Motivation Local

About Motivation Local

Join Medicine Hat podcast Corey Sadlemyer as he explores the concept that the places we live significantly shape our identities. This series highlights a variety of people from Medicine Hat and tries to get to the heart of how their community has shaped who they are today. These guests with their diverse backgrounds and connections to the Hat provide viewers with a range of insights.

Publisher

Corey Sadlemyer

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

5 Apr 2025

Latest episode

14 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

16 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 Jun 2026

   Motivation Local S2 Ep 08: Kyle Hodgman and Kaleb Motz

   Motivation Local S2 Ep08 Season FinaleKyle Hodgman and Kaleb Motz"Punk Rock, Branding, and a New Flag for Medicine Hat"EPISODE SUMMARYTo close out Season 2, Corey sits down with two of Medicine Hat’s most creatively restless minds for the liveliest conversation of the season. Kyle Hodgman is a solopreneur and founder of Middle Name Creative Agency; Kaleb Motz is COO of Imagine Everything. They met on the first day of the Art and Design program at Medicine Hat College, bonded over band shirts, and spent the next five years in a punk band called The Social Threat, touring in a van that kept breaking down, playing shows they had no business playing, and learning most of what they know about business, craft, and collaboration from the experience.That DIY ethos never really left. The conversation moves through how both of them landed in Medicine Hat and chose to stay, the skills the band quietly built that still show up in their work today, and what Kyle has been developing ever since he watched a Roman Mars TED Talk about municipal flag design and couldn’t stop thinking about it: a new flag for Medicine Hat. Not an official submission. Not a committee process. A slow, subversive release into the community - stickers, shirts, lawn flags - to see if it takes root on its own.Three horizontal bands (blue sky, green valley, orange coulees and brick) with two zigzagging lines creating a symbol of interconnection and shelter. The whole design philosophy is right there in the episode: simple on the surface, sophisticated underneath, and open enough for the community to inject its own meaning. By the time you’re hearing this, it’s already out there somewhere in the city. Whether it flies is up to Medicine Hat.

2. 

   7 Jun 2026

   Motivation Local S2 Ep07: Brian Konrad

   Motivation Local S2 Ep07Brian Konrad"Forty Years of Telling Medicine Hat's Stories"EPISODE SUMMARYIn this warm and wide-ranging conversation, Corey sits down with Brian Konrad — the voice that has been woven into Medicine Hat’s daily rhythm for more than forty years. From his earliest days doing play-by-play for tabletop hockey as a kid, to a career that spanned CHAT and CJCY and took him to some of the city’s most defining moments, Brian has been a narrator, a guide, and in many ways an informal historian of this place.When the local newsroom shuttered in June 2025, Brian joined Bring Back the Porch, a podcast built around the neighbourly conversations that front porches used to hold: unhurried, curious, and rooted in the people and stories that don’t always make the daily news. We talk about how a career in broadcasting shapes your relationship with a community, what it felt like to walk back into the old arena, why the lesson “just be yourself” landed so hard at age 21, and what a healthy local information ecosystem actually needs to survive.It’s a conversation between two people who both understand — from very different sides of the microphone — what it means to keep showing up for your hometown.

3. 

   31 May 2026

   Motivation Local S2 Ep06: Deborah Forbes

   In this rich and warm conversation, Corey sits down with Travis Boser: teacher, theater director, podcast host, and one of Medicine Hat’s most quietly influential creative community builders. Travis grew up in Sceptre, Saskatchewan, a small town where everyone knew your name and volunteering kept everything running. That small-town ethic, he says, is still the engine behind everything he does.Travis talks about finding his people at Medicine Hat Musical Theatre, where he arrived in 2017 for Sister Act and never really left. He traces the arc of MHMT, from its origins in the 1960s to its current four-shows-a-year season, and reflects on what makes the organization hum: shared vulnerability, a unified goal, and a completely volunteer-driven community that keeps growing. He also opens up about directing Mambo Italiano, a deeply personal production rooted in his own experience as a queer man, and about creating Canada Out of the Closet, a podcast built on the belief that hearing someone’s story makes it harder to fear them.Throughout, the conversation circles back to belonging - the difference between fitting in and being truly seen. Travis speaks with honesty and gratitude about the teachers and mentors who created safe spaces for him before he even knew he needed them, and about how that experience now shapes the way he shows up for his own students, his cast members, and his community.

4. 

   23 May 2026

   Motivation Local S2 Ep05: Travis Boser

   EPISODE SUMMARYIn this rich and warm conversation, Corey sits down with Travis Boser — teacher, theatre director, podcast host, and one of Medicine Hat’s most quietly influential creative community builders. Travis grew up in Sceptre, Saskatchewan, a small town where everyone knew your name and volunteering kept everything running. That small-town ethic, he says, is still the engine behind everything he does.Travis talks about finding his people at Medicine Hat Musical Theatre, where he arrived in 2017 for Sister Act and never really left. He traces the arc of MHMT, from its origins in the 1960s to its current four-shows-a-year season, and reflects on what makes the organization hum: shared vulnerability, a unified goal, and a completely volunteer-driven community that keeps growing. He also opens up about directing Mambo Italiano, a deeply personal production rooted in his own experience as a queer man, and about creating "Canada Out of the Closet", a podcast built on the belief that hearing someone’s story makes it harder to fear them.Throughout, the conversation circles back to belonging — the difference between fitting in and being truly seen. Travis speaks with honesty and gratitude about the teachers and mentors who created safe spaces for him before he even knew he needed them, and about how that experience now shapes the way he shows up for his own students, his cast members, and his community.

5. 

   16 May 2026

   Motivation Local S2 Ep04: Liz McNally

   EPISODE SUMMARYIn this warm and wide-ranging conversation, host Corey Sadlemyer sits down with Elizabeth “Liz” McNally — realtor, entrepreneur, and creative force behind Real Estate Collective in Medicine Hat. Like a lot of people who grew up here, Liz once imagined she’d leave. Instead, she stayed and built something that looks a lot like what she originally dreamed of: a business grounded in relationships, creativity, and community pride.They talk about how Liz found her way into real estate almost by accident, how her family’s decades-long investment in Medicine Hat’s older buildings quietly shaped her values, and how creativity became the through-line in everything from home staging to the Sunflower Festival she organized on Aberdeen Street more than twenty years ago. There’s a thread that runs through the whole conversation: that place becomes home not just when you arrive, but when you start contributing to it.Liz also introduces listeners to Agents Without Borders — a cross-border partnership with Desi, a realtor from Burley, Idaho — and explains how that collaboration led to bringing a real estate conference to Medicine Hat during the Balloon Festival. It’s a conversation about what it means to make your community feel like a destination, not just a place you happen to live.

6. 

   9 May 2026

   Motivation Local S2 Ep03: Colton Mckee

   Episode SummaryIn this episode of Motivation Local Season 2, host Corey Sadlemyer sits down with Colton McKee, a born-and-raised Medicine Hatter who has quietly become one of the city’s most recognizable visual storytellers. Since picking up his first camera in 2013 with inheritance money his mom told him not to spend all in one place, Colton has built a full-time creative career as a photographer, videographer, and drone pilot, documenting Medicine Hat in ways that consistently make locals stop and see their own city differently.What makes Colton’s episode particularly fitting for Season 2 is that his whole practice is about perspective: literally and figuratively. He talks about the shift from shooting constantly to shooting with intent, the tension between client work and personal projects, and what it feels like to fly a drone over the South Saskatchewan and see a city you’ve lived in your whole life suddenly reveal itself. The Covid pandemic video that hit 100,000 views and launched his video career. The crescent moon that rose perfectly through the centre of Finlay Bridge while he happened to be driving by. The back alleys and coulee edges and golden-hour gravel roads that most people never think to point a camera at.This is also a conversation about what it means to build a creative career in a smaller city, and why Colton has never seriously considered leaving. Medicine Hat, in his telling, isn’t a limitation, it’s a canvas with enough nooks and crannies and underrepresented stories to keep him busy for years.

7. 

   9 May 2026

   Motivation Local S2 Ep02: Brian Heidinger

   Motivation Local – Season 2Brian Heidinger“Maker, Teacher, and Builder of Community”Episode SummaryIn Episode 2 of Motivation Local Season 2, host Corey Sadlemyer sits down with Brian Heidinger - a born-and-raised Medicine Hatter, woodshop teacher at Dr. Roy Wilson Learning Centre, co-founder of the Red Rock Mountain Bike Club, and the maker behind the woodworking side business "August Dawn". Brian’s story is a familiar one in this community: he left for Edmonton and Calgary after high school, convinced the big city was where life happened, then found his way back fourteen years ago when family started to matter more than city lights.What makes Brian’s episode compelling is how naturally his different worlds connect. The same curiosity and willingness to say yes that led him from a marketing diploma to a teaching degree, and from a borrowed school woodshop to a fully equipped home studio, is the same spirit he brings to the mountain bike club he co-runs with Mike Fehr. Whether he’s watching a grade seven kid who learned to ride a two-wheeler the week before find their stride on the trails at Echo Dale, or helping a student build a to-scale cherry wood Jeep from scratch, Brian’s teaching philosophy is consistent: don’t say no to the idea. Figure it out together.This is also an episode about what place makes possible. The Red Rock Mountain Bike Club draws grades 7 to 12, boys and girls, art kids and athletic kids, all riding together on Wednesday nights — something Brian notes would be nearly impossible to organize in a bigger city. The trails at Gas City Campground, Echo Dale, Redcliff, and Elkwater aren’t just backdrops; they’re the point. Medicine Hat’s scale and its outdoor access are quietly central to everything Brian is building.

8. 

   9 May 2026

   Motivation Local S2 Ep01: Brenda Mercer

   Motivation Local – Season 2Brenda Mercer“Thriver, Creator, and Keeper of Stories”Episode SummaryIn this rich and deeply personal episode of Motivation Local Season 2, host Corey Sadlemyer sits down with Brenda Mercer — a proud Indigenous woman, 60s Scoop thriver, beadwork artist, community builder, and keeper of local stories. Brenda has called the Medicine Hat area home for close to 35 years, and her relationship to this land is anything but surface level. She belongs to the local archaeological society, leads guided storytelling tours at the Saamis tepee, sits on the Indigenous advisory committee with Medicine Hat Police, volunteers across a half-dozen community organizations, and this past spring, hand-built her very first tepee — a 31-year dream finally realized.What makes Brenda’s episode distinctive for Season 2 is the way her creativity and community work are inseparable. Beadwork, leatherwork, rattles, gifting earrings to strangers — for Brenda, making things is an act of cultural reclamation and human connection. She speaks candidly about the 60s Scoop and its long shadow, about the healing power of craft and community, and about her vision for Medicine Hat’s future: an interpretive center at the tepee site, indigenous street names woven into the city’s fabric, and a plot of land where people can come, stay, and immerse themselves in living culture.

9. 

   20 May 2025

   S1 Ep 08 Motivation Local

   In this engaging and reflective conversation, host Corey Sadlemyer sits down with Jace Anderson, Executive Director of Medicine Hat Tourism, to explore the deep connections between community, identity, and place. Jace shares his unique perspective as both a long-time resident and passionate promoter of Medicine Hat, discussing how the city's emerging cultural scene, outdoor lifestyle, and authentic local experiences shape how both residents and visitors experience it. They discuss themes such as pride of place, farm-to-fork food culture, the role of authentic storytelling in tourism, and the importance of allowing communities to shape their own narratives. Jace also touches on partnerships with Indigenous communities and the idea of leading from behind to foster trust and genuine connection. The episode weaves together personal stories, reflections on Medicine Hat's growth, and forward-looking insights on how communities can embrace their uniqueness while inviting others to share in it. Detailed Timestamps 00:00 - 02:19 — Opening and Introduction Introduction of guest Jace Anderson and his role in promoting Medicine Hat through tourism. 02:20 - 06:50 — Understanding Medicine Hat’s Identity Through Tourism - Jace reflects on his 11+ years leading Medicine Hat Tourism. Discussion of research and brand pillars: "Emerging Culture and Creativity" and how others perceive the city. 06:51 - 10:10 — Locals vs. Visitor Perspective - The value of stepping away and returning with fresh eyes. Visitors remind residents of the beauty and uniqueness they often take for granted. 10:11 - 13:18 — Jace’s Journey to Medicine Hat (Vancouver Island roots) - How he came to Medicine Hat after high school and fell in love with the openness and sunshine. Contrasts between coastal rain and prairie blue skies. 13:19 - 20:00 — Hub and Spoke: Exploring Beyond the City - Medicine Hat as a base for exploring SE Alberta. Local experiences (trails, Cypress Hills, Red Rock Coulee) that attract visitors naturally. 20:01 - 26:25 — Building for Locals First, Visitors Second - Authenticity matters: most attractions originated for locals (Jazz Fest, trails, golf, etc.). As locals engage, visitors begin to seek the same experiences. 26:26 - 32:05 — The Power of Farm-to-Fork and Local Food - Farm to Fork initiative: celebrating SE Alberta food producers. Launching and expanding the "Savour Alberta South" campaign to connect regional communities. 32:06 - 37:01 — The Role of Storytelling in Destination Building - Moving beyond traditional marketing into narrative building. Using stories and human emotion to connect with audiences rather than pure promotion. 37:02 - 42:16 — Indigenous Connections and Leading from Behind - Partnership with Indigenous Tourism Alberta and supporting elders/community-driven projects. Jace's philosophy on offering value first and creating authentic partnerships. 42:17 - 50:08 — Experimentation, False Starts and Authentic Growth - Importance of trial and error (Dinner in the Kiln as an example). Medicine Hat’s openness to new ideas and the value of learning through doing. 50:09 - 56:57 — Downtown Challenges and Opportunities - Jace shares his dream of seeing a vibrant downtown hotel and pedestrian-friendly spaces. Discussing events like Midnight Madness and everyday opportunities for community connection. 56:58 - 01:03:08 — Highway 3 Ale Trail and Regional Collaboration - Expanding promotional efforts across Highway 3. Regional marketing as a way to elevate Medicine Hat and SE Alberta collectively. 01:03:09 - 01:04:34 — Final Thoughts and Reflections - Jace on the importance of having local stories, visitors sharing the experiences, and balancing authenticity with tourism growth. Corey and Jace wrap up with gratitude for the insightful conversation.

10. 

    13 May 2025

    S1 Ep 07 Motivation Local

    In this deeply personal and insightful episode, host Corey Sadlemyer sits down with Luke to explore how his sense of identity has been shaped by place, people, and pivotal moments. Luke reflects on growing up in Medicine Hat, leaving for opportunities elsewhere, and eventually returning with fresh perspective. The conversation touches on the complexities of hometown nostalgia, the push-pull dynamic between staying and leaving, and the profound role that mentors, educators, and the wider community play in shaping one’s sense of self. Luke shares vulnerable moments about navigating adulthood, rekindling connections, and how finding belonging isn’t always about geography, but about the relationships and memories that anchor us. This episode offers listeners a heartfelt lens into what it means to come home, redefine success, and find your footing as both the same and a new person. 00:00:00:18 – 00:03:58:16 — Introduction: Framing Place and Identity. 00:03:58:16 – 00:09:36:09 — Luke’s Early Career and The Decision to Leave Luke reflects on his early work experiences and why he felt a need to move away. He discusses leaving Medicine Hat for new opportunities and how career aspirations pushed him outward. 00:09:36:11 – 00:10:47:01 — The Tension of Leaving and Growing Luke shares how difficult it can be to leave behind comfort and familiarity. He talks about the uncertainty and growth that happens when you step away from home. 00:10:47:04 – 00:13:54:09 — Missing Connection and the Pull of Home Luke explains how leaving made him appreciate his hometown more. He discusses feelings of disconnection in larger cities and how that sparked a deeper connection to Medicine Hat. 00:13:54:11 – 00:15:09:02 — Exploring Belonging and Identity The conversation shifts to how identity changes when you move. Luke reflects on balancing new experiences with hometown roots. 00:15:09:04 – 00:22:18:13 — Coming Back: Transition and Rebuilding Community Luke describes his return to Medicine Hat. It wasn’t seamless — reconnecting with the community and re-establishing old relationships took time and patience. 00:22:18:14 – 00:30:38:17 — Rediscovering Familiar Places Through New Eyes Luke shares how coming back made him see the city differently. He discusses how perspectives shift as you grow and mature and how he has found deeper appreciation for community life. 00:30:38:18 – 00:38:14:20 — Deep Connections: Mentors, Coaches and Community Builders Luke reflects on the lasting impact of mentors, teachers, and coaches who shaped him growing up. He credits them for instilling values and influencing his return. 00:38:14:21 – 00:45:26:14 — Reconciling Personal Growth with Familiar Surroundings As an adult, Luke describes the challenges of re-entering the same community while having grown in different ways. He explores how he adapted and built new relationships. 00:45:26:15 – 00:54:07:03 — Changing Definitions of Success and Contentment Luke discusses how his definition of success has evolved. He emphasizes quality of life, relationships, and connection over ambition and material goals. 00:54:07:05 – 01:02:50:02 — Advice to Young People: Embrace Both Leaving and Returning Offering words of wisdom, Luke encourages younger listeners to experience life elsewhere, but also to value the option of coming home. Both pathways have lessons to offer. 01:02:50:03 – 01:11:43:06 — Building a Future in Medicine Hat: Staying by Choice, Not Default Luke talks about making a conscious decision to stay in Medicine Hat this time around. He explores how staying doesn’t have to mean settling and how home can still push you forward. 01:11:43:07 – 01:20:00:00 — Closing Reflections

11. 

    6 May 2025

    S1 Ep 06 Motivation Local

    In this deep and insightful conversation, Sharon Allan reflects on her decades-long journey in Medicine Hat as a teacher, instructor, and researcher. Sharon and Corey explore how place shapes professional and personal identity, focusing on transitional or "borderland" spaces in life — from students becoming teachers to newcomers adapting to communities. Sharon draws from her research on the construction of professional identity, particularly in new teachers, and expands the metaphor to community life in Medicine Hat. Together, they reflect on the importance of reflection, connection, and generosity as key elements of identity formation, whether in professional roles or civic life. They also touch on evolving cultural dynamics, the role of values in shaping identity, and the need to create inclusive "tents" big enough to welcome all community members. Sharon leaves listeners with thoughtful perspectives on how rootedness, reciprocity, and ongoing dialogue are essential for thriving both individually and collectively. Timestamps 00:00:00 — Introduction00:02:00 — Sharon’s background as a long-time Medicine Hat resident, teacher, and PhD researcher into professional identity. 00:03:30 — Sharon discusses moving from K-12 teaching to post-secondary and beginning her research on identity. 00:06:00 — Observing students navigating professionalism and questioning how identity forms in teaching. 00:08:30 — Sharon introduces the metaphor of "borderlands" inspired by geography to describe transitional spaces in teacher identity formation. 00:13:30 — Reflecting on how students navigate these in-between spaces in internships and teacher education. 00:19:00 — Sharon shares the challenges faced by student teachers and the importance of reflection and guidance during transitions. 00:22:00 — Applying the borderlands concept to parenting, retirement, and other personal life transitions. 00:25:20 — The role of involvement and contribution in professional and community settings to solidify identity. 00:27:00 — Mentoring programs and welcoming environments as critical supports for new teachers and residents. 00:29:00 — Exploring how communities, especially newcomers, navigate cultural integration and identity formation. 00:31:00 — Sharon shares thoughts on culture not as a static box but as dynamic and reciprocal. 00:33:00 — Reflecting on the relationship between community values and how identity is formed and expressed. 00:35:00 — Recalling past collaborative initiatives in education and the importance of diverse perspectives in shaping shared values. 00:38:00 — Sharon identifies the ongoing challenge of creating spaces for meaningful, cross-cultural conversations. 00:41:00 — Sharon reflects on research by Coopersmith and Brokenleg, discussing the role of giving and virtue in self-esteem and identity. 00:43:00 — Corey introduces Adler’s philosophy about relationships and virtue as foundational for esteem and community. 00:46:00 — Sharon brings in Vygotsky’s idea of social learning through peers and applies it to community identity. 00:48:00 — Sharon encourages seeing Medicine Hat through an appreciative lens rather than focusing on what’s missing. 00:51:00 — Sharon and Corey reflect on Medicine Hat’s unique size, diversity, and summertime beauty. 00:54:00 — How individuals and communities can work together to plant roots and make new members feel welcome. 00:56:00 — Sharon shares her plans for travel, staying engaged in work, and continuing to contribute. 00:57:00 — Corey credits Sharon’s influence on his own learning journey and podcasting approach, tying back to early teaching experiences. 00:59:00 — Sharon offers a closing reflection on how identity is forged through community, generosity, and shared experience.

12. 

    29 Apr 2025

    S1 Ep 05 Motivation Local

    In this episode of Motivation Local, host Corey sits down with Dianne Wilkins, a born-and-raised Hatter whose journey has taken her from Medicine Hat to Mobile, Stockholm, Manhattan, Palm Springs, Calgary, and beyond. A former CEO of global digital agency Critical Mass and a Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellow, Di shares her reflections on place, leadership, identity, and resilience. From her early ambitions to "get out" of Medicine Hat, to her eventual pride in her roots while thriving on global stages, she offers a rich and thoughtful conversation. She also explores how community confidence, grit, and personal connection — formed at places like Connaught Golf Club and Swirls — fuelled her leadership path. Throughout, she speaks candidly about transition, the challenges of post-career life, and the power of mentorship, particularly for women in leadership.Timestamps:00:00 – 01:26 Corey introduces the season's theme01:26 – 02:09 Land acknowledgment and context-setting 02:09 – 02:54 Introduction of guest Dianne Wilkins: global CEO, Harvard Fellow, and Medicine Hat native.02:54 – 04:14 Starting with Dianne’s recent transitions: stepping down as CEO, moving into consulting, investing, and chair work.04:14 – 05:06 Explaining the Nama Fund: investing in female-led companies and proving the value of female leadership.05:06 – 06:13 Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowship experience — a life-changing return to education.06:13 – 07:01 Staying connected to Harvard through board work and ongoing leadership contributions.07:01 – 08:10 Dianne’s thoughts on redefining retirement as “post-achievement” — choosing passion over proving value.08:10 – 09:13 The shift from a team environment to solo projects and the impact on motivation.09:13 – 10:37 Reflections on identity: moving from constant collaboration to self-driven work and solitude.10:37 – 12:00 Exploring how living in diverse places like Alabama, Stockholm, Manhattan, and Palm Springs shaped Dianne’s identity.12:00 – 13:25 Medicine Hat’s impact: ambition, drive, and a desire for more, forged from small-town roots.13:25 – 16:14 Contrast between Medicine Hat upbringing and thriving in New York City's corporate world.16:14 – 17:53 Dianne’s knack for building lifelong friend groups at every stage — from high school to Harvard.17:53 – 19:00 Early examples of leadership tendencies — from neighbourhood lemonade stands to professional leadership.19:00 – 22:10 The importance of decision-making as a core leadership skill, developed over time through career experiences.22:10 – 24:01 First memories of Medicine Hat — the Stampede Parade and cowboy culture.24:01 – 25:25 Nostalgia for local landmarks: Riverside Waterslide, Swirls, and golf culture at Connaught.25:25 – 27:02 Recreating the joy of teenage summers — evening golf games and community connections.27:02 – 28:06 Exchange trip memories — a pivotal experience spending time in Quebec during high school.28:06 – 30:00 Confidence built through a tight-knit community and early leadership experiences in Medicine Hat.30:00 – 31:03 How hometown experiences shaped Dianne’s leadership and commitment to mentoring women.31:03 – 33:08 The importance of building networks, mentorship, and supporting female leadership through Norma Fund and other initiatives.33:08 – 36:20 Personal board of directors concept — the power of having diverse, trusted voices in life and leadership.36:20 – 39:04 Female leaders Dianne admires — spotlight on Lisa Su, CEO of AMD, and her remarkable leadership story.39:04 – 41:13 Stories about Dianne’s childhood home — including a freezing bedroom that might have forged resilience!41:13 – 44:07 Advice for communities like Medicine Hat: building identity through core values and clear vision, not structures.44:07 – 47:02 Potential future guests for the podcast: Trevor Linden and Jim Horsman.47:02 – 48:01 Closing remarks, gratitude, and a reflection on new things learned during the conversation.

13. 

    22 Apr 2025

    S1 Ep 04 Motivation Local

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14. 

    15 Apr 2025

    S1 Ep 03 Motivation Local

    In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Corey sits down with Ryan Oscar, a passionate advocate for recovery and resilience, and a founding member of Our Collective Journey. Ryan opens up about his path to Medicine Hat, shaped by adversity, addiction, a transformative cross-country bike ride, and ultimately—purpose. He discusses his experience in the oil patch, recovery, launching Our Collective Journey, and building community-based supports that meet people where they are.Ryan reflects on Medicine Hat as more than a place—it’s where he found acceptance, meaning, and love. From hot air balloons to recovery coaching in schools, Ryan is helping reframe conversations about mental health, addiction, and community resilience. This episode is a testament to the power of honesty, storytelling, and place-based identity.00:00 – 00:01:10 Intro to the podcast and season theme Importance of lived experience and community narrative 00:01:10 – 00:01:47 Podcast is separate from Corey’s role in education but intersects with the community00:01:47 – 00:02:14 Guest Introduction: Ryan Oscar Recovery coach and director with Our Collective Journey Host of *From Darkness to Life* podcast00:02:14 – 00:02:56 Double-duty podcaster: Ryan records his podcast before guesting on this one Excitement about sharing both his personal journey and community insights00:02:56 – 00:04:05 Arrival in Medicine Hat (2015) Originally from Swift Current, SK 00:04:05 – 00:06:21 Cross-Canada bike ride (Summer 2015) Joined ride to raise awareness for *recovery* (not addiction) 00:06:21 – 00:08:23 Return to Medicine Hat College Enrolled in Addictions Counselling during bike trip from a tent in New Brunswick 00:08:23 – 00:09:31 Early memories of Medicine Hat A city once associated with drinking now becomes a space for transformation00:09:31 – 00:11:03 Practicums and corrections work in Regina Work in a corrections-based substance treatment unit 00:11:03 – 00:13:00Founding Our Collective Journey (OCJ) Launched in response to local suicides in 2020 00:13:00 – 00:14:18 Community Response Support came from individuals, families, and spouses 00:14:18 – 00:16:34 “When you’re ready to tell the truth…” The power of honesty in recovery 00:16:34 – 00:19:00 Recovery Coaching → Resilience Coaching Working in schools not due to addiction crisis, but emotional disconnection 00:19:00 – 00:20:26Brain Story + Parenting Dramatic impact on parenting approach with his toddler 00:20:26 – 00:23:12 Hockey, Masculinity & Identity Toxic masculinity in hockey culture: pain, pressure, and silence Alcohol as a fast-pass to social acceptance 00:23:12 – 00:26:11 Finding Purpose in Medicine Hat Support groups became lifelines 00:26:11 – 00:28:12 How Medicine Hat Shaped His Identity Welcomed at every turn—from school to job interviews 00:28:12 – 00:29:46Collaboration in Medicine Hat Agencies in MH are collaborative, unlike turf-guarding seen in larger cities 00:29:46 – 00:33:20 Rise Up Balloon Festival Born out of COVID and mental health needs 00:33:20 – 00:37:01 Festival as a Mental Health Platform Using the balloon as a metaphor: “How do we rise together?”00:37:01 – 00:40:00 The Vulnerability of Sharing Importance of readiness before telling your story 00:40:00 – 00:42:29 What’s Next for Medicine Hat? Moving from crisis response to *resilience building* 00:42:29 – 00:45:56 The Resilience Scale Explained Visual model: Red Boxes (adversity) vs Green Boxes (support) 00:45:56 – 00:47:04What’s Next for Ryan? **00:47:04 – 00:48:07** 📢 Where to Find Ryan + OCJ - Website: [ourcollectivejourney.ca](https://www.ourcollectivejourney.ca) - Podcast: *From Darkness to Life* - Social media: Facebook, Instagram00:48:07 – 00:49:01 Who best represents Medicine Hat? Ryan’s nomination: Willie Tallon 00:49:01 – 00:49:41 Credits & Closing

15. 

    9 Apr 2025

    S1 Ep2 Motivation Local

    In this heartfelt and powerful episode, Chasity Cairns shares her personal and professional journey — from growing up Métis and Ojibwe in Manitoba to helping shape Indigenous cultural and community support in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Through candid reflections, Chasity discusses family legacy, identity, reconciliation, and the importance of creating safe, culturally-grounded spaces. As she prepares to leave Medicine Hat for a provincial leadership role, she offers an inspiring call to continue the work of truth, healing, and change.Timestamps00:00 – 01:10 IntroductionCorey introduces the podcast and its focus on community and identity, with a special focus on Medicine Hat. 01:11 – 02:24 Chasity is welcomed. Discussion on how Corey and Chasity’s paths have crossed through community initiatives.02:25 – 04:06 Chasity’s RootsChasity describes her upbringing in Manitoba, her Métis and Ojibwe heritage, and how those dual identities influenced her work.04:07 – 07:46 A Baseball Legacy & CBC DocumentaryChasity recounts her family’s baseball team, their success across North America, and a CBC documentary that followed them one summer.07:47 – 09:48 Big Families, First Cousins, and Intergenerational ShiftsChasity reflects on growing up with a huge extended family 09:49 – 11:07 First Impressions of Medicine HatMoving to Medicine Hat and wondering, “Where are all the Indigenous people?” 11:08 – 12:33 A Hidden Métis PopulationChasity discusses the invisibility of many Indigenous people in the city and the historical absence of nearby reserves.12:34 – 14:14 Changing Identities & Systems of SupportHow reconciliation efforts have empowered more people to identify as Indigenous 14:15 – 18:13 Community Disparities and the Drive to Make ChangeA deeply personal reflection on why she left her community for Medicine Hat.18:14 – 21:28 From Children’s Services to Social WorkChasity details her path through education and what led her to advocate for culturally-rooted social programs.21:29 – 24:22 Building Programs from the Ground UpCreating parenting and children’s programming at Miywasin Friendship Centre.24:23 – 27:27 Loss, Covid, and the Emotional Toll of Frontline WorkChasity shares the heartbreak of losing clients to addiction and violence during the pandemic27:28 – 31:18 Building Indigenous Spaces at the CollegeFrom crafting circles to convocation ceremonies.31:19 – 35:00 “Where Are You From?” – The Importance of Home CultureChasity longs for the vibrant cultural life of her upbringing, like jigging and kitchen parties35:01 – 38:29 Residential Schools, Cultural Recovery, and HealingExploring generational trauma and how reconnecting with ceremony has helped her family and community heal.38:30 – 42:07 The Truth Before ReconciliationWhy understanding and “sitting in the truth” is essential before progress can be made.42:08 – 46:02 Chasity shares why learning protocol and connecting with specific Nations matters more than broad labels.46:03 – 50:06 From parenting to addiction recovery, culturally-based programs are essential tools of healing and empowerment.50:07 – 53:19 Chasity explains her next steps.53:20 – 57:36Why Indigenous representation at decision-making tables is crucial57:37 – 01:03:57Chasity calls on the community to continue reconciliation, decolonization, and to create spaces where Indigenous culture thrives.01:03:58 – 01:05:06 Cultural Teachings Are Lifelong LearningShe reflects on how much there is to learn01:05:07 – 01:09:07 Chasity suggests connecting with a variety of Indigenous voices in the community01:09:08 – 01:11:20Chasity reflects on her time in Medicine Hat, her impact, and her gratitude for the community01:11:21 – 01:14:02 Closing RemarksLinks:https://www.mhc.ab.ca/campus-services/diversity-and-inclusion/indigenous-engagementhttp://miywasincentre.net/https://www.metishousing.ca/mtis-housing-home-page/https://motivationlocal.com/

16. 

    5 Apr 2025

    S1 Ep 01 Motivation Local

    In this episode, Medicine Hat podcaster Corey Sadlemyer welcomes Trevor Moore to the show. Trevor shares his experiences as a golf professional, a magician and as an entertainer. Together they explore his more recent work as a personal coach and key note speaker importantly how he works through mental health challenges to lead a life of purpose. Trevor's background and involvement in Medicine Hat allow him to provide unique insights into how the community has impacted him.00:00 – 00:01:10 | IntroCorey introduces Motivation Local—a podcast exploring the intersection of place and identity, with a specific focus on Medicine Hat.00:01:11 – 00:02:09 | Introducing Trevor MooreTrevor Moore is described as a beloved “Hatter” known for his work as a golf coach, entertainer, magician, emcee, and more recently, a mindset coach and speaker.00:02:10 – 00:04:00 | Shared History at the Golf CourseCorey and Trevor reflect on their shared past at the local golf course and the people and moments that shaped their youth.00:04:00 – 00:06:00 | How Trevor’s Family Came to Medicine HatTrevor recounts the unique story of how his family ended up in Medicine Hat “by accident—but kind of by design” due to mortgage chaos in the 1980s.00:06:01 – 00:08:00 | Vernon Memories & Culture ShockThough he left Vernon, BC, in kindergarten, Trevor shares how the mountains, trees, and “peanut pool” left a lasting imprint. The prairie landscape of Brooks and Medicine Hat was a stark contrast.00:08:01 – 00:10:00 | Bear Phobias, Golfing in the Mountains & A Flag-Eating BearFrom childhood bear phobias to hilarious stories of mistaken bear encounters on golf courses, including one unforgettable moment in Waterton.00:10:01 – 00:12:08 | Early Memories of Medicine HatTrevor recalls summers at Crestwood Pool, tobogganing at Kin Coulee, and how Medicine Hat came to feel like home through the everyday magic of childhood.00:12:09 – 00:15:00 | Leaving Medicine Hat? Not Really.Trevor reflects on how, unlike many, he never truly felt the urge to leave Medicine Hat and why he thinks many eventually come back.00:15:01 – 00:18:30 | A Winding Career Path: Golf Pro to Magician to Mindset CoachTrevor walks through his journey—from PGA golf professional to comedy magician to his current career as a keynote speaker and personal development coach.00:18:31 – 00:21:05 | The Entrepreneurial SparkWhere did his entrepreneurial drive come from? Trevor credits his wife’s perspective and encouragement to “do it differently.”00:21:06 – 00:24:50 | Coaching & Communication as Core SkillsHow Trevor discovered his true talents were less about golf and more about communication, connection, and helping people build confidence.00:24:51 – 00:29:00 | Mental Health & VulnerabilityTrevor opens up about living with OCD, anxiety, depression, chronic pain—and later, a late-in-life autism diagnosis. He shares how these experiences fuel his work today.00:29:01 – 00:36:00 | Mental Health in Community ContextsTrevor and Corey reflect on Medicine Hat’s mental health challenges, COVID’s impact, and the need to normalize care just like we do for physical health.00:36:01 – 00:43:00 | Keys to Resilience & Mental ClarityWhy clarity, perspective, and “realism” (not just optimism) matter in moments of mental strain. Trevor shares stories and analogies to help listeners reframe struggle.00:43:01 – 00:48:00 | What Advice Would You Give to Medicine Hat?Trevor challenges listeners to stop calling it “The Forgotten Corner” and instead embrace it as “The Hidden Corner.” Celebrate what the city has—volunteers, rec life, arts, and above all, people.00:48:01 – 00:51:00 | What’s Next for Trevor?Trevor looks to expand his coaching and speaking work and dreams of writing a book to help more people navigate mental health with honesty and humour.00:51:01 – 00:54:00 | Outro & RecommendationsTrevor recommends a future guest who can talk about the literal and figurative building blocks of Medicine Hat.

Podcast Authority Score: 24 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

49

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0