I was sitting in the green room of a Canadian television station when Sim Seera walked in. She has such positive energy. Since we were both early for our appearances, we used the time to talk and get to know each other. I liked her immediately, and when she told me her story, I knew I had to share it on Chatter That Matters.

I also wanted to share her energy with an audience, so I taped the interview in front of a packed house at the Convenience Industry Council of Canada's annual summit. This unexpected twist added a new and wonderful dimension to our conversation.

This is Sim's story, an immigrant who came to Canada at a young age after losing her parents in a horrific accident. Tragedy will strike again, but it is through the people she meets along the way, both family and strangers, that guide and help her get to where she is today.

As Sim says in the podcast: "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear."

This week on Chatter that Matters, we explore the profound impact of our surroundings on our health, emotions, and overall well-being. World-renowned architect and thought leader Tye Farrow joins me to discuss how our spaces can elevate our lives, offering more than shelter.

Tye shares insights from his groundbreaking book, Constructing Health, in which he integrates neuroscience with architecture to advocate for salutogenic design—a transformative approach that fosters well-being. From the inspiration of his architect father to his work on major global projects, like a revolutionary cancer centre in Israel, Tye takes us on a journey through his career, highlighting how thoughtful design can be more than a place to be; it can be a place to be healthy, creative and connected.

Tye shares how we can construct health through specific, measurable design qualities and characteristics to enhance human performance in our cities, homes, and places of learning and healing. This includes intergenerational housing that fosters community.

Leah Robinson from RBC joins the show to talk about how financial institutions must, too, march towards a future to provide innovative solutions to homeowners.

To purchase Tye Farrow's best-selling book Constructing Health: https://www.amazon.ca/Constructing-Health-Built-Environment-Enhances/dp/1487557221

Have you ever watched a movie that lingered in your thoughts long after the credits rolled? That’s exactly how I felt after sitting down with Mitchell Cohen. Many share this sentiment as Mitchell is a true Renaissance man—a thinker, doer, musician, and composer. His mesmerizing cadence makes every moment spent listening to him an absolute delight.

Mitchell has devoted much of his life to addressing one of Canada’s most pressing challenges: affordable housing.

Mitchell's influence is immense as the CEO of The Daniels Corporation, one of the country’s leading builders and developers. His focus isn’t just on constructing buildings; it’s on creating thriving communities. Take Regent Park in Toronto—once a neighbourhood many avoided, it’s now a city's crown jewel. Mitchell’s vision and dedication have transformed it into a place where people want to live, work, and connect, and the project is now a model for city planners worldwide.

I encourage you to share Mitchell’s story with young adults. It’s an inspiring reminder of the power of purpose—how aligning your passions with a meaningful pursuit can shape your life and leave a lasting legacy for others.

To purchase Mitchell Cohen's book Rhythms of Change - Reflections on the Regent Park Revitalization: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/rhythms-of-change-reflections-on-the-regent-park-revitalization/9781774585054.html