Here's a special summer edition of the podcast with author Jennifer Maruno discussing her new book for young readers, Until Niagara Falls, a coming-of-age story about a troubled friendship that takes place over an eventful summer in 1960s Niagara Falls, Ontario. We also touch on the importance of stories and storytelling to her career as an educator, and her all-time favourite Niagara Falls librarian.  Borrow Until Niagara Falls from the Niagara Falls Public Library or visit Jennifer's website at https://jennifermaruno.com.

To celebrate CMHA Canadian Mental Health Week, May 2 - 8, 2022, we speak with author, mental health advocate and peer support worker Darcy Patrick about his mental health story, his body of work, and his fifth and newest book, Managing Wellness: Creating and Maintaining a Mind, Body & Soul Connection. To learn more about Darcy or to purchase the book, visit darcypatrick.com. To borrow his books with your free Niagara Falls Public Library card, have a look at this list in our catalogue: nfpl.info/PodcastEp4ManagingWellness. Also this episode, we talk about new books for spring, and we also announce the Niagara Falls Public Library's new Mental Health & Wellbeing resource page at my.nflibrary.ca/mentalhealth. The page links to lists on various mental health topics from Anxiety to Trauma, each featuring psychologist-recommended books and workbooks that cover evidence-based skills and techniques you can use to cope with and manage mental health challenges. Happy Mental Health Week!

This month we speak with Jolie Phuong Hoang (joliehoang.com), author of Anchorless and the excellent new memoir Three Funerals for My Father, a story of her escape from communist Vietnam in 1983 with elements of the supernatural. The book is available to buy from major booksellers or to borrow from the Niagara Falls Public Library. To learn more about Vietnam and its history, have a look at our episode three book list here: nfpl.info/PodcastEp3.

This month we're continuing the conversation on mental health with a look at the Canadian Mental Health Association's free BounceBack program. Coach Rachel Summers explains how the program works, and how you can access it for free. For more info and downloadable materials, see their website: https://bouncebackontario.ca or call the CMHA at 1-866-345-0183 ext.3321. IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS, call Crisis Outreach and Support Team Niagara at 1-866-550-5205.

In our very first episode we talk to Susan Chudzik-Sipos, Registered Clinical Psychologist and owner of CBT Niagara, as well as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University. We ask Susan what Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is and how it can help those struggling with a variety of mental health issues. Listen, then check out these CBT books using your FREE Niagara Falls Public Library card: https://nfpl.info/PodcastEP1CBT.