take a moment to look at the life BEFORE the happy ending and decide if you wanted that? Exchange Quotes: “Love your whole story, even if it hasn’t been the perfect fairytale.” – Melanie Koulouris “Life itself is the most wonderful fairytale.” – Hans Christian Andersen Exchange Links: Your Story Your Strength on Facebook Email us!
69 - Watch Your Words
September 07, 2020 06:00 - 13 minutes - 18.9 MBHave you ever noticed that the words we choose to use - and the words that others use in conversations with us - actually create our reality? It's time to be more aware of how we talk to ourselves and others if we want to fully enjoy life. Exchange Quotes: "Language creates reality. Words have power. Speak always to create joy." - Deepak Chopra "Language is power...language can be used as a means of changing reality." - Adrienne Rich Exchange Links: Your Story Your Strength on Fa...
68 - Uncommon Kindness
February 11, 2020 15:05 - 12 minutes - 17.7 MBHave you noticed it too? The way our world is becoming less and less kind? How, more often than not we are surrounded by complainers and thinly-disguised anger rather than compassion, kindness and understanding? Do we realize just how much this is effecting our greater health? Not just individually, but as a society as a whole? This is what we’re talking about this week. Exchange Quotes: “We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery, we need humanity. More than cleve...
67 - We Aren't Promised Tomorrow
January 28, 2020 08:30 - 11 minutes - 15.9 MBThis past weekend, basketball great Kobe Bryant and eight others died in a helicopter crash. It’s a great reminder that nobody is promised another day. We can’t guarantee that we will wake up tomorrow and still be able to work on our to-do or bucket lists. What things are we putting off until the timing is right? That’s what we are talking about this week. Exchange Quotes: “The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do.” –...
66 - Understanding and Relieving Overwhelm
January 14, 2020 08:30 - 15 minutes - 22.3 MBWe’ve all experienced it – that suffocating feeling of overwhelm. Perhaps it’s our never-ending to-do list. Or all the emotions around a serious illness in yourself or a loved one. Or the result of days, weeks or months of burning the candle at both ends. Not one of us is immune in our modern world – and that’s why it’s become such an important topic. One that we will discuss in this week’s podcast. Exchange Quotes: “Overwhelm occurs because of exceedingly high demand coupled with a...
65 - Bringing Awe Back
December 10, 2019 08:30 - 11 minutes - 16.2 MBWe’re in the midst of the holiday season – what better time to remind ourselves of the amazing power of wonder and awe? That’s what we’re talking about on this week’s podcast. Exchange Quotes: “He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe is as good as dead. His eyes are closed.” – Albert Einstein “It’s simple things, like a glowing sunset, the sound of a running stream or the fresh smell in a meadow, that cause us to pause and marvel at the wonder of life, to contemplat...
64 - Should Friendships Ever End?
December 03, 2019 08:30 - 17 minutes - 24.4 MBI’ve always believed that people come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. And sometimes the most difficult part of this is letting go of those relationships that no longer serve you in a positive way. That’s the topic of this week’s podcast. Exchange Quotes: “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.’” – C.S. Lewis “A true friend accepts who you are but also helps you become who you should be.” -...
63 - Hurt People Hurt People
November 19, 2019 08:00 - 12 minutes - 18 MBWhen people’s words or actions hurt us, it’s natural to want to strike back, both offensively and defensively. However, when we can remove ourselves from the emotional sting, we often discover that their attack came from a place of their own deep hurt. We will explore this more in today’s podcast. Exchange Quotes: “Keep in mind, hurting people often hurt other people as a result of their own pain.” Joel S. Osteen “The true mark of maturity is when somebody hurts you and you try to u...
62 - Lest We Forget
November 11, 2019 21:18 - 9 minutes - 13.3 MBToday, November 11, Canadians and many others around the world – generally those countries that are members of the British Commonwealth, but others as well – observe Remembrance Day. At its core, this is a memorial day to remember the members of the country’s armed forces who have died in the line of duty. Exchange Quotes: "In Flanders Fields" - John McCrae "Ode to Remembrance" - Laurence Binyon Exchange Links: Epic Exchanges on Facebook Email us!
61 - Misleading Labels
November 05, 2019 08:00 - 12 minutes - 17.1 MBWe, as a society, tend to put a lot of labels and expectations on others based on a small piece of information we may have about someone. That small bit of knowledge can change how we feel in an instant. However, it’s only a label. A small piece of the whole. Like chocolate chips alone don’t make a cookie. When we buy into these labels, we can create a significant disconnect between our expectations and the reality. Learn how to change that in this week’s podcast. Exchange Quotes: “...
60 - Finding Yourself - AGAIN - Through Solo Travel
October 22, 2019 07:00 - 14 minutes - 20.4 MBOne of the greatest ways we can experience self-discovery and find out more about ourselves is to travel alone. We need to free ourselves of the constant bombardment of outside influences that make up our day-to-day life. And staying at home and turning off the computer or phone won’t do it. Because all we have to do is look around and see the laundry or the cleaning or any number of those things on our ‘to do’ lists. Find out more on this week’s podcast. Exchange Quotes: “Solo trav...
59 - Moon Landings and Milestones
October 15, 2019 07:00 - 12 minutes - 17.6 MBMilestones are markers of significant events or stages in our lives, development or progress. Today we take it for granted much of the time that we can see history being made in real time thanks to the internet. But 50 years ago it was a big deal when the Apollo 11 moon landing was being reported live on television as it happened. People around the world remember where they were when they heard the announcements or saw the footage cross their screens. Why should we celebrate milestones...
58 - Just DIS-Connect
October 08, 2019 07:00 - 14 minutes - 20.8 MBThis week we continue our discussion from the last episode about the importance of real connecting – and how we’re missing so many opportunities because of our attachment to technology – in particular our smartphones. One of the problems we face is that the phones and apps that are created for them (and for our tablets and laptops and computers) – all that technology – are actually created to facilitate addiction. Making us dependent on that digital world, and in effect, making us tune out...
57 - Just Connect
October 01, 2019 07:00 - 13 minutes - 19.5 MBThis week we look once again at the growing epidemic of loneliness and how creating moments of connection are becoming more and more important - often even the moments we don't expect. Too often we look for these connections to be life-changing 'A-HA' moments as Oprah coined, rather than recognizing that sometimes even the simplest of interactions can make a difference. Exchange Quotes: “I would rather have one small weird moment of real connection than hours of polite conversation.” –...
56 - Why Music Matters
June 25, 2019 02:31 - 12 minutes - 17.4 MBAn Epic Exchange is any interaction where one or more people come away feeling inspired, encouraged, motivated or even transformed and healed in some way. This could include a conversation with a friend or relative, learning from a speaker on stage, in a podcast or a teacher in a class or workshop, or even something you take away from watching a documentary, movie or other program. It can also be found in music. And that’s what we’re going to talk about this week – how music matters not on...