Hard Hats & Hard Roads

10/03/2025

A few days ago was National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and I was thankful to step away from work for a couple hours to attend a local ceremony. What I experienced there has stayed with me, deep in my spirit.

I heard stories. I heard pain.
Survivors spoke with courage and honesty about the legacy of residential schools — the loss, the trauma, the graves. A 16-year-old Indigenous leader shared powerful words about the change he's helping lead within the local school divisions. His strength and vision at such a young age moved me to my core.

Since that day, my mind has been in a very reflective place. It’s brought up a lot for me — about my own journey, about reconnection, about healing. If anyone knows an elder I can speak to, I would deeply appreciate being connected. There’s so much I want to learn and understand.

That day, I wore a medicine bag created and beaded by my Auntie — you'll see it in the photo. With a blessing, I wore it all day in ceremony. This medicine bag is a gift for Phil Fontaine, who recently came on my podcast. It’s a gesture of respect and gratitude for his wisdom and willingness to share his story.

For those who may not know, Phil Fontaine is the former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. He is a residential school survivor, and has spent much of his life advocating for truth, justice, and reconciliation. He was part of the delegation that met with the Pope at the Vatican, and stood in the House of Commons when former Prime Minister Stephen Harper formally apologized to Indigenous peoples for the atrocities committed through the residential school system.

I’m incredibly proud — and humbled — to say that Phil is family.
Having had the chance to speak with him personally and interview him for my podcast is something I will never forget.

As someone who was raised Catholic and didn’t grow up with access to my full heritage, this journey of learning, unlearning, and reconnecting has been deeply emotional. But it’s also been beautiful.

If you’d like to hear my conversation with Phil Fontaine, the episode link is in the comments.
And again, if you know of an elder who might be open to speaking with me, please reach out.

Thank you for reading
Stay grounded. Stay kind. 🧡

06/16/2025

It’s not about going viral.
It’s about something way more important — life.

Hard Hats & Hard Roads was built to share real, raw stories from real people working in the toughest industries — oil & gas, firefighting, construction, and more. The goal? That someone out there hears a story and realizes they’re not alone.

And today, I’m proud to share that Jeremy’s episode has already saved TWO lives.

Jeremy — a local GP man, proud biker, firefighter, oil & gas, and family man — opened up with honesty and grit. Because of that episode: 🔥 A retired Grande Prairie firefighter reached out and got help — after realizing he’s not the only one feeling the way he does.
🔥 Another listener found the strength to go to AA after hearing Jeremy’s words.

Let that sink in.

Two lives changed. Two people still here.
This is what it's all about. Sharing stories. Breaking the silence. Saving lives.

Jeremy, I’m so damn proud of you.
And I’m proud of this podcast.
Hard Hats & Hard Roads is doing what it was meant to do.

One story at a time. One life at a time.

05/22/2025

In this unique season finale of Hard Hats & Hard Roads, Grande Prairie host Gabe Moose and psychologist Amanda Unsworth sit down with Calgary surgeon Dr. Alexandra Hatchell for an open, insightful and honest conversation.

Together, they tackle some of the most talked-about issues in today’s medical landscape, addressing widespread misconceptions and bringing clarity through real-world stats and first-hand experience from the surgical frontlines.

This episode highlights the challenges healthcare professionals and patients are facing and delivers an honest look at what’s really going on behind the headlines, as well as a chance to get to know your host Gabe a little better!

Whether you're in the trades, healthcare, or simply looking to better understand the system, this is one episode you won't want to miss.

Episode 8 is now live on YouTube and Spotify.
LINKS IN THE COMMENTS

05/18/2025

🎥 Episode 7 is LIVE! 🔥

In this episode of Hard Hats & Hard Roads, host Gabe Moose and co-host, psychologist Amanda Unsworth, sit down with Jeremy — a Grande Prairie local, firefighter, oil and gas man, biker, and devoted family man.

Jeremy gets real about the mental health challenges that hit hardest in high-risk industries. He shares personal raw stories, how he copes, and why support systems and brother/sisterhood are everything when the job takes its toll.

Don’t miss this honest and powerful conversation about resilience, grit, and the strength it takes to keep going.

Watch now on YouTube and Spotify!
LINKS IN THE COMMENTS!

05/11/2025

🚨 NEW EPISODE DROP! 🎧
Hard Hats & Hard Roads – Episode 6 is LIVE!

This one’s a game changer.

I had the honor of sitting down with Tracy Golnick, Director of Men’s Mental Health and the powerhouse behind Tough Enough To Talk About It. When Tracy speaks to crews, the boys don’t want her to leave — and after hearing her, you’ll understand why.

She’s not just raising awareness — she’s destroying the stigma around men’s mental health in some of the toughest, most male-dominated industries. Her approach is bold, effective, and long overdue.

We talk about:
🧠 Treating mental health like first aid
👷‍♂️ Equipping workers to recognize the signs
💬 Creating space where men feel safe to talk
⚒️ The ripple effect of mental health literacy on worksites

This episode could save lives — no exaggeration.

🎙️ Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform and let’s keep pushing the conversation forward.

LINK IN THE COMMENTS!

05/01/2025

Episode 5 now available!!!
We sit down with Chad Kennedy, founder of Sea to Sea for PTSD and a former Alberta Sheriff Highway Patrol officer, to discuss his personal journey through trauma, healing, and advocacy.

Chad shares his firsthand account of the tragic Columbia Icefield bus rollover near Lake Louise in July 2020, where he was among the first responders on the scene. The incident resulted in three fatalities and numerous critical injuries, leaving a lasting impact on all involved .

Diagnosed with PTSD in 2018, Chad faced significant challenges in his recovery. In a pivotal moment, he made a life-changing decision to walk across Canada, founding Sea to Sea for PTSD to raise awareness and support for mental health initiatives among first responders and veterans .

In this episode, Chad opens up about the struggles of seeking help, the importance of community support, and his mission to destroy the stigma surrounding mental health.

🎧 Listen to the full episode (link in the comments)

📢 Join the conversation and help spread awareness by sharing this episode.

04/25/2025

Episode 4 is live on YouTube & Spotify! 🔨🎙️
Journeyman Carpenter Sam Thompson joins Hard Hats & Hard Roads to open up about being neurodivergent in the trades — the challenges, the strengths, and the realities of navigating a workplace that often isn't built with neurodivergent folks in mind.

Sam also gets real about the struggle to find a family doctor in our community — a serious issue impacting many, especially those already facing barriers.

This is a raw, important convo you don’t want to miss.
(Link in the comments)

04/23/2025

🚨 Meet Glenn Thomson: A Legacy of Service, A Voice for Change 🚔

With decades of police service under his belt, Glenn Thomson has seen and carried more than most could imagine. Now in his 80s, he's opening up about something that was never part of the job description—but affected every part of it: PTSD and trauma.

Coming from a generation that was taught to “tough it out,” Glenn admits he never reached out for help when he needed it most. Back then, talking about mental health was seen as weakness. But now? He knows silence is what truly does the damage.

Through raw and powerful stories, Glenn is destroying that cycle. He’s sharing what it really feels like to bury the weight of trauma, and why it’s so important for future first responders to know: you don’t have to carry it alone.

His goal? To help the next generation before they hit the breaking point.

If you're a first responder, know one, or just want to understand the cost of staying silent—Glenn’s story is one you need to hear.

https://youtu.be/uiOPERI9Wms?si=_4bBvFCJxOewnX6i

04/23/2025

NEW CLIP DROP — Episode 3 Highlight 🚨

We had the absolute honor of sitting down with Sue Harvey, a true trailblazer who's breaking barriers and destroying the stigma around mental health in first responders. 💥
In this clip, Sue opens up about the raw courage it takes to speak out, and the power of community and vulnerability in healing. Her words? 🔥 Brave. Real. Inspiring.

She also shares the goal behind the program Driving Foreward the golf-based peer support program she co-founded to give first responders a new way to reconnect, recharge, and recover — both on and off the green. ⛳️💬
Hit play and feel the impact. Then go check out the full episode — you don't want to miss this one. 🙌

https://youtu.be/uiOPERI9Wms?si=olv52m56gfUr7RIM

04/19/2025

Big News!
Hard Hats & Hard Roads now has its own YouTube and Spotify channels!

Episode 3 just dropped and we're rolling out a brand new episode every week until all 8 are out!

Tap in for raw convos, real local stories, and the grit that keeps the world moving, let's destroy the stigma with mental health!!
Filmed with my co-host local psychologist, Amanda Unsworth.

Subscribe and follow so you don't miss a thing!
Catch Episode 3 now — and get ready for more.

GOAL: If even one human hears a story and it saves their life and/or gets help. Mission accomplished on my end.

https://open.spotify.com/show/4iSBZM7qYPk40cM3JWsaea?si=LoiUg5QoRDWPB9BI2gUaNw

https://youtube.com/?si=0la6JbJfX1wYVhFi

Podcast · Gabe Moose · Welcome to the official Hard Hats & Hard Roads Spotify! I'm your host, Gabe Moose, coming to you from Grande Prairie, Alberta. This video podcast is dedicated to sharing real, raw, and inspiring stories from the people who keep our communities moving — first responders, oi...

04/16/2025

Powerful insight from Former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Phil Fontaine

04/10/2025

Thank you Town & Country News for the amazing interview/article!!

Let's save some lives.

Check out their website!!