Curious Conversations: A Podcast for Kids by Kids

Today on Curious Conversations, we take our microphones inside the historic armoury in Cambridge, Ontario to meet Lieutenant‑Colonel Jason from the Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada. He tells us how he went from a twelve‑year‑old cadet to the highest‑ranked soldier in Waterloo Region, what a reservist actually is, and why his regiment is one year older than Canada itself.
We hear about his first summer of real army training (including shooting a gun for the first time and rappelling off a cliff), his deployment to Bosnia during Operation Palladium, and a powerful story about a woman pushing a wheelbarrow full of money just to buy one bag of groceries. Jason explains what daily life is like for part‑time soldiers, how teens in grade 11 can get started in the reserves, and why leadership, initiative, and appreciating what you have matter so much in and out of the military.
Kids will learn:
What the Canadian Army Reserve is and how it’s different from full‑time soldiers
How Canadian troops helped people in Bosnia after a civil war
What it takes to become a leader in the military
Why Canadian military history helps us understand who we are today
Links & Resources
Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada
Rockway Mennonite Collegiate 
What did you think of today's episode? We want to hear from you!
Thanks for tuning in to Curious Conversations! We hope you enjoyed listening as much as we enjoyed creating it for you. Don't forget to stay connected with us on our website and Instagram for more exciting content. Also, make sure to hit that follow/subscribe button and leave us a rating to help us grow and reach more people like you. 
Enjoy another curious conversation for teens by teens!

Today, we have an insanely cool guest Krista DuChene, aka Canada’s Marathon Mom! She’s a Canadian Olympian, a Registered Dietitian, and one of the toughest runners out there.
And when we say tough, we mean it. She once finished a race with a broken leg. Yeah, you read that right! We had to hear the full story—what happened, why she kept running, and how she bounced back to crush even bigger goals (like making it to the Olympics!).
We also got into what it takes to train for a marathon, the best pre-race snacks (spoiler: bagels are involved 🥯), and why fueling your body the right way is so important. Plus, Krista tells us how she went from playing university hockey to becoming one of Canada’s best long-distance runners.
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to push through pain, keep going when things get tough, or just want to know what marathon runners actually eat mid-race, this episode is for you!
Enjoy another curious conversation for teens by teens!
 
Links and Resources
Krista’s Instagram
CBC Sports
Team Canada
University of Guelph Hockey
Saucony
Podcast Recommendations
Chef Over Your Shoulder

What did you think of today's episode? We want to hear from you!
Thanks for tuning in to Curious Conversations! We hope you enjoyed listening as much as we enjoyed creating it for you. Don't forget to stay connected with us on our website and Instagram for more exciting content. Also, make sure to hit that follow/subscribe button and leave us a rating to help us grow and reach more people like you. 
Enjoy another curious conversation for teens by teens!

In this episode, we sit down with Kattie Laur, a podcaster, podcast producer, and a well-known voice in the Canadian podcasting space. Kattie is also the author of Pod the North, a must-read newsletter that explores the Canadian podcast ecosystem, featuring interviews, podcast discoveries, and the latest industry news.
Kattie shares insightful stories, valuable advice, and her passion for podcasting, along with some of the challenges she’s faced along the way. Whether you're a seasoned podcaster or just starting out, this episode is packed with great takeaways.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
 🎙 Kattie’s journey into podcasting and what inspired Pod the North
 📢 The state of Canadian podcasting and what makes it unique
 💡 Advice for new and aspiring podcasters
 🎧 Common challenges in podcasting and how to overcome them
Connect with Kattie Laur:
Website
Pod The North
Instagram
Podcasts mentioned in the episode:
Tech Won’t Save Us
Normal Gossip
Canardian
Rooked: The Cheaters' Gambit
What did you think of today's episode? We want to hear from you!
Thanks for tuning in to Curious Conversations! We hope you enjoyed listening as much as we enjoyed creating it for you. Don't forget to stay connected with us on our website and Instagram for more exciting content. Also, make sure to hit that follow/subscribe button and leave us a rating to help us grow and reach more people like you. 
Enjoy another curious conversation for teens by teens!

In this episode of Curious Conversations, we’re joined by someone truly inspiring—Ben Fanelli. You might remember him as the former captain of the Kitchener Rangers or the OHL player who defied the odds, returning to the ice stronger than ever after a traumatic brain injury. 
But there’s so much more to Ben than just hockey.
Now a Registered Psychotherapist and the founder of Heroic Minds, Ben is changing the way we think about mental health. His message? Embrace the journey. We’re not just the sum of what happens to us—we’re the heroes of our own stories. 
This conversation is packed with wisdom for teenagers wondering what’s next after sports or other big commitments, insights into mental health, and tips for embracing life’s challenges as opportunities to grow. 
Oh, and yes, we got his Stanley Cup prediction too. 
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
🧠 Overcoming Setbacks: Ben shares his experience with a life-changing brain injury and the lessons it taught him about resilience.
🤝 The Power of Community: How the people around us can make all the difference in recovery and growth.
🗣️ Talking Mental Health: Why open conversations about mental wellness are a game-changer.
🔄 Finding New Purpose: Moving beyond an identity tied to sports and discovering new passions.
🚀 Heroic Minds: Ben’s mission to make mental health support more accessible and his vision for a brighter future.
🏒 Advice for Athletes: Encouragement for young players facing injuries or big life transitions.
🌟 Embracing Change: Why challenges can be the key to unlocking new opportunities.

Why This Episode Matters:
Ben Fanelli’s story isn’t just about hockey—it’s about perseverance, growth, and finding strength in vulnerability. Whether you’re an athlete or just navigating the ups and downs of being a teenager, Ben’s insights will leave you feeling inspired and ready to take on whatever comes next.
Resources:
Heroic Minds Website
Instagram
LinkedIn

What did you think of today's episode? We want to hear from you!
Thanks for tuning in to Curious Conversations! We hope you enjoyed listening as much as we enjoyed creating it for you. Don't forget to stay connected with us on our website and Instagram for more exciting content. Also, make sure to hit that follow/subscribe button and leave us a rating to help us grow and reach more people like you. 
Enjoy another curious conversation for teens by teens!

What is a setback?

How do you know you are in one, and how do you get out of it?

Join us as we chat with Amy Shoenthal, a bestselling author, journalist, and marketing consultant for big names like Google. She is here to talk about her book, The Setback Cycle.

Amy breaks down what a setback really is, how to know when you're in one, and introduces us to her 4-step setback cycle —establish, embrace, explore, and emerge. We learn how to identify setbacks and work through the 4 phases by asking key questions like what energizes and disengages you.

Even though her book is mostly about business leaders and how their setbacks helped them succeed, Amy shares how teens can use these steps to tackle their own challenges, whether it's school stress, friendship issues, or other problems. Plus, she opens up about her journey of facing rejection after rejection before landing a publishing deal and becoming a bestselling author.

Amy shows us how we can all learn from our challenges and come out stronger on the other side. It was super inspiring to hear Amy's story and see how we can use her tips in our own lives!

Resources
Amy's Website
Amy's Instagram
Read the Book
What did you think of today's episode? We want to hear from you!
Thanks for tuning in to Curious Conversations! We hope you enjoyed listening as much as we enjoyed creating it for you. Don't forget to stay connected with us on our website and Instagram for more exciting content. Also, make sure to hit that follow/subscribe button and leave us a rating to help us grow and reach more people like you. 
Enjoy another curious conversation for teens by teens!