Episodes

  • 09. "The Power of the Pause" Yoga, Breathwork, and Burnout with Aprille Walker

    09. "The Power of the Pause" Yoga, Breathwork, and Burnout with Aprille Walker
    Feb 1 2024

    Aprille Walker (aka The Yoga Ranger) is a yoga instructor from Texas who has over 17 years and 2000 hours of training AND teaching experience including Yin, Restorative, Hatha, Vinyasa, Tantric and mindfulness meditation, pranayama and more. 

    She shares her wisdom about yoga, breathwork, and the relationship with the body and nervous system. We dive deep into the practice of Yin Yoga; what it is, how it’s different than other types of yoga and why it’s so powerful.

    We also talk about the topic of burnout, why it’s so common and what we are some things we can do about it. 

    Aprille runs a very successful youtube channel known as the ‘Yoga Ranger Studio’ with over 400 videos where she shares the spotlight with her now famous cat Lucy. Be sure to check out the links to all of her free videos as well as a ton of great information on her website.

    Aprille’s Links

    https://www.theyogaranger.com/

    https://theyogaranger.vhx.tv/ (membership site reopening in 2024 registration)

    https://theyogaranger.vhx.tv/products/pranayama-for-life-online-breath-cours (breath course)

    https://theyogaranger.vhx.tv/products/home-meditation-practice-12-week-online-course (meditation course)

    https://www.youtube.com/c/TheYogaRangerStudio (YouTube channel)

    https://www.instagram.com/theyogaranger/

    Mentioned in the Podcast:

    Fascia Demonstration and Talk

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v54l3wDTJHg

     
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    2 hrs
  • 08. “Creative Writing, Traveling, and Paying Attention” with Roger Clark

    08. “Creative Writing, Traveling, and Paying Attention” with Roger Clark
    Jan 14 2024

    Roger is an author and educator, with 35 years of teaching experience. We have an enriching conversation discussing the creative process for his book ‘The Summer of the Ennead, as well as his experiences as a taxi driver, a teacher, traveling to china, and how taking on the role of the observer has greatly impacted his life.

    Brief Description of Roger's book 'The Summer of the Ennead': 

    “It is the summer of 1985, and nine cousins are spending their break helping to run their grandparent’s campground. Their arrival sparks a special feeling among their grandparents and their grandmother’s nephew, Ethan. They believe the number nine is powerful—an ennead—and that something magical will happen because of it's existence...” 

    The book blends “elements of ancient philosophy, spirituality, and the natural environment [and is] about what might happen in a world where all life is valued, where caring for Mother Earth outweighs giving in to greed and selfishness, and where working together makes us stronger than working apart. Ultimately, it is a story of love, kindness, and hope.”

    Rogers Website:

    https://www.raclark.ca/

    You can buy Rogers book here: https://www.amazon.ca/Summer-Ennead-Tale-Awakening/dp/1039170803/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

    The Sparks Podcast Links:

    https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550515424223

    https://www.instagram.com/thesparkspodcast/

    https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-sparks-podcast/id1706302160

     https://www.youtube.com/@TheSparksPodcast/featured

     
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    1 hr and 40 mins
  • 07. "Strength Training, Mindfulness, Music and Philosophy" with Neil Baird

    07. "Strength Training, Mindfulness, Music and Philosophy" with Neil Baird
    Dec 7 2023

    Neil is a strength coach at Metanoia Barbell and we have an inspiring conversation about how weightlifting and strength training can be transformational for both the mind and the body. Neil is also a jazz musician and we weave through our conversation around the relationship between music, strength training, mindfulness, coaching as well as philosophy.

     

    Referenced in the Podcast:

    John Vervaeke - 'After Socrates'

    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLND1JCRq8Vuj6q5NP_fXjBzUT1p_qYSCC&si=b33PQtbrbQEyvig9

    John Vervaeke - Awakening from the Meaning Crisis

    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLND1JCRq8Vuh3f0P5qjrSdb5eC1ZfZwWJ&si=VeicV3AP81yAr45M

     
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    1 hr and 39 mins
  • 06. Living a Musical Life with Singer Songwriter Laura Gagnon

    06. Living a Musical Life with Singer Songwriter Laura Gagnon
    Nov 14 2023

    Laura shares her passion for music that started out at a really young age that ended up leading to some great moments including touring with a band called ‘The McCartney Years’. We talk about road stories, and the inspiration behind a number of her songs including her latest single ‘Ready for the World’.

     

    Ready For the World - https://youtu.be/AsLdx4E9oTU

     

    LAURA GAGNON Links

    Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Lauragagnonmusic

    Youtube - https://youtube.com/@lauragagnon?si=25WtO4t2Ow2Oov4I

    Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Kk1R6t3k8iIp2GX8gcK4R?si=BjegTpfkTdaAw3UmHsnRPA

     

    THE SPARKS PODCAST Links

    https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550515424223 

    https://www.youtube.com/@TheSparksPodcast/featured

    https://www.instagram.com/thesparkspodcast/

    https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-sparks-podcast/id1706302160
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • 05. 'Planting Seeds for the Future' with Master Gardener Cathy Kavassalis

    05. 'Planting Seeds for the Future' with Master Gardener Cathy Kavassalis
    Nov 1 2023
    Cathy Kavassalis is a passionate gardener, conservationist and the founder of the Canadian Coalition for Invasive Plant Regulation. A former chemist and teacher, she did her doctoral work at M.I.T. and later received a master's in environmental education from the University of Toronto. She has taught and worked with not-for-profit organizations promoting biodiversity. Now she volunteers as an educator and inspirational speaker. She is an active member of the Halton Region group of Master Gardeners of Ontario (MGOI) and helps moderate the MGOI Facebook Group. She was a former President of Oakville Horticultural Society and member of the Board of Directors for the Royal Botanical Gardens. Catherine loves to garden and believes that caring for plants is critical for our well being and that of our planet. Catherine enjoys learning and sharing knowledge and by doing so endeavors to stimulate interest and awe in the living world.  Master Resource Document  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UVFV... Other talks by Cathy: Invasive Garden Plants    • Invasive Garden Plants, Part 1: Cathy...   Why Native Plants Matter    • Why Native Plants Matter   Key lessons • Shrink your lawn. • Reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizers. • Limit your use of exterior lighting (turn them off when you are not there to enjoy them). • Add native plants to your garden. (Aim for 70% native plants) • Focus on keystone plants. • Plant native trees – these make the most difference because of their size. • Reject invasive plants. • Join the Canadian Coalition for Invasive Plant Regulation and stop the sale of invasive plants. Visit https://ccipr.ca/ to learn more.   The Sparks Podcast https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550515424223  https://www.youtube.com/@TheSparksPodcast/featured  https://www.instagram.com/thesparkspodcast/ https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-sparks-podcast/id1706302160  
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    1 hr and 27 mins
  • 04. "Building a Culture of Empathy" with Edwin Rutsch

    04. "Building a Culture of Empathy" with Edwin Rutsch
    Oct 17 2023

    Today's guest is Edwin Rutsch, who is the founder and director for the Building a Culture of Empathy movement and is based out of Santa Barbara, California. We have a great conversation focusing around a practice that he calls the ‘Empathy Circle”. It’s a really simple, easy, and effective way to develop the skills of active listening and empathy as well as a long list of other benefits.

    Part way through our talk we actually model this process so you can get an idea of how it works. If you’re intrigued and would like to participate or get involved, check out some of the links below and also please reach out and send me a message and we’ll discuss how you can do that. Thank you for watching and listening and I hope you enjoy todays episode!

     

    Building the Culture of Empathy links:

    https://cultureofempathy.com/

     https://www.empathycircle.com/

     Https://www.empathytent.com/

    https://www.bestempathytraining.com/

     
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    1 hr and 42 mins
  • 03. "Grief and Growth" with Kathryn Ivison

    03. "Grief and Growth" with Kathryn Ivison
    Oct 2 2023

    **Trigger Warning - Death and Grief

    In this very special episode, Kathryn Ivison shares the dangers of distracted driving and the story of how her son Josh passed in a car accident. 

    We discuss the grieving process, finding joy after grief, meditation, spirituality, finding your voice and share some really wonderful memories. 

    In memory of Josh Fields. 

     

    The Sparks Podcast

    https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550515424223

    https://www.youtube.com/@TheSparksPodcast/featured

    https://www.instagram.com/thesparkspodcast/

    https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-sparks-podcast/id1706302160

     

     

     

     
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    1 hr and 21 mins
  • 02. "Writing from the Heart" with Justine Chantale

    02. "Writing from the Heart" with Justine Chantale
    Sep 19 2023

    Justine Chantale is a singer and songwriter from Tillsonburg Ontario. We discuss her first memories of music, entering the music scene, the songwriting process and balancing the roles of being a mother, a wife, an artist, a nurse...and a horse trainer!

    She talks about writing from the heart, and shares the inspiration and story behind her new single “Highway 59”.

     

    Justine Chantale

    https://www.justinechantale.com/

    https://www.facebook.com/justinechantale

    https://www.youtube.com/@justinechantale7181

    https://www.instagram.com/justinechantalemusic/

    https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ZIkswF64ZeBqtuq1pi9Cf?si=rM1TP3BxQH2qot7uN6ZALA

     

    The Sparks Podcast

    https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550515424223

    https://www.instagram.com/thesparkspodcast/

    https://open.spotify.com/show/41vfULNixRC7ShWlihJMzp?si=d89a3aa318444c1a

    https://www.youtube.com/@TheSparksPodcast

    https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-sparks-podcast/id1706302160
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    59 mins