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Pain leaves fingerprints long before we can name it. Nikki joins us to share how adoption, ADHD, and small-town stigma shaped a childhood of big feelings and constant misunderstandings—and how those early imprints led to teen marriage, addiction, and a life-or-death turning point. We open with a two-eyed seeing lens, blending Indigenous and Western perspectives so we can hold both the science of trauma and the lived experience of being mixed race, neurodivergent, and chronically misread as “defiant.”

Nikki recounts the loneliness of being a girl with undiagnosed ADHD, the pressure of a religious home where her teacher-dad doubled the scrutiny, and the ache that drove her toward any scrap of love. She speaks openly about self-harm, running away at 13, and getting married and pregnant before she could legally drink. After leaving that marriage, a search for freedom collided with alcohol, sexual assault, and the crack culture that pulsed through night life at the time. Even as she returned to high school and tried to parent, shame and survival mode pulled her under. The spiral ends at a locked bathroom door, a bottle of pills, and a partner who sensed the danger and broke in just in time.

What follows is raw, humane, and grounded: waking intubated, facing family who didn’t understand, and learning the language that finally fit—trauma is an experience, not a memory. We explore how neurodivergent girls get missed, why adoption grief can coexist with love, and what recovery really asks for beyond abstinence: safety, attachment, cultural humility, and forgiveness that includes accountability. Through two-eyed seeing, we trace pathways back to dignity, steadier parenting, and a future not ruled by old pain.

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Start here if you want a grounded, human look at neurodiversity that honours where we live and how we learn. We root the conversation on Mi’kmaq territory and carry that respect into a two-eyed seeing approach, weaving Indigenous and Western perspectives to make sense of struggle, resilience, and growth. This update pulls back the curtain on our process, our next set of guests, and the creative choices that help us tell better stories.

We share a production win—moving from a tablet to a proper studio rig—that cuts friction and lets us focus on people, not buttons. Then we walk through the upcoming line-up: Joy Day, a sheriff in Halifax and Dartmouth, opening up about ADHD at work and the tools that turn pressure into performance; Robbie Vino, a local fixture on Argyle Street, offering a Love story that speaks to belonging and identity; and the Bagel Man, a beloved bakery owner whose big suit and bigger spirit remind us to keep humour close to the hard parts. It’s a mix by design: workplace realities, community ties, and entrepreneurship as a neurodivergent path.

We also talk about using AI to support creative work, from scripting to short-form videos featuring Grizzly Bear Bunker. Think practical prompts, fast iteration, and accessible storytelling that meets listeners where they are. These 24-second hits—motivation, quotes of the day, and bite-size reflections—help new folks sample our tone and values before diving deeper. Along the way, we reflect on why small wins matter, how better tools can lower cognitive load, and why laughter belongs next to lived experience.

Got a story of your own? We’re inviting guests with real-life lessons, messy middles, and clear takeaways. Head to our Linktree on Instagram to pitch your angle, then subscribe and share to bring more voices to the table. If this resonated, leave a review and tell us: which guest should we host next?

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A red suit, a pocketful of candy, and a promise to show up—sometimes the simplest rituals change everything. We trace Chad’s journey from a childhood glimpse of “Santa” to stepping into the role himself, guided by a grandfather who turned music and kindness into daily medicine. Alongside Keith, we bring that legacy to Argyle Street, where smiles, small talk, and a gentle presence help turn a busy strip into a place that feels like family.

We open with respect for Mi’kmaq territory and move into the heart of our mission: a two-eyed seeing approach to neurodiversity that pairs tradition with practical, street-level care. Chad shares how playing Santa teaches skills that matter—reading cues, using a calm voice, getting on a child’s level, and building trust without pressure. Those habits strengthen mental health, support recovery, and make social spaces safer for everyone. The community’s response—from shop staff to unhoused neighbours—shows that recognition and joy can be powerful tools for belonging.

Looking forward, we’re taking Santa beyond downtown: recovery houses, women’s shelters, group homes, and seniors’ homes, with karaoke, photos, and a focus on bringing comfort where it’s needed most. We also share what’s next for the Big Bears Podcast—audio-first now, with short-form street videos on the way—to amplify stories of resilience, grit, and growth. If this mix of tradition, service, and neurodiversity speaks to you, tap follow, share this with a friend, and leave a review to help more people find the show. Got a place we should visit next season or a story to tell? Reach out and let’s make it happen together.

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