Reclaiming Space: Melanie Vernon on Pain & Growth

Where Art Meets Mental Health

What happens when a childhood dream meets lived experience? In this episode of As I, A Peer, Jeff Turner speaks with Priscilla Cherry, the force behind The Oratory. Priscilla shares her story of growing up with big dreams, facing the realities of childhood PTSD and ADHD, and discovering the life-changing power of peer support. From helping shape Recovery College to creating a groundbreaking show that blends entertainment with mental health dialogue, Priscilla shows how personal struggle can spark collective healing.

Breaking Cycles: Bruce on Recovery and Resilience

In this episode of As I, A Peer, we meet Bruce, now a Peer Support Practice Lead, whose journey reflects loss, resilience, and the power of community.  Growing up in Calgary, Bruce experienced early loss, family challenges, and the weight of feeling different. As a teen, substances became a way to cope, leading to years of struggle that carried into adulthood. His turning point came in 2004, when he chose to change his lifestyle and began rebuilding his life one step at a time.  Through volunteering and later working in peer support, Bruce discovered how his lived experience could become a source of strength for others. Today, he leads with empathy and honesty, helping to build supportive systems that remind people they are not alone and that healing is possible.

Reclaiming Space: Melanie Vernon on Pain & Growth

In this episode of As I, A Peer, we sit down with Melanie Vernon, a chronic pain peer support worker, mental health advocate, and CMHA Calgary School of Peer Support alum.  Melanie shares her deeply personal story of growing up in a household where everything looked perfect from the outside, but inside was a world shaped by trauma, neglect, and survival. As the “good kid” in a family consumed by chaos, Melanie learned to shrink her needs, bury her pain in novels and food and seek validation in unsafe places, all while carrying more than her share of emotional weight.  From childhood bullying and disordered eating to navigating abuse and chronic illness, Melanie opens up about what it means to live with invisible pain, both emotional and physical. Her journey to healing wasn’t linear. But through therapy, medication, and eventually discovering the power of peer support, Melanie began reclaiming her story.  Now, as a peer supporting others with chronic pain across Alberta, Melanie brings empathy, honesty, and lived experience to every conversation, reminding us that being seen and believed can be life-changing. She reflects on what it meant to finally do something just for herself, how it felt to find community, and why she’s committed to showing her kids that it’s okay to feel, to grow, and to heal.  Join us as Melanie reminds us that resilience isn’t about never breaking down — it’s about discovering that you’re worthy of care, just as you are.

Finding Home in the In-Between: Sadaf’s Story of Identity and Healing

In this episode of As I, A Peer, we’re excited to sit down with Sadaf, a thoughtful peer, mental health advocate, and former Peer School Facilitator with CMHA Calgary.  Sadaf shares her powerful journey of navigating identity, culture, and mental health — from growing up in Calgary as a child of Pakistani immigrants to finding her voice in spaces that didn’t always make room for her full self. Struggling to blend in while holding on to her heritage, Sadaf opens up about the challenges of growing up feeling misunderstood, and learning how to embrace the duality of her identity.  Her mental health journey took a pivotal turn during a study abroad trip, where the sudden shift and isolation brought forward anxiety and depression for the first time. Through therapy, reflection, and the support of her brother, Sadaf began to better understand her mental health — and why culturally responsive, compassionate care matters.  Peer support became a meaningful part of her healing, not only as a personal lifeline but as a practice she would eventually share with others. From working at CMHA to studying business today, Saadaf reflects on what it means to show up authentically, accept uncertainty, and keep growing — even when the path forward isn’t clear.  Join us as Sadaf reminds us that healing isn’t linear, identity isn’t fixed, and sometimes the bravest thing we can do is keep going — especially when we’re still figuring it out.

Writing Toward Wellness: The Journey of Wakefield Brewster

In this episode of As I, A Peer, we’re honoured to welcome Wakefield Brewster, a celebrated poet, wellness practitioner, and Calgary’s 2022- 2024 Poet Laureate.  Wakefield shares his journey of healing, shaped by early life challenges, substance use, and the ongoing process of navigating mental wellness. Growing up in Toronto as the child of Barbadian immigrants, Wakefield often felt misunderstood and disconnected in systems that weren’t built to support his unique needs or creative spirit. When he later relocated to Calgary, he carried with him old patterns of coping — but also a deep desire for change.  Through compassionate support and personal reflection, Wakefield began to find his footing in recovery. Programs like SMART Recovery offered him language and tools that resonated, while massage therapy opened up new ways to connect with others through care and presence. Throughout, poetry remained a constant — a safe place where he could explore, process, and express his lived experience on his own terms.  Now, more than 25 years into his creative practice, Wakefield uses his voice to foster connection, understanding, and community. His work weaves together artistry and wellness, inviting others to see their stories reflected and to know they are not alone.  Join us as Wakefield shares how creative expression and self-awareness have shaped his healing, and how he continues to offer hope and support through his words and wellness work.