A mental health podcast where nothing is off the table. Join self advocate and hosts Mélanie Héroux,Victor Pereira and Daniel Share-Strom as they explore topics and how they relate to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
  

2025

Special Olympics Podcasts Spring 2025

Women’s Health

In this episode of the IDD Get to Know Me podcast, co-host Melanie interviews Dr. Laura St. John (a women’s health researcher), Camille Williams (a project manager within the Peter Gilgan Centre), Bridgette Lord (a nurse practitioner at Women’s College Hospital), Susan Wang (a Special Olympics athletes), Rachel Skanes (a director of youth and health programs at Special Olympics Nova Scotia), and Catriona Le May Doan (Canadian Olympic speed skater and Champions Network Athlete). They discuss the importance of supporting the menstrual and breast health of Special Olympics athletes and share ideas for how to manage symptoms and recognize changes.

Listen on Apple | Spotify  

Sleep

In this episode of the IDD Get to Know Me podcast, co-host Victor interviews Janet McCabe (a researcher), Claire Lemaire (a Special Olympics athlete), Corinne Lemaire (Claire’s mom), and Cheryl Bernard (a Canadian Olympic athlete and Champions Network Athlete). They discuss the importance of sleep for Special Olympics athletes and share tips to help get a good night's sleep.

Listen on Apple | on Spotify
 

Diabetes

In this episode of the IDD Get to Know Me podcast, co-host Melanie interviews Dr. Meghann Lloyd (a researcher). They discuss how being active can help prevent and manage diabetes and boost overall health.

Listen on Apple | Spotify  

Diabète 

Dans cet épisode du podcast IDD Get to Know Me, la co-animatrice Melanie interviewe le Dr. Robert Balogh (un chercheur). Ils discutent comment être actif peut aider à prévenir et gérer le diabète, ainsi qu’à améliorer la santé en général.

Écouter sur Apple | Écouter sur Spotify

Mindfulness

In this episode of the IDD Get to Know Me podcast, co-host Victor interviews Sue Hutton (a Mindfulness expert), Peter Charnish (a Special Olympics athlete), Cindy Charnish (Peter’s mom), Mark Tewksbury (a Canadian Olympic swimmer), and Natascha Wesch (a Special Olympics Canada Mental Performance Lead). They discuss the importance of mindfulness for Special Olympics athletes (and all of us!) and share tips for those just starting out in their mindfulness journey.

Listen on Apple | Listen on Spotify

Health Check-in 

In this episode of the IDD Get to Know Me podcast, co-host Melanie interviews Dr. Yona Lunsky (a researcher and clinical psychologist) , Dr. Ullanda Niel (a family doctor), Heidi Mallett and Monique Shah (both Special Olympics athletes), and June Shah (a coach and family member). They discuss the importance of regularly checking in with a healthcare professional and ideas for how to prepare for appointments to make the most out of each visit.

Listen on Apple | Spotify  

Men's Health

In this episode of the IDD Get to Know Me podcast, co-host Victor interviews Dr. Jonathan Weiss (a researcher and clinical psychologist), Duncan Leblanc (a coach and family member), Kyle Shewfelt (a Canadian Olympic gymnast), and Matthew Fields (a Special Olympics athlete). They discuss men’s health, the stigma around men’s mental health and how to balance physical and mental well-being as athletes.

Listen on Apple | on Spotify

In H-CARDD Podcasts

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

2021 Podcasts are also available.

Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre

The Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre is the first research and education centre in Canada dedicated to improving care for adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities and mental health challenges. Learn more.

2023

Spreading Inclusivity with Amy Lockwood, One Toy at a Time
Season 3, Episode 3: 13 July 13, 2023 - 32 minutes

What if disability representation started in the toy box? Lockwood Toys founder, Amy Lockwood, talks to Victor and Daniel about the motivation behind the company’s founding, the inspiration behind many of the toys (spoiler: a lot of them are inspired by her son!), and the challenges and triumphs in her journey to increase disability representation.

Self-advocacy with Erica Streisslberger
Season 3, Episode 2: May 9, 2023 - 22 minutes

Podcast hosts Daniel and Victor chat with Erica Streisslberger, a self-advocate at CAMH and a recreation therapist. Erica shares her journey of achieving independent living and pursuing her dream of becoming a recreational therapist. Tune in to learn more about Erica's incredible story and the importance of self-advocacy.

Special Olympics and Mental Health with Dr. Meghann Lloyd
Season 3, Episode 1: April 12, 2023 - 27 minutes

Daniel and Victor interview Dr. Meghann Lloyd about her exciting research on the benefits of participating in Special Olympics. Dr. Lloyd is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Ontario Tech University, and a Senior Research Associate at Grandview Children’s Centre.

2022

DramaWay with Danielle Strnad and Morgan Joy

Season 2, Episode 5: July 22, 2022 - 36 minutes

In this episode, Victor and Daniel talk to Danielle Strnad, Executive Director and Founder and Senior Arts Facilitator Morgan Joy of DramaWay and DramaWay Productions. Danielle and Morgan talk about the inclusive arts classes offered by DramaWay, which range from visual arts, drama, physical activity and more. Danielle shares how she developed this company and how it has grown since its creation in 1999.

Season 2, Episode 4: July 13, 2022 - 30 minutes

Heidi is a Special Olympics athlete and a leader. Heidi joins us to discuss her various leadership roles and how she became the strong leader that she is today. Heidi also shares the importance of Special Olympics, and shares some of her personal favourite sports include bowling, golf, and snowshoeing. 

Respecting Rights with Kerri Joffe
Season 2 Episode 3: June 29, 2022 - 28 minutes

Lawyer and Disability Rights Advocate, Kerri Joffe joins the podcast to talk about her work at the ARCH Disability Law Centre, a specialty legal clinic that practices exclusively in disability rights law. She shares information about the Respecting Rights initiative at ARCH, where self-advocates participate in programs to learn more about law and how to get involved with accessible rights education.  https://archdisabilitylaw.ca/.

Dating and Relationships with Dr. Alan S. Martino
Season 2 Episode 2: June 15, 2022 - 20 minutes

Dr. Alan Santinele Martino is an instructor in community rehabilitation and disability studies at the University of Calgary. Victor and Daniel talk to Dr. Martino about his research and the experiences of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in intimate relationships and the barriers to sex education.

Dr. Martino’s website: https://alanmartino.com or on Twitter @AlanSMartino.

Inclusive Research with Dr. Yona Lunsky
Season 2 Episode 1: June 2, 2022 - 29 minutes

Daniel and Victor interview Dr. Yona Lunsky, director of the Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre at CAMH. Dr. Lunsky shares how she makes positions accessible to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and what we can do to create more accessible and inclusive work environments. Want to get involved with projects at the Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre? Email us at hcardd@camh.ca.