Let Me Overthink About It

01/01/2025

Honest question: As a podcast host, are you allowed to pick favourite seasons?

If so, I *think* this was it. 👀

Thank you to everyone who joined me for season four — as a guest, a listener, a sponsor, a supporter, and a cheerleader behind the scenes.

I’m so grateful to all of you.

Stay tuned for season five, friends.

Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia

16/06/2024

In the twentieth and FINAL episode of season four, I am joined by my pal Danielle Crowell to overthink about Past, Present and Future.

In this episode, Danielle turns the mic on me!

We dive into:
• The intention of the podcast and its’ evolution
• Important lessons in podcasting and life
• Future goals

Check it out wherever you get your podcasts!

https://www.thesammadore.ca/season-four

02/06/2024

In the nineteenth episode of season four, I am joined by Alix Robinson and Colleen O'Dea to overthink about Imposter Sisterhood.

We dive into:
• Accountability and friendship
• Abundance vs scarcity
• Confidence and imposter syndrome

With nearly 20 years’ experience in marketing, spanning traditional models to cutting-edge digital strategies, she is often commended for her ability to create impactful and action-provoking campaigns by getting into the mind-set of the target audience. Throughout her career, Alix has led several multi-brand marketing departments, leading strategies and campaigns with concentrations in service, retail and media marketing.

As owner of Every day I’m Branding Inc., Alix uses her problem-solving aptitude and creative flair to build customized branding packages and competitive, conversion-driven digital strategies & content campaigns for small to medium sized businesses.

Colleen took the scenic route on her journey towards Social Media Marketing! With a degree in Information Technology and a diploma in Graphic Design, Colleen began her second career with her business, Drawbridge Creative, in 2010, focusing on website design and branding, with social media naturally being in the mix.

Simultaneously, Colleen began sharing her personal experiences as a single mom through her blog, aptly named "Curtains are Open." As her blog gained traction and a dedicated following, she decided to explore the realm of Influencer Marketing. Online, Colleen became known as , collaborating with a multitude of brands to promote their products and services through her blog and social media platforms. Additionally, she actively participates in local Content Creator (Influencer) Events, where she both attends and hosts such gatherings.

With her extensive knowledge of technology, writing, design, social media, content management, and business, it was only natural for Colleen to take the next step in her career by specializing in Social Media Marketing. She has beautifully woven together her diverse experience and expertise, tying it all with a giant sparkly bow.

27/05/2024

"You are worthy of being seen. You are worthy of kindness and compassion." An important reminder for everyone as we start this new week.

If you haven't already, tune into one of the latest episodes from Let Me Overthink About It. Host Sam Madore, along with Sarah Flemming and our very own Susan Henderson, explore 'Self & Community Compassion,' with a special focus on our very own community here in Colchester and East Hants, .

Listen now: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3FwxZ9jkN9axwqNDhQSm98

26/05/2024

In the eighteenth episode of season four, I am joined by April Howe to overthink about inclusion and mentorship.

We dive into:

• The story behind Crayon Strategies
• The importance of mentorship and building connections
• The benefits of public speaking

https://www.thesammadore.ca/season-four

April has been an active voice for diversity and inclusion for many years. Through her Consulting firm, Crayon Strategies Inc., she helps organizations create the conditions for authentic inclusiveness. She consults and coaches extensively with clients within the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

April served the Province of Nova Scotia from 2018 – 2023, most recently as the Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. Prior, she was the Senior Executive Advisor to the Deputy Minister of Justice. Before joining the Department of Justice, April was the Executive Director of People and Culture with the Public Service Commission, where she led the creation of the provincial Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. Before joining government, April was a Partner with Knightsbridge Robertson Surrette leading their Career Services practice. April holds an Executive Master of Business from Saint Mary's University - Sobey School of Business and is also a Certified Career and Executive Coach.

As a believer in community engagement, April co-chaired the successful 2020 Halifax Mayoral campaign for Mayor Mike Savage. She currently sits on the Boards of the Neptune Theater, the International Women’s Forum (IWF), the Africville Heritage Trust, and the Tribe Network. Previously, she served on the of boards of the North End Community Health Center, the IWK Foundation, the Halifax Partnership, the United Way Halifax, the Black Business Initiative, and Dress for Success.

19/05/2024

In the seventeenth episode of season four, I am joined by Alana Yorke to overthink about strength with a stroke.

We dive into:

• Music before, during, and after stroke
• How stroke impacted mental wellness
• Finding humour and joy in tough situations

https://www.thesammadore.ca/season-four

Alana Yorke’s Destroyer is an art-pop stunner that represents both a creative triumph and a personal transformation. From its genesis, the album was anchored in the idea of a solitary descent to face the self and come back wholly changed. The universe of Destroyer is an otherworld where snapshots of Yorke’s psychic landscape are fanned out against a layered musical backdrop coloured by a 21-piece string orchestra, the ultraviolet cool of ’80’s synth-pop, the austere grace and rhythmic cadences of minimalist contemporary composers and the whole-hearted reverberation of anthems that call forth echoes from the unconscious, somewhere between the tidal forces of Kate Bush and Philip Glass. Toward the end of the multi-year effort of making the album, Yorke survived a hemorrhagic stroke which led to unparalleled experiences of existence, and an extraordinary recovery. Now as she rises above the surface, Destroyer has become an offering from the depths, transforming emotions from her singular experience into a gift of universal resonance.

www.alanayorke.com
www.heartandstroke.ca

12/05/2024

In the sixteenth episode of season four, I am joined by Susan Henderson and Sarah Flemming to overthink about self and community compassion.

We dive into:
• Showing yourself love and grace
• Community care and inclusiveness
• Taking mental health days (without guilt)

https://www.thesammadore.ca/season-four

Recorded LIVE at CMHA in Truro as part of CMHA Nova Scotia's Mental Health Week on Monday, May 6, 2024.

Thanks to Mental Health Foundation of NS for supporting this podcast.

Sarah Flemming is the current Executive Director at the United Way of Colchester. Sarah is passionate about housing solutions that work in community to keep everyone housed, addressing the impacts of poverty, and advocating for basic income. Sarah is also committed to creating inclusive and accessible communities where every person feels welcome. At home Sarah enjoys hanging out with her family, reading, and getting outside whenever possible!

Susan Henderson is currently the Executive Director of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Colchester East Hants Branch. Susan has worked in the not-for-profit and volunteering sector since 1985. This included the beginnings of a number of long-standing organizations such as the Colchester Food Bank and the Third Place Transition House. Following 7 years of employment at the Nova Scotia Residential Center she began a 15-year career in youth justice where she was involved in the establishment of the provincial Restorative Justice program. During this time Susan became involved with Nova Institution, eventually serving as the Co-Chair of the CSC National Volunteer Association for 3 years.

Susan began her employment with the local branch of CMHA CEH in November of 2010 and continued to serve on a number of Board and Committees. Currently she serves as a Board Member of the Colchester Sexual Assault Center, is the Co-Chair of the Northern Patient Rights Advisory Committee and the Chair of Governors of the Jane Norman College.

She is a proud wife, mom of two grown children and two cats. With nature as her reset button, Susan loves to garden and spend time outside. Happiest by the ocean, as much time as possible is spent at her family camp with loved ones and friends.

06/05/2024

🎙️i am looking forward to chatting with susan and sarah TODAY (may 6) for a live (over zoom) podcast recording.

overthinking about community + self compassion during

thanks to for organizing another important conversation about mental wellness.

to watch over zoom, register at this link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/live-podcast-recording-exploring-self-and-community-compassion-tickets-891214304977

*if you’re interested in attending in person, let me know as there are limited seats available!*

and, if you miss the live recording, it will be live wherever you get your podcasts starting sunday, may 12 at 6 pm ADT

06/05/2024

TODAY (May 6)!

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/live-podcast-recording-exploring-self-and-community-compassion-tickets-891214304977

Join Susan Henderson and Sarah Flemming for live edition of Sam Madore’s popular podcast, Let Me Overthink about it as they explore the importance of self-compassion and building compassionate communities and share their experiences and insights on how we can cultivate compassion within ourselves and our communities.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn and connect with like-minded individuals.
Register today!

https://ow.ly/Kaxb50RqfYz

06/05/2024

As a self-proclaimed quote-aholic, I thought it was fitting to kick off Mental Health Week with a quote about connection:

“Empathy has no script. There is no right way or wrong way to do it. It’s simply listening, holding space, withholding judgement, emotionally connecting, and communicating that incredibly healing message of ‘you’re not alone’.” – Brené Brown

There are so many ways to reach out and connect and, this week, I'm challenging myself (and you!) to make connections with people – family, friends, people you haven't talked to in awhile – to simply see how they're doing. It can be as simple as that... and you never know who may be in need of a supportive ear.

28/04/2024

In the fifteenth episode of season four, I am joined by Stacey Harrison to overthink about death, dying and grief.

We dive into:

• Conversations around death and dying
• The impact from the community on Hospice
• Ways to mind your mental health when working in the field

https://www.thesammadore.ca/season-four

Stacey Harrison is the Executive Director of the Colchester East Hants Hospice Society, a community-based organization that educates, supports, and provides tools to empower those struggling with grief. After spending much of her career in the private sector, she moved to not for profit in 2018 after the death of her mom and is passionate about supporting community. In addition to her work, she spends time in a number of volunteer positions, is a certified yoga instructor, small business owner but most importantly, spends time with her husband Jason and their chocolate lab, Nala planning her next travel adventure!



Colchester East Hants Hospice Society

21/04/2024

In the fourteenth episode of season four, I am joined by Laura Simpson to overthink about noticing the music.

We dive into:

• Music connections through the pandemic
• Music for mental health
• Music accessibility

https://www.thesammadore.ca/season-four

Laura Simpson is the CEO and co-founder (along Dan Mangan) of Side Door. Side Door’s mission to create shows anytime, anywhere. The platform marketplace connects artists with hosts of spaces to create shows. They make booking, ticketing and payments easy and transparent, without any up-front costs to the user.

Laura has spent much of her life serving the needs of artists and promoting live performance. She spent time working mostly behind the scenes at music non-profits, festivals and as an export development program officer. She has hosted house concerts (aka The Syrup Factory) since 2011. She believes experiencing amazing live art in intimate community settings leads to stronger human connection, greater empathy and improved mental health.

14/04/2024

In the ​t​hirteenth episode of season four, I am joined by Jen Meza to overthink about mindset.

We dive into:

• Mindset helping with loss
• Following a creative desire
• Having honest conversations about mental health

https://www.thesammadore.ca/season-four

Born and raised in Vancouver, she inherited a love for exploration that took her across the globe before settling in Nova Scotia for the past 13 years. As a mother of two, she made the bold decision to leave behind a conventional government job to pursue a more fulfilling and independent career.

Driven by her passion for creativity and entrepreneurship, she has carved out a diverse path for herself. Whether she's creating content, managing social media, speaking, making art, or writing, Her approach to every endeavor is infused with the mindset and manifestation skills she's developed over time.

She is best known for her #1 Amazon best-seller "Our Best NS Adventure Journal," a project to encourage and inspire Nova Scotians to get out there and explore their own backyard. Through her work, she encourages others to embrace their passions and pursue their own adventures, wherever they may lead.

Link to Journal: https://amzn.to/3Q1eT4X

07/04/2024

In the twelfth episode of season four, I am joined by Mandy Wood to overthink about living with trauma.

We dive into:

• Mental Health in the Workplace
• Childhood trauma and therapy work
• The courage to tell your story

https://www.thesammadore.ca/season-four

Mandy Wood is proudly a mental health work-in-progress. A radio announcer in Truro, NS for 20+ years, Mandy co-hosts the Pure Country Morning Show. She is also a wife, mother and sexual assault survivor. Mandy has major depressive disorder, C-PTSD and a history of severe panic attacks and self-harm. She shares her story to help confront and eliminate stigmas and stereotypes; but most of all, to show there is hope — You can be at your darkest point and still feel the sunshine again.



*Trigger Warning: This conversation includes references to suicidal thoughts, self harm and sexual abuse. To anyone who may need help to cope with their mental health and/or thoughts of su***de, please, please, please reach out for help.

Canada Su***de Prevention:

• 1-833-456-4566 (phone)
• 45645 (text)
• www.crisisservicescanada.ca (chat)

Please connect with a sexual assault centre or transition house in your local area:

https://endingviolencecanada.org/sexual-assault-centres-crisis-lines-and-support-services/

29/03/2024

i don’t know about anyone else, but march has been a tough month.

there won’t be a new episode this week.

get caught up on season four.
read a book.
take a nap.

don’t overthink it…
do what works best for you.

i’m (re)recognizing just how important it is to follow the signs in my body that tell me not to push it when i’m otherwise convincing myself that i need to keep up to the unrealistic expectations i’ve set for myself.

see you in april!✌🏼

24/03/2024

In the eleventh episode of season four, I am joined by Starr Cunningham to overthink about the threads of mental health.

We dive into:

• Having the courage to speak openly
• The thread of mental health into everything
• Investing in yourself through therapy

https://www.thesammadore.ca/season-four

Starr Cunningham is the President & CEO of the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia.

She is a National Recipient of a ‘Difference Makers - 150 Canadians Leading for Mental Health Award’. Starr currently serves on the Atlantic Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund Advisory Committee. She is Communications Chair for the International Women’s Forum – Atlantic and serves on the National IWF Committee. Starr is a Director of the Board for St. John Ambulance Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island, invested into the Order of St. John, and a member of the National Honours & Awards Committee of the Priory of Canada. Starr was recently honoured with a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for her work in mental health.

A best-selling children’s author and multiple journalism award winner, Starr is a strong voice and recognized personality across the Atlantic region.

Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia

17/03/2024

In the tenth episode of season four, I am joined by Lenore Zann to overthink about feeling enough.

We dive into:
• Feeling enough and showing empathy
• Moving through grief, loss and alcoholism
• Acting, writing, and how things line up

https://www.thesammadore.ca/season-four

Award-winning actor Lenore Zann burst onto the entertainment scene with her powerful portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in the rock opera Hey Marilyn! She has since performed across North America and in Europe with hundreds of credits in Film, TV, Theatre, Radio, and Animation including her own one-woman play, The Marilyn Tapes, in New York.

Recent feature film roles include include “Bevette“ in filmmaker Thom Fitzgerald’s Stage Mother with (fellow Australian) Academy Award Nominee Jacki Weaver, and “Gladys Madone” in Barry Dunn’s The Madones.

A tireless champion of Arts and Culture, Women, Diversity, and Social and Environmental Justice, Lenore served for twelve years (2009-2021) as a popular elected official in both provincial and federal levels of Government in Canada.
Her Private Member’s Bills, “Act to Address Environmental Racism introduced in Province House, Halifax, in 2014, and federal “National Strategy to Address Environmental Racism and Environmental Justice Act” have been widely hailed as the first Bills of their kind in North America. Beloved by fans around the world for her voice as the iconic “Rogue” in the 90’s X-Men: The Animated Series, Zann is currently reprising her role in the new Marvel series X-Men ‘97 streaming on Disney+. And her memoir, Lenore Zann: A Rogue’s Tale, will be published in fall 2024 by Pottersfield Press with distribution by Nimbus Publishing and and available on Amazon.

Lenore is the grateful recipient of several awards: Earl Grey Public Speaking Contest (Gold), ACTRA Award for Best Actress in a Radio Drama, Duke of Edinburgh Gold Lifetime Award for Service to Community & Country, and Lifetime Achievement Award for Contribution to Arts and Culture.

10/03/2024

In the ninth episode of season four, I am joined by Sharon Ishimwe to overthink about storytelling.

We dive into:
• The power of storytelling
• Bringing back family traditions
• Radical trust

https://www.thesammadore.ca/season-four

Sharon Ishimwe is a storyteller and the founder of Engero Productions. After years of storytelling through writing, public speaking, and working on documentary sets such as Nee Nee Productions’ multi award winning film Sauti, Sharon produced and directed her debut movie, Ssekukkulu: A Ugandan Christmas in 2023.

Sharon is also the Executive Director of MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning, and the co-founder of an early-stage startup, Lunch Buddies.

A proponent of radical trust, she is passionate about connecting people and building meaningful relationships. She enjoys questions more than answers and her superpower is spotting silver linings. Sharon holds a master’s degree in public relations from Mount Saint Vincent University where she graduated Valedictorian and received the Senate Medal of Distinction. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and communications from Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda.