In this episode, we sit down with the incredibly talented Leighton Alexander Williams. Leighton, an award-winning actor based in Toronto, Ontario, is set to co-star in the upcoming OutTV series Settle Down. This new mini series follows a podcast host who is a queer matchmaker with a booming success rate. When it comes to love, he knows all... except why his own relationship is on the rocks. Leighton plays the host’s partner on the show and shares his excitement about the program's upcoming broadcast.

Throughout the conversation, we explore Leighton’s journey to acting and the influential people who have empowered him along the way, along with his own personal coming out experience. With a mix of humor and heartfelt moments, Leighton offers valuable insights into the acting industry in both Canada and the U.S., his vision for his future career, and the impact he hopes to have on the next generation of actors. Leighton is carving out his space in an industry that has historically left little room for 2SLGBTQIA+ voices.

Settle Down premieres on OutTV, Prime Video and Vimeo on Friday, February 14th – Valentine's Day!

Connect with Leighton on Instagram @livingwithlaw

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Shawn "#TheSavage" Antonio returns for a 3rd conversation with us, this time opening up about the recent fires in Los Angeles, California, and the profound impact they’ve had on his family and community. Having called LA and Hollywood home for 25 years, Shawn is a seasoned celebrity life coach, author, and educator dedicated to helping people discover true happiness.

In his signature style, Shawn vulnerably shares his experience navigating the fires alongside his wife, Alicia Antonio (a former guest), and their two young children. From emergency evacuation to finding safety, and finally reintegrating into life post-fire, Shawn gives a heartfelt account of the journey. He also discusses how he and Alicia continue to hold space for their children, equipping them with the tools, resources, and mindset for long-term success. With raw, open conversation and coaching insights, we dive deep into this powerful episode, covering it all—and then some.

Connect with Shawn:

Phone # 310-428-5017
Website
Instagram (@shawnantoniolifecoaching)

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In this episode, we’re joined by Kreag Seime as we Pardon Our Minds and dive into a conversation about mental health and addiction, with a focus on Vancouver's Downtown Eastside (DTES) – an area that is home to many of the city’s unhoused residents.

Kreag brings a wealth of experience from his background in community mental health and addictions, currently working as a care coordinator for Vancouver Coastal Health’s Intensive Housing Outreach Team (IHOT). He sheds light on the critical work happening in this sector and the challenges faced by both workers and the community.

Kreag also gets personal, sharing his own journey with addiction and how his experiences have shaped the compassionate and impactful work he’s doing today.

Oh, and he just happens to be Hiiro's bf! 🥰

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Pardon our much needed hiatus! That's right, we're back again and serving you, the viewers and listeners, with a reboot of Pardon My Mind (yes, still with your candid duo, Rachel and Hiiro)!

With a new bi-weekly format starting this episode, we're thrilled to share what we've been up to in 2024 and what 2025 looks like for the podcast!

Our focus will remain squarely on mental health, exploring it through our own perspectives as well as the insights of our upcoming guests. Tune in for key takeaways and actionable lessons shared on the podcast, along with reflections on recent lived experiences—each shaping the way we envision the future of the show.

Rachel gives herself grace for her health anxiety, while Hiiro offers the same compassion to his struggles with AUDHD and anxiety, working to set healthier personal boundaries for his mind in 2025.

Happy New Year and join us while we Pardon our Minds!

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Are you listening, or are you already commenting? We chat about how comments and opinions are put on a pedestal. These days, the narrative in the digital world has already been formed before the actual narrator has had the chance to be fully listened to. Are folx reacting poorly based on woke exhaustion? And, is there a lack of emotional availability because of this, which leads to more closed-off people who have lost their superpowers of vulnerability and transparency?

Some heavy-hitter topics are discussed in this episode. We deeply appreciate your support and if you subscribe to our channel, we might even get a little verklempt. ;)

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In this episode of Pardon My Mind, Rachel shares her struggles with being addicted to suffering, while Hiiro reflects on his deep-rooted complex of being forgotten and forgetting anything in general. How are these concepts presented in our lives, and what began these behavioural patterns and ultimately may impact the future? Can you relate?

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And just like that...

Wait... wrong show!

Hello and from the 🧠 🧠 of Rachel and Hiiro, we welcome you back to PMM! It's been a hot Summer and we're ready to deep dive into discussions about real life and all things mental health, and then some.

We try to get to the point (you'll see what we mean when you start listening...), as Rachel opens up about her new realizations on life and anxiety and Hiiro speaks of his 'advocacy fatigue', as he continues to navigate society post formal diagnosis with mild autism and ADHD.

Let's have a Kiki, shall we?

LINKS:
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Get ready to sit down and absorb the many intriguing stories that Jeremie Jalapeno (nee Drainville) has to impart to us, ranging from how he started the infamous Men in Tubs calendar to his "trip" (pun INtended) in Peru.

Jeremie “Jalapeno” hails from Gatineau, Quebec and currently resides in Nelson, BC. His love for snowboarding brought him to BC. At the end of the 2014, he fractured his left kneecap snowboarding in a competition, which led him to discover his love of taking photos and for discovering what his mind was capable of while his body was healing.

A portion of every Men in Tubs calendar sold is donated to organizations that help support mental health. Jeremie's mission is to create a world of vulnerability and connection through artistic human experiences. And with our podcast centred around finding strength through vulnerability, it was a perfect match for a great convo!

Jeremie's Links:
Instagram
Website

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