Curiosity and Connection

Welcome to Curiosity and Connection podcast with Nga Do, where we foster an environment of open dialogue and exploration. Our mission is to connect diverse voices and perspectives, creating thought-provoking conversations that inspire curiosity and promote understanding in our everyday-evolving world. Join us on this journey.Connect with me here: https://linktr.ee/Flightofthedodobird

Curiosity and Connection is a society podcast hosted by With Nga Do, with 22 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

With Nga Do hosts Curiosity and Connection, a society show with 22 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #21

  Ep. 21: Sara Martin - Navigating Mental Health as a supporting partner.

  Oct 1, 20261h 24mS1

  *Trigger Warning - This episode contains sensitive topic like depression and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD)* Throughout this month, we will delve into the theme of health, specifically examining different aspects of mental health. Our discussions will encompass viewpoints from a supportive partner, along with insights from queer, adoptee, and male perspectives. In this week's episode, I connect with my dog mom friend, Sara Martin, as we explore what it is like being a partner to someone who is struggling with mental health, specifically complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). Sara's initial understanding of mental health stemmed from her mother, a psychiatric nurse, who taught her children to appreciate the humanity of individuals rather than focusing solely on their illnesses. Later in her life, after her husband suffered a bike accident, they began to seek professional assistance for him as his mental health began to decline. They reached out to friends in their community who were therapists, asking for guidance and direction to find a professional that could meet her husband’s extensive needs. Finding the right fit wasn't straightforward. After several trials and eliminations, her husband finally connected with a therapist who suited him well. This journey also prompted Sara to confront her own mental health challenges as a supportive partner. She experienced burnout while caring for her husband and raising three young children. In order to provide him with the necessary support, she made the difficult decision to leave her teaching job. Eventually, Sara acted on her friends' advice to seek professional help herself, as they noticed she wasn’t quite herself. Taking their suggestions seriously, she went through her own process of trial and elimination and ultimately found a therapist who was trauma-informed and practiced IFS (Internal Family Systems). Together, Sara and her husband were able to rebuild their marriage from a place of healing and growth. They also worked to normalize conversations about mental health with their children, ensuring that if the need arose in the future, the option for support was readily available to them.

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  Episode #20

  Ep. 20: Dr. Amar Ghelani - Social Work and using AI as a tool for higher learning.

  Sep 24, 202643 minS1

  This month, we are delving into various aspects of health, covering topics from food science to invisible disabilities and mental health. This week, I connect with my friend, Dr. Amar Ghelani and get curious with his life-long work as a Social Worker with Mental Health and his use of AI Co-Pilot tool as part of higher learning teaching tool. Dr. Ghelani’s earlier experience with drug experimentation as a youth and witnessing a friend’s homelessness got him curious about addiction and homelessness, which eventually led him to pursue social work. Currently, Dr. Ghelani serves as an Assistant Professor (Teaching Stream) at the University of Toronto's Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work. With over 20 years of experience, he is a registered social worker who has supported individuals, families, and groups grappling with complex mental health issues. His diverse background includes work in healthcare, addiction treatment, prisons, shelters, schools, mobile crisis units, private practice, and outpatient mental health settings. Dr. Ghelani integrates his extensive practical experience into his courses, making learning both relevant and applicable. He is a passionate educator who is genuinely invested in the learning and success of his students. Dr. Ghelani's research primarily focuses on direct social work practices, especially in the realms of harm reduction, cannabis use, psychosis, experiential learning, and recovery from complex mental health challenges. He has authored peer-reviewed articles addressing topics such as social work education, cannabis use among youth experiencing early psychosis, mobile crisis intervention, and substance use among healthcare workers. His research has earned him several prestigious awards, including the SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship, the Hillary M. Weston Social Work Scholarship, and the Ontario Graduate Scholarship. He has also presented at various conferences and trained mental health professionals throughout Canada, the United States, and Europe. At the FIFSW, his research aims to enhance mental health practices in social work and advance simulation-based learning. Connect with Dr. Amar Ghelani here: Amar Ghelani | About | University of Toronto

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  Episode #19

  Ep. 19: Andrew Giffen - AI as a tool for creating Brown Note app for Crohn's disease.

  Sep 17, 202650 minS1

  This month, we are delving into various aspects of health, covering topics from food science to invisible disabilities and mental health. In this week's episode, I have a conversation with Andrew Giffen about his innovative use of the AI tool Claude to create a Crohn’s disease app, known as Brown Note. Andrew shares his early challenges with eating and stomach problems, which ultimately led to his diagnosis of Crohn’s disease. This personal experience forced him to adapt to significant health changes. Driven by his journey, he began developing the Flusher app, aimed at helping individuals with Crohn’s disease and disabilities find public restrooms throughout the City of Toronto, in collaboration with his colleague from Toronto Municipal University (formerly known as Ryerson University). Although the app showed great promise, its launch faced considerable hurdles, particularly when COVID-19 struck, leading to an indefinite hold on the project. During the pandemic, Andrew explored various AI tools, including ChatGPT, and eventually found that Claude was the ideal solution for assisting him in creating his Brown Note App. This platform enables individuals like him, living with Crohn’s disease, to connect anonymously with others for support. Connect with Andrew Giffen below: http://www.brownnote.app/ http://www.giffenlabs.ca/

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  Episode #18

  Ep. 18: Chelsea - Exploring Health: A Journey Through Migraines, Epilepsy, Mental Health, and Advocacy.

  Sep 10, 20261h 9mS1

  This month, we're diving into diverse aspects of health, exploring everything from food science to invisible disabilities and mental wellness. In this week's episode, I chat with my friend Chelsea, as we discuss the intersection of epilepsy, migraines, and mental health while navigating a challenging healthcare system as she learns to advocate for her own well-being. Chelsea shares her migraine journey, which began when she was around 7 or 8 years old. She recounts the times she felt unwell and had to leave school. With her mother's support, they consulted numerous doctors and specialists in search of effective treatments for her migraines, but with little success. They took charge of the situation by carefully tracking her food intake, symptoms, and triggers to aid in her case. Countless frustrating experiences with healthcare providers left her feeling defeated as she sought to uncover the root cause of her symptoms. It wasn't until she experienced her first nocturnal epileptic episode as an adult that she discovered a specialist better equipped to help her manage her migraines effectively. In addition, Chelsea found out she had a gluten allergy and began monitoring her diet to eliminate potential triggers. Her willingness to discuss the challenges of managing migraines in the workplace and her relentless search for effective solutions is truly inspiring. Moreover, after her epileptic episodes, she started therapy to navigate the complexities of a frustrating healthcare system, deepening her self-understanding and highlighting the vital importance of advocating for one's well-being. Chelsea opens up about her migraine journey, which began when she was just 7 or 8 years old, highlighting times when she felt unwell and had to leave school. With her mother's support, they sought the advice of numerous doctors and specialists to treat her migraines, but with little success. They took matters into their own hands by meticulously tracking her food, symptoms, and triggers to aid in her case. Numerous negative experiences with healthcare providers left her feeling frustrated and defeated, as she struggled to uncover the root cause of her symptoms. It wasn't until she experienced her first nocturnal epileptic episode as an adult that she found a specialist who was better suited to help her manage her migraines effectively. Additionally, Chelsea discovered she had a gluten allergy and began monitoring her food intake to eliminate potential triggers. Her openness about the challenges she faces with migraines in the workplace, along with her relentless pursuit of effective solutions, is truly commendable. Furthermore, following her epileptic episodes, she began therapy to help navigate the complexities of a frustrating healthcare system while gaining a deeper understanding of herself and emphasizing the importance of advocating for your well-being.

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  Episode #17

  Ep. 17: Michelle Brotherwood - Exploring Food Science.

  Sep 3, 202642 minS1

  This month, we are exploring various facets of health, ranging from food science to invisible disabilities to mental health. In this week’s episode, I have an engaging conversation with my friend and dietitian, Michelle Brotherwood, as we explore the intriguing science behind food. Michelle’s dedication to understanding the human body and its interconnected systems initially led her to work with diabetic patients, emphasizing how their dietary choices influenced their health. She later made a transition to the pediatric ward, where she focused on food science tailored for children. Eventually, Michelle shifted her attention to oncology, cystic fibrosis, and HIV patients, addressing their nutritional needs to help them navigate their treatment journeys. Additionally, Michelle shares her contrasting experiences working in private sector healthcare compared to public sector healthcare.

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