Team Ten Eight

Summary Marissa Rose, a paramedic with a background in advanced care paramedicine, shares her journey of navigating the challenges and traumas of her profession. She discusses how her childhood experiences and the need for help shaped her desire to become a paramedic. Marissa highlights the demanding nature of the job, the accumulation of trauma over time, and the impact it has on mental health. She talks about the feelings of betrayal, anger, and depression that she experienced, as well as the physical and emotional toll of working during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the difficulties, Marissa continues to do the job because of her passion for helping others. Marissa Rose shares her journey of struggling with mental health and finding healing through equine therapy. She opens up about her darkest moments and the decision she made to end her life. However, her encounter with horses, particularly a horse named Caesar, brought her a sense of relief and connection that she had never experienced before. Equine therapy became a transformative experience for her, leading her to advocate for its benefits and pursue research in the field. Marissa emphasizes the importance of understanding the physiological changes that occur in the brain during therapy and the need for more comprehensive studies in this area. Marissa Rose shares her journey of resilience and healing after experiencing trauma as a paramedic. She emphasizes the importance of self-care and finding balance in life, as well as the need for better support and mental health resources for frontline workers. Marissa discusses the impact of trauma on the brain and the potential for healing through holistic methods such as equine therapy, yoga, and art therapy. She also highlights the significance of debriefing and the reconsolidation of memories in managing PTSD. Marissa's mission is to empower and support her peers in the first responder community. Chapters 00:00Introduction and Background 07:55Challenges and Trauma in the Job 26:34The Physical and Emotional Toll of the Job 38:02The Transformative Power of Equine Therapy 44:41The Need for Research on Equine Therapy 55:32Overcoming Challenges and Finding Hope 01:02:30The Significance of Saving Lives 01:10:24Understanding the Impact of Trauma 01:18:48Training to Do vs. Being Marissa's The Inner Response website is available here: https://innerresponse.com.au/ Shawn Pinto - Mortgage Broker Mortgage consulting services for those who serve. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for listening! For more Team Ten Eight content, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn!

Summary Dr. Scott MacDonald, a physician at the Providence Crosstown Clinic in Vancouver, discusses the drug crisis in British Columbia and the need for safe supply harm reduction strategies. He emphasizes the limitations of current treatments and the importance of diversifying options for people with opioid use disorder. Dr. MacDonald advocates for the use of prescription heroin and explores the potential of prescription fentanyl. He highlights the need to move beyond the abstinence-only approach and prioritize patient-centered care. Dr. MacDonald also addresses the role of law enforcement and the importance of resources for individuals seeking help with substance use disorder. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:42 Criticism of Drug Decriminalization 03:07 Insufficient Treatment Options 05:00 Lack of Access to Treatment 06:06 Attracting More Patients to Treatment 07:26 Prescription Heroin as an Option 08:12 Challenges of Prescribing Heroin 09:36 Exploring Prescription Fentanyl 11:07 Success Stories and Case Studies 20:11 Factors Driving Fentanyl Use 23:39 Moving Beyond Abstinence-Only Approach 25:24 Following the Evidence 27:39 The Need for Diversified Treatment Options 29:24 The Role of Law Enforcement 33:07 Addressing Drug Diversion 35:53 Reevaluating Prohibition 41:17 Personal Experience with the Crisis 43:22 Resources for Substance Use Disorder 44:00 Connecting with Dr. Scott MacDonald 45:11 Conclusion Shawn Pinto - Mortgage Broker Mortgage consulting services for those who serve. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for listening! For more Team Ten Eight content, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn!

Summary In this episode, Christopher Littrell, a former police officer and mental health advocate, shares his journey of resilience and healing. He discusses the impact of traumatic experiences, the importance of support systems, and the challenges of balancing personal and professional life. Litrell also opens up about his struggles with alcohol abuse and the role it played in his mental health. He emphasizes the significance of mutual support in marriage and the need for first responders to seek help and overcome the stigma surrounding mental health. Overall, Littrell's story highlights the importance of mental health support for first responders and the power of resilience in overcoming adversity. In this conversation, Chris Littrell shares his personal journey of dealing with post-traumatic stress and the importance of seeking help. He emphasizes the need for a culturally competent counselor and employer support. Chris also discusses the impact of an intensive treatment program and the value of self-care practices, including talking to trusted individuals and being self-aware. He concludes by providing his top three must-do's for someone struggling and shares how to connect with him. Takeaways Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:26 Transition to Law Enforcement 06:21 Impact of Traumatic Experiences 09:21 Importance of Mutual Support in Marriage 12:21 Balancing Personal and Professional Life 13:05 Seeking Help and Overcoming Stigma 14:45 Cumulative Trauma and PTSD 20:16 Supporting Spouses and Sharing Responsibilities 23:24 Recognizing the Signs of Mental Health Struggles 25:13 Reaching Out for Help 26:09 Importance of Mental Health Support for First Responders 26:19 The Importance of Seeking Help 32:01 Employer Support 38:07 Chief Guerrero's Response 40:47 Intensive Treatment Program 45:31 The Value of Intensive Treatment 47:40 Self-Care Practices 53:52 Top Three Must-Do's for Someone Struggling 57:41 Connecting with Chris Littrell Click here to visit Gravity Training and Consulting and to listen to the Gravity podcast. Thank you for listening! For more Team Ten Eight content, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn!

Calvin Chrustie, a former senior operations officer with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, discusses the importance of navigating the threats, risks, and challenges of the contemporary world. He highlights the convergence of threats and the weaponization of activities by foreign threat actors, which he refers to as hybrid warfare. The conversation covers various topics related to the challenges and issues faced by Canada, particularly in relation to fentanyl and toxic drug deaths. It highlights the ineffectiveness of current approaches, the weaponization of fentanyl, societal indifference towards drug deaths, lack of interconnectivity and collaboration, concerns for the future of Canada, the role of politicians in addressing the issues, concerns of business leaders, advice for aspiring politicians, and the need for self-reflection and courage. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing these issues for the well-being and security of Canada. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:15 Background and Interest in National Security 11:36 Convergence of Threats and Hybrid Warfare 22:43 Factors Contributing to Canada's Blind Eye 28:04 Comparison of CSIS Mandate with Other Intelligence Agencies 29:24 Lack of Legislative Changes to Address Contemporary Threats 29:52 The Ineffectiveness of Current Approaches 31:16 The Weaponization of Fentanyl 32:21 Toxic Drug Deaths and Societal Indifference 36:26 Lack of Interconnectivity and Collaboration 37:26 Concerns for the Future of Canada 40:21 The Role of Politicians in Addressing the Issues 45:08 Concerns of Business Leaders 50:04 Advice for Aspiring Politicians 55:24 The Need for Self-Reflection and Courage 56:10 Conclusion and Contact Information Shawn Pinto - Mortgage Broker Mortgage consulting services for those who serve. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for listening! For more Team Ten Eight content, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn!

Jas Dhillon, a former professional football player and current police officer, shares his journey from the football field to law enforcement. He discusses the excitement of draft day and the challenges he faced transitioning from a defensive player to an offensive lineman. Jas highlights the importance of teamwork, resilience, and determination in both football and policing. He emphasizes the need for effective communication and building trust with the public, especially in diverse communities. Jas also reflects on his personal experiences with the police and the cultural differences that can impact interactions with law enforcement. In this conversation, Jas Dhillon, a police officer, discusses his experiences with law enforcement and the community. He shares how his South Asian background and proud military history influenced his decision to become a police officer. Jas emphasizes the importance of positive interactions, trust, and respect in building relationships with the community. He also highlights the significance of effective communication, humility, and listening in achieving the platinum standard as a police officer. Jas shares stories of his worst and best calls, showcasing the emotional impact of the job. Overall, he emphasizes the importance of teamwork, culture, and mentorship in law enforcement. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Football Career 06:14 Transition from Football to Policing 12:54 Lessons from Football Applied to Policing 20:15 Building Trust with the Public 26:36 Personal Experience with Police and Cultural Differences 30:26 Interactions with Law Enforcement 31:17 Proud Military History 32:08 Positive Interactions with the Community 33:08 Policing in the Neighborhood 34:37 Building Trust and Respect 35:17 Achieving the Platinum Standard 36:13 Continued Learning and Growth 37:35 Effective Communication and Respect 38:21 Humility and Listening 39:05 Being Heard and Treated with Decency 40:24 Dealing with Newcomers and Long-Time Residents 41:31 Recognized as a Police Officer 42:04 Connecting with the Community 43:15 Teamwork and Leadership 44:17 Importance of Communication and Culture 48:10 Field Training and Mentorship 49:08 Worst and Best Calls 55:26 Family History and Sikh Culture 57:04 Connecting with Jas Dhillon 58:41 Appreciation for Service To follow or connect with Jas check out the links below: Instagram: @jdhillon54 Email: jas.dhillon@surreypolice.ca Shawn Pinto - Mortgage Broker Mortgage consulting services for those who serve. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for listening! For more Team Ten Eight content, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn!

In this conversation, Necole Belanger shares her experiences as an openly gay woman in the Canadian Armed Forces. Necole talks about the importance of language skills in the military and the respect given to French-speaking troops. She reflects on the French-English question in the military and the challenges faced by Francophone members. Necole also discusses the impact of the Purge, a period of discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals in the military. She shares her personal journey of self-acceptance and the trauma she experienced. Necole highlights the need for change and allyship in the military to address gender disparities and discrimination. In this conversation, Necole Belanger shares her experiences in the military and the challenges she faced as a woman and a member of the LGBTQ+ community. She highlights the importance of mentors and supportive figures throughout her career. Necole also discusses the difficulties she encountered in speaking out about her experiences and finding support. She shares her motivation for writing her book 'Pride Amid Prejudice' and the cathartic process it provided. Necole emphasizes the need for change and inclusivity in the Canadian Armed Forces and offers advice to her younger self. Takeaways Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:20 Joining the Military and Language Skills 07:03 The French-English Question in the Military 09:05 The Dual Language System in the Military 12:36 Early Desire to Join the Military 16:12 Coming Out and Family Rejection 23:20 The Purge and Discrimination 25:54 Trauma and Seeking Help 34:03 Challenges Faced as a Woman in the Military 39:37 Gender Disparity in the Military 45:12 Reconciliation and Allies 46:18 Mentors and Supportive Figures 48:11 Speaking Out and Fin Shawn Pinto - Mortgage Broker Mortgage consulting services for those who serve. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for listening! For more Team Ten Eight content, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn!

Summary Brendan Hynes, a military veteran and advocate for mental health and brain injury research, shares his journey of resilience and service. He discusses the challenges he faced during his military career, including failures and injuries. Brendan emphasizes the importance of seeking help and the support of loved ones in overcoming mental health issues. He also highlights the need for better understanding and support for brain injuries in the military and first responder communities. Brendan's advocacy work aims to raise awareness and drive change in these areas. This conversation explores the work of the Concussion Legacy Foundation and Project Enlist in addressing sports concussions and brain donation. It also delves into the importance of embracing technology and brain research, as well as the overlap between sports and military/first responder brain injuries. The conversation highlights the institutional challenges and lack of action in addressing these issues and emphasizes the need for more resources and support. It concludes with advice for those going through similar experiences and the importance of buddy checking and opening up discussions. Takeaways Seeking help and support is crucial in overcoming mental health challenges. Brain injuries, including concussive and sub concussive injuries, are often overlooked and require more research and support. Advocacy and raising awareness are essential for driving change in the military and first responder communities. Resilience and the support of loved ones can help individuals overcome challenges and continue to make a positive impact. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 11:37 Defining Moment in Military Service 20:15 Overcoming Challenges and Seeking Help 25:46 Job as an Explosives Technician 29:02 Concussive and Sub concussive Traumatic Brain Injuries 34:33 Rock Bottom Moment and Seeking Help 41:43 Advocacy and Taking Action 49:02 Concussion Legacy Foundation and Project Enlist 49:59 Embracing Technology and Brain Research 50:57 Overlap with Sports and Military/First Responder Brain Injuries 51:53 Institutional Challenges and Lack of Action 53:16 The Need for More Resources and Support 54:06 How to Get Involved and Make a Difference 57:42 The Importance of Buddy Checking and Opening Up Discussions 59:01 Advice for Those Going Through Similar Experiences Brought to you by: Shawn Pinto - Mortgage Broker Mortgage consulting services for those who serve. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for listening! For more Team Ten Eight content, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn!

In this episode, we revisit an interview with a remarkable individual, Shawn Coady, a retired Vancouver Police Department Sergeant, Canadian Armed Forces veteran, and the founder and president of the Police and Peace Officer Memorial Ribbon Society. Shawn's life has been one of service, dedicated to his community, law enforcement colleagues, and his country. After an illustrious career, Shawn and his wife settled into a well-deserved retirement in the tranquil community of Armstrong, British Columbia. Unfortunately, life had a different plan, as cancer has entered the scene, challenging Shawn and his family in their fight for his health. A Hero's Journey: From Service to Survival Shawn's story is one of resilience, strength, and dedication. As a Canadian Armed Forces veteran and decorated member of the Vancouver Police Department, Shawn shares his experiences as a domestic violence investigations specialist, shedding light on the challenges he faced and the impact on his life. He bravely discusses his battle with post-traumatic stress disorder, offering listeners a raw and honest perspective on the struggles that often accompany a life of service. Creating Symbolism: The Birth of a Memorial Ribbon During the interview, Shawn talks about what inspired him to establish the Police and Peace Officer Memorial Ribbon Society. He reveals the driving force behind creating the official national symbol of mourning for law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice. His dedication to honoring those who serve, even in the face of adversity, is truly inspirational. Joining Forces: A Call to Action As a testament to the strength of our podcast community, we are re-releasing Shawn's interview to rally support for him during this challenging time. Shawn was one of the first to join our show when we launched, and now, it's our turn to stand with him. How You Can Help In the spirit of teamwork, we invite you to support Shawn and his family by contributing to the Help Shawn Coady Beat Cancer Go Fund Me Page mentioned in the show notes. Every donation, big or small, brings us one step closer to helping Shawn face cancer head-on and allowing him to enjoy the peace and good health he deserves in retirement. Closing Thoughts: Giving Cancer the Salute It Deserves As we listen to Shawn's powerful story, let's unite as a team and give cancer the salute it deserves. Together, we can make a difference in Shawn's journey towards recovery. Join us in this special episode dedicated to the resilience of a true hero, and let's show Shawn that he is not alone in this fight. 🔗 Help Shawn Coady Beat Cancer Go Fund Me Page Together, as a team, let's support Shawn and his family on their journey to overcoming cancer. Shawn Pinto - Mortgage Broker Mortgage consulting services for those who serve. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for listening! For more Team Ten Eight content, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn!

Summary In this episode, Christian sits down with John Vintar, an author and Army officer who has served in the Canadian Armed Forces for over 30 years. The conversation revolves around Vintar's book, 'A Swamp the Size of Belgium,' which details his experiences in South Sudan. They discuss the history of Sudan and South Sudan, the challenges of peacekeeping missions, the impact on returning soldiers, and the perception of peacekeeping in Canada. Vintar shares his most fearful moment in South Sudan and the importance of history for military leaders. The episode concludes with book recommendations and contact information for Vintar. Takeaways Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:29 The Book: A Swamp the Size of Belgium 04:52 The History of Sudan and South Sudan 08:27 The Invisibility of Peacekeeping Missions 10:00 The Challenges of Returning Home 11:27 The Most Fearful Moment in South Sudan 14:48 Establishing Safety and Gaining Trust 15:49 The Genesis and Objective of the UN Peacekeeping Mission 18:18 Tribal Cleansing and Violence in South Sudan 20:17 Lessons Learned from Peacekeeping Missions 24:13 Public Perception of Peacekeeping 29:36 Canada's Number One Threat 31:13 The Fragility of the World Order 37:20 The Importance of History for Military Leaders 39:54 The Role of Research in Mission Success 42:27 Top Three Must-Read Book Recommendations 45:53 Book Promotion and Contact Information 46:31 Closing Remarks and Thank You Shawn Pinto - Mortgage Broker Mortgage consulting services for those who serve. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for listening! For more Team Ten Eight content, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn!

Surrey Police Service Sergeant Andrea Martens has over nineteen years of experience across a range of law enforcement professions including as a probation officer, a border services officer and police officer. Andrea joins us to talk about her career path into policing, some of the progressive programs her department has put in place to foster a culture of health and wellness, and what it's like for officers on the ground as municipal and provincial politicians continue to battle over a very contentious policing transition in her city. She is also the founder of Support Retired Legends, a clothing and coffee company dedicated to raising funds to assist with the medical bills of retired police and military service dogs across Canada, and shares the story that inspired the brand and how it's helping prolong the lives of our four legged friends. Thank you for listening! For more Team Ten Eight content, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn!

Kathleen Dias writes features and news analysis on topics of concern to United States law enforcement professionals serving in rural and remote locations and you can find her published work at RuralBadge.com and Police1.com She uses her background in writing, teaching and marketing to advocate for professional levels of training and equipment for rural officers, open channels of communication for isolated departments, and dispel myths about rural policing. From a lack of training and vacation time to limited equipment and vehicles, Kathleen joins us to shed some light on the signficant challenges faced by cops in rural and remote locations. You will be shocked to learn just how rough a ride it really is. Thank you for listening! For more Team Ten Eight content, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn!

Scott McGregor is a former Canadian military intelligence professional who has advised the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on trans-national organized crime and hybrid warfare threats, as well as the former Attorney General and BC Premier David Eby in the lead up to the Commission of Inquiry into Money Laundering in British Columbia. Scott maintains an extensive network of intelligence contacts through his company, Closehold Intelligence, and is the co-author of the recently released book, The Mosaic Effect: How the Chinese Communist Party started a Hybrid War in America’s backyard. Scott's military and law enforcement intelligence career, and his access to classified information and international contacts, makes for a very unique and well informed perspective on the murky and nefarious nature of warfare taking place in Canada, the CCP's end game, and why Canada is losing it's place as a trusted ally. Thank you for listening! For more Team Ten Eight content, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn!

Dr. Olivia Johnson is a United States Air Force veteran, a former police officer, and published author. She holds a master’s in criminology and criminal justice from the University of Missouri, St. Louis, a doctorate in Organizational Leadership Management from the University of Phoenix, School of Advanced Studies and is considered a subject matter expert in police officer health and wellness, police officer suicide, and suicide prevention and awareness in first responders. She founded the Blue Wall Institute to focus on research, publishes articles, and support agencies coping with increased mental health and suicide risk. Dr. Johnson joins us on this episode to discuss her research and what she coins as the "fatal ten" indicators of suicide risk, and explains how it is so much more than "the job" that's driving suicide rates among first responders. You can connect with and follow Dr. Johnson on X, Instagram and LinkedIn. Thank you for listening! For more Team Ten Eight content, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn!

Sergeant Julien Ponsioen began his policing career with the Metro Vancouver Transit Police in 2014 after a 21 year career as a Paramedic and Supervisor and was the first openly gay male police officer hired by his department and the only openly gay male in his police academy class. Moving from patrol to Neighbourhood Policing in Downtown Vancouver, he began to connect with his community both in person and on social media to show that policing was for everyone and emphasize to members of the 2SLGBTQ community that they had an ally on the transit system. While initially reluctant, he embraced his social media role and launched “Coffee with a Cop”, a very successful series of one minute safety tips and question and answer sessions that expanded across other platforms and developed a following that spans the globe. He has been a very active and successful volunteer recruiter and is now the non-commissioned officer in charge of Operational Planning. On this episode, Julien shares his coming out story, the bridge he's building between the 2SLGBTQ community and police and offers his perspective, as a former paramedic and police officer, on BC's opioid crisis. You can connect with and follow Julien on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and LinkedIn. Thank you for listening! For more Team Ten Eight content, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn!

Daniel Sundahl (a.k.a. Dan Sun) is a former advanced care paramedic and firefighter, a published artist and writer who has produced three art books and whose writing has been featured online and, in several periodicals, including Canadian Paramedicine, the Journal of Emergency Medicine (JEMS), Fire Rescue Magazine, EMS One, EMS World Magazine, The Canadian Journal of Emergency Nursing and the Finnish magazine Asystole. His powerful artwork and images are recognized worldwide. He travels internationally, speaking about his art and personal experiences with occupational stress injuries and post-traumatic growth. His mission? To reduce the stigma of PTSD for first responders and use his art to raise awareness of occupational stress injuries worldwide. Dan joins us to discuss his experiences as a first responder, his artistic process and how it has helped him heal, and whether we are where we need to be when it comes preventing and protecting the in service community from operational stress injury. To connect with Dan and learn more about his artwork, please visit https://www.dansungallery.com/ Thank you for listening! For more Team Ten Eight content, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn!

Deven Kennedy is a police officer on a mission. On June 12, 2022, he was involved in a traumatic incident while on duty that shook his faith in his career and himself and led him down a path of desperation and despair, as so many trauma exposures have done to so many others. Through his recovery, Deven learned that fitness and a variety of healthy lifestyle choices were complimenting his psychological and medical healing and accelerated his journey back to full duty and, joins us to share his story and his mission. To connect with Deven and to learn more about his mission, visit resiliencethroughfitness.com Thank you for listening! For more Team Ten Eight content, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn!

Mark Bouchard began his law enforcement in 2007 serving fourteen years with the Delta Police Department before transferring to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and now serves as an Emergency Response Team operator and tactical medic in British Columbia’s North District. He earned his master’s degree in leadership from Royal Roads University for his research on the impact of police culture on police officer mental health, is engaged in work based peer support programs, and is set to publish his first book entitled Setting My Sights on Stigma: Thoughts From an Injured Mind. On this episode we discuss police culture - what it is, why it is and where it's going - and the internal and external forces and factors that impact recruiting, retention and, more importantly, the men and women in uniform. Thank you for listening! For more Team Ten Eight content, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn!

Barbara Karnes is a registered nurse with more than 40 years of experience in hospice care. She has held both clinical and leadership positions, including staff nurse, clinical supervisor, and executive director at Hospices and Home Health Care agencies and is the author of Gone From My Sight, "The Little Blue Book", that remains the most widely used educational booklet on the signs of approaching death, selling over 35 million copies worldwide. She is an internationally respected speaker and thought leader on matters of end of life, a renowned authority on the dying process and a leading educator for families, healthcare professionals, and the community at large. On this episode, Barbara shares her experiences caring for patients in hospice, what she has learned about the dying process, and provides advice for listeners whose loved ones are at the end of their lives. Thank you for listening! For more Team Ten Eight content, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn!

Dr. Alika Lafontaine is an award-winning physician, the first Indigenous doctor listed in Medical Post’s 50 Most Powerful Doctors and the first Indigenous president of the Canadian Medical Association. He has served in medical leadership positions at the Alberta Medical Association, the Canadian Medical Association, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and as the vice-president and president of the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada. From 2013 to 2017 he co-led the Indigenous Health Alliance project, one of Canada’s most ambitious health transformation initiatives, successfully advocating for $68 million of federal funding for Indigenous health transformation in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario, and was recognized for his work by the Public Policy Forum. In 2020, Dr. Lafontaine launched the Safespace Networks project with friendship centres across British Columbia, providing a safe and anonymous way for patients and providers to share their own experiences and contribute to system change without the risk of retaliation for sharing their truths. On this episode, Dr. Lafontaine discusses his personal experiences with racism as an indigenous man navigating medical school, the significant challenges faced by health care providers in what he calls a system in collapse, and offers advice for patients on how they can better advocate for themselves and navigate the complex labyrinth that makes up Canada’s system of care. Thank you for listening! For more Team Ten Eight content, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn!

Archie Alafriz spent the majority of his 27-year RCMP career working in the National Security Program where he investigated a myriad of listed terrorist entities including Hamas, Hezbollah, al Qaeda, al-Shabaab and ISIS and was the team lead in Canada's landmark terrorist fundraising case. Since his retirement from policing in 2018, he published his first novel, Inoculum; an intelligence-based challenge to the accepted historical version of events that led to 9-11, served as the CEO of a First Nations Economic Development Enterprise and assisted the Province of BC in analyzing money laundering trends in real estate and luxury vehicles. He is a senior fellow at the Global Peace Institute (UK), a fellow at the Asia Pacific Center of Security Studies (APCSS), sits as Chairman for the International Organization for Security and Intelligence (IOSI Global) and in 2022, launched Lucent Global Solutions which provides evidence-based court-defensible compliance verification and financial investigation and intelligence services. On this episode Archie discusses Canada's anti-money laundering regime, the history behind many of the activities exposed by the media that led to British Columbia's Commission of Inquiry into Money Laundering, and the potential impact of incentivizing the shadow economy to go straight. Thank you for listening! For more Team Ten Eight content, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn!