Send us a textThis is the third and final installment of our series on all things music and we cover so many things. Lyrics, musicality, motifs, feelings and life experiences and all the things that music is and influences. We talk about a wide range of artists and what they mean to us or how they have affected us, and as usual there are some interesting takes. Whether or not you agree or disagree, we hope that you will come to appreciate whatever it is that you love to listen to with a new awareness or understanding of how deeply music touches us on levels that many of us probably haven't even really thought about. Another shout out to my music downloader friend extraordinaire, without whom the clips would not have been possible, and a huge and heartfelt thanks to my most amazing kid, without whom the entire series would not have been possible.  Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. Pre/post roll music is Single Kiss by Paul Cresey - thanks for letting me use it!Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room. Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Send us a textWell - here we are with our second installment of our series on music, and this time we are going head to head discussing the Beatles. It is in my opinion, one of the most polarizing bands, for reasons we will get into in this episode. There are some more clips from songs you will likely know well, at least recognize, and if you're like most people either love or hate. Daphne shares their amazing insights into a band that has for me, always been a bit problematic. Regardless of where you stand on the Beatles, I think you'll find this an interesting and hopefully entertaining episode.If you would like to listen to Tapeheads, you can find their show here https://open.spotify.com/show/4WljJ5U665GveO0obnp4Qm?si=3c5a28531640467b (giving some love to Spotify this time around - it was Apple Podcasts last time).  Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. Pre/post roll music is Single Kiss by Paul Cresey - thanks for letting me use it!Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room. Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Send us a textIn this episode - I have a special guest/cohost! None other than my kiddo Daphne. Audiophile in the making, they are joining me in a three part series where we look at music and what it means to us, what we think about it, and what we actually like about it. In this first installment, we talk all things David Bowie - well maybe not ALL things. But we do consider a number of his albums, some classic and slightly more obscure songs, and ponder his movies - for better or for worse. It's a super fun conversation, and if you like David a little or a lot, I'm sure you might be surprised what a 15 yr old has in terms of insight and interesting takes on this musical icon. A little Gen X meets Gen Z. Shout out to my friend Todd for scoring me the music, and if you want to listen to a real music podcast, then I suggest you check out "Tapeheads: 80s Music and Beyond" that he does with a friend. Really great, highly recommend. https://www.tapeheadspod.com/ Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. Pre/post roll music is Single Kiss by Paul Cresey - thanks for letting me use it!Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room. Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Send us a textSometimes things happen that seem on the surface to be tragic or difficult or challenging and sometimes they are some or all of those things. As the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention. But so to is creativity and inspiration sometimes either the result of those hard times. This is a short, fast and furious look at some recent events that have cemented for me the idea that there is always something good that can come out of dark times, and that the light that is creativity and inspiration are often the beacon that help guide you through that process. Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. Pre/post roll music is Single Kiss by Paul Cresey - thanks for letting me use it!Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room. Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Send us a textWhen you travel - there are so many things that could happen. Being on a cruise ship, which is really more like being on location than truly travelling, or going to a resort, which while ticking the boxes of "getting away from it, having some downtime and relaxing" doesn't really allow for a true experience of wherever you are. Truly travelling provides so many opportunities to live like the locals. To be able to see things on the beaten path and off. To let go of ideas that might have their origins in what others have said, shows you've seen or things you've read. You get to create your own ideas and reality of a place when you go there, see and experience things. Travel can change your perspectives, and in many ways travel can change your life. Giving you the clarity to see things in a new way, that a change of scenery is sometimes the catalyst of or for. So if you get the opportunity. Take it. Do it. As often as you can. A world of amazing adventures is out there waiting for you. Music for this episode is by Clear Sky by Hartzman courtesy Uppbeat.https://uppbeat.io/t/hartzmann/clear-skyLicense code: ZXLJLJ32BP5V3XNP) Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. Pre/post roll music is Single Kiss by Paul Cresey - thanks for letting me use it!Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room. Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Send us a textFriends - we hopefully all have 'em. We need to have those people in our lives that keep us grounded, call us out on our BS and are there when things hit the fan. Whether near or far, old or new, casual or close, friends are the glue that keep our humanity together. In this episode I consider the types of friends we have, how we can make them and how they make our lives better. Thanks Judy Garland and Jonny Mercer for the inspiration.  And thanks everyone out there who I'm lucky enough to call a friend.Here's the link to the article about the 7 types of friendship:https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/lifetime-connections/202111/the-7-types-friends-and-which-is-most-essential-our-happinessAnd here's the YouTube link to the song:https://youtu.be/NZY5b9kC8YE Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. Pre/post roll music is Single Kiss by Paul Cresey - thanks for letting me use it!Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room. Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Send us a textIf you think that you customer service is a thing of the past, then I would challenge you to pay more attention to not only what you bring to the interaction, but what the people that you are interacting with are dealing with and how if you look a little deeper, there are probably lots of examples of people doing a great job, in potentially the weirdest or least expected of places. If you would like to learn more about the history of the mammography equipment here's a link https://www.ramsoft.com/history-of-mammography Gentlemen - if you want to find out more about how to take care of all your bits, check this great website https://menshealthfoundation.ca/mens-health-check/ and their awesome podcast ``Don`t Change Much`` https://menshealthfoundation.ca/dont-change-much-podcast/  Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. Pre/post roll music is Single Kiss by Paul Cresey - thanks for letting me use it!Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room. Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Send us a textIt's not about religion - so don't be put off by the title. I gave up church during the pandemic...long story. But I still believe that there is an inherent responsibility that all people have regardless of any spiritual affiliation or lack thereof. So when people who by virtue of a position they find themselves in, don't abide by the idea of doing right by people, it makes me...well...cross. So this is me sharing my indignation sparked by a bad move (in my opinion) by one of my (former) favourite podcasters. No names no pack drill...cause that wouldn't be cool. Enjoy:) Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. Pre/post roll music is Single Kiss by Paul Cresey - thanks for letting me use it!Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room. Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Send us a textWe've all heard that word. Been called it. Maybe used it - to describe someone or possibly ourselves. Why do we so often find ourselves in situations where maybe we feel like we've had one pulled over on us? Maybe it's just me. There are definitely charlatans, hucksters and snake oil salespeople out there but not everyone is as susceptible, but there are also people out there just doing what they can, hoping it will lead to a change, a break, or make a difference. That's what I tackle in this episode, the up and downsides of being a sucker.  Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. Pre/post roll music is Single Kiss by Paul Cresey - thanks for letting me use it!Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room. Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Send us a textThe last little while there seem to have been all these little hints or clues that I needed to be a little more connected - in my mind and body, more mindful, more present, more able to respond rather than react. And let's be clear, it's still a work in progress, but this most recent experience really cemented for me that there is great benefit in trying to be a little more aware, a little more mindful day to day, because you just never know when you're going to have call upon that ability to be still and in the present.If you are not someone who likes to or is "good at" mindfulness, don't quit trying. There are so many great books out there that can help you find a way and a place to start that is not overwhelming and really approachable. Like finding the right mattress or that perfect pair of boots, sometimes you just need to try a bunch out before you find the one that really fits you.Here is a link to some books that might "fit the bill":https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14096 (I have no affiliation to Goodreads, buy the books wherever you like to get your books!!!!) Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. Pre/post roll music is Single Kiss by Paul Cresey - thanks for letting me use it!Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room. Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Send us a textI was thinking about this for a long time, when I realized that maybe it's not so much an either/or as a both/and, which was confirmed for me in this conversation with my good friend Trina Mansour. We talk about how life changes, or how perhaps, we need to change, to keep up with or fully embrace life. It's a great reminder that we can be whoever and whatever we choose to be - and that at the end of the day, it's a choice. Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. Pre/post roll music is Single Kiss by Paul Cresey - thanks for letting me use it!Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room. Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Send us a textIt's amazing how doing something everyday, multiple times a day can give you moments of clarity or inspiration. Luna and I spend a lot of time walking. In the neighbourhood, in the ravine, and I'm always amazed at her zeal at sniffing the same fence, patch of grass or bush. Every. Single. Time. So it dawned on me that there might be some lessons there - and here are a couple that came to mind the last few times I was out my little houndly.  Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. Pre/post roll music is Single Kiss by Paul Cresey - thanks for letting me use it!Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room. Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Send us a textSo I clearly don't know what season I am working on - but it doesn't matter, new year, new season and I'm calling it 5 and I'm excited to kick it off with a conversation that ties in mental health, because that's always important to talk about, with things that we do that help us to feel better, unwind, relax or in some way stay sane. Michelle Beeson joins me again to talk about her "habit" and how it has helped her through good times and bad and we have a great time talking about passions and staying well and pushing boundaries - all the good stuff. Hope you enjoy and hope maybe you pick up a craft, activity or hobby that helps to fulfill all those things for you by the end of the episode. Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. Pre/post roll music is Single Kiss by Paul Cresey - thanks for letting me use it!Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room. Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Send us a textWell - here we are. Another Holiday Season upon us, another year almost ready for the archives, and what have we learned? Hope that you all have an amazingly restful break (if that's in the cards for you) and that you all find what you need to fill your cup and to fortify you so that you can fill the cups of others. Thanks for listening, and as always, if you have a story that you would like to tell, or a thought, idea or jumping off point for a conversation, I'm open to any and all!!! Conversations are best when they involve more than one person:)Here are the links to the videos on YouTube of the three videos that inspired this episode. Enjoy as a walk down memory lane or for the first time - you will be amazed at the faces and voices that you see and hear!BandAid - https://youtu.be/bjQzJAKxTrENorthern Lights - https://youtu.be/o6OqvHNcuTkUSA for Africa - https://youtu.be/9AjkUyX0rVwHappy Holidays everyone! Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. Pre/post roll music is Single Kiss by Paul Cresey - thanks for letting me use it!Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room. Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Send us a textAt first blush, it might sound like this is going to be just a negative bashing of, well, pretty much anything you can think of - but it's not. Yes it's about stupid people, or perhaps more precisely the stupid things they do, but it's not an exhaustive listing of the stupid things that people do, because a) that would be fodder for a whole podcast, let alone just an episode and b) there is a bright side. Joining me on this exhilarating romp down "stupid is as stupid does" lane, is Curtis Christopher, Argyll resident, dad, business guy, social committee member and all round great person. We discuss a few very specific examples of stupidity and then consider what might be the road to redemption. It's a funny, authentic look at something that there is too much of in this world, but, that if we all put our minds and hearts to it, might be in all our power to remedy - to some extent.Once again - there is no explicit material, but that odd "curse" word is uttered, so best to keep younger, impressionable ears covered or otherwise occupied:)  Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. Pre/post roll music is Single Kiss by Paul Cresey - thanks for letting me use it!Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room. Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Send us a textWho among us hasn't caved and bought that cute T-shirt while on vacation, or dashed into the store because something caught our eye in the window display? We can probably all remember the "back to school shopping" trip that we did as kids, and may do now with our own kids, but have you ever thought about what happens to those clothes after the shine has worn off, or knees get worn out? Well, you are about to find out the good, the bad and the ugly in the thrifting and textile recycling world from Sarah Janzen of Blenderz Garment Recyclers. Join us for a fascinating conversation about what we can do to help her and her team revolutionize what happens to our textiles when we all start to look at things a little differently. Check it out here: https://www.blenderzgarmentrecyclers.com/Come visit Blenderz here: 5609 Gateway Boulevard, Edmonton, ABContact them here: hello@blenderzgarmentrecyclers.comFollow them on social here:@blenderzgarmentrecyclers on IG Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. Pre/post roll music is Single Kiss by Paul Cresey - thanks for letting me use it!Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room. Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Send us a textSo before you think I did Iron Man, I need to stop you there. This story started with a conversation I had with a fellow Aryllian who was training for another endurance race and it lead me to have a chat with a friend of mine who did Iron Man - professionally - I didn't even know that was a thing til I met him. So this episode takes an up close and personal look at what it takes mentally and physically to take on this sort of...ahem...challenge and the surprising conclusion that we came to. Hope you are able to listen and appreciate being an armchair athlete for this one:) Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. Pre/post roll music is Single Kiss by Paul Cresey - thanks for letting me use it!Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room. Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Send us a textFinally a guest! I'm so excited to share this conversation that I had with my friend and former colleague Trina Mansour!!! We talked about beginnings, starting over, parents, the challenges that kids are having and how we can "help" them navigate them and had a blast just chatting about stuff like only 2 kids from the '80's can. Trina has just the most amazing insights and ways of looking at the world that I'm sure you will find her as hilarious and on point as I do. I had my perspectives on a lot of things shifted as a result of this conversation - and that's the whole point! Enjoy:) P.S. I didn't click the "explicit material" button, but she is a little salty - so FYI if there are little ears in the vicinity. Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. Pre/post roll music is Single Kiss by Paul Cresey - thanks for letting me use it!Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room. Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Send us a textAll over the map - that's where I feel I am at the moment. Podcast schedule all over the map, focus all over the map, and no real sense of direction. So when we were recently in Jasper looking at all the map markers and contemplating the size of our country and the challenges of getting from point A to point B - well, the episode was born. Reflections on where we are on a map, what they represent in terms of scale and their relative accuracy...plus it's a marker for getting out the next episode which I am super excited about and I need to light a fire under my editing butt by "manifesting it" - wow that looks as corny as it sounds. But here's hoping it works! In the meantime enjoy the ramblings that are...all over the map! If you have comments, as always, I'd love to read them. Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. Pre/post roll music is Single Kiss by Paul Cresey - thanks for letting me use it!Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room. Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks

Send us a textHave you ever thought about the things that you don't understand. I find myself saying that a LOT. I'm not sure why...maybe because I'm always thinking about something, usually a problem or a challenge that I'm hopeful there is a solution to, especially as it pertains to work, but invariably, part of the problem ends up being something I don't understand. Often, why something is the way it is, when it could be so much better with so little effort if only someone would make one small change or do something differently. So this episode is all about just some of the things I don't understand, and believe me the list is long. Some are small, trivial things, others of them fairly significant and requiring of solutions that someone who is way smarter or more competent than I am is going to have to be responsible for. If you have things that you don't understand, it would be fun to hear about them!  Listen wherever you get your podcasts - you can find Walking Alongside on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In and of course Spotify, Google Player and Apple Podcasts - where if you can leave a comment or throw me some ideas of topics you'd like to hear about, that would be great. Pre/post roll music is Single Kiss by Paul Cresey - thanks for letting me use it!Walking Alongside is written, recorded and produced by me - Charissa McKay (aka CharCharBinx) in my awesome basement home office/studio/craft room. Thanks for listening - follow me on Instagram @CharChar_bincks