Josie shares the terrifying, challenging and joyful experiences that can go along with navigating life with a child with special needs.

Josie shares the terrifying, challenging and joyful experiences that can go along with navigating life with a child with special needs.

Join us on a ridiculously fun journey that celebrates not only our unique stories but also the little imperfections & mistakes that make us human. The show you’re too shy to ask for!  

Join us on a ridiculously fun journey that celebrates not only our unique stories but also the little imperfections &amp; mistakes that make us human. The show you’re too shy to ask for!

Cynthia and Josie's Unmentionables

When You Find Out Your Child Has A Disability

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In this episode of Cynthia and Josie’s Unmentionables, we speak with award winning journalist and TSN reporter Rick Westhead about Canadian hockey culture and the systems that shape young boys in sport.

Rick Westhead is the journalist who broke the 2022 Hockey Canada World Junior sexual assault allegations story. His book, We Breed Lions Confronting Canada’s Troubled Hockey Culture, examines junior hockey in Canada, locker room dynamics, hazing rituals, and the lack of accountability that has allowed harmful behaviour to persist.

We discuss how hockey has become deeply tied to Canadian identity, particularly in Ontario, Toronto, and communities across Canada, and why questioning hockey culture can provoke such intense backlash. Rick also reflects on social media harassment, power, masculinity, and the personal cost of investigating sport at the highest levels.

The conversation explores how minor hockey and elite junior leagues operate, how secrecy and humiliation are normalized, and why real change has been so difficult. At the same time, Rick highlights programs in Hamilton Ontario and across Canada that are teaching consent, healthy masculinity, and leadership through sport.

Proceeds from We Breed Lions support organizations including the London Abused Women’s Centre, the Toronto Rape Crisis Centre, and Canadian Tire Jumpstart, helping combat gender based violence and improve access to sport.

This episode is essential listening for parents, coaches, athletes, and anyone invested in the future of hockey in Canada.

In this episode of Cynthia and Josie&rsquo;s Unmentionables, we speak with award winning journalist and TSN reporter Rick Westhead about Canadian hockey culture and the systems that shape young boys in sport.
Rick Westhead is the journalist who broke the 2022 Hockey Canada World Junior sexual assault allegations story. His book, We Breed Lions Confronting Canada&rsquo;s Troubled Hockey Culture, examines junior hockey in Canada, locker room dynamics, hazing rituals, and the lack of accountability that has allowed harmful behaviour to persist.
We discuss how hockey has become deeply tied to Canadian identity, particularly in Ontario, Toronto, and communities across Canada, and why questioning hockey culture can provoke such intense backlash. Rick also reflects on social media harassment, power, masculinity, and the personal cost of investigating sport at the highest levels.
The conversation explores how minor hockey and elite junior leagues operate, how secrecy and humiliation are normalized, and why real change has been so difficult. At the same time, Rick highlights programs in Hamilton Ontario and across Canada that are teaching consent, healthy masculinity, and leadership through sport.
Proceeds from We Breed Lions support organizations including the London Abused Women&rsquo;s Centre, the Toronto Rape Crisis Centre, and Canadian Tire Jumpstart, helping combat gender based violence and improve access to sport.
This episode is essential listening for parents, coaches, athletes, and anyone invested in the future of hockey in Canada.

Confronting Canada's Complicated Hockey Culture

Cynthia and Josie sit down for an honest, feel-good conversation about parenting, growth, and figuring it all out as they go. They share stories about big kid emotions, favourite mantras, and lessons from the past year; plus why empathy, reflection, and soaking up time with loved ones matter more than ever. It’s real, relatable, and full of heart.

 

Takeaways
Cynthia's son expressed a profound realization about time and relationships.
Listening to children during moments of distress can lead to meaningful conversations.
Mantras can serve as guiding principles in life.
Confusion does not equate to being lost or behind in life.
Reflecting on the past year can reveal unexpected accomplishments.
Teaching children about empathy and giving is crucial.
Conversations about difficult topics can strengthen parent-child relationships.
Personal growth often comes from navigating grief and loss.
Finding joy in everyday moments is essential for happiness.
The importance of self-awareness in managing ambitions and expectations.

Questions To Ask Yourself:

1. If this past year was a movie, what was the genre and what was the basic synopsis?

2. What moments in 2025 made me feel most alive?

3. Where did I grow the most?

4. How did I really spend my time and energy?

5. Who shaped this year with me?

6. If I had to name the one thing I’m most proud of this year, what would it be and why?

7. On a scale of 1-10...how would I honestly rate my happiness or sense of contentment this year and what influenced that number most?

8. What surprised me the most this year?

9. As I look toward the year ahead, what would be the highest, wisest use of my talents and attention?

Cynthia and Josie sit down for an honest, feel-good conversation about parenting, growth, and figuring it all out as they go. They share stories about big kid emotions, favourite mantras, and lessons from the past year; plus why empathy, reflection, and soaking up time with loved ones matter more than ever. It&rsquo;s real, relatable, and full of heart.
&nbsp;
Takeaways
<ul>
<li>Cynthia's son expressed a profound realization about time and relationships.</li>
<li>Listening to children during moments of distress can lead to meaningful conversations.</li>
<li>Mantras can serve as guiding principles in life.</li>
<li>Confusion does not equate to being lost or behind in life.</li>
<li>Reflecting on the past year can reveal unexpected accomplishments.</li>
<li>Teaching children about empathy and giving is crucial.</li>
<li>Conversations about difficult topics can strengthen parent-child relationships.</li>
<li>Personal growth often comes from navigating grief and loss.</li>
<li>Finding joy in everyday moments is essential for happiness.</li>
<li>The importance of self-awareness in managing ambitions and expectations.</li>
</ul>
Questions To Ask Yourself:
1. If this past year was a movie, what was the genre and what was the basic synopsis?
<hr>
2. What moments in 2025 made me feel most&nbsp;alive?
<hr>
3. Where did I grow the most?
<hr>
4. How did I really spend my time and energy?
<hr>
5. Who shaped this year with me?
<hr>
6. If I had to name the&nbsp;one&nbsp;thing I&rsquo;m most proud of this year, what would it be and why?
<hr>
7. On a scale of 1-10...how would I honestly rate my happiness or sense of contentment this year and what influenced that number most?
<hr>
8. What surprised me the most this year?
<hr>
9. As I look toward the year ahead, what would be the highest, wisest use of my talents and attention?

Mantras, Meltdowns & Meaningful Moments

In this episode, we sit down with W5’s Avery Haines to talk about her powerful investigation into a global online network of men who secretly drug, assault, and film their own partners and then share that abuse with others. Avery walks us through how she infiltrated this hidden world, what she uncovered, and the shocking truth about predators operating in plain sight.

 

Links:

W5 

CTV NEWS

In this episode, we sit down with W5&rsquo;s Avery Haines to talk about her powerful investigation into a global online network of men who secretly drug, assault, and film their own partners and then share that abuse with others. Avery walks us through how she infiltrated this hidden world, what she uncovered, and the shocking truth about predators operating in plain sight.
&nbsp;
Links:
<a href="https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuTb7J9YsBvr3vvj2H4uLGhTACX3FbCeF&amp;si=LGKtMLZwAyeG77tG">W5 </a>
<a href="https://www.ctvnews.ca/video/2025/06/03/sleeping-with-the-enemy-w5-avery-haines-investigates/">CTV NEWS</a>

When You Find Out Your Child Has A Disability

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