In this episode, we break down:

• How Canadian magician Wes Barker walked away from a secure government job and pension to pursue an unlikely career in magic.
• The unforgettable moment he fooled Penn & Teller on *Fool Us* and why it changed his career forever.
• How he built a massive social media following with millions of views across YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.
• Why Canada's entertainment industry makes it difficult for homegrown talent to achieve mainstream recognition.
• The influence of David Blaine, the secrets behind magic tricks, and why revealing illusions can actually attract more fans.
• The disappointment of losing his TruTV series *Big Trick Energy* and how he rebuilt his motivation and creative career.
• An incredible live card trick that leaves the host completely stunned.
• His book *AbracaDumbass*, featuring behind-the-scenes stories and magic tricks readers can learn.

Book talent for your next event here: https://www.mcptalent.com/

Hosts: Rob Pagetto
Guests: Wes Barker

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro – From government worker to professional magician
03:59 Marriage, social media success, and millions of views
07:02 How Wes Barker fooled Penn & Teller
10:01 Making a living as a Canadian magician
12:19 What's missing from Canada's entertainment industry?
15:02 David Blaine, inspiration, and magic legends
17:00 TV success, career setbacks, and finding happiness
19:36 Wes Barker performs an unbelievable live card trick
23:47 Where to find Wes Barker and his new book

If you enjoyed this, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments.

Links:
Wes Barker: https://stuntmagician.com
Wes Barker's Book: https://wesbarker.shop

Pillars: Happiness

#WesBarker #PennAndTeller #MagicTricks #CanadianTalent #FoolUs

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Introducing Wes Barker
• (00:00:35) - From City of Surrey Job to Magic in a Truck
• (00:01:50) - Quitting the Pension Job to Chase Magic
• (00:03:28) - Subscribe Reminder
• (00:03:58) - Wife's Support and Life Together
• (00:04:51) - Social Media Success and Content Grind
• (00:05:34) - Exposing Magic Tricks: Good or Bad?
• (00:06:47) - Fooling Penn and Teller
• (00:08:55) - Celebrating and Canadian Magician Camaraderie
• (00:09:48) - Making a Living as a Touring Canadian Magician
• (00:12:00) - Frustrations with Canada's Lack of Celebrity System
• (00:13:05) - Using Canadian Status as a Career Advantage
• (00:14:57) - Magic Heroes: David Blaine, Copperfield, and Style
• (00:16:43) - Turning 40: Life, Marriage, and Priorities
• (00:17:29) - TV Show Cancellation and Mental Health Journey
• (00:19:41) - Second Subscribe Reminder
• (00:20:18) - Performing a Live Card Trick
• (00:22:22) - The Magic of Close-Up Card Tricks
• (00:23:42) - Social Media, Book Abracadumbass, and Closing Plugs

Cancer struck twice. He lost his leg and faced 35% survival odds.
Then Andrew Haley became a Paralympic gold medallist. Here's how he did it.

In this episode, we break down:

• **Surviving childhood cancer twice:** How Andrew Haley overcame bone and lung cancer, losing his leg at a young age, and defied overwhelming odds.

• **From cancer survivor to Paralympic champion:** How discovering swimming transformed Andrew's confidence and led him to represent Canada on the world stage.

• **The mindset of a gold medallist:** Why resilience, self-belief, discipline, and consistency matter more than natural talent.

• **Winning Paralympic gold in Sydney 2000:** The unforgettable relay race, world record, and teamwork behind one of Andrew's greatest achievements.

• **The hidden sacrifices of elite athletes:** The financial challenges, demanding training schedules, and personal decisions behind international sporting success.

• **Overcoming fear and self-doubt:** How Andrew learned to reject labels, embrace his disability, and pursue goals others thought were impossible.

• **Finding your own gold medal moment:** Andrew's lessons on leadership, mental toughness, personal growth, and achieving your full potential at any age.

Book talent for your next event here: https://www.mcptalent.com/

Hosts: Mike Wixson
Guests: Andrew Haley

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro – Meet Paralympic champion Andrew Haley
03:20 Surviving cancer twice and life after losing a leg
06:30 Discovering swimming and rebuilding confidence
09:50 The discipline and mindset of a champion
13:20 Overcoming doubt and pursuing Paralympic dreams
16:30 The financial struggles behind elite sports
19:50 Why effort matters more than the outcome
23:00 Barcelona 1992: The bronze medal that changed everything
26:30 Breaking labels and redefining disability
29:30 Relationships, sacrifices, and life beyond swimming
33:20 From Paralympic medals to world records
36:40 The powerful advice Andrew would give his younger self

If you enjoyed this, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments.

Pillars: Happiness

#AndrewHaley #Paralympics #CancerSurvivor #Resilience #ParalympicGold

Chapters

• (00:00:05) - Introducing Andrew Haley, Paralympic Champion
• (00:01:03) - Childhood Cancer Diagnosis and Losing His Leg
• (00:03:12) - Choosing Resilience Over Self-Pity
• (00:05:46) - Finding Swimming and Early Challenges
• (00:06:44) - Subscribe Reminder
• (00:07:36) - Joining Competitive Swimming and Believing in Himself
• (00:10:08) - Discipline, Structure, and Sacrifice in Training
• (00:13:00) - Doubters and Finding Inner Belief
• (00:14:47) - Funding Struggles for Paralympic Athletes
• (00:16:30) - Stepping Away from Competitive Swimming
• (00:17:36) - Showing the Gold Medal and Its Meaning
• (00:19:10) - Lifelong Growth and Controlling the Process
• (00:22:51) - The 1992 Bronze Medal Race Story
• (00:26:00) - Subscribe Reminder
• (00:26:28) - Redefining Identity Beyond Disability
• (00:29:19) - Dating, Balance, and Normalcy
• (00:31:08) - Changing Perceptions of Disability Over Time
• (00:32:58) - Speaking Career and Connecting with Audiences
• (00:33:55) - From Bronze to Gold to World Record
• (00:36:57) - Final Reflections and Message to Young Andrew

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**Product Links:**
Creatine 1 : https://stayabovenutrition.ca/products/creatine-1/
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In this episode, we break down:

• **Creatine benefits explained:** How creatine supports muscle strength, exercise performance and healthy aging.

• **Creatine for women and menopause:** The potential benefits for muscle mass, bone health and age-related physical decline.

• **How much creatine should you take?** Why Dr. Tarnopolsky recommends 3–5 grams daily and questions the need for high-dose supplementation.

• **Creatine and brain health:** What the research suggests about cognitive function, sleep deprivation and long-term neurological health.

• **Is creatine bad for your kidneys?** The difference between creatine and creatinine, and why kidney blood tests can be misunderstood.

• **Creatine monohydrate vs. other forms:** Why the most researched and affordable option may also be the best.

• **The truth about creatine gummies and liquids:** Concerns about supplement quality, misleading labels and products that may not contain what they advertise.

• **Canada's supplement industry:** Dr. Tarnopolsky's concerns about product testing, Health Canada oversight and supplement marketing.

• **Creatine and longevity:** How consistent supplementation and exercise may help maintain strength and function as we age.

Hosts: Paul Micucci, Shara Micucci
Guests: Dr. Mark Tarnopolsky

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
01:50 What Is Creatine and How Does It Work?
04:47 Creatine Research: Muscle Strength and Aging
07:10 Creatine for Women, Menopause and Bone Health
10:26 How Much Creatine Should You Take Daily?
13:23 Creatine, Brain Health and Sleep Deprivation
15:35 Is Creatine Bad for Your Kidneys?
19:06 Creatine Monohydrate vs. Other Forms
21:45 The Problem With Creatine Gummies and Liquids
24:25 Supplements, Longevity and Healthy Aging
27:02 Supplement Fraud and Canada's Regulatory System
29:28 Final Thoughts

If you enjoyed this, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments.

Visit https://www.tplmedia.ca

Pillars: Health

#Creatine #CreatineMonohydrate #BrainHealth #HealthyAging #Supplements

Chapters

• (00:00:05) - Introduction and personal creatine journeys
• (00:01:22) - What is creatine and history of research
• (00:04:30) - Early research: muscle disease and aging studies
• (00:06:18) - Subscribe reminder
• (00:07:11) - Creatine in women, menopause, and bone health
• (00:10:30) - Proper dosing: loading vs daily maintenance
• (00:12:47) - Sleep deprivation, brain loading, and cognitive benefits
• (00:15:37) - Kidney myths and creatinine confusion
• (00:19:14) - Creatine forms: monohydrate vs other salts and scams
• (00:24:03) - Subscribe reminder
• (00:24:28) - Future topics, company background, and industry fraud
• (00:28:25) - Closing remarks and thanks

Canada raised interest rates again. Is the Bank of Canada making a costly mistake?
Economist Moshe Lander explains who could pay the price.

In this episode, we break down:

• Why the Bank of Canada's 0.25 percentage point interest rate hike has economists questioning the decision

• Whether raising interest rates can actually fight inflation driven by oil prices, global conflicts, and tariffs

• How higher borrowing costs could impact Canadian mortgages, car loans, household debt, and the cost of living

• Why a stronger Canadian dollar could hurt exports while making imports cheaper

• The potential consequences for Canadian businesses, investment, productivity, and employment

• How rising interest rates could increase Canada's government debt servicing costs

• Whether the Bank of Canada and Mark Carney's government are working against each other's economic priorities

• How the U.S. midterm elections could reshape tariffs, trade negotiations, and Canada's economic outlook

• Whether Canadians should prepare for another interest rate hike in December or possible relief in 2027

Hosts: Mike Wixson
Guests: Moshe Lander

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
02:09 Why the Bank of Canada's rate hike is controversial
05:00 How inflation expectations shape interest rate decisions
07:20 The Canadian dollar, exports, and inflation
10:50 How higher rates hurt Canadians and businesses
13:04 Corporate taxes, government debt, and economic growth
16:58 Is Canadian economic policy working against itself?
19:02 How banks and mortgage holders could respond
21:11 Will interest rates rise again in December?
23:14 Why the Bank of Canada may have acted too soon

If you enjoyed this, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments.

Visit https://www.tplmedia.ca

Pillars: Economy

#BankOfCanada #InterestRates #CanadaEconomy #Inflation #MosheLander

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Interest Rate Hike Announcement Reaction
• (00:01:24) - Supply-Side vs Demand-Side Inflation Causes
• (00:02:37) - US Midterms and Geopolitical Factors
• (00:04:01) - How the Bank of Canada Decides on Rates
• (00:05:55) - Impact on Alberta and Political Optics
• (00:07:22) - Canadian Dollar, Exports and Imports
• (00:09:59) - Effects on Consumers, Debt and Business Investment
• (00:12:49) - Corporate Taxes and Government Debt Costs
• (00:15:48) - Productivity, Tax Incentives and Policy Coordination
• (00:17:00) - Bank of Canada's Role and Government Coordination
• (00:18:15) - How Banks and Borrowers Respond to Rate Hikes
• (00:20:34) - Looking Ahead: Future Rate Decisions

In this episode, we break down:

• Why voter turnout in Canadian municipal elections is so low, particularly in Ontario.

• The surprising voting numbers in Toronto, Mississauga, Ottawa, Oshawa, and other Ontario cities.

• How low voter turnout gives small, organized groups greater influence over election outcomes.

• Why municipal elections matter more than many Canadians realize, from property taxes and public services to local infrastructure.

• How voting holds mayors, councillors, and political leaders accountable for their decisions.

• Why protecting voting rights and democratic participation matters for Canada's future.

• Whether online voting and modernized election systems could increase voter participation.

• How skipping an election can influence your community's political direction for years.

Hosts: Mike Wixson, Paul Micucci

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
03:45 Why Canadians Overlook Municipal Elections
06:10 Ontario's Shocking Voter Turnout Numbers
09:35 How Voting Holds Politicians Accountable
12:55 Why Voting Rights Must Be Protected
16:15 Remembrance Day and the Cost of Democracy
19:15 Trust in Canada's Electoral System
22:00 How Local Politics Affects Your Everyday Life
25:00 Property Taxes, Budgets, and Public Services
27:35 Is It Time to Modernize Canadian Elections?
30:05 How Low Turnout Shapes Political Power for Years

If you enjoyed this, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments.

Pillars: Politics

#CanadianPolitics #MunicipalElections #VoterTurnout #OntarioElections #TPLMedia

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Low Voter Turnout Across Ontario and Manitoba
• (00:04:16) - Every Vote Matters: City Turnout Stats
• (00:09:34) - Holding Leaders Accountable
• (00:10:53) - Democracy, Participation, and Power Concentration
• (00:12:56) - Rights Aren't Guaranteed: Immigrant Perspectives
• (00:16:17) - Remembrance Day and the Value of Democracy
• (00:17:36) - Why Some New Canadians Don't Vote
• (00:19:10) - Election Integrity: Canada vs Other Countries
• (00:21:02) - How Policies Shape Your Everyday Life
• (00:23:43) - Government Budgets and Accountability
• (00:25:19) - Modernizing Voting: Online Voting Discussion
• (00:26:46) - Voting Strengthens Community Influence
• (00:30:15) - Long-Term Impact of Low Turnout and Incumbency
• (00:31:56) - Closing Thoughts Before Election Results