The Journey Podcast (Mathew Channer)

Lexie Obey is a Piapot First Nations women and a trail runner, who recently starred in a beautiful short film titled Miyo-Kiyokâwin, which means "visiting in a good way". In it, Lexie explores her connection to the land, and the often difficult balance between using extreme sports to "conquer the mountain" or "visit the mountain".

It’s my honour to talk to Lexie about how to practice reciprocity with the land, and how to start making that important change in perspective from seeing land as a thing to land as spirit. We also talk about doing hard things as a path to finding joy, what it’s like to be both environmentally conscious and a tree-planter in Canada, and how individualism and spiritual connection with land and nature are diametrically opposed.

I am blessed to have my good friend Lexie Obey on The Journey Podcast, and I hope you find as much joy and value in this conversation as I did.

Follow Lexie: https://www.instagram.com/lexieobey/

Watch Miyo-Kiyokâwin: https://youtu.be/KoekJAMSIRQ?si=3tQHChQ9t2j6XDIq

Learn more about Spirit North: https://www.spiritnorthxc.ca/

Finnan Connolly was 29-years old when he was diagnosed with a grade 2 glioma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Less than a month later he was undergoing open brain surgery to remove a golf-ball size tumour from his brain.

Since then, Finn has had to overcome a series of physical, mental and emotional challenges to return to a “normal” life. Finn’s determination to get his life back and even improve many aspects of his life beyond where they were pre-cancer, is truly inspiring.

During this stimulating conversation we discuss the intense mental and emotional journey of living with the omnipresent threat of recurrence, finding positives in the face of extreme adversity, and what it’s like to get told you have 9 years to live. We also discuss the line between performance-driven and fear-driven action, the power of setting goals, and using exposure therapy to prepare yourself for the hardest moments in life. I’m really excited to bring you this first full-length episode of The Journey Podcast, with a man who has been on one hell of a journey just to stay alive.

Follow Finn Connolly here

Song credit: 'Hotline' - Ballpoint, Cushy, Dylan Sitts

Joe Skopec is a legend in Ontario Rock Climbing. He is a 14D climber known for his community spirit, his unquenchable stoke, and most recently for climbing every single sport route in the Southern Ontario guidebooks. He is also a good friend and a role model for me and for many climbers in Ontario.

During this beautiful conversation we discuss building healthy relationships with both failure and with fear, finding joy, following your own stoke, and why Joe is giving up the iconic climbing milestone of climbing 5.15A to start a family.

Whether you’re a climber or thinking about climbing, or got no interest in climbing, Joe Skopec’s unique and infectious outlook on life is a simple, powerful, and inspiring message that everyone should hear.

Follow Joe Skopec here

Song credit: 'Hotline' by Ballpoint, Cushy, Dylan Sitts

Album cover image: Mike Penney

Welcome to The Journey Podcast! 

I'm thrilled to welcome you to this space, especially because it almost didn't happen. In this short solocast, I breakdown my toxic relationship with performance and what it means to move away from fear instead of toward success. This is a quick introduction to my new podcast, so if you're ready to dive straight into a full length episode, please do so!

Check out my website: www.mathewchanner.com

Read Last Train North

Song credit: 'Hotline' - Ballpoint, Cushy, Dylan Sitts