Help Me See with Justin Driedger

#013 Self-Care Isn't Selfish. It's Your Birthright w/Calissa Ngozi

Exhaustion has a way of disguising itself as purpose. And for a lot of us, being busy has become the proof that we matter. In this episode of Help Me See, Justin Driedger sits down with Calissa Ngozi, mental health expert, professor at Mohawk College, seven-time award-winning international speaker, and author of The Oxygen Mask Mindset: Reclaiming Your Energy in a World that Glorifies Exhaustion. Calissa shares the story that could have defined her forever: adopted as a baby, placed in care, and a doctor telling her parents, "this is going to be a stupid child." Her family chose to see beyond the paperwork, and that decision became the beginning of a life built on possibility. Together, Justin and Calissa unpack mental health stigma across generations, the real cost of "just get over it," and why healing cannot stay hidden in whispered conversations. Calissa also teaches practical tools for burnout recovery through her CARE Tool, a framework built around clarity, activity, resilience, and engagement, and she challenges a belief many of us carry: self-care is not a luxury, it's a birthright. You'll walk away with: 1. A clearer understanding of how stigma keeps you stuck and silent 2. A simple framework to restart when you feel depleted and overwhelmed 3. A healthier definition of resilience that doesn't require perfection 4. A reframed view of self-care that removes guilt, especially for parents and leaders 5. A grounded perspective on identity, faith, and becoming who you are meant to be If this episode resonates, tag @‌jdriedger, follow or subscribe on YouTube, and leave a comment with the moment that hit closest to home.

#012 What if God doesn't want first place? w/Kevin Shepherd

What if God never meant to be "first on your list"? In this episode of Help Me See, Justin talks with Kevin Shepherd - CEO of Crossroads and YES TV, assistant superintendent in the PAOC's Western Ontario District, long-time pastor, husband and dad about the deeper work of faithfulness, leadership, and possibility. Kevin shares about growing up in a pastor's home with a busy but present dad and a mom who knew how to pray. He opens up about perfectionism, a loud inner critic, and how increasing leadership responsibility forced him to rethink what faithfulness actually is. You'll hear: * Why "familiarity does not equal faithfulness" * How the "God first, family second, work third" hierarchy quietly breaks us * Kevin's picture of God at the center of every box: family, work, side hustle, leadership * The "problem of capable people" and why self-reliance is so dangerous * Why silos are not the enemy — and how they should feed the whole, not themselves * The difference between information and knowledge, and why leaders must learn to wrestle * A powerful reframing of Jesus turning water into wine: just keep bringing the water * How his family lives out the Shema in everyday rhythms: drive time, meal time, bedtime If you're a leader, parent, pastor, creative, or just someone who wants to be faithful where you are without losing your soul in the process — this conversation will give you both language and courage. If this moved you, tag @‌jdriedger, leave a review, or subscribe on YouTube for more.

#011 When 'More' Isn't Ego ... It's Obedience w/Phil Kniesel

What if the "more" you're sensing isn't ego ... it's obedience? Phil Kniesel, lead pastor of Hope City Church in Edmonton, shares how God broke his heart for his city, why he set a 1% vision, and how to lead with both audacity and wisdom. From launching prayer nights that grew from 125 to over 1,100 to creating financial buffers that preserved his staff during crisis, Phil shows a path any leader can walk: be all in with what's in your hand, ask God for favor, and keep solving the next problem with courage and compassion. Guest: Phil Kniesel. Theme: calling, bold vision, prayer, stewardship, leadership resilience. You'll learn: 1. How to discern the difference between ambition and assignment and why asking God for success and favour isn't pride. 2. A practical model for citywide impact: long-horizon goals supported by consistent corporate prayer. 3. How to pair big dreams with prudent systems like building financial margin so people keep their jobs. 4. Why leadership gets lonelier as you grow and the relationships that keep you healthy. 5. The portable rule for momentum: be faithful with your next step. If this moved you, tag @‌jdriedger, leave a review, or subscribe on YouTube for more.

#010 When Your Name Means "Unfortunate"… and God Renames Your Future w/Julius Rwotlonyo

What if your story began with "unfortunate"—and God renamed your future? Julius Rwotlonyo shares how he moved from scarcity and limiting labels to leading a 35,000-person, 17-location church and dreaming in decades for a continent. This conversation will stretch your vision for what's possible and show you how to pair courage with wise stewardship. Guest: Julius Rwotlonyo Theme: identity, calling, stewardship, dignity, long-horizon vision You'll learn: 1. How reframing identity activates calling, including Julius's renaming story and why "possibility" became his core lens. 2. The seven convictions that anchor resilient leadership: God's greatness, goodness, love, presence, ongoing work, sufficient grace, and glory. 3. How to hold big vision and real budgets without becoming reckless—financing the gap while staying faithful to core mission. 4. Why dignity beats handouts, and how serving with excellence transforms both the city and the servant. 5. Vision 2050 and a belief that Africa is at a turning point that will rewrite a global story. If this moved you, tag @‌jdriedger, leave a review, or subscribe on YouTube for more.

#009 Thrown Off a Cliff at 13: Anees Khan's Unbelievable Survival and Calling

He was kidnapped at 13… and thrown off a cliff for his faith. In this raw and powerful episode of Help Me See, Anees Khan tells the story of how he survived an attempted murder in Pakistan—and how it marked the beginning, not the end, of his life. From waking up on the edge of death to walking into his own funeral, Anees shares what happened when trauma collided with calling. His story is a masterclass in choosing obedience over comfort, identity over victimhood, and purpose over pain. This episode isn't just about survival—it's about the supernatural grace required to start over, lead a family, and keep believing when everything says you shouldn't. What you'll walk away with: * A new understanding of what it means to own your story * The mindset that turns tragedy into transformation * How obedience—even when terrifying—becomes freedom * Why unprocessed pain won't disqualify your purpose * A reminder that your life is not over—it's just beginning Listen to the full episode and tag @‌jdriedger and @‌aneeskhan on Instagram with your biggest takeaway. Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@helpmeseepossibility [https://www.youtube.com/@helpmeseepossibility]