Solitude and Shadows

In the Silence, the Truth

In this deeply personal episode 2, Ken Matheson a retired RCMP Officer, award winning film maker and podcast host opens up about the physical and emotional training behind his upcoming 3 week solo sea kayaking journey through the Great Bear Rainforest. At 71, Ken reflects on the power of solitude, the comfort of returning to familiar rhythms, and the unexpected memories that surface when preparing for silence. He shares a haunting story from his policing career—the recovery of a child’s body from a burned home—and the anger, guilt, and grief that still live within him. With honesty and humility, he confronts the legacy of generational trauma and his own complicity in a broken system. Drawing strength from Indigenous teachings and a small Haida stone gifted by a beloved friend, Ken begins the process of sitting with his shadow. This is an episode about courage, reflection, and the quiet work of healing in wild places—where the truth is no longer avoidable. For information about the Honour House and the Honour Ranch and the work they do follow this link. https://www.honourhouse.ca/ ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Solitude and Shadows

PODCAST EPISODE SUMMARY: SOLITUDE AND SHADOWS – TRAINING FOR THE INNER BATTLE In this episode of Story Studio, I explore the hardest part of my upcoming 500-kilometer solo paddle through the Great Bear Rainforest—not the ocean, not survival, but the silence. I’ve spent my life in motion—seeking adventure, pushing boundaries, and filling every moment with movement. But now, as I prepare for weeks of total solitude, I’m forced to ask myself: * Have I been chasing something, or just running away? * What happens when I finally stop and sit with my shadow self? To prepare, I’m embracing stillness, writing out my unfiltered thoughts, and studying First Nations teachings of the Bear—a creature that doesn’t fight the darkness but learns from it. Through the story of the young warrior and the Bear, I reflect on how true strength isn’t about conquering fear, but about sitting with it. This journey isn’t just mine—it’s for anyone who has ever felt trapped by their own mind. If you’ve ever been afraid of the quiet, of what lurks in your own silence, this episode is for you. Join me as I confront the unknown—not in the wild, but within myself. 🎙️ Listen now on Story Studio. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.