Family Secrets: When Buried Treasures Come to Light
Reflections by Mikael Wagner Almost every family has a story nobody talks about. Sometimes we know there is a secret because everyone suddenly becomes quiet when a certain name is mentioned. Sometimes an old photograph appears, and nobody seems willing to explain who the person standing in the corner might be. Often, there is a relative we have heard about but never met. Other times, we don't discover the secret until years later, when the people who could have explained it
7 days ago8 min read
Learning to Live with Loss
"Grief Has No Timeline" Grief is not something we finish. It's something we slowly learn to carry. There are some phone calls we never forget and some goodbyes we were not prepared to say. And some people whose absence changes the way the world feels forever. The loss of a friend, a special family member, partner, spouse, parent, colleague, or someone we deeply care about can be one of life's most difficult experiences. No matter how much we understand intellectually that de
Sep 77 min read
Trust & Betrayal: The Hardest Lesson We Learn About People
Trust is one of the most valuable gifts we can give another person. Unlike money or possessions, trust can't be bought. It's earned over time through honesty, consistency, respect, and shared experiences. It's built conversation by conversation, promise by promise, until one day we find ourselves believing that someone will protect our confidence, honour their word, and stand beside us when life becomes difficult. That is why betrayal hurts so deeply. Whether it comes from a
Aug 135 min read
Is America Destroying Itself?
Over the past several years, I have found myself asking a question that once seemed unthinkable: Is America destroying itself? Sometimes I imagine America standing at a crossroad. One path is loud. Filled with endless headlines, social media feeds, breaking news alerts, political slogans, outrage, and voices all competing to be heard. The other path is quieter. It asks us to slow down, to think critically, to listen, and to question ourselves as much as we question others. Th
Jul 144 min read
No One Gets to Define Your Worth
Reflections by Mikael Wagner I recently watched the story of Sarah Rector, an 11-year-old Black girl born in 1902 in Oklahoma, to Creek Nation's parents. She was entitled to a land allotment under federal treaties. Her life changed forever when oil was discovered on land many believed had little value. As I watched her struggle against greed, racism, and people determined to take what was rightfully hers, I felt tears running down my face. It wasn't simply because of what hap
Jun 284 min read
Distrust in the Media: How Did We Get Here?
Reflections by Mikael Wagner There was a time when many people trusted the evening news, their local newspaper, or a handful of journalists to help them understand what was happening in the world. Today, trust in the media has become deeply fractured. Some people believe the media hides the truth. Others believe it has become too political, too corporate, or too focused on ratings and outrage. Still others struggle to know what sources can be trusted at all. As a young man wo
Jun 175 min read
How Seniors Are Being Scammed Everyday
Although we may not notice, a quiet crime is happening every day in our communities and with our older family members. Many years ago, while living in America, I travelled across the country conducting Senior Scam trainings and workshops helping families understand the risks facing older adults. It made me think a lot about my mother. Like many seniors, she was trusting, generous, and believed that most people generally meant well. At first, that trust made her vulnerable. Bu
Jun 210 min read
